Transport Stories

Over the holidays, someone very close to me was able to upgrade two of the vehicles that he rotates for use amongst himself and his family. And I am about mere new vehicles which used as my driving lesson. I am talking about very significant upgrades from a pair of still very roadworthy top on the line Japanese mid sized sedan to brand spanking new luxury vehicles of the European kind. Now do not get me wrong. I am very happy for this person, very glad that he is able to enjoy the fruits of labor. He was also doing driving lesson too. But are not we supposed to be facing an impending financial crisis?

Oh well, being around folk who can afford to indulge in new car buying sprees has its up and downs. I guess. It is all part of the job, I suppose. But here is a fact that I love cars as much as the next guy. Unfortunately, like most of us mere mortals, I do feel the crunch. And much as I would like to, I cannot as yet afford even a single brand new vehicle. So like most of the rest of the people in the world, I am faced with a dilemma about my driving lesson. I cannot afford a brand new car, but it is a new year and I do not want to feel left out. Here is the list of suggestions.

Spoil your baby. And by that I mean give it a little sprinkling of new where you can. My decade old Nissan Cefiro, for example, just got a new set of rims and rubbers, courtesy of Wheel Gallery. I was riding a motor into the Wheel Gallery showroom one January morning and spoke my pal George Dante, purveyor of all things. He took a look at my erstwhile trusty high performance two year old tires and recommended that I upgrade to something just a wee bit thicker in diameter to help improve my car’s ride. Then he suggested that I change my rims as well, as this would make me feel that at least there was something new to see in my car’s stance. A little later, he accepted my old rims and tires as a trade in cost.

As I drove off from the showroom. I immediately realized that the car’s ride did improve. I tell you, an extra five millimeters of extra rubber can do wonders to make you feel less of the road undulations Metro Manila streets are so famous for. And performance wise, not much is sacrificed with such a small adjustment to ride height. Plus, the added peace of mind of a brand new set of tires is unquantifiable.

About a week after my visit to Wheel Gallery, I notice that my car seemed to be sipping a bit more fuel than it normally would. So I had my engine checked and realized that my oil filter and fuel injector needed some extra attention. I had both replaced and now the classic car Cefiro is as fuel efficient as it ever was. Basically, inside and out, there is something new in my ten year old car. And performance wise, it shows.

I realize that my little splurging spree might come out a bit costly, but it certainly is not going to cost even half of what I would spend if I were to purchase a brand new car. This is exactly why I am not about ready to stop quite yet. If there is another thing that can add a gazillion points to an old car, it is a new paint job or at least good wash over. If you can afford neighbor, then the next best thing would be what I plan to give my car next. Apparently, there are several establishments that can do the job at varying costs. I am in the process of canvassing right now. But I am certain that the first quarter ends, I will have accomplished this task well.

I also plan to add a few more knickknacks along the way. Before the year ends, I will have upgraded little things and not so little things in my car. From new wiper blades to new speakers, there will be changes necessary.

See the truth of the matter is that harbinger of economic doom, the angel of financial death, is sounding off the warning bell for a reason. Things will get a little tight in the coming months. This whole globalization thing all but guarantees it. But we need not shrivel up and die. We might not all of us be able to afford brand new cars, but there are ways in which we can ensure that the vehicles that we do have in our possession right now can continue to stay roadworthy. Besides, it is our responsibility to do so. I say we do just that. The newbie car driver must learn in driving lesson or driving schools.