Smart, beautiful, efficient, fun to be with — the key attributes one might look for in a new Wife and in a new car are strikingly similar.  Although Women sometimes include ‘someone who makes me laugh’, my favorite compliment when speaking of an admirable spouse  is ‘someone who makes me want to be a better person’.  That’s what I want in a new or new to me car — one that makes me want to be a better person.

“Now, Bruce” (you might argue), “things don’t make the man.  BE the better person and eschew the constraint of ‘things”.  Okay, good thanks.  After you get back from yoga we can talk about new cars.  I think it is hard to argue that ‘things’ don’t inspire.  A beautiful sunset, a warm deserted beach early in the spring, and these wonderful mechanical marvels we call automobiles all heat my blood.

As in other things in life, you often (always?) get what you settle for.  If you want a Super Model for a Wife,  your aspirational choice has certain constraints — you will probably need to be rich, or famous, or both to be considered — and some disadvantages — your spouse may be relatively high maintenance and travel a lot.  Cars are like that too; if you want a Super Car, it takes a lot more capital to purchase, and it costs a lot more to maintain, but brings unique benefits.

The old hot-rodding questions, “How much money do you have?  How fast do you want to go?” probably apply well in considering car purchases as well (and in selecting a Spouse?).  If you can budget for a high performance, high style car, they are genuinely more fun.  However, if cost needs to be considered as an independent variable, then the question becomes what level of fun you are willing to settle for given your budget.  Choice may include a newer but more boring car, versus an older sporty car that would be higher maintenance.

Before my Wife and I got engaged, I used to joke that the attributes that I was looking for in a Wife — smart, beautiful, independent — might preclude such a person from needing a husband.  Luckily my Wife went with her wants and desires instead of strictly being driven by needs when she accepted my marriage proposal years ago.   That’s my thinking in selecting a new car too.  While it is necessary to consider budget in selecting your new car, a great car, like a great spouse,  should energize you on a daily basis.  That’s what keeps the excitement in your relationship.

I went over to Lone Star Park this morning for the Main Street in Motion GM Test Drive.  Although Cadillac was not there, GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick had their full lines out and available in a showroom type setting or for test drives on a closed course.  The entire event was an easy access, easy in, easy out relaxed way to look at some terrific new GM vehicles alongside their competition.

I drove the Chevrolet Equinox, Terrain, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, and Corvette.  We also visited the Buick and GMC tents, but did not get over to the driving areas for Buick or GMC.

After our test drives we had coffee and hot chocolate in the courtesy tent, where my friend and I had time to chat and compare notes on the cars in a quiet environment out of the cold of the blustery day.

I think a real draw of this type event is that it allows one to get in and over and around the new GM products without the worry of a sales presentation.  I also enjoy talking to Cadillac Sales staff, but I know some people like to review the product without the sales pitch, so this is the right type event to do that.

I was really keen to have a chance to drive the new Chevrolet Volt.    The amazing thing is that the Volt is revolutionary technology delivered in a deceivingly  evolutionary manner.   The Volt is an electric car that is a real, fully-functioning, no-compromise vehicle you can buy today.  Amazing.   I can’t wait for Cadillac to deliver more hybrid and electric Cadillacs so I can get one in my Garage.

Press Release Info:

Three-Day, Cross-Brand Competitive Driving Experience Lets Texans Drive and Compare More Than 70 All-New Vehicles

Can the Buick LaCrosse really give the Lexus ES a run for its money?  How about the Chevy Silverado vs. a Ford F-150?  And what about the much anticipated Chevy Volt?

Texans are about to find out for themselves as General Motors’ “Main Street in Motion” rolls in to Lone Star Park Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011.  The one-of-a-kind competitive driving experience is free to the public and will allow invited and walk-up guests the chance to drive and compare more than 70 all-new makes and models.  The best part: no pressure to buy.

WHAT:              A three-day, cross-brand competitive test-drive event hosted by General Motors that pits

Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles against 25 competitive makes: Toyota, Acura, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Lexus and more.  Includes refreshments and family-friendly entertainment.

WHEN:             Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily

WHERE:           Lone Star Park 1000 Lone Star Parkway Grand Prairie, TX  75050

COST:              Free and open to the public

VEHICLES:       Vehicles included in the test-drive event are:

CHEVROLET: Volt, Cruze, Equinox, Traverse, Corvette, Camaro, Malibu, Impala, Silverado, Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe, Tahoe Hybrid, Avalanche and Express

BUICK: Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave

GMC: Acadia, Sierra, Sierra HD, Sierra Hybrid, Terrain, Yukon, Yukon Denali Hybrid and Savana

ACURA: TSX, MDX and TL

DODGE: Ram 1500 and Ram 2500

FORD: Taurus, Explorer, Expedition, F-150 and F-250

HONDA: Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Ridgeline

LEXUS: ES

NISSAN: Murano and Maxima

TOYOTA: Corolla, Camry, Tundra, Sequoia and RAV4

HYUNDAI: Elantra and Santa Fe

REQUIRED:      Drivers must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license.

REGISTER:       Walk-ups are welcome but guests are encouraged to register in advance at http://www.mainstreetinmotion.com.