I love having a car until it breaks down, then I hate being so dependent on one. The problems I have had with mine have been minor, sure, but it's still not fun and I still will whine about it. You have to get rides from people and alter your plans to fit around said rides. Your independence is gone and you feel somehow indebted to them. Not to mention the cost of getting any work done on your car. All mechanics have to do is touch the hood and it seems to already be $100. Sometimes, I wish I had a horse and buggy but even that would end up having problems too.
However, I am happy and grateful for friends that take care of me. Having car problems reminds me of my inability to ask for help. I have a very "I can do it by myself" attitude that I sometimes forget I can't always do it. Car problems remind me I need to rely on others and ask for help sometimes. That feeling of vulnerability is uncomfortable but I think it's also valuable. It reminds me I don't have to do it all on my own.
Thankfully, my problems weren't as bad as I thought and my roommate shuttled me to work while my boyfriend actually took over fixing my car. I am grateful for the wonderful people in my life and I'm thankful for car problems to remind me of this.