How Many Cars Have You Owned In Your Life-Time?

@gtargirl (5376)
United States
June 18, 2009 8:40pm CST
When did you buy your first car? Did your parents help you with the payments or insurance? How many cars have you owned since and what kind of memories do they evoke?
6 people like this
15 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Jun 09
my first was a 49 Chevy black. Paid for it our selves mom and dad didnt help Since then oh my have owned about 30 cars some used some not. Our mine and hubbies first new one was a 72 Pontiac and we put 3,000 miles on it in no time driving from where we lived to nashville every night. What a blast we had witht hat car after that we had to trade about every 3 years for the miles we put on traveling to jobs across the states!
3 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
23 Jun 09
very interesting life and I miss the moving around. But really alot of memories that I can fall back on and relive in my mind. I even pass them on to kids and grand kids
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Thirty cars!!! Oh my!! Sounds like you've had an interesting life and probably way too many memories, lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 09
My parents gave me my first car for my 16th birthday. It was a 1987 bright red 2-door Buick Skyhawk. I wrecked it 7 months later. I am now 30, and am not sure I can remember all of my cars. Let's see......'87 Buick Skyhawk; '87 Camaro Z28; '89 Oldmobile Calais; '89 Camaro Z28; '89 Ford Escort; '89 Honda Prelude; '96 Olsmobile Toronado; '92 Ford Probe; '02 Dodge Neon; '95 Nissan Pathfinder; '95 Ford Firebird; '94 Toyota Pickup; '90 Chevrolet Corsica; '99 Chevrolet Cavalier; '00 Nissan Altima....I think that's all, but I'm really not sure. LOL. As you can see, I never keep a car very long. I end up gettig tired of them and so I will sell and buy a new one. Right now, I have the Dodge Neon and the Nissan Pathfinder. (I'm trying to sell the Pathfinder). Oh, of all of the cars that I can remember having, I have memories in. Some I can't tell anyone, some aren't very good, and some are funny. But all of them make up different parts of my life. And I know that I'm far from being done. I look forward to new cars and new experiences.
3 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
That is quite a list of cars, my friend, and adding to it, I see. Pretty amazing. I think you should write a book, lol, "Life, Cars and Memories." How's that?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 09
I forgot about the '96 Hyundai Accent LOL
3 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I have never owned a car in my name. I have never had nothing but permits although I can drive really well, I get nervous when strangers are in the car dictating what way I should go and judging my every move. My husband has owned many cars although he haven't owned one in about 14 years but yet he keeps his drivers license even hough he won't drive.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Yeah but a I.D is cheaper.. But there is the just in case I ever need it one of these days scenario that is why he keeps it. How do I get around? Well, I rely on family to get to town usually my mom or my husband hires his brothers wife to take me rare occasions.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Jun 09
My mom is the same way. She hasn't driven for over twenty years, yet she keeps renewing her license. It's good for an ID, I guess. If you and your husband don't drive, how do you get around?
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
19 Jun 09
I bought my first car when I was 18 - the earliest one could get a license back home.Well... I didn't exactly buy it, my dad bought it for me. He paid for insurance too. Oh! the memories :):) It's like another life. Having money for everything I needed or just wanted:) Darn it's about the only thing I miss from that time - apart from my parents of course. Well, after that I came to Canada and learned to be poor LOL We have had 2 cars ever since I'm here. One was a Renault and served us very well for 16 years. It was still working nicely then, but it wasn't going to pass the emissions test in here, so we had to buy another one. We have this last one since 2001. It's still going nice and pretty and we hope to keep it for some time more. My first car brings memories of a carefree life. No big responsibilities, crazy trips ( like deciding to go to Spain for a coffee LOL ) and just being young and with money. The other ones... well each one brings different memories. Some good, some not so good.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
I just think it's crazy and wonderful that a car brings back so many different memories for most of us.
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
21 Jun 09
Yes they do.. and many almost forgotten until you post this discussion. It was nice to remember :)
1 person likes this
• Australia
19 Jun 09
I bought my first second hand car when I was 19 - I'd been working part time since I was 14, so I didn't need my mum to contribute any money towards the car or its upkeep. I bought a newer second hand car when I was 23, and again paid for everything myself. Both of my cars were Hyundai Excels - great little cars, cheap to run and easy to manage in the city. I sold my second car when I was 25 as I was going overseas, and haven't owned a car since. I tend to walk or catch public transport, and occasionally borrow my sister's car if I really need a car for something.
3 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Very interesting. So I gather that the public transportation works out well for you? I don't know if I could do it. Too many schedules to go by, I guess. Walking is always good. I really should do a lot more of that.
1 person likes this
• Australia
22 Jun 09
It isn't always convenient, especially on weekends, but it's fine for during the week. I work in the cbd, and only live 20 minutes away by public transport (or 40 minutes walk), so it's fine during the week. On the weekend it becomes a bit more tricky, as friends and family live 40 - 50 minutes away (if driving), so it becomes a 3+ hour trip to get to them using tram, trains and buses (need to use all three). Still, I see it as doing my bit for the environment, and I just have to deal with the inconvenience on the weekend.
1 person likes this
@samijo719 (1052)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I have owned 2 cars. My first car didn't have payments and I payed the insurance. The biggest memory with either car for me is that my first car was my present from my dad on my 16th birthday. It was buy no means a super fancy car like some kids get it was a Ford Escort, cute and reliable. And I just remember the creative way my dad wrapped the manual to it and it had stickies explaning it was to my new car and the keys were inside it. I remember how excited I was and how I could believe I had a car!
3 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
That's so sweet. Nice present for a sweet sixteen birthday. Plus he made sure you were responsible for your own insurance--always a good lesson in life. Nice!!!
• Canada
19 Jun 09
I have never owned a car in my life. I am lagelly blind, and unable to drive, so owning a car would not be a good thing for me, unless i could afford to pay someone to drive it. However, when I win the lottery, I do plan to buy a limo and hire a friend of mine to drive it.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Sounds like a plan, my friend. And I like the fact that you would hire a friend. Nice!
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Pontiac Sunbird - Classic Pontiac Sunbird
My first car was a 79 Pontiac Sunbird which I restored ( looked similar to the one pictured below but with more chrome ). It was a nice classic ride. I paid for it myself. I drove that car all through college. It's probably still my favorite. My second was a 84 Sunbird which I tricked out then ran into the ground doing pizza delivery. The third was a Cavileer Z24 which I also tricked out. I sold it when I moved to Montana. My 4th is an older Chevy Blazer The 5th is a Isuzu Rodeo. Hopefully it'll last a while. I've always handled the insurance.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Ah yes, I let my brother do all the "tricking" out of cars. He actually made a Pinto look good. Hard to do. You guys are so handy and gifted.
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Pontiac Sunbird - Classic Pontiac Sunbird
Found a better picture. This one is almost exactly how mine looked once I had it fully restored.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
30 Jun 09
I have not owned a car, because I do not have a driver's license. My husband has owned at least four.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I got my first car, I think, in 1990. I paid for it myself and my parents did nopt help me with it. I think I have owned close to 10 vehicles since then, as I like to upgrade them ever so often. I really miss my Ranger I used to have though.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I wonder if everyone has one car that was kind of special to them? Must be the memories.
1 person likes this
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
19 Jun 09
I bought my first car when I was 20 years old. (A long time ago lol). I was working at the time and paid for the car and insurance by myself. I am on my 4th car now. thankfully I changed it out of choice and not because of any accident. The car we have now is a 7 seater which we had to get out of necessity. We have 4 kids and my step son visits a lot in the week too. :)
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Ah yes, having a family sure changes things. It's a good change though. I've only owned four cars also, plus one I shared with my husband way back when we were married.
• India
18 Jul 09
Hello my friend gtargirl Ji, Well, to be very frank, and dis-appoint you in the orderly manner, we do not have any car so far, my son has . But with regards to me , we do not have, when we thought of having with our own funds, we found licensing authority would not permit and also our vision cam eon its way. We will see in next life. May God bless you and have a great time.
• United States
19 Jun 09
Well I bought Estate station wagon for my first car myself at 18, I have gone through 14 vehicles since then to the vehicle I have now, which is a 1988 Lincoln Town car, that was my Mothers, given to me after she passed. There are many memories of them, the one that comes to mind is the plymouth fury I owned. I was on my way to taking a friend of mind to a doctors appt. Problems was there was a snow storm going on, still we figured we could get there slow but sure. I drove the road from memory for the most part, the storm turned into a blizzard. We came around this corner and it was like the wind stopped to show us that the road was full of vehicles that had crashed into each other. I tried to pull in the ditch thing was there were people in the ditch, I was able to stop before my car hit anyone elses. I was about to try and get to the side of the road when we were hit twice once in the trunk, and once on the drivers side. As the car was being hit I watched my friend go down twice in to the front seat floor, she was stunned. Once the car stopped, I know I kept yelling we have to get out, NOW.. I reached acrossed her and opened her door and started to push her out, she got out. When I went to get out, I let out a very loud scream, I couldn't stand up. Not one person that was standing around us came to help. Then this man came up to us, said here let me help, he grabbed me and carried me to his Semi truck on the other side of the 10 car plus accident seen. It was hard to get me up in his truck, he was ready to rip out his passengers seat to get me in. I said no and just pushed myself in screamed but was in. We waited for the ambulance, it came, had a time getting out of the truck ...lol we made it though to the hospital. The thing was on the way to the hospital I heard the driver was having trouble seeing the road, I prayed that we would make it through. Over heard one of them say "look out for that station wagon" ... I had a few broken ribs, we both had wip lash, she had some brusing and cuts as well. The station wagon that almost side swiped the ambulance was my mom going to her appointment for her work. Hows that for a memory from 1978
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jun 09
Forgot something with that accident, after all said and done, my trunk was in my back seat, the amazing part was the front didn't get one dent. I had stopped far enough away that even after being hit several times after we were out of it, it never hit another vehicle. I have other memories of vehicles I have owned, that one just stuck out the most when I read your question..
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Wow!! I'm glad you guys made it through. Not a pleasant memory I'm sure, but making it out alive is something good to hold on to. It's also a miracle that your car did not hit anyone else. And what are the chances of almost hitting your mom when you were en route to the hospital. Another Wow! It must have been quite an experience since you still remember it so vividly. Glad you're still with us.
1 person likes this
• India
19 Jun 09
how many cars i have owned........frankly speaking i have not owned a single car still.......but yes i would love to own one for me.......and i want to buy that car from my money i won't take any money from my parents........i know it would be a bit difficult but it will make them proud......
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Jun 09
. . . and you'll probably appreciate it more. Plus I'm sure a sense of accomplishment goes with buying something on your own. That's just my take on things.
• India
24 Jun 09
My first car is a Maruti 800 which was a gift from my parents. I have the car at present. Its very precious to me and I look after the car very well. I am emotionally attached with my car.