Definition: That clapped-out, aging car you emotionally cling to because it’s survived every road trip, breakup, and questionable life choice with you. It rattles like a maraca band and smells faintly of nostalgia and spilled fast food, yet it fires up faithfully, costs pennies to maintain, and handles backroads like a trusty mutt chasing squirrels.
Selling it feels like betraying a war buddy who saved your ass. You’ll spend years wistfully eyeing parking lots, whispering, “Should’ve kept Bessie,” while your sensible SUV sulks in the driveway like a jealous rebound.
Example:
Despite its clapped-out appearance and constant rattling, I emotionally cling to my old sedan; it survived college and countless moves, costing pennies to maintain.
Selling my faithful beater felt like betraying a war buddy; now I see similar cars and instantly regret letting mine go for something “sensible”.