Every Car Should Be This Fun...

I originally posted this article on my racing blog at turn4media.com . Seriously, go to the Polaris website and just TRY to not get excited about the Slingshot...

I like cars.

I like American cars, I like foreign cars. I like cars that are big, I like cars that are small. I like cheap cars, expensive cars, cars of all colors (except brown...not a fan) cars that are new, and cars that are old.

Ford, Chrysler, GM, Chevy, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai...I don't care. As long as it's cool, I'm in.

I like cars. In fact, last year I wrote about how smitten I am with the new Corvette Stingray

I still get all mushy when I see a C7.....

And apparently, I like cars that have only 3 wheels. 

Wait, whut?

The fine folks at Polaris have introduced a new "vehicle" called The Slingshot. What is it you ask and why does it only have 3 wheels? For starters, it looks like this:

Yes. 

It's like a designer at Polaris was watching GI Joe as a kid and decided he'd make ludicrous vehicles for living. Not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact the world may be a better place because of it...Seriously though, all that thing needs is a couple of machine guns, a missile launcher, some lasers, and it's ready for duty under COBRA

The Slingshot has a 2.4L DOHC engine in the front managed by a 5-Speed manual transmission handling 173hp all wrapped up in a package with a curb weight of 1743lbs...Plus you get a 4.3" lcd screen with rear back up camera, 6 speaker audio system with Bluetooth integration, USB Audio Input, lockable glovebox, lockable storage bins, and adjustable seating...all for just $23,999.

Is it the world's first 3 wheeled car/motorcycle/vehicle thing? Nope. Campagna Motors in Canada has the T-Rex (starting at $57,999).
Morgan in the UK has the Threewheeler (starting at $44,071 USD). Can-am has the Spyder, but it's much more motorcycle than car. And there's always that shining beacon of automotive excellence, the Reliant Robin....

Is the Slingshot practical? Can you run the kids to school in it? Can you drive it in a rain shower or snow shower? Can you put a week's worth of groceries in it? The answer is abso-freaking-lutely not...And that's the point. You don't NEED something like the Slingshot, but man, do you want one...It's like an ipad. You could certainly live life without it, but it's such a cool toy, you've GOT to have one. Also, my favorite part of the website may be the fine print that reads: 

SLINGSHOT™ IS A THREE-WHEELED MOTORCYCLE. IT IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE, IT DOES NOT HAVE AIRBAGS, AND IT DOES NOT MEET AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS. THREE WHEEL VEHICLES MAY HANDLE DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. ALWAYS WEAR HELMETS AND FASTEN SEAT BELTS. DRIVER MAY NEED A VALID MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE. ©2014 POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC

If you're a guy and you read that, something deep down in your nether regions starts to tingle. I don't know if it's because we're hardwired for danger or what, but reading that paragraph just makes me want one even more.

I haven't driven a Slingshot, and I haven't even seen one in real life, but judging by the people in the video...they're ready to sign over their first born kids and refinance the house to get one....Honestly, I don't blame them. This thing looks freaking awesome...and besides, aren't roofs and doors overrated anyways?