It's a just a convertible

It looked like this in the beginning when the yearning to drive a small convertible first became a part of my psyche. I don't really remember the first time the Triumph TR-6 caught my attention, but it was sometime around 1973 after returning from my first cruise onboard the USS Mount Baker. As we disembarked. a shipmate took delivery of his new car. Although his was green, it looked just like the one in this picutre. For a number of reasons, both real and imagined though, I continued to talk myself out of buying one for my entire tour of duty. It always seemed to me a bit silly to live on a ship and have need of a car. That was a decision I've reflected on with some regret for the past 37 years as school, family, career, etc. gave ample cause to continue to opt out of buying a small convertible in favor or more important things. For many years, my primary mode of transport was marked by one word - functional. Even within that rather limiting descriptor, I've enjoyed a variety of vehicles although they all shared that one common trait.

Not too long ago, my most recent minivan rolled past 175,000 miles. Over the course of 10 years, aside from tires and routine maintenance, the vehicle was only in the repair shop twice. By any reasonable measure it was a reliable vehicle and well worth its $25,000 purchase price in April 2000. However, the years of wear and tear marked by soccer and softball tournaments, family vacations, and commuting to/from school took a toll on the vehicle. While nothing was 'broken', things were signalling that trouble was ahead - broken exhaust manifold bolt and an odd humming noise from the transmission topped the list. Repairs (and money to effect them) loomed in the not to distant future. Even knowing there was some expense coming in the future, it was hard to make the decision to get rid of it. The bigger question was what to buy next.

I spent a lot of time looking at crossover vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and even some traditional vehicles. Yet, each time I drove by the Mazda dealership, this little silver MX-5 would catch my eye and turn my thoughts back to early 1970s. At some point, the issues of rational and functional gave way to desirable and entertaining - and, as new cars go, it really wasn't that expensive. Those seemed like good reasons to buy one. And while I'm not yet old, I'm certainly closer to the finish line than the starting gate. So, it also seemed like a good idea to buy the little convertible while I could still get in and out of it without help. Amid the laughter and comments about mid-life crisis, I took this item off my 'bucket list'.

My only regret -- should have done this years ago!