[Jeff Higgins]

I am starting to have a rather distressing problem with one of my long-time neighbors. It's an elderly couple whose health, both mental and physical, is on the decline. They are all but ready for some form of assisted living, but show no signs of giving up the fight and their independance. We have been neighbors for 19 years, and while not best buddies, socialable enough to share beers in each others' places, talk in the driveway, and all the friendly neighbor stuff. They really are good people and I really do like them.

The problem is my car. They have developed an unnatural fixation on how "loud" it is, and on how "loud" any other 911 is that might stop by sounds. Over the years I have had some truly loud vehicles - Harleys on straight drag pipes, big block Mopar muscle cars; stuff like that. Old George used to stand in my driveway and b.s. with me about them, thinking they were all kind of cool. He would wave when I rumbled by. Not any more.

George and his wife have now confronted me several times about how loud my car is. Mind you, I still have a couple of fairly loud Harleys - never a word about those. It's all about the car. They have been talking to other long-time neighbors who have told me George and his wife are trying to rally support in the neighborhood. Fortunately, they all have let me know about this, and all recognize George and his wife's declining mental faculties. They all think it is a shame and harbor no ill will towards me or my car, I mean they do tell me when George gets all in a tither over this.

Now it is escalating to where George has been calling the police to complain about the noise. Apparently he gets rather upset when they don't rush right out to nab me.

I'm at a loss at this point; I'm not sure how much further this will go from here. I really like these people and want no strife between us, but there is no consoling them anymore. My car is like nails on a chalkboard to them. I have spoken with them repeatedly to no avail; it appears nothing short of getting rid of the car will appease them. The time of day they hear it does not matter; it could be noon on a Saturday and they light up the phone lines to the neighbors - "did you hear that thing again??!!".

I'm not even sure why I'm posting this here. Just getting it off my chest I suppose. What a crappy situation.