Wednesday, July 28, 2010

TOP DOWN, SMILE ON

Why do the majority of the convertibles that drive by me have their tops up? I don’t get it, if you’re lucky enough to have a convertible, why not use it? As I write this today, it’s a beautiful summer day in Maine, approaching 90 degrees with high humidity. You won’t hear any complaints from me. After all, it won’t be long before the snow flies and we’ll be talking about winter driving. So with summers so short here, why aren’t more convertible tops down?

The owner pays a premium when they buy a convertible. Not only is the purchase price more than the hardtop model, the car generally weighs more, impacting its fuel economy. A convertible swallows trunk space to accommodate the top, and insurance rates are higher for soft tops. These sacrifices must have been worth it, or they wouldn’t have bought a convertible in the first place. The freedom of fresh air and the open highway is priceless. The driver of a convertible can hear the birds chirp, smell the flowers bloom, and the can howl to the moon overhead. So why aren’t their tops down?

Could it be because the dream of the freedom of a convertible is not all that it’s cracked up to be? Do the flowers actually smell more like diesel exhaust? Is it because it’s too hot, too cold, or too windy? Are these top up convertible drivers avoiding sunburn on their bald spots, or is it that they have too much hair and don’t want to go home a tangled mess? Is the top up for fear of birds on bombing runs, or is it just too much work to press a button to put the top down? Or, could it be that they are suffering buyers’ remorse, and that they just aren’t convertible people?

I've never owned a convertible, so I can't criticize or judge the decisions of others. However, there is something really enticing to me about the freedom of open air driving. It seems to me that if I had bought a convertible, and paid a premium for it, I would take advantage of beautiful days like today. On the other hand, I might look pretty foolish in mid-February wondering, “What did I do, a convertible in Maine?”

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Reach for the Sky

Amy Bouchard of Isamax Snacks, the Whoopie Pie Lady, was in the other day. She proudly drives a Saturn Sky with the license plate that says, WHOOPIE. Little did I know that when I wrote this blog two years ago, the the Sky (and Saturn) would end production and it would become a collector's car. The Sky showed well then, and still looks great today.



I fell in love the other day.

A friend of mine came in and told me about her, “Go look!”

She belonged to someone else, but she was beautiful.

She had sleek, flowing lines.

Some say that she is fast, other’s say she is a little slow.

I don’t care what they say.

She is compact, perfectly formed, and looks good wearing her top either way.

I have seen her sister many times, but this was my first time with her.

It was well worth the wait.

But it was destined to be love from afar. She drove off without me.

She left without even a flash.

Another love lost.

Now just a fond memory, but I finally got to see, close-up, the Saturn Sky.



The Sky is a great design achievement for GM. It shows well from every angle, and in my opinion, is much better looking that its sister, the Pontiac Solstice. I spoke with the owner of this Sky, and she could not be happier. She has owned it for 9,000 joy filled miles, just now starting her third summer. I did not have the courage to ask for a ride, but she says that it is great around town, and at speed on the highway. In fact, she drives it regularly to and from Connecticut in total comfort. I congratulated her on her good fortune, and let her know of my envy.

The Saturn Sky, well worth a look, even if it is love from afar. Love the Sky!


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