Two Cars, Two Continents, Two Contexts
Florida Sun, Top-down fun
Euro Touring, Endless Exploring
Owning two cars on two different continents might sound a bit extravagant — but for me, it’s not about showing off. It’s about practicality, passion, and the joy of having the right car for the right place. This setup isn’t for everyone, but for me and my family, it works. So, I thought I’d write this post to explain my thought process, what it’s actually like, and what it costs to maintain two cars in the two completely different worlds that I live in.
Florida: Sunshine, Family, and a Convertible
In Florida, like much of the United States, driving isn’t optional, it’s a necessity. Public transportation barely exists, and everything is spread out. Renting a basic car can run around $50 a day, and when you add up the 20–30 days per year my wife and I spend there, it quickly makes financial sense to own something instead of constantly renting.
But it’s not just about practicality. I’ve always wanted to own a convertible, and my wife always loved VW Beetles. So when it came time to pick a Florida car, we compromised and bought a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. It’s cheerful, nostalgic, and perfect for the Florida sun (at least when it’s not too hot there). Convertibles are actually pretty terrible in the Florida summer…it’s just way too hot. But they are kind of amazing to drive in the fall through springtime.
The Beetle lives with family while we’re abroad, which means it gets occasional use to keep it running and healthy. Every time I land in Florida and take it out for a drive, there’s this rush of familiarity — top down, warm air, palm trees overhead. It’s the kind of car that instantly reminds you you’re home.
Sure, I wish it had a bit more power — maybe that’s a future project — but Volkswagen’s 2.5L five-cylinder is a solid, old-school engine that’s easy to live with. It’s been incredibly reliable and affordable to run, with insurance around $1,500 per year, registration at about $100, and less than $500 a year in maintenance. For the experience it gives each time we drive it, that’s a small price to pay. And again, it’s roughly about what we would spend annually in rental car costs for our trips back home. And thankfully it’s not a rental fleet spec Nissan Altima.
Amsterdam: The Wagon Life
Back in Amsterdam, the story is completely different. It’s no surprise to many that you don’t need a car here; most people bike or use public transit. For me, though, driving is a passion and a form of freedom and I’ve owned a car for the majority of the past 6+ years that we’ve lived here. Even though it’s not financially advantageous, the flexibility of owning a car here is priceless and I know many Amsterdammers who believe the same thing.
I first owned a 2020 BMW 1 series from 2020-2022. However, in 2022, I decided that I wanted a proper sporty Euro wagon and that’s why today I own a 2020 BMW 3 Series Touring — a proper European touring car. As an American, I love that it’s the kind of “forbidden fruit” we can’t even buy back home. Wagons have a reputation in the U.S. as outdated, but in Europe, they’re admired — the perfect blend of practicality and driving fun. And sporty, performance-oriented wagons are making a comeback in the US (thank god!).
I drive the BMW about three to four times a week, depending on the week. Sometimes it’s for quick city errands, but mostly it’s for weekend drives or road trips — and honestly, I love a good road trip in this thing. It’s the kind of car that can swallow luggage, haul a dog, and still carve through Alpine roads with confidence. We’ve taken multiple long road trips, to Spain, Italy, Austria, and recently around the UK (Scotland + England) and each time I’ve had an absolute blast and come home proud for putting another couple thousand KMs on the clock.
As I’ve talked about in videos before, it’s NOT cheap to own a car in the Netherlands — for me this runs about €1,100 a year in road tax, €1,800 in insurance, and roughly €1,500 in maintenance — but it’s worth every cent. It’s practical, beautifully designed, and never gets boring to drive. Every time I’m behind the wheel, I am smiling.
Two Cars, Two Contexts: Why I Do It
The Beetle and the BMW couldn’t be more different, yet they perfectly reflect their environments — and, in a way, different sides of me.
Florida + Convertible = Car necessity, freedom, sunshine, and nostalgia
Amsterdam + Wagon = Euro precision, practicality, and exploration
If it were up to me, I’d have both cars with me all the time. I wish I could shrink them down, put them in my pocket, and take them wherever I go.
Both cars serve a purpose — but more than that, they bring me joy and that’s what it’s really about as a car enthusiast. The Beetle represents the playful, nostalgic side of me that loves warm breezes and sunset drives. The BMW represents the enthusiast in me who appreciates engineering, design, and balance (and the occasional autobahn top speed blast!)
Owning two cars across two continents isn’t about luxury; it’s about lifestyle alignment. It fits how I live right now — splitting time between two worlds, each with its own rhythm and roads.
Two cars. Two continents. Two contexts. Zero regrets.
-K