My first step in America was in 2004. Making the big decision to immigrate and arriving in a strange land where everything was new and frightening, there was one item that held great significance for me. It was my first car, a 2004 Nissan Sentra.

To be honest, I didn't know much about cars back then. In Korea, public transportation was the main means of travel, and I didn't drive much myself.

But America was different. It was hard to get around without a car, and a car was a means of survival and a symbol of independence. During a time when my English was poor and I was confused about the roads, the silver Nissan Sentra I encountered at the dealership felt like a friend welcoming me.

It was a used car, but it was in decent condition, small yet practical, and above all, to me, Nissan was a "foreign-made car."

Some of my friends drove Toyota Camrys or Honda Accords, but I liked my Sentra the most. The cheerful engine sound when I started it, the thrill of driving on the highway for the first time, and those late-night drives with the radio on... they are still vivid in my memory.

As time passed, I now drive a Hyundai Tucson. The technology and convenience features have certainly improved beyond comparison. The navigation is much smarter, and the ride is smoother. But sometimes I miss that simple and reliable Sentra. Back then, I was clumsy and scared about everything, but strangely, I felt at ease in that car.

However, these days, seeing Nissan makes me a bit bittersweet. Once a brand that stood shoulder to shoulder with Honda and Toyota, it seems its status has changed significantly.

Did something start to go wrong after the merger with Renault? The old image of Nissan as "a sturdy and long-lasting car" seems to have shifted, with many expressing disappointment in engine durability and overall technology.

One of my friends recently drove a Pathfinder and switched to a Hyundai after experiencing frequent engine failures at 70,000 miles, while another friend sold his Nissan Murano for a pittance due to CVT transmission issues. Online, there are fewer recommendations for Nissan than before, and instead, many suggest avoiding it. It's unfortunate to see my first car brand being shunned like this...

Of course, as time passes, the automotive market and consumer standards have changed significantly. Technology advances daily, and new paradigms like electric vehicles have emerged. Perhaps Nissan has been stuck in outdated ways amidst these changes. There may have been a lack of innovation or failure to manage consumer trust.

Still, to me, Nissan remains a brand with a special feeling of 'first.' The memory of the day I got my first car, standing in the parking lot with that key in my hand. Even though I now drive a different car and live a different life, sometimes I see the sunlight reflecting in the rearview mirror, and those feelings come rushing back.

Nissan may find it hard to regain its former glory, but for those like me who have memories of once being with Nissan, it may still be an unforgettable brand.

Your first car is not just a means of transportation; it is a companion that shared a period of your life.