The Carolina Hot Rod, originally uploaded by doltman7.

I would like to take a moment to salute the amazing Carolina Hot Rod. It is a 1990 Geo Prism, which is basically the same car as a Toyota Corolla but with GM branding. I like to say that they accidently made this car reliable. The Geo brand is not a premium brand and I’m sure the auto makers would prefer it die 10 years ago so I will buy a new car. The odometer stopped working in 2002 at 146,000 miles. Since then, I have no idea how far I’ve driven it or how fast I’m going. This car belonged to my wife before we were married and I inherited it when she got a VW Passat. At the time, we thought the car “was on its last legs”. My good friend Joe Barach took it and fixed a simple problem with an oil gasket. Since then it has had very minimal maintenance. Now, mind you, it drives like a shopping cart and many things aren’t working so well.

Here’s a list of it’s problems:

  • The paint is so oxidized, it is now a pink car. (Pink is punk right?)
  • The ceiling fabric is held up with about 100 straight pins.
  • 3 out of four door handles aren’t working well or completely broken.
  • The radio only picks up 1110AM. I prefer that station so that’s not a huge issue.
  • The suspension has been in dire need of replacement since circa 2004. So speed bumps and hard corners are a big deal.
  • Don’t ever roll down the passenger window.
  • The windshield washer reservoir is broken so there is no hope for a clean windshield.
  • No odometer or speedometer. I’ve learned to estimate speed very well.

Now onto the positive points:

  • It still runs, shaking it’s fist in glory over all the fancy newer cars that are hard to maintain. (I’m looking at you Volkswagen!)
  • I have a sweet airbrushed license plate from Myrtle Beach.
  • The AC still runs.
  • It gets good gas mileage for my commute to work.

Hot Rod nameplate
Lessons Learned
This car has taught me the importance of finding a vehicle that needs as little repairs as possible. People spend so much money on vehicles and worry about such silly things like the brand and color. My car transports me to work just as well as the $50,000 car next to me but I doubt I would ever spend half that buying, running, and repairing this car in its entire lifetime. Find a car and run it into the ground, not until you get tired of it. Not until it seems like it’s done, but actually when it leaves it’s guts on the highway. If a car runs and needs $300-400 worth of work, it might be worth fixing. Some people pay $400 a month on their car payments.

I live with the understanding that my car could break down at any moment. I have AAA to help with a tow but I’ve never used it on this car. When it does decide to leave this world. I’ll find another really cheap car to carry the torch. Happy Driving!