When I first got the car I was going to Uni about 15km away, with no suitable public transport (bus -> train -> bus with up to 3x 30-60min waits each way
vs 15-20mins in the car). However I didn't have my license then, both my parents cars are autos, and I wanted to learn on a manual, so I got the Lantra. (But by the time I got my license I had left uni anyway) Unfortunately my health deteriorated badly and I was unable to continue studying, and I'm unable to work either
(Diabetes + back problem = highly unreliable health) It's not very cost-effective keeping it on the road, but it's much handier than not having a car! I don't drive it every day, usually only about 2 trips a week. Tomorrow I'll be going about 40km, which will be my longest trip in AGES!
A new grocery shop just opened around the corner, about 800m away
I'd walk there, but it's hard to carry 10-20kg of stuff with a back as bad as mine
Not that I usually make special trips anyway, I go to the (more distant) hardware/computer/electronics shops nearly as often...
The dash mat came with the car.
It's a good custom one that fits perfectly (except the ripples along the front) and doesn't fall off, so I kept it
Plus the dash is a little too shiny without it...
By the way, Mum's had her Commodore for 8 years (from new) and it's only done 65,000km.