One year ago I owned four cars

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/04/2020 at 00:39 • Filed to: None

I found this picture tonight. Did not realize I’d ever gotten them all in one shot. Who would guess that of all of them, the roadster was the one that was taken out in the snow....

Dealing with that many vehicles was incredibly stressful, but I wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything.

I miss the V70. Hindsight b ein g 20/20, I wish I’d sold everything else and just committed to pouring however much money I needed to turn it into a reliable dd. It was perfect. For months after breaking down it sat in my parking lot. M ost nights I’d go out, open the door and hop in. Just hang out inside. Enjoy the smell of the leather. The perfectly crafted seats. The sense of protection and sturdiness that bodystyle lent. I t was therapeutic in a way I’ve never experienced in another car. Someone called me? I’d rush outside and hop in the Volvo. Snow day? I’d bundle up and hop in, with 6 inches of snow on the roof, frosted over windows... J ust soaking in the peaceful calm.

I miss the Subaru too. In an ironic turn of events, I’ ve come to desire all the qualities that I so hated in it. I keep chasing after vehicles I want, while neglecting what I need. Which just so happens to be exactly what I had in the Outback. Something that was always there to get me from A to B with zero drama. Something that was easy to live with, and could handle quite literally anything I’d ever need a vehicle for.

The 850... I wanted a V70R. The modded 85 0 with an 850R interior was what I could afford. It’s the fastest car I’ve ever owned. It pushed my head back into the seat, made amazing noises, and got me into V olvos. But I’m glad I sold that one. Too much that could have gone wrong. Too much that *did* go wrong.

And the Miata... From road trips, to snow days, to endless mods and projects, it was my introduction to this weird auto enthuasm that’s infected all of us. It was my golden ticket into the auto world, helping me meet people, helping me write stories, helping me escape outdoors.. M Five years of bliss. It was the right car at the right time, but... That time passed. For me at least. I know it’s just a metal box, but at the end of the day I can’t help but feeling some very strong feelings for said metal box. I just want it to go to someone who will be able to enjoy it like I did.

The scooter is fun, but it’s not something I really needed. More of a knee-jerk reaction, an attempt to find that spark of enthusiasm again. I’m starting to think my best bet is to structure my life to be car-free for a bit. Walk, bus, bike. Lyft. Anything really. Lately autos have brought me a lot of stress, worry, and forced decisions on me that I’d just as soon not deal with. I’ve skipped all the oppo meets because I didn’t trust any of my vehicles enough to make the journey.

Sigh. This has gotten too reflective. I’ve been hearing about Cabin I n The Woods for a long time, I think it’s time to finally watch it.

DISCUSSION (15)

Nom De Plume > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 00:44

A love letter to all my past flings I regret ending too soon and those lacking any anticipation of reliving the sting.

Haaha, Spring has sprung and dormant feelings are once again arising in young men’s hearts.

Edit: Don’t fall for her wiles in your moment of weakness. I can see her circling you deciding on the moment to best attack. That vixen who will attempt replacing freedom with servitude and lassitude.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 00:59

Wait, I don’t remember the subie at all.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/04/2020 at 01:06

Well I guess the house of AiM is a revolving door of activity, making the near past seem like the distant past.

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/04/2020 at 01:07

It got very little screen time. 08 outback, automatic. Owned from 2013 -2018? 2019? Once I got the Miata, I basically drove the subie 2 or 3 times a year

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/04/2020 at 01:19

It was too reliable for his tastes

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 01:20

“ I’ve skipped all the oppo meets because I didn’t trust any of my vehicles enough to make the journey.”

Could have carpooled!

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/04/2020 at 01:28

It hurts because it's true

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/04/2020 at 01:29

I definitely should have gone to the big Canada one

Just Jeepin' > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 01:36

Jeep Wrangler - current

Honda Civic Si - 2013-14

Honda del Sol - 1999-2013

Lincoln Continental - 2001

I have to go back 20 years to have owned 4 cars!

shop-teacher > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 07:57

You’re already bored with the scooter?

Does not compute.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 09:36

If there’s any way to keep it, don’t let go of your Miata...

If you have to part with it, sell it to someone that will promise to offer it to you first if they ever decide to sell it (first right of refusal).

gmctavish needs more space > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 12:00

Come to the Vancouver Island one this year!

AestheticsInMotion > shop-teacher
03/04/2020 at 16:08

I’m not bored with it. It just isn’t great when I need to drive twenty miles on the freeway, or I need a reliable vehicle for 6am 30° going-to-work duties. I keep worrying I won’t be able to get it started...

I’ll be getting a phone mount so I can have access to navigation and a better cold-weather jacket. Both of those should help, although I don't really know how to solve the no-start worries.

I just rode to downtown Seattle, and even in a full tuck I was maxing out at a hair over 60. If I sat normally more like 52mph. I guess I should probably put the road tires on and see if that gets me a bit more speed

shop-teacher > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 17:32

Gotcha. Yeah, it’s not a good freeway vehicle at all. I wouldn’t even consider that, personally.

Longtime Lurker > AestheticsInMotion
03/05/2020 at 13:23

I didn’t know you still had the subie when you had the Volvos, I thought you sold it before that.