Our Cars, Ourselves

I’m looking at a commercial for some male enhancement product, and I notice that the boomer-aged guy is driving a vintage Mustang convertible. I immediately forget about the program I was watching and begin wistfully thinking about mustang convertibles.

Like most people of any age, the memory of our first car and the freedom it gave us is indelibly imprinted on our personal history. I think back to the agony of asking to use the family car, and all the specious reasons that I should have it for the night I would lay on my parents. They of course had their own reasons why I needed to spend a night at home, and not put their car and its teenaged contents in jeopardy.

Fortunately, I had an older brother who sympathized with my plight, and agreed to finance my first car. Despite his objections and desire that I buy something sensible, I chose a bronze 1966 Mustang convertible with a custom interior. It was thrilling beyond belief. I would put the top down and drive with the Michigan summer breeze and its aromas surrounding me. I felt like the luckiest, unencumbered girl in the world.

Does any of this trigger a brain synapse and beautiful memory for you? There is nothing like that first time feeling of  “This is my car and I can go anywhere I choose!”

My friend Al, age 57, bought his first car at age 16. He was a self-confessed penny pincher who saved all his allowance and grandparents’ gifts and wages from his after-school job to pay cash for a 1971 Gremlin X. He nostalgically tells me that it was black with gold stripes and was a real beauty. He drove it for 6 years, sold it and lost his love affair with cars for a while. Later in life, when he could afford it, he chose a Lincoln Continental–his lifelong desire for a luxury car. He says he got over it – worrying about it and where to park it etc, and now happily drives a Ford Edge.

After all the mechanical problems with my Mustang, I transitioned to a reasonable Oldsmobile, and then…a 1969 Corvette. Yes, it wasn’t yet out of my blood. After the mechanical torment, the next car was a responsible Buick Regal, which I drove for many years and then…bought my first new car, a 1982 Black Firebird with a hatchback. Oh, I was proud of that car! It was the first one anyone in Detroit had seen.

As my income escalated, I fell under the spell of the foreign car cache. At the time, there was a thing called the European Delivery Program in which one could save lots of money by going to Munich and purchasing a BMW there. Supposedly, this was to generate German tourism as well as sell cars. So, I did it, and bought a beautiful new red 318 I just so I could prove that I could do it I think. I ended up selling it a year later for what I bought it for. Just an adventure I guess.

Next was a beautiful burgundy BMW convertible with a brown top that my significant other purchased for me for my 40^th birthday. It was special, and never left me stranded or got me a speeding ticked in the 18 years I owned it. I was tearful when it was towed away with a worn out engine. I wanted to keep it until I was 60.

So, now my General Motors family is thrilled that I am driving a Buick LeSabre. I confess that this is probably the first time in life that I am comfortable driving a sensible car. Yes, it has 4 doors and has no snob appeal or second looks ever. Thing is, I love it. Those 4 doors and big back seat make my life so convenient. Then, there’s the trunk. It’s the hugest thing I’ve ever seen. Luggage for a 3 month trip would fit in there.

Turns out that to my disappointment, I am not with the boomer crowd here.

According to a new study by TrueCar.com, boomers are driving their dream cars.

The study, which reviewed the purchasing habits of more than 200,000 car buyers, determined that the top brands purchased by Baby Boomers are premium automakers known for high-end appointments, luxury and flashy appeal. First on the list of popular Baby Boomer brands is Mercedes-Benz, which sells 56 percent of its vehicles to Baby Boomers. Mercedes is closely followed by Jaguar and Porsche. Other high-end brands preferred by Baby Boomers include BMW, Lexus and Volvo.

"Many Baby Boomers are experiencing another phase in their life," said Jesse Toprak, TrueCar.com's vice president of trends and analysis. "The nest is empty and because they have reached a heightened income level giving them both time and financial freedom, they chose vehicles that provide them with a luxurious, safe feel and a youthful, sporty drive."

I have found evidence right here that this is …true. My friend Sharon, 63, decided it was time to be good to herself after retiring and receiving an inheritance. She purchased a magnificent, (her words) red Lexus RX400. Her strategy: “I might not look good a few years from now, but my car will.”