Posted on: Tuesday, August 3, 2004

DRIVE TIME
Confession of loyalty to 1990 Civic brings car lovers out of closet

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

When I wrote about my can't-give-it-away attachment to my 1990 Honda Civic with nearly 130,000 miles on it, I figured it was something special.

It turns out there are a lot of you out there who have both sentimental and practical attachments to your old cars. Many people wrote in to share their stories about trusty old vehicles they've had around for a lot longer than I have.

Here's a sampling of some of those love stories:

• "We have a 1986 Cutlass Supreme Oldsmobile and we just can't part with it. The new cars are not as durable and solid. I have had offers from strangers to buy the car. I guess the younger generation finds the 1986 Cutlass a beauty as much as I do." — Faith

• "Your story could have well been about me and my '91 Honda. My car was the first new auto I'd purchased. It was built in Japan and originally shipped to California. Being a seasoned 'seagoing' car, my Civic has also 'cruised' to both Kaua'i and Maui via the barge when I've had jobs on those islands.

"Its faded license plate: 4-EVER." — Collin Macdonald

• "We had our trusty '82 Honda for many years. ... Could not give it up, kept it running no matter what. ... Even got free Thanksgiving brunch two years in a row because Halekulani security guards would not let us in the garage. It finally got rear-ended on the freeway a couple of years ago, but we still keep the keys and a photo and use the quilted Hawaiian print shoulder-belt cushion that matched the seat covers in our new VW Golf ... which we love just as much." — Anna Wong

• "Mine is even older than yours, a 1985 Ford Tempo with 157,000 miles on it. When I bought it used for a few bags of empty beer cans, I wasn't sure whether the title said 'Tempo' or 'Clunker.' It clunks just enough to respectably qualify. — Dave Broyles

• "I drive a black 1983 Honda Civic S that I bought new. It has 222,000 mostly non-Island miles (that's a trip to the moon), just a few door dings on the outside, and with my Wet Okole seat covers, it looks like new on the inside. I'll be buried in this car!" — Keith

• "One of my neighbors had a blue '86 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer with 235,000 miles I bought for $2,000. It had more quirks than any car possible. However, in the three years since I've had it, I've discovered it holds more stuff than most other cars, it's very reliable, and I kind of like riding around in it.

"I'll be coming into some money in about a month and my wife says it's time for a different car. It's hard to give up the comfortable and familiar sometimes — but I'm sure when I'm cruising in an '02 Subaru Forester I'll be asking myself, 'Man, what were you thinking?' " — Jeff Weber

• "I have an '89 Honda Civic four-door, which I bought new, with 150,000 miles on it. Absolutely the best car I've ever owned. To borrow from the N.R.A., they're going to have to take the steering wheel 'from my cold dead hands' before I get rid of it." — John Haney

• "My parents have a 1977 Olds Cutlass. Originally it was some shade of brown ... but now who knows for sure. The main thing for them is that it runs. It gets them to church, the market and little side activities.

"My sister and I decided we had finally seen them suffer long enough so we split the cost of a used 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis. It was a Christmas present two years ago and ever since then it is their car of choice. But, and there is a but, that 1977 Olds Cutlass is still in front of the house waiting on standby whenever needed. It's kind of like a household pet that you would never get rid of." — Zane Burns

• "I've got four cars. The new one is two years old with 23K. The other three total 47 years and 519,000 miles. They're paid for, they run well and my wife is paying for the new one and I drive it. They are cared for and they care for me. Loyalty is a two-way street." — Bob

If you've got an old car story worth telling, send it to Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.