Jolly Roger, my PT Cruiser

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/24/2015 at 13:20 • Filed to: First car, paid off, pt cruiser, jolly roger

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There is a certain pride in your first car, is there not? Especially if you're paying for it out of your own pocket, It's a sign that you are progressing in the world, a sign of responsibility and adulthood. And now, boys and girls, I have met a new goal, my first car will soon be completely paid off.

[The above picture is from May, 2010, when I first bought the car. Don't I look like a 16 yr old? I'm 23 there.]

Now, I know this isn't a jalop car, in fact, it could be the very definition of a anti-jalop car....but I could care less. I respect Jolly Roger for being my first car, for getting me more interested in cars in general, and for giving me a desire to become a better driver overall.

So Jolly Roger, I know you aren't a living creature, but in my heart, you are one. You're an amazing car that does exactly what your name says, a personal transport.

These past 4 years have been fun filled, and soon you'll be paid off. I don't really plan on ever selling you, I honestly plan on driving you until your dead. And even then I'll figure out a way to zombie you back to life. And if Michigan law allows it, I would love to give you a epic funeral when the time comes. Namely a Viking funeral.

Cheers, for four more years Jolly Roger! You might be hated by some, but they dont appreciate you like I do. I know in your mechanical heart you desire to be a rally car. So let's pretend you are one on our daily commute home on those dirt roads you oh so love.

May your inline 4 roar with passion. Let the dirt cover your sides as your race down every road you encounter. Sure it may not be fast, but we make our own fun, don't we?

Cheers, to the best dang PT Cruiser ever, Jolly Roger.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:27

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Congrats, and I bet you wish you were in whatever warmer locale this pic was taken in right about now haha

Funktheduck > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:30

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I took on my first car payment ever in September. Despite being 28 and having several cars over the years, this is the most adult I've ever felt.

Congrats and I hope your PT treats you well for many years.

Password is Taco > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:32

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"I don't really plan on ever selling you, I honestly plan on driving you until your dead."

Well, quite frankly, thats how you should do it with any owned car.

and 100 more > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:33

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I was just thinking the other day, since a used PT Cruiser now costs... well, you may get paid to haul them away anymore... We/They/Someone should start a PT Cruiser Cup race.

Step 1. Buy used PT Cruiser. Must be in running, driveable condition (current licensing/inspection not required).

Step 2. Pass basic safety inspection on track day.

Step 3. Race in one of 4 classes: Spec, Modified, GT Spec, and GT Modified (since the GTs caame with a turbo).

Step 4. Marvel as these mechanical wonders hit speeds up to 80 mph, maybe!

I think it'd be fun for introducing people to racing, because the cars are cheap, parts are plentiful, and if they get beat up, so what?

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2015 at 13:33

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Its Fort Myers, FL, but I do love MI, since I am a native. This decision also had nothing to do my wife hating the FL sun, or that her pale, lovely, albino-like skin would just just burn there, lol.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:34

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lol, id fry too.

My parents are about as far south as you can get in SC so I cook quite well down there.

dogisbadob > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:39

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Hi

dogisbadob > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:40

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ANY car is a good first car. Any first car is a jalop car. Because you're just happy to have a car :)

zeontestpilot > Funktheduck 02/24/2015 at 13:45

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My parents always bought used from dealerships, which is what I did. I probably paid too much, but the car had been excellent. The only issues are ones caused by human error...like mine!

And thanks!

Do-Rif-To > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:47

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Nice one! I think that buying, loving, fixing, and hooning a poorly regarded first car should be a modern right of passage. And cheers to wanting to keep it until death, I'd buy my first car back on the spot if I had the opportunity and make a $2000 rally car.

zeontestpilot > Password is Taco 02/24/2015 at 13:50

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Honestly, it's very true. But growing up my family got rid of cars if there were major problems. They sold the car I learned to drive in, a Saturn SL2, because the brakes were so bad and squeaked. And apparently backwards....

But Roger has a lot of sentimental value. I plan on keeping him as long as possible. :)

QCGoose > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:56

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Congrats on (almost) having her paid off! There are few better feelings out there than making that last payment.

zeontestpilot > and 100 more 02/24/2015 at 13:58

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I'll admit, I was debating about selling it last year, and with 80k miles on it, the dealer would give $3k for it. These cars aren't worth much unless it's a GT.

Not to toot my own horn here, * blows finger tips*, but I would totally rock at a pt cruiser Grand Prix. Yeah..,I got four years experience of driving this bad boy through snow, rain, ice, and sunshine. I would totally win...lol.

 V8 Rustler > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 13:59

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The Sonic shirt makes it look as if the photo was taken in 2000.

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/24/2015 at 14:00

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In the missus defense, she's a brunette with a redhead's body, so she's a bit pale. But that just means she's easy to find and can't sneak up on me, :).

That pic was taken at my parents house, who still live there actually.

MysticStick > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:02

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Congrats, I raise my glass to the Jolly Roger! Cool name. I don't name cars but if I did it would be something cool like that.

zeontestpilot > dogisbadob 02/24/2015 at 14:03

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I didn't give too much info, but I was suppose to buy my parents '00 Malibu off them back them. But my brother kept borrowing it, so I said screw, I'm getting my own car! I was getting married in Sept and I needed a car!

zeontestpilot > dogisbadob 02/24/2015 at 14:05

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....I still have that shirt too. Man I look so young. It's why I resolved to grow a beard asap!

Password is Taco > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:05

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Well it would be wise to get rid of the car that, lets face it, no longer worked (most saturns belong in the scrapyard anyway)

I would've done the same thing.

zeontestpilot > QCGoose 02/24/2015 at 14:06

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In theory, it should be paid off tonight via tax refund. Now I just got to pay off the house.....lol.

Sam > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:12

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I don't mind the PT Cruiser, but please tell me you've ditched those jean shorts.

Funktheduck > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:15

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I always paid cash or swapped cars around with my parents.

zeontestpilot >  V8 Rustler 02/24/2015 at 14:19

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Fun fact, a good chunk of my shirts are nearly 7 years old. So I wouldn't doubt that they look dated, :). That shirt was newish that year though. I majored in Game and Simulation production, so it's relevant, lol.

zeontestpilot > MysticStick 02/24/2015 at 14:31

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There's a story, but it's not very eventful. When I drove my parents '00 Malibu, I named it Zombie because it just wouldn't die. I actually got the whole family calling the car Zombie. So when it was time for me to purchase my first car, I needed to name it. So I decided upon...."Sonic the Tank Engine". Then a month later, in a auto store, I saw a skull and crossbones license plate, aka, a Jolly Roger. It was at that moment, I knew it was destiny. I bought the plate, slapped it on the front, and it's still there to this day, :). It only responds to Jolly Roger now, lol.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:35

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It's nice down there man, but it's nice having all 4 seasons (despite this crazy as cold).

I'm the same way as your wife. Brown hair - very very irish skin lol.

QCGoose > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 14:35

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Yeah I hear ya there. It's best just to not look at the mortgage numbers lol.

zeontestpilot > Do-Rif-To 02/24/2015 at 14:39

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The sentimental value is worth $10k at least, lol.

zeontestpilot > QCGoose 02/24/2015 at 14:44

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Yep....especially since we just got it last October, lol.

zeontestpilot > Sam 02/24/2015 at 14:47

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The pic was taken in Florida, where shorts are necessity. I refused to wear shorts until I moved down there and suffered. Now that I'm back in Michigan, it's long pants once again!

and 100 more > zeontestpilot 02/24/2015 at 16:50

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I think it'd be a blast. Some people might not get it, but you do.

Also, just noticed your handle. \m/

zeontestpilot > and 100 more 02/24/2015 at 17:37

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My handle? Like my username? If so, then yes, I'm an avid supporter of the Principality of Zeon.

What's nice about cruisers is that once you get use to it, they become very predictable in how they drive. Which lets me develop a nasty habit of trying to see how fast I can take turns, lol.