Old Cars, New Cars
Several weeks ago I wrote part one of this blog, “Car Troubles.” In that entry I wrote about our ‘92 Corolla losing power on the highway. It turned out to be a dying transmission. We were faced with the decision of wether it would be worth it to repair the car or not. In the end we decided to have the transmission rebuilt at a local shop. It’s an expensive repair, but after weighing all the factors, including the prohibitive cost of buying a new car, we decided this was the right one for us. There’s risk involved in pouring money into an old vehicle, but Sparky’s Transmissions gives a one year warranty on their work.
My father gave us this car when we moved to San Diego in October 2007. It’s a no frills vehicle. I greatly appreciate my father’s generosity. Before my Dad owned it, it belonged to my cousin who lives in Orange County. I’m not sure how long Peggy had it, but I know she rode it hard, with long weekly trips to an Indian Reservation where she gave piano and organ lessons. It’s not a flashy or pretty car and for the most part I don’t mind. When I’m giving other people rides I wish it looked nicer. That’s the major drawback.
The first car I ever bought was a Corolla, back in 1988. At the time I was living in Washington D.C. in an apartment building behind the Supreme Court. I had managed my first six years in D.C. without a car, relying on Metro trains and the kindness of friends for my transportation needs.
I had some fear of driving to overcome before I bought a car. In 1975 I had totaled the family car in a head-on collision. I was an inexperienced driver and I had just received my license. The other driver sued me and I remember how young and overwhelmed I felt. I always kept my drivers license up-to-date. When I moved to D.C. in 1982, I got a D.C. license but didn’t do any driving. I took a few refresher driving lessons before buying my first car.
I did a lot of research before deciding on a Toyota. Dan, a friend from work, went with me to give me support and guidance. I was a single woman at the time. I bought it from a new car dealership, located in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s quite a thrill to buy your first car and I remember how elated I felt driving it home from Virginia to D.C. On week days I parked it on the street close to my apartment building and on the weekends I was allowed to park in an auxiliary lot the Supreme Court had that was next to my apartment building.
The first year I had the car I decided to go on a road trip by myself. I thought it would be an adventure and also a good way to build my confidence as a driver. I drove from Washington, D.C. to West Palm Beach, Florida, mostly on I-95. It must have been in October/November 1988 because I remember Halloween festivities along the way.
I did develop confidence from that road trip. Other then a few parking lot fender benders I haven’t had any accidents to speak of since the big one when I was 17.
Some day I hope we will have a nicer car, but for today, I’m happy with our old Toyota.
