Worse News

In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit two things. The first item is that the Buick is back and ready to roll. It turns out it probably wasn't a build quality issue. Rather, the camshaft actuator valve was partially obstructed by debris...or something like that. Anyway, new part in place and, viola!, good as new....... which it oughta be since it is still new.

While it was in the shop the dealer had given me this brand new Chevy Camaro to drive. The car is pretty popular with a broad cross-section of males. Interestingly, when Evan saw it he was determined he wanted to go for a ride in the "race car." When I explained it was a loaner and would be going back to the dealer later that day he was absolutely head down, eyes tearing up, disappointed.

Through the course of the day I put a grand total of 7 miles on the car and never drove it over 48 miles an hour. We did keep it long enough to pick Ev up from school en route to returning the car to the dealer. He was thrilled but it didn't take him long to appreciate the fact the car was designed for two adults sitting in the front seats. The back seat is simply a deep dark pocket with little to offer a passenger-- especially the 42 inch variety.

The Camaro reminded me of a Corvette we had a couple of years back. That car was a super performer but, at the end of the day, it just wasn't really what we wanted to be running back and forth to the grocery store and the office. Two years, and only about 9,000 miles later, we bid the rocket adieu.

So, here's the other revelation. And this is the really bad news to a mid-fifties male: When I finally dropped off the Camaro and Evan, Tam, and I got back into the Buick, we were all happy to be "home." Sad but true realization: As nice as the firm form fitting leather seats are in the Camaro's nice interior, I prefer the slow, stodgy, car-with-the-undersized-trunk, to the hot rod "race car." It's more comfortable and useful. How sad, but true. And you can see out of it better, too, front or back seat.

Note to Kelsey: As much as I prefer the Buick to the hot rod, it's probably still going to be migrating your way in July. I miss my truck.