Over the last year and a half or so, my brother and I switch vehicles on a semi-regular basis. I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla. Red, of course. With power windows, power locks, cruise control, and a few other basic luxuries. And about 37 miles to the gallon.
He has two thousand-something or other GMC Sierra. Old Man Tan, of course. Regular cab with the long bed. A real work truck with power steering and a radio. And about 15 miles to the gallon.
The reason for the trade is all about gas mileage. I drive six blocks to work, he has to go about 60 miles. Each way.
Recently, I have discovered I really like driving the truck. I like riding high off the road. I like the not to smooth ride. But I really love the looks I get when I climb in and out of the driver's seat. The looks of jealousy from a guy in khaki's reaching into the backseat of his crossover (cough, cough station wagon, cough) to get kids out of their car seats. And the longing of almost forgotten freedom that comes from the passenger's seat of a minivan. Even better, are the looks of despair and lifelessness the poor schleps forced to drive a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent. Life is good in the driver's seat of a pick-up truck.
And it seems like the Sport has been taken out of SUVs. Suburbans and Jeep Cherokees use to be the vehicles of choice for hunters, ranchers, the military, and forest rangers. Now, there seems to be a bizarre inverse ratio of vehicle size to the size of the soccer mom behind the wheel. And the primary use of SUVs is to get groceries and chauffeur kids to practice or games. So those days of longing for a Toyota 4 Runner or a Chevrolet Equinox are long gone.
I guess I am just getting in touch with my inner hillbilly. I've always preferred to go barefoot. And to drink beer. Se being a hillbilly isn't much of a stretch. Of course I will be a high maintenance type of hillbilly. Just because I want to drive a monster truck in no way diminishes my love of pedicures, salon visits, and shoes. And expensive make-up. And purses. And Guinness. Especially Guinness.
So while, I may just break down and purchase a hillbilly mobile at some point in my life, I plan on keeping all of my teeth. And listening to NPR. And I don't think I'll ever be an overalls wearing girl. (If you would have seen the pictures of me in overalls at eight months pregnant looking all Oompah Loopah-y, you would understand.)
But I do like driving big trucks.
No comments:
Post a Comment