Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a thing for cars. Not just any cars, but the ones that make your heart race a little faster when they pass you on the road. Before, it used to be a simple recognition of the logos for all the car brands, but as I’ve grown older, I started paying more attention to the little details of every model of every brand. I’d memorize specs of cars like song lyrics and can now name models from just a glimpse of the headlights. My love for cars was never just about transportation — it was about the beauty of such works of art.
As college decisions rolled in and it started to look like I’d be heading to UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, it felt like everything was clicking into place. The fact that I was staying in state saved my family hundreds of thousands on tuition, and that opened the door to something I’d only dreamed of: getting my own car, one that will really catch the attention of the road.
It wasn’t a decision I took lightly or took for granted. I feel extremely lucky and grateful to be in a position where this situation is a reality. I spent hours building specs of cars on different brands’ websites and watched countless YouTube reviews. From the sleek Genesis G70 to a bigger more luxurious GV70, and from the aggressive Mercedes C43 AMG to the BMW M340i, every car had its charm. But none of them checked quite as many boxes as the Audi S5 Sportback.
After weighing performance, design, classiness and the vibe of the car, I landed on a 2025 Audi S5 in Daytona Grey. With the Black Optics package, carbon fiber accents and grey Nappa leather interior, it felt like the perfect mix of athleticism and luxury.
Originally, the plan was to wait until my sophomore year, when I’d be living off-campus and really need a car. But with a malicious 25% tariff on imported vehicles and an upcoming 2026 model that just didn’t have the same appeal, we decided to act. It was now or never — and neither of us regrets it one bit. Every time I step out into my driveway and look at the car, I think about how fortunate I am to have such a supportive family and the great privilege to be in this position.
This isn’t just about a car. It’s about what the car represents: years of hard work paying off, a future I’m excited to drive around and a deep sense of gratitude for everything that’s made this possible.
