Guerrilla Test Drive

It is easy for us Coastal Dwellers to wonder at why people would choose to purchase certain cars. Why choose a Pontiac when you can get a Toyota for the same price? Why a Jeep when a Rav4 would do. It is all fine and well to perform these brand-centric critiques when all the options are available. Want a Subaru in the greater Seattle area? You have over half a dozen dealers from which to pluck your car. Want a Subaru in Montana? In the whole state you have roughly the same number of dealers. It is no wonder that there are such a great number of American cars in the Midwest, they are nearly the only choice.

The fake convertible look is something I will never get. At least it helps it to blend in with the domestics.

It may also boil down to the hard working ethic that leaves less space for such frivalities as a turbo Japanese car when a Mustang will serve just as well, or better yet an old Vette. However, the reverence with which my Minnesotan car-nut relatives speak of such wonders as the R35 GT-R you know that maybe just maybe they would buy one if they didn’t have to drive to the city for an oil change.

Throw in the fact that American cars are no longer the penalty boxes they once were and there is not much of an argument for pushing yourself to get a car that you are going to have to drive an hour for anything more than minor service. So the next time you see a Pontiac Grand Prix cruising down the road, quell your disgust and remember, maybe they’re from Montana.

What do you think? Does anyone from the Midwest have better insight into this phenomenon? How far have you/would you travel for a car dealer? Let me know.