Many of us around the world share a common memory – one that brings joy, laughter and occasional sadness. That memory is of our very first car. On a purely financial level, buying a car is a significant issue. Breaking it down, there are a number of issues to consider:
· Buy an old banger?
· Where can I get insurance?
· What sort of car is suitable?
· Can I get the car I want?
As you can see, there are a huge number of purely financial concerns. From my own perspective, I chose not to get into any sort of financial debt for my first car (I was lucky enough to be able to afford to buy a used older vehicle outright), but many do not have this luxury. Therefore, buying a vehicle is an investment.
The new Seat advert plays on this. You have a new investment. Some see it as a toy, others as a means to get around and of course a status symbol. So, a car can mean a few different things. Of course, the duty to keep it clean, tidy and in perfect working order is of paramount too!
The new purchase, the over-one-tonne piece of metal that is now on your drive, outside your house, inside your garage, is suddenly part of you. You might think, well, I could take that usual trip on the bus, but then why would you? You have that FREEDOM that is so significant.
That’s what a car represents I believe, and that’s why it is such a symbol for the US. It is a symbol of so much more than the parts it uses to run and it grants the user almost unlimited freedom around the land on which its’ wheels rests.
On a personal level, my very first car was something a little bit special. I’m sure yours was too, but mine was special for a very particular reason. I bought it at a car auction. I’m not too sure if you have many of them in America but we have a network of them here in the UK. Essentially, it’s like any other auction, but there are cars on the stands instead of artwork or antiques!
I saw my car in the crowd (a Fiat Punto Sporting as it happens) of vehicles in the sales area. As it was first wheeled in, I heard the description and it sounded promising. Full service history, alloy wheels, full electrics, 16V, zingy engine… I immediately thought it looked okay. However, I’d never done the whole auction thing for a vehicle, so I was quite nervous.
Luckily, on the day, I was with my uncle and my father, who helped ensure I got not only the car I wanted but pretty much what turned out to be the best car on the day. It was amazingly quiet, in surprisingly good shape and best of all really loved to be revved!
Eventually a newer, faster model replaced my old Fiat Punto Sporting. However, this doesn’t change the fact that it has a very, very special place indeed in my heart. I’d driven that car for a lot of miles and it had shared good times and bad with me. Suddenly I knew why a vehicle became more than the sum of its’ parts, and I’m sure you do too.
A car has a personality, just like you or I. My Fiat Punto Sporting had a personality that was all heart – it had a small engine (only a 1.2) but it had a big heart – just giving and giving, even making sure I got home safely when I had a problem with the brakes. Overall, I loved my first car – and much like our first anything else, it will always remain very special indeed.