This week I sold my old BMW 2002. A woman from Seattle bought it. She has a strong personal connection to 2002s and said she had a good feeling about my 1976. I had a good feeling about her too, which made the decision to sell easy. I think I actually said. "The vibe feels right." Which could be the only situation that I can imagine where I would utter the phrase un-ironically. In this case the vibe did matter to me. I wanted to pass the car on to someone who would treasure it. It's like when people want to sell their house to a young family and not someone who’s going to flip it.
Michael, I am glad the 2002 went to someone that will enjoy it. It sounds like the new owner has a great emotional connection to the model. I grew up in a family that always had at least one old car in the fleet. We didn't call them vintage back then.
Fast forward to recent times and I find myself with an NA Miata in the driveway. When the weather is right I love the car for all its quirks, charms and shortcomings. This car and my one really nice watch have allowed me to enjoy my time on the sidelines of these two hobbies. I love cars, watches, and a few other things but I find the communities insufferable for the most part. Give me a sunny day, a winding road and my Explorer on my wrist and I am a happy man.
Glad to hear you sold your 2002, that way I didn't have to buy it. Also pleased to learn you were pleased with the buyer- what a perk that is. My '74 2002 and I parted ways in a far less satisfactory fashion. On my way to work one morning, I was sitting at a traffic light when I got rear ended by someone going about 35 mph. The inertia from the hit sent the cigarette lighter into the back seat. It was awful.
I took it to the "best body shop in town", which proved to be a mistake, as it got stuck in the back of the line behind all the expensive and shiny new cars. The repair didn't turn as well as I felt it could have, and I was happy to be rid of it a few months later.
Watching yours sit on the selling block for what I considered way too long, well, it was tugging at my heartstrings. Now I can re-group and move on.
Always appreciate you writing about consumerism and the void it can leave if you prioritize
"things" to make you happy. I relate. For me, my priorities were out of whack. I saw things (suit, watch, car) as the main vehicle for my happiness. It seems obvious but placing family, friends, and faith first has made me for fulfilled. I still enjoy "things". But put them in their rightful place.
Feb 2, 2022·edited Feb 2, 2022Liked by Michael Williams
Yes to all that you wrote. We are spoiled by how truly excellent even the most unremarkable of new cars have become. While the conveniences are the most obvious, and utilized, the safety improvements are otherwordly. This crash test, between a 1998 and 2015 Corolla, makes that abundantly clear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fh97FJuFIc). Warning: while it takes place at "only" 40 mph it's shockingly violent (in abruptness, no gore), and could make one swear off old cars for good. : )
As an auto enthusiast (not a vintage car owner) may I suggest that anyone getting into vintage car ownership have a clear idea of why they're doing it. Me, if I was to buy an older car it'd be to drive it, a lot. Concours is not for me. Neither is parking in a hermetically sealed garage and watching my perfect specimen appreciate in value, but for some folks that floats their boat. As in so many things, being sure of what the goal is increases our chances of being happy
Michael, I am glad the 2002 went to someone that will enjoy it. It sounds like the new owner has a great emotional connection to the model. I grew up in a family that always had at least one old car in the fleet. We didn't call them vintage back then.
Fast forward to recent times and I find myself with an NA Miata in the driveway. When the weather is right I love the car for all its quirks, charms and shortcomings. This car and my one really nice watch have allowed me to enjoy my time on the sidelines of these two hobbies. I love cars, watches, and a few other things but I find the communities insufferable for the most part. Give me a sunny day, a winding road and my Explorer on my wrist and I am a happy man.
" cyclists just being a**holes while wearing lycra." Yes. Amazing how much of the "adult" life is Junior High with absolutely no adult supervision.
Good reminder to stay in the "musical instruments" and "electronics" sections of CL where I belong
MW-
Glad to hear you sold your 2002, that way I didn't have to buy it. Also pleased to learn you were pleased with the buyer- what a perk that is. My '74 2002 and I parted ways in a far less satisfactory fashion. On my way to work one morning, I was sitting at a traffic light when I got rear ended by someone going about 35 mph. The inertia from the hit sent the cigarette lighter into the back seat. It was awful.
I took it to the "best body shop in town", which proved to be a mistake, as it got stuck in the back of the line behind all the expensive and shiny new cars. The repair didn't turn as well as I felt it could have, and I was happy to be rid of it a few months later.
Watching yours sit on the selling block for what I considered way too long, well, it was tugging at my heartstrings. Now I can re-group and move on.
Thanks to the thoughtful lady from Seattle.
Scott
Always appreciate you writing about consumerism and the void it can leave if you prioritize
"things" to make you happy. I relate. For me, my priorities were out of whack. I saw things (suit, watch, car) as the main vehicle for my happiness. It seems obvious but placing family, friends, and faith first has made me for fulfilled. I still enjoy "things". But put them in their rightful place.
Yes to all that you wrote. We are spoiled by how truly excellent even the most unremarkable of new cars have become. While the conveniences are the most obvious, and utilized, the safety improvements are otherwordly. This crash test, between a 1998 and 2015 Corolla, makes that abundantly clear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fh97FJuFIc). Warning: while it takes place at "only" 40 mph it's shockingly violent (in abruptness, no gore), and could make one swear off old cars for good. : )
As an auto enthusiast (not a vintage car owner) may I suggest that anyone getting into vintage car ownership have a clear idea of why they're doing it. Me, if I was to buy an older car it'd be to drive it, a lot. Concours is not for me. Neither is parking in a hermetically sealed garage and watching my perfect specimen appreciate in value, but for some folks that floats their boat. As in so many things, being sure of what the goal is increases our chances of being happy
Now with all this free time, where do you plan to reinvest (that extra time)?
Time to get into the Vintage Motorcycle world. You need n a knucklehead, wearing redwings and riding PCH is kinda perfect.