200,000 Miles Later: An Ode to the Grocery Grabber

"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
08/24/2015 at 19:14 • Filed to: None

Two weeks ago, my family’s cherished, mainly appreciated by me, 2004 Lexus RX330 hit 200,000 miles. While this is not a huge accomplishment for any Toyota product, it means a lot to more to me than you would expect.

Even though only 110,000 of the 200,000 miles are ours, the Lexus played a huge role in my life. I learned how to drive in the Grocery Grabber and I took my drivers test in it. The RX was with my sister when she went through the same driving milestones before me. After my big passing moment, the Lexus shuttled me to school and back everyday for two years. Whether it was snowing, raining, or sunny, the car kept me comfortable in my little climate controlled cabin. It kept me safe in awful driving conditions and always got me home with minimal drama. It only hiccupped when it didn’t start one morning before school; bad gas was the source of the problem.

This was the day of my drivers test. Side note: Ignore my haircut.

The Grocery Grabber didn’t protest when it faced the abuse of a high school parking lot. It’s poor right fender got hit with the biggest door ding I have ever seen. In fact, the whole passenger side is now peppered with white marks from inconsiderate door openers. The Lexus even got hit in the front bumper on the opposite side, scratching it and denting the other fender. This all happened while it was defenselessly parked and the resulting damage can be seen in the picture below. But did this bother the RX? Nope.

My 16 to 18 year old driving styles didn’t bother the Lexus either. It dealt with me blasting the radio at almost max volume while I screamed along to the music. It dealt with being packed full of five teenagers. It dealt with being coated in a layer of salt for weeks at a time. It dealt with curbs when I learned how to parallel park. It dealt with multiple road trips for hours straight. It dealt with everything my teenage self could throw at it with no protests.

Something odd has happened over the years I’ve driven the RX330. Toyota products are known universally as soul sucking appliances; they’re no better than dementor dishwashers. They have absolutely no personality at all, but, somehow, I love this car. It might be the fact that it was my first car or that it is so comfortable, but there’s not denying that it has a special place in my heart. So Grocery Grabber, here’s to the next 100,000 miles. Or until something major breaks.

DISCUSSION (16)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 19:28

Toyota’s definitely have soul, just a different soul than other cars. While Alfa’s have the soul of your asshole friend Chad, who mooches off you most of the time but once in a while has something insanely awesome planned, Toyota’s have the soul of Bob, the goofy friend that is awkward around others, is kind of a nerd, but has your back no matter what. Seriously, it’s been three years since something that actually matters broke on my 4Runner. I have treated it like Chad does his friends, but it takes every blow with pride like Bob. It’s the reason that I plan to always have at least one Toyota in my life.

Michael Woyahn > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/24/2015 at 19:33

That is 100% accurate. It’s an excellent description, too!

Berang > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 19:54

My mom’s 1998 Lexus LS whatever has 275,000 miles now and I find that impressive. It is getting to the stage where lots of things are needing or going to need renewal though.

dogisbadob > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 20:10

Yup, Toyota makes the best cars. People hate on them for no reason, but once they discover the magic, and how many miles you hooked up effortlessly costing so little to keep on the road, they’re hooked by the magic!

Also cool that you got a relatively new Lexus SUV as your first car.

Michael Woyahn > Berang
08/24/2015 at 20:12

That is impressive! Admittedly, the Grocery Grabber is starting to get to that stage too. I think we’ll get rid of it once a lot of stuff to needs to be replaced, unfortunately.

MrFurzzy > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 20:15

Did you go to KMHS?

Michael Woyahn > dogisbadob
08/24/2015 at 20:18

That is very true. Nicely put! Sure they aren’t all spine tingling sports cars, but they do the job they were meant to do perfectly.

Yeah, I’m definitely not complaining about getting a RX330 as my first car. It fits my friends and I in comfort, has decent power, gets good gas mileage for what it is, and is an absolute tank in the snow, even with all season tires! There’s not much more I could want.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 20:25

This is why people love Toyota products. You have them for so long that that you have many memories and years tied up in them. The fixation isn’t the car itself but what it did for you in other aspects of life.

Michael Woyahn > MrFurzzy
08/24/2015 at 20:36

Yeah, I did! Did you go there?

Michael Woyahn > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/24/2015 at 20:49

You know what, this is a very good point. I think that since I like cars, I can appreciate the Grocery Grabber for its little touches. A big part of why I like it are the memories I had in that car, but there is a part of me that likes it for what it is.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/24/2015 at 20:51

Incredibly well said!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Michael Woyahn
08/24/2015 at 21:32

My last pickup is more of a case of what I referred. My Tercel... now THAT had character. Although it’s probably difficult for me to compare either experience to driving a modern Lexus.

Michael Woyahn > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/24/2015 at 22:03

Yeah, I’m sure the Lexus has even less character than those too.

MrFurzzy > Michael Woyahn
08/25/2015 at 01:19

Yep! I think I was a grade ahead of you.

Michael Woyahn > MrFurzzy
08/25/2015 at 11:25

I just graduated this summer. It’s a small world haha!

MrFurzzy > Michael Woyahn
08/25/2015 at 22:57

I graduated last year. It definitely is a small world!