That Time I put My Money Where My Philosophy Is

Those that know me best, know that I have a habit of ranting against the status quo of vehicle review metrics. "Horsepower doesn't matter!", I've said. "0 to 60 times only tell part of the story!" I've snarled and then, offered proof by pointing to my 150 horsepower Miata which I love dearly. What I don't acknowledge during my rants is that I have a metallic grey 550 horsepower beast lurking in my garage waiting to beat most other road goers into submission at any given intersection. OK, you Plaid, Z06 and Porsche Turbo freaks, I said most. Get a grip already.

But something has changed recently. It's complicated. You see, I've really started to take tracking the Yata (2001 NB Mazda Miata) seriously. And, well... the excitement I get from chucking that little tin can around the track at break neck speeds (that's why I wear a HANS device) is so invigorating that, simply taking a good looking, high horsepower car to the grocery store seems.. a bit dry. Here's how it works. You hit the start button on your borderline exotic sports car just waiting for a bit of open road and just before you get to that intersection where you can really gun it, some lady in a RAV 4 turns in in front of you and occupies the lane directly in front of you. You check your blind spot monitor and you see the radio active orange sedan shaped symbol in your side view mirror is on so you grimace and don't change lanes. You physically look over your left hand shoulder (I know, how 90's) to see the make and model and you get a rush of hope. It's a 30 year old guy in a BMW M440i and you get a rush of hope. Only, this guy doesn't live up to the stereotypes and doesn't gun it. Figures... it's not a real M car anyway, sigh. He just pulls up next to the lady in the RAV 4 and matches her speed... All of the way to the freaking grocery store. Trip ruined, you drive your super beast all blue balled back to the garage and await the next trip. Oh, did I mention, the beast blows a water pump costing you 3 grand even though you've been babying it this entire time? The betrayal. Anyway, that's what it's like to own a fast car in real life. Should be exciting, but some how it always leaves you wanting unless you're willing to take it to the race track. But then there's the conundrum of... do I floor it and kill myself and break the bank while doing so? Asking for a friend.

Well let me tell you what I did. I actually sold the super beast and got something with a turbo inline 4 that is capable of 0 to 60 in a blistering 7 or 8 seconds. And I actually couldn't be happier. This vehicle has character, looks, purpose, utility and all of it can be accessed on everyday roads. I downgraded from 550 horsepower to between 275 and 300 depending on which gas you're using, but it does have a manual transmission and my gosh, that is definitely worth the 50% horsepower deficit. It's got a body on frame chassis 'cause it's a real friggin truck based SUV and when you drive it, you just get a sense of calm as it wafts and wallows down the street. It's the quiet confidence of a vehicle that knows that if it wanted to, it could hang a right and cut across that field over there. I love it. It's a great contrast to the high strung 3 inches from the ground, track built (just as slow to 60) Miata and somehow, the dimorphism of each car just makes you appreciate the other even more. The 550 horsepower beast although lovely in almost every way has been replaced by a slow mover that just kinda wants to be there for you and interact with you through all of its quirks and limitations. It doesn't even have power seats! And you know what? I don't miss them.

Ok... you may be wondering by now... what the heck car is this guy talking about? It's a 2023 Ford Bronco 2 door. And I can feel it's gonna be around for a long long time. I'll talk more detils about the truck in a subsequent article. Right now, we're just talking philosophy. But this truck...it fills a gap in my automotive life. My B5 S4 is basically a very fast show car by now and the Miata is a track/race car. I didn't have anything to throw a bike into or to take my wife hiking in or to back up to a lake in to watch the sunset. And now I do. And it's far from perfect. I have to shif my own gears and move my own driver's seat. In other words... I actually have to interact with the machinery... which is my idea of fun in the first place. You see... horsepower and 0 to 60 times are nice... but they don't really matter. What matters is how your vehicle makes you feel. Life is short. Don't limit your enjoyment to the destination. Enjoy the journey.