[prev] Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:26:02 -0400 [next] [cars] - [comment]
I remember growing up, my Dad drove all different kinds of Volkswagens. From a Beetle to a Fox to a few different Vanagons, he was a VW man. While back in the 80's and 90's they were indeed a 'People's Car', they are now positioning themselves as a player in the mid-level luxury market. It was during those times that Volkswagen owners held a membership in a club that had no meetings or formal organizational structure.
Volkswagen owners waved to each other like crazy people.
It didn't matter the make or model, if you were passing another Volkswagen owner, there was an almost certain probability that they would favor you with a wave and a friendly smile. Times, as they have a tendency to do, have changed, and Volkswagen has lost the quirky, 'weirdo' status that used to define its cars and drivers. Unlikely you'll see two Jetta or GTI owners waving frantically as they pass each at an intersection or on the highway.
Erin purchased her Honda Fit at the beginning of this year. It's a bright orange thing, a misshapen insect of a car. It does however, have a friendly face and seems to be a personable car. It was also exceptionally hard to get, as Erin had to wait about 3 months for it to arrive from the Land of the Rising Sun. Almost immediately, we began to notice a few other Fits here and there around town. Waving and smiling, without hesitation, frequently ensued. Even older people, driving this vehicle that is ostensibly marketed towards people our age (perhaps younger) would wave and honk and grin with abandon.
Surely, the world has not become a friendlier place in the past 30 years. What is it about this car that makes people feel so good? Sure, it's goofy looking, it's unique (for now) and has only been available in the U.S. for about a year. Not owning one myself, it's hard for me to say for sure, but it's nice to that in an age of soulless automobiles (I'm looking at you, Aztec, Tahoe, Hummer, etc.) there's still a few that can inspire happiness.