It is the end of an era my friends.  Today I sold my beloved little Tiburon.  I knew it had to happen sooner or later, but it still made me a bit melancholy.  It was, hands-down, my favorite car of all time.

I don’t love the Kia even half as much as the Tiburon.  It is reliable and has plenty of amenities, but it does not have the sex appeal and raw power the Tiburon had.  The Kia is a grown-up, responsible vehicle.  It has a real back seat and tons of storage.  It is safer to drive in winter weather.  I do not worry as much about driving in snow or on ice with the Kia, but it is nothing special to look at.

With the Tiburon, I was the envy of teenage boys.  I was often complemented on the Tiburon – folks loved the body design.  I know young people who saw me in the car thought the same thing I thought when I was young and saw an older person driving a sporty car – it’s unnatural.  Young people think that sporty cars are for the young, but it’s the older folks who have driven responsible cars all those years who finally say the heck with it and indulge themselves.

All those years that I had the Tiburon I rarely spotted other Tiburons.  In the Kia, I see not only the exact model, but also the same color as mine daily.  I don’t feel special any longer – I feel generic.  I don’t feel sexy, I feel dull.

But it had to happen eventually.  Had Hyundai continued the Tiburon line I would have long ago purchased another, but they chose to discontinue it after 2008.  Add a growing teenager with friends, a tall boyfriend, and grandchildren and a sexy little Tiburon starts seeming selfish and impractical.

It was tough to let it go.  I was grateful that the whole sales transaction was quick, like tearing off a bandage.  It helped that the couple who purchased it were nice, young folks who I believe will really appreciate the Tiburon.  They drove from South Dakota today to come buy  it and it was a big purchase for them.

Here are Christian and Denise after they purchased the car.  They were gracious enough to pose for a photo.  They were happy to get the Tiburon and I know it was right to let it go on to its next chapter with them.  I am sure they will enjoy it for years to come.

As for me, I will move on with my grown-up car.  However, should Hyundai bring the Tiburon back, I can’t make any promises that I won’t revisit my old love affair.  That is one sexy car. 😉