It seems the pet moan on this forum at the moment concerns folk who do not actully run or drive their cars, with some pro-driving contributers being quite snappy towards any slight sugestion of a car standing idle for longer than a few moments.. But just what the heck IS so wrong with an owner not actully driving a car?
I've had my driving lisense since I was 19 in 1999. I've owned about fifty normal vehicles of all shapes & sizes since then. I've also owned five micros (of sorts) since 2001, and out of ALL these 55-odd vehicles, the Mini-Comtesse, bought by me in November 2006, is currently my ONLY road-going vehicle.
The point of my ramblings is to make an obsevation. Just about everyone on this forum keeps on that you must drive the car in question in order to be counted as a real enthusiast. Vehicles are only "fun" when you're driving it, etc. etc. Why is it then that I do not, and never have, derived any real pleasure at all in any way from driving ANY of my vehicles. To me, driving is just a thing that is done. I will drive anything, but at the same time, it does not bother me if I were never to drive the Mini-Comtesse ever again. My feelings have been the same with every vehicle I've ever had.
My real plesure and fun with vehicles is from the ownership of that vehicle. From standing two yards away and staring at it all day. From investigating its details, both physical and historical. I have always found when driving something, it might just as well be a Ford Transit as it might be a Peel P50 for all the impression the act of driving makes upon me.
Having made these points from my angle, is any micro driver prepared to say to my face that I am anything less of a micro enthusiast than they are for the fact I don't drive my stuff much, if at all? Is anyone prepared to say the same to Jean, who also has seldom ever driven a micro?
Some might say the car suffers from lack of use. Here I disagree. If proper care and attention is taken, the car exists in "suspended animation". The basic condition does not alter from one years end to the next. If a car is used regularly, wear is taking place.
I do not derate you for chosing to drive your cars, thus do not derate me for chosing not to drive mine........