Len calls the Mazda MX-6 his first “mint” car. There had been a primer Sentra that never moved and a 350Z that helped him learn to drive stick around the block, but the Mazda was the first one that really became his.

He saved his money and worked for it. His uncle found the MX-6 at auction and started bidding. Len’s first reaction was basically no. The shape was a little strange and it wasn’t the car he had pictured for himself.

Then it came home. The V6, leather seats and moonroof started to make sense. He was in 10th grade heading into 11th, and before long the Mazda got the other essential ingredient of the era: sound. Two 12-inch subs, budget-friendly amps and enough bass to make leaving Gardena High School an event.

I used to be subbing leaving Gardena High School.

The MX-6 wasn’t a dream car. That might be exactly why the memory works. It was attainable, imperfect and completely his. The kind of car that teaches you that enthusiasm often starts long before you can afford the cars on your wall.