Fast forward to 1990, bought a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix STE. Drove it for 12 years. Loved that car but a rookie Semi driver totaled it and almost totaled me as well. then I bought a 2002 Toyota Highlander once I got cleared by the docs to drive. Still got the Highlander and it runs like a top.

I loved my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then it had issues. This last car I bought after getting rid of my mildly disappointing RAV4 is a 21 Subaru Crosstrek. It hits almost all of my wants. It’s got the bigger 2.5 although I wouldn’t mind a WRX engine option. I wish the seats had more bolster. I wish the cup holders were side by side. Other than that it’s a great car. Handles well, it has enough power, it’s a mountain goat in the snow, looks pretty cool, in 5 years I’ll probably put in 2” of loft and big tires, skid plates, roof tent and it will become my camping car. I do kind of love it.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
I had an MGB. I decided, just to be safe, I would never buy another car, of any make, made in the UK.

Ah come on man. That’s just harsh. You don’t like the continual “fuel pump, water pump, clutch” cycle?

I think you’re forgetting cracked head that pumps coolant out onto the distributor cap under load; transmission rebuild that requires the engine to be pulled to repair (IIRC), no start with temps below freezing, and infamous Lucas electrical system that could (did) cause the lights to just go dark at the most inopportune time. Other than that...

I did not forget Lucas, the prince of darkness, it just doesn’t fit into the cycle. When I worked in a garage while I was in high school the boss explained the cycle, and from the British cars that came through it became clear he was right.
Hadn’t seen the cracked head syndrome. Is that common to many British cars like the fuel pump, water pump, clutch cycle and Lucas nonfunctional electronics? Or is that specific to on manufacturer?

Well seeing as I’ve only owned two vehicles in my 40 years I guess it’d have to be my daily driver for the past 16 years, a 2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4. Not fancy but it’s served me well over the years. One of these days I’d like to own something truly exciting, but with kids and life it will likely be more of a retirement thing.

2001 Mazda Miata Midnight Blue Mica. Bought new by me at the end of 1999 and did some ez bolt-on mods (header, exhaust, lighter wheels, high performance summer tires, freer flowing air intake, etc. and some bling) and drove the snot out of for 65K miles or so.

Sold it when it became family impractical.

Miss the fun and exhilarating times I had driving it and auto x-ing it!

1967 427c.u. Corvette Fastback. Pale yellow with a black hood scoop. Traded it for a 1972 240 Z because a 5 year old car was ancient in 1972 and of course because I was an idiot.

quote:

Hadn’t seen the cracked head syndrome. Is that common to many British cars like the fuel pump, water pump, clutch cycle and Lucas nonfunctional electronics? Or is that specific to on manufacturer?

The only car I had back in the UK that cracked a head was a Rover - with a straight 6 Buick engine. As for the Lucas 'Prince of Darkness' trope, I must have led a charmed life. Aside from the occasional bulb a service items like points, condensers, rotor arms and such, the only electrical item I ever had to replace was a voltage regulator on a 1968 Mini.

Still driving it.... a 2004 Dodge Dakota. LOVE that truck!

This is my favorite of all cars I ever owned!

Buddy of mine got a new Chevy SS after they quit production. First day he got it he came over to show it to me and was bumping redline in several gears. He let me drive it and I did the same. Fun sleeper car.

It'd have to be this one.



There's few things I enjoy more than dropping the top, putting in some 60s/70s tunes, and going for a spin. It's like going back in time.

1986 SAAB 900. The car you could not kill. 400,000 miles and still ran like a top when I traded on my Ford F 150.

1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL

There are faster cars out there but it was the best balanced and most fun car to drive that I have owned.

92 BMW 325is with a Dinan chip, short throw shifter,Remus exhaust and other goodies..Loved that thing in pull me over red..

1988 Mustang GT
Black over Titanium with the Red stripe around it. Black and Grey plaid seating surfaces. 5 Speed manual.
Bought it new in '88 in Milwaukee area.

I've had E-types, Vettes, 911's, Jeeps, Lotus, and too many others to mention. My favorite is my first- 75 MGB in red. I just think of it and I'm 17 again cruising to the Jersey shore. Wish I didn't wreck it, but I was 17, oh well.

Couple I wish I still had. But common sense and practicality reared their ugly heads...

1985 BMW M6. Gray market import. Just an amazing car. Not a “sports car”, more of a very, very refined GT, especially considering the age, even when I owned it twenty years after it was made, it was one of the most enjoyable driving experiences I’ve had.





The only other car I could ever even think of putting up next to the E24.... The E39 M5. Silverstone with black interior. A simply amazing car. A plush, luxurious roomy sedan. That just plain handled and drove better than anything I’ve driven next to the M6.





Currently, driving a 2020 Tacoma, took forever to find a manual transmission. While it’s probably the best truck I’ve had, I can still mis the BMWs, right?



Bill R

My first vehicle when I was 16 was a 1971 Chevelle with a small block 350. I rebuilt the engine with a ton of performance parts and I thoroughly enjoyed driving that car. And, except for the jumps, I drove it like the Dukes of Hazard making the next episode. After that, every other vehicle was a method to get to work or travel, no real excitement. I did enjoy a 1994 Acura Legend. It was luxurious, but not necessarily exciting. I am 58 now and all of the vehicles since I was 16 have been a tool for commuting. The most reliable has been a 1997 Toyota Avalon. I still have that and it is still running like new.
Fast forward and a couple of years back I purchased a 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S. And I rediscovered excitement in driving. Whether I am just driving to the store or the roads in the Smokey Mtns of east TN or western NC, it is pure pleasure to drive. At the time I purchased it the vehicle had 17,800 miles on it and was 6 years old. I picked up a like-new vehicle for 1/4 the price the original owner paid for it. I am in love with this vehicle.

Ordered a new Fiat 124 Spider just before leaving Vietnam. It was a 5-speed, double overhead cam, high winder. Had not much power but cornered reasonably well and I loved it. Drove it top down in the northern winters occasionally with very heavy and warm clothing. Sold it when we became parents for a frigging station wagon! Disappointing on the car-front but wonderful on the family front!

Have had numerous sports/sporty car ever since. My true all time favorite is my current 2010 Porsche 911/977 coupe with 6-speed manual. Started life as a base coupe with 345 hp, 275 ft-lbs from the factory but, like an aging Hollywood actress, it has had some work done. Chipped, a competition intake system, ultra low weight OZ racing wheels, and free-flow exhaust. Now up to near 400 hp, 325 ft-lbs of torque, and improved handling. A real hoot to drive as my everyday driver and puts smile on my face every time!

I have 3.

First was a 1970 VW Beetle. IT was blistering FAST (for a Beetle). It would do 0-60 in 14.3 seconds. Had dual CV joints on the rear axles, would start without any hesitation in -24 degree temps, and actually was a very nice handling car once you learned how to drive a rear engined Beetle properly. Hint, Trail Brake to the Apex and roll into the throttle exiting. Done right and you would transition into a fantastic power drift.

Second, the first new car I ever purchased and it's still in my garage. A 1985 Monte Carlo SS. When new 180 hp was a bit lacking but it's always been a very good handling car. Now it has a GMPP HT383 under the hood and has plenty of "passing power".

Third is a bit of a throwback to my Beetle but it's a much more modern ride. 2019 Ford Fiesta ST. Will do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds and has a top speed in the 140's. As for handling, it dominates H Street Autocross.