***I want to start this with a disclaimer that this article is not meant to put down people whose parents did buy them a car. I have nothing against them and also I don't think any less of them. Additionally, I do not think that anyone that did not buy their first car has not learned the lessons I am about to describe in this article. We all come from different circumstances and I just want to embrace mine.***
My Sixteenth Birthday.
Honestly, I used to hate driving and I still kind of do, I've just become more accustomed to it. So when my 16th birthday rolled around, I was excited to get my permit, but I didn't really want nor did I expect to get a car. Instead, I got my very first smartphone, which I was way more excited about than I ever would've been about a car. I mean it was touchscreen and it also had a front and back camera with flash. It was the bomb dot com.
The Age of Audrey.
Anyway, flash forward a few years to when I was a little over 18 and had some cash from graduating. It was July, and I was just a few short months away from starting a whole new chapter at Clarkson. This was when I really started thinking about maybe needing a car. So I did what any 18-year-old with a wad of cash burning in a hole her pocket would do; I searched Craigslist and fell in love with a car the same age as my mother's high school diploma. A burgundy, 1989 Cadillac Eldorado. At first, I was suspicious on the price and weary on the 140,000 miles because I knew nothing about cars and how many miles were too many and how cheap was too cheap and what was too good to be true. Yet I just couldn't stop picturing myself in that car.
My boyfriend went out to take a look at it for me. He thought it was too cheap to be running and must've had a million problems, but after he saw her in person, he was more in love with her than I was. After that, all I had to do was drag my dad down there and have him give me the thumbs up and do the negotiation for me. I left that day, July 12, 2015, $1200 lighter and with a new love in my life.
I named her Audrey after Audrey Hepburn and I loved her like she was my child. Unfortunately, she ended up costing me about as much as a child does cost you. In all honesty, I shouldn't have bought her that day and I should've looked for a younger and more reliable car, but I wouldn't change it even if I could.
The thing about having to buy your first car is that it puts the value and responsibility of money into your hands. Once you buy the car, you have to be ready to pay for that car to break down. Additionally, you need to pay for registration/inspection fees and obviously gas. You have to learn to manage and take care of your money. Also, when you spend some big bucks on something, it gives you a major incentive to actually keep it in good shape.
Wendy the Witch.
After a few long trips to many different mechanic shops, Audrey finally met her demise. I still have her because it's really hard for me to part with her, but I don't have eight grand to fix her. So, I had to get Wendy the Witch (I was bitter about losing Audrey so I blamed Wendy and gave her a mean name), my red 2003 Chevy Impala.
I just bought Wendy this past July and I've already had to take her to the shop because one day on my way to work she decided she didn't want to move anymore when I hit the gas. For right now, she's fine and dandy. Except when her battery, which is actually from Audrey, decides not to work (I like to think that this is just Audrey giving me a hard time).
Wendy isn't Audrey, but Wendy has already taught me a lot more than Audrey. Technically, I bought Audrey by myself but I used money that I received from various family members and friends as graduation gifts. The money I used for Wendy was from my lifeguarding job over the summer, and I even did a super adult thing and took out a loan for part of the cost.
The Conclusions.
If I could go back in time and walk out to my driveway on my 16th birthday to see a car with a bow on it, I wouldn't. Not just because of the fact that I didn't really want a car when I was 16, but also because I wouldn't have had Audrey or Wendy and I wouldn't have learned what I learned. My parents have always made sure that I had what I needed and what I wanted no matter what. I always came first to them, and I still do. They are the most hardworking, dedicated and loving people that I know, and someday I hope to be just like them. I'm sure they wanted to buy me a car, but I am more thankful that they didn't than I would've been if they did. I have learned how to be irresponsible with money (Audrey) and I learned how to be responsible with money (Wendy). I won't lie, I still spend money on stupid things I don't need, but I've improved that flaw to a minimum. I've also learned that if you take care of things, they'll take care of you.
So, thank you, mom and dad, for not buying me a car, it's the greatest present you ever could've given to me. Also, thank you for always doing everything you can and more to make sure my little sister, little brother and I have everything we need and want. I love you guys more than anything.
