Prolly a bad idea

OK. So I've decided to become an amature automotive journalist, and if I'm honest, I'd love to be as awesome as Top Gear. And write like Kurt Vonnegut. And get paid like J.K. Rowling. And look like Brad Pitt. This is all well and good until I realize that I have no access to cars worth writing about, or access to cars in general. So how am I supposed to start writing about them if I'm limited to what I drive (econo-box), and what my friends drive ('bout the same)? Well, two things occurred to me: Firstly, EVERY car is worth writing about, since every car fits exactly the needs of someone, somewhere. Secondly, since I can't afford to lose a grand or so buying random, used cars from dealerships (then re-selling them a few days or weeks later), maybe I could get a dealer's license and buy straight from auction. That would be exciting, right? Possibly even worth writing about. And MAYBE I could even make a few bucks after I'm done with them. If all goes well, each successive car would be slightly more expensive than the last, and I would be exposed to a full spectrum of toys cars.

Cars Etc.

OWNING a car in Seattle isn't like owning a car in New York or L.A; our priorities are different. We proudly hand our Toyota keys to the Canlis valet, and at no point have any of us felt insecure stepping out of a Jag or BMW at Pacific Place. What works in Bell Town works on Beacon and in Bellevue. But what really sets us apart is the huge diversity of demanding terrain found in Seattle and around Western Washington. Within a few hours or so from the city you can visit four active volcanoes, two mountain ranges, an ocean, a desert, a rainforest, alpine meadows, vast coniferous forests, and the fabled scablands. Not to mention the legendarily steep hills downtown. While we aren't quite as steep as San Francisco, when was the last time they had snow? What impresses the L.A. auto-journalist won't necessarily be worth a can of Stumptown's finest to the savvy Seattleite.

So through the lens of the Pacific Northwest, what is the perfect car? Or rather, which car will get you there and back again a hobbit's tale in relative comfort, safety and maybe with a hint of style? I suppose I'll try to find out.