The Feeling of Partnership with My Beloved Car

My husband has often said, “a car isn’t just a means of transportation or an industrial product—it’s a partner.” I once wrote an article titled “It’s not that we go touring with a Porsche; we go touring with the Porsche,”

『ポルシェでツーリングに行く』のではない、『ポルシェとツーリングに行く』のだという件

in which he said,

I’ve driven many cars before, but I don’t think any car talks to me as much as a Porsche does while I’m driving it. A Porsche is a car where the driver and the car communicate and become a team, running together. To me, a car isn’t just a way to get around—it’s a “partner.”

That’s what he expressed.

Before, I used to think, “Well, I kind of get it, but…” but after buying my own Swift Sport, I feel like I understand that feeling better than before.

When I park the car and come back after running errands, I get the feeling that “the car has been patiently waiting for me to return,” and when I get in and start driving, I feel like I’m setting off together with my partner, saying, “Alright, let’s go.”

And when the timing of shifting gears and clutch operation clicks perfectly, I feel a strong sense of unity with the car and think to myself, “I’m so happy, this is so much fun.” Lately, my feeling of partnership with the Swift Sport has only grown stronger.

What Is the Source of This Feeling of Partnership?

My husband once said about our air-cooled Porsche 911 (964), “The 964 is a car that really feels like a partner.”

I can understand that when you order a brand-new car from scratch, you develop affection and a strong sense of partnership, but my husband’s 964 was bought used, and it hasn’t even covered that many kilometers yet (not like 100,000 km or anything…).

So why does he still feel such a strong sense of partnership? Where does this feeling of a car being a partner come from…?

After thinking about it and listening to other owners, I feel that the sense of partnership is “the feeling of driving” and “the ease of taking it anywhere”. (This is just my personal opinion.)

Regarding the feeling of driving, personal preference plays a big role, but it’s essential that the handling, ride comfort, performance, engine sound, and the car’s capabilities match your driving skills (I still feel I can’t fully master the 964… lol) and that you can take it anywhere without hesitation.

It’s not a feeling of “This is hard to use in the city…,” but rather a car you can confidently and casually drive on any road, in any weather.

In that sense, compared to racing cars or large cars with wide bodies, a relatively compact car might be easier to feel that sense of partnership with.

Buying a car really feels like fate or a special connection.

Even with the same model, each car has its own presence and aura, and I often hear stories like “I felt an instant spark the moment I saw it!” or “It was as if I was meant to buy this car, and everything just fell into place smoothly.”

Thinking about all this, the other day I was driving the Swift Sport alone, heading home on the Hanshin Expressway as the sun was setting, and I felt deeply, “Ah… I’m so happy to have met this car. It’s such a great car…” It was a quietly fulfilling and happy moment.

My beloved car carries all kinds of emotions—joy, frustration, fun. We go to many places together and create countless memories. I want to cherish and enjoy every drive with this Swift Sport and continue to enjoy life with this partner on wheels.