As one enters the family, one leaves it
Having been a little brother, I know all about hand-me-downs. Thirty-three years later, there is one I still have left. I bought my Nissan 240SX from my brother after he had it for 3.5 years. It has seen me through the last 9.5 years. Four cities, 92,000 miles, three cross-country drives, four attempted break-ins, and a tight turn with a post in a parking garage that left a nice "beauty mark" on my passenger door. I’ve even cracked 100 MPH on three occasions. It was there when I found out my mom had passed on. It was also the chariot for my date with the woman who would one day become my wife. I’ve thought about a new car on three different occasions, but never pull the trigger. I have to admit I am sentimental and I love this car. So what could possibly make me part with it? One guess…
My vehicle is clearly not kid-friendly and it’s time I grew up. Not mini-van grow up–I am not ready to cop to that level of maturity just yet. But alas, it looks like I will go the route of the SUV. Yes, go ahead and judge. I never thought I’d be an SUV person. Don’t get me wrong–I am not a die-hard tree-hugging liberal per se. But yes, I do think SUVs are normally a yuppie play toy that aren’t very ecofriendly. Nevertheless, with the kid on the way, it’s time to face facts. Every parent we know has warned us of the multitude of baby paraphernalia that will accompany the kid on every trip. This is beyond simple car seat to set her–we’re talking strollers, diaper bags, toys, etc. I suppose we can work it into a sedan, but it seems like a bit of a tight squeeze. Plus, suddenly I actually start caring about crash test results, safety features, etc. I suppose I should have cared when it was me in the car, but with Iris, I feel a little greater obligation. Man, those SUVs are good. I considered a wagon (like the Suburu Outback, which is clearly the most popular car in Seattle), but you don’t get anything on gas mileage compared to the SUVs I’ve been looking at.
So, I think we’ve decided on the Hummer H2–just kidding. I am saving that for when I enter the actor-turned-California governor phase of my life. We are deciding between a Nissan Murano and a Toyota Highlander, both of which manage to provide acceptable gas mileage while still delivering the space and safety we need. Cherise has admitted that she may someday move to the mini-van (like mother, like daughter), but I think I can safely tread in this space and still maintain my cred as a hip dude (yes, those who know me are aware I was NEVER a hip dude and merely using the phrase obviates the fact).
Yet another life change brought on by Iris and she’s not even here. Things are starting to get interesting around here…