My Car Journey After Passing My Test 11 Years Ago
Just writing that title is pretty scary for me, how has it been 11 years since I passed my driving test?! That thought alone is pretty bewildering. Like most kids my age at my school, I started lessons as soon as I turned 17. They were expensive. And while my parents did help a little I was working so financed most of them myself. Due to a long summer holiday and Christmas break, I passed my driving test just over a year after I started lessons. The first time might I add *slight gloating*.
I was very lucky when I passed my driving test that I had a car to use. Although when my brother passed his test 18 months after me we did have to share it. Although this didn’t last very long as he bought his own car. I started off with a mustard gold-coloured Daewoo Matiz with a 0.66-litre engine. They don’t even make engines this small any more so it was pretty much like a go-kart. I could get it up to 90 on a motorway if I pushed it, but you could feel it. As the engine was so small the front didn’t have too much of a bonnet so it was pretty boxy shaped.
My very first car
For a first car, it was absolutely great. When else could you get a full tank of petrol for about £25? But a number of years later I decided to upgrade to another Daewoo. This time it was a Kalos. It was a 1.2-litre engine which was a beast compared to what I was used to. And it was such a stunning metallic blue colour. Sadly after having it for less than a year, it was written off in an accident thanks to a speeding lorry. So I had to look for another car.
I loved what I had so bought another one the same. Although this time it was a Chevrolet Kalos as they had taken over Daewoo. But for all intents and purposes, it was the same car. This one did me well for a few years until I got to 2017 and decided that I wanted to get myself a decent car. Normally I wouldn’t have even thought about a brand new car, but I had a friend who worked at Renault and the discount swayed me.
During this time I really wish I had taken more photos of my cars. Looking back through my phone reel I couldn’t find many. Tyre City has a great graphic with some hints and tips on how to take great photos. Something I’ll need to take note of going forward to try and keep some memories.
Buying my very first car
I spent a little while working out exactly how I wanted the car down to the colour of the wheel rims and the added extras. I had originally planned on keeping the car for a long time so wanted it to last. In February 2017 I had the call to say my new Renault Clio Dynamique S Nav was ready for collection. I was like a kid at Christmas the first time I drove it. For 18 blissful months, I was in a bubble that I had a brand new car but then things changed.
Luke was driving a Mercedes C-Class car to work as an electrician and it really wasn’t practical. The boot was full of tools and although spacious wasn’t big enough. He bought it brand new in 2016 before we started dating and he didn’t worry about the cost of it. It was slowly being paid off on finance but it was pretty hefty per month with a balloon payment at the end of the 4 years.
He decided he needed a van for work, it made sense and was practical, but he didn’t need that and a car. Plus it made no sense for us to have 3 vehicles between the two of us, cost-wise if nothing else. We couldn’t sell the Mercedes as it still had a lot if money to pay off, so we decided it made sense for me to sell the Renault. I hated the thought of selling it but then my dad mentioned that he was looking for a new car. To cut a long story short he ended up buying it off me and I was so happy. Not only did I get the price I was looking for and didn’t have to stress about the sale. But it has stayed in the family and I know it will be treated right.
My car future
Since around November last year the Mercedes has now been my car and what I use on a day-to-day basis for work. I never realised how much I would love an automatic car until I used this. The tech is great and I feel really fancy when I’m driving it around. We have no plans to switch up cars anytime soon, but I know in the future when we sell this one we’ll go car shopping together.
What was your first car?
23 responses to “My Car Journey After Passing My Test 11 Years Ago”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
Nothing currently planned
My first (and only!) car has been a Toyota Yaris. Amazingly it’s still going after 15 years!
Wow you’ve done so well to keep it for 15 years x
I’m still driving my first car, which is a Fiat Panda! My Mum bought it for me when I passed my test. I’m really looking into getting another though as I want to change to automatic.
Wow that’s amazing that it’s lasted you so long. Oh my goodness once you get an automatic you’ll never want to go back! That’s how I feel and I never thought I’d like it x
It was lovely reading about your experience! I totally agree, the driving lessons cost quite a lot and it does get a little awkward when a new driver is learning to drive in the hope to pass the test.
I still haven’t learnt to drive – I did lessons years ago, then I got ill and didn’t carry on. I hope to learn later this year.
I am still learning to drive at the ripe old age of 29! I hope to pass this year, fingers crossed. I will look forward to buying my first ever car.
Good luck with your test x
I took 6 attempts to pass my driving test! But I’ve been driving 18 years now and only had one accident. Great infographic on taking car photos, buying cars is the worst job ever!
That’s so good, I think sometimes the nerves get the better of people or other bad drivers on the road x
I passed my driving test over a year ago now, but I haven’t got a car as of yet (I’m getting one in the summer) it took me 4 attempts to pass! Jealous that it only took you one time, you must be a great driver. I’ve always been curious about an automatic as they just seem easier.
I think sometimes people fail due to nerves or bad drivers around you so even though it took you 4 times that doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. My mum took hers about 8 times and kept failing so gave up! An automatic is definitely easier and gives you more time to focus on other things as opposed to changing gears x
I passed my driving test just over 4 years ago. My first car was an ancient Volkswagen Polo and I loved it right up until the moment it broke down on the motorway last year, leaving me stranded in the snow! I now have a Volkswagen Up which is much more reliable.
Oh no that must have been awful, what bad timing (even though a car breaking down is always bad timing!) x
Wow I feel old, it’s 22 years since I passed my driving test (I then wrote off my dads brand new car 2 weeks later) and have had so many cars since then I’ve lost count!
Oh dear I bet he wasn’t too happy with you x
I still can’t drive I have a terrible phobia of driving that I am determined to overcome some day!
You’ll overcome it when the time feels right to you! x
I passed my test first time but was lucky to have a partner that had a car. Fast forward 30 years and i finally have a Mini Cooper that I love buzzing around in. It is 14 years old and I would love a newer model but whilst it is still running like a top, I am not going to knock it.
A mini cooper is such a classic car, love it x
I passed my test 4 years ago, but still haven’t bought a car. It’s quite scary!
Ahh automatic cars are my favourite, all my friends have them too! They’re so easy and fuss free! I’m not massively into cars at all but that my only “requirement”when I look for one!
I passed my test 9 years ago (first time too!) and only just bought my first car last year. It’s a nice little nippy Toyota Aygo Xplay. I really should take more photos of it!