Your car doesn’t have to be perfect

Enjoying Cars Without Chasing Perfection

Cars do not have to be perfect to be enjoyable. Keeping one pristine can create anxiety and make its owner afraid to drive it. A cheaper, imperfect car, by contrast, may be easier to use freely.

The Everyday MR2 Spyder

The speaker’s everyday Toyota MR2 Spyder has cracked headlights, scratches, paint chips, small dents, a misaligned bumper, a repaired tear in the roof, and a seat patched with faux leather. Despite these flaws, it is fun to drive.

In the past, the speaker tried to perfect rare cars by tracking down replacement parts and repairing every blemish. As those cars became more valuable and immaculate, he drove and enjoyed them less.

Use What You Own

The speaker prefers a less expensive, higher-mileage car with minor issues. It can offer nearly as much enjoyment for about half the price, with less worry about driving it hard.

Even a beautiful, rare car may not be serving its purpose if it is rarely driven. Owners might consider whether maintaining perfection is taking away from the pleasure of using what they own.

A Broader Perspective

The speaker encourages people to appreciate what they have today: care for their bodies, spend time with loved ones, express appreciation, and avoid putting off enjoyment while waiting for everything to be perfect.

This outlook was shaped in part by the speaker’s younger brother’s long battle with lung cancer and his death six years earlier. That experience prompted reflection on how short and precious life is.

References

Cars mentioned include the Toyota MR2 Spyder, Honda Insights, sixth-generation Honda Civic EM1, Honda CRX, Porsche, Omni GLH, and Mustang Dark Horse. Walmart and car shows are also referenced.

Speaker: GenXJeff