Whether I'm launching onto I-84 or passing a truck on Route 44, I want to hear a sound — not a buzz or a whine, but a throaty snarl that speaks of power and survival. Like many Americans, I need a car with spirit and heft, and if it has some elegance or attitude in the fender lines, so much the better.
Events, however, are conspiring to end this long affair. Rising fuel prices, the recession, federally mandated fuel economy hikes and smart growth are combining to scrap the vigorous, often chunky vehicles that take our cheeseburger-loving behinds down the road. It won't be long until we're all skittering along in identical pods, spurting puffs of mist from our hydrogen-fueled mini motors; or worse, moving under our own puny power.
So I say, let's enjoy these final years of gas-guzzling joy. Get under the oil tap this Memorial Day weekend and swill.
EDIT
Maybe our relationship with cars and trucks won't be radically different in 10 or 20 years. But concerns about the environment, the economy and our reliance on foreign oil are all pushing inevitable change. So fill your tanks, hit the road and flip the bird to every Smart ForTwo you see. Floor it while you can, America.
EDIT/END
http://www.courant.com/community/news/fv/hc-torrington-cruise-night-cars-0524,0,1934120.story?track=rss