My favorite automobile-related podcast, Everyday Driver, does a new/different car “debate” where someone writes in and asks, “What car should I buy?” The two guys, Paul & Todd, based on your email, give you some ideas as to what might fit your needs. They are kind of like Dear Abby & Ann Landers for car nuts. *This is the second version I sent in to them because the I felt I needed to swap the Overture and the End credit teaser scene.
Overture:
On the Utah Adventure there was only one car I wanted to drive other than my own, and he agreed to swap. It was Bodie’s supercharged 2006 Mini Cooper S. It was an absolute hoot. Truth be told, if he kiddingly asked if we could swap titles, I just might have taken him up on it. So, feel free to recommend the 1st-gen car, but nothing newer, because according to the eminent philosopher Jonny Smith, “The new Minis has gone all Elvis in Vegas.”
Act I:
Previous cars I have owned, not including the flirtation with air-cooled VWs in the 70s:
1982 Honda Prelude (1982-1989)
1990 Miata (1989-1995)
1995 Miata (1995-2003)
2003 Miata (2003 – 2016)
2011 Hyundai Sonata (2011 – 2017)
2012 Mini Cooper (2017 – 2022)
2002 Miata (2016 – 2023)
2016 Mini Cooper (2022 – 2025)
2024 Miata (2024 – 2025)
2001 Miata (2025 – Present)
2020 VW Golf GTI S (2025 – Present)
Act 2:
This “new car” will be a replacement for the GTI. I really love the car, but I think I’d like a different, but somewhat comparable, experience. The only thing that is non-negotiable is that it must have a manual transmission and not be too much larger than the GTI. Good things come in small packages.
Act 3:
The budget is $40k, but there are two bonus levels attainable. If the car is green, so that I don’t need to wrap the car and I can keep my current personalized plate (GRN JKT) you get +$5k. The second is +$2k if the car can accept my current Rally Bronze Sparco DRS wheels and the Toyo R1Rs Size: 17×7.5, Bolt Pattern: 5X112mm, Offset: +48mm, Backspacing: 6.220″.
End credits teaser scene:
I have tested-driven a new BRZ back in 2023, and it is considered a possibility, but I don’t necessarily want to be someone who is just one of a big herd of sheep. 🙂
Don’t worry, you know I’m going to write about it here as to what they suggest.