Thinking Too Deeply About Cars: The Glass Half Empty Effect

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland) 09/20/2013 at 13:59 • Filed to: TTDAC, THinking too deeply about cars, rants, articles

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(Welcome to “Thinking Too Deeply About Cars.” This is a column where I over analyze my thoughts about the cars I have owned and possibly get a little too sentimental. I encourage you to do the same or call me a total nut-job in the comments).

I have this problem where no matter how nice of a car I am driving I always want it to have something more. This all started with my first car, a 91’ Chevy Lumina Coupe. It was a fine first car for a 17yr old, cheap to buy (I got it from my uncle for $2000 it only had 28k miles), cheap to fix, enough power for safe highway merging but not too much to get a novice driver into trouble, and pretty comfortable for chauffeuring friends around (two rows of bench seats, yay 90’s GM!).

Despite all these fine features (I even had a kickin’ stereo!) it wasn’t enough. A college friend who seemed to go through cars faster than Ramen noodles (seriously, he owned 6 different cars within 2 years ) ended up with a 240sx fastback 5-speed and thought it would be a good idea to teach me to drive stick. After some rough launches and a few stalls, I got the hang of it and was totally addicted. But my Chevy was an automatic (column shifted) and I had no money to get a different car. So what did I do? I did what any one of year college educated 19 yr old would do, I improvised! I wanted the sensation of shifting gears so badly I ended up taking a used plastic Coke bottle and jamming it in between the front bench seats. For two years I kicked the floor with my left foot and rolled through the gears in my Coke “shifter.” And then my opportunity came….

During my senior year in college, my grandfather passed and left me a little money. I had 10 grand to get a fun car with 3 pedals. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , so my focus shifted to the booming import scene of the early 2000’s and found a great ‘95 Honda Prelude Si. I loved that Prelude...that was until I started reading all those mags that convinced you through brainwashing that you MUST MODIFY YOUR CAR. I just could not have an un-modified Honda in 2002...it was against the gear-head rules at the time! I began to add bits here and there: intake, headers, exhaust, Altezza tail-lights (don’t judge me everyone was doing it then), and suspension. Though If I had known then what I know now I would have passed on the coilovers, sure the Honda handled like it was on rails but also bucked like wild bronco over anything that resembled uneven pavement. As enjoyable as the Honda was, I started to long for something more European (damn brainwashing car mags again); I wanted a hatchback for more space and something a bit more fun and quirky.

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After seeing the Italian Job remake and reading how much fun the new Mini Coopers were, I headed on over to my MINI dealer for a test drive. I had a steady job with some decent income (decent because I was still living with my parents) so it was time for a new car. At the time the dealers couldn't keep a Cooper S on the lot for more than a week or two, so if you wanted one it had to be ordered. I placed my order for a Cooper S in Indie blue with white racing stripes and four months later, it was mine. The Cooper was a hoot, suggested exit ramp speeds where like a personal challenge. That little car could hold a ton of stuff with the back-seats down and even managed 35mpg hwy. And then the honeymoon ended...the spunky little ride started to feel slow (it wasn't really, that was all in my head) I needed something more….MOAR POWER. I also was coming to terms with the fact that I was going to be real adult soon and would have to get a “grown-up” car. Again, the car gods smiled upon me and fate intervened, the Mini ended up getting totaled in a flood (another story for another time). The insurance company wrote me a check for $23,000 keep in mind the when I bought the car new 3 years earlier the MSRP was $23,500. Some of the money went to pay off the rest of the loan, some went towards a down-payment on a house, which left me with again 10 grand to put towards another ride.

By this time I started to become obsessed with sport-wagons (boy, those damn car-mags will really do a number on you). I found a lightly used ‘05 Subaru Legacy GT wagon 5-speed a few hours away. I wanted MOAR POWER….and I got MOAR POWER!!!!! and MOAR CARGO!!!! I’m not too handy but I really enjoyed the Home Depot runs as a new homeowner, loading up that wagon along side pickup trucks knowing that I had “sports-car” capability as well. The Subie was a blast but….life wasn't the same on those exit ramps. Sure it could handle the twisties pretty well, but not the same as the Mini and the Prelude. What did I expect? It was much larger and much heavier. When the Subie started giving me some transmission problems and I was encouraged by my local mechanic to “trade it for something with a warranty” I went shopping….

My budget was tight so it was either buy something used or lease something new. I had heard about how the ‘10 Mazda3 was “tossible” and had “great feedback” so I gave it a go. The local Mazda dealer had one 6-speed on the lot and offered me a thousand dollars over KBB for my Subaru so I snatched that black Mazda up and was out of there before they had a chance to change their mind. The 3 filled my need for an exit-ramp champion, but as time went on I felt I was missing something….you guessed it MOAR POWER and MOAR CARGO!

Of course if I ever do get a hold of that A4 Avant that I constantly obsess over, I probably will love it for a bit, and then want something smaller and sharper. Maybe I can never be satisfied, maybe I need to learn to appreciate what I have (Hey that sounds like a great topic for another installment! ).

(Thanks to MILKY for the lead-pic! MINI photo via the "Italian Job," The LGT pictured is actually not mine but OCDSubies, mine looked exactly the same. The Honda and Mazda pics are from random dealers via Google)

ddavidn > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 12:19

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You've gone through some fun cars in a little over a decade. I can only hope to be so lucky.

Tom McParland > ddavidn 09/20/2013 at 12:20

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Thanks. I'm sure you will get your chance :)

ddavidn > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 12:25

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I'm sure I will too. I mean, I can't really complain about Eva aside from the fact that I don't have the money to fix her properly.

Tom McParland > ddavidn 09/20/2013 at 12:32

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Eva is pretty sweet. To be honest I think I would trade owning all of my rides above (well maybe not the Subie) for ///M ownership.

ddavidn > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 12:39

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Keep a subie wagon so that you have something to drive to the junkyard looking for parts! (Ironic, as our Subaru is somewhat more broken at the moment than Eva...)

Unless you mean a newer one, which is probably not going to fall apart as often. Audi S ownership is what I'd like to trade my ///M ownership for.

William Byrd > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 13:06

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Great writeup, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that. Which ever car I have, I always come up with a reason to want a different one. The most perfect car I've owned was a 2011 Mustang GT. 5 liter engine, 6spd, looked great. But my wife tempted me into getting something I hadn't had before, a luxo SUV.

The Range Rover Sport was fun for a bit. But, as it was used, I started to worry about that air suspension failing, or some sort of weird British car issue cropping up. So we keep swapping cars, each time I find something new and different I like or want. I hope to have owned all layouts, drivetrains, and engine combinations by the time I'm in my 40s or 50s so I can be pretty set in what I like! haha

Tom McParland > William Byrd 09/20/2013 at 13:07

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Oh good so I am not the only crazy one.

William Byrd > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 13:08

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It only gets worse. The older I get, and the more money I make, the more options pop up. First World problem to be sure.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 13:21

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Well, my motoring journey starts in 2007. When i was 16, i bought...
A Scooter!

A 2006 Black Yamaha Mio. God i love that thing so bad. 100cc, 10hp. The true meaning of two wheels bad.
And i make it even badder, by increase the displacement to 190cc plus a sport exhaust, producing a 18 hp. But the bike+me is only weighning 120kg, so the scooter was really awfully fast.

Then i crash it in 2009

After the crash, my uncle give me a Red Kia Sephia. That thing was awesome as well. 120hp, 1000kg. I even take the car all the way to an amateur rally event in my country, finishing 135 out of 170.

Then my boss said in 2012, i need a better car. He take me to his friend, some kind of coal buisnessman, that bored with his W140. Then i bought that S-Class in a heartbeat. Simply because it was blue and have 600 badge in it.

That's my lovely dd now.

Makoyouidiot > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 13:38

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My particular form of this disease involves looking at what I COULD HAVE gotten for the same price.....my wife hates it, cause she was just as happy with her Dart as could be until I started pointing out stuff we could have had. Like...say...

Tom McParland > Makoyouidiot 09/20/2013 at 13:38

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And don't forget about the "Shopping for cars I have no money for disease"

Makoyouidiot > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 14:17

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Also referred to as the greatest game in the world by Richard Hammond.

Long Live the Longdoor > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 20:32

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Wow, I'm not the only one! I worry I may never be satisfied.

For my next car, I'm going to try combat this and not want to trade up my car in ~5-6 years (don't ask me how, perhaps the answer is miata...).

dieselwagon > Tom McParland 09/20/2013 at 21:01

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Good read, looking forward to the next one already. I certainly have the same problem, I think this is because I set my sights too high to start with, so always have to compromise.

Prequel: 03 Piaggio NRG (50cc) Moped/Scooter (this I can't complain about)

Part I: 03 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 (3cyl) .... Wanted a VW Golf

Part II: 06-08 Vauxhall Astra Estate/Wagon+Van ... The company car years...

Part III: 93 Holden Commodore V6 (VR) ... Wanted a ute or V8...

Part IV: 06 Ford Ranger (non-usdm single cab 3.0 NA-Diesel) ... Wanted a Toyota Land Cruiser

Part V: 00 Honda Accord 1.8 SE hatchback+manual.... Wanted a Volvo diesel.

Part VI: 08 Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDiesel+manual... Wanted a Mazda6 or Accord equivalent.

Shawn > Tom McParland 09/24/2013 at 00:52

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You are a sick sick man! :)

At least I am not the only one. The solution I found is keeping more than one car. Starting around 2003 I began keeping an additional car for situations like breaking my DD doing upgrades. Since I have bought a house it has gotten a little out of hand, but as long as all vehicles can fit in the driveway, I don't think I need counseling regardless of what my wife says.

I personally find the cheap SUV and sports car DD combo to be the most effective.

SpeedSix > Tom McParland 09/24/2013 at 02:22

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I guess it's really bad when you can't drive yet but you already start ...

MIATAAAA > Tom McParland 09/24/2013 at 09:53

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Should've gone with the Mazdaspeed3 and then maybe you'd have felt better!

Tom McParland > MIATAAAA 09/24/2013 at 10:14

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You are right, but I needed the car ASAP and my local dealer didn't sell Speed3s :(

Whatabouteggs > William Byrd 09/24/2013 at 13:21

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We only have one scale against which we measure everything. This means whatever we achieve becomes 'normal' and we constantly feel we need to get to the next bracket, or move laterally due to some perceived deficiency in our current situation. No car can satisfy every possible criteria, and even if it did we couldn't accept that.

William Byrd > Whatabouteggs 09/24/2013 at 13:23

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I think I read that in an undergrad psyc textbook! :)

Completely true, and the funny part about it is that even after you self-diagnose that part of your personality, you don't really modify it. My wife is (thankfully) an enabler and keeps the car buying flame going.

BarryDanger > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 11:15

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My problem is I spend too much time on the internet and not out crushing mountain roads. Just getting out and into the twisties is the best 'therapy' for this ailment.

My daily commute is a 10 block walk (which I am very grateful for) but then I sit in front of a computer and constantly look at what else is out there. I come home, stare at my car for a few minutes and think about taking it out. The thirsty 6.0 V8 needs gas, I really should hit the gym and at 5pm, downtown Denver can be a total bitch to get out of so I pass on the drive. I know I should just take the car out for my own sake but I just get complacent I guess.

BarryDanger > Shawn 09/26/2013 at 11:21

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This is where I am at right now, '06 GTO and '96 cherokee. I absolutely love the GTO but nothing can match the smile I have on my face when romping my old, beaten, automatic heep through 2 feet of old crusty snow :)

Damasconian > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 11:48

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This is a superb write up. I just got a great 2013 QX56 and havent let a day pass without wondering what options I should have gotten. 4WD? But I live in Texas! Premium package? Thats another 5K! Lighter interior? We have kids!

Never satisfied and always looking for the next ride. Hoping to pay it off asap so I can find my happy place and start looking for my next car (or wagon - Im onto those now).

rpm > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 12:37

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Horses for courses at the end of the day. I went with an economical and comfortable daily and a sportier fun car for *those* other occasions.

Rows His Own > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 12:43

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Yeaaaa! My first manual was a 92 prelude Si that somehow made its way here from Canadialand and acquired a 97 sir engine along the way. What a hoot. Also own a manual Mini Cooper non-s now. My wife drives it mostly but with my past e46s it was good to have a car with much better fuel economy. Fortunately my incoming E46 m3 is a manual, as were my past two BMWs, though not my first car. I've owned a lot of E46s. It's a disease. Anyway, all of those are great cars you've had.

PlayerWAN > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 12:46

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It's almost as if this article was written describing my behavior patterns. Needless to say, I'm on my third Miata (in 3 years), and having owned a Panther, a truck, and a Focus at some point between them. Now I long for a Subie. A 2.5RS more specifically. I shall have it... one day.

Corey > Tom McParland 09/26/2013 at 12:51

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This is the story of my life!

CRV - first car, did the whole fake manual transmission shifting thingy and couldn't wait to get rid of it even though (I pretended) it handled the backroads quite well
S2000 - bad timing for a car payment in school and not enough room to carry people
Subaru 2.5RS - practical college car, but automatic left me bored
Subaru WRX - Finally had power but longed for the simplistic roadster again
NA Miata - Cheaper than a S2000, but was underpowered and re-kindled the S2000 flame within
S2000 - No longer drive enough to keep my insurance premium what it is, long for a nice (paid off) sleeper wagon nowadays with roominess/comfort and a hatch ala Subaru Legacy GT wagon or Subaru Outback XT with the wider fenders...drool

Who wants a clean, well cared for '05 S2000?

pflpflpfl > Tom McParland 09/27/2013 at 04:40

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Greetings from Europe

Grass is always greener on the other side. I pretty much have what you guy in the states could call "unobtanium": Stick shift E46 330XD Touring in graphite grey, chipped to 230 horses and 370 foot pounds. I have really found it to be "jack of all trades" car. Little bit on the heavy side (heaviest E46 model) but really really good car to drive, has enough space for us (including my 50kg Dobermann), is nice to look at and is sufficiently fast enough. However, because of it's slightly outdated turbo technology it has quite narrow power band despite the 3 litre I6 and I have started to dream about 330ix with six speed box, however, it does not make sense for me because my daily commute is about 90km / 55 miles one way and I average 6 liters of diesel per 100km while 330ix would average somewhere between 7-8 liters per 100km. Diesel costs here roughly 1,5 euros / liter and gas is 1,75 to 1,8 euros / liter, so by driving a diesel, even with it's fixed "diesel-tax" we have in Finland I save quite a lot of money, so before I move or change job, I will have to settle with the narrowish powerband. I'm considering replacing the turbo with more modern one to gain broader power / torque band and maybe slight increase in power though.

I mentioned 330 Touring to be my jack of all trades. Here's how it goes:Long commute (countryside) in Finnish weather: 330xd. Urban short commute in Finnish weather: 330xi. Short commute in the countryside: 330i.

With our taxing the less one drives, the more it makes sense to have gasoline powered car. 4wd makes more sense when one drives a lot, because it makes driving much more relaxed in bad weather. Also in Finnish cities it helps really much with the snow, usually plowers don't have time to transfer snow away from the streets. Snow is less of a problem in the countryside so if I had short commute outside the cities, I'd probably choose RWD just for the lightness, the feel, the fun and economy.

Two points here: This is my third car and I pretty much hit jack pot on this. First was lovely mk1 5 door Clio and the second car was mk3 Golf estate with trusty 1.9 liter diesel. Both were really reliable machines.

Second point would that even though I have something that might be really lusted after by certain group of people and is really properly good, I'm not totally happy and looking forward to may be getting rid of it. I guess you are never completely satisfied with what you have.

tigeraid > Tom McParland 09/27/2013 at 11:57

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Coke bottle shifter! So I'm not the only one who did that! :D