Our Cars--Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Submitted by Joe M. for Our Cars Week
I had absolutely nothing of my own--not my time (three kids under age 7 means no golf on weekends and no happy hours; and being a partner in a growing law firm means 65+ hour weeks), not my house (my wife decorates that), not even my paycheck (which goes to my family). I didn’t have time to spend the money I was making, which was fine because I did not have the time to enjoy anything I would have spent money on anyway.
Until … I got a new Mercedes E63 AMG. I didn’t replace a car with it, because it can’t be a “necessary” family car. It is all mine, and it is fast as hell and after six months of driving it I still love it every single time I get in it. Every time. No food allowed in dad’s car--no matter what. Not even a sippy cup with the lid on tight. That Tom Petty song “Here Comes My Girl” about how he’s all sad until he sees his girl? That’s how I feel when I see my car--whether it is getting in it to go to work at 4 a.m. or seeing it in the parking lot at 7 p.m. after a killer stressful day at work which will soon be followed by wifely unpleasantness because I missed dinner.
Stupid as it sounds, I at least know what I am working for now, and am feeling like I enjoy the fruits of my labor at least a little bit every day through the ridiculous (yet hidden to people who do not know the difference between an E63 and an E320) and awesome power of my car.
If I do not wrap myself around a tree on the way to work one morning (a distinct possibility, but I am trying to slow down) I am going to enjoy this car for years to come.
--Joe Moore
Gramps on September 10, 2009 at 07:56 AM
It just needs some fender skirts
CJinSD on September 10, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Good for you that you got one when you did. The new e-class is an abomination, and yours looks great in the photo. Besides, who knows how long Mercedes will keep a high performance naturally aspirated engine in the catalog? It looks like we're on the cusp of another round of turbocharged silliness. I guess they figure that everyone that remembers the costs of the last turbo era is out of the performance market by now. Keep your car for as long as you can. Buy the extended warranty.
John B on September 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Good for you!
I'm a firm believer in occasionally spoiling yourself.
Your time driving to work is probably your only "free" time all day, so why not enjoy it?
And as you pointed out, it looks like a mild mannered E Class to most people so they won't know you're having so much fun.
Work hard, but have fun.
...m... on September 10, 2009 at 03:25 PM
...about a year and a half ago, after a ten-month stint of sixty-to-eighty hour work weeks, a good friend reminded me that it's important that we work to live, not live to work - so i bought a lotus...
...he said it would change my life, and he was right, it did...
tigerstrypes on September 16, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Al Bundy enjoyed his commute to and from work in his shabby little Dodge. It was his "me" time.
Keep some money in the bank for (far) future repairs on the Mercedes. I heard that a power-window motor cost $700. I could be wrong, but it never hurts to play it safe. Like Al, enjoy the ride.
:)
Mochi Mochi on September 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Great article. No matter what your favorite car is, there's something wonderful about having "your" favorite car. The feeling of joy that comes from seeing it as you end your day. The happy excitement as you climb in and feel it come to life. Worth every penny and yes it does give a sense of meaning to all those hours spent in the office. It's really important to find those things, and more of those things, that you can head towards - pleasant oases - rewards for hard work. Enjoy!
GUILLAUME on November 06, 2009 at 04:51 AM
FABULOUS DESCRIPTION OF A CAR, JOE. LIKE YOU MENTIONED, A CAR ALSO BRINGS ME JOY AND PLEASURE WHICH CANNOT BE EXPRESSED IN WORDS. IN THE PHOTO YOUR CAR SEEMS SURPRISINGLY TO BE A WELL MAINTAINED ONE. MY CAR IS A MERCEDES SL 65 AND EVERYTIME I STEP IN IT, IT FEELS THAT AM ENTERING IN MY HEAVEN. CARS ARE SUCH WONDERFUL THINGS.....