I clearly remember the first time I drove through the student parking lot at the local HS and noticed most of the vehicles were newer and nicer than mine...
“Its alot more fun talking about the bad beater cars w have had growing up.”
I recall decades ago in National Lampoon magazine they had a fake ad for a Revell model car. “My First Car”, which came complete with miss-matched tires, coat hanger radio antennea, and chrome goodies like a chrome oil filler cap. All they missed were the clear plastic pillow-puff Fingerhut seat covers and a half case of oil in the trunk. LOL!
No kidding. When I was in HS (graduated in 84) if you had a beater, it was great because at least you had a car.
Now these little delicate geniuses will never know the great feeling of breaking down in a dark parking lot after a movie. Having to pour a quart of oil into the car every time you go more than a mile, etc...