The dashboard of the Tesla car itself was so different—a screen with all controls on it. Doors that would open automatically when you go near the car with the keys. Soft closure of the doors. A vehicle that could move on auto mode. For us, scary though. Even some of the issues in the car were sorted out remotely. Fancy and useful car, but expensive.

My elder son, after another trip to India, settled on a dream ambition of his: a Porsche SUV. Second-hand, but in good condition. A very powerful car with some unique features. Traveling in this car always gave a sense of extra safety. So sturdy it was. And my daughter-in-law settled for her dream vehicle and choice color—a Jeep, another SUV. Now both these are out, and he has an electric Audi and a six-seater Acura.

My second son got his original Tesla replaced with the model with Falcon Wings and six seats. Very convenient for my wife and myself to get in and out of the car. Ultra-modern and stylish. At last, the gas-guzzling Infinity was disposed of, and another smaller model of Tesla was bought.

Why I write this is not to boast about the various cars my sons have, but the American culture of changing cars and houses, which we in India will rarely even dream about. But even here, how the modern-day youths do, I have no idea.

In a way, keeping these upgraded results in overall economy with lesser repairs and maintenance. Better models and better facilities.

One thing I could never understand is about negotiating the price of cars. In India, we were used to fixed prices. Choose a model, go to the nearest dealer, and buy it. In the U.S., different dealers offer different prices. How? Can only blink. Once a new model is released, the prices of the older model come down. So many factors like this, including, of course, demand and supply drive the price. If I remember correctly, after the pandemic, when car production had come down, even second-hand cars and older models were going at a premium. To find a car of one’s choice had become difficult. So irrespective of the location, one keeps scouting around for better deals for a preferred car.

After having traveled in so many models, I often wonder what the main difference is. Maybe for the one driving, there may be subtle or even pronounced differences. But for the others? For us, my wife and myself, the Nissan minivan was comfortable. Then was the Falcon Winged Tesla. And the six-seater Acura. Maybe the Infinity was also more comfortable.

But we still miss our WagonR!

I am confused though. What we need to move around is a chassis with somebody and comfortable seats and steering, etc. What about so many brands and so many models? How to differentiate? This choice kills. But the economy keeps moving, right?

Continued in 292. Designs Above and Below the Speaker