Definition: The specific, gut-wrenching regret experienced years after selling a beloved, character-filled car purely for practical reasons (like needing a minivan). You recall its quirks, reliability, and sheer driving joy intensely, knowing its replacement, while sensible, feels soul-crushingly dull.
This unique automotive nostalgia intensifies whenever you see a similar model on the road or realize its current market value is peanuts compared to the priceless memories it gave you. The ghost of that perfect gear shift haunts your commute.
Example:
Seeing another red Mazda MX-5 today brought back that automotive nostalgia; my minivan is reliable but soul-crushingly dull compared to its perfect gear shift.
The gut-wrenching regret hits hardest when I realize I sold my old Volvo for peanuts, forgetting the priceless memories of its quirky reliability.