Within the last week, I have had three different non car people ask me what my dream car is. And my answer has shocked them all.
Not a question I get asked often.
To be clear these were all separate, non car enthusiast folks on different days completely un related to each other. I was surprised that on further probing all three meant brand new car. Anything not currently available on manufacturer showroom floor wasn't even on their radar. The looks on their faces when I said dream car? Like for what situation? A specific road trip? A specific amount of time? Like all my other cars are gone and I get one currently available car to replace them all? None of these caveats had even crossed their mind but after over coming the shock of how many cars I have in my shabby but important to me fleet. They all three settled on basically the same hypothetical situation, I get to keep all my current cars but have to add one brand new car. No doubt they expected something exotic. A Ferrari or Lambo or maybe a Porsche?
Believe it or not. The first car to pop into my mind all three times? Toyota Sienna.
I’ll explain. It’s not that there isn't a few spankin new cars that id love to have. Fords new Super Mustang? The GTD in Eruption green metallic. A Porsche Dakar also in green that I would ask Porsche to paint match to my Galaxie hard top. The Lexus LC convert in yes Nori green. A Cadillac Escalade V ESV version or would that be ESV,V? All amazing and fun rides that are currently on showroom floors.
But I said none of these.
Why? All except for the Escalade are two seaters meaning I couldn’t take my family with me. Not always a bad thing, everyone needs some alone time now and again. I spend a lot of time alone though. So, If I can, I want the entire family with me and lately, yes thats included the family dog. I have thus far rented every minivan minus the Nissan Quest which is no longer sold in the US and the Toyota Sienna outshines them all. Theres a reason every time I fly somewhere family in tow we rent a minivan. I could waste your time by explaining the obvious here. The comfort, utility, ease of loading stuff and people due to low floor. But you guys know all that. Siennas are even available in AWD and even when speed with that added weight of that system still get around 30 MPG freeway. Add to all those pros dead nuts Toyota reliability… For road trips and general Family travel a Sienna is damned hard to beat. Just ask Sung Kang.
Thanks to the Van Kulture guys and my time in Asia I’ve seen how crazy, luxurious and fun customizing these Vans can be. Since we are dreaming? Why not do the full JDM front clip swap and body kit swap. A set of wheels and all the VIP style accessories I could throw in it. I understand HKS is even offering super and turbo charging kits on the pre hybrid versions of the Sienna?!
So there you go. If I dont have to give up any of my fleet and I was to choose a New off a dealer lot dream car to bring home? Its gotta be a Toyota Sienna. It’s not like I won’t have something more conventionally interesting or cool in the garage should the desire arise.
James
The Lowered HMFIC
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