Cars everyone should own

ND13

240 Z
289 or 427 Cobra
Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB
96-2002 Viper GTS Coupe
'67 Vette 427 two 4 barrels w/ 4sp
1969 Boss 429 Mustang
426 hemi anything, especially Challenger
1955 Belair small block
1995 RX7 Turbo
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

SBrown712

OK, so you want a great car that could be a daily driver? Something that has all the features of a sports car but the comforts of a cruiser? Performance but luxurious at the same time? Something you can drive to the race track and then run the same car in a high performance driving event? A car that was vote the best handling car in the world?
An E36 BMW M3. 'nuff said.

BottomFeeder

Yeah, yeah, blah, blah. Tons of awesome cars recommended here, most of which I'll never own because they're either too expensive or just too old/impractical.

Me? I'm planning to pull the trigger on a MINI Cooper S Clubman very soon. Kick in the pants to drive, terrific resale value, excellent mileage and frequency of repair record.

a1adjz

I would consider a Mini when BMW owned them but, now Peugeot is in the mix I'd pass.

Kex

a1adjz wrote: »

I would consider a Mini when BMW owned them but, now Peugeot is in the mix I'd pass.

I didn't know Peugeot was now in the mix for the Mini, but you should know that, their terrible episode here in the U.S. notwithstanding, Peugeot is actually a very successful brand in several European countries. The balance between spot on handling and long distance comfort on a Peugeot is probably better than any other affordable vehicles in Europe, including Volkswagen-Audi. They certainly have far more experience with four cylinder performance engines that are still economical to drive and own on a daily basis than BMW.

Just a thought, and blowing some dust off from some entrenched old myths! I'd love a Mini myself right now, whether Peugeot is "in the mix" or not! Other than a hybrid, small four cylinder engines (think 1.3 - 1.8L) are really the only way to get good mileage in L.A. city driving (other than diesel) and they can be really fun to drive as well (probably more so than any hybrid currently available).

Jstas

Kex wrote: »

I didn't know Peugeot was now in the mix for the Mini,

You didn't know because they're not. The only involvement PSA Peugeot Citro

POIDOG

This would be a fun drive. In 1966, Ford offered the Bronco as a compact 4x4 with a V8. Many consider the Bronco to be the Mustangs rough and tumble brother.

http://broncograveyard.com/?google=bronco&gclid=COzDpeeolJoCFRlcagodEnC5Nw

zingo

Those old Broncos are pretty cool trucks and there are some really nice and restored ones floating around if you aren't interested in doing a resto yourself.

jflail2

Audi A4 (preferrably S4 if you can afford it.) For a low-end luxury vehicle, they don't drive much better than this.

Pablo

jflail2 wrote: »

Audi A4 (preferrably S4 if you can afford it.) For a low-end luxury vehicle, they don't drive much better than this.

An A4 may be my next car. I tested one a little ways back and I loved it. If I can find a nice used S4, I just may pick one up.

But I do already have one of the "should own" cars. Although it may not be a "should own", I am more than happy with it. It's a 91 BMW 850i, tons of fun to drive, and have not really had any problems with it (owned it for 9 years now, and the only problem was a tranny hose that went, but only cost $300 to fix [including towing and a loaner]).

greg2350

I allready own my dream car. 1970 chevelle SS454 bought it in 1985 finished restoration 3 years ago.

ben62670

I have a built 68 bronco sport. Love it.
Ben

zingo

jflail2 wrote: »

Audi A4 (preferrably S4 if you can afford it.) For a low-end luxury vehicle, they don't drive much better than this.

I've been eyeing the RS4, but I don't know if it's worth it over the regular S4.

lightman1

'81 Cherokee Chief. The two door job. Mine is uglier than the southward side of a northbound mule! But when it's time to get down to biz, she hasn't failed yet.

Conradicles

zingo wrote: »

Those old Broncos are pretty cool trucks and there are some really nice and restored ones floating around if you aren't interested in doing a resto yourself.

I had a 75' and it was sweet. Wish I would have kept it. Bronco's rule.

nooshinjohn

My top three...
1... 1936 Mercedes 500k/540k Special Roadster
2... Duesenberg Model J (any of them with special nod to the Weyman Speedster)
3... 1962 Ferrari 250 Gt Lusso in Rosso Corso Red over tan leather

zingo

It's definitely a dream car, but I've never driven it, or think I ever will: Lamborghini Muira

Kex

Like Jstas said earlier, I think many of you are missing the point, we're not supposed to be discussing dream cars in this thread:

Jstas wrote: »

I think most of you missed the point. I wasn't asking for dream cars and that seems to be most what y'all posted. I was asking for what do you think is a car that embodies the vision of a driver's car so perfectly that everyone should drive one just to see what the automotive nirvana is like.

I have my dream cars just like everyone else but my dream cars appeal to me for my reasons.

But like what specific car out there has that just perfect balance of characteristics that makes it a shining example of its kind? So special that everyone should drive one just to see for themselves.

Actually, even some of that clarification is a little confusing, perhaps, since it seems to create an obvious overlap with dream cars that makes mentioning them hard to avoid: "a car that embodies the vision of a driver's car so perfectly". It could be argued that everyone should try a Smart car, just to see where minimalism could take us, or one of those experimental four wheel Segway things, but neither of those embody that vision!

nooshinjohn

I have tried the Duesenberg.... I just wish I could have one of my own

snow

Fireman32 wrote: »

I would say that I always wanted a 69 Plymoth Roadrunner Superbird with the 440 sixpack.

There was one right down the road from where I lived back in the mid 70's It was a purple convertible and had a 426 hemi in it and the fellow wanted 3k for it, I remember thinking geez thats awful high for that, because back then you could have had your choice of just about any older muscle car for around $1500.00

Wish I had bought 10 of them now




REGARDS SNOW

ben62670

Conradicles wrote: »

I had a 75' and it was sweet. Wish I would have kept it. Bronco's rule.

I had a 75 also, 77, and few 73's. I have had 6 all together.

Barefoot

The 1991 Acura NSX deserves mention. At least to drive, if not own.

Barefoot

Of course, if we're talking dream cars, it's absolutely a no contest. The 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO.

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gdb

Jstas wrote: »

I'm sitting here in a bar in San Francisco being propositioned by prostitutes and wishing I was home at my local haunt with a Yuengling in hand and my beautiful girl sharing a better time than I'm having right now.

I was talking to a guy who was obviously quite lonely and bored cause he talked my ear off about everything from Obama to his Alfa Romeo.

That got me thinking. Everyone has their dream car but there are some cars out there that everyone should own.

So I got two that I think are must haves.

Number one is a Mustang. Everyone should, at one point in their lives, own a Mustang. Doesn't matter what year although I would shy away with extreme prejudice from the late 70's Mustang II. This Mustang can be any kind but if its going to be a 6 or 4 cylinder, it should be a convertible to make up for it. If you can get your hands on a V8 convertible, awesome sauce!

Why a Mustang? Its the ultimate symbol of American automotive freedom and the open road. Plus, as basic and simple as it is, it still has that class that only American muscle can bring. The perfect mix of style and macho bravado. Yeah, a Mustang is a must own.

The other can is an Alfa Romeo. Why? Well its an Alfa with all that Italian style and grace but with the "character" of a British sports car! But still, an Alfa, especially a convertible, is a fairly inexpensive way to experience the unique interpretation of what Italians think a car should be. So what's so great about that? Italians think a car has a soul and that is evident in everything from an Alfa or a Fiat to a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. The beauty of an Alfa is that it doesn't cost a fortune to own but its as big of a pain in the **** as any of the Italian marques. But it just oozes cool and is a driving experience all its own!


Me, I've already owned a Mustang and still gotta get my Alfa. One day I'll get one though.

So what do you think is a must own car?

I used to own a Fiat 850 Spyder. It was basically a glorified go-cart with not enough power to get out of it's own way, but damn could that little Italian buggy corner on a winding road !! Cute too !!

http://www.resimmotoru.com/data/media/47/Fiat%20850%20Spider.jpg

ohskigod

a1adjz wrote: »

I have mine here it is a 87' Buick Grand National.

Nice

ohskigod

I'll second John's thoughts on the Mustang. Currently own a 2007 garage queen pictured


I'll throw in the Vette, the C3 variety in particular. one of the most beautiful cars produced. late 70's early 80's variety were dogs power wise but had the lines of a Bodicelli painting.

for pure driving, particularly sport driving...I would say the Lotus Elise (Exige etc) or perhaps the Ariel Atom.....i would fit in neither.

oifvet0608

New cars:
2006 Porsche Carrera GT
2008 Mercedes SL 550 - I rented this car and drove it on the Autobahn, scared the $H!T out of me.
2008 Shelby GT500
2007 BMW M3 or late 90's model Alpina

Old cars:
60's Olds 442
69 Mustang Boss
70 Chevelle

Really old car:
Ford Model T

For the ultimate driving experience you have to drive one of these, these are just cars that I have driven or been navigator for.