Let's Talk About...Your Automotive History

Ok. How many cars have you owned in your life? If you are young, maybe one or two (or maybe zero). If you are older, undoubtedly several. Your car history is like an archeological dig into your life.

Let me explain.

Some people carefully choose what they drive, others just need transportation, and still others don't really have a choice. And is your identity somehow wrapped up in the car you drive? In Southern California, the answer is a clear "yes." Here in Colorado, well, you decide.

After an informal poll of friends and family, here is what I discovered:

Everyone starts by borrowing their parents' car. In my case, it was a 1969 red VW bus. It doesn't get cooler than that for a 16-year-old girl. I remember the wind blowing back my hair as I drove it at its top speed of about 45 mph. And that was with the windows up.

Typically, the family car is followed by a teenager's first car, which typically is either something old, very used and dependable or something brand new purchased by parents. In my daughter's case, it was "Uncle Tito," an ancient Buick LeSabre which was very big (we thought that meant "safe"), rode like a living room sofa, and was prone to battery drain.

Next comes your first "real car." In my extended family, that tended to be a Honda, Toyota, or a VW Bug. Again, dependable, low maintenance and not too expensive. But often new. Or at least "newer."

But once that first real job kicks in, then the pedal hits the metal. That sexy sportscar-wannabe shows up. That car is generally a Mazda, Toyota or Honda that is styled like a sports car but is, well, still a Mazda, Toyota or Honda. In my case, it was my beloved Toyota MR2. It was a 2-seater, completely impractical but perfect for a young woman who wanted to get wherever she was going fast, with as few passengers and luggage as possible.

However, after you have your adorable children, the sad day comes when you realize that a 2-seater just won't cut it. Goodbye, cool girl. Hello, minivan.

Now, if you don't have children, the world is your oyster. My sister prefers her cars blue, fun to drive, easy to park and with not too many seats so as not to encourage too many passengers. Think Mini Cooper S and Subaru BRZ.

Many of us, however, had to put that off for about 20 years.

I don't know about you, but the minivan phase was the longest, bleakest period of my car ownership life. I went through several and piled them high with children, dogs, snacks, soccer and baseball equipment, camping gear, wet bathing suits and all the accouterments of domestic life. For years. All the while, my husband tooled around in an Audi. No resentment there.

I graduated to my more rugged Suburban phase. Only more "rugged" because it was almost a truck which, in Colorado, is considered quite tough, which I aspired to be. I added a horse trailer and a Thule roof container, and we were off on outdoor adventures.

But was that really me? Do cars really reflect who you are? That's a matter of money, and how important your car is to you, other than its obvious transportation value. I am embarrassed to say that for me, well, I like my cars.

One day, around my birthday, while I was doing my Girl Scout thing with my troop, my husband and sons secretly exchanged my juice-stained Suburban for a new (!) Saab convertible. I couldn't believe my eyes! Was I finally going to emerge from the circle of hell that is wrought with minivans and Suburbans and finally discover my true self? The answer was an enthusiastic "yes."

I loved that car. Top down, hair blowing for real, and self-esteem oozing from under the hood.

Of course, when Saab went out of business, I entered my "sedan" phase and haven't left it since. But I still miss my Saab.

Now, not everyone's stories are the same as mine. For example, my brother has owned at least 15 cars, each more exciting than the last. He started with a 1974 used Toyota Corona that made its way across the country and back on a roll of duct tape, a can of oil, and a prayer. He later purchased every truck, and sporty, trendy car that caught his imagination, highlighted by his Alfa Romeo Giuletta Quadrifoglio and 2013 VW Scirocco R. We (he) even drove the VW on the Nurburgring in Germany. Talk about "pedal to the metal!" I almost had a heart attack.

He has now solidly entered the Tesla and electric car phase. In fact, he found it a personal challenge to drive from Southern California to Bullfrog, Arizona based on available electrical outlets. He almost ran out of "gas" a couple of times.

Teslas seem to be a trend. Teslas are cool because, well, they are Teslas, but they are also comfortable, smart (I hope) and have great door handles. But like the popular Prius trend, who knows what the future holds?

And of course, you can't go long in Colorado without at least one Subaru, which will last you nearly a lifetime. Subarus everywhere, all the time, for every purpose. Even if you don't ski, camp, hike, off-road or traverse creek beds, you look like you do in a Subaru.

So enjoy your automotive archeological dig and see what kind of self-discovery it reveals. You are not what you drive; but, whatever you drive, as Sergeant Phil Esterhaus said, "Hey, let's be careful out there."