Let’s be straight, cars are awesome. Now, the degree to which people appreciate cars varies, but what is universal is that everyone who has driven a car knows how much fun it can be. For the past two years, I have been proudly driving my Dad’s metallic gray 2007 Honda Accord Coupe with 270k miles, but it hadn’t always been that way. In fact, up until I got my permit and driving privileges, driving with Dad in the Honda was a nightmare. The interior was run-down, with seemingly unsightly tan seats and a greasy dashboard (no offense, Dad).
I believe it was the appeal and luxury of driving in more modern cars that left ol’ faithful in the dust, but today I couldn’t envision myself driving anything else. There’s a sense of pride that comes with driving the same car every day, almost like it becomes a part of you. It becomes something you can talk to, like a sentimental stuffed animal. With this taken into account, I’m going to explain why that first car should be what is objectively perceived as “crap.”
First off, an older, used car is going to have so much more personality than a modern one. This isn’t to say that new cars are bland and lack anything cool or neat that makes them stand out, though. In fact, by driving something used and older, you find comfort in the subtleties that make your car stand out. For example, I like to joke about how the fabric of my Honda’s interior roof completely ripped from limb to limb, and would blow elegantly in the passenger’s face while going over 35 miles per hour. Fortunately, after multiple failed attempts of using gorgeous red duct tape that proudly hung curved out of my window to the top of my door, my grandfather managed to fix it with hot glue. On a more positive note, I jokingly flaunt my special power to lower and raise my windows by twisting my key in the door, which newer cars lack. These may be small aspects of the car, but they are identifying characteristics that make it stand out personally, creating a bond between you and your vehicle. In the end, you could have a new car with lots of power and nice leather seats, but it will never have that sense of comfort and pride that comes with a car that’s far from perfect.
Building off the fact that your first car is likely to be far from perfect, this aspect actually has many benefits for a young, inexperienced driver. The good news is, with an extensively used car like mine, I am granted leeway when it comes to making mistakes. Unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience here, as I added a bit more “personality” to my car after tearing the front bumper off while reversing off of a curb in the Wildwood Elementary parking lot. However, after assessing the situation with my very Italian friend Joe Scamberti, whose vast automotive expertise proved itself in that very moment, we found that forcibly kicking in the front bumper fixed it up as good as new! Thankfully, I was able to get away with this because my car is of such little market value that I probably couldn’t sell it if I tried. However, if perhaps I had a used car in the $30-40k range, then I’m suddenly crying on the phone to my parents while six-year-olds watch me and laugh from the elementary school. Essentially, owning a beat-up slab of metal on wheels allows you to experience and learn from mistakes. So, if you do end up getting a nicer car in the future, you’ll treat it with more respect, helping to maintain its value longer.
Above all, as you’re enjoying the imperfections of your used car while listening to worn-out front brake pads as you cruise down the boulevard, you’re building character. Indeed, the most important benefit that comes from driving a crappy car is the maturity it brings you. Yes, it can be nice to have what you want right from the get-go, but where’s the fun in that? By going through this first car ownership, you’re gaining an appreciation for what you have. Through overcoming and accepting the challenges that come with a used car, you learn to be grateful for the privilege of driving any car, regardless of the vehicle. And beyond cars, isn’t accepting and appreciating what you currently have a part of life? Are there not going to be situations further down the line where purchases suddenly are more focused on what’s realistic? Where you can’t own the house equivalent to that nice BMW you had when you were a kid?
Don’t feel ashamed if you didn’t have a say in what car you drive, whether it’s nice or not. You can gain more perspective through these initial, sentimental years of driving your first car… I just hope it’s a crappy one. 😉
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