I went to the Charlotte Auto Show, and spent time with the Infiniti GM- Whoa!!! Now, I GET it! All these years of listening to my men friends, BRAG about their stupid cars, …how fast, how many gadgets, bells, whistles, etc…. until tonight- I never understood! NOW- I DO!
I spent time with Erick Wicklund, who happens to be the GM of the Infiniti of Charlotte dealership, but that’s not what matters. What matters is, he was soft spoken, patient, and helped me to appreciate the fact that I DO care about the four wheels that carry me and my kids, from place to place on a daily basis! For all these ‘driving years,’ I’ve been living and repeating the same ‘mantra’… “just put gas in it, and gimme’ the keys, and let me go!” Here’s a Perfect example: Robin and Husband
NOT Any More! I now understand ‘appreciation of the automobile!’ In fact, I SAT in my ‘Dream Car’- TWO TIMES!
Tonight I sat in the Infiniti M37, in a showroom, and because of that ‘sit down’ my life is not the same!
Wait! Let me start with my cohurt-Robin Colfax. She is the General Sales Manager of K104.7, who asked me to go with her to the Auto Show.
Robin had ‘her car’ already picked out, before we even Got there! This small, but extraoridinary G37 Infiniti Convertible, beckoned us to have me say to her, “We must get in it, sit down, close the doors, and act as though we are Thelma and Louise, but imagine a Happy Ending instead!” We did just that.
We got in, closed the doors, stroked the insides, she as the driver with a look of destination in her eyes… me as the passanger that just didn’t care where we were going…discussed our ‘ imaginary futures’ as being child-less, husband-less and where we might travel to, if we talked Erick into giving us the keys! I even took a picture of her in her ‘dream car!’
But the whole time we sat in that car, I kept looking at that OTHER car… the one that had already stolen my heart: The Infiniti M37. I’m not a ‘bells and whistles’ kinda’ gal- at least, not until Tonight! I’ve been converted! It wasn’t difficult to do! That car is pure perfection!
Robin left, and I stayed behind talking with Erick and his customers, and when there was a lull, I asked him if he wanted to sit with me in my dream car. He smiled, opened the door for me, and said, “You drive.”
It was like sitting in the living room I wish I had! Everything is plush, shiny, subtle, and class. Even when you open the little compartment box between the seats? It looks like my jewelry box lined in velvet! I couldn’t believe that! The hard surface near, (I don’t even know what you Call that part of the car- that shows the type of consumer I am, ha!)…but the part where the drive shaft would be, or your lighter, THAT part- was made of Japanese Ash and inside of that material, Real Silver was mixed in! It makes it shine and look so rich! Can you tell I’ve gone off the deep end here?
After the show, I was to walk to the Light Rail, and he offered to walk me over, but instead he walked me towards a parking lot across the way, and don’t you know- THERE SAT MY DREAM CAR! How Ironic! What was even More ironic, was that it was HIS! He laughed out loud at my expression, offered to drive me to the radio station garage instead of having to take the train.
I jumped at the chance, told him I’d seen very little of Charlotte, asked him a million questions about the city (which at this point I’m sure he was having second thoughts about offering the woman that wouldn’t shut up, a ride!) He called his wife and said “I’m on my way home,” but threw in a mini tour, of the city! What a ride- smooth sailing in luxury in good company! What a City! I’ve been here for four months, and have not had the time to come in and explore. Now, I MUST! The door has been opened.
When I got out of the car, and he saw what I was driving, it’s some kind of Chrysler, … honestly that’s as good as I get, it could have been embarrassing for some, to get out of the Taj Mahal, and walk towards, well… THAT, but he said, “That’s your car? That used to be the car of the year, back in the day!”
See? That’s the kind of guy you’ll be dealing with, if ever you go to his showroom. He makes you feel good about yourself, and helps you to realize that maybe you just DO deserve a bit of luxury!
Thanks for having me Erick, and Robin- hope you like the picture…
that is def YOUR CAR!
Robin