I've always been both pragmatic and a bit of a sentimentalist. My dependable old Honda Civic, a reminder of innumerable road trips, hectic commutes, and even a few first dates, sat in my driveway for years. But as is always the case, time had taken its toll. Despite my best efforts, the engine coughed and […]

For many years, my beat-up old car has been a constant in my life. It has accompanied me on numerous commutes throughout Minnesota, road trips, and moves. However, I've recently had to face the fact that it's not worth investing any more money. The exhaust system sounds more like a dying animal than a car, […]

For years, the crisp Minnesota air has been my constant companion. It frequently smells of damp earth and pine needles. My car has, too. It has persevered through my dubious singing along to the radio, navigated innumerable potholes that resemble miniature Grand Canyons, and experienced more Minnesota winters than I would like to count. However, […]

For years, the rumble of tires and the symphony of honking horns have been my constant background music. Bless its metal heart, my old car has served as my reliable companion, my mobile workspace, my entryway to adventures, & occasionally, my haven. But time has caught up, just like everything else. The engine coughs a […]

Ten years of memories were reflected in the rearview mirror as I stood in my driveway. A metallic blue relic from my youth, my dependable sedan was nearing the end of its useful life. In its tattered back seat, I had driven it through blizzards, across state lines for numerous road trips, and even welcomed […]

I never imagined that I would need to write an article about this, but here I am. Owning a car that has turned into a burden rather than a blessing is an odd situation. For many years, my car—let's refer to her as "Betsy"—was my reliable companion. We had taken numerous road trips, negotiated traffic […]

I've always been one to value a good deal, particularly when it means getting rid of something I don't need and making a little extra money. I knew it was time when my reliable old sedan began to show signs of wear and tear, such as an excessive number of dashboard warning lights, an unidentifiable […]

Every time I check my reliable horse's odometer, my heart sinks a little. It has taken me down the winding roads of the North Shore, across the vast stretches of the prairie, and through innumerable Minnesota winters. However, as the numbers continue to rise, the thought of selling it becomes more and more prominent in […]

The old clunker in my driveway, which has been more decoration than a means of transportation for months, has been on my mind lately. The paint is faded, there's a suspicious rattle that sounds more like a bag of wrenches than an engine, and the interior has a subtle French fry smell. To be honest, […]

I am aware of your thoughts. It's just taking up space, that clunker in your driveway that has been a continual source of mild annoyance and perhaps even some embarrassment. It is rusting away, drawing mosquitoes, and adding to the overall "neglect" aesthetic that you are attempting to counter. You've undoubtedly thought about taking it […]