i really wished i had a convertible cabriolet in 1986

when i was in high school, all i wanted was a convertible volkswagon cabriolet. it was THE car of the late 80's in my opinion, and i desperately wanted one. my cutest friend amy with the spiral perm drove a black one and i took any opportunity i could to ride in it.

my parents were practical, though, and bought a mazda glc deluxe for loni and i to share. it only had an am/fm radio, so i used to fantasize about the bitchin' cassette tape player i would be rocking as i was driving the cabriolet, wearing my ton sur ton sweatshirt and guess jeans with the zippers on the ankles.
then the suzuki samurai came out, and it looked like a party-in-a-vehicle. i realized that they were much cheaper than the vw's, so i remember actually trying to convince my parents to buy a used one the summer before my senior year. my parents held fast, though, and i continued to style and profile in the mazda. i drove a friend's samurai a few times in college and was grateful that my parents had ix-nayed the decision because the engine was basically that of a sewing machine.


so, my question to you is: did you drive you dream vehicle in high school? and if you did, is it okay to resent you? (amy.)

63 comments:

Emily said...

Ummmmm.....only if a maird-colored honda was my dream car. And no it wasn't.
I always wanted to be one of those chicks hanging out of a topless jeep wrangler.

Sharla said...

Um, I drove my Grandmother's '74 Dodge Dart. No--not my dream car. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that boys dug it.

Kristina P. said...

OMG!!!! I totally wanted both of those cars too!

Instead, I had a ginormous white Oldsmobile, that had a hole in the radiator, and I had to fill up all the time. Sweeeet!

Melanie said...

Unless your dreams include rust and a blinker fixed with a twist tie by your I-could-so-school-McGuyver dad, then NO. But I drove a very common high schooler's car - an '83 Subaru wagon, silver and stylin'.

BTW, how awesome is it that Sharla had a Dart! So did my sister, and it was also inherited from our grandmother. I LOVED when she would let me drive it. And yes, the boys dug it.

They did not so much dig the Subie.

Hildie said...

I wanted the Samurai too. Tan with woody siding and a hard top.

Instead I had a 81 Dodge Omni stick shift (aagh!) My dad bought it for $50.

It had holes in the floor.

One day the clutch fell out onto the street. My dad couldn't resurrect it. Thanks goodness.

tiburon said...

Totally got my "dream" car - it was my 2nd car. A zippy little Honda CRX. Loved that little sucker. Named him Calvin.

Tiffany said...

1982 Chevy Citation. Blue. It was to die (of embarrassment) for.

tammy said...

The car I drove in highschool was my parents' old burgandy Buick. Everytime it was cold out, I'd have to let it warm up for 10-15 minutes. Otherwise it would die and I'd have to stick a wire hanger in the carburetor to keep it open to start it again. Good times. Amy's spoiled.

Pedaling said...

driving a piece of crap during high school builds character.....thanks to my parents i have character-but i would have rather had a corvette or trans am.

Brooke said...

I did NOT drive my dream car in high school. Let me tell you about it. It was a huge buick lesabre where the idle was set to around 40 mph. The first time I drove it to school, my cousin climbed in the back seat and buckled up. We got to the school, and she couldn't get out! I had to run into the school, get some scissors and CUT the seatbelt. We laughed so hard about that. It also had one of those tires with all the spokes (you know like an old caddy), not on the back of the car, but imbedded into the trunk of the vehicle. SO decorative. It was embarrassing. I would watch people come out of the school every day and walk by my car snickering. Hey, at least I had one, right?
Do you think that people like the cabriolet because of the movie "can't buy me love"?

Lesley said...

I totally did. Mine was a red GEO storm with an orange spoiler. Oh and a huge dent in the front right bumper from the pole at Charlies. I too wanted to sport the VW like Cindy Mancini.

rachel said...

I didn't get my first car until I was 18 and I bought it myself. It was the cutest little red subaru justy. Drove that thing all over Montana, to San Francisco, then down to San Diego, where she sadly finally died five years later :)

Kristen said...

I had a "character building" car too. Mom's old pontiac. Would have LOVED either of these cars, but I was just grateful for the freedom of having any car.

Me and The Boys said...

Periwinkle blue Ford Aspire with graphics on the side! Oh I was in love when I got it! It had the name of the jellybean and Barney! Good TIMES!

Kristen said...

BTW--still not driving anything near my "dream car". Maroon mini van, but it does have the DVD player!

Mia said...

I drove a very nice Ford Explorer, really I was pretty lucky. Then I wrecked it and my parents traded it in for a really nice Toyota Camry. Then I might have pushed my parents one step to far and they took my car away for goot. So I had to buy my own which ended up being a Geo Metro type car cause that was all I could afford and even then it was a stretch to get that one. So I got my humility car(s) (my next one wasn't much better) but just a little later.

Anonymous said...

My dream car was a '65 Ford Mustang and my parents got me a '78Ford Mustang for my sweet 16,wasn't even close but I got over it because I had a car!

That, Amy! ;)

Stephanie said...

Actually, I drove the exact 1987 white-on-white VW cabriolet you posted. It was awesome! My friends and I had so much fun in that car. I think it started my lifetime fixation on cars...

Whitney R said...

If by dream vehicle you mean 1991 Chevy Suburban with jammed back doors, no muffler and voted "worst car" 3 years for seniors - even when I was a JUNIOR.

Anonymous said...

God no! The neon blue Chevy Malibu tank was far from my dream vehicle!

Suzie said...

I love this.

I wanted BADLY a Mazda RX7. My friend got one but was unable to drive unless her grades were A's & B's. She drove that car only 4 times her Senior year.

I however, drove a 1078 White Ford Maverick with rust & a driver door that stuck. Even with all A's and B's.
But. It had the most killer stereo. I still remember jamming to Van Halen in that ugly puppy.

gina bina said...

Um no. When I turned 16 I had the pleasure of driving my moms Toyota Tercel Wagon. It was grey, so my friends affectionately called it "the tuna can." Awesome.
Then, during my senior year my dad splurged $1200 on a 1984 Mazda 626 with no radio and brakes that literally froze in cold weather. I drove that car for almost 9 years.
BD on the other had drove a Land Rover in High School. Spoiled brat.
We've now met in the middle with our little VW Jetta!

Joellen said...

beep beep...HI!
loved both cars.

Vanessa said...

I was a Cabriolet coveter. ..after watching "Can't Buy me Love." That and a girl from my school had one and we all were envious (hmmm, her dad was a mortitian too, go figure!) BUT I had a Jeep Scrambler. Ever heard of those? It was my dads dream and he passed it on to me. My first year of college, I got into an accident at "the point of the mountain" and totalled it. To punish me, I rode the UTA bus for 2 years. Every time my dad sees a jeep he reminds me that I wrecked it.

PS, I saw a Cabriolet on the freeway yesterday. They don't hold up that great after all these years. Don't feel too bad.

Ashlynn {mamabear} said...

I had a sweet car - 1977 VW convertible bug. Although I had to wear a blanket, gloves & ski hat to school every morning (no heat) I loved it. HATE ME!

Oh what good memories!

Kristi said...

Dude, I drove an old Honda Prelude and I secretly loved it even though it was old and ghetto because ithad a sunroof (gasp!).

I would have loved a Cabriolet back then, but my true high school love was a Jeep...no such luck from my parents.

Unknown said...

I Ferris Buellered it in H.S. I had to bum rides off my friend while I envied her P.O.S.

Christie said...

I drove an old baby-blue chevy station wagon. Not cool and NOT my dream car. I was more of a jeep type of girl - in fact, that my still be my dream car.

tara said...

not just no, HELL NO. my mom birthed seven babies. no cars for us. if i was lucky i could dibs the 11 passenger big red clifford van to drive to work and back.

Unknown said...

Ya, I drove an old Grand-Am and then one day while I was in utah on vaca, I get a call from my Grandpa telling me he sold my car and was giving me an EVEN OLDER Toyota 4 Runner... which I still am driving now.

No dream cars for me.

veronica said...

When my mom was a teenager she bought a brand new 1969 VW Beetle. Dark Orange. I grew up with that car. My dad took great care of it and when I turned 16 it's what I drove. I loved it! It was considered a "cool car" at my high school. When I got married, I passed the car down to my younger sister. Eventually my parents sold it to a family member who didn't take care of it. I still miss that car.

Anonymous said...

No envying me - I drove an '83 Renault Alliance. No air conditioning, plus I had to replace the clutch every few months at $700 a pop.

I'm almost 43 and STILL have never had a cool car. At least my mini-van has satellite radio.

Country Mom said...

First I love your Blog, This is to funny my good friend and I were just talking about the cars we drive back in the day of the big high year Hahaha. I drove a honda 86 and I wanted a trans-am , I loved my guess jeans and the Merry go around store at the mall.and big hair and tapered jeans..... TO Funny,

Elena said...

Good lord, no! In high school I drove a 1987 Toyota Camry WAGON!!! I should also mention that it was 1998 at the time. 'Nuf said.

Meghan said...

Sista, my 1st car was a '79 Chrysler Cordoba that had no heat & a horn that worked occasionally.

Not to mention the B52's song with the line "It's as big as a whale" was my car's theme song.

I feel your youth pain!

Cassie said...

Oh heck no! I had high hopes of getting a car (after all, my brother had 3 different vehicles in HS). But...I got a SCOOTER! Yep a scooter.

I laughed so hard when I read Jennie W.'s comment. My Dad had a Dodge Omni, and it also had holes in the floor!! I stole it all the time (we called it the Omnivore), we would take it joy riding, and when it was raining, we would drive it over a mud puddle and water would shoot up through the floorboards "blowhole"!

Amy said...

I LOVED my cabriolet convertible! I loved "Can't buy me Love"... I was the dark version of that show ( without the suede outfit and the nerdy -that turns out to be McDreamy mower boy). Bascially I had the black car and a long dark mop of curls... I loved the 80's. I am the oldest and my parents learned on me... I kindof beat that car up. Three girls inthe front was standard. Best friends sit in the front seat together...remember, Mindi. My younger siblings had to wait for graduation.... Brandy's wait was worth it, while graduating the principle handed her her diploma and the keys to her car. She went outside and there was her red mustang convertible with a million balloons and a sign that said CONGRATS BRANDY. Every other senior was SOOOOO JEALOUS! My little cariolet was a great car... when I got married, Caylor HATED it. He was too big and said it made him feel gay... so we sold it. BOOHOO. I still see them and feel a soft spot in my heart!

mommyliz said...

I drove a 'vette in HS. My parents 5 year old automatic,no A/C, Am only radio, roll down the windows with a wrench, Chevy Chevette. The ignition was so worn down you could start it without the key, so my brother and his friends would take turns stealing it. All the spoiled girls had the VW convertibles(and nose jobs)and I was determined to get one. My first year in college with my own money I bought my "Dream Car" a 1980 Triumph TR-7 convertible with manual transmission. It took me 6 months to learn how to drive it (which I hated doing), it leaked, the tape player ate my Scritti Politti cassette, and the electrical system was in a state of constant failure. I ended up selling it to my mechanic (we had bonded at this point) two years later for $350.00 and bought a brand new Toyota Corolla. So much for living the dream.

Marci said...

Amy was adorable with that cute car and her amazing spiral perm!! I thought I was hot stuff cruising the 'Vard in my Full Size Van Dura!
The 3rd bench seat turned into a bed... and there was a fridge in the back to boot! Need I say more!
(Thankfully I was a pretty good kid!)My dream car was a forest green convertable Saab...

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

Dang Amy! ;) Lucky girl. I drove only cars that my dad could pay less than 2 grand (cash) for. It did build character and it saved on gas, cuz no one ever wanted to go in my car, it wasn't cool enough. The parking lot in my HS was full of nice cars. Character, I have to keep reminding myself so that I am not bitter. ;)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I totally wanted one of the Suzuki Samurai's so bad in high school. I thought they looked so cool. I wanted a pink one. I ended up with a station wagon called the Caprice Classic Estate. Very cool. NOT!

rychelle said...

i wanted a mazda miata.

nope.

Anonymous said...

My lil sis had a white VW Cabri Convertable! It was so cute! I got handed the keys to an awesome red mustang!

Harlene said...

Totally wanted the cabriolet convertible, the closest I got though was a date with Rob Doudel, who looked like a male model, was 4 years older than me, drove a white vw convertible, but was a HORRIBLE kisser!

I drove a '78 chevette and my best buddy, Duncan, drove a YUGO. It took us 8 hours to drive from San Jose to Tahoe. Good Times!

Misty said...

Oh, I totally wanted a cab. Not so much on the Suzuki. I drove a 1982 Mazda 323 during the majority of HS. I was so excited when I graduated and "upgraded" to a Chevy Cavalier. I drive a Passatt now, so it only took me a million years to get a "cool" car!

Anonymous said...

thats like the coolist car ever mom why dont we get it?




fav daughter chandi

Renee said...

A red fiero. It was cute and had the hidden headlights. Unfortunately, it was a death trap and the engine blew up a few months after graduation.

Steph said...

If a Hyundai Excel four dour hatchback with no a/c and windows that would not roll up and down without some major elbow grease counts as a dream car. . .then I win:)

Lainey-Paney said...

I had my dream vehicle (at the time) for my 16th birthday: a convertible toyota celica with...get this....a cd player & a cassette player. I thought I was hot snot.

Kelly said...

ummmmmm, I guess I was pretty lucky in the car department. This was solely due to my parent's getting divorced for my 16th bday. First I had the mazda rx7, after I blew up that engine, I got a LeBaron Convertible, and right after I talked my new stepmom into a red cherokee. Cuz you know "she'd look so cool in it" Yeah, we know who looked cool in it.

Physcokity said...

"i used to fantasize about the bitchin' cassette tape player i would be rocking as i was driving the cabriolet"

LOL
Thank you for that!

I drove 5 different cars during my high school career. Including a pimpin Chevy Caprice aka boat, the Zebra (1983 ford ranger black/red interior/chrome detailing and a zebra steering wheel cover), and mi padre's 2001 Ford Ranger. I ♥ it.

Physcokity said...

Do you think that people like the cabriolet because of the movie "can't buy me love"?

Don't Forget about Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead
bwahahah

Physcokity said...

"I Ferris Buellered it in H.S. I had to bum rides off my friend while I envied her P.O.S."

Definitely quote worthy...hahaha

I love the comments on this post!

VTS said...

Great discussion that you started here. I actually drove a one ton Snap-On Tools van. Oh yes, it's true. I had plenty of friends and usually made them drive to school. But on the weekends we called the van the Party Wagon and loaded everyone in. And the best part...it didn't have seats in the back (it was a work van) and we had "van surfing" contests. How 'bout them apples!

Trina said...

My dream car was a '65 Mustang. I didn't get one, but my older sister and brother did.

And then my brother sold it.

I ended up with an '85 Accord. Meh.

LN said...

Nope. Drove my parents' Pontiac LeMans (also known as the Lemon). Mostly, I didn't drive tho because a lot of my friends had their own cars, or their parents' cars were a lot sweeter than the Lemon.

*KaTiE cLoVeR* said...

well. if anybody is getting those cars, chandi, it would be the REAL favorite daughter. me. (=

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure..does the Full-sized family VAN count? The only good thing about that was it had two gas tanks. Then I "upgraded" to my older sisters cast-away, a Plymouth Arrow-I know no-one has even heard of them. I always wanted my Dad's old VW Thing to drive. Weird little box of a car-loved it, never got it!

Rusti said...

The UTA Bus was my sweet ride all through high school and college. The first car I had was the one I shared with RJ after we got married. I've still never had my own car.

I'm sure I'll get one when the midlife crisis hits though. So no worries.

Omgirl said...

Yeah, sure I did. Two of them. The first one was a 1981 Toyota Corolla hatcback. color: white and rust (as in ACTUAL rust, not the color). Then when I burnt out the engine on that beauty, I had to drive my mom's Ford LTD station wagon, extra large, with the woody on the side. Oh, I was making everyone jealous. Don't you wish you were me now?

Amy M. said...

I drove a "grandma car", so NO I did not get the luxury of having my dream car. And yes, ever since Ronald Miller and Cant buy me love, I have loved that car. Now I drive a mini-van...talk about dream-mobile. NOT.

Vennesa said...

I drove the orange VW Beetle mentioned above, until Veronica turned 16. Then I got a white Mercury Lynx to take to college.

Photoshop Image Editing Tips said...

Incredible post! Hope for the best.
Automotive background editor
facebook
twitter
instagram
pinterest
linkedin