You used to drive me around...

I was going to use another Beatles reference in the title of the post, but, a tribute to Jon Auer just sounds better.
I am coming to you live from Reno, Nevada. Sin City Jr. I will be here for a day or two and then off to Cali for a quick one day turnaround.
OK, tonights subject. Automobiles. Otherwise known as cars, rides, autos, rigs or transport. I have had a passion for cars since I was in my teens. Brought up in Upstate NY, I was tuned into the American Muscle Car scene to begin with and wasn't very interested, then, when I turned 18 I got my first car...A 1976 Triumph TR7...Yes, my passion with cars began with the British Invasion. Let me tell you about cars from across the pond...the British are very attentive to luxury and detail. From their dashboards to their seats they are a cut above the average car. Now, whether the car ran or not, was a minor detail. British cars break, alot. I managed in all of my years on the darkside (literally, not figuratively because the lights never worked) to modify and make the cars much more reliable. I still have a soft spot for British cars, but thankfully don't have a spot for one in my garage. Here would be my British hit parade from 1982 to 1996:

1976 Triumph TR7
1977 Triumph Spitfire
1975 MG Midget
1978 Triumph Spitfire
1986 Jaguar XJ6
1973 Jaguar XJ6
1977 Triumph TR7
1980 Triumph TR7 Cabriolet

Sometime during that time I dabbled in the Italian market for a while, owning an Alfa Spyder and driving several Ferrari's, Lambo's and Maserati's. I never fell in love with Italian cars simply because they are all flash, no reliability and worst of all, no comfort whatsoever. You better know yoga to prepare yourself to drive an Italian exotic. My Italian car ownership was limited to:

1973 Alfa Romeo Spyder

My Italian experience has included:

1994 Ferrari 348 Spyder
1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi
1967 Lambo Muira
1977 Maserati Bora

American cars were always just, to sum up in one word, bland. Excepting some models from the late 60's, this country is an automotive wasteland. I have had the misfortune of owning 2 Chrysler products and currently own a boring, but very reliable Ford Explorer.

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
2003 Ford Explorer

Japanese cars found their way into my garage more than once. Reliable as hell, easy to work on and very practical. I found it hard to be passionate about them. I like them, I would always consider one as a daily driver. My Japanese experiences:

1985 Toyota Celica GTS Convertible
1986 Toyota 4X4
1977 Toyota Corolla Wagon
1977 Datsun 200SX

1n 1990 I found my true love (both in cars and with my wife)...
German cars. The Germans could combine the flash of an Italian car, the reliability of a Japanese car and the attention to detail of a British car. All the while, staying away from bland old American iron. Germans by nature are perfectionists and their car design and manufacture are second to none. The drivability and performance is incredible. I bought my first Porsche in 1990 and my current Porsche in 2000. Absolutely fantastic cars. They are also very affordable to the regular guy. Now before anybody freaks out, let me explain. The longevity of a Porsche makes it an attractive buy 10 years down the road, for what you would pay for a new Mustang or Honda Accord, you could easily afford a low miles, super clean, used 911, 928, 944, 968 or Boxster. Believe me, the Porsche experience will far surpass the few years spent with that generic mass produced car experience. My German car ownership has included:

1984 Porsche 944
1990 Porsche 944S2 Cabriolet (Pictured below)

I have driven:

1980 911SC
1983 911SC
1984 911 Carrera
2000 911 Carrera
1983 928
1986 944 Turbo