"...when it runs, it’s magic."

CORONA—It’s not uncommon to hear people reminisce about their early experiences with cars from the ’90s. But while parents and teachers were busy warning teens about the dangers of drugs, few prepared them for a different kind of addiction: 90s “s***boxes.” From Hondas to BMWs to Toyotas, these aging machines have earned a place in the hearts of many who grew up working on them, often with more frustration than success.

“Nothing prepared me for my first car, a ’95 Honda Civic,” said Tom Henderson, a longtime car lover. “Everyone talked about how reliable Hondas were, but no one warned me about the headaches of keeping a 20-year-old car running. I was constantly fixing oil leaks, replacing belts, and patching up rust. But somehow, it was the most fun I ever had.”

For many enthusiasts, 90s cars were their first experience with performance tuning on a budget, even if it meant sacrificing comfort and reliability. Mark Taylor, who once owned a ’98 BMW 3 Series, shared a similar story. “I thought I was getting a slice of luxury,” Taylor laughed. “But the reality was that I spent every weekend under the hood, dealing with electrical issues and expensive parts. Still, there’s something special about a ’90s BMW. It’s temperamental, sure, but when it runs, it’s magic. And I’ll have it running again—I’m sure of it.”

These aging machines seemed to have conditioned many car enthusiasts. They may have been s***boxes, but they forced you to understand that working on cars isn’t so bad—an understanding nobody warned them about but one they ended up falling into, face first.