We love old cars and trucks here, but sometimes the mind does wander to something brand new. Lately, mine has been wandering towards a new wandering vehicle; the old ’77 Dodge Chinook is just getting to be too old, noisy and uncomfortable. But for a number of years, it took us all over the West and Baja California. And the itch to hit the road again is growing.
For quite a number of years, I’ve been mostly thinking about a Class B van conversion; first the Sprinter and then the ProMaster. But then one day I stopped in and took a look at this rig, the Winnebago Trend/Itasca Viva. It’s technically a Class C, but it’s only 24′ long, and is based on European-style configuration and technology. The FWD chassis allows a lower rear floor, and the interior configuration is surprisingly roomy for its size. There’s just that little issue of its MSRP: $90,755. But used 2014s are already on the market, and we’re not really ready yet as I have a few projects that need finishing up. But even the used ones fetch a pretty penny. Realistically, an older heavily depreciated rig makes more sense. But a guy can wish.
So what new car/truck/vehicle is on your wish list?
If I had to have a new car;
Holden HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer LSA in matt black
http://www.hsv.com.au/GEN-F2/see/clubsport-r8-tourer/
Has the GenIII 6.2 litre V8 in it, very fast but can still haul antiques for the boyfriend if I need to
Also if still available in this neck of the woods a Chrysler 300C wagon – they used to sell the 300 wagons in V8 form here, unsure if they still do
A Chev Silverado 1500 pickup if available with this V8 could also be nice
The latest Camaro really doesnt do it for me, I actually preferred the previous model.
A Dodge Challenger Hellcat also has appeal
Now its the weekend, I’ll go for a MacLaren P1, in volcano orange or metallic red.
Money no object? Something in a Volvo Polestar, the V60.
If it’s my own money, I would wait until the V40 comes to the US market, and probably a two-year-old example after that.
Ford Mustang
Dodge Challenger
Vauxhall VXR8
P.N., have you considered a refurbished GMC motorhome? A good number owners are the type who take of them quite well. It is possible to get a very nice one for $15k. There are still parts vendors and mechanics available. Clubs with forums. Good driving dynamics. Poor fuel economy, but you could affix the curbside classic logo..
A few weeks ago it wouldn’t even be on my radar, but after renting one over New Year to tour round the highlands (pic attached) I’m really hankering after an XC70 D5 tiptronic.
The big 220bhp Volvo was just so much fun on the twisties, I wouldn’t have credited it with having the handling but it did… then it was equally capable of calmly eating the miles when required by certain necessary evils (I’m looking at you A9). A really great all-rounder
One of the only new cars I seem to be enamored with is the ATS coupe…I’d take a V with a manual (I think they’re available) in this mediumish red color. 🙂
One, however, might be able to talk me into a GT350.
What I’d really like is a brand new car that is classically handsome. It could be exotic (1950s Bentley Continental) or more everyday (1st gen Buick Riviera). It could be solid and anchored, like a Rover P5B or a 55/56 Imperial. Or it could be a proper sports car – an Austin-Healey 3000, or a Lamborghini Miura.
But (I contend) no one builds handsome cars any more. A cocktail of crash regulations, SUV preferences, out-and-out vulgarity (any modern Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche, for instance), and a generation of designers who grew up with Transformers, seems to mean that handsomeness – let alone elegance – is a thing of the past.
So I’m just going to have to be practical and boring. I’ll have another Volvo V70 please, which I’ll take fully optioned at a discounted price as I understand the replacement is about to be launched. And a Miata for the weekends.
My current personal vehicles – a 2012 Mustang convertible and a 2000 Ranger – are each driven less than 5,000 miles per year, so I really shouldn’t need a new vehicle anytime soon. Like Paul, I’ve got a few projects that I’d rather spend my cash on, and since the stock market took a tumble this week, I’m probably going to use this as an opportunity to throw a little extra into my retirement plan (as I’ve done after every “Wall Street bloodbath”).
But if the Ranger were totaled or somehow experienced some catastrophic failure of every major component, I’ve always said that I’d probably buy a Subaru Forester and a small utility trailer. I occasionally miss having the ability to carry passengers in the back seat, and a trailer would handle my occasional runs to the home center and the junkyard. Or if I’m feeling unusually extravagant that day, a slightly used Mercedes GLK (higher towing capacity). Then again, I’ve seen pictures of the new Ranger that is coming to the US in the next couple of years – since I’ve had over 15 trouble-free years with mine, it’s tempting.
I guess I don’t have it in my DNA to fantasize about a money no object car. None of the new offerings move the needle, but I’ll try:
New Continental, Cadillac ATS 4 door.
Having thrift and practicality in my blood via Depression Era grandparents and parents, I have considered Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart [2.0/Hyundai 6 speed auto], Sonic, Cruze. I’ve done manuals so the Focus with that defective automated manual is out.
Were I to buy right now, it would be for long term 10-15 year use, have to be economical, roomy, quiet, easily serviced and have long term parts availability. And the least electronic junk on it I could find.
OMG: sorry, Paul. I just couldn’t do it.
I’d be torn between practicality and luxury.
Ford Transit Connect 7 passenger XLT or a Chrysler 300 V6 AWD.
Put me in the Morgan camp.+4 please. The more I drive new vehicles, the more I love my old non tech stuff. At least the Mog is still handbuilt.
Chrysler 300C Platinum in Jazz Blue Pearl with Indigo/linen interior. Hemi of course.
When I went to one car, I was leaning toward, the Mustang convertible. The lack of trunk space, was a deal breaker. This one is going to be my” keeper” so I had to make some compromises…. That and the 5 K {Canadian} .
The “hardtop” is not nearly as cool. However I can fit my Grandson, and his snowboard in.
While you’re right about the Mustang convertible’s trunk being smaller than the coupe’s, I’ve been surprised at its roominess…for a convertible, that is.
Compared to the trunk in the Camaro convertible I almost rented, it’s huge. I can at least fit luggage in my Mustang (a three-suited, a roll-aboard, and a briefcase, with room to spare), and once, I brought home a midsize microwave oven in its box. And another nice thing is that, unlike the Camaro, the trunk opening is larger, and you don’t have to mess with a damnable cargo divider that cuts into the trunk space when you want to lower the top.
Real world, the next car will be a dark-colored Honda Accord, probably in LX trim, leased.
If I didn’t have kids in private high school and college, I’d grab the new Volvo S90 or V90 that I am seeing pics of…metallic black with amber leather…woo hoo!!!
A base model Jeep Wrangler would be nice and I would get the two door in some bright color. Maybe a Renegade too.
A base model F-150 Crew Cab with either the 6 foot or 8 foot bed would be unique among all the luxury trucks.
Sure Consumer Reports knocks the Ford Transit Connect for being a sparsly equipped poor excuse for a Minivan, but that just means it is the 21st Century equivalent to a 1995 Plymouth Voyager which makes a good adventure vehicle. I want a Ford Transit Connect and not a fancy pants Minivan.
An BMW I3 would make a nice city driver I bet and I would love to have one especially with its cool features.
A Fiat 124 Spyder would be another vehicle I would want.
2016 Mustang V6. No four cylinder mustang for me, thank you, but the V8 is too expensive to buy, insure, and fuel.
Funnily enough I had a lady call me on the home landline one day a couple of years back doing a marketing survey. She asked me if I was in the market for a new car, and if so, what brands I preferred. So I told her, and even helpfully put them in order;
Packard
Hudson
Nash
Studebaker…
Ha ha! So did that faze her at all or did she just dutifully write down what you said, not knowing they are all defunct?
Hey, if you’re going upmarket, why not get the names Ruxton and Hupmobile and Pierce-Arrow out there?
Good deadpan joke.
+1 😉
Bentley Flying Spur and a Kia Soul. Yes, I’m schizophrenic.
A spotless 81 Chrysler New Yorker R (monocoque frame and all) eBay find with a new Mopar drivetrain with modern electronics and overdrive (hummingbird starter a must with Cadillac 4 tone horns too!) — or ’78 Lincoln Town Car with latest 460, O/D etc, 78 New Yorker — same criteria, etc, etc. Oh ya, it’s mandatory that all the options listed above have the 4 tone horns unless already equipped.
But if I’m going to totally play by the rules…. A Mercedes-Maybach S600 sleeper Brabus equipped with regular wheels and Mercedes symbol driven by a chauffeur with a tiny tooter c note horn.
And when the 4 year bumper to bumper warranty is up on the Maybach driven by Jeeves and I still have some of my millions of dollars lottery winnings left: the Google Car; it should be ready by then…
I just realized something I missed. That clown-face looking steering wheel on the Merc would have to be replaced with some other corporate wheel.
There’s honestly not many new cars out there that interest me at any price range, but especially something I could reasonably expect to afford!
The only cheap car that I like is the 1.0-liter Ford Fiesta. Those are an absolute blast to drive, and would definitely consider one if I was determined to look like I was still in high school.
To look like a grown up though, everything in Jaguar’s lineup calls to me right now. I absolutely love all of them. I’d have a new XE over anything in that class. Maybe when I upgrade from a first officer to a captain I might get one..
Other than that, the Volvo S90/V90 looks really good. That’s about it really. I’ll now go back to fawning over old Jags and Mercs and Lancias haha.
I’ve taken a hankerin’ lately for what used to be the Infiniti FX35 (Q-whatever now)….the design has really grown on me. I wouldn’t mind an E350 convertible either.
Cheating here as it’s no longer in production since 2014, but theoretically there may be one languishing at a dealer still, fully optioned and with the V6 diesel. In fact, I considered getting one before sanity prevailed and I opted for a Mazda 3…
None, actually. I just can’t seem to get excited about modern cars.
New, I would really like something I can’t currently get in the US, a Ford Transit crew van, since I really want a box with 6 seats and 7 feet of cargo space and I would rather have a van than a crew cab truck.
More realistically, in the summer I expect to have enough cash for a used Mazda5 since that meets most of our rational needs to haul 4 adults and a tandem bicycle with some occasional extra seating.
I also really want a BMW R1200RT motorcycle, the new water cooled models are awesomely capable. I would keep my CC worthy 78 R100S but retire it from commuter duty.
paul, forget the winnebago.your next rv is an ultra van:
http://www.corvair.org/chapters/ultravan/used/used413.html
it’s in beavercreek, so you better get there before someone else snaps it up!
Has anybody pointed you at this yet?
http://bringatrailer.com/2016/01/11/factory-corvair-power-rare-1969-ultra-van-motorhome/
Yes, and I talked to the guy selling it. It’s a very nice and tempting example. But I don’t have time for a “project” like this, and it doesn’t have cab A/C, which alone is a deal breaker.
Winnebago also makes a Class B version of the Promaster RV, the Travato. Maybe others also do. So, regular van body, more aerodynamic, probably drives better and gets better fuel economy, and cheaper but not as much as you might expect. Also of course more compromised.
My first choice would be the current Dodge Charger sedan. Would be happy with the Pentastar 3.6L 6 cylinder SXT. Also, the upcoming Alfa Romeo Giuila. And even a Tesla.