Ode to My Car
As I was driving home recently I looked down at my car’s odometer and noticed a very cool milestone (perhaps some would merely call it an intriguing numerical sequence):
Of course it’s not a nice round number like 100,000 or 200,000 but being a numbers guy, it caught my eye nonetheless.
Since I no longer commute to work, I don’t drive this car nearly as much as I used to, so I haven’t been paying much attention to the mileage. However, this recent feat allowed me to reflect and recognize the significance of this event.
Based on the mileage alone, it’s obvious that my car is old – 28 years old to be exact. So what? What’s there to say about an old car? For me personally, it’s because there is so much history.
A Different Kind of Family Heirloom
This car has literally been in my family for decades – my parents bought a 2-year-old car in 1998 for me to drive during my senior year of high school, I subsequently drove it through college, my parents took the car back when I got a new car after graduation, it was eventually passed on to my younger brother to drive throughout his high school/college/early working career, and then I took possession of the car once again in 2018 when my brother bought his first new car.
Although I had a much newer car at the time, I was so happy to get my old car back not only for practical reasons:
- It’s a small car so it’s easy to maneuver and fun to drive
- The body had minor cosmetic damage, so I wasn’t worried about any nicks/dings/dents
- It’s the perfect daily driver (35-40 mpg when I had a long commute to/from work at the time)
- And of course, it was paid-off long ago so there was no additional financing or monthly car payment that came with it
But most importantly because of all the great memories it invoked: Driving up & down the West Coast, going to concerts & sporting events, hanging out with friends, getting me to/from my early minimum-wage jobs, surviving multiple accidents, etc, etc, etc.
Because it has been passed around & back again to so many of us, I like to joke that this car is a family heirloom. I even tell my kids that if they’re lucky, someday this car will be passed along to them. However, I usually backtrack pretty quickly since I enjoy this car so much that I actually wouldn’t want anyone else to drive it. (In fact, in the 6+ years since I regained possession of the car, I literally don’t think anyone has driven it except for me).
Value Lies Within the Memories
So in this day & age when everyone drives fancy vehicles with all the new bells & whistles, I’m perfectly fine sticking with a car from last century that has absolutely no modern features (no A/C, no automatic windows, no automatic door locks) and that’s in all likelihood on its last legs both mechanically & cosmetically.
After all, a car is just another item, another possession, another mode of transportation. I don’t tend to value vehicles much, except for this one because the value of the memories it holds is worth far more than its physical value.
Having said all that, here is an ode to my car:
Oh, trusty steed, a faithful sight,
You’ve carried us through day and night.
For twenty-eight long years, you’ve served,
A loyal friend, forever preserved.
Though time has worn you, you still endure,
A vintage charm, forever pure.
Each creak and groan, a story untold,
Of journeys past, both young and old.
May you keep running, strong and true,
A symbol of love, steadfast and new.
Until that final day, when your time is through,
We’ll cherish the miles, and the memories too.
By the way, if you ever see me on the road, don’t hesitate to say hi. If you’re lucky I may even give you a ride in my marvelous machine. It’s not too hard to spot me, just look for this familiar face…
Reader Questions
- Do you drive an older car? If so, why do you choose to hold onto it?
- Are there any items that you’ve been holding onto forever and don’t want to let go of for reasons other than monetary value?
Leave your answers or comments below – or email us directly at info@epicfinancialjourney.com