This is one we can probably all relate to -- the favorite cars one has owned. Despite just comprising three vehicles, my list is all over the map, as I'm sure many of yours would be. These are cars that endeared themselves to me for very different reasons. I know at least one of them will give y'all some fodder for funny comments. In no particular order...
1969 Chevelle SS396
Unlike the beauty shown above, mine was nothing to look at. That bad boy was grey primer with rust around the rear wheel wells (I lived in New England, after all), sitting on Cragar SS wheels with air shocks and fat tires (F60-15s) out back. But under the hood, it was like a Hot Rod magazine engine shot -- a very clean compartment whose built big block sported a Crane cam and a Holly 750 Double Pumper sitting atop an Edelbrock Torker intake. Of course it had the obligatory headers and Cherry Bomb glasspacks. The latter did their part to annoy the neighbors when I fired it up early on weekend mornings to go to my part-time job.
I used this beast to take my sister and I to college. It was the perfect commuter with its 4:11 posi rear end and nine mpg fuel mileage average. My sis would whack my throttle leg and threaten to tell mom and dad when I felt the irrepressible need to dust off a stop light rival or challenge a yuppie in his Porsche to a brief roll-on contest on the open freeway. Scared the crap out of my non-car-guy friends when I stuffed my foot into the secondaries. Only had it a few years -- sold it for needed college money and to buy something more practical.
1987 Subaru Justy GL (shown above, in Europe)
Stop laughing! I bought this econobox new as a leftover -- $6,200 with A/C back in the fall of '88. I didn't want to subject my recently purchased '69 Firebird drop-top to New England winters plus I needed something practical to offset the 'bird. I went whole hog with the little Suby -- my white Justy was the "uplevel" GL trim level. That meant this baby was "loaded" with full instruments, cloth upholstery, a split folding rear seat and a rear defroster/wiper. The inline three sent its considerable might to the front wheels through a five-speed manual 'box.
I put just over 100,000 miles on the trusty Justy with the only problem being the A/C giving up the ghost at about 60k miles. I didn't bother to get it fixed as it was the equivalent of driving with the parking brake engaged when it was engaged. I could fit me and three of my bigger friends (6-feet, 170-200 lbs each) in it and the cargo capacity with the rear seats flipped down was amazing. So was the fuel economy -- it averaged about 40 mpg even though most up-shifts were conducted at or near redline. And it still didn't burn/use oil and ran great when I sold it to a med school student.
1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged (shown at top)
Ever since driving my brother Joe's '72 Porsche 914 back when I was a kid in high school, I've liked the idea of owning a mid-engine, open-top sports car. But it had to be cheap to keep and faster than my bro's old 914. In the mid-'90s I went looking for a first-gen MR2 Supercharged. They only made the SC version for two years -- '88 and '89 -- but I had to have one.
I found a mint '88 with just 40k miles on it. Dark blue with the T-roof and of course 5-speed manual tranny. Blasphemously, you could get an automatic in this car! Before the Miata debuted, the first-gen MR2 was known as the car with the best shifter, a perfectly weighted, stubby and precise toggle switch of a gear changer. The little bugger was fast in a straight line, but lived for curvy roads. I had tons of fun attacking on-ramps with it. I sold it when I needed money more than a car that became a garage queen after I became an automotive journalist.
Note: photos are of similar cars, not my own which were owned well before the digital camera age.
What have been your favorite three?
By ocramidajzj
on August 27, 2010
07:03 AM
I had a fully loaded '86 "Mister Two" Black. Although it didn't have the SC it was a blast to drive. Great shifter. Great seats. Great interior with really cool rotary switches on the instrument cluster for wipers and headlights. A helluva lot of personality. It could get twitchy around corners if you didn't know what you were doing. But that 1.6 liter 16 valve engine (co developed by Yamaha and Toyota) (about 112 hp and 98lb of torque) really loved to rev to it's 7800 rpm redline. I loved that car. It was a prime example of when Toyota actually knew how to build fun, bullet-proof cars. I still ache for one. I see them every once in a while but they're either in poor condition or have been "pimped out". Sad really for a great little car that will be a classic someday. I was so nuts over this car that I ordered a book on the MR2 development and design through Road and Track. Toyota kinda went a little nutty with MR2's after that. Later models ranged from overweight ferrari imposters to the newer spyder version. This is the type of car Toyota should be building. Thank God Mazda picked up the baton. The Protege and 3's offer much of what the MR2 stood for but in a more practical sedan config: i.e. great engines, great balance and solid gearboxes.
By vvk
on August 27, 2010
07:34 AM
Wow, what a coincidence! Subaru Justy happens to be one of my favorite cars, too!
My first car was a white 1989 Justy RS 4WD with manual gearbox. That car was simply awesome. It could go through anything without breaking a sweat. The engine redlined in 5th gear at 110 mph!
By vwblues
on August 27, 2010
08:24 AM
I have a pretty limited ownership history. My Ranger lasted 11 years and my Jetta is hanging on for dear life after 6 years. If I extended the list to include cars of family and friends that I have had the privilege of spending an extended amount of time in, then my list would be as follows:
1986 BMW 325es, my sisters first car was a blast to drive.
1993 Ford Ranger Splash, my first vehicle. It took an absolute beating but kept going strong. It was super handy, looked descent, and relatively frugal (I usually got 21-23 mpg wiht a v6)
1985 Toyota Supra, my best friend in high school had one. This car just drove great, it was an easy stick and had a lot of guts. He traded it for a 1996 V6 Mustang, I still don't know why.
By carguy622
on August 27, 2010
08:33 AM
I've only "owned" 4 cars so I will just pick one:
2008 Mazda Miata.
I've also had a 1999 Escort ZX2, 2004 Honda Accord V6, and 2006 Acura TSX.
By blueguydotcom
on August 27, 2010
08:50 AM
So easy...
2003 330i ZHP. Fast, smooth, very efficient, great track car, perfect weight/size, right amount of luxry v. sort, favorite interior of any BMW. Perfect color. This is a car I will always regret giving up. It's been 4 years and I still feel sad when I see a ZHP on the road. Yeah, the electronics were crazy, the ECU fried, the engine stuttered at WOT around 4k RPMs, the car would kick out of gear suddenly sometimes... but the sound it made in the morning still makes me smile.
2007 Cooper S -- fun, fun, fun, economical, great uber-reliable little car. I'll always harbor a little resentment that I sold it to make moving my kid in and out of the car easier. What a smashing little vehicle.
2003 Mazda Protege ES. Light, practical, fun, decent economy (Cooper and BMW got better freeway MPGs) and easy to rotate in corners. It's a far better and more engaging car to drive than the Mazda3.
By fuhteng
on August 27, 2010
09:41 AM
I'm all of 27 so I don't have much of a list. Also, since it says owned, as in past tense, I can't put my obvious favorite, my current 08 G8 GT. However, the car I will always regret wrecking (I was in too big a hurry to see my girlfriend) was my Dad's Dodge Spirit R/T. I didn't know until years later just what a jewel that was, with the 5 speed Getrag and the turbo. Boy I miss that thing.
That being said, my other two cars were a beat-to-death 1970s Volvo P1800ES and a Town and Country (with wood paneling on the sides! except that it was stickers). Not much competition for the Dodge and my Pontiac.
By 06scooby
on August 27, 2010
10:01 AM
I also have a relatively short history (I'm 29) but I've had a ton of cars. Really none of them were really my favorite since I rarely owned a car for more than a year year and a half and then I was bored and traded it for something else. My list of cars I've owned goes like this in chronological order starting in 1997...
1988 Chevrolet Beretta GT (used in 97)
1996 Grand Prix GTP 2 door (used in 99)
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 (new in 00)
2001 Chevrolet Silverado (new in 01)
2000 Saturn LS1 (used in 02)
2003 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner(new in 03)
2004 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 (new in 04)
2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon (new in 06)
2005 GMC Canyon Ext Cab 4x4(aquired in 08 with wife)
2002 Honda Civic LX (Used in 10)
We currently own the Legacy (wifes car now) and the Civic (my car now). The Legacy is by far my favorite out of the bunch as you can tell since I've owned it for 4 years this fall.
The Grand Prix was probably my second favorite. It was the best car in 99 (of course today would be considered a crap box) It was the year before they went to the new body style with the superchaged motor. This one was a mint 3 year old corporate lease return that was decked out and only 28k miles. I got it for $13k when new MSRP was $25k on it. I was 18 and just loved that car. It had the heads up display and everything you could get and it was a smooth runner too. Sure it had tons of body cladding and the build quality of a russian car but I loved it. The 3400 DOHC motor was a high revver and so much fun, especailly at speed on the freeway. I wanted a 5 speed manual in it so bad but the auto still did good. I owned the car for 11 months and then it got totalled in a flash flood which then I bought the crap box Cavalier in a hurry. I put over 22k miles on the Grand Prix in those 11 months I loved driving it so much and never had one single issue with it.
I guess for my 3rd favorite I'd have to say my 03 Frontier was a great truck. I traded it for my 4x4 Frontier because I moved from Texas to Reno and the 2WD wasn't going to work. I basically traded to the same truck but with 4 doors and 4x4. But all that extra weight completely made the truck a dog. My first one was quick enough and handled anything I through at it. I just didn't like that it was an auto.
By mlh
on August 27, 2010
11:26 AM
My top three:
1974 Triumph TR6 -- my first car. Purchased for $2000 in 1986. Driving and maintaining that car for a couple years in high school provided me a lifetime of car experiences and stories, such as the time I ran over myself while attempting to roll start it. : )
1991 Mercedes-Benz 300e -- current practical car. Every time I drive it, I marvel at how incredibly refined it is despite being 20 years old.
2008 Honda S2000 -- current fun car. Ten times the fun of the TR6 with none of the maintenance nightmares (though, oddly, I sorta miss those sometimes).
By anythngbutgm
on August 27, 2010
11:43 AM
2004 S2000 - had her for 6 great summers and wouldn't give her up for the world. The best 6 months out of the year are with that car.
1993 Probe GT - Even with the slushbox, this car was so much fun to drive and in it's time there were not a whole lot of cars on the road that could stand out lookswise. That car hauled tail, even with 165hp and FWD. Kept right up with the 5.0 Mustangs of the day.
2000 Honda CRV - Like the Justy it's an odd choice but I loved that thing once the New England winters hit. It was unstoppable and with the 5-speed it was actually quote enjoyable. I currently own a Subaru Impreza which reminds me a lot of that car and was a tie for close 3rd.
Otherwise, I've had a few Accords, an Acura MDX, Mercedes C230 Koupe (I would have put that as #3 but it was really my wifes), Subie Outback, a few domestics and a Nissan pickup that was only with me for a half a year before I gave it away.
By ralphhightower
on August 27, 2010
12:18 PM
1966 Chevy El Camino - I drove it in high school and through college. It had a straight six and 3 speed manual shift on the column. I wish I still had it since I like El Caminos. I've owned three.
1966 Ford Mustang - This was a fun car to drive in high school. It had a six cylinder and a four speed manual. This is another car I wish I kept.
1984 Chevy G10 Van - Practical for taking our dogs to dog shows in the South, Northeast, and Midwest; also useful for hauling stuff. It had a 305 V8 and 3 speed automatic. Changing the oil was a snap; just slide under for access to everything, no ramps, or jack stands needed. At 150K, it got a flat camshaft lobe. With the help of two friends, I replaced it with an RV cam. My wife made me retire the van at 233K miles in 1999 (replacement parts were getting harder to find). It won a stop light drag race with a sports car convertible in the late 90's.
By whoosierdaddy
on August 27, 2010
01:28 PM
I have owned or been provided a lot of cars, mostly 4-door sedan "salesman's cars." Favorites:
'67 Mustang, red, 289 V8 AT. Sold to my brother who's wife totaled it.
'79 Triumph Spitfire - kept 3.5 years and sold for $100 less than what I paid for it in '80.
Present Pontiac G8. Solid ride with great handling, at a cheap price for what it is.
By ocramidajzj
on August 27, 2010
02:45 PM
In addiiton to the MR2 I'll add:
2001 Mazda Protege ES
- for under $20K fully loaded it was a very tossable and engaging drive. If only it wasn't so noisy on the highway. Just a great car overall and dead nuts reliable to boot. Shows how completely substandard Toyota's Corolla is.
2004 Mazda3 S
- Beautiful to look at and well built, the 3 built on the greatness of the Protege's wonderful dynamics with refinement. I wish I had kept that car longer and didn't buy my 2008 MS3. Why the heck would anyone buy a Corolla or a Civic is beyond me.
Soon to be a favorite: 2010 Mazda 6 sGT.
- I really don't think people who criticize this car know what they're talking about or simply haven't driven it enough to understand what it's all about. Mazda did a great job updating the excellent first gen 6 into a class-leading fun to drive car. Basically the 6 is a bigger version of the 3. My only gripe is no stick is available with the V6. Other than that I thoroughly enjoy the quality and zoom-zoom of this new 6, while it's civilzed side makes it the perfect daily driver when you are in the mood for carving corners. After almost a year of ownership I still feel great driving this well-designed machine. That V6 engine note just adds to the excitement.
By dscain
on August 27, 2010
04:41 PM
I bet no one else will have a list like this. My wife and I have had 46 cars in 33 years of driving (each, not combined) and 27 years of marriage. They've been a mix of large and small family cars, mostly American and Asian, and probably almost none of them would be considered anything special. Some we loved, some not so much.
Here are my top 3:
1. 1986 Mazda B2000 truck - back when Mazda made their own trucks instead of rebodied Rangers. It was simple - 5 speed, no AC - but it was a blast to drive. I had to sacrifice it for grad school, and I still miss it.
2. 1984 Olds Custom Cruiser - huge boat, complete with woodgrain. It could do 99% of what I could do with a truck, plus it could seat 7 people. It was plush, comfortable, and fun in a bizarre way.
3. 2009 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab - my current ride. I know, I know...but I've modded it enough to make it just like I want it, and I plan to keep it for a decade (that's 8 1/2 years longer than I've ever kept a car).
My wife's top 3:
1. 1985 Mazda GLC LX hatchback - it was fun to drive and looked sharp.
2. 1986 Olds Cutlass Ciera Brougham - dark blue, with a matching vinyl top and wire wheels. At the time, it was the fanciest care we'd ever owned and was, to use her word, "classy."
3. 2005 Chevy Malibu - peppy, extremely reliable, and comfortable. If it hadn't been wrecked (my fault), she would have happily driven it for years.
By wrinklebump
on August 27, 2010
08:47 PM
1. 1991 Chrysler LeBaron hardtop coupe. A true heap. Reverse died around 160k, the rest of the tranny made it to 180k. Bought it for $100 from my aunt. I installed an aftermarket sound system and rattled most of the body panels off by the time it was ready for the scrap heap.
2. 1984 Pontiac Catalina. Two vinyl bench seats. perfect for hauling around friends, weed, and booze. Caught on fire after a year or so.
3. 1995? 94? Plymouth Acclaim. Drove it for a summer - that thing was such a piece. The windshield wiper stalk broke off, so I wired a lightswitch. Worked like a charm.
Honorable mentions:
1988 Chevy S-10. Moved in and out of college with it. 4-speed stick. Loved it. Did some of my best drinking and driving with that truck.
Honda S2000 AP2: First fun car. Sold it to pay for college. Loved it, but only on weekends. Kind of a pain around town.
By firstwagon
on August 28, 2010
07:33 PM
Tough to choose as I've owned so many but I would say...
1983 Dodge Colt. 79 to 84 generation, 1.4 and a dual range 4 speed manual. My Dad bought it new and I bought it off him 2 years later when he retired. Drove the crap out of it for 5 years and it never let me down and rarely got less then 50 mpg (imperial).
1991 Isuzu Trooper. Woefully underpowered with the chev 2.8 V6 but tough as nails and a great off roader. If Isuzu had bought the 4.3 V6 instead of the 2.8 from GM then this truck would have been a true legend.
1995 Grand Cherokee. It leaks and it creaks but I bought it cheap seven years ago and it has never required a repair other then wear items. It has towed my travel trailer through most of the mountain passes in British Columbia, climbed every road to a ski hill and always gets me to work. I've driven much newer SUVs but nothing comes close to the likeable charm of the 1st generation.
By koiman
on August 29, 2010
06:42 PM
Its great to see intelligent writing again. I had given up on Edmonds after one to many racist comments by Karl. Its good to be back
By firstwagon
on August 29, 2010
09:38 PM
I must have missed those comments.
By blueguydotcom
on August 29, 2010
10:14 PM
Racist comments? What the heck?
By koiman
on August 30, 2010
06:57 PM
Hard to miss if you know where to look. All the comments about rappers, bling bling, rims and wheels. After the Cadillac Escalade review I had had enough it was the last straw of many by this character.
By editor_karl
on August 31, 2010
10:26 AM
Please copy and paste these comments into this blog discussion ASAP so we can all assess their supposedly "racist" nature. Otherwise your claims sound dubious at best and, well, potentially slanderous at worst (though I'd have to confirm with my lawyer).
By seppoboy
on August 31, 2010
10:37 AM
1972 Fiat 128 four-door, 1,116cc engine, 49hpm revved like a fool, unbelievably direct and telepathic steering, scads of room in a tiny car, lots of funky features. 32mpg over 60k miles, but on premium fuel. Hand choke and hand throttle, anyone? Tremendously fun to drive, awesomely capable in the snow, and always good for a thrill, such as what will break next. Despite the unreliability, just a characterful car that I still have dreams about. Yes, I dream that I found a like-new one and have it stored out back...
1985 Volkswagen GTI, just a load of fun to drive, very practical hatchback, awesome steering, rugged and reliable over 265k miles. That car loved clutchless shifting, though the clutch wore out at 216k miles. I will never own a more suitable and enjoyable and reliable car. 32mpg over its lifetime.
1997 BMW 328i sport package, only owned it too briefly after finding a seven year old example at a good price. Having the sport package meant losing some ground clearance and ride comfort, but this was where the 3-series really built its reputation. Fast, smooth handling, alive, and 28mpg over the 30k miles I owned it.
By koiman
on September 1, 2010
01:13 PM
Karl, I would think that an email would be more appropriate. I did not realize you were still working for edmunds just assumed you were let go after some of your controversial articles. It seemed like they sent you up to tweek figuring you could do less damage. After the tweeks fell though I didn't see you. Karl, not all African Americans are rappers, nor are we all lovers of chrome shiny rims and low profile tires. And why do you associate us with loud sound systems. Many people like Bling bling not just people of color.Now that I know you are still working here I will no longer visit. Your view on people of color are unacceptable.
By firstwagon
on September 1, 2010
05:27 PM
Now I'm really curious. What could have Karl said that was so bad but no one else noticed?