Earlier this evening while driving my brother back from one of his final college classes of the semester, I started talking about how much I wanted a convertible. Everywhere I go I’ve been driving with the sunroof open and one hand sticking out of the top of my car, just hoping to catch a glimpse of that feeling of freedom and openness. I’ve noticed that lately, being inside a beautifully insulated BMW feels a bit too much like I’m playing a video game. I’m not really driving, I’m not really interacting with the world, I’m just driving through a simulation. But a convertible opens you up to the environment as you drive right through it. You feel the wind in your hair, you hear the sounds of nature and/or a busy highway, and all of this equals a certain sense of fun and peace. I miss that and dang it, I want it back.
As I was explaining this to my brother I confessed that, as much as I love my beautiful Z4 baby, I wouldn’t mind having just a simple little Z3 if it meant having a convertible at long last. At precisely that moment, a dark pewter Z4 drove by, as if to remind me with its deep throaty inline 6, “You don’t really want that little put-put car – it may be cute, but I’m nothin’ but raw power, baby! Grroooowwl!”
I started to giggle at the coincidence and exclaimed, “Every time I think of a BMW, a Z4 goes by!” When I voiced my assumtion that the Z4’s apparition was a reminder of what my heart truly desires, what happens? A cute little black Z3 rolls by, this time uttering, “Oh yes, you really want a Z4, but is being cute and petite really such a bad thing? Vrrrooooom, teehee!”
Now not only am I conflicted about my convertibles, but I’m extremely worried that these machines are talking to me. Whatever is a girl to do? Maybe if I buy both they’ll just shut up and drive… 🙂
I know the feeling. I was searching for a new car for a long time debating between hardtops and convertibles. I had a sunroof for a long time and the interior of my old car, a Civic, was fairly spacious but even then, a little extra breathing room never hurt so I went with the convertible and it’s been a fun ride ever since!
Heck why settle for a Z4 with it’s measly 184 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Why not get something really nice like a Mitsibithi Eclipse. heck get 2 – you’d still be saving money.
Steve, Steve, Steve… the 184horsepower is a misnomer because it is a straight six engine, not the typical V6. Also, any horsepower put out by any engine is only effective with a proper weight balance ratio. The Z4 is perfection in its precise 50/50 balance between the front and rear tires, giving it sublime handling. It puts every single horse into play, putting every resource at your fingertips as you fling it around tight corners at insane speeds. Just last week I took it around a corner at 85mph and the car didn’t even flinch. Despite the seemingly low horsepower figures, this perfect engineering makes the driving experience equal to most exotic roadsters at three times the price (i.e. the Maserati Spyder). The Mitsubishi Eclipse, on the other hand, explains its low price by putting two thirds of the weight on the front tires, leading to splashy handling and diminished control capabilities at high speeds. There’s so much more to the beauty of automotive engineering than just horsepower, which is only a part of a much more complex and exciting whole. True automotive beauty and excellence is found in the unification of engineering, design, and balance.
If you have BMW’s talking to you, I say enjoy it!
I had a car with a sunroof and it was the most enjoyable car I’ve ever driven. I didn’t care how fast or slow it was because I could drive with the wind.
Did you say convertable? Since the Mazda is totalled (a very spiffy 626..oooh), I may be getting a convertable for the mean time! Okay, it’s a LeBaron, but it’s only $500 and a convertable, okay. Little dreams for now, big dreams later.
umm, what are you doing taking corners at 85mph?
Last week I went to my local BMW dealership to test drive the new 3 series, but for a little bit of fun they let me visit my Z4 as well. Construction just completed on a small road across from the dealership, but it’s still cordoned off from regular traffic. The owners of that road told the dealership they could use it for the time being as a closed course testing track for regular customers. Since they all know me there, they let me take both the new 3 and the Z4 on the closed course, which was essentially a long straight-away followed by slalom style corners. I got to slam my foot on the gas and swoop around the road like it was my own personal Nurburgring. It was great, and it was totally legal. 🙂