how i started driving

Automotive is one of the biggest interests in my life, and that might explain why I started to collect die-cast model cars since I was four. Therefore, I think that this is a good opportunity to open a section in my blog that contains all the cars that I have owned and driven in my life. You can always click on the thumbnails on the sidebar to find out more about my rides.

My parents are very conservative in terms on letting me to drive, which is good. Although I got my driver's license when I was 17, I officially started to drive my own car when I was 18, and yes, that is a year after the legal driving age in Indonesia. My Dad used to assist me on developing my driving skills by letting me drive, accompanied of course, to school every morning. And that is using the 1990 Toyota Corona, which I happened to own under my name. Trust me, having your parents assisting you how to drive is really really pain in the ass.

Actually, my very first driving lesson was from my friend, Yosia Santoso. He was one of my school buddies. He taught me and Rhesa how to drive when we were spending the night at Rhesa's. That was in first-year high school, I think. The second series of lessons came from the driving course company called Hanulia, located at Bintaro Jaya Sector 3.

When my parents decided to let me drive by my own, they lend me our family's 1996 Toyota Kijang. Well, that car is not here anymore. Of course, after those crashes and bumps, I really enjoyed driving. Sometimes I even consider it my choice of sports. I can't lie, but I speed a lot and I often push my car to the limit. Consider that as one of the luxuries of living in Indonesia.

I am fortunate enough that on my 19th birthday, they gave me the 2002 Daihatsu Taruna. When I got the car, I was thinking of doing this and that to my new car. But actually, I never got the chance to actually made my car to my preferences, except for its aftermarket head unit.

current ride

On February 2005, Dad and me decided that we replace the Taruna with a newer car, since it consumes a hefty load of gas, and its technology is degrading. Our choice came to the newly released Toyota Avanza. We thought that this is a good choice, and because my family is a truly Toyota fan, we gave it a go. Due to the high demand of the model, months and months passed since we ordered it, and the car finally came to our doorsteps on July 25, 2005. This is the time that we decided stick with one color for all our cars... Black. Although I still prefer white cars, white cars are so rare here, and most of them are painted with a second grade quality white paint, which will grow yellow overtime. We'll probably stick with one brand, too. And this is surely the time to create the car of my preference.