THREE LITTLE WORDS

We were nearing the end of our 3-year term for our Volkswagen ID.3 … our foray into the brave new world of electric cars. ELECTRIC AVENUE is my story about its purchase.

We had 2 options … make the balloon payment to keep it or turn-in the vehicle. Buying another VW was optional. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we had decided months ago that we would not keep the ID.3.

The things we liked about the ID.3 were far fewer than what frustrated us. And those positives … heated seats, heated steering wheel (who knew?), cool color, lights on the door handles … were comparatively minor and available on other cars. Among the things we hated were the lack of customer service, especially at the beginning of the term. (And you know, The Linda does not tolerate bad service.) I got more, better, and faster information from the ID.3 Facebook group than from Volkswagen. Plus the charging infrastructure was limited and, sometimes, columns didn’t work. THIS IS NOT THE STORY I WAS PLANNING TO WRITE is about a road trip gone awry.

Our local VW dealership was sympathetic, but we had to deal with Florence, where we bought the car, to turn over the keys. David commented that we didn’t have to buy another VW. “Toyota is a very reliable brand … and has a dealership there,” David said, pointing across the street. The service manager agreed.

The Linda wrote an email to every VW address in her contact list. It outlined, with numbered precision, the pros (8) and cons (18) of the ID.3. The missive ended saying we’d buy another car if it was the best price in the history of Volkswagen.

I got a call from a woman named Laura. “Wow, a call,” was my thought bubble. She said to make an appointment with our salesman Rocco … he’d discuss everything with us. I called him. We’d get together next week.

As we drove through town one day, I suggested we stop at Toyota to see what models we might like, what the prices were … to be sure there was a satisfactory selection before we said auf wiedersehen to VW.

As we looked at the models, Roberto appeared from the back. The prices were reasonable, the features on the 2 models we liked were good (including a rear camera on every vehicle). We talked with him about the Camry we had in L.A. and my bronze-colored Lexus Rx300. For a test-drive, Roberto said we’d need to go to Florence … and he handed me a card with Francesco’s name.

As we were leaving, Roberto said, “You can test-drive a Lexus there.”

Three little words. Well, really just the one …

I started to do research about Lexus models and prices. The RX had been kicked up several notches … and now out of our preferred budget. There was a hybrid, the UX, that was a possibility ………

I called Francesco, and made an appointment the same day we’d see Rocco.

We started at Toyota, and Francesco was welcoming. The Toyotas were nice. But. At the side of the large room was an open door that led to the Lexus section. We could see a brilliant blue model beckoning. It was the UX.

That one was sold, but its clone was on a ship from Japan. It would arrive mid-October. Perfect timing. Yes, the UX was a bit more expensive than a Toyota, but it wasn’t excessive to have a car that was kicked up a notch. Or two. We’ll let you know this afternoon, we told Francesco.

We headed to VW. The information Rocco provided could have been shared over the phone … including the earliest date we could return the ID.3. We didn’t want another malfunction before it was returned (plus the early date meant we could cancel its insurance). David looked at the various models in the showroom, but Rocco didn’t seem to notice. Never once did he ask what model we might want, nary a mention of a special offer or return customer price. The opposite of “everything.”

We called Francesco.

I marked the date I could call about returning the ID.3 on my calendar (OCD much?). I was restrained … and didn’t call at 9.05. I left a message. A guy named Stefano from Outlet Cars, a third-party company who handles such returns, called back.

STEFANO: When do you want to bring it in?
ME: Tomorrow.
STEFANO: What time?
ME: 11.00.
STEFANO: Ok.

So we could get home easily, we drove both our cars to Outlet Cars. Stefano inspected the ID.3, noticing every perceived or possible imperfection. We pointed out the very low mileage and second set of tires. Of course, we had to pay for the alleged damage (and we really had no recourse) … but we negotiated a 20% reduction on their initial amount.

We went upstairs to Accounting to handle the paperwork. Nobody had told the 2 women in the office that we’d be coming in, and they gave Stefano an annoyed look. I leaned forward and said, sottovoce, “Uomini.” [whispering, “men.”] We bonded.

After all the VW papers were prepared, printed, and signed, Stefano said we’d need to go to an office about a kilometer away to sign the Italian transfer documents.

What?!?

The women and I shook our collective heads, laughing.

The manager at VW sent a car to take us. The employees at the other office were equally unaware we were coming. They prepared their set of papers for us, we signed … then went back to Outlet Cars.

We said our final farewell … more like b’bye … to the ID.3. And headed to Esselunga for supermarket tourism.

The next month, we picked up our brilliant blue Lexus UX. Yes … it has heated seats.

TOASTED WALNUT CAKE

1 cup walnuts, toasted and finely ground
1–¼ cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
¾ cup sugar
⅓ cup red wine
⅓ cup olive oil
16 walnut halves, toasted
Dark chocolate … for dipping

- Preheat the oven to 350° F (170° C). Grease a 9-inch round pan.
- In a small bowl, combine walnuts, flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs … and when they start to get foamy, add the sugar. Continue whipping until the mixture is thick and pale yellow.
- Stir in wine and olive oil.
- Change to the paddle attachment, then fold in the flour-nut mixture.
- Pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until done.
- When the cake comes out of the oven, melt the dark chocolate over low heat. When melted, dip ½ of each walnut into the chocolate … and place it/them immediately along the edge of the cake.
- Serve at any temperature.
Enjoy!