Three days ago I answered a “formspring.me” question about the first thing I’d buy if I had a million dollars. My first thought was to buy a brand new car because I wanted to show off my new ride. The temptation to “keep up appearances” and the impulse to own something new, however, would NOT be possible at this time because of insufficient funds. Paw told me that I should keep my old car because it is already paid off. Eric, a VERY fugly ex-boyfriend of mine long ago, told me that a good car can last twenty years if you take good care of it.
And since I am NOT mechanically minded like my brother, who told me that my bad fuel pump was the culprit for the engine stopping during hot weathers; since I don’t know anything about taking apart the car for repairs or the reasons why the car malfunctions; and since don’t care about the contents under the hood and don’t clutter the trunk or interior of my car, other than a box of tissue paper and an umbrella, I still have my 1998 Ford Mustang, which still runs good after 13 years of normal commuting to and from work and home.
All I know is how to bring in the car for oil changes and to wash/vacuum it myself. I also do know that I’m “playing for keeps”. After all, why give up something that has been part of me? Owning a car is much like having a family, which cannot be replaced or given up so easily, no matter what types of troubles they bring. I take up after my parents, who like to buy durable goods and keepsakes that will last a lifetime. And that’s why I cannot give up on my car or “my family”.
Leave a Reply