Driving along solo, doing mundane errands, late at night, I suddenly get inspired to wind-out the wagon on the 401. Screaming on the on-ramp in second at about 80 or 90 kmh, I slip into third, skirt across a couple of lanes and I'm at 120/130, pop into fifth and I'm loafing along at 140.

11 year-old car solid as a rock and looking good, I hit the off-ramp only hitting the brakes when necessary. (Front rotors a tad warped - shudder shudder). 1st gear, exiting the highway, turn the 90 degree corner, stuff flopping around in the cargo area - riding on tired Nokias - no body roll, total confidence. Scream to redline in first, second, slam on the brakes for one of those drasted red lights, b230f idling like a massey-ferguson tractor and realize - I hope to God I never buy a minivan.

This is not the first time this has happened to me.

What will I do if the 740 ever dies? Don't tell me an 850 or V70 can do the same thing as a rear-wheel drive 7 or 9 series.