On the streets surrounding our Santa Monica offices, 2009 Audi S5s are a dime a dozen. But 80 miles east, in the Inland Empire, things are different. There is no ocean breeze. No marine layer. And out here, the S5 sticks out like a sore thumb.
I found myself in this desert oasis over the weekend. I'd been here 100 times before, but never in the S5. Horns were honked. Smiles were cast. Hands were waved. One poor kid even dropped her ice cream cone. The car drew so much attention it made me uncomfortable. I couldn't shake it. Not even a sale at this local statuary dustbowl could lift my spirits.
I don't welcome the celebrity status the S5 holds out here. Next time I'm taking the Ram. And next time I'm buying that Statue of Liberty lamp.
Mike Schmidt, Manager of Vehicle Testing @ 13,500 miles
billt9 says:
05:56 AM, 12/29/09
omg r u brad pitt???
mrryte says:
06:53 AM, 12/29/09
Ironically, that's the type of attention that some people want.
Oh, the price of vanity....
adavis2493 says:
07:32 AM, 12/29/09
Here in Maryland, I see one a week if I'm lucky. And it's usually the same one.
Once I was driving next to one, and we reached eachother at a stoplight. He had a crappy color combination (Aruba Blue on Tan), and since we had the same car, I thought he would acknowledge at the least.
He was flat out ignoring me. I wasn't stalking him, I was just at a light next to him. He did the thing where you put your elbow on the door sill, and your hand kind of cuffed along side your face, making it look like your blocking sun, but really trying to ignore a person.
I saw him again a few days later, heading towards me. Not knowing it was him, I did the headlight flash (because we both had the DTRL's, and it seems as if Audi Drivers in MD with DTRL's like to flash at eachother), I flashed them at him - he didn't do anything.
For God's Sake- you buy a car that's special looking in order to stand out. If you don't want to be somewhat noticed while driving it - you should just buy a Solara V6 or something....
mrryte says:
08:07 AM, 12/29/09
@adavis2493-
Hey, if he doesn't see the need to respond, don't sweat it. Just because you have the same vehicle as another person, it doesn't automatically mean they have to acknowledge you. Nothing personal, that's just how some people are.
jederino says:
09:11 AM, 12/29/09
^^I agree, that's wise counsel. If you wanted to join an affable community of enthusiasts, you could have purchased a Corvette. This guy was probably just hoping the Audi would get him ladies, and he's freaked by all the attention from enthusiastic males.
cr_driver says:
10:10 AM, 12/29/09
Yeah, don`t sweat it dude. Just comprehend and move along.
audisport says:
10:11 AM, 12/29/09
Wow, great post..... You were driving a bright red Audi sports car. Are you really suprised? You would have received looks in many IL cars, like the Camaro and Challenger as well.
scorp76 says:
03:00 PM, 12/29/09
[sarc]
Yes, of course, the be-all, end-all, best thing since sliced bread audi s5 once again brings an entire community to a standstill.
I think the whitehouse has overlooked the one and only thing capable of bringing peace to the middle east; simply drop a red s5 on the battlefield. Watch as insurgents and troopers alike put down their weapons and join hands, as they stare in disbelief at the coupe's impossible and incredible beauty.
[/sarc]
vt8919 says:
07:49 PM, 12/29/09
They say the S5 is so beautiful, it causes people in wheelchairs to magically get up and walk.
davantriv says:
10:12 PM, 12/30/09
I wonder if the Dos Equis guy drives an S5?