Gordon Lightfoot – Carefree Highway
My car just turned 102,000 miles. (Sigh) It seems like just yesterday when she (yes she) and I were cruising around the Westside with the open sunroof, new car smell, with only 70 miles on her odometer. I hope she sticks around for another 100,000, so I can pass her on to my daughter Jordan, who’ll be driving in 2 years. At least I know she’s reliable and will keep Jordan safe.
As close as I feel to my current car, a white 2003 Toyota Highlander, I have the best memories of my 1989 Toyota Camry. That car and I had been through ALOT together. Sad stuff like bad dates and failed relationships. But plenty of fun, youthful times too, like driving with friends along the sunny coast with the open sunroof and singing “Brown-Eyed Girl” at the top of our lungs.
Most of my cars had good juju. They weren’t evil Christines (as in the Stephen King book/movie) trying to kill me or set me up for a bad accident. My flat tires always happened where help was nearby.
Looking back at my first car, a yellow 1972 VW Beetle, kind of reminds me of life and the aging process. My brother let me have it in 1983 when he left for college. It was cute and youthful-looking with a new paint job. But over the next 4 years that I used it, it really fell apart. I don’t know, maybe it missed my brother.
First, the window handle broke off. For you youngsters, we used to have to manually roll down the windows by making a cranking motion with a lever. It’s similar to dialing a rotary phone or using a manual return on a typewriter. Oh, never mind.
Eventually , the rearview mirror popped off, the glove compartment refused to close. Alot of things stopped working: the speedometer, odometer, and gas gauge. It was tricky trying to not get a speeding ticket or not run out of gas. And of course all the big repairs came along: brake jobs, CV joints, alternators, until it was finally time to say good-bye and just let it flatline.
But my sad little VW taught me alot about people getting old too. For example, the parts started creaking, herky-jerky movements, alignment problems, smelly emissions, fluid leakage, you get the idea. But I sure get attached to my cars, just like how I’m sentimental about this old body. I like it the way it is right now and I’m not looking forward to the day I gotta put it out to pasture.
Meanwhile, I’m going to live it up more than ever before, squeeze every bit of fun in, and get the most mileage out of life. Come with?
Now it’s your turn. Tell me a car story and/or answer the following:
- What was your first car?
- Did you have a favorite car and why was it special?
- What’s your Dream Car and who’s your Dream Passenger?
Rihanna – Shut Up and Drive
Gary Numan – Cars
39 kids playing along so far ↓
1 Otin
// May 9, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I bought a 1986 Honda CRXsi brand new and did not know how to drive a stick. My brother drove it off the lot for me and I wanted to drive so bad that I made him pull over and switch with me. I got the car rolling and that ride home is how I learned to drive a stick shift. I have never had a vehicle since, aside from a motorcycle that I used to have, that I enjoyed more. I traded it in with225,000 miles and it never had a major problem, Hondas rock! (as does Marissa
)
Otin’s last blog post..Just Fucking Great!
2 Joe
// May 9, 2009 at 2:28 pm
First car was a ‘73 Super Beetle. I miss it.
3 Shawn
// May 9, 2009 at 3:35 pm
My first car was a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron, passed down from my dad. I had it for exactly 3.5 weeks before crashing it. Not just crashing it, but actually getting into three separate accidents in the same day. It was repaired, and lasted for another good 2 years before giving up the ghost.
Shawn’s last blog post..Least Popular Mother’s Day Cards
4 ReformingGeek
// May 9, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I’m with you. I just grabbed my purse and I’m headed west with the top off.
Yeah. I wish.
I had a 1980 Subaru Sedan. It did me well although the A/C sucked when it really should have blown.
When Hubby and I bought a new car for me, I gave it to my dad who drove it off and on for 20 years. When he passed away in 2003, my mom gave it to another relative. It lives!
Hubby loves his Acura Sedan. He has had a few convertible days lately by rolling down all the windows and opening the sunroof as he cruises home from work!
I loved the references to getting old. Very funny but oh, so true!
5 Winky Twinky
// May 9, 2009 at 4:31 pm
My first car… was a 1971 Ford Maverick (I know).. Like all first cars, I LOVED that thing as old as it was… (although that was in about 1982 – damn I’m old)..
Probably my favorite car to date was my Chevette — can’t remember the year — but I was SOOO thankful to have a car that started and ran every day after my umpteenth trial with the Gremlin (OMG, that was a HORRIBLE car)… although it died after only about 85,000 miles
Probably my fav since has been the three AWESOME Tauruses I’ve had… Anyway, I’m soon to be driving a “new-to-me” Ford Windstar Van… thanks for asking…
Winky Twinky’s last blog post..The Perfect End to Another Messed Up Work Week
6 Chris
// May 9, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Oh. That post made me sad. In a good way. A reminiscent way.
My first car was a 1972 Datsun – 120Y. It was blue. And I bought it off an old man who, after driving that car for 30 years, was giving it away because he didn’t think he could drive much longer. And he let me pay it off in 3 instalments even though it was only $1000 (I was a poor uni kid).
It was special because it came from that wonderful old man. It would barely go up hills. The clock didn’t work. The coolant fluid kept leaking so I had to top it up ALL the time. It broke down once – my fault – and never did again in the 3 years I owned him. It got through dates. Tears. Fun times. Got me to my lectures. Took me to a fast food drive through – a lot.
It had character. And we called it the rocket even though I’d regularly get beeped for driving too slow up hills.
Man I miss that car.
My dream car would either be my rocket or a BMW and my ideal passenger would be Jason Statham. Haha. Just kidding. That’s for you!
Mine would be someone like my Grandma (she was never really rich so would be nice to take her out) or the girls from Friends – they’d be fun or Eva Mendes – if I was on a date.
Chris’s last blog post..My tips for slacking off at work
7 Betty
// May 9, 2009 at 10:20 pm
My first car was a yellow 72 beetle… with a ski rack. I didn’t use it. Heck I didn’t get to drive it but a few times. My parents decided that since my mothers car died and since I had paid every penny myself I wouldn’t mind losing it. She borrowed it but decided that I had told her that she could keep it… She sold it 6 months later for double what I paid… So… my next car that I bought was a 64 dodge dart. Push button, rusted with a hole in the floor on the passengers side. Loved it. However when I joined the military my parents again decided while I was in basic that it too was theirs and they sold it, for a pretty penny I hear. Some guy wanted the engine but apparently my parents pulled a sob story as to why their daughter needed the money that she never saw. Cars bring up great memories. Thanks.
Betty’s last blog post..Proud moments for mommy
8 marissa
// May 9, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Otin:
I learned how to drive a stick shift first in my VW. It was embarrassing stalling in first gear all the time. I sold my Camry at 230,000 miles and it was still purring like a sweet kitten. Every Honda owner I knew loved their car’s reliability too.
Joe:
The ‘73 was cuter and more rounded than the ‘72. I really like the new Beetles today because they come in happy colors.
Shawn:
I remember the Le Barons! Um, 3 collisions in one day? I think that’s a record. Maybe it was trying to kill itself.
ReformingGeek:
“sucked when it should’ve blown” – LOL. Wow, 20+ years and still running. That’s a well-made car, despite the AC problem.
Winky Twinky:
One of my best friends had an old yellow Maverick. It was really roomy, compared to my Bug. Isn’t that funny how grateful we were for our beater cars?
The Gremlin – Ha! I’m still waiting for someone to say they had a Pacer. Both were pretty popular for a short while. I rented a Ford Windstar a couple of times and they’re really comfortable and easy to maneuver.
Chris:
“The Rocket.” LOL. Alot of people have nicknames for their cars. I thought more people would mention them. Thanks for the nod to Jason and me.
BMWs are very cool cars. And I worked with someone who looked alot like Eva Mendes. Now, if only I could put the two together…
9 marissa
// May 9, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Betty: That’s so funny! Your parents should open a car dealership, since selling your cars was so profitable for THEM. Maybe you should also give them the money to start this venture.
That Dodge must’ve been fun to drive around. The hole in the car floor makes me think of The Flintstones foot-powered cars.
10 grannyann
// May 10, 2009 at 10:32 am
My first car was a 1955 Ford, 2 door, black and yellow (sounds awful but it was pretty). A hit at high school senior year.
My favorite is my 1967 Ford Thunderbird (in garage, needs few things but runs). 2 door hard top, steel parts and look how long it lasted. Drove like a dream.
Can’t say as I have a dream car or other.
grannyann’s last blog post..True Story
11 Winky Twinky
// May 10, 2009 at 11:51 am
It’s funny you mention that.. my mother had a Pacer for a few years! It was a cream color, and talk about roomy…they were very roomy for a small car, and lots and lots of windows so you could see everything. That’s the car I took my driving test in….HA! memories….
Winky Twinky’s last blog post..The Perfect End to Another Messed Up Work Week
12 Otin
// May 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Happy Mothers Day!
Otin’s last blog post..HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
13 marissa
// May 10, 2009 at 6:25 pm
GrannyAnn:
Automakers sure knew how to make beautiful cars back then. Well, maybe except the much-maligned Edsel. That ‘67 T-Bird sounds awesome! Hard to believe I was only 1 year old when that rolled off the assembly line. I, too, need a few things, but I still run.
Winky Twinky:
I remember the big windows. At least during your driving test, you could see all the obstacles around you.
When I took my test, the DMV lady took me through a school zone just as the kids were getting out in the afternoon. Plus, I was still learning to drive a stick shift, so I stalled twice. She said if I stalled one more time, I’d fail. Beeyotch!
14 marissa
// May 10, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Otin: Tanx! I think I’ll celebrate all week long too!
15 Old School
// May 11, 2009 at 7:21 am
I have a 2004 Toyota Highlander right now.
My first car was a 1973 Chrysler Newport. It was a huge car and was nicknamed by my friends as “The Big Kahuna”. Learning to parallel park that beast meant I could parallel park ANY car. We once fit over 20 people in the car to actually drive some place! Lots of memories from the old Kahuna.
Also, Happy Belated Mother’s Day to you Marissa!
Old School’s last blog post..Back to the 80s: ‘Be a Pepper’ Commercial – Kickin’ it Old School
16 alantru
// May 11, 2009 at 10:27 am
I’ve given this some thought.
My dream car would be a flying space bubble one. Like from the Jetsons. My ideal companion would be George Jetson’s wife, Jane.
Just kidding on the last one. Infidelity, even of the “human with cartoon” type is no laughing matter.
I’ll change that to his daughter, Judy.
alantru’s last blog post..My Name is Alan. It’s been 6 Minutes since My Last Nickname…
17 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// May 11, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I had a cool ‘77 Chevy pick up truck as my first vehicle, that would rank with one of my favorites although there is something I have liked about all the different cars I have owned.
Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Travel Fishing Kit
18 marissa
// May 11, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Old School:
So then you know how reliable the Highlander is. I’m hoping my Toyota has several more good years ahead.
Alot of my friends drove beasts. Like you, we’d pack everyone in, including riding in the trunk! Yep- good times indeed.
Alantru:
You know, if you’re going to go with cartoons, why not Jessica Rabbit? And the Mach 5?
Jim:
I always wanted a pick-up truck in my 20’s, but with the kids, I always had family cars. As many times as we moved, a truck would’ve been handy.
19 Otin
// May 11, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Jimmy Hoffa:) I like your little over 40 references!
Otin’s last blog post..Same Shit Different Day and Year!
20 Jennifer
// May 11, 2009 at 7:31 pm
My first car was also a yellow(ish) VW Beetle! But it was a 1970 model, and it even had a faded 1970s picture of a German family in the trunk when I got it. I know they were German because of the writing on the back. It said, “We’re German.”
The heat took 45 minutes to get warm and then it was so hot it would melt your shoes but leave the rest of you frozen, since the vents were at floor level.
It had a red button with a ‘B’ on it on the dash that lit up when you pushed it. My friends and I (having no idea of its actual purpose) called it the bomb button and pushed it when we got behind someone going too slow for my lead-footed tastes.
When parts would fall off I’d go to this kind of country-ish road in town where there was a European car mechanic. He always had a couple dozen or so Beetles around on his lot, and I would steal various parts to replace my own. Did I mention I was a kind of wild child?
For a little while, my sort of homeless, ex-ish boyfriend slept in it while it was parked outside the apartment where I lived with my mother.
When I finally bought another vehicle after 4 years or so, I gave it to my brother. My step-brother also gave my brother HIS Beetle, so my bro could possibly build one decent car from them.
I still remember how that car smelled, and what it felt like to drive it. I miss it terribly now that I’m really thinking about it. Thank you so very much. (No, really – thank you for bringing up good memories.)
Jennifer’s last blog post..Arrrr and Walk the Plank and All That
21 marissa
// May 11, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Otin:
When I left that comment on your post, I figured that some people will get it.
Jennifer:
That is HILARIOUS stuff!! I remember my feet burning! Your semi-homeless, semi-ex BF wouldn’t happen to know some of the people on my last post?
Thanks for the laughs (made me snort loud)!
22 Rich
// May 11, 2009 at 9:58 pm
First Car: ‘71 Dodge Dart – This was the car that I packed more high school friends in than the phone booth shown in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is also the car I drove through the beach tolls at 95mph.
Most Memorable: Rosie my ‘88 Mustang GT. It had 283,000 miles on it before I sold it to a kid for $200.
Funniest car story: Not sure if I should print this but it was in the 80’s. I just bought a used ‘71 240Z. My friend went to harvest an 8′ foot pot plant. We put it in the car through the hatch. In between the branches he askes me how fast does this thing go? Hmmmm.. I hit 120 before I slowed down. Could you imagine if I got pulled over?
I have had a lot of cars and even a Harley through the years, boats too. Funny how I am not charmed by them as much anymore. Material possessions can be a real pain. Maybe it is because of insurance costs and ticket prices, so I am way mellower now. The one I sold and regret was a ‘68 Vette.
Favorite Passenger: Anyone, so I can get in the HOV lane. Just kidding, happy people and a place to go.
Rich’s last blog post..Caught in the rain?
23 marissa
// May 12, 2009 at 6:36 am
Rich:
Betty (above) also had a Dodge Dart. Those were the good ole days when we could pack 60 teenagers into a car and we’d laugh with butts in all our faces. I bet that kid was happy with that GT because the chicks liked it!
As for your little horticulture story, the statute’s probably run out. So yes, you can admit your indiscretion — of driving 120 mph.
And the HOV lane, I’ve heard of a service where you can “rent” people to ride with you.
24 Jennifer
// May 12, 2009 at 7:33 am
I just read that post on the homeless, and if Edward is immensely hot and wears combat boots and shaves his head and can charm you into doing anything for him even though he’s already cheated on you twice – then yes. He is probably best friends with that ex-boyfriend.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Arrrr and Walk the Plank and All That
25 Bee
// May 12, 2009 at 7:40 am
My cars were all the complete opposite of yours. They all tried to kill me at one time or another which I find insulting. I finally bought a brand spankin new car with 15 miles on it and I love it.
Speaking of old, I was in the husband’s work truck and I wanted to put my window and he said “you have to manually roll it down” ::shiver:: ;o)
Bee’s last blog post..I boldly went where I’ve never gone before…
26 Bartholomew Woods
// May 12, 2009 at 8:42 pm
My very first own car was a 1971 VW Bug. Much like many people who have commented.
God, I loved that car!
I still remember the license plate # – PNG 326.
How sad is that?
Bought it in 1975 for $1800.00.
Sold it 2 years later for…….$1800.00.
My first brand new car was a 1977 Honda CVCC.
Had to want 6 weeks for this baby to be delivered. Colour – Colorado Green.
Drove it to California that year.
I recall entering greater L.A. when on the radio came the song – “It Never Rains In Southern California”.
Didn’t have time to enjoy the song. There was a huge semi-trailer truck on my rear bumper.
I must have not been going fast enough for him. We were only doing 80 mph. Ahhhh!
Bartholomew Woods’s last blog post..High School Hits — Grade 9
27 Rich
// May 12, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Marissa: horticulture – that is my word of the week! You can lead a horticulture but you can’t make her think. Sorry for that..
BTW. I loved reading all the posts. I have to admit, after commuting by car for years I wish they would invent a Star Trek transporter. At a minimum a Jetsons conveyer belt that would shower me, brush my teeth and dress me before dumping me in my car.
28 marissa
// May 12, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Jennifer:
LOL. Some guys are just irresistible, what can we say?
Bee:
Mmm… enjoy that new car smell! Yeah, those manual windows are practically like work-out machines.
Bart:
A semi on your tail just kinda ruins the moment. Good thing it was a new car and didn’t suddenly stall on you. You wouldn’t be here to tell about it.
As for VW, the Germans really made a killing on their car exports in the early 70’s with the Beetle. “That’ll teach der Amerikaner! Und der Kanadier!”
Rich:
Whore to culture – hahah! Why did you look at me when you cracked that joke?
Yeah, I could use that Jetsons routine myself. Back in the 70’s, I really did think we’d have flying cars by the year 2000. What a crock!
29 Jennifer
// May 13, 2009 at 9:50 am
My 1970 VW’s license plate was SRA-565, so don’t feel too bad, Bartholomew.
Also, I got it past 110. Buried the needle. Amazing.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Not Quite Wordless Wednesday: Found Poetry and Bonus Extra
30 DS Best Fly Fishing
// May 13, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Really, you want to know? I had a Toyota Corolla that was 10 years old, 150k miles on it and it had been rolled on its side when I bought it for $150. $500 dollars later it ran… kind of. I had used bondo to fill in the crushed driver’s door and spray painted it black to match the factory dark blue. I had to install lap belts as it was curiously missing seat belts when I got it. She wasn’t pretty, she always had the faint odor of gasoline while driving, but she got me through high school.
DS Best Fly Fishing’s last blog post..The Adult Elk Hair Caddis Dry Fly
31 marissa
// May 13, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Jennifer:
Ha! You and Bart crack me up, remembering your license plate on your first car. The only license plates I can remember on my cars were personalized ones: “I B L8 2″ and “A GLF WDO”
I was always running late everywhere I went. Now I’m anal about being on time, if not early.
My husband doesn’t golf as much anymore either.
DS Best Fly Fishing:
I love all the beater-car stories! LOL – “spray painted it black to match the dark blue.”
I’m thinking those seatbelts were cut away to free the trapped occupant when the car rolled. Thanks for visiting!
32 alantru
// May 18, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Not Marissa,
I just did some research. MasturbOtto was NOT an action figure toy made by the good people at Hasbro. Don’t know what I was thinking…
alantru’s last blog post..Business Tripping
33 marissa
// May 18, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Alantru:
I think we were both confused. I thought MasturbOtto was the subject of a song:
“Domo arigato, MasturbOtto.” Something like that, no?
34 Tony
// May 18, 2009 at 9:12 pm
nice post, i had a sweet powerwheels jeep. it was a lot of fun, right up until i ran it into the pool.
35 marissa
// May 19, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hi Tony:
You mean it wasn’t an aqua-jeep? Did the flotation device deploy? lol.
That’s a pretty cool “first car”. Wish I had one of those 40 years ago! Yikes – that seems like a LONG time ago. Disregard that. Thanks for visiting!
36 web design leeds
// Jun 22, 2009 at 4:45 am
I had a cool ‘77 Chevy pick up truck as my first vehicle, that would rank with one of my favorites although there is something I have liked about all the different cars I have owned.
37 marissa
// Jun 22, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hi Web Design Leeds:
I still see some of those trucks around. They still look pretty cool. Hard to believe they came out 32 years ago!
I wanted a pick-up truck (with a special sparkly paint job) and huge tires. But I always heard that if I bought a truck, people would forever be asking me to help them move.
Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate getting comments even while I”m on a blog hiatus. And I’m a HUGE fan of British folks and all thinks UK!
38 Subby
// Jun 28, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Gee, my first real car( that I bought on my own ) was a ‘72 Chevy Malibu 4dr. I’ve been through a lot of vehicles, in the last 25 years or so and mostly older ones, as they were easier to work on.
But my favourite had to be my old ‘76 Ford LTD-4dr. Wotta tank! Over 3 tonnes of steel chugging down the highway. Made it to FLA from New England…twice! Sure it only got 18 MPG but gas was around 95 cents a gallon, then. Remember that?
As for dream passenger? So many I could pick but I’d stay with some-one a bit closer to home…my Mom or Princess Cheese ( or both ).
Subby’s last blog post..A Centennial Hymn
39 marissa
// Jun 29, 2009 at 8:34 am
Subby:
Those LTDs were the size of a boat. I had a friend who could expertly parallel park her LTD in the tightest spots.
Yeah, I remember for the longest time when gas was about $1.10 per gallon. And whenever it “shot up” to $1.25, everyone would be outraged.
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