“If you find something you like, you tend to stay with it”…that old adage certainly has applicability to motor vehicles. If you’ve developed a fondness for a certain make/model, you’ll likely buy another…and another…and another. So, today’s QOTD is; have you purchased the same make and model vehicle multiple times over the years? If so, how many in total have you owned?
Couple rules of engagement; 1) it should be the same brand/make and model (i.e., a Ford Escort, not just a Ford), 2) different trim or grades within specific models are allowed, and 3) it should be personally owned – not a fleet or business vehicle.
I know this question tends to favor older drivers who have had longer driving careers, but we’d like to hear from everyone – so, if you’re in your early twenties and have had two Civics, we’d like to hear about it. More importantly, tell us why you decided to buy another one…
To help illustrate and as an example, here’s mine;
Though I’d like to tell you I’ve owned six Corvettes, or five 911s, our family is currently on our fourth Toyota Previa/Estima van. All have been used (not new) – a 1990 US model, and three JDM versions; a 1992, a 1999, and our current 2007.
Why’d we keep buying them? Reliability – each one we’ve owned has been absolutely trouble-free – the 1999 model we owned for 10 years. I also have to admit I find the design attractive – especially the 2006 and up model.
So, what have been your multiple-owned curbside classics and why’d you keep buying them?
Multiple VW owner here…77 Rabbit, 80 Scirocco S, 83 Rabbit GTI, 86 GTI. My future wife had an 87 Jetta Wolfsburg when we met. We both grew up with VW’s in our families…me in Vancouver and her in Montreal. My parents had a 59 Beetle and a 61 Bus and her family had several Beetles including an “Automatic StickShift” and her Grandparents had a Karman Ghia. We currently own a 13 Golf TDI.
I should add a bunch of Nissan products in my life also….73 Datsun 510 (first car), 90 Pathfinder SE, 93 Pickup and a 94 Altima.
2 GM’s… 76 TransAm Firebird and a 76 Chev G20 Campervan
Hey Man, you broke the rules.
I’m a bit behind you, only have owned qty-3 VWs, but have owned no other make in 35 years (1981-now)….I bought my ’78 Scirocco early in 1981, bought my ’86 GTI in 1987, and my 2000 Golf which I currently own…so technically only 2 of the same in a row (2 Golfs) but totaling 3 VWs.
I have 2 sisters who have owned a total of 4 Nissan 240 SXs (one still owns one)…My dear departed father owned 3 Mercury Sables in a row (1989, 1994, and 1996)….he also owned 2 Ford Wagons in a row (1969 and 1973). He also owned a lone 1959 Beetle (I’ve owned more VWs than he, but never anything aircooled).
For no particular reason, in my 34 years, I’ve had seven Oldsmobiles:
Five Cutlass’
`71 Cutlass S
`80 Cutlass LS
`81 Cutlass Calais
`87 Cutlass Supreme Brougham
`95 Cutlass Supreme LS
And two Custom Cruisers:
`83 Custom Cruiser
`92 Custom Cruiser
I blame most on being young and having a wild case of automotive A.D.D., lest you think I have some kind of affinity for GM.
I’ve owned 3 Honda Civics and an Acura Integra.
I liked the size, fuel economy, and well considered engineering (I’ve owned cars, usually American, where features looked “added-on”). I might own another one, someday, but it will probably be a used car as the Honda dealers in this area aren’t all that great to deal with.
And since I want a smallish hatchback, my choice at Honda is getting smaller physically.
Too many VWs. ’59 bus, ’66 bug, ’69 squareback, ’67 bug, ’65 ghia, ’74 squareback. I didn’t especially like them, but my tools and skills were “vested” or “amortized”. I knew what was wrong and could always fix it.
I’ve only bought Mopars new:
1996 Ram
2002 Durango
2004 Ram
2010 Challenger
I managed to hold on to them; the 96 has 220K and now is a hot rod, the Durango has 150K and is now my daughters first car, the 04 has 140K and the Challenger has 26K. They have all been good reliable vehicles or I wouldn’t have kept them.
My classics are mostly Mopars too:
69 Charger
71 Road Runner
72 Fury police car
79 Volare wagon
Plus I have an Olds and a Pontiac so it’s not like I’m Mopar or no car, they are just mostly what I like and comfortable with plus they’ve been good vehicles to me. If one fails or if GM or Ford builds something I absolutely must have, I would buy it.
’02 Durango, nice. Owned one myself. Had you the 4.7? Good motor.
The 4.7 gets no respect, and yet I see TONS of Dakotas, Durangs, and Grand Cherokees in particular with well over 200K on the original motor. Its no Hemi, but it cant be all bad either.
Mine had 322,000 kms, was still going strong. Transmission not so much.
This is easy. Despite my handle being Retro-Stang Rick, it should probably have been T-Bird Rick, as I have had more of them than any other car. I like personal luxury coupes and Fords, and the Mustang is the only thing in Ford’s lineup right now that fits the bill.
my list of TOAL(s) – T-Birds of a Lifetime:
1983 T-Bird 3.8L V6 (the first Aero-Bird) in very light grey.
1988 Thunderbird LX 5.0L V8… All Black, and all the options.
1988 Turbo-Coupe (former wife’s car) in Saphire Blue – This one was a STICK!
1994 Thunderbird LX 4.6L V8 (also her car) in that Pearl Opalescent color.
1988 T-Bird Sport (in Red that we bought for her son at the time)
1997 Thunderbird LX 3.8L V6 (I bought this one after we split up) Pacific Green
In the case of of the last t-bird, the ’97, I traded my own personal COAL in on it, the aforementioned ’88 5.0. That black bird had 236K on the clock and was still breaking the tires loose when I got the ’97. But being single again and not having access to a back-up ‘bird anymore, I needed something newer and more reliable. Why I bought another Essex motor, I’ll never know.
Oh boy….
Jeeps
94 Cherokee 4 door teal
99 Cherokee 4 door silver
93 Cherokee 2 door white
98 Cherokee gold
97 Cherokee 4 door black
98 Cherokee 4 door black (just bought this)
98 grand Cherokee 4.0 tan
98 grand Cherokee 4.0 white (still have this one)
97 grand Cherokee 4.0 (398000 miles!!!)
02 grand Cherokee 4.7 (terrible)
87 Comanche
99 wrangler 2.5
97 wrangler 2.5
98 wrangler 4.0
More I’m probably forgetting
BMW e10 X 5 (2 at the same time)
BMW e21 X 4 (2 at the same time)
BMW e24 X 2
BMW e28 X 6 (3 at the same time)
BMW e30 X 9 (2 at the same time)
Opel Ascona ’74 & ’75
Over a 36 year time span.
This is an OLD photo when I actually lined up my daily drivers on one occasion. My DD’s was a revolving door.
Love your pic, that black hood of Opel stood out.
For me it was a string of Acura Integras.
I, being a car magazine reader, bought my first one in 1986 when they were new in the market and no one knew what they were. I got a great deal from a starving salesman in an empty showroom. I loved that car with its zingy 7,000 rpm redline dohc engine.
Two years later, I traded it in (foolishly, in retrospect) for a 1988 because the dealer gave me what I’d originally paid for it. Fortunately the younger sister was just as great a car.
In 1991, I decided that my wife should have one of her own and bought a third. Hers was the second generation which I didn’t care for quite as much (running -mouse seatbelts were annoying) but as reliable as a car can get.
In late 1993 though, my company elected to send me out of the country for a few years. Both cars were sold and overseas …well, that’s a story for another time.
I returned to the States in 1998 with a dilemma – I needed a car right away. Rather than burning up money by renting a vehicle for a month while I car-shopped, I did something both obvious and daring: I took a taxi to the dealership, and bought a new (my 4th) Integra right off the lot. I got a decent deal price wise, but later really came to dislike that car. While I was away and oblivious, the value of the Yen had gone waaaay up. Acura had elected to keep the price of the Integra down by decontenting the car, and by 1998, they had suffered 1,000 tiny cuts. Soundproofing – gone. The clock in the dash lost a minute a week. Seats as hard as bricks. Interior panels were single slabs of molded plastic. The upholstery started to show wear at 10,000 miles. Alpine stereo couldn’t hold the signal of my favorite station where my friend’s cars could. Perhaps overall the car wasn’t so bad, but I’d had three previous Integras which were built to a much higher standard. Worst of all, I didn’t enjoy driving it. I dumped it to CarMax after a year, and haven’t been back in an Acura dealership since.
I think that they are (no doubt) great cars again these days, but having been disillusioned once, it’s hard to forgive an old lover, no matter how pretty.
Those first-gen Integras were really special. I bought a 88 with high miles in the mid-00s and it was reliable and tons of fun for years until advanced tinworm forced a parting.
1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
1966 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
1972 Ford LTD
1978 Ford LTD
1978 Ford LTD
1983 Ford LTD
1983 Ford LTD
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
1993 Ford Crown Victoria
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
1970 Dodge Challenger RT – bought new, currently own
1971 Dodge Challenger RT – currently owned – in a 100 pieces in my shop
Hmmm.
We’re on our fifth Chrysler-platform minivan:
’98 Caravan (totaled when a lady pulled out in front of my wife on a 55mph road)
’98 Grand Caravan (went 272,000 miles before the transmission failed)
’06 Grand Caravan (totaled by a direct lightning strike on the interstate)
’05 Town & Country (went a bit over 200K)
’12 Routan (currently at 64K)
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-capsule/curbside-capsule-2012-vw-routan-sel-the-orphan-that-caravaned-from-town-to-country/
I’ve owned five VW Beetles and a Bus:
’62 Type I Sunroof (long-term resto project)
’63 Type I (long-term resto)
’64 Type I (daily driver for six years)
’71 Campmobile
’00 New Beetle (sold at 219K miles, still see Herbie around town three years later)
’13 Beetle convertible (sold after 18 months, abandoned VW brand)
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cars-of-a-lifetime/curbside-comparison-1964-beetle-2000-new-beetle-2013-beetle-convertible/
Oh, and we had four Vegas at one time back when I was in high school and college.
Lightning strike?! The odds… That’d be an interesting call to insurance.
Nationwide is on your side jingle comes to mind
1968 Impala convertible*
1965 Impala Sport Coupe
1965 Impala SS Convertible
1969 Impala Sport Coupe*
2 different 1969 Impala Convertibles*
1967 Impala Sport Coupe*
1984 Caprice Classic Landau Coupe
1980 Caprice Classic Landau Coupe*
1986 S10
1998 S10
1986 Cavalier
1989 Cavalier Z24 Convertible
2 different 1995 Berettas
2010 Camaro*
2013 Camaro*
2012 Colorado*
2016 Colorado*
The ones with the asterisks I still own. If you go with family members who’ve owned the same the list gets quite long!
’68 Saab 95 V4
’69 Saab 96 V4
’68 Saab 96 V4
I count these as the same model, different body style.
’71 Peugeot 504 gas, 4 on the tree
’78 Peugeot 504, 4 on the floor
’74 Peugeot 504, automatic
The first Saab and the first Peugeot were totaled in crashes, so the count for each make is one more than it would otherwise be, but the fact remains that I re-upped.
I’ve similarly doubled down on the Peugeots
’75 Peugeot 504 diesel, manual
’74 Peugeot 504 gas, automatic
and:
’87 Chevy Nova
’88 Chevy Nova
and :
98 Honda Odyssey
2005 Honda Odyssey
and:
2006 Scion Xb
2006 Scion Xb
2006 Scion Xa (same car underneath)
I guess I do this more than I think
I have owned 2 2003 Acura TLs, both purchased used from the same dealership 6 months apart. The first was a base model, the second the sportier Type S. I bought the first to replace my falling Durango, I liked it’s looks both inside and out as compared to the RL I was also checking out, and it was attractively priced. That lasted 4 months and 11,000kms, then it fell victim to a run-in with a Crown Victoria. After a (painful) 2 month search, chance or divine providence provided a Type S at the same dealership. It had just been traded in, the salesman only received the car from the owner that morning, and had quickly thrown up an ad online. I saw the ad and happened to be in the city that day, so decided to check it out. Loved the grey color, was hesitant on the Type S part, missed the base wheel design. After painful negotiation (I am not a negotiator) and 3 weeks of waiting for a safety inspection, I bought the second. I prefer the first as it rode smoother compared to the sportier second, but it’s really hard to fault either car, I love both. The joke was that the dealership best have another ’03 TL in 6 months, just in case; no need for a replacement yet.
Both cars look absolutely gorgeous, conservative in design for the most part, but with crisp lines that draw the eye. I do wish they had rwd, but they still drive with brisk confidence. The interiors are as attractive as the outside, and are comfortable places to be in. They ride quiet and smooth, though more so the first. The first was so good, I had to buy a second.
On a side note, I almost bought a 1999 TL to replace the first. Same colors, tan and beige, but missing some options I wanted that the first had.
On another side note, my sister had owned 2 first Gen. Ford Focus, ’02 and ’06, split by a ’98 Corolla.
Did your TL Type S have the gray-toned interior wood? I test drove one so equipped, I believe an ’02, and thought it was a fantastic look. Ended up passing on the car due to its having higher miles than I would have liked (it was closing in on 100K at 4 years old.)
Cant count the aircooled VW’s, as they are/were different models.
Of multiple regular cab pickups, full size Chevy wins.
1971 C-10, absolute stripper, I-6, three-on-the-tree.
1993 C1500, Work Truck trim, but did have A/T, A/C, AM-FM Cassette.
2000 K2500, fleet model, last year of the GMT400’s. Still own it.
I’ve never bought the same thing twice, but the parents have shown unwavering loyalty to Toyota. They bought two Corollas, a ’78 and an ’82, followed by two Camrys, a ’91 DX wagon and a 2004 Camry LE, the last of which is still in the family fleet.
’93 Dodge Dakota Sport 2WD short bed regular cab V6
’02 Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab 4WD 4.7
’78 Chevy Malibu Classic
’00 Chevy S-10 LS
’04 Chevy Impala LS
If you count she with whom I share the driveway….
’00 Subaru Forester L
’05 Subaru Forester X
’75 Chevy LUV
’78 Chevy LUV
’74 Chevy LUV parts truck, it was free
Reliable and tough!
Would you say you LUV your trucks?
I couldn’t resist.
Volvo 164
Volvo 245
Volvo 740
Volvo V70
Saab Sonnet V4
Saab 96 V4 (beige, the children called it “potato car”)
Saab 96
Olds Omega
Olds Omega
X-cars, bought them cheap, wife drove them till the trans cacked.
Just checking in from the other extreme. My purchasing habits are all over the map.
Highlights include: Note: These cars were all daily drivers.
1941 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe (stock)
1972 AMC Gremlin X (401 powered)
1963 Austin Mini 850
1981 Peugeot 505 TurboDiesel
1981 Jet Electravan (EV) present driver
Next:?????
Stayed in the GM camp
51 BelAir
82 Buick Regal
86 Old’s Cutlass Suoreme Brougham
92 GMC Safara van
05 Buick Park Avenue
07 Chevy HH
01 Dodge Dakota
01 Dodge van
05 Dodge Dakota
I’m a Honda guy – as you will see!
1980 Prelude – 5-speed – Longleet Gold Metallic – 2 years – totaled (old lady hit me)
1992 Accord LX Coupe – Auto – Rosewood Metallic – 2 years/50k mile lease
1990 Accord LX Coupe – 5-speed – Cappucino Brown – 2 months – had awful dog smell!
1991 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Frost White – 1 year – neighbor begged me to sell it
1992 Accord LX Coupe – 5-speed – Bordeaux Red – 7 years – wife’s car – 180k – still mad at me for selling it
1994 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Sherwood Green Pearl – 3 years – totaled (policeman hit me)
1998 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Heather Mist – 1 year – lost job had high payment
2003 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Satin Silver – 3 year lease
2004 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Nighthawk Black Pearl – sold because I got tired of high monthly payments
2002 Accord Special Edition Coupe – Frost White – 1 year – wife missed 5-speed and never let me live it down – traded for 2006 Civic
1993 Accord EX Wagon – 5-speed – Seattle Silver – 10 years – 250k miles – tin worm rotting suspension forced sale – best/most favorite Honda of all!
2006 Civic EX – Galaxy Gray – Auto – 3 year lease
1991 Accord SE – Auto – Brittany Blue-Green Metallic – 1 year – friend needed car
1994 Accord EX Coupe – Cashmere Silver – Auto – 6 months – I fell asleep at wheel and totaled it
1996 Accord LX Sedan – 5-speed – Heather Mist – 230k – 1 year – found present car so traded it
1999 Accord EX Sedan – Auto – Heather Mist – currently 193k miles and runs new
2002 CR-V EX – Auto – Eternal Blue Pearl – 5 years – traded for current CR-V
2011 CR-V EX – Opal Sage Metallic – current vehicle 101k miles
So as you can see I’ve had my share of Hondas! By far our favorite was the 1993 Accord EX 5-speed wagon and my wife’s 1992 Accord LX 5-speed coupe. I’ve enjoyed all of them immensely. Some of them didn’t survive a crash, others I made money on when I sold them, others I bought as fill-in cars when something nicer came up. I have never had a major/catastrophic repair on any of them. I really hope our current CR-V lasts as long as our wagon did. I am shooting for 250k miles again!
Not exactly a straight line:
84 Citation II notchback 2 door to:
99 Cavalier 2 door via an 86 Olds Calais 2 door.
95 Saturn SL1 to:
05 Saturn ION 1 only because the Chevy dealer stocked so few Cobalts and all of them loaded with things I didn’t want. They went overboard trying to promote the Cobalt as Chevy’s “premium” small car.
Hard to be consistent with so many manufacturers playing the name game.
1970 Peugeot 404 wagon
1969 Peugeot 404 sedan
1968 Peugeot 404 sedan
1965 Peugeot 404 sedan
1964 Peugeot 404 sedan
1959 Peugeot 403 sedan
1964 VW Beetla
1963 VW Beetle
1962 VW Beetle
Meanwhile, we Minnesotans are like, “what’s a Pudg-ee-ot?”
I said “pig out” as a Minnesotan. I guess as a then Citroen owner I shouldn’t throw stones.
I used to say “pyu-jit” when I was younger, and I say it like “pyu-zhjo” now. For some reason I’ve always Renault as “Ren-oh” and “Citroen” as “Sit-tren” though.
I was talking to a few friends last night, somehow one of them commented that I have things backwards as I like French cars and German food. That got me thinking, yes, I love the old French cars Renault 16, Peugeot 504, Citroen CX … all soft sofa and comfortable ride. And of course I love my eisbeins, broiled not roasted.
My most memorable experience with a French car was a Renault R4, driven in Croatia in mid ’80s. I never had to work so hard with an umbrella stick to get the last hp out of that tiny engine while all the time leaning one way or the other.
Three AMC Concords (4 if you count the one I couldn’t afford to insure and gave to my Dad), 3 K-cars all of them Dodge Aries, and 2 Ford Focus wagons.
Fortunately, only one disastrous VW Jetta.
I’ll stretch it to include sibling/clones.
Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable:
1986 Taurus L wagon
1987 Sable GS wagon
1992 Sable GS wagon
1994 Taurus GL sedan
2002 Taurus SE wagon
The last two, I still have.
Plymouth Valiant-Duster/Dodge Dart:
1968 Valiant Signet 4-dr. sedan
1970 Dart sedan
1972 Gold Duster
1974 Valiant Custom sedan
Multiple examples of the same vehicle…in order of purchase:
S-10/S-15 1982-92
’85 2wd longbed, 2.8/4-speed. Leased Fall ’85 from Stafford Chevrolet, Dryden NY. Flipped into purchase when I left the state six months later. Traded on new Corsica in ’88.
’82 2wd longbed, 2.8/4-speed. Bought February 1989. Totalled in head-on collision, February ’93. Mercury Sable made left turn into me. By the Lord’s grace I walked away.
’84 4wd Jimmy, 2.8/5-speed. Traded ’88 Corsica to get it, late 1991. (Corsica engine rebuilt twice under warranty and was headed for 3rd rebuild in 88,000 miles, which would be out of warranty) Sold Fall ’93.
’85 2wd longbed, 2.8/TH200-4R (?). Bought 2002. Don’t remember how it was disposed…engine had bad compression rings and needed frequent air filter changes.
’89 4wd extended cab, 4.3/TH700-R4. Bought 2003, sold 2004. I overheated it and blew a head gasket.
BLAZER/JIMMY (all 4wd, 4.3/4L60-E) 1995-2005
’97 Blazer LS. Bought Winter 2004. Engine began to develop a slight knock around 160,000 miles, most notably going down steep hills using engine braking. Traded on 1999 Jimmy below, Summer 2007.
’97 Blazer LS. Bought Summer 2004. Differences to Blazer above were green vs. black paint, different pinstripe, tachometer and liftgate. Otherwise identical down to the cloth interior and touring suspension. Still own but fate is uncertain. Needs wiring work. Have put nearly 250,000 on this one. Engine, tranny, rear end all changed in 2009.
’99 Jimmy SLE. Traded the first ’97 Blazer for this one. A lemon, it had a new engine but cam may have been set retarded by the remanufacturer, it NEVER had the power of the Blazers. Plus wiring issues exacerbated by poor engine installation resulted in my taking it back to the dealer for a full cash refund, fall ‘2007.
’95 2-door Blazer. Fall 2010. Also rebuilt engine but this one ran like a V8. Fuel system issues developed, fuel pump replaced 3x but issues were never fully sorted out until my son sold it to a neighbor a year or so ago. They got it going and drive it to this day.
’67-’72 CHEVY PICKUP/K-5 BLAZER
’70 C-10 Fleetside Longbed, 350/3-speed. Dad bought but was “half mine”, Spring 1973. He traded on new Toyota Hilux, Summer 1974.
’68 C-10 Fleetside Shortbed, 350/4-speed w/granny 1st. Bought Fall 1989, after six months the trans locked up, spent next 3 years redoing truck on a strict budget, drove once after completion, March 20, 1993, then lost it in a garage fire that afternoon.
’72 C-10 Stepside Longbed, 307/TH350. Bought for parts for the above ’68, February 1993. Scrapped Summer 1993 although rolling frame remained here until 2005 or so.
’70 CST-10 Fleetside Longbed, 350/TH350. Bought Summer 1993 to replace ’68. Project, never finished, sold 2001 to someone who did finish it.
’72 K-5 Blazer, 307/TH350. Bought Summer 1996. Project, finally made roadworthy two years later. Sold Thanksgiving Day 1998 to a guy from Jackson, MI who restored it and sent pix…awesome job.
’68 Custom-10, 327/TH400. Factory air, factory wood bed floor. Bought Fall 1996. Project, I sold two years ago to a family friend in exchange for work on my house project. Now separated, his wife just sold to someone who’s making it a family project. Expecting great things from newest owner.
TRI-FIVE CHEVIES
I’ve also owned a Tri-Five in some state of disrepair continuously since 1979. Only one of these was regularly driven and enjoyed, the rest were projects or parts cars. The ’57 Handyman I own now is my eighth ’57 Chevy, bought Summer 1999, in dry storage in the garage awaiting completion of our house reno.
SUBARU OUTBACK
’98 Legacy, bought Fall 2007 after Jimmy debacle above. Head gaskets replaced under extended warranty. Traded Summer 2009 for…
’05 Outback. First set of head gaskets not covered by extended warranty, making that warranty a $2000 waste. Was on its way to needing second set of head gaskets at 176,000 miles, traded on 2011 Equinox.
Two first-gen Toyota Matrixes.
So far, all I’ve owned were Toyotas.
1978 Toyota Pickup
1987 Toyota MR2
1992 Toyota 4Runner
and recently,
2006 Toyota Corolla
59 Beetle (used to make fiberglass dune buggy)
62 Beetle (at 14, got it running and sold it before old enough for driver’s license)
63 Beetle (to replace first beetle I wrecked)
66 Beetle (first car when had a drivers license.) Totaled it
71 Super Beetle (bought with bad engine to resell)
73 Sport Bug (last Beetle)
66 VW Fastback (needed rebuilt engine it came with installed, replaced Sport Bug)
66 Fastback #2 (needed engine rebuild, replaced 71 Vega)
68 Fastback (wrecked, good engine and interior, parts donor for 68 Fastback #2)
68 Fastback (straight body, need engine and interior from Fastback #1)
65 VW Bus camper
66 Bus Sundial camper
65 Chevy C10
70 C10 (had this one 30 years, 76 to 06)
75 Rabbit (wrecked after 2 years)
75 Rabbit #2 (for parts to repair 75 Rabbit #1, wound up selling both cars for parts)
77 Rabbit
80 Rabbit
80 Jetta
86 Jetta (still driving today at 306k miles, bought in 91)
87 Jetta (bought last year, same color as 86, bought for nephew but still mine at this time)
89 Jetta (family member owned for 5 years, wrecked it and bent frame, use for parts car)
That’s all. Had one of each of these. 64 Squareback, 65 Karmann Ghia, 68 New Yorker, 71 Vega, 79 GMC Cabrillo (El Camino).
Oh yeah, and I still have my ’04 Titan I bought new, now has 14,500 miles on it. Just replaced it original 12 year old battery last week.
14 500 Miles in 12 years !?!?!
Here’s my list of same make AND model:
1988 Honda Prelude Si
1992 Honda Prelude Si
Fun to drive, Honda reliability
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Great utility, Jeep cool
1995 BMW 325is
1997 BMW 328is
2002 BMW 330Ci
Great driving, great looking
1995 BMW 525i
1998 BMW 540i
2001 BMW 540i
2003 BMW 540i
2011 BMW 535Xi
2013 BMW 535i Xdrive
Great driving, comfortable, safe
B bodies:
1978 Chey Caprice Classic
1991 Chevy Caprice
1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1 LT1
1993 Buick Roadmaster wagon
1988 Chevy Caprice Estate
1995 Chevy Caprice wagon
1993 Chevy Caprice wagon
1995 Buick Roadmaster wagon
K Cars:
1985 Chrysler LeBaron
1987 Chrysler New Yorker Turbo
1988 Dodge Aries
1992 Plymouth Acclaim
1991 Chrysler New Yorker
1994 Dodge Grand Caravan
I have owned 6 Mustangs. Actually7 if you count the Mustang II I had for my kids to drive to school and jobs.
1967 Coupe
1975 Mustang II Coupe
1978 Mustang II Coupe ( kid’s car)
1986 Mustang Hatchback
2003 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe ( still own)
2009 Mustang Coupe ( still own)
Other Ford products I have owned in the past:
1955 Fairlane sedan
1962 Fairlane two door
1964 Galaxie fastback
1959 pickup
1973 Ranchero
1988 Ranger
1995 Ranger
I also had a ’33 Ford street rod project that I passed on to a friend and a ’53 Ford pickup project that also got passed on .
Good day:
I always enjoy your articles.
I’m a Ford, Mercury & Mercedes Benz guy, so I have repeatedly purchased these type vehicles. Of course, I’ve also driven a number of other vehicles as well.
Here’s my Ford & Mercedes Benz list:
FORD: – (In order)
1981 Ford Thunderbird Landau (New)
1984 Ford Tempo GLX (New)
1974 Ford Torino (Used)
1984 Ford Ranger Pick-up (Used)
1976 Ford LTD Landau Coupe (Used)
1978 Ford LTD II Coupe (Used)
2008 Ford Expedition XL King Ranch (New)
MERCEDES BENZ – (In order)
1990 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL (Used)
2006 Mercedes Benz S430 (Used)
1986 Mercedes Benz 190e (Used)
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS – (In order)
1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham (Used)
2004 Mercury Grand Marquis GS w/Convenience Pkg (Used)
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Limited Edition (New)
NOTE:
* Many of my cars say used, because I usually buy a car when they are a year or two old. I seem to stay ahead that way and am able to make my trade-in a little more prosperous.
** I love driving the Mercedes Benz vehicles, not for status, but for reliability & trade-in value. Plus, to me, they are tremendously comfortable cars to drive.
*** I love the Mercury Grand Marquis. It’s big, with a roomy cabin and gigantic trunk space. The 4.6 litter motor is nearly bullet-proof. I drove my ’04 until nearly 300,000 miles on it, then sold it for $2,500. My ’08 has got 70,000 miles on it, and has been totally free of maintenance, except for oil changes. I’ve had no trouble with it at all.
my past 3 cars have been Volvos.
1992 Volvo 245 – Green/Beige
1996 Volvo 855 Turbo – Red/Beige
2007 Volvo V50 T5 AWD -Silver/Black (current)
I became addicted to Mercedes-Benz coupes, beginning in 1976. Mercedes-mania in Southern California took hold of me and I was powerless to stop, I was drawn to them like moths to the candle flame. Interestingly, only one of these was new, the rest gently used:
1974 280C
1983 300CD (the new one)
1991 300CE
1999 320CLK
They were great looking cars, drove nicely, and provided that aura of prestige and “I have arrived-ism” that only Mercedes could attain, at least back in the day. They are a dime a dozen now, everyone drives a Mercedes, it seems. But I finally came to my senses in 2005, after umpteen thousands of dollars and almost 30 years of maintenance and repairs wore me down. I broke free of the spell, acquired my 2003 Thunderbird new, jettisoned my last MB, and have been happy as a clam ever since.
Multiples I have had:
Mazda-
1986 Mazda 626 LX
1987 Mazda 626 GT
1989 Mazda MX-6 (626) DX
1991 Mazda 626 DX
1991 Mazda 626 LX Touring
B-body Chevrolet-
1961 Chevrolet Biscayne
1965 Chevrolet Bel Air
1968 Chevrolet Impala
(I include these since I consider the Biscayne/BelAir/Impala/Caprice trim levels of the same car.)
Honda-
1987 Civic Si
1996 Civic DX
Citroën:
1985 2CV6
1982 Visa Club
1987 BX 1.4
1986 Visa 1.1
1985 CX 22 TRS
1984 CX 20 RE
1988 CX 25 GTi
Opel:
1979 Kadett D 1.2 N
1987 Kadett E 1.3
Peugeot:
1984 205 1.1
1986 205 1.1
1987 305 1.6 GR
1991 309 1.4 XR
Volvo:
1982 66 1.1 GL
2009 V50 1.6D
Not quite to the rules of engagement but here goes…
19 Citroens:
A Series – 2CV6, Dyane, Ami6, Ami8, Ami Super, AK
Visa Super
BX – 16TRS, 16RS, GTI x 3, 14RE
CX22
D Super 5
C2, C5, C6
DS3
I have always had an A series – the Dyane was my first car, I’ve had the Ami Super and AK Van for a combined 63 years… We had 4 BX’s in the 80’s because they were perfect for us then and the 14RE we got last year reminds us of…well, the 80s…
I love my D – I shall never sell it, but I’d like a CX again (as well) – a GTi this time.
Since 1992 I stopped having just Citroens, so:
Italians:
4 Alfa Romeo –
164 3 litre, 2 litre
156
Brera
My wife loved the 164 so much I had to buy her one of her own…but they will break your heart (sorry, wallet), usually just out of warranty.
…plus a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo – which might be the best car I ever had (including the D Super 5…) although I gave up getting Tony to fix it again after 80,000 miles.
and a Maserati Gran Sport (much missed and I cant afford the Maseratis that I dreamed of when I was 12)
and Germans:
Porsche Boxster (the most unreliable car I’ve had in terms of warranty work so I wont be going there again)
Merc C63 – conversely the most reliable car I have had so far. I expected to keep it 2 years, I’ll probably keep it forever
BMW i3 (a lot of Citroenistes are getting into i3’s because we like cutting edge…)
and Japanese:
Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Type S – one of 100 UK Ralliart cars. The height of cool in 1998
Subaru WRX STI Prodrive Performace Pack
The Mitsu was the better car, despite the thirst – but they don’t make either like that any more so I won’t be returning to those brands although I did look at a BRZ a year ago – but no. Not exciting enough)
…and a Saab 900. The worst most inadeqate car I ever had (apart from the stereo and the air conditioning)
…and a Lotus Elise sensibly with a Toyota motor. In fact I’m looking for a new one of them as its been nearly 10 years gone.
So my brand loyalty has stretched beyond the original approved list of Citroen and Alfa, just a bit…
You are da man Owl, so many cool cars. I owned a CX, driven a DS for a short distance. LOVE THEM. I long to have a CX prestige or a modified DS. I like the looks of DS3, but they are not available in the US. I also like the looks of Brera but again not available in the US and heard that its somewhat under powered?
1989 Crown Victoria
2004 Crown Victoria
2010 Grand Marquis
Hmmm. I have tended to buy in clusters. They might not be the very same car, but they are very closely related within a family.
C body Mopars: 66 Fury III, 68 Newport.
Fordward Look Mopars: 59 Fury, 64 Imperial
B Body GM cars: 84 Olds 98, 85 Buick LeSabre Limited, 89 Cadillac Brougham
Panthers: 85 Crown Vic, 93 Crown Vic and son’s 89 Grand Marquis
Hondas: 88 Accord, 96 Odyssey and daughter’s 98 Civic
In each of these groups, I have picked others that were sort of related. In my Ford phase, I had an 86 Fox body Marqis and a 94 Club Wagon. A 71 Scamp was kinda sorta related to the other Mopars.
Sounds like you threw (out) a Fit there, somewhere. 🙂
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/curbside-updateqotd-2007-honda-fit-sport-lacking-clarity/
I have owned 6 Mustangs. Actually7 if you count the Mustang II I had for my kids to drive to school and jobs.
1967 Coupe
1975 Mustang II Coupe
1978 Mustang II Coupe ( kid’s car)
1986 Mustang Hatchback
2003 Mustang Coupe
1966 Mustang Coupe ( still own)
2009 Mustang Coupe ( still own)
Other Ford products I have owned in the past:
1955 Fairlane sedan
1962 Fairlane two door
1964 Galaxie fastback
1959 pickup
1973 Ranchero
1988 Ranger
1995 Ranger
I also had a ’33 Ford street rod project that I passed on to a friend and a ’53 Ford pickup project that also got passed on st
2 ’78 Chevy Malibu Classic sedans, both 305 powered, in a shade of brown.
2 ’87 Chevy Caprice wagons, one Estate, one Classic, both in yellow gold
6 Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge M-Bodies. A ’78 Diplomat coupe, a ’79 LeBaron sedan, an ’81 LeBaron sedan and one of each ’87 offered, a 5th Ave, a Diplomat SE and a Gran Fury Salon. Close relation, one F-Body, an ’80 Volare sedan.
3 AMC’s. A ’70 Hornet SST coupe, and two Concord sedans, a ’79 D/L and an ’82 base model.
Two BMW E90 sedans: a 2006 325i and a 2011 328i.
The second one was mildly interesting: if you believe the online dealer inventories, then we bought the last “traditional” 3er sedan in New England: straight six, naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive. (Automatic though–all the sticks were already gone.)
The earlier one was a total stripper, the kind which exists only so the dealer can advertise a low, low lease price. It had a stick shift and manual vinyl seats–but other than that, it still felt like a full-fledged BMW. That’s the advantage of buying the cheap version of an expensive car: not a lot of toys, but plenty of good engineering.
I tried to get something different as much as possible. Still, there were a few repeats:
Ford Mustang (4): ’67, ’82, ’85, ’01
Toyota Prius (3): ’04, ’10, ’13
Mopar A-body (Dusters, Swinger) (3): 1970, 1971
Mazda MPV (2): ’02, ’04
Multiple of same models:
Minis:
68 Cooper
71 Clubman
73(?) Clubman Traveller
72(?) Shortnose
Suburbans:
96 Suburban
01 Suburban
07 Escalade ES
Multiple of same brands:
Ford:
66 Galaxy 4 door (or could it be a Fairlane?)
02 Focus ZX3
16 C-Max Energi
Honda:
97 Accord
05 Element
Alfas:
66 Sprint GT
87 75 (Milano as known in US)
75 Spider
84 Spider
Jeeps:
?? Comanche
85 Grand Wagoneer
Toyotas:
95 Previa SC
14 FJ Cruiser
05 SC430 (does Lexus count as Toyota?)
My list is pretty short 2 vw van kombi’s (with Windows). First one was a stripper I camperized and the second was had a fold down bed seat. The first was a 1974 and the second a 1973. I picked up the second one because I had lots of spare parts and by that point knew how to fix them. For cars I had a 1980 Jetta and a 1992 turbo diesel Jetta. I liked the 92 a lot more than 80 until I had to work on it, even changing the oil was a pain to squeeze the giant oil filter out. However the 92 was way more reliable. I also had 2 Honda CJ 360 motorcycles a 74 and a 76. Now I have a 1996 Toyota previa like the author’s and I think if this one eventually dies I would be on the lookout for another.
Three Dodge/Plymouth K – P – bodies. The wife’s grandmother was given a 1991 Plymouth Sundance 2.2L sedan new by her nephew who owned a Chrysler Plymouth franchise. My wife eventually inherited the car, then me. I always had a strange affinity for it, the only downside being that it was a bit slow so I sold it and bought a one owner ’93 Duster 3.0 coupe out of Cleveland. After a few years of driving daily rust was getting to visible areas so I bought a one owner ’94 Shadow ES 3.0 Coupe (still with it’s original Chrysler cellular telephone oddly enough) out of Hatboro PA to replace it. Ended up keeping the Duster after all so now have both of them. I call them the bookends to my collection. Also have 1971 and 2013 Dodge Challengers. Does that count?
I have owned 4 Nissan pickups:
1982 Model 720 2WD, 4cyl Diesel, King Cab 4 or 5 Speed (Can’t remember which, lol)
1995 Hardbody 4WD, 4 cyl, Regular Cab, 5 Speed
2007 Frontier 4WD, V6, Nismo King Cab, 6 Speed
2013 Frontier 4WD,V6, SV King Cab, automatic
All these trucks were bought used and the ’13 automatic was bought under protest, but my 60 year old cranky hip and knee threatened to jump ship if I bought another standard shift. Nissan has thankfully conquered the rust problems of the earlier pickups. The 1995 had to have the original rusty bed replaced but still ran like a champ with over 200K miles on the clock when I sold it. I like the size of these pickups, which fit in my smallish garage, and the towing ability with the V6 engine. I live in middle TN and the ’13 was used as one of the go fer vehicles at the Nissan factory in Nashville. The ’13 has the reverse sensors and backup camera, which are a great help to an old feller like me.
Great trucks, dependable and easy to fix. I see no reason to buy anything else.
I’m just like my father, either Ford or Chrysler:
My Father:
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1973 Ford T-Bird
Me:
1985 1/2 Ford Escort
1989 Chrysler LeBaron GTC Turbo Coupe
2005 Ford Focus
Three Ford Galaxies (1962, 1963, 1963).
Three Ford Crown Victorias (1986, 1992, 2001)
I love my big Fords.
A 1981 Renault 5, a Renault 4 (model year forgotten), and two 1987 Renault GTAs, both at once.
74 Toyota Chinook camper , 88 Toyota pickup , 96 Toyota Tercel , 84 Toyota Sunrader motorhome, 2014 Toyota Yaris.
Four Nissan Maximas over three different bodies…
’91 GXE
’97 GXE
’95 GLE (my mother gave me a good deal)
’87 GXE wagon (current and most recent)
Also currently, two 4.9L Cadillacs…
’92 Fleetwood
’91 STS
I’d really love a ’92 STS…or a ’92 or ’93 Deville Touring Sedan.
06 ford focus zx5
07 focus ses
08 focus ses
09 focus se
We bought the 06 for my oldest daughter and liked it so we bought the 08 then the 07 for our youngest daughter then the 09
The 06 zx5 was totaled last May when a driver made a u turn without looking .that car was replaced Wilt a 08 taurus
My family seems to have a lot of loyalty particularly to make and somewhat model:
Me:
2 Toyotas
’99 4Runner
’14 Camry (both kept less than a year, probably won’t try a Toyota again)
2 Fords
’07 Focus
’07 Escape.
Parents:
2 Audis:
circa ’76 Audi Fox
’85 Audi 4000
2 Plymouth Grand Voyagers
’88 Plymouth Grand Voyager
94′ Plymouth Grand Voyager
4 Tahoe/Yukons:
’97 Tahoe LT,
’99 Tahoe LT,
’04 Yukon Denali
’12 Tahoe Z71
3 Toyota/Lexus:
’02 Lexus RX300
’03 Toyota Camry
’08 Toyota Prius
My brother is attracted to quirky or cars with unreliable reputations:
’99 Saab 9-3 Convertible,
’08 Land Rover LR3,
’13 Volvo XC70 T6.
Immediate Family:
3 BMWs
’14 X5-Sister-In-Law
’15 X3 Diesel-Mother
’15 320i-Me
Grandfather (When Alive):
78 Impala
87 Caprice Classic
Nissan/Datsun
Three consecutive 510s beginning in 1985.
69 510 wagon
69 510 2 door sedan
71 510 wagon
At least a half dozen or more parts cars either purchased and stripped or came with/already stripped or made a flat rate deal to strip in a scrapyard.
Three 710s
2 1974 710s. Both 2dr coupe models with no b pillar. One complete runner and one badly corroded for parts.
75 710 2door sedan. With a b pillar. This one came with a huge warehouse of parts.
Three hardbody trucks.
88 KingCab 4cyl rwd.
93 KingCab 6cyl rwd. First and only new vehicle purchase. Paid cash.
94 KingCab 6cyl 4×4.
Honda
77 Civic, 78 civic and one or two parts cars. Went through 2 bodys and 4 engines before calling it quits. Never owned another Honda again because 510 ownership overlapped and rwd trumps fwd in my book.
I inherited a 93 Civic, the death car, from a family member who unfortunately died of injuries that resulted from a collision in that particular car. I used the insurance payout to purchase the previously mentioned 93 KingCab.
Ford
74 Mustang II v6 auto. Given to me as a project/fixer upper. Bought a parts car to go with it that was a v6 4spd. The 69 510 longroof was already road worthy so it got the body and paint treatment while the Rustang IIs got parted out then scrapped.
Thats it for the multiples now to break the rules a little with the singles in no particular order including:
VW: 74 Superbeetle, 80 Rabbit diesel.
Hyundai: 84 Pony, 04 Accent
Nissan\Datsun 78 200sx 5spd bought for a project but stole the drivetrain for a 510, 06 Sentra
Ford/Mercury: 94 Cougar V6 auto.
Toyota: 72 Corolla 2dr longroof Toyoglide. 89 Corolla 4dr sedan.
Mitubishi\Dodge: 81 Colt. A notch was cut in the dash every time the odometer rolled around. 480K km. I bought it with 440K on it but later scrapped it because it was just gawdaufull boring to drive. It got hit by a deer in one of those rare deer hits car incidents and not the other way around.
There’s probably more.
The one’s I currently own are the 71 510 longroof, The 06 Sentra and a 67 Datsun roadster project along with 2 completely stripped parts cars in totes and on shelves in the basement.
I’ve only owned one car, so I’ll throw in some of my parents’ pairings as well (mostly Fords):
1980 and 2007 Corollas
1997 and 2000 Ford Windstar
2000 Focus wagon (lemon) and my 2012 Focus SFE. The fact that I even set foot on a Ford lot after the memories of my father’s 00 Focus, let alone bought one new, is a real testament to their current quality (yes, the 00 was that bad).
2009 and 2014 Escape.
Four Plymouth and Chrysler Valiants ’64, ’61, ’65, ’63; five Dodge Darts ’65, ’64, ’71, ’64, ’73; one Dodge Lancer ’62 (still got ’til I can find its next loving home), counts as nine Chrysler A-bodies. Not ten, because one of the Valiants enumerated above is also enumerated as a Dart for reasons to be explained in a forthcoming COAL.
Four Dodge Spirits ’91, ’92, ’92, ’91 and an identical-except-trim Chrysler LeBaron sedan ’92, running the gamut from plain to R/T. More COAL material.
Two Volvo 245 Turbos ’85.
My dad is on his 3rd Legacy having bought a 93 in the late 1990s and he is now on his 2nd 96 which is also rusting to death. My family has owned at least 9 Saab 900s over the past 35 years.
Previas are quite common in Portland, OR.
1974 Pontiac Catalina coupe
1974 Pontiac Grand Ville conv.
1986 Mercury Grand Marquis GS
1989 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1990 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
2003 Mercury Grand Marquis LSE
2008 Ford Crown Victoria S P70
Cadillac Sedan deVilles: Two different 63’s, and 75, 76 and 77. Add Fleetwoods: 74, 76, 80 and 89 (the 89 was FWD, full disclosure). They’re Cadillacs, what’s not to like
Volkswagens:
64 Bus (yes, before they became hippie vans)
71 Super Beetle owned by Mrs. Tom when I met her
77 Rabbit
Chevrolet:
86 and 90 Cavaliers (don’t laugh, Mrs. Tom liked them)
Ford:
90 and 97 Rangers
70 F100 (stretching a bit, but all trucks…)
5 Mazda RX-2s
2 VW Dashers (and 1 Audi Fox, same thing mostly)
2 MGBs (one was a GT)
2 A2 Jettas
Many multiples on marques, but this answers the question as stated.
2 well-used Honda Accords (1990 and 1991 – it didn’t hurt that the ’90 was FREE!)
Currently 2 Buicks, 02 Regal LS and ’03 LeSabre.
The latter 2 were purchased because they have the 3800 V6 under the hood, one of the best engines ever made.
The Regal came first, because my wife took it on its initial test drive and loved it.
Short list compared to some:
1976 Volvo 245
1982 Volvo 242 Turbo automatic
1984 Volvo 244 GL
1990 Volvo 244
1992 Camry Wagon 2.2 4-cyl.
1995 Camry Wagon 3.0 V-6
2006 Toyota Highlander
2015 Toyota Highlander
A penchant for vanilla vehicles, I guess.
Currently
3 – Ford Tauruses ’95, 98, 01
Past
3 – 1963 Ramblers
3 – Chevrolet Caprices
2 – Dodge Colts
4 – Dodge 3\4 pickups
5- Valiant\Darts
4 – C body Mopars
2 – Tri Five Chevrolet\GMC Panels
Plus 10-15 other cars in 50 years of driving.
Of the other cars
1 – 1950 Chev PU
1 – 1962 Ford Fairlane
1 – 1969 Toyota Corolla
1 – 1974 Dodge Van
1 – 1972 Ford Galaxie
1 – 19767 Dodge Coronet
1 – 1975 Honda Civic
1 – 1992 Saturn
1 – 1988 Corsica
1 – 1986 Dodge Lancer
1 – 1951 Mercury Meteor
1 – 1965 Rambler Ambassador
I must of had a brain fart when I posted the other cars.
1 – 1961 not 1951 Mercury Comet not Meteor
1 – 1967 not 19767 Dodge Coronet
1 – 1972 LTD not Galaxie although all the big Fords are Galaxies to me. Guess my brain got imprinted with one of my best friend’s ’62 Galaxie with a 406.
And of my current cars I somehow forgot my 1990 Ford Tempo with 96,000 miles – less than 3,700 miles a year, not many 26 year old daily drivers with this low mileage.
Getting older sucks, but it beats the alternative. Seems like Mopars come in first with 18, Ford & GM tied for second with 7 each and AMC third with 4 among the cars I have owned along with 3 others.
Yeah guilty of this once you have good example of something I tend to repeat buy
2 EH Holden sedans
7 series 3 or 3a/b Humber 80s/Hillman Minx Singer Gazelle/Cob/Huskies
7 HQ holdens,van, wagons, one sedan
4 VH/J Valiants wagon and sedan
4XB Falcons van sedan wagon
2 PB Vauxhalls
3 PA Vauxhalls
Does not include parts cars.
Since you asked…Mazdas
’72 RX2 coupe yellow (1977-79), then,
’73 RX3 coupe red (1980-87)
’72 RX3 coupe white (1981-85)
’73 RX3 coupe white (1982-87)
’73 RX3 coupe orange (1987-91)
’74 RX3 coupe blue (1991-92)
’77 RX3-SP coupe silver (1992-2016)
’74 RX4 sedan blue (1990-92)
’76 RX4 coupe green (1990-92)
’79 RX7 white (1987-89)
’82 RX7 GSL burgundy (1987-92, 2003-16)
’83 RX7 GSL blue (1992-96)
’84 RX7 GSL-SE silver (1989-96)
’81 RX7 GSL white (1992-98)
’85 RX7 GS red (2011-16)
’85 RX7 GSL silver (2013-16)
Current Mazda fleet, one RX3SP, three RX7s. Haven’t been without at least one Mazda since 1980.
I am on my second Dodge Grand Caravan, first was a 2002 Sport(?), next was 2004 SXT
On my fourth Pontiac Bonneville:
1979 (a fairly broughamized one)
1994 SSE
1999 SSE
2005 GXP
91 & 93 Aerostars.
1965 Chrysler 300 & New Yorker (parts car for the 300)
The awesome
78 Ford Ltd landau coupe 400 never ever broke
78 Ford Ltd Landau sedan 460 lasted 34 years. Great car
79 Lincoln continental great car
88 Lincoln town car great car
83 Lincoln markvi sedan. Great car current driver
The not so good.
73 Buick electra rusted out and git 7 miles per gallon
76 Buick lesabre awful car.
79 Buick lesabre slow and unreliable
80 old’s 88 unreliable and rusted out
Odd and ends,
51 Cadillac Miller hearse
76 Granada lasted 425k miles
81 Malibu awful terrible car
87 Ford 150great truck
93 t bird. Great car that got wrecked
1960, 1963, and 1969 VW Beetles. The 1960 was my first car – bought it from a buddy of my Dad’s for the grand sum of $250 in 1966. The 1969 was my first new car, during undergraduate college. The 1969 was not particularly well made or reliable and the dealership was less than helpful in resolving problems. As a result of that experience I never bought another VW product.
1981 Plymouth Champ (Colt)
1984 Plymouth Colt
1987 VW Jetta GLI
2000 VW Jetta GLS
First generation Honda Odysseys:
1995 EX
1997 EX (current, 169K) Drove cross county and back in 2011.
1998 EX (current, 112K)
Why?
Reliable
Comfortable enough
Fairly economical (mid 20s MPG)
Durable (often have 250k+)
Versatile
Yes! The original and best in my opinion. In the driveway there’s also a white ’96 with 563K miles on it awaiting an engine transplant that’s not pictured. It’d probably still be running had the P.O. not neglected the timing belt. That’s 563K on the original unrebuilt transmission. Amazing.
For some reason I always lust for an 1980s B/C body after going about a year without having one around. I love the styling and driving feel, they capture “classic American car” in a more modern, cheap package. Although besides my current one, which is a pristine “keeper”, they have all been sub-$1000 beaters with over 100k miles.
1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham LS (longest car name ever) – $800 – Clean body but high miles, sold, might still exist
1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham – $900 – Rusty, faded paint. Had Macco paint it 1950s pink as a joke, junked about a year later. People still ask me if I have this one.
1985 Chevrolet Caprice Estate – $700 – Total beater, but durable, junked last year at almost 170k miles
1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser – $2500 – Cream puff one-owner time capsule, only 61k miles, not driven in the winter. Could easily sell for a profit if I wanted, but I can’t imagine getting rid of it.
Some observations/issues with this platform:
– The exhaust system rusts out on EVERY ONE of them. They make a distinct loud flappy noise similar to a freight train. I notice it with other old B-bodies in traffic too.
– I think these cars came from the factory with the “Check Engine” light on. Most had the Olds 307, but even the Chevy with the 305 shared this issue. Didn’t affect how they ran.
– The Cadillac version has a vastly firmer and tighter body structure and way more sound insulation than any of the others. It rivaled modern cars for solidity and lack of rattles over rough roads.
– The station wagon versions rival 4WD SUVs for their ability to effortlessly plow through deep snow. The sedan versions are more front-heavy and fishtail way more easily, requiring much more gentle steering and braking
– Good luck finding one where the digital clock in the radio that works (even the pristine low mileage examples)
– None of these cars are very comfortable going faster than 70-75mph because of the extremely low output engines. You technically can and the suspension feels fine, but it feel like you’re ringing the life out of them. The OD transmission will kick down to a constant, droning 3rd gear around 81MPH with any sort of wind resistance or incline so they are a chore to drive in mountainous western states where the speed limit is 80. I always wonder how the ’77-’79 versions drive with the bigger engines, but they are harder to find now
– Nothing makes you appreciate fuel injection like trying to start one of these things on a 30-degree morning.
All Mopars for me, and some repeat buys:
–Jeeps:
2 CJ-7s
1 Scrambler
1 YJ Wrangler
1TJ Wrangler
Dodges:
’84 Dodge Power Ram (which my dad still has)
’05 Ram 1500
Chryslers:
1 PT Cruiser GT
1 Chrysler Sebring coupe
The only thing I wouldn’t repeat buy is the Sebring. Its not a ‘bad’ car, just not for me. As in I barely fit in it, 205 hp from a V6 is NOTHING like 215 hp from a turbo 4 and its Mitsubishi character comes thru much more than its Chrysler bones.
The YJ is a ‘maybe’ in that its kind of a tweener among Jeeps. Unlike the CJs and TJs it doesn’t seem to have much going for it that any of the classic Jeeps don’t.
2001.5 Honda Accord EX (new)
1997 Honda Accord SE (used)
2011 VW GTI (new)
2015 VW GTI (new)
The two GTIs are almost identically spec’d except the 2011 had plaid cloth (with heaters!) whereas the 2015 has (real) leather. I loved my 2011 GTI but the 2015 is turned up to 11.
Two Big Mitsubishis in twenty-seven years.
’89 Magna – bought new as a family car when I finished college. I specified the base 5 speed manual with the optional EFI engine and power steering. Great car, apart from clutch and gear linkage work needed at about 150,000. Lasted until 230,000 km when it started using way too much oil (typical big Mitsi fault) and the CV joints gave out. Traded for….
’00 Verada/Diamante – our current family car. No major work needed. Now at 335,000km and running like a top, having just brought us on a 4000 km road trip for our holidays, with another 3000km to get home.
So how do you get a Mitsi to last so long? Live in the country so the car has lots of long trips, and service it regularly.
Ah… country miles.
2005 Ford Escape when I was transferred to upstate New York. Was one of the few CUVs at the time to have all wheel drive and V6, which I bought it for the snow. Was very surprised how well it was put together and had few issues (front brake rotors would warp at 60-75K mile intervals).
Upon return to the south, sold the ’05 Escape (tin worm had come to the surface) for a 2012 Escape which was the last of the V6 before move to turbo I4 starting in 2013. The new Escape has 6 speed auto and VVT for more power, leather, etc. but its not as fun as the ’05.
Funny, but I do miss the snow!!!
1993 Lincoln Mark VIII and (still have) 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII.
These are great cars.
’93 Saab 9000 (142k-145k)
’99 Saab 9-3 (89k-129k)
’95 Subaru Outback Wagon (119k-162k)
’03 Subaru Outback Wagon (89k-150k)
’05 Subaru Outback Wagon (99k – present)
Same make/model, all hatchbacks, though Mazda has changed the nomenclature over the years —
85 Mazda GLC (323 outside North America)
89 Mazda 323
2016 Mazda 3
I’ve owned a total of over 30 automobiles since 1976 but as for repeats of make and model:
4 Jeeps; 2 XJ Cherokees and 2 MJ Comanche pickup trucks.
9 Mercedes-Benz with 3 pair being repeat models:
2-W111 sedans (both driveable, one being pristine at 37 years of age)
2-W124 (one sedan and one coupe*)
2-X204 (one the first year 2010 GLK 350 and the last acquired last February, a 2015 GLK 350)
The GLKs are the wife’s. She had a ML 350 previously and loved it but liked the GLKs even more. I bought the 2015 (dealer demo with “free” extended warranty) a little over 2 months ago since the 2010 was getting into the “high maintenance era” of its existence and I was so put off by the looks of the new GLC I didn’t even bother to drive one.
The older and new GLK are virtually the same exterior and interior color and appear virtually identical with some detail exceptions like the headlights and AC vents. We didn’t tell anyone we made the switch and only my 80 year old father (a true gear-head) noticed the difference when he sat in the front seat and got a good look at the dash board.
*the E320 coupe is my all-time favorite to date.
6 1966 Valiants – An aunt had one growing up for 12 years and every important trip i had as a kid was in that car.
3 Chrysler Cordobas- 2 1978’s and a 1979. just really,really liked them. if i had the money today for a decent one, i would still buy another one for a daily driver.
6 Chrysler Fifth Avenues- 1982-1988. reliable cars, not hard on gas, and just kept recycling the rusted out ones for parts.
3 Oldsmobile Delta 88s- all 1985s. bought the first one as a good deal at the right time, then just repeated the formula twice more.
Four Mustangs, three Maximas, two Corollas.
I’ve got a brace of Renault Nines – both 1983. Plus a 1986 Renault 5.
I’ll keep it short, after more than 100 posts:
2 VW Rabbits, 1975 and ’79.
2 Volvo 240s, 1980 242, 1980 245
4 Toyota Camrys, 1997, 2004, ’05, and ’15
The Volvos and Camrys for reliability and crashworthiness; the first Rabbit for innovation in a small car (but very unreliable), and the 2nd Rabbit in the mistaken belief that it would be better.
I have owned more than one Riviera, but not all sequentially:
1971, 1976, 1990 and 1995. Only the 1995 was new and I ordered it. The order went through the factory twice, I got the second one.
61 f100, 68 Mercury f100, 2 – 69 f100, 71 F100, 72 f100, 74 F 100, 80 f 150, 90 f150, 97 f150, 99 f150, 2002 f150. For whatever reason I have kept this last truck for almost 14 years and it is still going strong.
Cars have been all over the map but my Ford trucks have been good to me.
My first car when i was 16 was a 1994 Mercury Cougar XR7. When it was totaled by a drunk driver I loved the car so much I bought another one, same color but a 1993 model. Loved them both
Mercedes-Benz W123 300D 1984, old cab with 600000+ km.
Mercedes-Benz W123 230E 1983, still my daily driver with 225000 km.
I’ve owned some GM B/C -body fullsizers, and own an E-body.
1967 Buick Riviera, owned for 14 years, 188.000 miles, mostly all original
1977 Buick Riviera, was my daily driver for some years, a great car, Buick 350, lazy, but smoooooooth.
1979 Chevrolet Caprice classic sedan, 350 engine, a lot of options, daily driver.
1989 Chevrolet Caprice classic Brougham. 305 Tbi, daily driver.
1977 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. 260.000 miles, daily driver.
Of all these the greatest car was the 77 Riviera I think, all of them very reliable, as most BOF american cars are, but the 77 Riviera was very quiet, smooth and comfortable. In fact I was a bit diassapointed with the 77 Coupe DeVille compared to the 77 Riviera, the Riviera had a more comfortable ride, was quieter and used less gas. The Caillac was way more powerfull with it’s 425.
1982 Honda Accord Hatchback 5 speed Lindsey Blue Metallic traded for:
1987 Honda Prelude 5 speed Polar White traded for:
1994 Honda Prelude Si 5 speed Milano Red totalled and traded for:
2001 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Automatic Coupe Taffeta White traded for :
2013 Honda Accord EX 6MT Coupe Crystal Black Pearl
Loved them all except the 2001. Fantastic engine, world’s worst transmission. Can’t help but think how infinitely better it would have been with a manual.
I’ve owned only Hondas, each one brand new, and can’t imagine buying another brand. Consistently reliable and durable.
I’ve been the Ford version of the Sloan Ladder of Success since 2002:
2001 Ford Focus ZX3
2006 Ford Fusion S (5-speed manual)
2009 Ford Fusion SE AWD
2012 Lincoln MKZ AWD
I had ’87 and ’93 Cadillac Brougham/Fleetwood Broughams. What the ’93 gained in driveability, power, gas mileage, and lack of vaccuum lines, it lost in interior quality, character, looks, electrical gremlins, and head-turning ability.
My parents had ’84 and ’91 Honda Civics. And my father had/has ’00 and ’04 Toyota Tacoma small pickups.
Of the dozen cars I’ve owned in my 39 years, three have been F-150s:
1992 F-150 Custom
1992 F-150 XLT
1999 F-150 XLT Sport
Most have been Fords, over half of the total:
1968 Galaxie
1992 F-150 Custom
1992 F150 XLT
1998 Escort
1993 Taurus
1999 F-150 XLT
1993 Mazda MX-6 LS (counted as half, rebodied Probe)
These are likely going o be my last as I don’t like current Ford’s direction…
I would agree with that. As a longtime Lincoln owner, I won’t like that they downsized the Lincoln and there is no frame, no v8 to style, no class. The Ford cars are all mostly Volvo platforms and the engines are expensive failure prone Turbos
Of the ones that I can remember:
Subaru: 3 Brats (1986, 1985, 1986)
Jeep: 3 Cherokees (2001, 2000, 1994)
Citroën: 2 Meharis (1982 4×4, 1969 US model); there’s also a 2CV I’ll mention for the purposes of branching out the family tree
Renault: 2 LeCars (1977 & 1979); 2 R5s (1986 TL & 1988 (IIRC) GT Turbo)
Peugeot: 3 205s (all XRAD vans); 3 505s (1985, 1987, 1988); 4 405s (1989 diesel; 1989 DL (US model); 1989 & 1991 Mi16s (also US models)
Fiat: 2 Pandas (4×4 from 1987 or so and a 1983-ish 45)
That just covers similar models, though. If same-make vehicles are included, the list is a bit longer.
Two Imprezas (1998 wagon, 2014 XV), and two Volvo wagons (1983 240T, 1997 V90)… but where I really have this problem is bikes. 3 separate Vespas, and 6 total Suzuki modern twins (all the same basic platform)
2001 SV650S – (really fun but short range and not comfy enough)
2003 DL1000 – (over-modded by prev owner, never ran right)
2004 DL650 – (for some reason thought I wanted more power)
2005 DL1000 – (great cross-continent tourer, a little much for trails/city)
2005 SV650S – (really fun but short range and not comfy enough, remember??)
2014 DL650 – (equilibrium, the perfect do-anything, go-anywhere bike)
’68 SAAB 96
’71 SAAB 96
’71 SAAB 97 (AKA Sonett.)
Between my dad my brother and myself we went through 7 V4 SAABs
When my wife and I met and married we were both driving Honda Accords. We will probably never own another Honda as we freely exchange cars and Honda seats kill my back.
For what it’s worth tractor wise I’ve also own(ed) IH cub cadets 2-129, 2-1250, 2-1450. Still own 4 of them, but 1 is going up for sale as soon as I get all the snow removal equipment and tires off it and set it up for mowing.
Too neat a subject!! I was a bit of a glutton for punishment at first, with multiple gas hogs but I loved ’em all!!
2 ’66Toronado
’78 Toronado XS
’82 Toro
A ’76 and ’88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2000 Cherokee, a ’79, ’89 and ’95 Suburban.
An “89 and ’99 Continental, and then we started the SAAB affair.
I’ve owned (with varying amounts of love/hate) an ’87 900 Turbo, an ’88 900T convertible, a ’98 9000 CSE, and 2 9-5 wagons, one of which still occupies garage space.
Lets see:
2 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Sedans (1985 and 1987)
2 Ford Taurus (2006 and 2008)
2 Chrysler LeBarons (1987 and 1992)
Not me (I tend to keep things for a long time), but my father has owned four Cherokee Sports, three Plymouth Voyagers, two Volkswagen Baja Bugs, and he kept trading off and buying back the same ’74 Nova to his friends over and over again.
My grandfather on the other hand bought a new F-150 every eight years, starting in 1979 and ending in 2003 when he bought his last truck.
Two Ford Mustangs
1978 Mach 1 2.3 liter with T-tops
1978 Mustang 302 with T-tops
Three Chevrolet Camaros
1970 Camaro Sport Coupe
1970 Camaro Z28
1971 Camaro Sport Coupe
Three Ford F-Series pickups
1966 F250
1991 F150 Super Cab
1987 F150 4×4
Seven Chrysler Sebring convertibles
1998 Limited gold
1999 JXi touring package green
2000 JX white
2000 JXi gray
2000 JXi gold
2001 LXI red
2005 GTC red
For us, the Mercedes SL and we’ve had three:
– R107, a lapis blue with tan leather grey-market 1981 500SL that we kept until 2002. That car was a trooper; took young me skiing on weekends, saved my mom’s life when she was broadsided and took the brunt of my first car accident
– R129, a brilliant silver with grey leather 1999 SL500 that was probably the most trouble free car we’ve ever had (even more so that the 1987 Mercedes 420SEL, 1991 Acura Integra, 1995 BMW 525i, 1995 Mercedes E320, 1999 Honda Prelude and 2006 Lexus IS250 in the family stable) until we traded it in for the following car with 120,000 miles in 2008
– R230, an iridium silver with black leather 2007 SL550 that was our favorite just in how beautiful we thought it was. The 5.5 liter V8 was just sublime and Mercedes finally allowed a bit of burble to escape the exhaust pipes for this generation. A tech tour-de-force that became expensive to maintain as it aged. A truly lovely drive that was comfortable, confident and enjoyable. This car was traded in for a GLK350 which has been great.
Good question. Let’s see…
2 ea. 1971 Pontiac Grandville 4-door hardtop. 455-4bbl w. THM400
2 ea. Camaro. 1967 (250-6 PG); 1968 327-2bbl w. 3 Spd on floor
3 ea. Honda Civic sedan (2009 Hybrid, 2012 EX, 2014 LX
Repeat makes, but individual models:
1962 Bonneville 4-door hardtop (389 4 bl w. Dual Coupling Hydramatic), 1964 Chevy Biscayne (230 w. PG), 1972 Monte Carlo (350 2 bbl w. THM350), 1989 Chevy Beretta (2.8 w. THM125), 2000 Chevy Malibu (3.1 w. Auto)
If you include my wife’s cars…
3 ea Honda CR-V AWD. 2003, 2010, 2014
1 ea. 1986 Chevy Celebrity Wagon (Iron Duke w. THM125)
1 ea. 1985 Pontiac 6000 (Iron Duke w. THM125)
I’ve had a few multiples in my time:
There were 4 of these…
1984 Mercury Topaz L
1988 Ford Tempo L
1992 Ford Tempo GLS
1988 Mercury Topaz L
…and 4 of these too…
1988 Ford Escort GL
1981 Ford Escort GLX
1984 Ford Escort L
1986 Mercury Lynx XR3
…and there were also 4 of these…
1983 Ford Mustang GLX
1980 Ford Mustang
1982 Mercury Capri RS
1990 Ford Mustang
Never more than four of anything though! 🙂
I too had a 1992 Tempo GLS… 5-speed or auto? 2 or 4 door?
Some of my cars:
1963 Chrysler 300
1964 Chrysler 300-K
1961 Chrysler 300-G
1962 Chrysler 300-H
1969 Dodge Charger R/T
1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340/auto, red, cloth and vinyl interior, factory sunroof
1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 400/4-speed, red, vinyl interior
1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340/auto, brown
1973 Dodge Charger Rallye 340/auto, blue
1972 Dodge Charger SE Brougham, gold
1976 Dodge Charger Sport (more like a Coronet 2-dr than Cordoba body Charger SE)
1986 Chrysler Laser, base model, 5-speed
1986 Chrysler Laser XT, turbo, 5-speed, T-tops, Mark Cross leather
1991 Dodge Spirit R/T, white
1992 Dodge Spirit R/T, red
1992 Dodge Spirit, base, bench seat, 4 cylinder/auto on column
1999 Dodge Stratus, base, 2.0L, 5-speed ( bought at 7K miles, drove to 227K miles in 14 years of ownership; my best ever car to date; average of 38 mpg for all miles on car; trouble-free)
1998 Dodge Stratus, 2.4l/auto (recent purchase with only 110 k miles; recent fill-up at 32.9 mpg with mostly highway miles)
My Mom was a very loyal Pontiac person until their demise:
1969 Ventura
1979 Phoenix
1987 Grand Am Se
1994 Sunbird Se
2007 Wave Se
She is talking about buying a new vehicle now as we speak – Buick Encore or I am in shock Honda Fit
Volvo. 940 wagons. The car you can always fit whatever you need into it.
’92 Turbo Wagon, ’91 Turbo Wagon (ok, it was a 740, but, really,
what’s the diff?), ’94 non-Turbo.
It was nice because I could transfer the electric memory seats from the
’92 into each of the succeeding cars, Transferred the crusie-control
to from the ’92 to the ’91 (it was a real stripper), ‘then bought a third seat
setup which I first installed into the ’91 then transferred into the ’94.
If only Volvo a/c compressors were as durable as the cars…..
Studebakers, I’ve had 1960 Lark V-8s, a ’66 Commander (a Lark by another
name, with a Chevrolet engine), a V-8 ’64 Lark (was that a Commander also?).
I’ve had a ’51& a 53 Studebaker Champion, which having the same engines and
suspensions as the later cars, and the ’53 body was the basis for the larks, do they
count? My Avanti is also a Lark, but it’s the only one that has such a different driving
characteristic that its NOT the same.
Oh, MOPARS! A ’64 Dart sedan 170, a ’63 Dart Convertible 225, a ’65 Valiant sedan 225
(I put in a used ’68 225) , and owned still, a ’63 Valiant convertible 225. (My parents
owned a new ’65 Sedan, with which my mother had an accident in (with six-year-old-me
sitting unbuckled in the front seat) while trying to console me for having to go to
Sunday school while my brother got to stay home ’cause he’d just had appendicitis.
Darts are nicer due to the longer wheelbase, but otherwise, there ain’t no diff here, either.
Lately I have been a Honda Accord person but I used to be a Ford man:
2000 Honda Accord
1999 Honda Accord
1998 Honda Accord
**
1970 Ford LTD Sedan
1970 Ford LTD Coupe
1971 Mercury Marquis
1971 Ford Thunderbird
1975 Lincoln Town Car
1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
1986 Ford Tempo
1993 Mercury Grand Marquis
1989 Mercury Grand Marquis
1990 Mercury Grand Marquis
1991 Mercury Grand Marquis
Ford Tempo / Mercury Topaz
1. 1993 Mercury Topaz GS 2-door
2. 1992 Ford Tempo GLS 4-door
3. 1989 Ford Tempo GL 4-door (5-speed donor for 93 Topaz, given to brother after swap)
4. 1990 Ford Tempo GLS 2-door
5. 1992 Mercury Topaz LTS (roommates car)
Ford Mustangs
1. 2001 Ford Mustang GT convertible
2. 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt GT
3. 2006 Ford Mustang GT convertible
2 Austin Metros (an 82 and an 87), 2 Renault 19s (a 90 and a 93) and 2 Focus (Foci?) (2001 mk1, European 2006 mk2
Well, lessee… 3 Fairmonts, 3 Pintos, 4 Crown Vics, 2 Grand Marquises (Grand Marqui?), 2 Tempos, 3 Fox Mustangs, 4 Edsels, 2 Corvairs…
Volvo wagons. They just seem to fit our lifestyle and price point when used.
87 240
92 940
2004 xc70 (blue)
2004 xc70 (black)
2014 xc70
Well, here goes, not in order of ownership:
’67 Cougar (red/black/black)
’67 Cougar (yellow/parchment/black)
’68 Cougar (Dark Green Metallic/black), still have it
’68 Cougar (Lime Frost Metallic/black)
’73 Cougar XR-7 convertible
’73 Marquis Brougham 4-door pillared hardtop (all black), still have it
’77 Bobcat wagon w/Sports Appearance wagon and V-6
’82 Lynx LS wagon
’86 Marquis wagon (Fox-body)
’99 Grand Marquis (black/white leather, special ordered, my first new car)
’69 Mark III
’78 Town Car
’02 LS, still have it
’14 MKX, still have it
’68 Falcon Futura Sports Coupe
’70 XL convertible
’76 LTD Landau 4-door pillared hardtop
’80 Pinto Pony 2-door sedan
’86 Thunderbird elan
I’m a little late to the game:
1995 Accord: White Coupe with Taupe Interior, 5 spd LX. Paid $600 and drove it from 135k to 302k for 5 years. Sold in 2012 for $500. Still see it driving around.
1997 Accord: White Sedan with Taupe Interior, 5 Spd LX. Paid $1300 and it blew the HG twice. Pulled the 95 Accord out of storage to drive while the 97 was being worked on. Sold in 2012 for a down payment on a Corolla.
Gambled on the 97 because of all the luck with the 95. The 97 sucked because of neglect on the previous owners part AND the mechanic who did the HG twice.
Going by the original intent of the question–I’ve owned 2 Malibus and 2 Crown Vics.
’79 and ’82 Malibus, same generation but the ’82 was facelifted. The ’79 was my first car, drove from ’96 to ’01, and I still own it though it’s been off the road since ’01. Bought the ’82 for $800 in 2002 when I needed cheap wheels, drove it for two years and sold for $350 in 2004. The V8 ’79 was nicer to drive than the V6 ’82.
’91 and ’97 Crown Vics, each the last year of their respective generations. Owned the ’91 for about six months in 2001, very nice car until an electrical fire totaled it. The ’97 belonged to my parents, who gave it to me in late 2012 when my wife’s car was on the way out. Still driving it, reliable and rugged (if boring).
If you expand to platform mates, I’ve had three Panthers, the two Crown Vics plus an ’03 Marauder.
In my 25 years of driving, I have owned 11 different cars. Five of them were Honda Accords- 1980,1985,1989,1992 and 1996. The 1985 (LX sedan) was replaced by the 1989 (LXi sedan), but there were various other Honda/Acura vehicles between the others. I got bored with Honda in the mid 2000s and bought a 2006 Mazda3 (which I still own) and a 2012 Mazda CX-9. I’m planning to replace the 2006 Mazda3 with a new Mazda3 by the end of this year.
Jason, how do you like your 2006 Mazda3? IMO, the Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring Hatchback are very good looking cars. Though most new cars these days all look alike, these are the only ones I see that really catch my eye, having owned 25 classic BMW’s my entire life.
How is the maintenance? Any issues or recalls? Reliability?
Thanks,
jon
(Oo==[00]==oO)
P.S. I own a ’99 Mazda B3000 2wd pickup (Ford Ranger brother) with 87k mi. & have only had 2 minor issues, a bad speed sensor & a cracked spark plug (ceramic part).
My mom owned three different model years of the same car while I was growing up- the Olds Cutlass Supreme. I was born in 1975 and she had a black ’74 2-door. It was replaced in 1980 by a 1977 Brougham 2-door (Buckskin Brown was the color, if I recall correctly) bought from my cousin (who ‘upgraded’ to a 1980 Buick Riviera- an odd choice for a 21-year-old woman). In late 1985, she traded the ’77 for a 1986 Cutlass Supreme 2-door. The ’86 was the best looking (Medium Gray, chrome accented rallye wheels, raised white letter tires) but the quality and reliability was horrible. The 140hp 307 V8 4-barrel was also a joke, although it sounded great. But my ’85 Honda Accord 5-speed could blow it off the road. She kept it for nine years, when she finally replaced with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee (which was the most reliable and durable car anyone in my family has ever owned, even my Hondas).
After the JGC, she bought a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT AWD. She sold it to my sister in 2008, when she moved up to a 2007 Explorer Eddie Bauer RWD. It was a bad move! She dumped the ’07 in 2012 with 138k miles on it (and after more than $10k in repairs over four years). My sister kept the ’03 until last June when she hit a deer and totaled it. It had 268k miles on it and the most expensive repair it ever needed was replacement of the timing chain tensioner.
I’ve had two sets of multiples:My first two cars (both 4-cylinder 1980 Pontiac Sunbirds, think “Chevy Monza” clones), and the most recent two. A ’10 Chrysler T&C and a ’16 T&C.
My first Sunbird was a red/black interior 4-speed one, and it’s replacement was a white/tan, automatic one. My red one was pretty rusty, it leaned noticeably on the driver’s side (I bought it from a guy who had to be over 300# the drivers seat back was actually bent towards the back seat area) The interior was mint, other than the seatback and the exterior looked very nice, I spent a LOT of time clay-barring and waxing it. Oh, it wouldn’t go over 65mph no matter how hard I tried. The catalytic converter was plugged, and the clutch slipped, a LOT. I couldn’t afford to fix either thing, though. I sold it to a neighbor, who totalled it in an accident almost immediately. It had a little over 120K on it when I sold it. That got replaced by the car my girlfriend had been given to her by her grandparents-it had literally been sitting in their (disused) chicken barn for years, it had less than 50K on it. The interior was pretty trashed-the plastic was all scratched up, the door pulls were both broken (apparently a common occurrence, I was able to get replacement pulls at an auto parts store) and the carpet was ruined. No rust thru, though, and it easily buried the 85-mph speedo. I ended up replacing almost all of the wires, hoses, cooling system and transmission, though because of how long it had been sitting (and how my GF had driven it for more than a year without even looking at any of the fluids). I ended up selling it for tuition money, to a different neighbor-who almost immediately got hit by a city bus in it, and got tens of thousands of $ from the bus company… it still had less than 50K on it.
My current rides are a pair of Chrysler T&C vans. Mine (the ’10) is as basic as they were available at the time. It has the 3.3 V6, so it’s slow and has the “hard plastic interior” people complain about-which was exactly what I was looking for. It’s got over 100K on it now, and has been dead-nuts reliable for me-the only problem it’s had to go in for, was me hitting a deer with it. My wife wanted one like it with all the bells and whistles, which is why hers cost nearly 3X what mine did. Hers also has the 3.6 engine, which also makes more than double the HP/torque as the 3.3 in mine, pulls our camper like it’s not even behind us, and gets better MPG than my van. I get in it though, and think “Too fancy… all this stuff is just gonna break.” When did I turn into my Dad?
My other Sunbird. (apparently I can’t post 2 pics…oops)
A freind had a Monza with the 305-V8, it felt like a total rocket ship compared to mine. He put big slot mags and Radial TA’s on his, and it cornered a lot better than mine, with the teeny 165-13 tires it came with. (These cars are ridiculously nose-heavy, and stuffing a big V8 didn’t do it any favors, either. I’m suprised either of us lived.) My car always had 4 mismatched used tires on it, because they were $5 a piece at the gas station in town (and popped regularly because they were old, used tires, necessitating a replacement. Self fulfilling prophecy or something)
I wanted to get another Sunbird (or a Monza, Starfire or Skyhawk) once I had disposable $ and a garage, but all the ones I find are either highly modified drag race cars, or twice as rusty as my first one was. Perhaps I’ll run across one when the time is right.
Everybody remembers their first car, I LOVED that thing despite all its flaws. I’m sure if I had this exact car today, I’d be suprised at how crude it is and wonder why I put up with it… but I’d love it all the same. Here’s me in ’88, freshly graduated and ready to take on the world, one tank at a time!