I once drove an old tractor with a spark advance. I felt a kinship with my then-deceased Dad.

Today I loaned my Avalon to my middle kid (we call the car, "Mary Poppins"). She ordinarily drives a car with a standard transmission. I have been thinking about trading cars with her when she graduates from college spring of 09 to give her a nice reliable car and make available a smaller, simpler car to my youngest. Middle kid says, "No way, Dad. My car reminds me that driving is a partnership between me and the car. Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way but I don't feel connected to it when I drive." I understand that, though I can't quite describe why it is so.

B