First, who owns who? Do you rule your car or does it dictate to you? If you view your car as an extention of yourself and not just a form of transportation, you are one of those souls who is addicted to car care. The person who must wipe the dew from the paint every morning or who must erase every scratch is the second person in the relationship between car and owner.

I understand the need to keep up the resale value of your hardware. However, unless your car is going to become a classic before you move it along, the diffence in value will never outweigh what you give up in exchange for this "labor of love." Cars make bad companions. They can't talk. They won't help with a decision. They break down at times no matter how much care you give them. They don't give love back.

Having said this, cars do seem to match their owners. Oh, I know sometimes we buy that old car or that exceptionally tiny car for economic reasons. Let's leave them out. It's the car you bought for vanity that we deal with here. See if we can talk about that sporty model when the sedan would have done just as well. Or the family person who thinks that the mini-van or larger vehicle is needed to give the image of prestige or responsibility.

For some, the car is an extension of their desired sexual prowess. Look at me, they scream. I'm your perfect mate! Unfortunately, if you need the car, you probably don't have the horses under your own hood.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What your car says about your personality?
We want to hear your view. Write now!