| Quote, originally posted by QX4dahuneys » |
| Lucky for you all that have had nice vehicles at 18. I started with a 92 Ford Explorer.  |
depends on what year you were 18.
When I was 18, I didn't have a car. At least not one I could consider mine, or even anything I drove consistently.
My brother taught me how to drive (blame him if my driving scares you) in his Pontiac 6000 STE. After I got my license ('94 at age 16) and for about a year, I drove a 1987 Ford Escort 2 door hatchback, which my other brother just recently bought (I have two brothers, both older). The radio was stolen very shortly after he bought it (or maybe he bought it without a radio, I forget), the heater barely worked and the driver's door lock was missing the part where to insert the key. That meant I had to open up the passenger side, reach over to unlock the driver side, THEN run back around to get in. It also meant I had to drive to school in relative silence and in bitter cold, seeing as I lived in Chicago. You ever try driving a stick, when you're numb from the cold? 
By the time the interior warmed up, I'd already be in class (as late as I usually was). Driving that car, gave my a lot of the experience and skill I use today.
The reason I only drove it a year, was because my brother sold it. The starter went bad. Actually, shortly before it was sold, the only way to start it, was to put the car in gear, and push it, of course this required two people. As one person pushes the car (usually me), the other sits inside with their foot on the clutch pedal while in 1st gear (usually my brother). Once you get a momentum going, you lift up on the clutch and hope the engine starts (just imagine the reverse of how power transfers from the engine to the road). If it doesn't start, try again! This happened over the summer, so I didn't deal with it when driving to school. Replacing the starter probably would've cost more than what he paid for the car itself. But, if they had asked me, I would've kept the car, shoot, I'd have offered to pay them back with my tiny allowance! 
But you know what... I miss that car. I'd like to see a show of hand of how many of you guys have fit TEN people in YOUR PF/QX4s... granted, nine of us were Asians (10th was a little "white" chick), but it's still, in a 2 door hatchback!!! 
After the hatchback, I ended up back on the good ol' mass transit, because there wasn't any "extra" car for me to drive. Senior year and no car... 
edit: apparently it's actually counted as "3 door" hatchback.
Modified by UndeGuy at 11:57 AM 7/9/2009
"Half year? What the heck is a 1999.5 model PF?!?" - me when trying to buy parts for the my brother-in-law's 99.5 PF.
