First Post, First Car

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve) 04/20/2014 at 16:52 • Filed to: None

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Introduction to Me

My name is Vicente Esteve, and I am a 17 year old Mexican boy who loves the motor car and everything it represents. Since I was a small boy I have had uncountable experiences with cars or driving. My mother told me I learned by memory each car of each page every time she bought me a magazine, and I would not turn the page until each car was filed in my brain. My father told me once they left me in the truck as a toddler, I started it and was about to put it in gear when he came to stop an imminent fender bender from happening. As well as convincing my parents to take me out of school on my 16th birthday to go for my drivers licence. I have lived some happy moments, and all that passion has brought me here. This amazing community where all of my interests, annoyances, curiosities, and happiness has been fulfilled. But after half a year of reading your fantastic articles and pieces I think it is time for me to write something.

Introduction to Oliver

Oliver is a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX, and I can't be happier with him. My dad help me buy it the 15th of January of this year and It has been a hell of an experience. The first time I knew about it I was looking for a car pretty much everywhere. In Mexico, there isn't a well informed auto trader or cars.com as it is in the US. We have autoplaza.com.com which its main info for the buyer is the year and color. No word on the history of the car, and lets keep the owner as anonymous as possible. Thankfully the cars I was looking for are pretty much the most well respected vehicles in the country. Volkswagens. Everyone here must have at least know someone with or has owned one. It could be a beetle, or as we say it here "Vocho", or the almost comically popular Jetta. People have respect for VW, and love them to bits. Anyhow, I was looking for a car that had to absolutely have 2 qualities. Stick, and Sunroof/Convertible. My willingness for the stick is pretty obvious, higher engagement with the car, feeling of being in control, quicker, more economical, cooler. And, my need for a Sunroof/Convertible comes from the fact I live in a beautiful city called Tampico which 10-15 min. from the beach (Im open to give anyone a tour if visiting. Albeit it a short one). I needed that sensation of the sun in my skin.

After days or, months, or a year, I found a small add in the newspaper that read like this. 2001 Cabrio piel (Leather, hence the GLX) STD ( NOT Sexually Transmitted Disease; Standard, hence the manual transmission) 8332451538. I HAD to give it a look, it was like the planets had lined up and it was faith that wanted me to have that car. So I gave him a call and asked for pictures one sunday afternoon. Here is how she looked.

It was a manual, convertible, black VW Cabrio. Just exactly what I was looking for. I told my dad about it, and although he was a bit sceptical at first we went the next day to give it a look. When we went to see it and drive it I had butterflies in my stomach. I drove it for less than a mile, which didn't do much to know the state of the car, but it was my first drive in a Convertible. The awe of the trillion miles of headroom, and the sound of a healthy motor made us forget about the issues it had here and there convinced my dad and I to get it. The next day, he sold an old F-150 he had bought for his workers but wasn't used anymore, and bought the car in the same afternoon. It was one of the most adrenaline filled afternoons I had lived. After the cash was delivered to the buyer who was quite friendly, he put the keys to my palm and it was finally mine. My very first car. Here is a picture the night it was brought to its new home.

I was as happy as a Chihuahua dog when given a treat (From personal experience I know how happy a Chihuahua dog gets with a treat). The car had some issues that I was going to solve with my dad and the help of a friend of his who's a mechanic. Things that needed fixing at the time: Hydraulic roof, door locks, horn, handbrake, door lights, trunk release, trunk light, licence plate light, side indicator lights, new wipers, and it was missing 3 center wheel hubcaps. Also, It had a cheap aftermarket starter button that had to go out, taking off the mud flaps, and the addition I probably hate the most in a car. Window tint. Oh, and an exterior and interior wash was a good idea as well.

Ignoring these, minor issues, the car was a champ. And instead of doing it a mayor check with said mechanic to fix anything that could go wrong I took it to school only to find myself in the side of the road with a flatter battery than a prison bunk bed. I was paying the price. An early 90s 00s VW without previous maintenance was a ticking time bomb. A lovely ticking time bomb.

I called my father and we bought a battery and took it to the mechanic so it would be done all the work that had to be done. After the days it was worked on I went for it and drove it for less than 200 meters where it came to a halt and just would not start again. Thankfully, the mechanic was not far and he was able to take it back to the shop having to keep the car above 3,500 RPM. Another day and a new ignition coil started seemed to be the final piece of the puzzle. After days and days of taking the car from the mechanic and it dying in the most INCONVENIENT places, the car had gone through 4 ignition coils and my mechanic resorted to praying for this car to work. Then, I asked the mechanic where he ordered the parts from. He showed me a gigantic book with pretty much every component in a VW and as he showed me the image of the ignition coil I read it was compatible for the 2.0 litter engine made from 1983 to 1992.

I went straight to the dealer which I tried to avoid at first due to tendency of "Unfairness" (Downright corruption) in the prices of their products and bought the exact ignition coil. The car started immediately, and after half an hour of driving in the same block where the workshop was my car was fixed.

I have lived 4 months with Oliver by now and only in the 1st month did I experience hell with it. I live by the saying everything happens for a reason, and in all those times the car died in the way of the citizens of the city, and in all the talks the mechanic gave me, I learned more about mechanics than I ever had. In these 4 months I have fixed major things with the car: I repaired the hydraulic roof by replacing a broken hose, taken of the window tint, taken off the mudflaps, changed the plate and trunk lights, and with the help of another great mechanic the door locks were fixed and the chintzy starter button was replaced. And, It got the wash in the outside and inside it deserved (My girlfriends father owns a carwash so doublewin!).

I adore this car, and I have already spent great memories in the time its been with me. I plan to keep fixing everything, and hopefully keeping it for the rest of my life. I am immensely thankful of my father and the mechanic who were always willing to help, and my Beautiful girlfriend who always gave me the moral support I needed. I will be bringing you photos of Oliver, and lots of articles of how is the car culture here in Mexico, but I wouldn't do this without a well deserved intro to the car that has become to my eyes the single best car. Oliver.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 16:56

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Welcome young one!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:02

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Welcome! I'm looking for my first car at the moment, and I cannot believe how excited I am. Your VW is a cool car. Unfortunately, I couldn't get away with driving a convertible (too small, and to cold where I live) but I'm looked at Golfs of the same era, and they are great little machines!

Bandit > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:10

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Welcome to oppo! The size of the 16-18 years old club has gone up.

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/20/2014 at 17:23

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I have just last year started being a fan of VW. When my parents bought a 2011 Jetta we received a free shirt, die cast Jetta just like ours, VW Pin, and a thank you letter for buying their car! I was astonished a brand would do such thing, so I just fell in love with it. Also, HUGE Fan of anything 90s-00s VW, although it doesn't get much appreciation.

Vicente Esteve > Bandit 04/20/2014 at 17:24

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Best club I've been in

Vicente Esteve > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 04/20/2014 at 17:24

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Thanks!

Sn210 > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:28

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welcome to Oppo!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:33

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Welcome to Oppo!

Awesome little Cabrio you got there. Always had a soft spot for them! Way better than what I'm having to drive right now.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/20/2014 at 17:40

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It has been great! hahah I think you can see the bright side of ANY car you drive

Vicente Esteve > Sn210 04/20/2014 at 17:40

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I feel very welcomed thanks

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:45

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The only reason I'm okay driving it is because it's been in the family since before I was born. Plus it's super easy to get the back end to break loose!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:46

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Welcome! I'm Justin the Civic driver! Im 16 and live in Florida.

I love convertibles and hope to get one as my next car. My first car I had ever been in was my dads Saab 900 convertible and it started the passion.

Quick question: Hablas espanol? Yo hablo un poco pero no es mucho bueno. Estudio en la escuela para cinco anos. Me encanta hablar espanol. Es muy divertido. Es ingles un primero languaje?

Big Bubba Ray > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 17:54

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Welcome to Oppo! I love your Cabrio. One of my good friends has the exact same one. We've had a ton of fun in it over the course of his ownership.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/20/2014 at 17:57

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Very cool, I have been in one of those actually, really comfeh seats.

Vicente Esteve > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 04/20/2014 at 18:01

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hahahah of course I speak spanish, english is my second language but in my school they force us to english since we used diapers (American School of Tampico. Duh.). Your spanish is great actually. Also, I am learning German. Anything you would like to translate or a swear word you want to know about, tell me.

Ive read about your civic, looks great, although Ive never liked the star trek dash. I would really like to have a new car for myself.

Vicente Esteve > Big Bubba Ray 04/20/2014 at 18:02

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I guess its because of the brand respect/loyalty/love in Mexico but I have had more than 10 random people compliment on it and 2 ask me if I am selling the thing!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:10

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I can agree with that. I love technology but it is a bit busy. All sorts of things flashing and moving and changing colors... I prefer simple and clean!

And I can't believe that they force English.. that surprises me.

I like a new car, but I sometimes wish I had something used that I really could mess with and tinker with.

And thanks! Ill keep that in mind

Vicente Esteve > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 04/20/2014 at 18:13

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Hahahah you should see my fathers face when he got near in one in the local autoshow. He is very old school in some aspects (He has bought the same brand deodorant since he got married) He got dizzy by everything.

Yeah, but I really like the school, I honestly don't mind attending to it.

Haha I also feel the need of tinkering sometimes.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:23

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I'm 17 (for 2 whole days now)

I own a 1986 Toyota Celica ST Coupe (not under my name, but still is my car)

Vicente Esteve > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 04/20/2014 at 18:24

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hahaha happy birthday I guess. I don't know much about celicas, other than they are well respected cars around here.

desertdog5051 > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:24

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You'll be sorrrrry.....This is a land where things are not as they seem and before you realize there is no escape, you are trapped ...This, my friends, is the OPPO ZONE.

Welcome.

Vicente Esteve > desertdog5051 04/20/2014 at 18:25

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I got scared for a moment. hahah thanks feeling it already!

desertdog5051 > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:29

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Every first poster that identifies themselves get a DD welcome. Again, welcome.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:49

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Welcome aboard, cheers! :)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:54

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Welcome I see you like your bear. By chance is his name ted? Are you Marky Mark?

Vicente Esteve > Supreme Kiwi Zorro 04/20/2014 at 18:55

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haha I actually look like that kid, thanks!

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 04/20/2014 at 18:57

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hahah his name is Jeronimo (Ger-o-ni-mo)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 18:59

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I like your B#$%^ basket. It is better than my no car.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 04/20/2014 at 19:02

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hahaha I just smelled it when I posted this that the words "B*#$@" and "basket" would appear together, but I feel it is like a miata being called a "Chick car" . Whenever you get any car post it, id read about it

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 19:06

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Thanks man! I am looking at a BMW 2002 currently. Right now I drive a homemade motorcycle whose motor I got at the dump. (review to come this summer)

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 04/20/2014 at 19:15

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I would really really like to drive one of those. Im not much of a fan of bikes, I have a quad though.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve 04/20/2014 at 19:18

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No quad to hard to make one of in my backyard and to hard to fix on the side of the road hence the name.