David Collopy of Opera Ireland talks about his mustard coloured Toyota Corolla
What was your first car and why did you buy it? A mustard coloured Toyota Corolla - 1,100 cc. I was sick of walking my girlfriend home in the rain.
Was it new or secondhand? Secondhand.
Did you know how to drive when you bought it, or did you learn to drive in it? Learned to drive the year before in my father's Triumph Herald.
What did you know about cars when you bought it? Nothing.
What advice did you get when you were looking for a car? Look at the mileage on the clock and see if it matches the wear on the pedals - and look under the wheel arches for rust.
What did you pay for it and what impact did running a car have on your pocket?
£3,000. I was an articled clerk in a local accountancy practice with very small pay. The impact was severe but I managed somehow.
Was it hard to get insurance? No. To begin with my father insured it as a second car and I was a named driver on the policy. After a year I insured it in my own name. It didn't seem half as expensive as it is now.
How reliable was it? Very - never had a problem.
How did it change your life? Improved my love life no end.
What was the longest trip you ever took in the car? Wexford to Bantry, Co Cork.
What was your best memory or most memorable moment in the car? The sense of new-found freedom driving it out of the garage for the first time.
What was your worst memory associated with the car? Driving at night in a bad snow storm from Dublin to Wexford. Took four and a half hours. I was petrified.
How long did you keep your first car and why did you decide to get rid of it for another? I had it three years. It was in good condition when I sold it. Just wanted a newer one.
Did you sell it on for a better deal? Sold it for a Burgundy coloured Mazda 323 - 1,300 cc - another great car.