This list was created one afternoon in April 1993. Being bored, when I should have been studying for a college exam, I sat down and created “My List”.
What is “My List”? It is a listing of all the vehicles I had driven by this fateful day at age 19 years, 7 months. While this is only the first page, it took two and one-half pages, totaling 57 vehicles. That was long before full-on adulthood and going to work.
If I had to guess now, my list is probably around 500 or so, only in part due to my brief time as a fleet manager.
It’s almost strictly American iron, such as an ’83 Plymouth Reliant,
a ’74 Oldsmobile Delta 88,
and my ’63 Ford Galaxie.
There’s even a Ford Model A – a real sweetheart to drive.
So the question is: How long is your list? Guesstimates are just fine.
12 personally owned, maybe 150-200 others (I could do several posts on all the cheesy rental cars I’ve driven).
My younger brother surely has me beat; he owns a used car lot and pretty much drives something different ever day.
Geez, I don’t think I could come up with a list.
I’d have to do a list like that someday of “cars I’ve driven” . . . . which include a few classics I’d loved to have owned (’50 DeSoto Custom, ’53 Dodge Coronet, ’51 Studebaker Commander V-8). Cars I’ve owned:
’61 Pontiac Catalina Sedan, ’74 Ford Courier, ’80 Toyota Tercel, ’82 Camaro V-6, ’83 Dodge D-150 (6), ’86 Isuzu I-Mark, ’63 Buick Special (V-6), ’89 Geo Metro, ’90 Geo Prizm, ’85 Buick LeSabre, ’78 Buick Skylark, ’86 Ford Mustang V-6, ’86 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme LS, ’88 Chevy Celebrity (2.8 V-6), ’90 Chevy Celebrity (3.1 V-6), ’00 Chevy Venture, ’92 Toyota X-Cab 4×4, ’06 Toyota Camry, ’05 Kia Amanti, ’06 Kia Spectrum, ’05 Jaguar S-Type (3.0 V-6), ’07 Mercedes E350, ’11 Mercedes E350, ’10 Ford Ranger (4 cylinder), ’07 Scion (Toyota) tC, ’13 Mercedes GLK 350. Some were/are owned simultaneously . . .
To do a car DRIVEN list . . . . it’d be a big one. Two of the WORST: ’74 Capri 2.0L (S-L-O-W); ’82 Chevy Chevette (S-L-O-W-E-R); both cars automatics, the latter usually lent to me by the Chevy dealer when my ’82 Camaro was spending (many) nights at the dealership for all problems.
Oh man, that would be a daunting task. I can easily name all the cars I’ve owned (by order of ownership):
1986 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer, 2.8 V6 manual (1996-1999)
1989 Chevrolet K1500 Scottsdale, 4.3 V6 manual (1999-2003)
1982 Mercury Marquis, 302, auto (2000-2001)
1995 Toyota Camry, 2.2, auto (2003-present)
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD, 6.0, manual (2010-present)
2002 Toyota Camry, 3.0, auto (2012-present)
…but all the cars I’ve driven? No way. I installed 12v electronics from ’96-’99, and in that time, probably drove every passenger vehicle produced by the Big 3 from about 1980 on, with a strong smattering of 50s, 60s, and 70s vehicles thrown in. Fair to say that I was well-versed in Japanese offerings from the late 70s on…anything from RX-7s to NSXs, and everything in between. My weakest area would probably be Euro cars—plenty of VWs, BMWs and Mercedes, but very few Audis, Saabs, Rovers, etc. I did have the opportunity to work on a lot of sports cars—MGs, Fiats, and the occasional Triumph. I even got to drive a lot of “CDL-required” vehicles on “test drives” even though I didn’t have a CDL—from semi tractors to backhoes. Spent a week in the summer of ’97 installing radios in a fleet of dump trucks that picked up leftovers from beef packing plants…one of the most heinous things I’ve ever had to do. The stench was awful.
At my next automotive-related job, it was more of the same, just newer cars. A service station in a college town sees a little bit of everything—from rich sorority girls’ BMWs to a cherry ’70 Buick Wildcat 455 convertible. My favorite was a ’68 Ford sedan that a guy had purchased after auctioning literally everything he owned on eBay. It was very sedate-looking in a nice metallic blue, and it had the cool hidden headlights. The 390 under the hood was HEALTHY and a real hoot to drive around the block after a minor repair.
From there, it was parts counter duty at a Lexus dealership—didn’t get to drive many of the cars, but spent a fair amount of time in all of the models. At the time (’07) there were still a fair amount of “original owner” early Lexii coming in the service bay—ES250s and LS400s. Fostered a strong attachment to the LS series, and multiplied my hate for the GX series. That job did allow me to spend a fair amount of time running around to the other luxo-dealers next door (Infiniti, BMW, M-B, Acura)…I would have to say my favorite car out of all those late models was an in-the-flesh BMW Z8.
I think I would be safe in saying that the number of cars I’ve driven is well into the thousands.
71 Vauxhall Victor FD,75 Sunbeam Rapier,68 Ford Zephyr 6,72 Ford Cortina,69 AMC Javelin,64 Mercury Comet,70 Vauxhall Cresta PC,79 Cortina,79 Ford Granada (European type)84 FSO 125p,88 Ford Sierra. are the ones I owned.Nicest car I drove was a tie with an ex boyfriend’s 68 Cougar and my boss’s CLC 320 Mercedes, fastest was a 69 Dart GTS.
Being in the car biz I can’t even remember all the cars I’ve driven. Probably over a thousand. Now cars I’ve own in my 50 years on this rock, at last count 77.
God, I hate to think….. having worked in the car industry since leaving school (15 years) I really can’t count. It’d have to be somewhere in the 300 range at a guess. For a while I was ferrying cars between the dealership I worked at and a sister dealership, and I could’ve driven 4-8 different cars in a day, but that wasn’t every day or even every week. There have been some quiet patches too, about a year where I only drove one car, so it really is a guesstimate…….
Ive been waiting for this and I cant count the number of different vehicles Ive driven but it is in the hundreds though Ive only owned a hundred or so, The oldest my friends 1928 Ford A roadster pickup yeah theyre cool, considering what I do I’m at 5 this week, Sunday last, Scania 8 wheeler & 8 wheel trailer 480hp V8 turbo diesel 12 speed automated transmission nice truck very quiet I mean no sound a faint rumble pulling on 1 in 8 grades @ 1600 rpm 4 axles give a lovely ride and full air suspension gives great roadholding and ride for the freight it hauls produce cubed out with apples @47 tonnes its kinda slow on steep climbs and its governed to the speed limit on the flat but for a nice drive it beats a Volvo 480 I shift I drove on the same run absolutely hollow especially downhill a proper 5stage retarder not useless exhaust brakes. But I lied uphill @ pulling speed I drop the windows kill the stereo and that V8 fills the night it wont pull @ 1000rpm like an American truck but unlike those learners on ice road newbs the interaxle locking system give full traction at 90 kmh on icy hills.
Monday: MACK Metroliner conventional 6 wheeler Concrete mixer 300hp & 10 speed RR and it aint enough yeah it pulls from the basement 800rpm empty but with 5 metres of soft rock aboard it goes 21tonnes and why couldnt those people at Mack talk to the people at Jacobs its got exhaust brakes and theyre useless. I like me a conventional tractor unit but driving on building sites and inside confined building spaces that realestate in front of the windscreen is a nuisance the dogs ass is over a metre away.
Tuesday: repeat monday
Wednesday: Citroen Xsara, roadtrip to watch my daughter compete in the national finals iof the kids litereary Quiz 700kms in quiet comfort.
Thursday: Hino(good) 6 wheeler concrete configuration different company 300 or so neddies 15 speed RR see Toyota can buy proper transmissions,why not merc? Its the most beat truck Ive been given there yet, the Dunger of the fleet but hey it drives great in true True Jappa style it goes best at revs and pulls not at all but none of the alarms go off around town cabover means you are at the pointy end and that company has contracts with access roads that make the show worlds most dangerous roads look tame having one side against a earth bank and the outer duals over the edge is what we do these particular roads were put in for construction crews that used ex army 6x6s and diff locks only work in straight line and being RR only work in low box, the most serious failing in American trucks actually is the limited availability of interaxle locking. Thats why ice road truckers amuses me its only ice and its not steep you guys need suitable trucks thats all, but I digress.
Friday: today 59 hillman minx and homemade trailer 4 speeds 49.5 hp 75ftlb or torque firewood run its been on here. Later this afternoon the Scania again.
Wow – your list was much more productive than the one I remember starting one day in Property class in law school – things I would rather be doing. I think hitting myself on the head with a hammer was on the list.
Anyhow, great question. I think I count either 25 or 26 owned cars. Driven cars would probably have me at at least 150 – I have always tried to drive everything I can.
I read your list – can you tell us the difference between a Ford 292 3 speed and a Ford 352 3 speed? I’m sure the shorter axle in the OD on the 352 adds to the difference, but I have never driven a 292 Ford. Just curious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve driven either of them, so I’m going off 20 year old memories here.
The 292 was surprisingly punchy on the low end, but it did peter out, especially going up hills. The 352 had good power regardless and a load of torque; in the town I grew up, there was a hill of 7% grade that was just over a 1/4 mile long. Starting at the bottom in the ’63, you could take off and be doing 35 in 3rd by the top of the hill without really having romped it. This was a feat the 292 could only dream about.
1963 was also the first year for synchronizers in the three speed, so the ’63 was easier to shift and didn’t fuss as much when being downshifted – especially to first.
I’m not sure of the gearing of the ’62 with the 292; I do believe the ’63 has 3.50:1 gears out back due to the overdrive. Overall, the ’63 was in much better mechanical shape and the ’62 was in better physical shape.
Mate o mine had an ex police 352 in a 58 Goldflash plenty of torque and power far more than the car could cope with. Ford must have done something to the police models surely brakes, swaybars, harder springs,? that car went great but it got beat up pretty quick it didnt stop and steer too well.
Biggest road vehicle I drove was a Dennis Trident double deck bus.
…ain’t that a trip? I drove Denver/Boulder RTD’s double-decker Neoplan bus…filling in for the regular driver. It was used as a Park-N-Ride shuttle at the time; and I remember that on I-25 there were four bridges where the double-deck rig would only clear in one certain lane. And me not familiar with the route…talk about white-knucking it. Denver traffic was/is horrific; and having to be CERTAIN to be in the correct lane, against all efforts of the ever-present roadgoing imbecilia…
That was fun, in retrospect. But I wouldn’t want to do it again. Most large vehicles, once you make friends with them, tend to shrink to manageable size…buses included. Not that one.
I’ve never worked in the motor industry or had a reason to be in many rental cars, but even then I don’t think I could name all the cars I’ve driven. Not because there’s so many of them, but because I just didn’t pay attention (although I’m sure that most of the rentals would have been small Toyotas or Nissans). However, I do remember driving a friend’s 1963 Cadillac (Fleetwood I think) in Dallas, Texas, which was a memorable experience having grown up amongst mostly small British cars in New Zealand.
Cars I have owned is much easier (in order of acquisition):
1963 Morris Mini Cooper 998 (jointly with my brother)
Fiat Bambina 500 (also jointly with my brother)
1964 Morris Oxford (4 speed on the floor – a great car)
1968 Rover 2000TC
1972 Rover 3500 P6 (red)
1974 Rover 3500 P6 (brown – lovely v8 sound)
1988 Range Rover (I know, I know!)
1986 BMW 525e (build quality better than the Range Rover but still disappointing)
1994 Lexus LS400 (still the highest build quality car I’ve been in)
1981 Porsche 911 SC Targa (lots of fun but the targa roof was a PITA – bucket loads of $ to maintain)
2004 Toyota Prius (my first and only new car – still have it. Best chariot for a family of 4)
2001 Honda Insight (red – still have it, probably always will)
1966 Land Rover 2A (hobby car – gone)
2001 Honda Insight (citrus – will have it until claimed by daughters)
1976 Range Rover (two door classic – hobby car)
1977 Porsche 924 (Martini & Rossi special edition – hobby car)
Whew! – that was longer than I thought it would be.
Around 40. Some were just parts cars for the other cars, though.
That’s an incredible list for your age then! At 29, I’ve only owned the following:
1970 Custom El Camino, 350/300hp – Apr 12, ’99 to Jan ’05
1987 Chevy Caprice Landau, 305/170hp – May 18, ’02 to present
1983 Pontiac Bonneville, 3.8L V6, – Apr 28, ’05 to Jun. ’12
1987 Chevy Celebrity, 2.8L V6 – Dec. ’10 to Apr. ’11
1983 Olds 98 Regency Brougham, 307 – May 5, ’11 to present
1965 Olds F-85 Deluxe, 330 – Jun 17, ’12 to present
My road time with most of the cars was usually half of the time I’ve owned them due to repairs or switching cars. The Celebrity I only drove home from the seller!
It was the cars he had driven, not owned.
I would guesstimate somewhere in the 750+ range. As a teenager, I worked at my grandfather’s Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership. Part of my job duties involved arranging cars on the lot, driving them home from auto auctions, road testing them, etc. If it was made by Chrysler between 1975-1995, I’ve probably driven an example of it. I’ve had 45 cars of my own, plus I’ve regularly driven other family members’ cars, friends’ cars, rental cars, test drives, etc.
1950 International L-170 (hay hauler project)
1962 Volkswagen Type I Sunroof (rescued from Griffin, GA airport)
1963 Volkswagen Type I Sedan (bought 4 miles from our farm)
1964 Volkswagen Type I Deluxe (“Eeyore”)
1966 Volkswagen Type I Deluxe – “Bonnie Bluebell” (repaired for a friend)
1966 Pontiac Tempest (Granny & Grandpa’s old car. Repowered with Chevy 350)
1968 Ford F-250 (parts truck)
1969 Ford F-100 Custom Cab (I learned to drive in it, then my sons. Parked 2011, sold 2012)
1971 Volkswagen Type II Campmobile (“The Mayfield Belle”)
1971 Chevrolet Vega Notchback (my first car, later repowered with Buick 3.8 litre V6)
1972 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback (non-running parts car)
1972 Ford Pinto Wagon (replaced engine & gave to my brother)
1977 Chevrolet Nova (Grandma Stembridge’s old car, passed around the family a lot. Sold when no longer needed)
1982 Chevrolet Cavalier (shaved, lowered, monochromed)
1985 Mercury Cougar (Jim’s old car. repaired warped head gaskets and sold it.)
1986 Suzuki Samauri (cool! had to sell due to high insurance from speeding tickets in other cars)
1987 Suzuki GS550ES (wrecked it through a barbed-wire fence)
1987 Suzuki Samauri (bought a second one, Beth and I took to St. Augustine for our honeymoon)
1988 Chevrolet Spectrum (poor quality – traded for ’90 Honda after one year)
1989 Honda Civic (sold – couldn’t afford two new car payments with baby coming)
1990 Honda Civic (sold after 10 years – still running strong)
1995 Ford F150 XL 4WD (bought to succeed the 1969 F-100. Money pit.)
1998 Dodge Caravan (my wife’s Honda replacement, totalled in 2005)
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan (gave to Chad in 2010 as his first car)
1999 Ford F250 XLT 4WD Powerstroke
2000 Volkswagen New Beetle TDI (“Herbie,” succeeded Eeyore, sold 2013)
2005 Chrysler Town & Country (replaced the 2006 GC)
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan (totaled by lightning strike in 2009)
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible (“Eeyore,” succeeded Herbie)
Other Significant Vehicles
?? Hillman Husky (I barely remember this car, was replaced with the Rambler when I was young)
1959 Volkswagen Type I Deluxe (Mom & Dad’s car when they married, sold before I was born)
?? Rambler American (preceded the Biscayne)
?? Chevrolet Biscayne (was another early car from when I was very young)
1965 Ford Mustang (High school best friend’s car)
1968 Ford Country Squire LTD Station Wagon (the family car for many years. Caught fire twice.)
1971 Pontiac Catalina (Granny & Grandpa’s old car, given to our family when they switched to Mercurys)
1972 Chevrolet Vega Kammback (David’s car)
1973 Chevrolet Vega Kammback (Dad’s car, then Jim’s)
1984 Ford Mustang L (Tyler’s first car)
1985 Mercury Grand Marquis (sold for Granny after she stopped driving
?? Chevrolet Citation (Mom’s car for a while, a money pit)
I’ve owned something like 70 or 80 cars. At one time I had a piece of graph paper with a line for each car showing the purchase and sale dates, but I think it may be a goner, haven’t seen it for years.
I haven’t driven a great many cars other than that – never worked in the field, and don’t spend nearly as much time acting like a buyer and test-driving cars as I used to. Probably no more than 25 or 30 besides the ones I’ve owned.
I’ve driven more cars than I could possibly think of due to being a mechanic.
Here’s a list of ownership since 1997…
1989 Honda Civic DX hatchback
1988 Toyota Pickup 2wd
1988 Ford Escort GT
1988 Chev S-10 Blazer 4wd
1995 Saturn SL2
1988 Ford Ranger Ext 4wd
1997 Saturn SL2
1986 Ford Ranger Ext 4wd
1986 Toyota Camry 5dr
1986 Buick Century Gran Sport
1993 Chev Lumina Euro Sedan
1998 Mercury Sable
1991 GMC Sonoma Ext 2wd
1992 Dodge Dakota Ext 4wd
1987 Pontiac Bonneville
1988 Buick LeSabre
1974 Ford F-100
2001 Dodge Dakota Sport
2002 Pontiac Sunfire
1995 Ford Escort LX
2002 Chev Cavalier
1996 Dodge Ram Ext 4wd
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix SE
1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager
2006 Toyota Corolla Gray Manual
2006 Toyota Corolla Blue Automatic
2006 Toyota Sienna
2003 Ford Ranger Ext 4wd
2002 Ford F-150 Ext 4wd
2007 Toyota Yaris 3dr
1999 Dodge Ram 4wd
1990 Ford F-150 4wd
1987 Dodge Dakota 2wd
1996 Ford Aspire 3dr
1995 Chev Corsica
2007 Toyota Tundra Reg 2wd
2008 Honda Accord EX-L
2008 Honda Odyssey EX
2009 Ford Fusion SE
2005 Ford F-150 Crew 4wd
2009 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4wd
2010 Mazda CX-9 AWD
2007 Chev Impala
2011 Mazda 6
2012 Toyota Highlander SE AWD
2012 Toyota Camry *currently own
2013 Subaru Outback *currently own
Half of these vehicles were in very rough shape. The nicer ones get traded frequently due to my automotive addiction. The minivans were the most useful and the ones I miss most.
86 Buick Century GS…drool…do tell.
There used to be 2 or 3 of those around here. I haven’t seen one in a long time though. I would pick one up in a heartbeat if it was in good shape.
The 86 Century GS I owned was a much neglected example that I had high hopes for. I picked it up in North Dakota in 2001 for $150.
I fixed a few niggling issues, drove it for a year until the transmission gave up. At the time I just didn’t have the resources to keep it going.
Despite its rough condition, it was a fun car. It had character, good looks, comfort and power. Since then I have only seen one other on the road.
I’ve only owned three cars in my lifetime and I’m almost 50! I think this is a record!
Here they are…
1977 Ford Granada…Inline six engine…1983-1993
1982 Ford Granada…Inline six engine…1985-1989…Used as 2nd car.
1986 Ford LTD-Midsize…V-6 engine…1993-Present
Driven lots of rentals on my outings to Disney World and Tampa.
These include classics like the Chevrolet Celebrity, Ford Explorer (first generation), Tempo,Taurus (first generation), Mercury Sable (first generation) and Topaz.
My Mom and sister have owned dozens of cars since I bought my fist car.
I’ve been meaning to do such a list for a long time, actually got started on it many years back but never finished.
Juan, you’ve definitely beat me in the fewest number of cars owned! Plus if you keep your ’86 LTD one more year, you will tie my 21-year ownership of an ’80 Volvo 240 (1982-2003).
My wife and I keep cars for a long time, so even though we’re over 60, counting the cars I’ve owned plus the one she brought into our marriage, we’ve had 11 in total (she had 2 more before I met her). Currently, we still own the latest 3 and they are 15, 9, and 8 model years old with a combined total of 269,000 miles.
I also have mentally kept track of the model years of cars I’ve driven on public roads (parking lots and driveways don’t count): every model year of car from 1959 to 2011 (two or more in many years) with the exception of 1960, 1970, 2008, and 2010. I haven’t yet driven any 2012-14 cars either; better get cracking!
Bottom line: 1959-2011 is 53 years minus the 4 listed above = 49. Counting multiples of the same year, I’d estimate about a hundred.
Owned? Not hugely interesting and only about 15 in almost 40 years:
65 Volvo 122S
73 Vega
75 Alfa
78 Fiesta
77 Scirocco
81 TransAm
82 Civic
81 Datsun 4×4
74 Alfa Spider
86 Ranger 4×4
85 Vanagon Westfalia
81 BMW 528i
93 Corolla
93 Land Cruiser
01 New Beetle
04 Forester XT
08 Prius
87 Mazda 2200 pickup (wife’s when we met)
69 Volvo 142 – never titled
70 Hornet – never titled
Driven? Perhaps more interesting, though I probably can’t remember all the malaise era rentals. In no particular order, highlights were Lotus 61 Formula Ford, Ferrari 360, FJ60 Land Cruiser, Saab 96 850 2 stroke, Peterbilt 359, Mercedes A class, 4 and 6 cyl BMW M3s, Mini Cooper 1275 and Mini Moke, late model Rover (Honda based), Porsche 914, 924, 911 and 928, almost every US market VW (including Corvair powered bug), Cosworth Vega, Chevy Monza 305 V8, Subaru WRX, C6 Corvette, and a few more.
Wish I had a dime for everyone I met who owned a Scirocco and a Fiesta like you dman. I had a ’78 Scirocco and an ’80 Fiesta S. Bought them both used. For the money that Scirocco was the best car I’ve ever owned.
Since 1977:
1. 1974 Camaro Type LT, 350 4 Speed
2. 1980 Mustang 2.3 Turbo 4 Speed
3. 1984 Bronco II 4 Speed
4. 1986 Fiero SE V6, 4 Speed
5. 1986 Fiero GT V6 4 Speed
6. 1988 Ranger STX Super Cab, V6 5 Speed
7. 1968 Corvette Stingray 427 4 Speed
8. 2000 New Beetle TDI, 5 Speed…………………Still my daily driver
9. 1973 Opel GT 1.9, Automatic……………………My current “sports car” fix!
10. 1998 Ford Explorer AWD, 5.0, Automatic
11. 2006 Colorado Z71, Crew Cab Automatic….My current firewood and boat hauler
Those that are gone have a special place in my heart, especially the Stingray, the 2 Fieros and the Mustang. The Fiero’s had a nice soundtrack with the tuned exhaust that Pontiac did so well on that car. The high shift tunnel was a neat experience to encounter if you’ve never driven one before. The hissing noise from the side air intake was another sound like no other. Nice power and decent fuel mileage equals an underrated automobile that has gotten a bad rap. With these two cars, I never had a major issue in owning them for almost 10 years of daily driving. Great cars…..
The Stingray was an interesting ride with it’s high arching front fenders. The Hooker side exhaust with minimal baffling made long distance runs both exciting and draining all at the same time. Ear plugs a must…..I remember some long distance non-stop runs from my home in NJ to my CG duty station in Iowa in her; 16 hours later you stumble out of the car, your entire body shaking from the sheer noise and vibration. Jet lag on 4 wheels would best explain it; my body was out of sorts for 2 days after a few of those runs back and forth!
My 1980 Mustang Turbo started life as a standard 2.3 natural aspirated engine. A trip to the scrap yard back in 81 found a Cobra 2.3 4 and the 4 speed transmission for her. Later on, a cat back 84 SVO exhaust rounded out the “Poor Man’s SVO”. Fun car to drive with the Koni shocks I put on her.
I think we all have soft spots and fond memories for most of our cars now past. I sure do!
I’ve been only been driving since 2009, and have owned 2 cars:
2004 Toyota Highlander (1st car driven ever, my mom’s, then my 1st car)
2010 Acura TSX (my 2nd and current car)
As for cars I’ve driven here’s a fairly complete list, mainly cars owned by friends and family members. There’s definitely a few that have escaped my memory at the moment.
2006 Toyota Corolla (driver’s ed car)
2003 Toyota Corolla
2001 Plymouth Neon
2008 Volkswagen GTI
2007 BMW X3
2006 Ford Escape
2002 Ford Explorer
1989 Volvo 240 DL wagon
1991 Toyota Camry
2011 Mercedes-Benz E 350
2012 Toyota Camry
2010 Volkswagen CC
2012 BMW X3
2006 Chevrolet Silverado
2013 BMW 335xi
My list of owned cars is rather mundane, which is why I didn’t bother listing them. The most stylish were a 1990 Mercury Sable and a 1977 Chevy Impala, both 4-door sedans. The car my wife brought into our marriage, a 1975 Toyota Corolla hardtop (with roll-down rear windows and 5-speed, one step below the range-topping SR5), is probably the most interesting.
Even most of the cars I’ve driven were also rather humdrum, a lot of them rentals. No Corvettes or other sports cars (I don’t think mid-80s Mustangs without V8s count), only 1 convertible (one-year-old ’72 Beetle), no BMWs, Cadillacs, Lincolns, or even Chryslers! I suppose a ’64 Corvair Monza driven in 2009 and a brand new 1989 Saab 9000 Turbo are somewhat notable.
Oops, did drive 1991 and 1992 Chrysler New Yorkers (fwd, both rentals in Chicago). They’re not TRUE Chryslers in my mind like a 1965 300L!
Well I know I’m late to the post, but I turn 19 in three days here is my list in order from oldest to newest:
1964 Chevy Corvette Convertible (4-speed, 327)
1964 Chevy Corvair Convertible (Powerglide, 110 hp)
1966 Ford Falcon Futura Coupe (Cruise-O-Matic, 289)
1976 Avanti II (350/350)
1997 Chevy Monte Carlo (3.4, Auto)
1999 Ford F-450 U-Haul (V10, Auto)
2002 Honda Accord EX Sedan (V6, Auto)
2002 BMW 325xi (Auto)
2002 Saab 93 Turbo (Auto)
2006 Kia Spectra5 (5-speed)
2007 Suzuki XL7
2007 Ford Mustang V6 (Auto)
2007 Ford F-150 Lariat (5.4)
2008 Toyota Avalon XL
2008 Ford F-250
2008 Subaru Forester (Auto)
2008 MINI Cooper Hatch (Auto)
2010 Ford Flex SE
2010 Chevy Aveo LT (Auto)
2010 Ford Focus SE (Auto)
2011 Mazda Mazda6 Sport (Auto)
2011 Ford Mustang V6 (Manual)
2012 FIAT 500 Pop Hatch (Auto)
2013 Ford F-250
2013 Ford E-250
2013 Ford Taurus SEL
…. Whew 26 cars and counting!
An impressive list for 19!
Thanks! Good to finally comment on CC! I forgot a Fusion, Civic, and Caravan though. Most of these cars are rentals I’ve begged my parents to drive 🙂
Cars I’ve owned:
1950 Dodge Wayfarer sedan
4 VWs:
1962 VW ‘Ragtop’ (daily driver 1969-1976) 1973 VW Thing, 1974 VW bus, 1999 VW Passat
2 Porsches:
1962 Porsche 356 1600 Super (daily driver 1970-1976), 1963 Porsche 1600
3 BMWs:
1970 BMW 1600, 1976 BMW 2002 (Pastelblau, bought new), 1976 BMW 2002 Anthracite (the bus was a trade-in)
2 Subarus:
1977 Subaru wagon, 1981 Subaru wagon
4 SAABs:
1987 SAAB 900S (bought new), 1992 SAAB 900S, 1990 SAAB 900S, 1992 SAAB 900S (still driving that one)
1998 Audi A4
2010 Toyota Prius (The Prius, though considered a dog by most current drivers, has better acceleration than the Porsches and BWMs, and gets better gas mileage than any of them, with the Porsches coming in second, easily getting 35 or better on the road back in the day)
For me ‘My List’ would depend on how you define ‘driven’. I have been in the car business in one way or another for over 40 years. In that time I have moved many, many cars several feet. If that counts as ‘driven’ then my list is astronomical. If ‘driven’ means actually road driven, then my list is smaller, but still more than I can begin to count. I have owned around 80, but lack of time (and memory) prevents me from listing them. It started with a ’56 Ford Fairlane and my latest is a ’01 Tahoe. I used to buy and sell 4 or 5 cars a year, now I’m down to 4 or 5 every ten years. A lot has changed in that 40 years.
What a great idea. I made up a shorter list of the cars I have owned, but this is a great challenge to alleviate boredom.
Best owned: ’67 Cougar XR7 (1st car)
Worst owned: ’77 Ford Granada 2 door (vinyl roof and all)
Cars I’ve driven
1993 Acura Vigor, my current car
1996 Chevrolet Camaro, first car
2006 Chevrolet Express Workvan
2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2005 Chrysler 300C
1985 Ford Mustang
2003 Nissan X-Terra
1993 Toyota Camry
2009 Mazda 5
2005 BMW 3 Series Covertible
2003 Acura MDX
2001 Saturn SC
Lame list I know but I’m 21, does that get me any slack?
Is there a correct number of cars to have owned, like half your age plus 4 or something? Or maybe 1 car years per 6 human years?
Anyway, owned:
’75 Peugeot 504 diesel
’78 Dodge Omi
’81 Nissan Sentra
’87 Chevy (NUMMI) Nova
’88 Chevy (NUMMI) Nova
’81 Honda Accord
’94 Dodge Grand Caravan
’98 Honda Civic (best vehicle, 248K, still going)
’98 Honda Odyssey (worst vehicle, 3 transmissions)
’05 Honda Odyssey
’06 Scion Xb RS4 (prematurely totalled)
’06 Scion Xb
’74 Peugeot 504 GL
Impossible…way too many.
I did once start another list somewhat similar to this, but of a somewhat different nature. I stopped before I got to the end….but it made for some good memories 😉
You know, I also had thoughts of other varieties of lists but I thought that could get way too complicated, especially when mixing the two out on some back road late at night.
’66 Catalina 4-door pillared sedan
’67 Skylark 2-door hardtop
’69 Grand Prix Model SJ (Breathtaking; dark green, just like the one in the picture)
’73 Monte Carlo Landau (Bench)
’77 Monte Carlo Landau (Swivel Buckets; Emerald Green and Beige)
’79 Regal (2nd worst POS ever)
’82 Trans Am (bought new; WORST POS EVER.) So, then, I got smart…
’85 Corolla GT-S (MORE breathtaking; bright red)
’87 Corolla FX-16 GT-S (Automatic, but still fun)
’91 Sentra SE-R (Even more breathtaking)
’95 Corolla DX (Toned it down quite a bit.)
’97 Altima GXE (If I hadn’t wanted the next vehicle so badly, I would still have it. 5-speed.)
’99 Frontier SE V-6 (Little beast; Maxima with a bed; Black)
’01 Accord EX (My sweetheart for 8 years and 222000 miles)
’06 Civic EX (Current; equipped just like the Accord, with a few perks)
Damn, I surprised myself! And I have driven others, among them an ’82 RX-7 with the 13B engine; a 1975 Continental MK V; ’78 Grand Prix; ’63 Catalina; ’74 Electra 225, and I must stop there.
I’ve only owned 7 cars in 39 years.
1968 Morris 1100 4 cylinder 4 spd automatic
1975 Holden Gemini (Isuzu) 1600 4 cylinder 4 spd manual
1979 Ford Escort 2000 4 cylinder 4 spd manual
1983 Mitsubishi Sigma 2600 4 cylinder 5 spd manual
1985 Ford Falcon 4100 6 cylinder 3 spd automatic
1998 Holden Commodore 3800 6 cylinder 4 spd automatic
2009 Holden Commodore 3000 6 cylinder 6 spd automatic
I learnt to drive in a 1965 Holden 3 spd manual and a 1963 Chrysler Valiant 3 spd automatic.
Cars owned:
1960 Ford – actually belonged to my father
1961 Ford – replaced the ’60 Ford I wrecked, received motor/transmission transplant
1963 Plymouth – had the 361 V8 – much quicker than a six cylinder Ford
1965 Pontiac – Catalina 4 door H/T – expensive to operate on student’s budget
1973 Super Beetle – first new car, only kept it for a year or so
1973 Vega GT – really wanted a Datsun 240Z but not enough money
1973 Nova – came with 350/4 speed – a buddy & I installed a 350/350 out of a wrecked Corvette, it went from pretty fast to even faster
1978 VW Rabbit – in some ways the best car I ever owned – drove for nearly 7 years and 115k miles
1984 Mustang GT – very nice – my wife taught herself to drive a stick in this car
1988 Mustang GT – convertible – the car I would most like to have kept
1995 Mustang – had the V6/5 speed – didn’t keep very long
1996 Camaro Z28 – great car, back issues forced trade after 15 months
1997 F150 – surprisingly good vehicle but eventually got tired of 12 MPG, plus barely fit in my garage
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix – I really liked this car but it needed a new PS pump every 8-9 months – not so bad when under warranty but a deal breaker if out of my pocket
2006 Toyota Solara – wanted an Accord coupe but couldn’t find one I liked – Solara was better car than I thought it would be
2011 Mustang – V6/auto – entertaining to drive but needs more oomph – may change final drive if I decide to keep the car long-term
Obviously I have driven many other cars, belonging to family members, friends, etc. The most exciting had to be when a former neighbor showed up several years ago with a Ford GT. We went for a cruise and he asked me if I wanted to drive. Of course I did so we changed drivers at an interstate rest stop. Pulling back out onto the highway I accelerated pretty hard; I finally backed off at an indicated 150. I don’t know how much faster it would have gone but it was still pulling hard when I rolled out of the throttle.
Here is my Elcectic List of Cars I bought on the Australian Market in order of Purchase:
1982 Mitsubishi Scorpion
1990 Nissan Pulsar GX
1993 Nissan Pulsar SSS
1998 Subaru Impreza WRX Hatch
1970 VG Valiant Regal (bought new by Dad, sold to Pop, inherited, too rusty to save)
1992 Ford Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD (Tarmac Rally Car)
2002 Subaru WRX STi
1973 Leyland P76 6 Cyl Auto (Restoration Project that never got off the ground)
2004 Ford Falcon BA XT Wagon
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (Used 3 years at Sprint Bathurst)
1980 Holden TE Gemini Sedan (Gravel Rally Car)
1997 Toyota Camry Wagon (Runabout car after the Evo got a Roll Cage)
2009 Ford Falcon FG XR6 Ute (Current, mine then given to staff member as work car)
1984 Holden TF Gemini Sedan (Restored into a Tarmac Rally Car)
2010 Ford Falcon FG XR6 Turbo Ute (Current Daily Driver)
1999 Subaru WRX STi Type RA Hatch (Current Rally Car)
1998 Ford Explorer (Current Rally Car Tow Vehicle/Rally Pace Noting Car/Spare Car)
Honourable Mention:
1982 Nissan Sunny Panel Van, Family Business Work Car, same model as the CC Banner Woodgrain Wagon. Green Metallic with Green Vinal Roof and Wire Wheels. The only Brougham Datsun Panel Van in existence. Still chugging away on a friends farm, loaded up with hay each day to feed the cows 🙂
I guess if we are listing them: These are mine since 1977
1967 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible 390 2v/auto
1963 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special 390/Hydramatic
1963 Cadillac Sedan deVille – never titled
1968 Mustang hardtop – 200 I6/3 speed
1959 Plymouth Fury sedan – 318 2v/Torqueflite
1971 Plymouth Scamp – 225 /6/Torqueflite
1977 Chrysler New Yorker 4 dr. hardtop 440/Torqueflite
1985 VW GTI 1.8L/5 speed
1963 Ford F100 Flairside 223 I6/4 speed
1966 Plymouth Fury III sedan 318/Torqueflite
1961 Ford Thunderbird hardtop 390 4v/auto
1929 Ford Model A rumbleseat coupe 200 4/3 speed
1988 Honda Accord LX sedan 2.0/auto
1964 Imperial Crown Coupe 413 2v/Torqueflite
1983 Plymouth Colt sedan 1.6L/Twin Stick 4 speed
1986 Mercury Marquis wagon 3.8 V6/3 speed auto
1985 Ford Crown Victoria sedan 5.0/AOD
1994 Ford Club Wagon Chateau 5.8/E4OD
1968 Chrysler Newport Custom sedan 383 2v/Torqueflite
1985 Buick LeSabre coupe 307/auto
1984 Olds 98 Regency coupe 307/auto
1989 Cadillac Brougham 307/auto
1993 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4.6/auto
2007 Honda Fit Sport 1.5L/auto
1996 Honda Odyssey 2.2L/auto
1999 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.3L/auto
2012 Kia Sedona LX 3.5L/auto
I guess that’s 27
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer Le Femme! – dad took me to a shopping center parking lot on Sundays when I was 13 to learn how to control the car if anything happened to him.
1960 Impala sports sedan – Dad’s car I learned to drive in.
1966 Impala sports sedan. Dad’s.
1966 Bel-Air – a buddy’s dad’s car I learned to drive a stick shift in.
1952 Chevy Deluxe – my first car. $75.00!
1950 Ford something… my friend’s first car.
1959 Volvo PV544. Same friend’s.
1957 Nomad – another friend’s.
1957 Pontiac coupe, 1957 Pontiac sedan – same friend as above.
1961 Rambler – a friend’s dad’s.
1966 Buick Special – same friend’s dad’s.
1964 Impala SS convertible – my avatar. ‘Nuff said – I still cry over that car!
1963 Impala convertible – a friend’s.
1961 Falcon – same friend’s.
1963 Impala SS sports coupe – a buddy’s.
1970 Duster…
1972 Nova – another car I wish I had back!
1968 Jeepster Commando C-101.
1976 Chevy C-20. First new vehicle! Ordered from the factory.
1976 Gremlin.
1970 Mustang convertible – wifey’s.
1974 Plymouth Valiant hardtop coupe – F-i-Law’s.
1978 Volare’ – B-i-L’s
1995 Neon. B-I-L.
1994 S-10 – other B-i-L.
1978 Fairmont – F-i-Law’s.
1979 AMC Concord – very nice car and strong as a Sherman tank!
1981 Reliant. 2nd new car.
1982 Reliant – father-in-law’s. He liked ours so much, he had to buy one!
1984 Reliant – he still liked them!
1988 Reliant – Again!
1991 Acclaim – He loved ours, too!
1994 Taurus – Father-in-law went back to Ford – until he stopped driving.
1998 Taurus.
2001 Taurus.
2002 Focus – he downsized – his last car.
1976 Dart Lite.
1984 Chrysler E-Class – Superb!
1980 LeBaron coupe.
1990 Plymouth Acclaim. 3rd new car.
1993 Dodge Spirit – the car, along with the Duster I never should have bought.
1996 Intrepid 3.5L – fast!
1999 Dodge Stratus, new, driven off showroom floor!
1998 Ranger.
1992 LeBaron convertible. Troublesome, but beautiful and comfortable and a real looker!
2002 CR-V – new – still have, 105K miles.
2004 Impala – new. wish I still had it.
1992 Wrangler.
2007 MX5.
2012 Impala LTZ. A real powerhouse, beautiful and comfortable!
Plus others I forget and countless rentals – many Impalas in there, too.
Hah, at 35, I’m practically a virgin compared to most of you. If we’re talking cars that I’ve owned or driven regularly, it’s a very short list:
’86 Plymouth Reliant wagon
’89 Toyota Camry
’93 Toyota Corolla wagon
’03 Toyota Camry
(we went from a Mopar family to a Toyota family right around the time I got my license)
’89 Chevy Beretta GT
’98 Pontiac Grand Prix GT
’09 Mazda 3 hatch
(the last three are the only cars I’ve ever owned in 19 years of driving)
If you count cars I’ve only driven once, the list is probably not more than 15 or 20 more, mostly rentals and a handful of test drives and borrowed vehicles. Sadly, the only thing vintage or interesting that I’ve ever driven was a 1980 MGB.
I’m aroind 50 & I tie Juan for the least cars owned:
1. 1985 1/2 Ford Escort 1987-1997
2. 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Turbo GTC 1997-2006
3. 2005 Focus ZLX 2006-Present
My father only owned two cars in his lifetime:
1. 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 1968-1973
2. 1973 Ford Thunderbird 1973-2009
Mine’s short. In 20 years of driving I’ve owned;
1976 Chevrolet Malibu Classic sedan (8 years)
1986 Pontiac 6000-STE (2 years)
1995 Ford Explorer 5 door (2001 to current)
2000 Ford Contour (1 year)
1977 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Sedan (2009-now)
Well just for fun I’m getting to drive something different I got a txt last nite, 2.15am 450. That means start quarter after 2 fleet # 450 and I know its a Stirling Sterling whateva Ive never driven one it looks suspiciously like a Louieville and Ive driven those our tractor units and American trucks come from the US so we get the good ones not the selfdismantling variety assembled in Brisbane, I know Sterling was a brand Ford owned and revived but thats all so far.
Ian might agree the front is ONLY a truck its what they mount on it thats the tricky part.
When I was bored in college I made a list like that and figured that by the time I was 21 I had owned 25 cars.
I thought you were talking about THE LIST: back in 1987 my employer had one of those new fangled PCs which had a word processor. Over the course of a few weeks of lunch breaks I came up with a list of around 120 cars that I wanted to own. Some were true fantasy (Tucker Torpedo, MB 300 gullwing) while others, interestingly, are owned by Jay Leno and the price has gone up enough that they could not be purchased and collected (Citroen SM, Honda 800)…