First thing first! Buy a car! The day my U.S. visa got accepted, I started looking for the used cars sitting in my lab at IIT-Delhi. I came to know through multiple sources that buying a car in the U.S is pretty easy and not an expensive deal. I looked into various website and calculated that with the stipend I am going to get and amount of money I am going to save, being such a teetotaler (that was sarcasm BTW), I can manage to buy a car within three months of my arrival in the U.S.
Looking back at those days I realize how naive I was to assume that my stipend is enough for sustaining, and saving a huge amount at the same time. I totally forgot to factor in the expense of my course fees, weekend parties and, of course, hogging food at various restaurants. The need for buying a car diminished when I started getting free rides. But, when that stopped and winter came, the desire to buy a car grew stronger. I then realized that I do not have learner's permit at first place. After failing the test in the first attempt and then rescheduling the test for more than 15 times (I won't reveal the exact number to save myself from further embarrassment!) I finally got the learner's permit. Later on, I came to know I haven't used my credit card for sufficient duration to reflect my credit score, which did not allow the banks to approve the loan. Once my credit score was up, which was, well, like any other score I secured throughout my life; terrible. Once my credit score improved , I could secure a loan and zero down to a dealer and vehicle I wanted to buy. I went to 3-4 dealer, drove 3-4 vehicle and finally zeroed down to one I felt like having when I was test driving it. So, I got the loan, I got the car, problem solved, right? No!
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| My car being towed! |
This was just the beginning second phase of my problem. At first I did not have insurance, well, which I had it in a couple of days. Driving without insurance was not a big problem as compared to driving without a license. I had to wait to get the tag for the vehicle and wait for more than three weeks to get an appointment for my drive test. Finally, when the test date was nearing, my car broke down! That was the mother of all problem. That weekend I spent looking for various mechanics, watching videos figuring out what is wrong with the car etc. Finally, on Monday morning I had my car towed to the mechanic. Meanwhile, I borrowed my friend's car for the driving test, which I failed, not once but twice. Finally, when I got my car back, I took it to the dealer to have it tested again to make sure everything is fine. And then, finally I cleared my drive test and got my license, after more than 45 days of buying/driving of the car. Now, finally I can take pleasure in driving my car, with my favorite music playing loud in the background. The independence that comes with having a car is unmatched, and, of course, the expense is unmatched too, but worth it. I sometimes indulge in driving without destination, through the countryside, downtown during late night, expressways, just to experience the feeling that I have always imagined while looking for a car in the corner of my lab at IIT-Delhi.And yes it is same like I had imagined! Pristine! Amazing!
