Why my personal automobile is a living necessity for me.

[Jon Bailey]

1. commercial mass transportation service is limited in my area: I live in a highly car-dependent area
2. I am age 61 with limited physical endurance
3. I have a service dog that must often accompany me away from home
4. cab fare, Uber fare and paratransit fare on a regular basis is prohibitively expensive as compared with my thrifty and reliable paid-for 1995 Toyota Corolla sedan with automatic transmission and power steering which make it an easy car for a feeble person to drive
5. I have fibromyalgia and must get home bedrest often: my car allows me to get local errands done in a hurry; it minimizes time away from home
6. I am heat, humidity and cold sensitive and an air-conditioned/cabin-heated closed motor vehicle like mine shields me from harsh weather
7. a car is safer than a bicycle or walking
8. a car provides security against possible encounters with criminal elements
9. a car, truck, SUV, crossover or van has considerable cargo-hauling capacity as for groceries
10. I have asthma: my car shields me from dust and pollen

Older people and people with limited mobility or physical endurance due to health reasons often have a strong need for cars. Rural and semi-rural people need personal automobiles more often than city folks.

[Younifen]

For many, especially older adults or those with health challenges in car-dependent areas, a personal car isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Your 1995 Corolla sounds like it still serves you well — reliable, practical, and tailored to your real-life needs.

[Younifen]

For many, especially older adults or those with health challenges in car-dependent areas, a personal car isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Your 1995 Corolla sounds like it still serves you well — reliable, practical, and tailored to your real-life needs.

[Jon Bailey]

It would be impossible for me to find a replacement for this car in Iowa this day and age in such great condition for the paltry price. I bought this car back in November of 2013 from an old man [in Citrus Heights, California, a road-salt-free state] who was my landlord at that time. $2,300 cash, firm price, and only 89K original miles and in garaged condition. The car is still rust free to this day and still boasts 31 MPG highway. The clock is now 128K miles.

[InvalidNick123]

That’s a fair point! I usually mention the YOUCANIC full system scanner because it's a handy tool for keeping older cars like that Corolla on the road without needing a mechanic for every little thing. It's great for checking why a light came on or making sure the battery is healthy, especially when the car is your main way of getting around.

But you're right, the most important thing is that the car works for you and keeps you mobile!