April 20, 2006
The New Becker -- Genevieve
So today was a big day...
I have NEVER owned a new car in my life. Truly. Although you could make the argument that the van was new, that wasn't really mine, you know? It was definitely more for Delphine.
It's never been that big of a deal to me, and really, this wasn't about the new car. It was about getting into a safer vehicle for me and the fam.
I know what you're going to say..."but Myles, why a new car? Why not another great used car? You've had good success in the past." It's true. But, I opted for the new car.
For those of you that have gotten a new car, you know what it's like. That pride of ownership, the cool features, THE SMELL!!! It's cool what Volkswagen has done with their lines. The new 2006 Jetta that I have today has all the features of my 1999 Passat, and then some. Plus, it's more safe than any vehicle in it's class right now, even Volvo. And that speaks volumes to me.
I have named her Genevieve, after my favorite Trading Spaces designer. Plus, I've always liked that name for some reason. Very olde English, regal, cool.
She's fast. She's got a 2.5 liter engine with 150 horsepower, which doesn't sound like much, until you couple that with 170 pounds of torque. That equates to power on demand, even when already cruising in 5th gear, up a hill...I know...I test drove it up to Genesee and back.
She's safe. She has driver and passenger airbags, as you would imagine, but she also has curtain airbags in the front, as well as in the rear, and the ones in the rear do NOT interfere with kid seats, which was a relief of mine. Her engine compartment is designed so that in any kind of front end crash, the engine will go vertical first, and then if more pressure is put on it, will drop out completely, saving your legs from getting crushed. I saw a crashed Passat on the lot, and was convinced immediately of the safety features. It had rolled, and 1/2 of the area where the engine used to be was gone, diagonal from the passenger side headlights to where the driver's side meets the door. The guy had crashed into a rail, and then rolled it. He could still open the door, and walked away mostly unharmed.
I could go on and on, but I won't. Just ask for a ride and I'll be glad to oblige. I'm still working on putting the 10-speaker sound system to the test with my iPod, but that will take a little bit of work, and an adapter to have an auxilary-in line that I can plug into. Soon, though...soon.
No buyer's remorse here...
-m-
Comments
Congrats on the new ride Myles... looks groovy. Guess you won't be putting along I-70 trying to make it up the hill in the Corolla with all of our college gear loaded in the back anytime soon!
Love ya man.