Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday-Cars I covet

BMW M3

       So, most people have dreams cars. A certain vehicle that they've wanted for a long time, be it a high performance sports car, an expensive SUV, or maybe an old muscle car. But these vehicles are extremely out of reach on a typical middle class budget, hence the car's "dream car" status.
       I have dream cars, sure, but what I have more of are cars I covet, which are typicaly cars I could afford, but cannot justify owning one. Today, the car I covet, is a BMW M3. Now, the 3 series has been around since 1975, The "M" is the cars performance version. These cars are equipped with a high performance V6. I know what you're thinking, "An American, wanting a V6?" People tend to forget that V6's from Europe are completely different animals from those in America, where the V6 is known as "standard equipment." Other performance upgrades were stiffer suspension and better brakes. But this isn't why I want a BMW M3.
       Lets be honest here, the 4th generation M3 is quite possibly one of the best looking sports coupes of all time. It isn't brash, it doesn't hurt your eyes if you stare at it too long, and honestly, in lower options listings, the 3 series just looks kind of "meh". So when a buyer checked the box for the "M" upgrades, its mind blowing that a new set of wheels, some ground effects, and a pretty interior could take that "meh" and turn it into "mehhhnnnn I wish I had a better paying job". The subtlety of this car, for some reason it just oozes class.
     But the saddest part of this story is that I cannot afford a 4th generation M3. This is a man realizing he cannot afford even an old BMW. However,  I do not fret, because I CAN afford a 3rd generation M3. Sure, the 3rd gens are going to be a little out of date. Sure, they might not be as quick. But the third generation 3 series was the stepping stone for what is, in my mind, one of the best looking BMW's ever, the 4th generation 3 series. But lets not downplay the 3rd generation either. They may not be quite as good looking as the 4th gens, but you can't blame the 3rd gens, they grew up in the 90's. Yet, they still maintain that mostly subtle look, they still keep that "I'm a lot faster than you think I am" mentality. Let's face it, every man, no matter how much he denies it, wishes he had a sleeper. A car no one would see coming, until it was too late. The 3rd generation M3? Well it's just fine by me, it gets the job done, it still looks good, and at the end of the day, it's still a BMW.

Friday, September 16, 2011

A 2001 Trans Am WS6

                I remember it perfectly, it was sixth grade. I heard General Motors had decided to give the F-body(Camaro, Firebird) the axe. A cold, jagged knife through the heart of a young, impressionable 12 year old. The Pontiac Trans Am, my very first dream car, dead at 35. You see, sixth graders have priorities, and at the top of that list is the answer to the question " How will I impress all the kids at highschool when I get my license?" Well, it was my top priority anyway, And the answer to that question was, of course, A pitch black Trans Am. Well, I am 20 years old now, and I still don't own that car. However, I have driven THE car. It was a black, 2001 WS6, six speed. It might as well have begged me to get the keys. Now I'd never driven a car with a short throw before, but the salesman at the dealership didn't really notice, he was too busy listening to the symphany of the factory exhaust. I knew it was the right car for me, I drove it maybe ten miles, and for the first five my hands were twitching, my heart pounding, and my smile stretched ear to ear. It was that sound, that awful, terrible, amazing sound. It was as if God's very own pet lion was trying to escape the engine compartment. And the kick of acceleration, holy expletive. 1st and 2nd gear will take your eyes, suck them out of their sockets, and blow 'em out your ears. The chirping of those tires, I know, I know, I definetly looked like a musclehead with a serious need for over compensation, but my God it was SO much fun. But, at $16,000, there was no way my 18 year old self could afford it, let alone the insurance. I parked the live, evil incarnation of my greatest dreams, and walked away. With one last glance over my shoulder, I opened the door to my Blazer, slammed it shut, and peeled away. That car was gone a week later, I died a little inside.

           I have no doubt, sooner or later, I will own this car. Sure, they might not be that fast anymore, and sure, they may be 10 years old. But nothing will ever replace that feeling. When all the hair on my body stood on end, my eyes opened wide, and that car became part of my soul. It's up to me to go reclaim that bit of my soul stuck to that steering wheel. I won't let it slip away.

Introduction

So, I've noticed something. If I have a problem, or just something on my mind, I can write about it and it will disappear. Well the stress does, usually. Granted I don't have much to be stressed about. I am a 20 year old college student, attending school for automotive technology. I've already received a degree in paint and body. What is this blog going to be about? Well, cars, of course. But not just cars, it'll be about what I usually want to rant/ write about. I'm not so good at introducing myself, so If you don't mind I'm going to jump right into this, with my next post.