I hear ya there. I get wistful when I start up Alexandra, but the list is long, and intimidating.
I was going strong with Clyde, then life got in the way, and I got to tinkering with my brother's old Camaro. It's slower, but it's LOW and that thing handles like a go cart. Unexpected fun! Factor in my stupid infatuation with seat adjustment in Clyde, and he's not as fun anymore. That and I get way too OCD about some things. Box protector gaps, wheel finish damage, seat adjustment, I need to take a damn chill pill and enjoy him again!
Fortunately, with the deer thing, that brought him back front and center. Got parts for that, parts for the condenser, parts for the radiator, beautification parts for the front end, new fog lamps sans moisture (hopefully), four shiny new wheels with shiny new center caps and shiny new TMPS sensors and shiny beefy new tires and it will be like he's new again. And I have a project again. I know I can work on Alexandra too, it's just breaking things into smaller goals and going for it. That and my sister's car is a brand new Equinox and Dad's DTS is back to top shape, so hopefully I can focus on MY cars for once (and the weather will cooperate). We shall see.
Part of it is learning to accept Clyde's aging. He's not brand new anymore, and I drive like I get paid to, so stuff will wear from time to time. No biggie, just a new project. It's finding the time that drive me up the wall and across the ceiling.
EjS, in June I drove a rental to Denver to fly to Arkansas to get my dad's latest hot rod, an 09 DTS. The rental was a brand new vert Mustang with the 4 pot and the 10 speed trans. It did ok, though 99 percent of the driving was highway, so I can't attest to the lurchiness of it. Had no issue reaching 122 before I decided I did not want to torch a driveshaft at 2 am in desolate Wyoming. That said, it felt slow. Like really slow. Like Clyde could take it to the cleaners slow. All noise and no action.
That and the fuel economy was comparable, I think around 25-26. I had to put a little in to make it to the airport (did the pay in advance for a tank, ended up coming out ahead on that one). May be comparing apples to oranges here, but Clyde can make it to Denver and back to Cheyenne if I start with a full tank. I think Alexandra is comparable. "economy" minded car should do better, not worse.
So what are the plans for THIS Jeep MrHolland?