Don't Sell Your Soul For A Minivan – How I Survived The "Dad Car" Panic

Since the days of Midnight Club 3 and Gran Turismo, I dreamed that one day I'd own a left-hand drive, twin-turbo, targa-top MKIV Toyota Supra. I told myself that that car would be mine one day. But while I still admire a clean MKIV, having kids has definitely shifted my perspective a bit.

The "Dad" Car Panic

I remember sitting in the delivery room just before my twins were born, frantically scrolling through listings for "practical" and "family-friendly" vehicles. At the time, I was driving a Lexus IS 350. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the flood of emotions, but I convinced myself I needed to sell it to give my family a "better" life.

Looking back, that panic was unnecessary. I realized that the IS, combined with my wife's Mazda CX-5, actually worked perfectly. Jess and I had promised each other early on that we wouldn’t lose our identities just because we were becoming parents. I firmly believe that incorporating your hobbies into your kids' lives allows you to get the best of both worlds.

And it paid off. One of my favorite memories is my kids sitting in the back, asking for more when I rev my car.

You Can’t Be A Fulfilling Parent If You Aren’t Fulfilled Yourself

If you're an expecting parent worried about sacrificing your passion, don't be. You can’t be a fulfilling parent if you aren’t fulfilled yourself. Yes, sacrifices happen, but you don't have to sell your soul (or your fun car) for a minivan, no offense to minivan fans out there.

Fast forward two years, and I finally had the opportunity to move on from the IS 350. I could have bought that dream Supra, but I wanted something modern, safe, and spacious enough for the whole family without being boring.

Enter The Toyota GR Corolla.

It has four doors and hatchback practicality, but it packs a high-strung turbo three-cylinder that screams. (More on the GR Corolla in a future post). While I don't necessarily want the MKIV Supra anymore, I love my fun "dad" car. More importantly, my kids think "dada's car" is the coolest thing, and that's all I could ever ask for.