The Thrill is gone

For as long as I can remember we have leased our cars instead of buying them outright. One of the benefits is the ability to drive the latest and greatest, in my price range, every 3-4 years. This has put me in a variety of car makes and models with very little loyalty. Unlike my father who was a  Buick, Cadillac guy or my uncle Mike who was a Plymouth driver my loyalties have changed, usually every 3-4 years. From VW to  Honda, to Nissan, to Subaru to Lexus. So every 3-4 years and usually 3-4 months before I really had to we would begin our car search. We've gotten pretty good at the whole negotiating thing and have come to realize that it is just a shell game with the winning bid under the shell that you don't see unless you are 1- ready to walk or 2- have your check book out.

Maybe it has to do with being a kid but I do remember going with my dad to sit in, drive in and ultimately pick up the 1960 Mohave Evening Gray Cadillac or the 1964 Sand Beige Coupe de Ville. No Cadillac was going to simply be called, Gray or Beige. There was a real excitement associated with "THE" day we picked up the new car. Sure in the 60's,  Mad Men Days, the Cadillac was a standout and I remember my dad always dressed to the nines on car pick up day and also on plane trips.

Today we'll drive to the Lexus Dealership to pick up the latest 3 year rental, a Matador Red Mica IS 250. Apparently car color naming is alive and well. 50 years ago I loved the excitement of the new car, the smell of the leather and never gave it much thought that once driven off the lot the car depreciates dramatically while the bank payments do not! And three years from now we get to do it all again. actually next November as the other car comes off lease.
I think I'll wear a tie to make it special.