My Midlife-Crisis Car

My midlife crisis car is a Scion xA, what's up with that?


Somehow, my timing is a bit off.  When I was younger, I did the BMW thing, I did the Jeep Wrangler thing (had two of each).  I had the freedom to be selfish, the income to be a bit wasteful.  I think that was my twenties-that-I-actually-lived-in-my thirties.  No responsiblity and a high-paying job will do that to you, if  you are not careful.

I remember growing up that the midlife-crisis-car was always a red corvette.  You'd see those guys who were old enough to afford it, but so old  that they thought that 60mph was "fast".  There was always grey or white hair blowing in the wind with the top down, or maybe a driving cap if the crisis was baldness-induced.  We always laughed at them, they looked like they were wearing the car like a bad toupee (are there ever any good ones?).

So there I was, driving an expensive, empty, luxury SUV.  Not even a dog to my name.  I had one cat that would eat my face after I died for a few days until the neighbors noticed the smell.  If the cat died first, I'd be mummified before I was found by my investment counselor, or meter reader.

Today, I have a wonderful wife, two great kids, four cats, two dogs, a bird, and a housefull of trouble.  I'm 46, just in that heavy midlife zone where I should be looking around for a corvette.  What did I do?  I bought a Scion xA.  In fact, i bought two.

Great cars.  They each have over 100K miles but get gas mileage in the 35-37mpg range.  They hold a shopping trip, or three dogs, or four adults, or even boxed furniture pieces ready for assembly (don't ask).  They go all around, they get through (some) snow, and they are easy and inexpensive to maintain.  One cost $13,750 new, the other was $15,000 as a leftover on a lot.

I love our cars.

Yes, I had a midlife crisis, and I bought the midlife-crisis-car.  But the crisis was that I wanted more than just a nice car.  In the competition between luxury and love, I'll take love every time.

Thank you Ann, Amanda, Coty, Oscar, Ginger, Martha, Bear, Blackie, Boxer, Titan, Kitty and ......????????

I still want a Jeep Wrangler, but who cares when?