To Everyone Who Leaves a Comment

Lately, I’ve been receiving more comments and messages, and I’m truly grateful. When I first started writing, hardly anyone was visiting the blog, and I used to think, “No one’s reading this Panamera fan blog anyway… (-_-)”

Now, when I sit down to write, I can picture the people who’ll be reading. It gives me a real sense of purpose—and I’m genuinely thankful.

The people who comment or message me all seem to love cars and live rich, fulfilling lives. They understand the joy a car can bring, how the dream of owning a particular car can motivate you to work hard, and how having a car can make life better for you and your family.

I Used to Think Cars Were Unnecessary

But there was a time when I thought cars were a waste of money.

They’re expensive to buy and maintain, and public transportation gets you where you need to go. So why go out of your way to own a car? I couldn’t see the point. Then I met my husband, who more or less made me get in a car and, whether I asked or not, started filling my head with car facts. Before long, I began to realize:

A car can make life so much richer.

I learned that a car isn’t just a way to get from place to place—it can bring the pure joy of driving.

I learned that on a racetrack, engineers, drivers, and specialists from every field work together with everything they’ve got to claim victory. Now I think I understand, at least a little, why the winning team embraces one another and cries with joy.

I also learned that the automakers leading the industry today were founded by people with a burning passion. Their companies started from nothing, and during wartime, some had to compromise even their deepest convictions. Still, they kept going, refused to give up, and built their legacy through years of refinement and improvement.

I learned that Bosch control technology is used by most German automakers. (Until then, I honestly thought Bosch was just a dishwasher brand. lol)

The world I discovered through cars was one I’d never have encountered otherwise. It showed me that there’s always someone more accomplished, that the world I can see is only a small part of the whole, and that there’s so much more out there than I’d imagined.

That’s why my curiosity—and my desire to discover a world I haven’t seen yet!—has grown stronger than ever.

Until the Day I Buy a Panamera of My Own

Today, buying a Panamera GTS is one of the things that motivates me at work. I want to earn one for myself, experience a world I’ve yet to discover, and see what it’s like to be part of it. (If you’re wondering why I want a Panamera GTS when I already drive a Panamera Turbo, I explain it in the article below.)

Why I Still Want Another Panamera, Even Though I Already Own One

So, without a doubt, I now see cars not as a waste of money, but as a tool that can enrich your life. That doesn’t mean everyone has to feel the same way. If you know what cars have to offer and still decide they’re not for you, that’s perfectly fine. It’s a personal choice.

But I think it’s a shame to dismiss cars based on an impression alone—to say, “They’re just expensive and pointless.” You can’t really know what something is like until you try it for yourself. Who knows? You might discover something that changes your life completely.

And here I am, sounding awfully high-minded, when I’ve actually become less open-minded than I was ten years ago. I used to be more trusting—or maybe I just didn’t think things through. I’d take advice and act on it, and often end up learning the hard way. (Honestly, about nine times out of ten. lol)

These days, after going through a fair bit, I don’t take every piece of advice or bit of information at face value. I ask myself, “Is that really true?” Then I look into it and decide for myself. That kind of caution is important—it’s a way of navigating life and keeping yourself out of trouble. But I wonder if it might also be limiting what I believe is possible.

Today is April 2, the start of a new school and business year in Japan. It’s also when many new graduates begin their first jobs. I’m going to take this as a reminder to rediscover the value of staying open-minded—and do my best.