Shucks $500!!! In my time that much money for a first car would have bought darn near a new one. My first car in 1971 cost me $50. It was a 1967 VW Beetle. It had rubber floor mat, cardboard headliner and a screw holding up the drivers window. Heater didnt work as the heat tubes were gone, and other assundry issues but that little car ran and ran and ran. I put about $200 worth of body/engine work in it and made it last for about 3 years. I in turn sold it for $350! I thought I made a killing on that car. I personally dont think what your first car was, as long as you respected the road and other drivers...and of course enjoyed driving!