"Hey, what do you think of your _______?"
Drive around a variety of new, occasionally interesting cars and you'll frequently be asked this question. For strangers, I've long since skipped explaining that it's not really mine (unless it's a real heap and/or the Compass), and instead found it to be a great way to find out what I really think of a car. You're first response is usually the one closest to your gut, like one of those rapid-fire question exercises when someone throws in a serious question amongst a bunch of mundane ones to see how you really feel ("Boxers or briefs?" "Chocolate or vanilla?" "Do you stay with Victoria, or go for it with Robin?")
So, using that logic, here's what I really think about the Wrangler. The first being most important, and the subsequent answers showing what happens when pesky old rationality starts to rear its ugly head:
(after a second to remember that yes, I apparently own a Wrangler)
Me: "It's surprisingly fun. Great steering. You wouldn't think it, but it's actually really fun to drive around the city. I like it."
Jerk Bouncer: "Cool, I've been thinking about getting one. The two-door version."
Me: "Nice. The top is a pretty big pain to put up and down, so if you're not going to use it much, I'd definitely suggest the hard top. It gets really noisy on the highway with the soft top."
Jerk Bouncer: "Oh, with the wind noise? Does that have a six or a four?"
Me: "It only comes with a six. It's OK around town, but on the highway it stinks. Only has 205 horsepower."
Jerk Bouncer: "Oh, what sort of gas mileage does it get?"
Me: "Not very good."
Jerk Bouncer: "Bummer. Like 15 or 16 around town?"
Me: "Yeah, just about." (after, the car said it was getting 15.4. EPA is 15 city, 19 highway, 17 combined)
I then went inside to watch my football game, and because I was tired of talking to a guy who up until that point had always been, well, a jerk. Funny how driving a new, interesting car can change one's demeanor towards you.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 8,916 miles
trackwrex says:
11:01 AM, 12/ 3/07
Honestly, cars have that effect on people. Oh, and incidentally, go for it with Robin. ;) Ted, is that you thinking, or is that Barney invading your mind?
crowb says:
02:31 PM, 12/ 3/07
Dude, James, you're in! Now he thinks you're a Jeep man. Just don't ever show up driving the MINI Cooper or he'll bounce you off the concrete like a basketball.
You guys are full-on buds now. He's going to want to make chit-chat with you when he sees you at the groccery store and junk...but it will always be sort of Jeep related, peter out quickly, and end with an empty silence that is punctuated only by the sound of your soul being sucked into a vortex of uncomfortable banality.
You better find a new sports bar.
rick8365 says:
12:01 PM, 12/ 4/07
LOL, crowb!