I got a Porsche wave

Oh faithful reader, I know I’ve been MIA for quite a few days now and I’m so sorry! The heat wave in Easter Canada totally put me off doing any sort of work, even for you guys. I apologize. Apparently yours truly does not do well in 40+ degree weather with 100% humidity — perhaps I really am a true Canadian. Yikes.

All that aside, the past week has been quite eventful, and mostly because of the vehicle I had in my grubby little hands:

The Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Now, I know some of your are moaning and groaning right now about how ugly it looks and how could Porsche destroy their lines like that and make a sedan and blah, blah, blah. But have you driven one?

Once you drive the Panamera Turbo, I can guarantee you’ll forget all about the overweight back end and the stretched out body. And the spaceship interior really does grow on you, I promise you it does. And because I had this tester fora few days longer than I should have (3 to be exact) I actually started to feel like I owned it, and it was a pretty practical car — save for the cost of filling the tank which was astronomical and brought tears to my eyes.

My week behind the wheel of the Panamera Turbo was full of cheers and jeers from fellow motorists on the road; from cat-calls to outright criticisms, I got it all. It’s funny how a high-end luxury car can make people react, even when they don’t know you. I was stopped constantly and asked various questions about the car: “How can you drive something so ugly?” “Is it really as fast as they say it is?” “I never thought I’d meet someone who could afford one of these,” and so on.

But, my greatest moment came when I was cruising along an open country road heading home from my parent’s place and I crossed paths with a Porsche 911 Turbo. As we approached one another on the stretch of perfectly straight road, the 911 driver simply raised his right hand from the steering wheel and nodded to me as I responded with the same gesture.

I got a Porsche wave.

It made me feel all tingly inside, and reminded me how strong car’s identity can be and how driver’s identify with it. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced this car connection, but this one definitely felt the coolest because he clearly thought the Panamera was mine — fantastic.

There are certain makes of cars that evoke emotions in their drivers and give them a sense of connection with other owners of that make on the road. Take the MINI for example. Every time I drive a MINI I feel like I’m part of the cool kid’s group (or the geeks/losers if you talk to my husband about that car). Every MINI I pass on the road gives me a wave, nod or high-beam flash. It’s like you’re instantly part of an exclusive club and you’re all best friends. I love it.

Owning a Subaru also makes me part of a super-cool, exclusive club; the crew of Impreza drivers on the road. While it doesn’t seem to stretch down as far as the base Impreza, if you own a WRX or an STI you’re definitely part of the bunch. Waves, nods, high-beam flashes and even exhaust rumble blasts are common “hellos” for Subie drivers on the road. And you’ve always got to look over and catch the other driver’s attention if you pass them on the highway; it’s just common courtesy.

That unspoken car connection is part of the reason I love cars so much. They really do cause this connection between perfect strangers on the road who may only glimpse one another for seconds while they pass one another; and yet it’s enough to make you feel special, important and even loved (if you’re that desperate). And while you’re not about to see Corolla drivers start to wave to one another (God I hope not), if you’re lucky enough to own one of the “cool crew” cars, then you’re automatically part of a greater group of people who all share the love you have for your car, which I think is just great.

And as I reveled in my Porsche wave, grinning from ear to ear, I remembered that while I appreciated the 911 Turbo’s greeting, there was a Porsche wave I loved seeing even more…

Drive on,
– M.

~ by drivingmsmiranda on July 14, 2010.