Good-Bye Old Friend
It’s time for a new car—yes! Finally! Now that my youngest son has mastered the stick shift, I can officially pass the keys on to him. My 11-year-old white (marshmallow) Volkswagen Jetta has served me proudly. It carried us all the way to California when the kids were small and climbed ski hills with confidence—often honking and waving as we passed the occasional SUV stuck in the snow. That Sicilian-sized trunk could fit a body and then some; people were always amazed at what the little Jetta could pack.
My Love Affair with Cars
It was a sad day when I sold my 1988 Alfa Romeo to my brother-in-law to buy our first Jetta (yes, there were more than one). It became our “official” family car—practical, reliable, and the perfect alternative to the minivan I vowed never to own. Sorry, no offense to any minivan drivers out there—I just couldn’t do it.
My very first car was a 1981 Ford Mustang, a surprise graduation gift from my parents. My father worked for Ford and was determined to find me a safe, reliable car. It was the best first car ever and the start of my lifelong love affair with cars.
Before the Mustang, though, I had my heart set on convertibles—two-seater sports cars that just screamed freedom. Then came Richard Gere in American Gigolo, driving that sexy convertible 450SL. SO F’N HOT. It was a total game-changer and the beginning of my obsession with convertibles.
Lessons from Fiat (and My Parents)
In 1986, I traded in my Mustang for a 1979 Fiat Spider 2000—navy blue, tan interior, killer stereo system. It was fun, flirty, and fabulous… until the maintenance bills rolled in. With Fiat meaning “Fix It Again, Toni,” I should’ve seen it coming.
Once again, my parents stepped in, suggesting something “more practical.” (There’s that word again.) Enter: the Honda Prelude. Our relationship lasted a grand total of six months. Then, in 1989, I found the one: a red Alfa Romeo Graduate—named after the film classic. Roof down, wind in my hair, “LLOREA” plates glinting in the sun—it was my baby, my dream car. Too much? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
The Big Question: What Kind of Car Now?
So here I am again, full circle: It’s time for a new car. But what kind? What image do I want to project? The practical side of me (seriously?) says another Volkswagen—maybe a Tiguan? Or do I go for something sexy? What does that say about me? Am I the only one who overthinks this?
I’m a single, fifty-something woman, and I don’t want to be a cliché—or a stereotype.
This will be my car, so it has to be fun, right? Can I really give up the four-door Jetta for a two-seater sports car? I don’t know. I’m struggling with it.
Full disclosure: I test-drove the new Fiat 124 Abarth. SERIOUSLY. I could get used to calling “Toni” again if it means driving that car every day. It handled like a dream. Of course, compared to my city-driving Jetta, anything might feel amazing—LOL.
My son says, “It’s a no-brainer, Mom. Get the Abarth. You’ll still have the Jetta for family trips, and you can drive the two-seater the rest of the time.”
And honestly… I’m considering it. Automatic or manual, though? I was ready to ditch the stick, but once behind the wheel of the Abarth, it screamed manual. What’s a girl to do?
What Would Mrs. Robinson Drive?
What would Mrs. Robinson choose? In The Graduate, she seduced a much younger Dustin Hoffman. I’m thinking she’d go for the sporty new Fiat—barely of consenting age and all. 😉
As for my Alfa Romeo, it still reigns as my all-time favorite car. Maybe I’m overthinking this decision. Once the nice weather rolls in, I’m sure I’ll know what to do.
A Car Is More Than a Car
We spend so much time in our cars—maybe too much—and it’s easy to take them for granted. But whether it’s family vacations, grocery runs, movie nights, or beach days, a car isn’t just a car.
A car is part of our story.
A car is a journey to our destination.
LC
Photo credit: collierautomedia.com
Mrs Robinson? Hilarious!
Well – guess what? I just got myself a new car! I was like you — I said no to the mini-van – so I drove an 8 seater SUV instead! Felt like I was driving a freaking bus! The past 2 years I’ve been driving a BMW sedan – love the car, amazing to drive… but I wasn’t ready for a sedan! Plus I didn’t choose it – it was a practical move when Michael bought his Porche… I ditched the SUV and was happy w the Bimmer — but I’ve always wanted a … MINI! I know – not sexy — but damn cute and fun! and I wanted a specific colour, too —which they stopped making in 2013 – so I had to wait … but I found one w low km (30,000) brought it home 2 weeks ago 🙂 It is tiny and impractical and barely fits my groceries — but it’s mine and I love it! Her name is Margot (girls named her) – she is my baby. So to you I say — YES it can be about the car!! don’t go practical if you don’t have to — and your son is right – if the other car is still around for road trips then you are covered!! GOOD LUCK!! HAPPY SHOPPING!!! N
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So fun! looks like I’m not the only one thinking about cars…we’ve been so practical for so many years I guess it is time for something fun!
Llorea
xo
I have a 2012 Tiguan, the replacement two years ago for my 2010 Golf TDI (6 speed manual). The Golf was fun to drive. The Tiguan is a car with a few perks, like a panoramic roof. No matter how you look at it, the Tiguan is still a VW, so it’s not going to be sexy and it’s going to be expensive when something does go wrong with it (although I just saved a ton of $$ fixing mine by myself a week ago). It does have a big back seat, something Mrs. Robinson would required, however! ;p
I say go new Mustang. You’re a Ford girl, after all.
Lol, Mrs Robinson would definitely require the big back seat;). I’m not feeling the new Fords, too much of a muscle car for this girl, that said, an old 64 Mustang would be amazing. The new Fiat is gorgeous…another option is the Audi A3?
Audi is awesome. They also have very spacious interiors (hahahaha). Maintenance for an Audi is outrageously expensive, but worth it. I had one years ago, loved the car.