Disappointed in what respect? My level of care and respect for my car? I'm afraid you have me at a loss as I am not getting your point. Mayeb the difference between us is that I am never in a position to "NEED to drive it around everyday, I do have two other cars at my disposal besides this one. I think of it like this, I love Spinach Calzones, I mean love them, but I sure as hell don't want to be eating them every minute of the day, the reason is two fold. 1) No matter how much I love them, it is not air or water which I need and I do have other things I like as well, 2) The fact that I don't have them every day makes me enjoy each and everyone I do have like a cherry high, so where exactly is the down side to that? My car is very water tight and solid as a rock and I prefer to enjoy it only on the nice days rather than being selfish and drive it on nasty or rainy days just for the sake of driving it, not to mention dealing with drum brakes and crappy window wipers. After all the money and hard work of restoring it, who the heck wnats to be left with a five year old looking car in five years? By 2009 I won't be looking to restore my 04' Grand Cherokee to like new that's for sure just as I won't be restoring my 2000 Dakota next year either, I will trade it in and start over. I would just as soon have my mustang look new for 10 or 12 years though before I am left with the decision of riding in a 20 footer or re-investing in it's restoration once again and increasing my vested total.
Make no mistake, the car is my pride and joy as well, thus my total level of respect and care for the car, it has at the very least earned semi-retirement and pampering in my book and that's exactly what it gets from me, no less. I still drive it to work at least a few times a week during the summer as well as almost exsclusively on the weekends if the sun is shining, but for me to leave it in the parking lot all day long unprotected in the rain 8 or 9 hours at a time so that I can enjoy a 10 minute ride to and from work every single momment possible?!?!?!??!?!?!?! Sorry, but if I have to choose between that or your disappointment in me, it's no contest, you loose. I simply do not see how anyone can have pride and joy without respect for said object. Just because your car CAN do something (like weather the elements) does not mean it SHOULD, but hey, to each his own, that's just how I feel. I will never ever put my desires or needs over my cars needs.