The Carmic Joy of Auto/Human Compatibility
Joel (left) and his Toyota Tacoma
Some people just mesh with their autos. In style, tone, color, vintage—everything. Marnie and I have been noticing that for years. So, back in the heady days of 2001, we invented the Auto/Human Compatibility Meter, a rating on a scale of 1-9 that evaluates how compatible humans are with their cars.
Much time was spent ruminating on the criteria for these very ratings. One caveat, only fictional characters, like James Bond and his Aston Martin, can achieve a perfect 10. But everyone can aspire to such greatness.
We even created beautiful little letterpress calling cards to leave with people (or their cars) and let them know how compatible they are together. We took a pen, circled the number, and handed them to bemused drivers. If we didn’t have a chance to meet them, for instance, just glimpsed them walking away from their car, we placed a card on their windshield. We both keep a stack of cards in our cars in case we are inspired on the road.
Sketch of the first auto/human compatibility meter calling card.
It’s a fun, light-hearted approach to something that means a lot to us. Here’s an example of how it works, and what’s considered for these ratings.
Above, gaze upon Joel and his Gen 2, 2015 facelifted* Toyota Tacoma Sport, aka El Taco Rojo, pictured in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. El Taco Rojo is more presentable than pretty, but has real presence, being well-used with 100,000 well-cared miles. Joel is no shrinking violet (or is it rose?), and his truck is red. A muted color just wouldn’t do for a man who's been known to wear French cuffs.
The cavalcade of destination stickers on the roof cargo box is evidence of many adventures together. Some cars love adornment, and El Taco Rojo wants everyone to know where he has traveled. For extra protection, Joel attached a bull bar on the truck’s nose, because he never knows when he might encounter some recalcitrant bovine out on the trail (gentle nudges only). Out back, Joel installed a trailer hitch, used for pulling his sturdy Aliner pop-up camper or for hauling his collection of mountain bikes.
A solid, dependable working truck, for a solid, dependable person, and clearly used as intended.
El Taco Rojo and his pop-up camper buddy in the Northern Canadian Rockies.
Joel and his truck rate a solid 9 out of 10 on the Auto/Human Compatibility Meter. They’re perfectly suited for each other in style, tone, color, and personality. This makes us and Joel feel good! One important step towards world Carmic balance.
One of my favorite writers, Haruki Murakami, expresses this balance as harmonics. Enjoy this excerpt from his novel, Dance Dance Dance.
“I don’t know much about cars, but I like the way it feels.”
“It's probably because I shower it with warmth and affection.”
“So that makes it nice and friendly?”
“Harmonics,” I explained.
“What?”
“The car and I are pals. We help each other out. I enter its space, and I give off good vibes. Which creates a nice atmosphere. The car picks up on that. Which makes me feel good, and it makes the car feel good too.”
As Murakami and we at Carmalarky believe, cars in turn have expectations. They like to feel good, be loved, maintained, kept clean,** and driven. Don’t cars look sad sitting unused in a driveway, covered in dust, tires sagging? Have you ever noticed how much better your car drives after a wax?
People use cars to get to work or school, run errands, and travel to places far and near. They expect their car to be dependable, or comfortable, or rugged, or safe or stylish or quick or some combination of all these things. But personality matters too. You wouldn’t date, marry or be friends with someone who didn’t share characteristics and behaviors that are in-line with yours. Same with cars.
Some people thrive in volatile relationships, and are thus highly compatible with cars that have a reputation for being both temperamental and thrilling, like a vintage Alfa Romeo. Car-oriented people like Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May*** see credibility in this, and think any “true petrol head” should own one. Your trip to the grocery store could result in a breakdown, and tears of frustration, or uninterrupted driving joy.
Now, consider your own auto/human compatibility. Are you truly in sync with your car—or the next one you might choose?****
Reflect on how you feel when you slide behind the wheel, fasten the seatbelt, and start the engine. The next time you drive, take a moment to adopt a Carmic approach: give your car your undivided attention, and notice your thoughts and emotions without judgment. You may find that this connection goes deeper than you imagined—revealing not just how you drive, but how you live.
Footnotes
*facelifted
No, this doesn't meant his truck had a surgical procedure. It's a term used in the auto industry to describe a visual update to an existing model, often to re-engage interest after a few years on the market. This typically include the rear of the vehicle, but no one is calling it a butt lift, so don't.
**loved, maintained, kept clean
Dirty, crusty, beater cars sometimes can be perfectly compatible with the person that drives them. Many car people find it's hard to reconcile this kind of relationship. Still, let's consider Columbo (Peter Falk) and his ratty Peugeot 403 convertible, or Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) and his '64 Cadillac DeVille convertible in “48 Hours.” They're perfect matches, and frankly get 10/10 on the Auto/Human compatibility scale. Remember - only fictional characters can achieve this level of greatness.
***Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May
Acclaimed, knowledgeable, and entertaining motoring journalists known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and solo endeavors. My favorite is James May.
****Are you truly in sync with your car—or the next one you might choose?
Every human who drives should carefully consider compatibility when choosing their car. For help with these considerations, try a Carmalarky Auto/Human Compatibility Consultation.