76 replies to this topic

[Vater]

I know the age demographic on Coaster-Net has always skewed young, so posting this topic might have been somewhat futile in the past...but I've been here over 8 years now and many of the 'underage' folks are now in college and such, so I'm assuming many of you have owned one or several cars by now.

This is sort of a two-purpose topic. I'd like to know what cars you have owned, as well as your favorite cars in general. In all, this will hopefully be just a good general discussion of all things automobile. I've always been somewhat of a car guy (especially sports/performance cars), but I admit that while I know quite a bit about them on a surface level, I'm not much of a grease monkey aside from a few very basic bolt-on modifications I've done.

So post your cars, your dream cars, photos, anything...there has to be someone here who's as passionate about cars as I am (or moreso)! I'm into cars just about as much as I'm into coasters. After all, you can experience similar thrill, except you're the one in control.

[Thunderhead]

Some folk here (mike) know about my car.







'Nuff said.

[Vater]

^Yup, being a former Jeep owner myself, the mention of your Jeep in another thread actually inspired me to start this one. Awesome rock-crawler you've got there; I'd always wanted to lift mine, but never had the money.

Here are all the cars I've owned. Even though I had my license at 16, I wasn't allowed to drive alone (without a parent or older brother with me) until I was well past 17. Consequently, I feel I became a pretty solid and conscious driver (of course I did not like my folks much at the time ). But not very long after the few months Dad would lend me the keys to his '84 Pontiac Bonneville, I received my first car as a Christmas present from my parents when I was just shy of 18...

1987 Chevrolet Nova
Owned December 1990 - March 1995
Modifications: cheesy plastic TrakAuto hubcaps and lots of bumper stickers


This is not my actual car, but the closest thing to it I could find on the Net. Mine was dark grey, automatic.

The '87 Nova (obviously completely unrelated to the Chevy Nova muscle car of the 60s and 70s), is basically a Toyota Corolla (built on the same platform, same internals) with a Chevy body. Being my first car, I loved it, and it served me very well for the four years I owned it.

1995 Jeep Wrangler
Owned March 1995 - January 2002
Modifications: Kenwood stereo head unit


Again, this is not a photo of my actual Jeep, but this one is exactly like it--same color, soft top, half-doors, wheels...

I had wanted a small truck, and the ones that caught my eye when I started looking were the Isuzu Amigo and Jeep Wrangler. Most of these had manual transmissions, so I spent a few weeks learning and practicing driving my friend's '87 Corolla (essentially the same car as my Nova, as I mentioned). The Jeep was ultimately a better deal than the Amigo, so I made it my first brand new car. I saved up a small fortune and put close to a $10k downpayment on it. It was payed off in 2 and a half years (I wish I had that same mentality with all the cars I've owned). I had more fun with this vehicle than any other; between beach trips and amusement park trips, off-roading and hauling my band's equipment trailer, this thing did it all, and with the top down whenever possible.

It had the 4-cylinder engine; while I really wanted the 6, they ran a good $4-5K more. The 4 was fine for daily driving, but I really put a strain on it when hauling the band trailer.

1999 Ford Explorer Sport
Owned January 2002 - March 2009
Modificaitons: AutoZone LED shift knob



When it was time to get rid of the Jeep (way past the time, actually--my soft top was full of rips and holes, so much so that when driving in the snow, it actually snowed inside the Jeep), I wanted a more practical 4x4 that could haul my drums, and I still wanted a manual transmission. Larger SUVs with stick shifts were few and far between, but I finally found this 3 year old Explorer with 69k miles on the clock for a decent price. I loved it when I first got it, primarily because no wind, snow, or rain got inside. After a while, though, I grew to dislike the bouncy truck suspension and soft handling, and during the last few years I had it, the check engine light would frequently come on. It also ate gas (18mpg on a good day), so I decided to buy a cheap, economical daily driver and keep the Explorer for hauling my drums when I gigged. After much research, I ultimately decided on a very economical, yet fun two-seater...

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Owned August 2005 - June 2009
Modifications: 15x7" flat black Rota Slipstream wheels, modified stock stereo, new soft top with glass rear window (someone slashed my old top 3 days after I bought the car), hard top (from another red '91 MX-5); also, aftermarket short ram intake and chassis stiffening brace that were on the car when I took ownership



I bought this from a girl in D.C. who was only the third owner in 14 years (the second was her dad, who was a "Miata guy"). I knew very little about these cars when I picked it up, but after all I learned about them over the next few years, I realized I had found a little gem in this one. Miatas are vastly underrated cars--many performance car fans find them underpowered, but their ~2200 lb. curb weight and 50/50 front/rear weight ratio makes for one of the best-handling (and consequently most fun) cars ever built. While I said I had the most fun with the Jeep, that is true; however, the most fun I've had just driving was in the Miata, hands down. It's an oversized go-kart. Unfortunately, the day before I was going to sell it to a buyer driving up from Tennessee, I totaled it on I495.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
Owned December 2008 - August 2009
Modifications: none


The only photo I could find of the Santa Fe, shown here with my son "helping" me wash the Miata.

The Santa Fe was originally my wife's, until I bought her a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Limited for Christmas 2008. The plan was for me to sell the Explorer (which I did the following March) and use the Santa Fe, which was in better shape, for gigs. It was only the second car I've owned with an automatic transmission. It definitely drove and handled better than the Explorer, but the Miata had spoiled me at this point, and I found the Santa Fe rather boring to drive. Wishing I could have another more exciting car that would also double as a drumset/family hauler, my wife suggested selling both the Santa Fe and Miata for a car I had wanted sice it was introduced in 2007: the Mazdaspeed 3.

As I said, I totaled the Miata, and we ended up selling the Santa Fe back to my wife's parents (who sold it to us in the first place), so I took that money and the insurance money from the totaled Miata and put a downpayment on my next car...

2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3
Owned August 2009 - Present
Modifications: gloss black painted emblems, JBarone short-throw shift plate and shifter bushings




Ever since Mazda introduced the 3 in 2004, I wanted one. Then, when it was announced that the folks at Mazdaspeed (Mazda's U.S. racing and performance division) was engineering their version of the 3, I really wanted one. When the specs were released, it seemed too good to be true: 263 horsepower, 280 lb/ft of torque. Those are ridiculous numbers, and the price was in the mid-20k range, which equates to just about the most power you can get in a production car for the money. I originally wanted a first-generation Mazdaspeed 3 (2007-2009), because when I saw the body style of the new 2010, I despised it...until I saw it in person at the dealership. I still didn't love it, but I grew to like it enough to buy it. In fact, mine was the first second generation Mazdaspeed 3 to sell in the Northern VA (possibly even the entire DC/MD/VA) area.

This car has been awesome. It's a rocket, even in stock form. It's got some decent options as well, like GPS navigation, remote keyless entry and push-button start, and my personal favorite, Bluetooth (works with both phone calls and streaming audio from my Droid).

As fun and fast as this car is, I still don't find it quite as much fun to drive as the Miata. I will own another one someday, when I can afford to have another second vehicle again.

[Nessie]

Actually, since I'm not old enough to drive and my family's current cars are Mercury Monterey and Milan, I guess I'll pick a favorite. And, for all around awesomeness, I pick the McLarenF1, followed by a Porsche 969 (I think, it could have been another one). I perfer comfort over raw speed, and since I can get both (With a couble billion) with those.

I have unrealistic fantasies.

Edited by Nessie, 23 January 2011 - 11:10 PM.

[Thunderhead]

Nice YJ Vater! People complain about wheeling the 4-Banger all the time on JeepForum but it was a decent motor. I got the 4.0 in mine and its bulletproof.

How do you like the Mazda? We just got a Kia Soul and we looked at that mazda but it was kind of cramped.

[Tyler Carlton]

Not my car, just a representation.

I have a '97 Chevy S-10 at home, but I don't have it with me at college since there is no where to park down here. The car pictured is a 2000, but mine looks almost identical since Chevy didn't get too creative with the S-10 for a pretty long stretch of time. I have a black hard top tonneau cover on mine as well. I have the super-economy edition as I like to call it since it has manual windows, manual locks, no CD player, and no cruise control. Definitely not the greatest car, but it does its job just fine.

As for my favorite car:


I love Audi. Especially the r8. Too bad I will never drive one since the baseline price is over $100,000.

On a slightly more realistic note, I really like the new Camaro and Mustang.

[Vicarious Chair]

Much like Vater, I first car happens to be a 2011 Mazda 3; minus the speed part

Check it out, it's name is Huber:













2011 model has a few changes to the 2010 ones such as the running lights are different shapes; interior cloth seats are improved and some other interior details improved along with a 2.5 upgraded engine. So much comes iwth his thing just being baseline stock for 5dr.
needs a turbo, I know.

The Bluetooth stuff IS awesome. I've got my iPod Touch in there at all times with no wires connected.

I should probably change my avatar in spite of my first car being from a different continent.


And also Vater, you had to put a front license plate on? That's BS; there isn't a spot for it in the front.

Edited by Vicarious Chair, 24 January 2011 - 01:28 AM.

[Vater]

Nice YJ Vater! People complain about wheeling the 4-Banger all the time on JeepForum but it was a decent motor. I got the 4.0 in mine and its bulletproof.

How do you like the Mazda? We just got a Kia Soul and we looked at that mazda but it was kind of cramped.

Thanks, I loved the YJ, and like I said, the I4 never gave me problems except when I was hauling heavy stuff. And honestly, I really shouldn't have added a hitch to it for hauling the band trailer, and I even knew it at the time. Taxed the hell out of the engine and transmission, especially when we had out of town gigs that required driving through the mountains (I had semi trucks passing me like I was standing still).

The Mazda is great, although I wish it had options for full leather, heated seats, and HID headlights (the light output from the halogens in this car are the worst I've ever had, and that's saying a lot because my Miata's were terrible as well). The 2011s have those options (minus all leather). Also, the 2010s have these options, but only in other countries. I'm also not crazy about the red pattern on the seats, door inserts, and dash, which only the Mazdaspeed version has--I would kill for the leather interior from a Grand Touring 3.


Ugly red dots...

Much like Vater, I first car happens to be a 2011 Mazda 3; minus the speed part

2011 model has a few changes to the 2010 ones such as the running lights are different shapes; interior cloth seats are improved and some other interior details improved along with a 2.5 upgraded engine. So much comes iwth his thing just being baseline stock for 5dr.
needs a turbo, I know.

The Bluetooth stuff IS awesome. I've got my iPod Touch in there at all times with no wires connected.

I should probably change my avatar in spite of my first car being from a different continent.

And also Vater, you had to put a front license plate on? That's BS; there isn't a spot for it in the front.

Yes, VA requires a front plate. It sucks, because if I were to take a chance and run without one (you'll notice I did that for a while with the Miata), I will have two drill holes in the grill insert, thanks to the dealer.

Nice 3, though...at least you have the 2.5, which has more power than the previous generation (the 2.3L non-turbo was the 'fast' version back in 2004), and the 3's handling has always been its selling point (Mazda is all about building driver's cars). I remember driving my friend's mom's 2004 5-door 3 (which she still has and loves), and was blown away by how well it drove for such an inexpensive compact.

The Mazdaspeed is kind of a different animal, with the 2.3L DISI turbo engine, beefed up suspension, bigger brakes and 18" wheels. Personally, I would be really happy with the Mazda 3 as a first car...I would have gotten in a lot of trouble if the Speed 3 was the first.

I noticed there's a red Protege behind your car in one pic...is that in the family as well? Is it the 4 or 5 door?

[The BeastFan]

This is the car I drive, a 2006 Hyundai Elantra (not my car pictured, its that color though). Its got 86K miles on it and got it at a pretty fair price. On top of that, it came with brand new tires. Its a fun car, pretty zippy with a lot of pick up for such a small car. A few things still WIP are it needs a new CD player, which I'm getting in the spring as part of my birthday/xmas, and we had to flush the transmission as it wasn't EVER changed. We flushed it 3 times and it came out black the first two times (and smelled HORRIBLE as well).

[Thunderhead]

Not my car, just a representation.

I have a '97 Chevy S-10 at home, but I don't have it with me at college since there is no where to park down here. The car pictured is a 2000, but mine looks almost identical since Chevy didn't get too creative with the S-10 for a pretty long stretch of time. I have a black hard top tonneau cover on mine as well. I have the super-economy edition as I like to call it since it has manual windows, manual locks, no CD player, and no cruise control. Definitely not the greatest car, but it does its job just fine.

As for my favorite car:


I love Audi. Especially the r8. Too bad I will never drive one since the baseline price is over $100,000.

On a slightly more realistic note, I really like the new Camaro and Mustang.

Car is freaking sweeet.

Yes, VA requires a front plate. It sucks, because if I were to take a chance and run without one (you'll notice I did that for a while with the Miata), I will have two drill holes in the grill insert, thanks to the dealer.

Nice 3, though...at least you have the 2.5, which has more power than the previous generation (the 2.3L non-turbo was the 'fast' version back in 2004), and the 3's handling has always been its selling point (Mazda is all about building driver's cars). I remember driving my friend's mom's 2004 5-door 3 (which she still has and loves), and was blown away by how well it drove for such an inexpensive compact.

The Mazdaspeed is kind of a different animal, with the 2.3L DISI turbo engine, beefed up suspension, bigger brakes and 18" wheels. Personally, I would be really happy with the Mazda 3 as a first car...I would have gotten in a lot of trouble if the Speed 3 was the first.

I noticed there's a red Protege behind your car in one pic...is that in the family as well? Is it the 4 or 5 door?

Va laws are so much BS sometimes. The plate law is rediculous. And inspection is kinda crazy. Oh well.

My Jeep, didn't list much about it.

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ
4.0 I6
42re 4 Speed
4" Suspension lift
32" BF Goodrich KM2

Most likely upgrading Axles here soon. Locking them, going from 3.55 to 4.56 r&p's.

$1605 for the axle overhaul

[Vicarious Chair]

Nice YJ Vater! People complain about wheeling the 4-Banger all the time on JeepForum but it was a decent motor. I got the 4.0 in mine and its bulletproof.

How do you like the Mazda? We just got a Kia Soul and we looked at that mazda but it was kind of cramped.

Thanks, I loved the YJ, and like I said, the I4 never gave me problems except when I was hauling heavy stuff. And honestly, I really shouldn't have added a hitch to it for hauling the band trailer, and I even knew it at the time. Taxed the hell out of the engine and transmission, especially when we had out of town gigs that required driving through the mountains (I had semi trucks passing me like I was standing still).

The Mazda is great, although I wish it had options for full leather, heated seats, and HID headlights (the light output from the halogens in this car are the worst I've ever had, and that's saying a lot because my Miata's were terrible as well). The 2011s have those options (minus all leather). Also, the 2010s have these options, but only in other countries. I'm also not crazy about the red pattern on the seats, door inserts, and dash, which only the Mazdaspeed version has--I would kill for the leather interior from a Grand Touring 3.


Ugly red dots...

Much like Vater, I first car happens to be a 2011 Mazda 3; minus the speed part

2011 model has a few changes to the 2010 ones such as the running lights are different shapes; interior cloth seats are improved and some other interior details improved along with a 2.5 upgraded engine. So much comes iwth his thing just being baseline stock for 5dr.
needs a turbo, I know.

The Bluetooth stuff IS awesome. I've got my iPod Touch in there at all times with no wires connected.

I should probably change my avatar in spite of my first car being from a different continent.

And also Vater, you had to put a front license plate on? That's BS; there isn't a spot for it in the front.

Yes, VA requires a front plate. It sucks, because if I were to take a chance and run without one (you'll notice I did that for a while with the Miata), I will have two drill holes in the grill insert, thanks to the dealer.

Nice 3, though...at least you have the 2.5, which has more power than the previous generation (the 2.3L non-turbo was the 'fast' version back in 2004), and the 3's handling has always been its selling point (Mazda is all about building driver's cars). I remember driving my friend's mom's 2004 5-door 3 (which she still has and loves), and was blown away by how well it drove for such an inexpensive compact.

The Mazdaspeed is kind of a different animal, with the 2.3L DISI turbo engine, beefed up suspension, bigger brakes and 18" wheels. Personally, I would be really happy with the Mazda 3 as a first car...I would have gotten in a lot of trouble if the Speed 3 was the first.

I noticed there's a red Protege behind your car in one pic...is that in the family as well? Is it the 4 or 5 door?

Yeah haha I don't really need the turbo or anything; I don't plan on racing or anything alike. The handling is amazing as well; extremely responsive and little to no under/over steer. And yes, haha the red Protege 5 (5 door, 02) is my mom's, which is sort of the reason I wanted the 3. I was going to get a '08 3 in black, but for only 2 grand more I was able to get the 2011 3 with only 2500 miles on it. We got like 4 grand off the MSRP on a new one. Maybe later on I'll pick up the mazda turbo kit and see if I can drop it in and order the nice hood; but that won't be years from now. Also, my headlights are phenominal; how are yours bad!?


I gotta say I love yours in black; I saw it in person a little while go and it was sharp; but after we went to see this one much cheaper than a new one, gray mica just started to grow on me.

BTW, heres a video of my interior if you'd like to compare:
http://www.facebook....450504926

I think that link will work...

Edited by Vicarious Chair, 24 January 2011 - 10:52 PM.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Ha, Vater, you don't know what a pandoras box of memories you just opened up for me on everyone here;

I know you all aren't going to believe me, but I've had the pleasure and experience...or is that the financial challenges of being bound to 20 DIFFERENT vechicles over my driving years. And no, I'm neither rich nor 80 years old, I've just had an enthusiast's weakness and drive (get it) when it comes to cars.

Yeah, like Vater, I know how to tinker some, especially with the older classics, but more importantly, I like to drive the cars I've owned with real sportiness and enjoyment. It kinda reflects the way I've lived my life, I will most definitely wear out, not rust out.

If you take away the "family" cars that can't be had with manual transmissions (like the 4 mini-vans I've owned), a full 75% or so of the cars I've owned have had them. I luv "rowing" my own, and it's sad that so few cars today can be found with them...a dying breed for sure,(like Arrows and Schwarzkopfs).

I won't bore you with a complete list, although I'm sure some of you may find it interesting, but here's my 1st four cars, and pics that are as close as I could find, and my current driver,

My first car was an 1968 Plymouth Barracuda convertible with a 318 ci V8, auto. It was a blue-green metallic with a white interior (vinyl, of course) and top. Compared to a 340 'Cuda fastback it was a "chick" car in some ways, but the gals indeed luved it too, a fact that I can vouch for. I could leave patchs of rubber anytime and the cops luved me too:P this pic is a 69', but they basically were the exact same car.

My second car was a 1975 Mustang II Fastback, 4 speed. It was Jade green met. outside and green inside too. I luved it although with a 2.3 L 4 cyl. it was MUCH slower than the Cuda, which made my Mom happy...great car This pic is very close to it, only the color was dif.

My 3rd car was an 1976 Datsun 280Z in a fantastic met. copper/bronze hue. It had a 4 spd, of course, and Z's came with a 5 spd in 77' or 78', a bit before American cars. No joke, I could blow off any stock Mustang or Camaro from the same era, and I could hang with and sometimes beat a Corvette from the mid 70's to early 80's (hey, they only made 150-175 horsepower back then, a far cry from the 450 hp 427's from a few years earlier).

The first pic's got the color, the 2nd I just added to show you how cool these cars really were for their time. I really wish I still owned mine today, wow.

My fourth car was a 1979 Mazda RX-7, yep, the first generation, and perhaps my fav car I've ever had the pleasure to pay the bank for. It wasn't the fastest,and the rotary didn't have much torque, but manoman I could rev that engine to 9k with no problem...smooth and quick and could shift and handle as good as anything on the road, including some German and Italian makes that shall go unsaid ( I didn't say faster though).

That's my car, with burgundy interior and a 5spd, it rocked, another car that I wish was in my driveway still.

Many more great cars in between, but today I have to drive thousands of miles more than the "average" joe, so I've gone a tad soft and bought my first crossover, a Ford Edge. It's sweet, nice, looks great, can haul the bacon, has all wheel drive when necessary, a glass roof that totally disappears making it almost an convertible, etc., but boy, I miss my manual and a small enough car that handles better. Ya all know what one looks like, but here it is...yes, in brillant copper to boot, I luv that color if ya didn't know by now^_^

As I said, I have some other real nice cars inbetween, perhaps i'll share later or if someone inquires....hey Vater, one question. Nice cars, both your Mazda's.

I may get a Miata when and if I retire, it's in the mix, but, every review and comparo I've read about your car luv the car overall, but complain it's a "torque monster". And I don't mean that like a Dodge Ram with a Cummings D in it, I mean it's said that under full acceleration it'll pull the wheel outta your hands if you not going in a straight line. Have you had issue with this?

Well, this was fun, yes, cars are great, but hopefully I now have them in the place I should have them in my life. But know this, if I was independantly wealthy, I would have spent last week in Scottsdale AZ. and probably be bringing home some 6 figure classics from the B-J deal, did anyone watch any of that?? Very sweet.

[Thunderhead]

Jealous of that 'Cuda kook.

Dodge is really ticking me off, the new challengers only come in automatics.

[Vater]

Holy crap, Kook...great post, and awesome collection of cars. I'd love to see the full list sometime, if you can remember them all.

The 280Z and RX-7 are two of my favorite cars ever. I'm on craigslist at least a couple times a week looking at cars for sale (even when I know I can't afford any), and those two are always part of my search. I think second to another Miata (maybe third), I want to own a first gen. RX-7 (the 1st gen. Toyota MR2 is in close competition, and I actually looked at those when I was car shopping in 2005). And the first gen. Z was in my opinion the best looking Z of all. Nice to see you had the Z and not the ZX.

On a sort-of-related note, I recently spotted a 240Z in unbelievably good condition on my way to work (sorry for the blurriness):

I know you all aren't going to believe me, but I've had the pleasure and experience...or is that the financial challenges of being bound to 20 DIFFERENT vechicles over my driving years.

I believe it...honestly, I find it more unbelievable that between 1990 and 2005, up until I bought the Miata as a second car, I had only owned 3 cars. My wife is two years younger than I am and she's owned quite a few more than I have.

hey Vater, one question. Nice cars, both your Mazda's.

I may get a Miata when and if I retire, it's in the mix, but, every review and comparo I've read about your car luv the car overall, but complain it's a "torque monster". And I don't mean that like a Dodge Ram with a Cummings D in it, I mean it's said that under full acceleration it'll pull the wheel outta your hands if you not going in a straight line. Have you had issue with this?

Ah, the dreaded 'torque steer'. Yeah, the Mazdaspeed does exhibit it, as do most front wheel drive cars with more than average power, and I'll admit it's taken me by surprise a handful of times.

For those that are unfamiliar with torque steer, as BJ said it's essentially when, under heavy acceleration, if the front wheels aren't absolutely perfectly aimed straight forward, they will be forced to the left or right, and yes, can jerk the steering wheel out of your hands if you're not careful. It's difficult to dial out torque steer in powerful FWD cars, although some don't exhibit it quite as much like the VW GTI (far less HP and torque) and the Ford Focus RS (only available in Europe, and has a special front suspension that essentially eliminates the issue). The second gen. Mazdaspeed 3 has had some changes made from the first gen. to address torque steer: they have limited low end torque in the first three gears (especially the first two), and the suspension has been tweaked quite a bit.

Personally, I think all the car mags that have reviewed this car have made its tendency for torque steer seem like the worst thing ever. I think it's such a non-issue, frankly. If you're planning on punching the gas, grab the wheel a little tighter. Problem solved. If you're driving like Steve McQueen, like I sometimes do, you probably should have more than two fingers on the wheel, anyway. Honestly, I don't even think about it any more. I don't feel any real torque until 3000 RPM anyway, and there's always that ever-so-slight delay (turbo lag) before the power kicks in--it's not like I can punch the gas at a light like I'm driving a RWD HEMI V8 and see a plume of smoke behind me from all the POWWAH!!

Also, think about this: the folks reviewing the car are driving it a handful of times. I've driven it nearly every day for a year and a half. Needless to say, I got used to it, and pretty quickly.

If you're thinking Miata, you can't go wrong. Well, unless you can't fit in one. And you don't even have to be a really large person to not be able to fit in one. I'm 5'9", 150, and can't really say I fit perfectly in those seats. Oh, and also if you want to carry anything larger than a briefcase...but I'm sure you know that. But my main complaint about the Mazdaspeed is that, while the handling is excellent, I don't feel the connection to the road that I felt in the Miata (and I expect you most likely experienced in the RX-7). Also, the shifter in the Miata is stellar in stock form (I never modified it), and I've had to modify the 3's shifter to give it that more solid, notchy feel...and it still isn't quite there yet.

Well, this was fun, yes, cars are great, but hopefully I now have them in the place I should have them in my life. But know this, if I was independantly wealthy, I would have spent last week in Scottsdale AZ. and probably be bringing home some 6 figure classics from the B-J deal, did anyone watch any of that?? Very sweet.

I didn't, but any time I see that it's on, I try to at least watch some of it. Did they have the Shelby Daytona there? They had one a couple years ago where the bids were over 2 mil, and it still didn't sell.

Speaking of classics (not necessarily the six-figure type), my all-time favorite car is the Corvette. I've been a Vette fan since I was a kid. I will own one some day, and, if I can swing it, it will be a C2 or an early C3 (1963-1972). I still can't decide which I prefer.

Edit: Apparently the reserve for the Daytona Coupe was likely over $7 million. Egad. Now there's a six-figure car I'd love to own...although if I did, I'd be afraid to breathe on it, let alone drive it.

[Vater]

Jealous of that 'Cuda kook.

Dodge is really ticking me off, the new challengers only come in automatics.

I agree, I think it's ridiculous that the Challenger didn't come with a manual initially. Fortunately, it looks like the R/T and SRT8 models for 2011 will have 6-speed manuals.

[Vicarious Chair]

Jealous of that 'Cuda kook.

Dodge is really ticking me off, the new challengers only come in automatics.

I agree, I think it's ridiculous that the Challenger didn't come with a manual initially. Fortunately, it looks like the R/T and SRT8 models for 2011 will have 6-speed manuals.

Is the 2011 Charger with the new looks coming in manual? I kinda wanted to get one of those later on in life and manual would be preferred.


And BJ, I love the list, I'm more a fan of the 72 mach 1 stang that the 75, but still cool deal. And the Cuda is :censored: as :censored:.
Aaaand hows that Edge? I'm pretty sure its the same frame as the Mazda cx-7 or 9 or one of those, but how's handling and horsies?

[BJ KoasterKooK]

First, thanks everyone for the nice response and comments on my "old" cars...I'd like to think I had a squosh of taste and understanding of decent wheels.

Don't have time to comment on all the dialogue, but to answer the previous post, just so there's no confusion about what just Mopar's have a manual transmission.

While the 11' Charger looks and will probably perform great with it's new sheetmetal and upgrades, it'll still only come with and auto tranny. The Challenger as Vater rightly said, will offer manual's on it's V8 R/T and SRT-8 models, unfortunately, it's new and vastly improved "6" will still only be offered with the dumb auto, which is a real shame as it's performance is now much closer to the 6's of the Mustang, Camaro, and Hyundai...more on this perhaps later.

To V C, yeah, the 75' was no where near my fav 'Tang, as the Mustang has been my favorite since I was probably 12 years old. My fav models were the 69' Mach 1 with the 351 ci "Cleveland" motor and then the 70' Boss 302 that had all that Trans Am glory. I'm also fond of the Shelby's, the 67-68's, the 71-73's and so forth.

As far as the Edge, it gives you a good bit of most everything without excelling in any one thing above all else. It's 0-60 times are very decent, between 7.6 and 7.8 sec. I've seen it tested. It rides great, but the handling, while more than acceptable for a crossover where you sit up so high, leaves me wanting with all the other great handling cars I've owned...that's why once my move to Maryland is complete, I might trade it in for say...a VW GTI with the uber sweet 2 liter engine and the best handling of most any "front" driver...or so says C&D, M T, R&T, and the like.

Gotta go, more talk later, I hope...

[Vater]

My bud is looking at the 2011 GTIs. He was considering the Golf R coming later this year (serious competition for the Mazdaspeed--just about the same specs but with AWD!), but he's probably going to pass for a few reasons: he doesn't want to wait, he may not be able to get one due to limited quantities, and it's a lot more money for all that extra power and AWD (plus any dealer markups due to it being a desirable limited production car). And, for a few hundred bucks he can chip the GTI and get a pretty significant power increase.

Interestingly, he also mentioned that the GTI's advertised specs (200 hp, 207 ft/lbs. torque) are actually lower than what they really are. Apparently there's a heavy import tax on cars exceeding 200 hp, so to avoid this VW lists them with 200. The actual hp is supposedly around 212.

And yes, the GTI is supposed to be one of the best handling FWD cars around. My bud has driven a few and he said it's unbelievable how planted he feels, and how responsive the car is, even at high speed. That's something I wish were true with the Mazda...at high speeds I don't really feel as glued to the road as I'd like. But it's certainly fun getting to those high speeds...

[Vicarious Chair]

...
And yes, the GTI is supposed to be one of the best handling FWD cars around. My bud has driven a few and he said it's unbelievable how planted he feels, and how responsive the car is, even at high speed. That's something I wish were true with the Mazda...at high speeds I don't really feel as glued to the road as I'd like. But it's certainly fun getting to those high speeds...

I've only gotten to about 90 in my Mazda in a drag-style launch, soo I haven't had the chance to give the wheel a bit of a turn at that speed

Here's actually my little playground. Basically the back end of an outdoor mall that no one uses with a hill at the end of it. It's really fun zipping around there and in some of the parking lots.
http://maps.google.c...bb605cb7109072c

I don't race though, I'm not that irresponsible.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

I don't race though, I'm not that irresponsible.

^Ha, I hope not V C, of course, I can't say I never drag raced anybody back in the day...but I was very selective, and yet still youthfully irresponsible. I have been covered with grace in my life more than I can mention or understand.

Hey Vater, that's a good pic of that Z on the fly...just how did you happen to have you phone so handy and also get such a well framed pic?? You must practice . Also, I can't tell for sure for sure from your pic, but that rear bumper makes that look like a 280Z from 75-76' like mine...not the 240Z from 70-73' that had a miniscule bumper to my recollection.

I had wanted to get back to this thread for a little more dialogue, but time is very tight, always.

A couple of the other more interesting vechicles I've owned are, in a relative order, a Nissan 200SX, an "original" Toyota Land Cruiser (totally rusted out as back then they didn't treat their cars with anti-corrosion chems...the salt ate them up! But I adored that thing, it went anywhere).

Let's see, then a Mazda 626, a Mitzi Montero with an "air" drivers seat and inclineometer , VW Jetta and Ford Focus ZX3. Every vech. listed here was a manual, yep.

That's another "new" car I'm interested in, the new Focus, it looks like a winner, especially the ST model when it comes out later this year. Heck, there's even a 10' Mustang GT at the local Ford dealer in my fav met. dk. blue with some 20k miles on it for only 22G. A new 11' with the "302 ci 5 liter" decked out the same would go for about 32G, or more. Hey, the 4.6L is no slouch, I could live with it. .

Any questions or comments are cool, as always...

[Ryan Shrout]

Been wanting to get in on this discussion for a bit now but haven't found the time. My current mode of transportation is an 06 Hyundai Sonata with a v6 that I know can hit at least 130 (thank you Indiana CRs). Then the wind started whistling around the mirrors and I decided it would be a good idea to back off. My first ride was a piece of junk Saturn SL200 with a 4 banger.

On to newer things, though I am fairly confident I will never be able to afford anything like this, Lamborghini's new concept car, the Sesto Ellemento, looks absolutely sick and ridiculous in every sense of the word. -clicky- Made primarily of lightweight carbon fiber, this thing can allegedly do 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. Doing some quick math in my head, that would push at about 4 Gs straight back into your super reclined seat with enough force to make the blood rush to your head. Fighter pilots would dream of driving one of these!

[Vater]

Nice...while Lamborghini styling has never been my favorite among exotics (don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to drive, or even sit in one ), that matte finish is sick. And good heavens...it's got identical specs to the Gallardo Superleggera, but 800 lbs. lighter! It's as light as my '91 Miata was...just add 3.4L, 6 more cylinders, about 460hp and AWD. Oh, and a few hundred thousand dollars...

[The BeastFan]

^When I was looking for the Elantra I drive now, I came a cross a few Sonatas. The only problem was they didn't have the V6 in them, just the 4 cylinder which I hear was underpowered and had drive chain problems. I am pretty surprised on the quality in the car I drive now. I may consider Hyundais more often.

More on a few cars I used to drive, but are no more due to a few wrecks on my part....

My first car was a '93 Altima, a blue-green GXE model. Not only did it beat the sticker in gas mileage, but it really had some good take offs from stops and handled wonderfully. We got it a CD player and it was just the best car I had. I also drove a '90 Plymouth Voyager which was in its dying stages when I drove through high school. The thing could barely get up a hill, but I have many fond memories in it with it taking me to school for over a decade and the many vacations.

My 2nd car was a '03 Focus, the 5 door hatchback in grey. Not quite as zippy as the Nissan, but it looked great and was fully loaded.

3rd (yes, I'm guilty of a few too many wrecks) was a '94 black Mercury Cougar. This thing was HUGE, but had a great sounding engine, was quite luxurious and was great in the snow. We later clunked it for my dad's current 09 Nissan Sentra.

The car I had before the Elantra was a maroon '03 Nissan Sentra. It was up there with the Altima though it just wasn' as good in a lot of areas. It had some off-handling as it took a bit for the steering to respond, but otherwise was alright.

Sometimes, I also drive the family 01 Expedition (white). I was kind of skeptical of driving it at first, but its a piece of cake for me now. I drive it more in winter for its great in the snow with AWD and 4WD. I also use it when I need to haul people for band gigs.

[Vicarious Chair]

I don't race though, I'm not that irresponsible.

That's another "new" car I'm interested in, the new Focus, it looks like a winner, especially the ST model when it comes out later this year. Heck, there's even a 10' Mustang GT at the local Ford dealer in my fav met. dk. blue with some 20k miles on it for only 22G. A new 11' with the "302 ci 5 liter" decked out the same would go for about 32G, or more. Hey, the 4.6L is no slouch, I could live with it. .

Any questions or comments are cool, as always...

I don't know if you read any car blogs or the like, but this site has a pretty honest view on things. They love sticks and wagons more than anyone else too. But, they have a pretty nice review on the new Focus, so here if you wanna check it out

http://jalopnik.com/#!5747399/2012-ford-focus-first-drive

Those new Mustangs are stunning; little cheap feeling on the inside, but :censored: outside. So its up to you to decide: is it whats on the inside that counts? P:

[BJ KoasterKooK]

^ Thanks VC for the link, although I think the reviewer was more than a tad cynical. Also, my 1st gen Focus ZX3 with only 140hp did mid 8's 0-60, so I certainly expect a bit more from this new rig.

Your right, the 05' redo on Mustangs were a great hit overall, but their interiors were a bit bland and too retro...kinda like the new Camaro of today. I've seen and heard nothing but praise for the 'Tang's redo last year, both outside and inside. Here's a couple pics of my desired pony car...

Nice, eh?