Re: "Being a Car Guy"

[The following post is a response to the posting by Calvin Kim of Road and Track Magazine.]

I read somewhere that the average male thinks about sex every 7 seconds... I think about cars every 3.  I feel that this infatuation with cars is what makes me a "car guy", and the wrenching I do on my own vehicle is certainly a significant part of that.  The wrenching provides a connection to the vehicle that simply cannot be made solely by driving it.

Non car guys are unable to understand such a connection.  They look at their vehicle and they see a means of transportation, a method by which they can go from point A to point B.  Others see a symbol of their success or status, an expression of their wealth or style.  But us car guys, we see an extension of ourselves.  Our cars are part of who we are, they are what we live for.  Our girlfriends don't get jealous when we look at other girls, they get jealous when we go out to the garage (and if you are a car gal reading this, your boyfriend is a very lucky man indeed).

It is difficult to explain what it is like to hear an engine roar to life after you have put your blood, sweat, and tears into it.  You have spent countless hours carefully tearing down the engine, separating the block, measuring bearing journals and ensuring piston rings are within tolerance. Countless more have been spent trying to get those damn piston rings back into their cylinders, and re-assembling the heart of your vehicle.  All the electrical has been reconnected, the ECU mapped, fluids added and checked.

It's the moment of truth.

You turn the key and hear the familiar "ea-ea-ea-ea-ea" of the starter, a "chug-chug" as the pistons attempt to do their leg-work. Your heart is racing a mile a minute as you give it a bit of throttle and "VROOM" the engine roars to life.  A rush of ecstacy turns that nervous "please let this work" expression into a smile from ear to ear coupled with a cry of celebration.  It's not just the engine that is coming alive, it's you.  You hop behind the wheel and peel out into the morning air (yes, you will have been up all night at this point).  You, your car, and the open road.  This is what driving is all about, you are piloting a machine that exists because of your love for it.  You know that if you ever go back into the house you're going to be sleeping on the couch, and you couldn't be happier - you're a car guy.

There is an incredible documentary done by Eric Bana called "Love the Beast" that explains the connection between a man and his car.  Guest interviews with world-renowned car guys Jeremy Clarkson and Jay Leno attempt to clarify what it means to be in love with your car, and in my opinion they hit the nail on the head.  If you're a car guy, you already "get it" so watch the film and enjoy.  If you're not a car guy, watch the film and if by the end you don't "get it", at the very least I hope that you'll understand it.

I just watched the trailer above and got shivers - no joke.  Guess what I'm going to go watch for the umpteenth time?

Welcome!

"Slower Traffic Keep Right" is to be an auto-blog providing you with my take on the latest happenings of interest in the automotive world.  The title was chosen for its double meaning.  Firstly, (and most importantly) it makes reference to my infatuation with speed and performance; the two underlying themes that will drive this blog.  Secondly it takes a stab at the horrible drivers that litter our roads and prevent motoring from being the enjoyable experience it should be.  Seriously, move over and let me by!

Alright, enough about the title.  Today Porsche released news that the Carrera GTS will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.  The GTS is a 408hp, wide bodied, agressively styled 911 that will fill the gap between the Carrera S and the GT3.  Check out the web special from Porsche.
 

Do I like it? Oh yes, it checks all the right boxes and I want to get behind the wheel very badly.  That wide body is so sexy, and the black sidescirts and front spoiler lip give it a purposeful demeaner, one that yells "track me".  It is clearly the GT3's wild younger sister and I can't wait to hear her scream.

Carrera GTS [click to enlarge]

Do I like the idea of it? No.

This shouldn't be a new model, this should be the new Carrera S.  When they make an improvement to the 911, it should be "the new 911" not "the added 911". With the GTS in the picture, the base model Carrera just become that much less impressive.  Perhaps I am wrong, but I was under the impression that the whole idea behind continuous improvement was to keep raising the bar.  Porsche left the bar where it was and put another one ont op of it.  In my opinion, they are depleting the 911 brand by allowing competitors to slowly creep up behind the iconic sportscar that for decades held an untouchable spot in the performance car market.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the Porsche 911 and the new GTS is certainly an impressive car.  I am simply dissapointed that the base model 911 has been overshadowed.  

When I walk down the street I point out every 911 in such excitement you would think I spotted a CGT.  I don't want to hear myself saying "it's only the base model".