Crash course

In the last six months, I've been involved in two car accidents — one entirely my fault and the other entirely not.

Now, I really like my Cabrio — Consumer Reports called it "a sharp-looking, crisp-handling, solidly built convertible," and I agree.

But I can't help thinking mine is perhaps jinxed. (I've considered the possibility that I'm not a good driver but quickly dismissed that notion.)

So when I had the chance to go to Fabco Rents in Waukesha and test-drive a mini excavator — a CAT 303CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator, to be exact — I started thinking ... trade-in?

Now, if I'm in my little excavator heading south on 68th Street in Wauwatosa and just happen to run a red light on Bluemound Road (hey, it happens), I've got a hunch cross traffic might take notice of me before impact. Whatever happened to defensive driving anyway?

And I suspect anyone barreling along Highway 45 during evening rush hour might remember to brake when seeing me and my excavator stopped in traffic. Besides, even if the brakes did go out as the uninsured driver (thanks a lot) claimed, what damage could be done to a 7,000-plus-pound vehicle? The offending vehicle?

Well, that's another story.

Yes, when it comes to safety, the mini excavator's got it all over the Cabrio.

But there's more to driving than playing it safe. And I should know.

There's reaching a destination, for one. And the excavator's 26.7-hp engine isn't going to get me anywhere fast.

And let's not forget comfort.

My Cabrio has heated seats; the excavator's cab doesn't.

Another thing: The excavator had no CD player. Its literature claimed it was "radio ready," but I didn't see one. So I don't know what's up with that.

There wasn't a cup-holder to be found either. What was the manufacturer thinking? Everyone knows you can't leave home without one.

Nor does the excavator offer much variety as far as exterior colors go. Choices are yellow, yellow, yellow or yellow.

Hope you like black and gray for the interior, because that's all they got.

Bottom line? I don't know how much a 303CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator costs, but I can tell you this: It just didn't make the earth move for me.

I'm keeping my Cab.