Rainy Days, Fantastic Days

It is currently drizzling outside my home. This is very odd for this time of January. Last year... okay, last year us a bad example, the year BEFORE last we were up to our shoulders in snow at this time. Around that time I also got my first car. Both very interesting experiences. It meant I could go out to the empty Menards parking lot, and have some handbrake induced fun, including FWD oppositelock.

It's a great car, it is. A 2004 Pontiac Vibe in silver. Mildly modified, but worked on entirely by me. As a car, it is greatly underrated. Probably because its paternal parent (GM, Pontiac, Pontiac Aztek) wasn't too proud to have something in their lineup from Toyota (Vibe's mum is Corolla) that was BETTER than anything GM itself had at the time. Shame, too.

The Vibe is a compact hatchback with sporty pretensions. You can fit a washing machine in the back, with a surfboard, and drive home with the hatch closed. All while getting close to 30mpg. The GT version has 180hp, valve lift at higher RPMs, and a 6-speed manual transmission, that still can get over 30mpg. It handles well, is very controlled, and composed.

My specific Vibe is automatic (mildly disliked), with a sunroof, power package, 6-speaker sound system, monotone (as Vibes could come with unpainted plastic cladding), and, at one time, 16" alloy wheels. What I've done is as follows: OBD II MPG gauge, new JVC headunit, lowered, 17" rims (currently wearing 15" alloys with winter tires), thicker rear anti-roll bar, tower strut bar, cold air intake (uninstalled for winter), new speakers, exhaust tip, and visual modifications including LED daytime running lights, eyelids, red stripe around the grille, OEM spoiler, front bumper lip, and more.

I'm happy that this picture looks good, because the mosquitoes were going to town on my neck. And I wasn't even standing there for more than a moment!

Overall, she has been a very reliable car to me. Returning high MPG, from 29 to 34, and handling road trips like a champ. Since I own the most practical car in the household I regularly drive myself and other family to Iowa to visit my grandparents. Luggage fits without blocking the (small) rear window, and everyone is comfy and can stretch out. The space in the rear seat is  great, as long as the person sitting in front of you doesn't require too much space.

But what does this have to do with rain? Simple: I bought my car on a day very similar to this one. Grey. Some light drizzle. A bit of snow here and there.

Little car had no idea what she had coming...

Also, I love bad weather. There's a zone between blizzard/torrential downpour and apocalypse that I just LOVE. The challenge of driving is much more fun. Snow is fun because, if you know how to drive, you can slide around the perfect amount, or embarrass huge soccer-mom 4x4's stuck in the ditch with your lowered hatchback, thanks to your driving and snow tires.

Not being afraid of snow helps. Also being nearly an hour from home, accessible only by highways, with maybe one plowed surface street on the way makes it all the better. I'm not kidding, I had ridiculous fun driving home this day.

By the way, that picture was taken at lunch time. By the time I left the place it was 4pm, and snow was up to the badge, covering the license plate. But I made it home, and even wanted more! But I'm not stupid, so I warmed up and stayed home.

Bad weather also makes opportunities for great photos!

So on the second day of my blogging, things had a brighter tone. I hope to get into a rhythm like this. Detroit Auto Show will also be a good opportunity.

Thanks, and enjoy!