Car Smiles

Our local Nissan dealership currently has a fun advertising relationship with my favorite morning radio program.  In the advertisement, the radio personality talks about having a car that looks good in your driveway.  A car that makes you smile when you see it each morning.  Of course, they are trying to sell me a new Nissan.

Yet, here's the thing.

My sweet little red Baby is 7 years old now (technically 8 because she came out the end of 2006 and was a dealer lease car for a year before I got her) and, in my opinion, she still looks good and, without a doubt, she still makes me smile when I see her each morning.  Personally speaking, I believe 2007 was a very good year for the Pontiac Grand Prix and the color of red paint they used that year wavers between bright maraschino cherry in the sunshine and dark pitted cherry shiny in the twilight.   Yes, she has been dinged and scraped in a few places over the years but she is a beauty and continues to get her share of compliments.  And so, yes, she makes me smile when I see her each morning.

Especially during the winter when I come out of the house in my bright red coat with the big black buttons.  I'm not saying I purposefully dress to match my car, but seriously, my wardrobe, especially in the fall and winter, is 70% black and of my colored shirts, a good 50% of them are either red or red/black.  So chances run high that I'm going to match my clothing and my car.  Do I do it on purpose?  No.  Red has always been a favorite color and black/red have always been a staple in my closet.  Does anyone notice my clothes/coats tend to match my car?  I have no idea, nor do I care.  It makes me smile and a smile at the start of the day is a good thing, in my opinion.  Besides, how many of you taupe colored car drivers come out and greet the day with a giggle because your clothing matches your car?

Nope.  I don't need a new car - Nissan or other model - to start my day with a smile.  She may be older.  She may be an irreplaceable make/model - thank you so very not much GM for discontinuing my beloved Pontiac brand.  She may have some mileage - we're fixing to roll over to 100K, I think we'll have a party!

Yep, even with all her dings, her quirks, her coloring, and her age ... when I slide into her seat, turn over the engine, open up the sunroof, and turn on the radio ... I smile.