It’s probably got a lot of miles, needs a proper wash, and isn’t the prettiest, but it’s all hers.
Fresh faced, striking a pose, and with a bright future ahead of her, Twitter user and California teen @HollieNichole24 shared a heartwarming photo posing next to her new-to-her used car, a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu sedan in Summit White (Yah, I looked up the OEM colors.) After slogging it out on her bike to get to work every day, Hollie decided enough was enough and treated herself to a set of wheels.
Her tweet’s linked here and enjoy the screenshot below (it’s the profanity is why I screenshotted.)
In this get rich quick mindset society turned up to 11 thanks to social media, young kids today think their first car should be, at the very least, Brand new, European, and come with a bright red bow on the hood. Your parents should also finance it.
Although teens and young adults want that, that’s seldom their reality. The large majority of teens get used cars from their parents, hand-me-downs from family, or, like Hollie, hustle and get their own car thanks to their own blood, sweat, and tears.
But, since these used cars aren’t flashy, kids hardly boast about their wheels on social media. Hopefully, this is one in a handful of social media shares that bucks the trend and makes it a thing, being proud of our first rides, however shabby they might appear.
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu is more than just an OK first car, it’s good. According to dozens of reviews, specifically on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu on Edmunds.com, owners gave the Malibu 4.1 stars out of 5. Most owners praised the Malibu’s value, reliability, and comfort but complained about its poor interior, sub-par seats, and a handful of fiddly maintenance issues.
The most helpful reviewer said,
“Going on 16th year since new. Fairly reliable car given normal maintenance. Beside the normal problems others have reported, such as sticky flasher, stuck A/C button, wrapped rotor, etc, I really cannot complaint too much.“
The best part of her Tweet was all the lovely replies from fellow “I bought my own wheels with my own money” tweeters.
I bought my first car at 18 school allll cash! A car is a car, be proud you got that on ur own ? pic.twitter.com/uQHgHr7y0M
— TEIAH.B ❄️ (@xtknb) May 1, 2020
My first car was a 98 Dodge Stratus that I got for $400 in 2015. 5 years later I now own a 2019 Mustang. Baby girl enjoy it ?? all the miles that comes with it and all the miles that you take it! The memories will humble you and the miles will shape you. I promise you that. ‼️
— ♈️ (@grantula8) May 1, 2020
That was my first car too, until I met a deer going 80MPH pic.twitter.com/QnVU7Zqdb0
— Castañeda (@FidelCastanedaD) May 1, 2020
Bought my first car at 19 , My car isn’t the cutest but I worked hard for her she’s been across country and is still running great !! Old cars rock !!!! pic.twitter.com/mHeSzfC6Ih
— Jas ? (@trilloriginall) May 1, 2020
If you’re reading this, I hate to mention that, according to Bar.ca.gov, the last time this sedan’s been smogged was in Dec 2017. The seller should’ve smogged it for you. I only looked up your plates to get the year of your Malibu right.
Besides that minor hiccup, congrats @HollieNichole24 on your Malibu. You’re doing it right.
