“…and she’ll have fun, fun, fun till daddy takes the t-bird away.” That song has been running through my head ever since the recent death of Beach Boys founder, Brian Wilson. The Beach Boys certainly remind me of life in the 1960’s when I was in high school and cars were a big deal in my rural community.
Getting my driver’s license was the most important rite of passage in my life (closely rivaled by getting my National Park Lifetime Pass!) I was one of the youngest kids in my class so most had their licenses before me. I learned how to drive years before and often drove my dad’s pick-up truck when we were doing work on the farm. Having that license and my parents buying a second car for me to use to go to basketball practice and other school events was monumental for me as a 16-year-old. I loved that 1960 2-door International Scout that I used. Limits were placed on where I could drive and I had to cart my sisters around from time to time, but having the license and a car had made for a massive world of freedom.
Most young people remember their first car(s). In my second year in college, my folks purchased a used car for me to drive back and forth from Iowa State. When I graduated, they sold me that 1966 blue 4-door Nash Rambler and it was mine. Once I got my first job and saved money, I bought my first real car—a sporty bright red Dodge Challenger that cost $2000. My parents always bought used cars, so I thought I was cool having a fancy NEW car.
I planned to buy a new car every two years since I thought that was the sign of status. My values changed, however, after spending 6 months in a developing country, Türkiye in 1974. I altered my priorities as I recognized that new cars were not the most important thing in the world. Being joyful with what one needs is more important than fulfilling “wants.” Since 1976, I have owned only five new cars. Buying one every 12-15 years is enough for me.
I love my 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport but was thinking about a new car this year. Having bells and whistles (i.e., safety features) of back-up cameras, lane centering, and pre-collision braking would make me a better driver. Although I get decent gas mileage with my Subi, a hybrid would be a conscious environmental investment. However, a new car is not appealing now. I’ll continue to have “fun, fun, fun” with the car that I need, and hope that I am a safer driver than 60 years ago.
Totally agree on the madness of changing cars like lightbulbs. We just purchased a very lightly used Toyota 2024 RAV plug in hybrid. Has all the safety features this old fart needs, all wheel drive and plugs into a regular outlet that gets us 42 miles on all electric; amazing! Then it flips to hybrid gasoline. Likely the last car for me.
Love seeing the picture of your red truck! Fabulous