The modern car market pushes new vehicles with financing plans, but not everyone wants the sterile convenience of a lease. Many people prefer to own, repair, and truly use their vehicles, even if that means dealing with constant breakdowns.
This isn’t about financial status; it’s about attachment. Most objects in life are disposable, replaced when broken, but some things matter more. Cars often fall into that category, especially for enthusiasts.
The reality of car ownership isn’t always glamorous. Some garages aren’t showrooms but graveyards of half-fixed projects. The author admits his own garage is a mess: an Audi A2 held together with cable ties, a Land Rover Defender that bleeds money with every visit to the mechanic.
This isn’t failure; it’s intimacy. Knowing the quirks of a machine, patching it up with whatever’s available, turning necessity into improvisation. A broken windscreen wiper isn’t a crisis; it’s a design challenge solved with rubber grommets and zip ties. A £2,000 repair bill isn’t a setback; it’s a reminder that some things are worth keeping alive, even if they cost more than they should.
The Defender, despite its flaws, has circumnavigated the globe ten times. That kind of history isn’t found in a showroom. It’s earned through sweat, frustration, and a refusal to let go. The author knows this car inside and out, and that’s a bond no lease agreement can replicate.
The beauty of broken cars isn’t just the cost savings; it’s the ownership. It’s about knowing a machine so well that you can fix it with whatever you have on hand, turning inconvenience into a badge of honor.
