# 15 - MINDSET improvement - Car is a Symbol of Success?

The Car One Drives Reflects One's Success

My first vehicle was a brand new Honda EX5 motorbike which I bought in 1999, when I was working in Penang & Ipoh. PEC 1255, I still remember the plate number. The bike meant a lot to me but had to sell it for some cash which I needed very desperately a couple of years after that.

Then in 2001 I bought my first van, i.e. a used Toyota Liteace (BDE 4547). I bought this van because I wanted to start a business. I did start a biz but it didn't last long. I had not enough of everything that is needed to be successful in biz - money,suppliers,customers,creativity bla bla. It was doomed to fail in the first place.

Then in 2002 I bought my first car, a used Proton Iswara. This car was my biggest mistake. First of all because it is a used car. Not only that, it is a VERY BAD used car. For all I know now, maybe this car was even a Kereta Potong! Who knows....at that time Puspakom Check was not compulsory and not a standard practice.

Being deeply frustrated with the Iswara, and having left with no other alternative because I've sold my van to my brother, I then bought my Second car which is a Perodua Kelisa in 2003.

I've been driving this Kelisa (WLD 58XX) since then, for about 6 years now but the odometer has already reached 250,000 km!

I love the Kelisa very much and won't sell it. We've gone through a lot together. And all these while this car had never caused any problem to me. Perodua Engineering product is excellent and very trustworthy.

So what'all all these got to do with my improvement for today? The answer is ALL OF IT. Because from the story you can see how I improved from a motorbike owner, to a used car owner, to a new small car owner......and today my greatest achievement so far in the aspect of owning a car is that.....today I paid the deposit for a bigger car, in line with my growing kids/family, i.e a Toyota Avanza 1.5e/AT.So I've moved a step further in this aspect of my life.

Eventhough Avanza is not as good as a BMW which some of my friends are driving, for me this is the best I've achieved so far.....

For this I'd like to thank my Toyota Salesman (En Azhar Taat) for making my car buying experience a breeze in the park. My loan application was processed within 3 days, and the discount given to me was a BIG relief! The service rendered by him so far is excellent. I would easily and happily recommend him to all my friends who wants to buy a new Toyota!

Now my whole family (especially my wife) is looking forward to get our new Avanza during Ramadhan.......Insya'Allah....