not so new car

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	New2grammar  #545407  Wed, 23 Jul 08 12:48 PM When I just bought my brand new car, I would take good care of it. Whenever I took it out, I would watch for bumps and park in well-lit areas. Now that it's no longer perfect from scratches and dents, I speed through bumps and potholes. Is the above correct and natural? Thanks.    New2grammar Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006 Veteran Member (7,670) Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

	Marius Hancu  #545409  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:08 PM  Now that it's no longer free from scratches and dents  Now that it's no longer perfect, from scratches and dents,    Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Montreal, Canada Veteran Member (11,673)

	Mister Micawber  #545410  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:08 PM . The past habitual 'would' is not so common now.  I would write it this way: Right after I bought my new car, I took good care of it. Whenever I took it out, I watched for bumps and parked in well-lit areas. Now that it's covered with scratches and dents, I speed over bumps and potholes.    Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member (20,444) 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	Tidus  #545411  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:09 PM This is better: When I had just bought my brand new car, I would take took good care of it. Whenever I took it out I would watch for bumps, and park in well-lit areas. Now that it's no longer perfect from and has scratches and dents, I speed through over bumps and potholes.    Tidus Joined on Mon, Nov 27 2006 England Full Member (360)

	Marius Hancu  #545413  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:13 PM  Tidus: I just wander why  took but would watch in terms of consistency     Marius Hancu

	Tidus  #545415  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:15 PM PS: When I said "this is better" I mean better than the original rather than better than the other replies    Tidus

	New2grammar  #545416  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:15 PM Thank you so much, everyone. Just one question, what's the difference between speed through and speed over? I get some hits on Google for speed through.    New2grammar
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	Mister Micawber  #545423  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:26 PM . They are prepositions of relative position.  The potholes and bumps are under your car, so I suggest over.  Through suggests enclosure and/or duration-- you might speed through a very large pothole, especially if it were full of water.    Mister Micawber
Prepositions

	New2grammar  #545427  Wed, 23 Jul 08 01:40 PM Thanks for the explanation. It helps to understand what they mean rather than using them blindly. I see the picture now. Thanks a lot!!    New2grammar