Everyone’s first car usually isn’t brand new. Well, at least it isn't if you bought it yourself like me. Some people do receive brand new cars, but still nothing is like your first car. My first and current car is a 2001 Toyota Corolla. I invested in her through my father, who had rebuilt and got her up and running. I say her because to me she is a lady. With an older car, she came with (or was soon to have) scratches and a couple of dents due to other careless drivers, but other than those minor issues; she runs like a beauty. I bought her about 4 or 5 years ago, this summer has been her first downfall since I have had her.
She didn’t pass emissions the first time because there were lights out on the dashboard, but once that was fixed it showed more to the car that needed to be replace than just a light bulb. I wasn’t mad that she needed new parts because anything that is 15 years old will need a little TLC, but looking for parts is difficult and not cheap. The parts ranged from small changes: new blinker covers, air filter and driver side power switch to big changes: Catalytic converter and tires. I knew that parts weren’t going to be cheap, but I didn’t think they would be that expensive either because I assume the parts wouldn’t be of high demand, but I stood corrected. After buying all the parts I needed, I spent over 500 dollars, but it was all worth it.
Some people would have never gone through this much trouble to fix an older car, but I want her to last as long as possible. She is my first car and I want her to stay my car for as long as possible. I feel like there is a special bond between a person and their first car because you drive it over time and you get to know it like no one else does. I feel like I’m talking about it like this is a child, but technically this is my child. She is my child and in my care. The car is only as good as you take care of it.
Though, I am as poor as I started out this summer, the money was well spent. Cars are an important part of a person’s life because we need it to get us from point A to point B. It hard nowadays to get anywhere without transportation, if you live out in the middle of nowhere, like me. Buses and trains don’t pass or go near the country. Sure, my car isn’t flashy and in some places it could be an eyesore in other people’s opinion, but I don’t care. There are plenty of people who don’t have cars or can’t afford them, I love all her dents and scratches. My car wouldn’t be her without them; I love her flaws and I don’t want to see the day where I have to give her up.
