I acquired a textual content message from somebody in Mercedes-Benz’s public relations division final week who had a tempting provide — If I’d be keen to drive to Braselton, Georgia, for Petit Le Mans, they might ship a automobile for me to drive and get me in without spending a dime. We already had a freelancer attending, which I made positive to say up entrance, however they nonetheless wished me to return anyway. On Friday afternoon, a driver confirmed up with the keys to a Starling Blue Magno Mercedes-AMG GT63 Coupe.
You’d suppose I might have been thrilled. Who wouldn’t need to drive a free sports activities automobile for per week, particularly one with 577 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque and sufficient choices to drive the $175,900 base worth as much as $209,310? That’s principally a dream come true! For about so long as I’ve been within the trade, although, the other has been the case. The precise driving expertise has all the time been gratifying, however dwelling with costly press automobiles day-to-day has given me nervousness for years.
One in all nowadays, possibly my therapist and I’ll make our means via all of the extra severe issues in my life and get round to determining why being seen getting out of an costly automobile gave me nervousness, however that’s going to have to remain onto the again burner for now, partially as a result of both the GT63 fastened me, or one thing else modified my mind. The complete time I’ve had it, I’ve simply loved driving with out even fascinated about different individuals. After I drove it to the physician’s workplace, I even parked like a traditional particular person within the first open house I noticed.
I additionally must make clear that I’m not mad. I wished one thing to alter. There’s nothing enjoyable about coping with nervousness even when you understand it’s irrational, so it felt so good to only drive round and benefit from the automobile with out my mind working one million miles a minute. Nonetheless, that raises the query — Did the GT63 repair me, or did one thing else change my mind?
Arguments in favor of the AMG being chargeable for my miraculous turnaround embody the truth that it seems implausible, the paint makes it look even higher and there’s nothing a V8 with greater than 500 horsepower can’t repair. I suppose you could possibly additionally argue that it’s only a Mercedes, and the model doesn’t carry fairly the identical stage of status that Porsche and extra unique coupes command. It’s in all probability not one of the best argument, nevertheless it’s definitely not the worst one I’ve ever heard, both.
The extra I give it some thought, although, I don’t suppose the AMG fastened me. As an alternative, I’m satisfied one thing actually modified my mind, and whereas I do know we’re bordering on conspiracy concept territory right here, at the very least hear me out. A few month in the past, I practically suffered a grand mal seizure. I acquired to the hospital in time, and so they had been in a position to cease it, however I can formally say it was Not Enjoyable. Don’t suggest. Zero out of 10 (two out of 10 after they pumped me full of medicine, and I didn’t die), wouldn’t purchase once more.
If that had been the one factor that felt completely different, I’d simply chalk it as much as a bizarre fluke or one thing and neglect about it. That’s, uh, decidedly not the case. It’s not like I fully modified who I’m, and don’t fear, I nonetheless maintain all the identical 100-percent appropriate opinions, however loads of issues nonetheless really feel completely different. And if there actually is an enduring persona change, I’m definitely not going to complain about having much less nervousness and customarily feeling happier or extra optimistic. When issues get wonky in individuals’s brains, it seems like there’s an enormous danger they’ll find yourself turning into big assholes, so optimistic adjustments are greater than welcome.
In fact, I’m a person of science, which suggests I’ve to check this concept for myself. I’m going to must discover a press mortgage that prices greater than the AMG and see how I really feel. Ferrari nonetheless hasn’t forgiven us, however I don’t keep in mind doing something to upset Maserati too badly. What are the chances they’d be keen to mail an MC20 to Georgia so I can drive it for per week? Not for private enjoyment, in fact. Purely for science.