I'm sure we've all read the internet jokes comparing cars to wives ("I got a car for my wife; best trade I ever made"). However, there's something about the mix of wives and cars that can sometimes be very volatile.
I've noticed a bit of jealousy on my wife's part over the years with various cars I've had, but nothing like she's showing toward the Mustang I got earlier this year. I've really been taken aback by it.
The cars I've had before were either fun British sports cars or very utilitarian sedans. The Mustang, though, is flash. The metallic red is about as subtle as a five-alarm fire, and the lowered body, chrome wheels and body accents make it even less subtle.
The last time I saw this level of hostility from my wife toward anything was back when we were dating other people, and I was seeing a cute blonde who took pleasure in getting my wife's goat.
I've been mulling over the reasons my wife is behaving as she is, and have reached some conclusions, all of which she would, of course, deny.
My wife is now in her fifties. While still attractive, she doesn't draw stares from guys anymore. The car, on the other hand, draws a lot of stares from guys of all ages.
Menopause, too, has taken its toll. Cars don't get menopause. Getting incredible performance is just a matter of stepping on the gas pedal.
Properly cared for, the car will hardly age. It will still be flashy ten years from now.
Of course, the car is just metal and plastic, and can be replaced with an identical model. Not so with my wife.
Nonetheless, the jealousy is almost palpable. I'm very fastidious with the car, but I do my cleaning and polishing when my wife isn't around, as she resents the attention I give it.
If this were 1970, she'd love riding in it, as it would just be one more way to have guys looking at her. Now she doesn't want to ride in it. I suspect she doesn't want the attention.
This isn't easy to deal with now, so what's it going to be like in a couple of years when I put in a supercharger that increases the horsepower from 300 to 450?
