Goals can mean many different things to many different people.

If you ask ten different

people what their goals in life are, chances are they’ll give ten different answers. There are
short term goals, long term goals, and even some impossible dreams. Some people want to lose
weight, some want to be wealthy, and some even want to be kings or emperors. I have goals to
achieve and dreams to aspire to. One of my hobbies, and one of the biggest passions in life, has
been driving. Whether it be grip racing at a track, autocross around bright orange rubber
scuffed cones, or dirt racing on an oval, my smile is widest in the driver’s seat. My goal for this
year is to find a new car, one that will be a perfect fit for my life and my aspirations. The car is
going to need a great body, be highly tune-able, and will absolutely need to be a blast to drive.
Of all the parameters in my search for a new car, the body is going to be a very
important box to check off the list. As I get older, a need for great comfort increases. Any car
that may be considered must be roomy and comfortable. I am going to need a car with lots of
headroom, plenty of seat travel, and a substantial backseat for passengers. The styling needs to
be just right, whether it be a modern technology filled spaceship, or a classic car that stands the
test of time. The lines of the body should evoke feeling, and the view from the cockpit needs to
be well laid out with great visibility. The stance of the car needs to be just right, like a runner
seconds before the pistol signals start. A little flair like a sunroof or refrigerated glovebox
couldn’t hurt when deciding either. Like a pet resembling its owner, whatever car I choose
should look like me, dead sexy.
One thing that cannot be overlooked is the need for a car that is strong in the
tuneability department. The engine choice is of upmost importance, it must suit my needs for
years into the future. It will need to have a strong block, be it iron or aluminum it must be a
solid performer. The internals should be factory forged so there will not be a need to open it up
down the line to strengthen the engine. It should also have a great cooling system so it wont
toast in extreme heat or under g forces, when the oil can pool and prevent lubrication of
important parts. To make things easier down the road, a stock turbo engine is a great choice.
With a turbo engine the stock ecu should have some capability to adjust for higher than stock
psi after bigger injectors and air cooling are installed, like those found in my favorite older
computers. The aftermarket support plays a big part in my search. Any ride I consider should
have a big enough fan base that finding spare parts and prefabricated aftermarket parts will be
a breeze. With all these needs fulfilled, a quick, reliable car is merely a tune away.
Lastly the driving experience is what everything boils down to. The weight of the car is a
big concern to me. It should be light enough to be nimble but not so much that it will be blown
around the highway by wind and semi-trucks. It should have a well proportionate body that
doesn’t hold so much weight at the rear and should have the brakes to stop on a dime. The
balance of the car will have to be perfect. A long and slender ride would not only look great, but
a long wheelbase will be well suited for bringing the rear around easily without upsetting the
front in a violent fashion. It should have a great suspension in its stock form with struts all
around, and body bracing to keep the chassis stiff enough to stop any excessive roll. Some of
the most important things to consider are the angles the steering is capable of and how quick
the turn in is. All these things must be considered when choosing a car, one that will not only go
places, but go like hell to places in style and good form.
This year one of my biggest goals is to find a new ride, one of comfort and pleasure. I’m
not getting any younger and my current car reminds me of this fact nearly every day. Sure, I
want to lose weight and save enough money to be considered a wealthy man, but to me wealth
and riches is more than money, it’s personal fulfillment of the soul and the memories we make
in this life. As humans we all have goals, hobbies and dreams. My dreams mostly involve a long
drive. My next ride will be pulling more than double duty, acting as a hopefully reliable daily
driver, weekend cruiser, and midnight mayhem maker. Life is short, we humans move from one
goal to the next, seldom stopping to admire the moment, and often forgetting what’s behind
us. My goal may seem small, but to breathe in life and love every second of it is what I aspire to
do.

889 Word Count Jason Acoba