Reading Rodney's blog today made me chuckle....but it also reminded me of my first car....and a valuable lesson learned.

As an undergrad at Tulane University in New Orleans in the 80s, I found myself needing wheels. After several months of nagging my parents, my father arranged for my grandmother to finance the purchase....and it wasn't long before a very nice check arrived. Flush with cash, I started visiting dealerships and test driving automobiles. I soon fell in love. But, the car of my dreams wasn't a Camaro, it wasn't a Honda Accord nor was it a Datsun 280zx....all popular choices with other 19 years olds at the time. No, the car I absolutley had to have, the car I spent all my money on (including an additional $1,000 I scrounged from hours of babysitting), the car I bought was a Renault Fuego.

That's right a French car with a Spanish name. I think Fuego means "fire." I bought the car because I thought it was different and sophisticated...just what I wanted to be. It had a silver exterior, a honey brown leather interior...and the largest sunroof I had ever seen....without being a convertible (something my parents had nixed). But, the car of my dreams soon became a nightmare. While it was relatively easy to service in the Northeast, Renault was about as foreign to Louisiana as Jambalaya was to Pennsylvania (my home state). You're probably thinking a new car doesn't need much "service." Unfortunately, my Fuego soon needed a lot of help. By the time, I completed my junior year I was ready to give up. My mother kindly agreed to trade her unsexy Subaru for my lovely lemon. The only problem: I still had to drive it from New Orleans to Philadelphia. And, do so without being able to open the hood which had a broken latch. It was a stressful journey, but we made it.

My Fuego remained in our family for a few more years until my mother finally had enough of it. I forget what she bought next....but it was most likely something dependable like a Honda or Toyota. I currently drive a GMC SUV....which has been reliable....despite GM's financial problems. When it's time to replace it I will most likely get something similar. To me a car is about getting from here to there....safely.

After my first and only auto romance, I learned to do my homework. I carefully check the reliability of a car before I buy....and its service record. I have never again allowed myself to fall in love (with a car).