To my Car.

My car turns 10 this year (in July to be exact). We've done 368,163 kms together so far - over 9 times around the Earth.
I bought my Toyota Camry CSX in 1998, brand new, the photo was taken about a week after it came home.

The only car I've owned since new, thus far. It is still going strong and drives as well as the day I brought it home from the dealer.

I put its longevity down to a couple of things...

1. It's a Toyota. Love 'em or hate 'em you have to admit they just keep going.

2. I've had it serviced every 10,000 kms. Check the log book, it's all in there.

3. I look after the car. I have a number of friends that can attest to the way I treat her as they knew me when I had my 1984 XX Corona.

I have trouble believing it's been a decade.

I still remember the day I went in and spoke to the sales guy and picked out all the options. (The choice of colour wasn't mine. I got advice from the neighbors kids at the time, and am glad I did.) I still have the brochure!

I remember washing my Corona on the morning it was to leave me. I remember driving my Corona into the dealer on the day I picked up the Camry. (I should have kept the Corona.. it was worth nothing but still very reliable)

I remember arriving at the dealer to see my new wheels glowing in the showroom.

I remember handing over my key, driving away, leaving my Corona behind... a sad day.

I remember arriving home with my new wheels. I was happy with my new purchase. I was concerned about my repayments on the loan (I hadn't exactly been truthful with the finance application). I missed my Corona and hoped it would go to a good home.

That was 10 years ago, I still think fondly of my Corona and the places we went together.

I don't really understand the mentality of people who only see their car as a tool to get them from A to B and that's it.
Those who say "It's just a CAR!".
I don't think those people really look after their vehicles the way they should, and I don't mean just washing it every week.
They're probably the ones who go through cars every couple of years and think nothing of it, perhaps citing "unreliability" as the reason for the change.

If one truly takes care of a vehicle, keep it serviced, and in good running order, how can one not become attached to it?

If you look after your car, it looks after you. It becomes attached to YOU.

My car's birthday present this year will be a complete detail, cut and polish, and where necessary a re-spray. She may be 10 and have a lot of km's under her wheels, but she's going to look brand spanking new because I owe her that much at least.

Note: I have just decided that a future post will include photos of my Camry at the places she's taken me over the past 10 years. Stay tuned, constant reader.