The idea: one little person changing to an electric vehicle can “make a difference.” The pain in the butt: quite literally, a giant pain in my ASS!
Way back in 2010, we saw a powerful documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car,” which prompted me to ditch my fuel-inefficient, but otherwise excellent Mazda RX-8. Hybrids were the solution, man, until I discovered that I could dramatically improve my mileage AND have the car of my dreams, the all-conquering Honda S2000!
It has been a love affair forged by Venus and Min, (god of the road), the 100% perfect car for Mark Alan Swanson. Peaceful and sedate around town, deceptively impersonating a mild-mannered “cute little Miata,” aka Dr. Jekyl. Then, out on remote, back mountain roads, I dig deep, literally pedal-to-the-metal, the tachometer climbs above 6,000 RPM, and HOLY FRIKBALLS! it’s MR. HYDE! in all his vicious, howling glory. The S2K really GETS ME THERE. Not simply moving my body from place to place, it excites and thrills. It grips the road like a bulldog, with mind-reading, intuitive steering, balanced, predictable handling, and sock-me-in-the-jaw stop-right-NOW brakes.
Yum, just ogle those svelte, sexy lines! Cute AND Fierce, like a cat. I know, you get it, I love the S2K, but, sadly, for the last few years any trip in my heavenly transport lasting more than an hour has induced excruciating hip pain, so off I went to the orthopedist, hoping surgery could keep us together. Dagburnit! My frikkin' hip-joint is the picture of health, and western medicine has no answer for my freaky actual problem: "trochanteric bursitis," other than injecting pain killers. I couldn't help noticing the ABSENCE of pain while sitting bolt upright in the King Air or Suzanne's MDX, and the doctor and physical therapist agreed that my sweet car's sitting angle was unquestionably the cause. PAIN PILED ON TOP OF MORE PAIN! Could I really break up with the greatest car on the planet? Well, having already sacrificed the second best pleasure in life, (getting drunk), perhaps this is my butt's way of saying "it's time to LET GO of your WORST addiction, Mr. Hedonism!" (Heh heh, that's a joke, driving isn't number one, even for me). But, of course, I made the easy changes first, ending my 6-month long twice-a-week sprint-training at the track, as well as giving up my favorite Yoga pose, virasana, which I’ve used in my daily sitting meditation for years.
So, I need an ultra-dependable car with bolt upright seats and stellar gas-mileage. Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I was shopping for an American car, incredibly, TWO! A plug-in hybrid is undoubtedly, the ultimate “I'm-a-good-boy-car,” and the two best bolt-upright plug-in hybrids in my price range were the Ford Fusion Energi, and the Chevrolet Volt. The Energi is supposedly the better handling car, so I picked it. Veracom Ford in San Mateo was asking $18,600 for a 2013 with 45,000 miles. I offered $16,500, they said $18,300, I said $17,500, they said $18,150, I said make it an even $18,000 and we've got a deal. They wouldn't come down and I wouldn't go up, so I walked! For less than 1%! (Clearly irrational behavior, from BOTH parties—interacting with car dealers has always made me a little crazy).
Then, Suzanne and I left for Spring Break, Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. It was really fun, and I practically forgot all about cars.
Joshua Tree National Park
This was only our fourth night backpacking together, EVER! You can just barely make out the little solo bug tent for her, with my sleeping bag laying out in the open air right next to it:
Joshua Tree and Palm Springs brought their usual solace, pleasure and joy. On the last night in Palm Springs, I opened my iPad to check Car Gurus to see if anything had changed in the local Ford Fusion Energi market, and WHOA! there were 3 very reasonably priced options from a dealer I hadn’t previously encountered, “Carlypso.” Turns out, they’re an Uber-like start-up company that acts as a broker, finding you the car you want, servicing and prepping it, all for $1,000-2,000 less than all the regular dealers, but you have to contract to buy it, with only photos and the CarFax report. Once you receive the car, you have 7 days to confirm it is OK. They found me a beautiful 2013 Energi with 30,000 miles for $18,500, still under factory warranty, and I said “go.” At this point, I’d done massive amounts of research, including endless hours poring over the most recent Consumer Reports Automobile edition, but I’d never studied one particular page, “The Worst of the Worst.” Now that I was under contract, for some reason, I glanced at that page, and was HORRIFIED to see the 2013 Ford Fusion right there in frikkin’ black and white! OMZ, I knew about the Energi’s on-board electronics problems, but I couldn’t believe it qualified as a “worst of the worst.” Luckily, Carlypso’s bid at the auction didn’t win, and I extricated myself.
Back at the drawing board I re-examined the Chevrolet Volt. Even though the car magazine guys fall all over themselves praising the styling of the Ford Fusion, I actually prefer the Volt, even though I CONSTANTLY tell myself that I don’t care about the looks. And though the Fusion handles slightly better than the Volt, COME ON, these cars are frikkin’ ROCKING CHAIRS compared to the S2000, small handling differences like this are almost meaningless. As I dug deeper and deeper into my mind’s preferences, I saw staring back at me the real reason that I was being drawn inexorably into the Volt’s binding spell: $5,000. The average cash price for all the Volts I was now looking at were roughly $15,000 compared to the average $20,000 for the 2014 Energi, and I was once again reminded of the pain and suffering I’d experienced with the Porsche Boxster in Switzerland—paying over $3,000 to rent a car for one week, AND being constantly responsible for a very pricey car scared me to death. The more I did the math with these plug-in hybrids, the more attracted I was to driving a car that was 25% less valuable. How bizarre, and even FUNNY to learn this late in life that I’m super reluctant to drive an expensive car. And I DO care about color and styling, and I’m a “Chevrolet-man,” not a “Ford-man.” Ha ha! I’m joshing around, but this is truly a hot-bed of self-discovery.
Last week I bought a 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 38,500 miles, $15,500, which just happens to be $1,000 LESS than I bought my S2000 for FIVE YEARS AGO! Selling the S2000 will probably recoup 3/4 of the money I paid for it in 2010. In other words, for a surprisingly small amount of $, I'll get a “new" car, and if we get solar panels, I’LL BE HARVESTING THE SUN’S POWER TO MOVE MY BODY AROUND IN SPACE/TIME! YAHOOOOO!!!! Is that a compelling idea, OR WHAT?
I will be trading the performance game for the "hyper-miling" game. Driving the Volt includes an actual video game, a type of technological biofeedback to teach one how best to brake and accelerate in order to maximize efficiency and stretch each battery charge.
Brake or accelerate too hard, and that green ball with the leaves turns YELLOW, ouch!
To give up “sport driving,” after cherishing it my entire life feels like a small death, so what, exactly, is my butt trying to tell me? As I alluded to above, I WISH it was telling me to transcend selfish pleasures, but more likely, it is simply SCARED. Afraid I’ll be taking it along with me to the scene of the accident, as I have in the past. The high G-loads I feel from hard acceleration, cornering and braking spell FUN to my body, but I’m acutely aware of the risks, to my car, my life and most importantly, to OTHERS! How many times have I told myself: "I've had enough beers for one lifetime," and now I'm trying to tell myself the same thing about the joy of driving fast. It may or may not be true, but I really love this idea: letting go of selfish pleasures, and ultimately, letting go of the self. Best of all, I'm genuinely excited about saving $, reducing greenhouse gases, and most importantly, looking like someone who cares! Now I guess we'll see if she really wants a good boy or not. I never really wanted to be bad, I was just tortured by a serious case of speed lust, and that really and truly brought out the beast in me. Luckily, I also adore driving calmly, even meditatively, so I'll still get to relish that.
Amazingly, as I approach my final good-bye to the S2000, I feel quite comfortable with the recognition that I’ve really DONE the whole S2K experience, 5 days at the track, and millions of moments pushing it and myself to the limits, out on the “screamingly intense” edge. On the other side of that coin, this five years has coincided with my increased focus on mindfulness, so, for years now, without the distraction of the radio, I’ve drenched myself in consciously aware appreciation of driving with the top down, out in the open air, soaking up all the sensory inputs, hot sunshine, cold wind, bird calls, and flower scents, all while simultaneously noticing the smooth throttle response, firm crisp “snick snick” of the delicious manual transmission, symbiotic feedback from the sensitive neutral steering, and the ever present “dance with the road.” Some mighty nice "here and nows!" Since I was a young child, driving has bewitched me, and in all probability I will never have a car I love this much. I am so frikkin’ lucky and grateful, and I’m even ready for the change. As long as I’m still alive, these small deaths invariably include small re-births.
Love mas
p.s. I realize I’ve been reluctant to climb on to this bus; kudos and thanks to our brave, inspirational friends who ventured first into the untested realm of electrics and hybrids, especially Adrian and Amber, who tread this very same path, the Chevrolet Volt AND solar panels, YEARS AGO!
© Mark Swanson 2016
Way back in 2010, we saw a powerful documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car,” which prompted me to ditch my fuel-inefficient, but otherwise excellent Mazda RX-8. Hybrids were the solution, man, until I discovered that I could dramatically improve my mileage AND have the car of my dreams, the all-conquering Honda S2000!
It has been a love affair forged by Venus and Min, (god of the road), the 100% perfect car for Mark Alan Swanson. Peaceful and sedate around town, deceptively impersonating a mild-mannered “cute little Miata,” aka Dr. Jekyl. Then, out on remote, back mountain roads, I dig deep, literally pedal-to-the-metal, the tachometer climbs above 6,000 RPM, and HOLY FRIKBALLS! it’s MR. HYDE! in all his vicious, howling glory. The S2K really GETS ME THERE. Not simply moving my body from place to place, it excites and thrills. It grips the road like a bulldog, with mind-reading, intuitive steering, balanced, predictable handling, and sock-me-in-the-jaw stop-right-NOW brakes.
So, I need an ultra-dependable car with bolt upright seats and stellar gas-mileage. Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I was shopping for an American car, incredibly, TWO! A plug-in hybrid is undoubtedly, the ultimate “I'm-a-good-boy-car,” and the two best bolt-upright plug-in hybrids in my price range were the Ford Fusion Energi, and the Chevrolet Volt. The Energi is supposedly the better handling car, so I picked it. Veracom Ford in San Mateo was asking $18,600 for a 2013 with 45,000 miles. I offered $16,500, they said $18,300, I said $17,500, they said $18,150, I said make it an even $18,000 and we've got a deal. They wouldn't come down and I wouldn't go up, so I walked! For less than 1%! (Clearly irrational behavior, from BOTH parties—interacting with car dealers has always made me a little crazy).
Then, Suzanne and I left for Spring Break, Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. It was really fun, and I practically forgot all about cars.
Joshua Tree National Park
This was only our fourth night backpacking together, EVER! You can just barely make out the little solo bug tent for her, with my sleeping bag laying out in the open air right next to it:
Back at the drawing board I re-examined the Chevrolet Volt. Even though the car magazine guys fall all over themselves praising the styling of the Ford Fusion, I actually prefer the Volt, even though I CONSTANTLY tell myself that I don’t care about the looks. And though the Fusion handles slightly better than the Volt, COME ON, these cars are frikkin’ ROCKING CHAIRS compared to the S2000, small handling differences like this are almost meaningless. As I dug deeper and deeper into my mind’s preferences, I saw staring back at me the real reason that I was being drawn inexorably into the Volt’s binding spell: $5,000. The average cash price for all the Volts I was now looking at were roughly $15,000 compared to the average $20,000 for the 2014 Energi, and I was once again reminded of the pain and suffering I’d experienced with the Porsche Boxster in Switzerland—paying over $3,000 to rent a car for one week, AND being constantly responsible for a very pricey car scared me to death. The more I did the math with these plug-in hybrids, the more attracted I was to driving a car that was 25% less valuable. How bizarre, and even FUNNY to learn this late in life that I’m super reluctant to drive an expensive car. And I DO care about color and styling, and I’m a “Chevrolet-man,” not a “Ford-man.” Ha ha! I’m joshing around, but this is truly a hot-bed of self-discovery.
Last week I bought a 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 38,500 miles, $15,500, which just happens to be $1,000 LESS than I bought my S2000 for FIVE YEARS AGO! Selling the S2000 will probably recoup 3/4 of the money I paid for it in 2010. In other words, for a surprisingly small amount of $, I'll get a “new" car, and if we get solar panels, I’LL BE HARVESTING THE SUN’S POWER TO MOVE MY BODY AROUND IN SPACE/TIME! YAHOOOOO!!!! Is that a compelling idea, OR WHAT?
I will be trading the performance game for the "hyper-miling" game. Driving the Volt includes an actual video game, a type of technological biofeedback to teach one how best to brake and accelerate in order to maximize efficiency and stretch each battery charge.
Brake or accelerate too hard, and that green ball with the leaves turns YELLOW, ouch!
Last week I drove to and from work 3 times, and didn’t burn one drop of gasoline!
Amazingly, as I approach my final good-bye to the S2000, I feel quite comfortable with the recognition that I’ve really DONE the whole S2K experience, 5 days at the track, and millions of moments pushing it and myself to the limits, out on the “screamingly intense” edge. On the other side of that coin, this five years has coincided with my increased focus on mindfulness, so, for years now, without the distraction of the radio, I’ve drenched myself in consciously aware appreciation of driving with the top down, out in the open air, soaking up all the sensory inputs, hot sunshine, cold wind, bird calls, and flower scents, all while simultaneously noticing the smooth throttle response, firm crisp “snick snick” of the delicious manual transmission, symbiotic feedback from the sensitive neutral steering, and the ever present “dance with the road.” Some mighty nice "here and nows!" Since I was a young child, driving has bewitched me, and in all probability I will never have a car I love this much. I am so frikkin’ lucky and grateful, and I’m even ready for the change. As long as I’m still alive, these small deaths invariably include small re-births.
Love mas
p.s. I realize I’ve been reluctant to climb on to this bus; kudos and thanks to our brave, inspirational friends who ventured first into the untested realm of electrics and hybrids, especially Adrian and Amber, who tread this very same path, the Chevrolet Volt AND solar panels, YEARS AGO!
© Mark Swanson 2016
