One car for the rest of your life. Discuss.

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Toyota Prius.

Haters be hatin' but I tell you what - this sucker is reliable and cheap, and gets 50 mpg. That's it baby. And as far as 4WD, I'd move down south where there wasn't any snow.
 
The last volvo 940 stationwagen with the 2.3 4 cyllinder turbo engine. Better car has never bin build and all the newer volvos are a discrase compared to the 940 and earlyer volvos.

There was also a 960 with a v6 renault engine. Rhat was rubbish.
 
Originally Posted By: Thax
I second Miller88 , ill take my 99 Cherokee 4.0L AW-4 trans. Incredibly easy to maintain , parts availability till the sun runs out of hydrogen , and [censored] near indestructible. 97-99 were the best years for the XJ . By that time every kink was pretty much engineered out. I like the 00-01 XJ's but the 0331 Head cracking issues would rule them out for me. 99 in my opinion is the best as it has the later / better intake manifold as well.


+2

I love my Cherokee. My goal is to drive it for as long as possible. Its great in the New England snow, I can haul people, cargo, tow a trailer, and fix it myself. With my suspension and brake upgrades it is also a nice vehicle to drive. Its no sports car, but it is very useful and fun to drive. It is also very easy to modify, so if I didn't like something about it after a period of time I could change it.
 
I have fond memories of my '83 Turbo T-Bird. Rose colored glasses, perhaps, but If I could have my old one back, not just any one, but MINE back, that would be OK. edit: since this is dreaming, it would also have to be before the joy rider totaled it.

I would be OK with the Xj12 for the rest of my life - it's twenty now, so we're both well down that path. The Xj8 would be OK, too, but if I can only have one, it would be the '12.

There's just not much new that really interests me. If I could only have one car, and I have to keep it the rest of my life, the only thing that comes to mind is a new F Type. But it wouldn't be very practical.
 
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Would be a tough choice between a loaded '03 Grand Marquis LS with the Handling Package and the new Yukon Denali XL. My reasons:

- body on frame construction
- proven powertrain
- longitudinal V8 that's reliable and easy to work on
- safe and comfortable
- distinctive design (can't mistake them for anything else)
- column shifter (yes, call me crazy if you like - I prefer them)
 
Will we always be able to afford the gas for it?

As much as I like my TDi (diesel, wagon, four doors, stickshift) I do like my truck. The wagon feels like a glove and I'd probably take it over the truck, if I could only have one vehicle. But it'd be tempting to take the truck, as really its only issue is the mpg.
 
Originally Posted By: Tegger


I absolutely HATE everything in the market these days, for these reasons:
1) California redwood tree trunks for roof pillars,
2) bitty little windows
3) no rear visibility (I need a camera to see out the back? What if it breaks?)
4) universal ABS (a terrible thing in ice and snow)
5) vehicle "stability" assist
6) air bags everywhere
7) intrusive EVAP
8) no more manual locks or windows
9) electronic absolutely everything
Yuck.


My opinion in a nutshell too. I'd keep the saturn SW1 I got nearly ten years back. Sadly, hauls more than a chevy HHR.

The question about gas is a good one too; the wording "have to drive it" for the rest of my life suggests I'd be unable to trade, like picking something in Cuba right before a trade embargo hits in the 1950's.
 
Originally Posted By: gofast182
That's easy for me. It would be an Acura TSX. It's built like a vault, has a higher quality interior than any other current Acura, is relatively fun to drive, and should run almost forever with routine maintenance. It always feels like a million bucks to me.


I still think the 1st gen ones are great cars. Very underappreciated.
 
Originally Posted By: 95busa
1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon, LT1.
LT4 Hotcam, heads, full exhaust, tune.
Higher stall converter, 3.73-1 gears.
Impala SS rims.
Bangin stereo.
Perfection.

I like this, plus it can tow a decent size travel trailer.

I think I am with you on this.

I was going to go 3/4 truck because I love to RV, but the Wagon would be a good compromise.
 
My Cadillac!

Seriously...1989-1993 Dodge W-250 pickup, Cummins diesel, 5-speed manual.

If I sell my house (and no longer need a HD truck), I'll take a "unicorn": a Jeep Comanche 4x4 pickup. An MJ is not all THAT unusual, but the one I want is: a 1992 with the MPI 2.5 4-banger (only year in the MJ), 5-speed manual, A/C, 4WD, longbed, HD spring packs, and a rear end Jeepers would kill for: a Dana 44 with 4.11 gears and Trac-Lock.
laugh.gif
Run 30x9.50R15 tires on stock wheels.
 
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4081661431_97b6786f75.jpg


Rock solid reliable, really safe, utilitarian, few electronic gizmos to break, and more million milers than any other vehicle ever made.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: gofast182
That's easy for me. It would be an Acura TSX. It's built like a vault, has a higher quality interior than any other current Acura, is relatively fun to drive, and should run almost forever with routine maintenance. It always feels like a million bucks to me.


I still think the 1st gen ones are great cars. Very underappreciated.


Because it was an accord with an acura badge. Not a bad ride, but no thanks. ILX is about the same...
 
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
I'm feeling kind of funky this evening, so how about a 1968 International Harvester Scout?

International_Scout1.jpg


I'll probably regret it in the morning...



See also:

1966_ford_bronco-pic-5658710960964872793.jpeg
 
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
I'm feeling kind of funky this evening, so how about a 1968 International Harvester Scout?


Back in the early 70's I had a 1966 Scout-red with a white top. Looking back, I wish I would have kept it around. It was about as crude as possible, but unstoppable in the snow and (for those days) pretty reliable.
 
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