Because I was too busy starting a new era with this
No more Jeep Wrangler for me, I now am the proud new owner of a 2009 Volkswagen GTI. Black with the 6 Speed DSG transmission which is hard to describe. It's a manual, clutch driven transmission but it shifts for you. Or you can use the paddles on the steering wheel. Or the Tiptronic shifter. Whatever.
Leaving the Wrangler actually was a sad moment. I got all choked up (literally) because that car has not only been a part of my life for 11 years, but people kind of associated me with a Jeep. I had a buddy put a baby bib on my side rails as a joke 7 years ago... When I left, I saw it was still there, under the car where the rails bolted in. I'd like to see the face of the guy doing the big inspection when he hits that thing.
But, it was time for a change. My 2nd car was an 84 VW Jetta which I literally just ran into the ground (in 1995). I went through 3 transmissions and a breaking system failure, but other than that she was solid. The GTI isn't the fastest thing on the road, but it's plenty fast for an old fart like me. It's surprisingly roomy on the inside, and with the hatch and back seats folded down, there's a lot of room to haul things if needed.
Of course, switching from an SUV with a bit of lift to an ass-dragger like this has a few new rules I have to observe or get used to
My major complaint so far with this car is the incessant whining. Doing 80 mph the car simply pleads for you to go faster. It practically begs you to take off like an imbecile so it can squeal the tires for a brief second until the skid control kicks in. The dash gives you the pathetic puppy eyes if you're not actively passing Porches.
I've never had a "fast" car before. The Jetta was zippy, but not fast. I've always attributed my lack of speeding tickets (none so far) to the fact that I used to be in the Military (funny how an Active Duty ID gets you out of anything) and the fact that as I've gotten older, I simply don't drive fast.
But being as the cost of 1 speeding ticket = the Mrs. getting the GTI and me getting the Liberty, I'm going to take it easy.
So basically it is a fake manual? Bah. It is not a sports car unless you have to shift for yourself.
Unlike the Ferraris and Porches that use the same system ;)