My Boxster Has Become a "Garage Queen!"A Garage Queen is a weekend car that sees little regular use, in case you didn't know. My Boxster wasn't always a Garage Queen, but somehow it became one. So, how did this happen? Well, it's a long story:
Why the Boxster is the Perfect Commuter Car
The Boxster is a wonderful commuter car, in case you were wondering. A great balance of performance, style, fun, and geniune practicality make the car perfect for me. There are other cool cars out there, many of them even more stylish and exciting than a Boxster, but they're not usually good for commuting in. Try commuting in a Ferrari and you'll quickly see what I mean. There's something undeniably sweet about driving to work in a car like the Boxster; it makes work much more bearable! The only problem was that at lunch time I could only take one person with me. Fortunately, that just meant that we would usually take somebody else's car to lunch, saving my Boxster from undue wear and tear. Those times when we were a group of more than four lunchers, there'd be competition for my passenger's seat, usually between various young females who forced me to remind myself how happily married I am! My Boxster was just great as my everyday commuter car, and we were very happy together.
So, What Happened Then?
My life routines changed and my Boxster became a "Garage Queen!"
When I first bought my Boxster I worked at home. I used it not every day, but more days than not, to visit clients and vendors. And the usual grocery store runs, weekend fun drives, etc. So my car did sit in the garage a lot, but it didn't just stay motionless for long. I rode my bike about every other day for fitness, health and fun. I love riding my bike! Then I got a regular job which involved a commute of about 12 miles through heavy traffic. The company moved to a new location that was 30 miles away, but one that gave me a much smoother freeway commute. Not too bad, but the miles did start to add up. Fortunately I was able to ride my bike in the early morning before driving in to my office. Unfortunately, that company went out of business, so I started working at home again. Same story as before. My Boxster stayed cleaner again, and the wear and tear was reduced, since I didn't drive it as much. But definitely not a Garage Queen yet.
Anyway, last year I was hired by a different company. After a week or so of commuting in my Boxster, I realized that there was nothing stopping me from riding my bike to work. My new office complex even has a locker room with showers. Awesome! So now I ride my bike to work most days, rain or shine! I have accumulated so many bike clothes over the years that I have no trouble dressing appropriately for all of the weather conditions I encounter. Even rain doesn't stop me; it's amazing how little it affects me so long as I just remember to bring my rain gear. My ride is 15 miles one way, so I get a 30-mile ride three to five times a week. I put about 360 to 500 miles on my bike every month (not including weekend rides) so I estimate I'll be riding about 5,000 miles per year, minimum. I was riding a lot before, but I ride even more now, so I am more fit than ever. I may even start racing my bike again. And a friend suggested I try to race my very first "century" (100 mile race)! I've never done that, so we'll see how that goes.
OK, how does lunch work now? I usually hang out with my friendly co-workers in the company cafeteria. It's one of the better cafeterias around. Sometimes we drive somewhere, just for variety, and I don't volunteer my car; they seem to understand.
Why the Boxster is the Perfect Weekend Car
I'm sure it must get old reading how I keep claiming my Boxster is the perfect car for every situation. I know I would be skeptical! But it's true; I can do everything I want to do with my Boxster. I bought Porsche's RTS roof rack so I can transport my bikes and surfboards, and I have discovered that my Boxster has enough room to carry all of my scuba diving gear too (I don't think it will hold two people's scuba gear though, unless you get creative). And I can autocross my Boxster too. How many cars can you think of that are incredible race cars, comfortable on the street, reliable, fun, stylish and can still carry all of that crazy gear I mention above? And, that are convertibles? Not too many, I suspect. Even the 911 can't match the Boxster in all those areas.
Yeah, if you need to haul sheetrock, sofas, small-block Chevy engines and the like, you should consider a pickup. If you are a soccer mom, get a minivan. If you regularly haul passengers, get a sedan. But if you're a life-loving free spirit, geez, the Boxster is great; and I write this after five years of ownership!
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