Today's MOZEN: We Are What We Drive

F LoBuono

Like the clothes you choose to wear, many people feel the car you drive also says a lot about who you are as a person. Others counter that you can't judge a book by its cover.

Well, both are a bit true. We shouldn't necessarily be judged solely by what we wear but, one's style is often the first and only impression we make on others. Therefore, it plays an important role in the beginning of any relationship. Style can also transcend budget and become a creative endeavor.

Taking that a step further, our vehicles also make a personal statement. And, with Americans' long love affair with the motor vehicle, the cars we drive often make a statement about the lives we lead. And, like those lives, there is almost an endless variety of choices - there are sports cars, sedans, coupes, SUV's, luxury vehicles, economy vehicles, pick-up trucks, and, even motorcycles. A *AAA report from 2016 said that Americans spend an average of 17,600 minutes in our cars every year. So, they certainly play a strong role in our lives.

With that in mind, I began to ponder what my own vehicle says about me.

One of the few cars I have purchased brand new, it's a 2003 Honda Element, now with 271,642 miles on the original engine. It's so square in shape that we immediately dubbed it The Box. The shape might be seen as a metaphor for its image. Some say it's so ugly that it's actually cool looking. The late/great Andy Rooney once said exactly that to me when he was leaving and I was pulling up for work one day at the CBS Broadcast Center. I even special ordered it to get the 5-speed manual transmission - a rarity in today's market.

THE BOX - my 2003 Honda Element

In other words, it's about as sexy as Ernest Borgnine.

But, it's also the best multi-purpose vehicle I have ever owned. It is incredibly reliable and sturdy. I have had to do limited repair work on the vehicle in the 16 years that I have owned it: maintain it, put the key in it, start it, and GO -always. It's also all-wheel drive and, so, I have never been stuck in the snow. Despite its boxy shape it has a fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine that provides plenty of pep while still averaging about 23 mpg. And, BECAUSE it's so SQUARE (another metaphor) it has room for almost ANYTHING in the interior. The seats in the back easily fold up and out of the way, making it almost like a mini-van. The interior is virtually all plastic so its easy to clean and practically indestructible. And, it's even easy to park!

Despite its awkward appearance, I could continue singing its praises on how efficient, dependable, steady, and, downright FUN, this vehicle is (and, has been). The Box may not be a hell of lot to look at but, damn, it does what it was designed to do - just like it's owner . . .


PS: Honda stopped manufacturing the Element in 2011.

*https://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/09/americans-spend-average-17600-minutes-driving-year/