by Deborah Rogers –
I might be a surprising choice for the motoring column, but I do love cars! Not in a “tinker-with-the-engine,” “spend-weekends-at-auto-shows” sort of way; I just love to drive a really nice car. I’ve used the excuse that there’s never the perfect vehicle for all occasions to try lots of different machines.
I love to drive a great car, but I don’t always enjoy shopping for them. Turning up at a showroom with kids in tow often leads to assumptions about the type of vehicle I’ll want. I’ve actually never driven a minivan, and have no desire to. I’m not really interested in where the cup holders are, and if you think what’s on my mind when I’m looking at the back of that convertible is “I wonder if I’ll fit the groceries in?” – well, no!
I get annoyed when a salesman makes assumptions about me, but have to admit it’s hard not to fall into playing along. Currently I’m driving a 1991 Mazda Miata: it’s gorgeous, British racing green with a tan interior, zippy five-speed gearbox and a rear-wheel drive that can raise your pulse on a traffic-free, winding road. I knew I was in love when I first sat inside. Low to the ground and compact, it reminded me of the Mini Cooper I used to drive. I felt right at home before I even turned the ignition, so why did I feel I had to say on the test drive “I’ll try not to drive like a girl?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth I took it down a gear and accelerated around a corner like the pro I believe myself to be, but still, I was disappointed in myself.
It’s happened before when taking a car to the garage for repairs. If I don’t really understand what’s wrong with it I find myself playing dumb, hoping I won’t get ripped off, deep down believing that probably I will. I don’t like that feeling. I’m a capable person so I took steps to remedy it.
I can’t recommend highly enough the benefits of educating yourself! Once I was the owner of my fantastic little car I took it to a local garage and asked an expert to talk me through all the things I should know. He showed me under the hood, the fluids, the warning lights, the sneakily-hidden button to open the gas cap. Best of all he talked to me as an enthusiast, encouraging me to ask more questions.
Now I have a car I love, and feel confident looking after.
(Thanks to Ian at Deep Cove Auto for the non-condescending maintenance tips.)
Photo by www.nuttycake.com.
