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Laura Moya-Mendez
Leprevost
FYE, sec. 192
19 November 2012

I chose to write about my first car, Suzzie, because of how important she is to me.
My car is a black 1991 BMW convertible with beige leather interior, and she seats four
people. Her radio is always cranking up some good tunes while I drive her down the
highway. After 21 years, she has only 164,172 miles on her engine, and she is still going
strong. With a V6 engine, we go as fast as we want while the wind blows through my
hair, passing all the four-cylinder slow pokes with ease. When it is cold and rainy, we are
both sad because the top has to go up, and this means no fresh air for either of us. We are
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both Pittsburgh Steeler fans because she has a Steelers steering wheel cover and headrest
covers. Suzzie has been through six fender benders with me, but she knows none of them
have been my fault. She should have been totaled and taken away, but I made sure
Daddy fixed her up, so she wouldnt have to go through this.
In my family, a car is a privilege, and I had to have a job before I could even get
my license. My dad bought Suzzie for $500 in 2005 from a customer because she had a
cracked cylinder head, which would cost the customer thousands of dollars to fix. He
decided he was going to fix her up for himself as a leisure car during the summer time,
but my older sister was about to start driving and needed a car, so he passed it down to
her to borrow. She drove Suzzie throughout high school, but when she graduated high
school in 2008, my parents bought her a new Honda Civic. Since my father is a
mechanic, I knew I would not get a nice car to start off with. I figured I would get a fixed
up car, but I never guessed I would be given my sisters old car. When I realized my
parents were serious about me driving Suzzie, I was not fond of the idea at all. I think
my exact words were to my parents were, Im not driving that old ugly car. Of course I
was given the ultimatum to drive Suzzie or not at all. Once I finally drove her, she
started to grow on me. When I put the top down, I fell in love with her. I have driven
Suzzie since my sophomore year of high school, and I plan to keep driving her as long as
possible. My dad swears she is his car and he will get her back someday, but Ill never
let that happen. Hopefully, he will put her in my name soon, so she will truly be mine.
Not only does Suzzie have sentimental meaning in my life, but she also has many
historically important facts that make her who she is. Vehicles in general have become a
way of life for Americans because they are the most successful form of transportation
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(Corbett 4). The invention of engines and cars date back to about the mid 1800s. A
Belgian man, Lenoir, designed the first ever gasoline-driven car in 1864, but it looked
nothing like a car. It was simply a small handcart mounted onto the engine (Corbett 6).
Vehicles have come a long way since 1864, for there are many different car
manufacturers and models. One well-known manufacturer is BMW, and their history
dates back to 1916 when they began producing aircraft engines in Munich, Germany. In
1923, they started to produce motorcycles and eventually developed their first car, similar
to the Austin 7 in 1928 (Ian). Throughout the years, BMW went through many cycles of
ups and downs, as did the economy. The first BMW made its way to America in 1975
attracting many wealthy Americans (Woodward). In 1984, a new fuel-saving concept
was introduced, the 325e. This was the first 3 series sedan of many. Those to follow
were the 3 series convertible, the 3 series touring, the 3 series coupe, and the 3 series
compact. Since the 3 series made its debut, it has brought in more profit than almost any
other model because of its drive technology (BMW). The 3-Series remains the most
affordable and successful of the BMW range, but the company now competes with their
main rival Mercedes-Benz at almost every level. With cars that have such similar body
styles and performance factors, BMW has to top every vehicle Mercedes produces
(Nicolson). BMW has various unique models that have and remain the prominent
vehicles on the rode.
Culturally cars and specifically BMWs have been linked to the modern world.
Vehicles come from many different cultures such as Japan, European, and American.
BMW has German roots, for its headquarters are in Munich, Germany. Sitting parallel to
its headquarters is BMWs striking museum. It displays BMWs first engines, aircrafts,
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first vehicle, and other extraordinary vehicles that have been produced throughout
BMWs history (Ian). Any automobile should be looked at with a modern eye, especially
a BMW. Miller, the author of the Briar Sermon, illustrates his view on vehicles in
American culture. I see them lying flat on their backs with their heads up under cars,
nothing but their feet a-sticking out, their hands mucking around in grease and gears.
And I think, buddy thats how Americas got you, thats just the view you have of this
country (Miller). He seems to think that automobiles have a way of distracting humans
from their main goals in life. Miller uses this example to indicate to others that
submitting ones life to maintaining material objects sets one off course from the most
important things.
Social class plays an important role when discussing vehicles in the United States,
especially BMWs. BMW, known as one of the elite marques of the world, is known for
its successful and luxurious automobiles for those in the upper middle-class (Nicolson).
Gary Moya-Mendez, a well-known mechanic in Charlotte who has been in business at
Matthews Imports for 21 years explains BMWs social impact on Americans. Having a
BMW is more to show ones place in society because it is a reliable and well-built car,
but a Honda Civic is just as reliable. A Honda is a much more affordable vehicle;
therefore owning a BMW is based more on social status than anything else (Moya-
Mendez). The BMW was a status symbol for the driver in 1991 and still is today.
Suzzie, a car that is slightly over 21 years old, still has a great deal of social value in
todays society. Her value continues to rise because her year and model arent made
anymore. Many people enjoy the unique aspect of having an older car that is
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disappearing from society, which holds Suzzies value in todays modern world. It does
not matter what year or model; the BMW will remain a supreme vehicle in America.
I am thankful that I have a car like Suzzie in my life; she has always been there
for me and never broken down, even after 21 years of living. She has been a major part
of my life. I have learned to never take the things your parents give you for granted and
to always give things a try. If I would not have given Suzzie a chance, I would not feel
the happiness I feel when I drive around town with the top down. That will never get old.





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Works Cited
BMW. "2006 BMW 325i News, Pictures, and Information." 2006 BMW 325i Images,
Information and History (3-Series, 3 Series). Web. 06 Nov. 2012.
Corbett, David. A History of Cars. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub., 2006. Print.
Ian, Crawford. "BMW Wheels Out Its History." Gold Coast Bulletin, The (2010): 43.
Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 6 Nov. 2012.
Miller, Jim Wayne, Mr. "The Brier Sermon." N.p.: n.p., n.d. 1-25. Print.
Moya-Mendez, Gary. Personal Interview. 7 Nov. 2016.
Nicolson, Bryan. "BMW - from bubble-cars to supercars." Dominion Post, The 07 Mar.
1997: AP5. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 6 Nov. 2012.
Woodward, Douglas P., Dr., and Paulo Guimares, Dr. "The Darla Moore School of
Business | University of South Carolina." BMW in South Carolina: An Update.
2010. Web. 4 Nov. 2012.