IT'S STILL ABOUT THE DRIVE.

Editor's Note: This week, Peter reflects on the pure joy that can still be derived from the act of driving, and the ability to do so even without owning an exotic super car. In On The Table, we detail Porsche's new range-topping 911 Turbo S. And we take in the much-anticipated return of the Honda Prelude. We also preview BMW's first series-production Neue Klasse model, the BMW iX3 - a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). And we take another look at the all-electric Audi Concept C. Our AE Song of the Week is "The Flame" by Cheap Trick. In Fumes, we have Part II of Peter's series on his all-time favorite racing cars. And in The Line, we have F1 results from Monza, and MotoGP results from Catalonia. Enjoy! -WG

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. As I was admiring a stunning Dark Green Ferrari SF90 Stradale casually parked on Old Woodward Avenue – our town’s main street – late last week, my mind began to wonder “if.” As in, if I had the cash-ola for one – and I certainly don’t – would I actually get one?

I quickly answered my thought with, for what? Could I turn back the clock and reprise the now-famous runs in my 911 Turbo to Ann Arbor on early Sunday mornings? Not likely. Our roads are challenging – which is a nicer way to say that they well and truly suck – and the police presence on I-275 and M14 is strong, and that’s not even mentioning the cameras that are now everywhere these days. So, the idea of that isn’t appealing in the least.

 

Then there are the various impromptu “cars and coffee” gatherings in and around the city. One in particular takes place in our Birmingham downtown on Sundays, hosted by a local jeweler. The machines that gather there are jaw-dropping – a level of exotica that’s hard to fathom, actually. The ZR1 Corvettes, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, McLarens and top-line Porsches are parked on both sides of the street, and they spill out around the corner and occupy parking spots all around the city.

 

But again, that has little appeal to me, because it comes down to a level of preening and swinging dick-ism that I find to be beyond tedious. So, then what? What would I actually do if I had a Ferrari SF90 Stradale, a Ferrari 296 GTB, a hot McLaren or a Porsche 911 GT3 RS?

 

Well, I see – and hear – the people who have these machines amuse themselves with zero-to-120 mph bursts on Woodward Avenue, any of which – if caught – would be a reckless driving ticket, a massive points violation and a huge fine. I still enjoy seeing and hearing it, because at least these owners are getting some enjoyment out of their high-dollar rides. (The SF90, for instance, starts at around $550,000.00. Gulp.)

 

But, let’s face it, unless, you’re going out of your way to enjoy these machines on some of our beautiful back roads here in Michigan (a few of them are still left), or at track days, which are usually very expensive, the opportunities to actually enjoy these machines the way they were intended to be enjoyed are severely limited. (For some, collecting them is the key, but that never held any appeal for me whatsoever.)

 

Most, make that all of these machines offer a level of high performance that far exceeds the skills of 99 percent of the drivers who collect them, not to mention our brutal roads that they drive them on. (The idea of having to replace a $5,000 wheel/tire after encountering one of our legendary potholes is not appetizing in the least.)

 

Then again, after all is said and done, I get it, I really do. For those in an income stratosphere that I am completely unfamiliar with, buying these exotic machines is like accumulating trophies. After all, it’s all “relative” and that’s perfectly fine. But when it comes to actual driving enjoyment, there doesn’t seem to be much there “there.” Make no mistake, I love these machines when I encounter them, especially the Ferraris, which express modern, emotionally compelling design more than any other contemporary car. (I even love the Ferrari Purosangue, so there.)

 

But these machines are as far from reality as you can get. For instance, when Porsche prices started to ascend to nose-bleed heights well over a decade ago (as well as the sheer girth of the 911), I could see that the end of all this was near. The base price on a new 911 is almost $133,000. Even the older, resto-mod 911s are going for well over $100,000, unless it’s one by Singer, which go for $1 million and up.

 

What is the point to all of this? Is it collecting? Being the Biggest Tool in the Shed? The “look at me!” factor? For those who go the exotic car route, probably all of the above.

 

For me, it’s still about the enjoyment of the act of driving. I don’t need 1,000HP that can’t even be used properly to approximate that joy. I’d much rather have something lithe, agile and actually fun to drive. If that means I’m shut out of the various exotic “cars and coffee” events, then so be it.

 

A few cars still interest me, however. Cars that don’t require the equivalent of a mortgage on a new house to acquire. There’s my perennial favorite, the VW GTI. It does everything I need a car to do, plus it’s really fun to drive. And it’s still somewhat affordable. And then there’s the new Honda Prelude (see this week’s “On The Table” -WG) that looks to hold much promise, and the design is pleasing too.

 

Make no mistake, I’ve got absolutely nothing against the exotics or the people who can afford them. Without these well-heeled drivers I wouldn’t get to see the pinnacle of automotive art otherwise. And trust me, it’s one thing to read about them on the Internet; it’s quite another when you encounter them in the flesh out in the real world. I gladly spent fifteen minutes studying that Ferrari SF90 Stradale parked in town, and it was worth it.

 

But to me, it’s still about the drive, and I’m just glad there a few machines out there that still fit that bill.

 

And that’s the High-Octane Truth for this week.

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG