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A Rebel's Ramblings
by: FAN4YRS
date posted: Apr 26, 2008 12:57 PM
My Car is the MILLENNIUM FALCON on Earth
OK, I realize the entry title sounds crazy, but hear me out.

My car is a 1992 Honda Accord (yes, Honda). It's big and bulky. A year or so after I bought it (in 2000) it needed a paint job (which it never received). I noticed that one of my rear windows doesn't roll up all the way anymore. As I stepped into her today I heard the words in my head "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts."

Han Solo's words went through my mind because, like Han, I continually find myself having to justify my car to other people. Everyone thinks it's time to get a new one (and they've thought that since about 2001). However, I like it. "She" really does have it where it counts. I have had the usual problems with this car, but it is not a lemon. I'm not finding that I'm throwing away money on it. All vehicles need repairs and oil changes, etc.

I suppose Han's situation and mine are not that alien from each other. He won his transportation in a card game, I bought mine for $3000 (which was a lot of money to me; especially at the time). Neither of us problem had the means to afford anything "better" and stuck with our vehicles because they proved themselves tried and true at every turn. Or, as in the case with Han's hyperdrive and my exhaust system a few years back, almost every time.

Like Solo, I've had a lot of adventures in my mode of transportation. Too many to part with her until she can't go no one. And my view, and I believe it was probably Solo's perception, too, I hope we both go at the same time.

  Darth_Muh
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 1:15 PM
I can relate, my 98 saturn is the same way, but it's probrably the best $2200 i've ever spent.

only the passenger side lock switch works, the center console is currently removed because I had to replace the gear shifter lever with a used one from a 94 and the leather boots are a different size.
My equivalent of the hyperdrive is the gear shifter cables breaking, but even that doesn't leave me stranded, just stuck in 1st gear.

but yes, "She's got it where it counts"

What we need are bumper stickers that say "A Wookie is my Co-Pilot"
JawaJoey
Return of the Jawa
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 1:22 PM
Heh, good story.

It reminds me of a conversation my friend and I once had. We were figuring out what earth cars all the vehicles from Star Wars would be. I don't remember most of them, but the Millennium Falcon was decided to be a Volkswagon Bus. Large, awkwardly designed, and old, but charming and reliable.
leia19886
Some One get this big walking carpet out of my way
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 2:22 PM
I had a 94 Ford Escort. I bought it brand new. I drove it until I was able to buy a new one last summer. The Escort is a standard 5 speed transmission. It runs really great.
I sold it to a lady whom needed something to drive herself to work in while her husband took their other car to work. She loves it. It was the best $ 15,000 I ever spent :)
  FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 2:51 PM
I see I am not alone in my affection for an old car.
  zach starwalker
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 4:01 PM
I dont even have a car. I dont even have my license yet(just the permit) but I think I might inherit this really old truck. We had to completely fix the entire thing. We painted it with new tires transmission and the whole nine yards. Now it is a maroon color with tires that are extraordinarily large. Apparently among the 'cool' kids it's 'sick'. But when you turn the wheel it takes 5 seconds to do anything.
  FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 4:17 PM
That's interesting that you mention the whole "cool kids" thing. I think Han Solo was a mama's boy who was just trying to prove himself. He looked cool to Luke, but really Han was just a pampered child trying to assert his independence. I've always thought this was a more interesting theory than the orphan idea someone drudged up. After all, toward the end of a "New Hope" Han is the one who says: "Let's blow this thing so we can all go home!"
Jedi Temple Acolyte
Idealistic Crusade
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 4:29 PM
Now all you need is an Alaskan Malamute to go with. ;) Great story. You and your car fit the mold perfectly. Sad to say I don't have the same bond with my own car, though it has proven itself reliable, the old '97 Saturn. That make must be popular with SW geeks. :)
Myergo
Officer Char
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 4:46 PM
I emailed my comments about how I feel for my transports. As a Nerf herder feels for his animal transport, I feel for my vessels. It's personal!
May the Force be with all us smugglers and may our hyperdrives continue flowing! :|
  FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Apr 26, 2008 4:49 PM
Thanks for the private e-mail and the public comment. We understand each other.
  zach starwalker
date Posted: Apr 27, 2008 11:33 AM
but really Han was just a pampered child trying to assert his independence.

Umm. Actually he was an 'orphan' of sorts. If you have read The Courtship of Princes Leia it hints about him growing up on a freighter and his parents abandoned him.
  FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Apr 27, 2008 11:40 AM
Yeah, I don't care what the books say, I'm going with my gut. I'm one of those fans who still makes up his own mind about the characters and the circumstances that brought them to where we see them in the film (and after the credits roll).
Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi
date Posted: Apr 27, 2008 12:15 PM
Mr. Lucas made a brilliant move when he made the Millennium Falcon a "hunk of junk" whose owner really valued her. It's a concept we can all relate to. Nice story--thanks for sharing!
JediOrillia
Thoughts On A STAR WARS Theme
date Posted: Apr 27, 2008 7:16 PM
I really can't relate to car problems right now because my 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle (which I've affectionately dubbed "Rogue Four") is a very reliable car. But I DO, however have a window cling on her that says "My other transport is the Millennium Falcon."
I do understand about car problems, though, because I once had a car before that actually WAS a piece of junk. One day I got so frustrated and angry with it that I took a bat and whacked it to death. It had to be towed away the next day. Oh well, I still value my Rogue Four. I feel a bond to her and she gets me from A to B. The only problem is the rising gas prices. X-(
JediOrillia
Thoughts On A STAR WARS Theme
date Posted: Apr 27, 2008 7:25 PM
The other thing is that my dad's car, which I HATE, is really a hunk of junk. But he likes that car. The stick shift on it sometimes snaps out of gear, the glove compartment fell apart and had to be glued back together, there are buttons missing on the radio, the gas tank's little door has to be opened from inside the trunk, which, by the way, can only open by unlocking it from the outside, and his remote car lock doesn't work and it's not because of batteries either. Still, he refuses to get a new car. *SIGH* Some things never change...
This is a nice story, FAN. I think a lot of people can relate!
DJ Maul: Got Feet?
DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party
date Posted: Apr 28, 2008 6:07 AM
Hondas are good reliable cars; my wife drove one for YEARS before a car accident finally did it in.

I always imaginged Han putting a bumper sticker on the back of the Falcon..."She Aint Pretty But She Gets Me There" LOL....


to papaphrase Neil Young...."long may she run..."


comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
date Posted: Apr 28, 2008 7:47 AM
My wife and I got a brand new car 2 years ago - a Mazda 3, which is awesome. Before that the newest car I owned was an '86 tercel wagon (4X4)! I have had 3 other older cars including the wagon - an 82 subaru hatch back, an 80 datson 280Z, and an 84 audi 4000s. I loved all those cars for different reasons!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! :)
The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: Apr 29, 2008 12:02 AM
HANda! Perfect!

I can totally relate. My ol' Mazda may not look like much... and heck, she really doesn't even got it where it count. But she's reliable -- so what if that air conditioning never seems to work? Just gives it character.
I think you're right on -- Han Solo totally influenced a whole generation to love the ol' clunkers and appreciate what they've got!
  FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Apr 29, 2008 6:02 AM
Wow! I didn't even realize/think about the pun (HANda) until you mentioned it.
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