OK, i'm a closet motorhead.
'63 Lincon Continental Convertible, powder blue with the white leather interior (including the dash.).
'65 GTO, any color, convertible (Red would be favorite, with the parchment interior)
'68 GTO hardtop, the burgundy/dark cherry with black interior
I'd like an original Mustang, but the competition's stiff on the 64 1/2's and the 65/67 Ponys with the 271 V8's (The 64.5 only had a 210.)
An original '84 Toyota MR-2. It could be red, even though red's not MY color. (That was one of the most fun cars i've ever driven, even more than a Vette. The first year's 5 speeds were wonderful, really peppy even with a smaller engine, and an amazingly fast little thing.) Sunroof is OK, but not necessisary.
'92 Camry, OK, 92-96 Camry. Want light blue, no stripe, blue interior, the 4 banger, not the 6--don't want the leather seats--and would take almost any color.
Daewoo Leganza from right before GM bought them. Pretty car.
-------------
If I wanted to be totally impractical, a DeLorean. The one I drove was loads of fun, but I didn't get to open it up (no track, just city). Early T-Birds were nice, but by the 70's, it was like driving a very cushy brick. And i've only driven ONE Vette that I thought was worth the effort, a very early one. Every one since the late 60's has been a flashy chunk of crap.
Oh, a Bentley or Rolls wouldn't be turned down. I've only driven a Bentley, though.
If it's really a dream car, then what I want does not exist. Yet.
What I want is an external-combustion engine, with a babington-burner*, that fires a tungsten-titanium alloy gas turbine.** With an 8-speed computer-controlled gearbox, and a computer-controlled lockup clutch.
No--scratch those last two. Couple the gas-turbine directly to a rare-earth ultra-high efficiency alternator, and put ultra-high efficiency rare-earth-magnet motors inside each wheel hub. No messy drive-train to take up useful interior space.
Make it possible to steer all 4 wheels. Rotate in opposite directions, for really tight turning radius, parking a breeze. Rotate in the same direction for really cool parallel parking: pull up next to the space, just a bit behind (about 1/3 car length). Turn all 4 wheels into the space, and the car moves sideways (at an angle) neatly into the space.
Use adaptive, active suspension: a computer looks ahead at the roadway (radar or sonar) conditions, and actively adjusts each wheel as needed. The car will actually lean into the turns, in this way.
GPS navigation a must, of course. With a high-speed satellite internet feed, as well. Natch!
Seats 6, or 4 and a bunch of luggage.
______________________________
* basically a hollow sphere, with a horizontal slit in one side. Air is pressurized into the sphere. Liquid fuel is allowed to run over the top of the sphere. When it crosses over the slit, the pressurized air rips the fuel into near-atomic size, for very efficient combustion. Will burn anything that is liquid and flammable: fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, used cooking oil, used motor oil, grease, animal fat, old oil-based paint -- basically any flammable liquid that can be made to flow.
You could also rig the burner to admit flammable gasses into the sphere, to use that as a fuel source, too.
___________________________
** a gas turbine can be the most efficient engine humans have come up with, to date. The problem with using it in a auto, is that it's best speeds start at 10,000 rpm and go up from there. This is neatly solved, by connecting it to a dedicated alternator, one that is designed to produce power at high rpm. The other road to efficient turbine design, is heat. The hotter you can let it get, the better. Thus the exotic alloy I specified, should be good for several thousand degrees. Of course, you'd need a really good insulation-jacket over the engine core. <heh>
Okay... here's my wish list:
Insanely impractical cars:
- 1929 Bentley Blower (6.5 L supercharged inline 4-cylinder! 2 mpg! But kicked the butt of everything)
- Radical SR8
- Group B Ford RS200 rally car
Fun older cars:
- Jaguar E-type (outfitted for road race, of course)
- 1967 Mini Cooper S (outfitted for rally, of course)
- Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite (the happiest looking car ever made!)
- 197? Datsun 510 (prepped for some sort of racing, but I haven't decided what)
"Slightly" more practical cars:
- 1981 Dodge Aries (with the 2.6 L "Hemi" badged engine) all tricked-out for muscle car meets. ;D
- 199? Ford Escort Cosworth
- 1989 Mazda 323 GTX
- current Subaru Impreza WRX STi or Mitsubishi Lancer EVO
And most important for the wish list:
- A big, big garage to hold all of these cars. ;D
All time fave, practicality not a consideration -> lightweight D-Type Jaguar in British Racing Green with the fairing behind the driver's roll bar and with aero screen and metal tonnaeu on the over the passenger seat. I actually saw one once up close and personal and fell in love. Would still blow away most "exoticars" today.
Bluenose
As a complete dream I would think on a 1928 Mercedes SSK or a 1936 500K (for some reason I was convinced that there was an original SLK on that era buy I can't find a reference).
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/rnds/1937MercedesBenz540KSpecialRoadster.jpg)
A more contemporary dream may be a Lamborghini anyone.
For a different kind of dream (again) a Mercedes Unimog.
(http://home.milkmandan.org/dev/null/archives/unimog.jpg)
As for something I could drive I go for Tolous' Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
In reality I cannot get any of those things, nor the car I would like to buy to replace my Toyota Echo, a Scion xB. :'(
(http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/05.best.under.15k/05.scion.xb.500.jpg)
Mine would be a street car, named Desire. :)
I've seen the streetcar named Desire.
In fact, until they changed the 'destination scrolls' in the steetcars, ANY of them could be named Desire. When we lived in New Orleans, people having Streetcar Parties* often requested that their car have the Desire destination, evenn though the streetcars no longer went there.
--------
*Streetcar Parties were very popular when I lived in New Orleans. You rented a car, and it made the run up and down the line from Canal, out to Riverbend, around and on out to Carrollton and back. You could bring food, beverages, music, even a small band.
I attended a wedding reception on a streetcar one time. The caterer met it at several stops along the way and re-stocked the food and the bar. At the end of the line, when the car reversed (the driver moved to the other end, and in an empty car, flipped the wooden seatbacks) they announced that the next part of the reception was at the zoo. We went to the zoo, had cake and champagne, and the streetcar came back along the run with more booze and food...
They ran the car from 2PM until 2 AM for the reception, with stops on the 'pull-off' on Canal and at Riverbend for pottybreaks. I had taken a cab to the wedding (parking near the Quarter was hell, even then) so I just got off at the streetcar stop nearest my home...long before 2 AM.
a willys jeep...
(http://www.shares.f9.co.uk/willys.jpg)
...a truimph stag....
(http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/images/ownergray_01.jpg)
....or a fiat 500
(http://www.fiat500club.org.uk/images/rallyingFiat500_2.jpg)
My dream car would probably be the beautiful Mustang Shelby.
Aka "Eleanor" from the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds":
(http://www.motorpasion.com/archivos/images/Shelby_Eleanor.jpg)
http://www.mustangclassifieds.com/mustang-1661.html
I want this one...
nasty american junk. All thereally great cars EVER are European. Except the original subaru Impreza WRX.
Your humbleness is slipping Goat...
Personally I'll settle for a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo or a Bentley Arnage R or Continental, but it must come with a chauffeur and one of those matching picnic set things for Glyndebourne/Glastonbury (delete as appropriate according to age).
Having driven half a million miles (not much by U.S. standards probably, but enough for me) the biggest luxury would be to have someone do it for me.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Bentley_Arnage_R.jpg/250px-Bentley_Arnage_R.jpg)
Quote from: goat starer on November 09, 2006, 08:18:07 AM
nasty american junk. All thereally great cars EVER are European. Except the original subaru Impreza WRX.
I've driven both, Goat. Huge variety. No one vehicle is best at everything. For decades, I wouldn't have had a British car because of the electrical system/wiring. I had a Swedish car that had an air conditioner that couldn't keep the car cool if the back seat was full of icebergs. I drove German cars of several kinds (not just VW's) and have, at times, been prepared to confess to anything to get away from the horrid suspension.
French cars? Prior to the 80's?? NNNOOOOOOOO!!
How about..the Yugo, reflecting the cutting edge of Serbo-Croatian technology??
(I want my Toyota...) But the '60's 'stangs were great cars. Good engineering, great style. Rugged, competent and attractive. And very responsive.
Yugo is the worst piece of junk I had the opportunity to drive...
Please never refer to it as a car...
Did beaglereally tell me my humbleness was slipping and then say he wated a bently with a chauffeur? I will assume that was a joke (and a good one too if it was)
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on November 09, 2006, 11:09:35 PM
French cars? Prior to the 80's?? NNNOOOOOOOO!!
what about....
(http://www.brodie.co.uk/images/image6a.jpg)
(http://www.designosaur.net/999cc/images/cars/071citroen.jpg)
no one has ever made better suspension than Citroen. Noone has made a more iconic car.
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on November 09, 2006, 11:09:35 PM
How about..the Yugo, reflecting the cutting edge of Serbo-Croatian technology??
I drive the cutting edge of Czech technology (OK the germans own it now - getting hold of the Skoda works was a key reason for the annexation of the Sudeten land before WW2. Now VW have simply brought it!). built on a VW base and have no problems with the suspension. firm and sporty.
(http://www.autogazeta.com/c/1/b/sk97oct1.jpg)
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on November 09, 2006, 11:09:35 PM(I want my Toyota...) But the '60's 'stangs were great cars. Good engineering, great style. Rugged, competent and attractive. And very responsive.
not a patch on the triumph stag - real style and poise
Citroen 2CV Economical, indestructible, and a blast to drive.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Citroen2cvtff.jpg/225px-Citroen2cvtff.jpg)
(http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/3788/jenny/redondo1.jpg)
I've driven 2 Citroens, both 70's models.
I'd have rather walked...perhaps it was a bad match-up of car and area roads, but my spine felt like a slinky all the way from San Antonio to El Paso.
Here's my dream car.
(http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/00E7G155517966A/1975-AMC-Pacer-Patrol-Car-black-white-A-640.jpg)
or maybe the Levi's Gremlin.
(http://www.wps.com/AMC/1975-AMC-Gremlin/images/Gremlin1.JPG)
MB
Driving a Pacer was like driving a fishbowl.
Gremlins were actually fun!! Yeah, you could outrun 'em on a skateboard, but they were fun little things, almost like bumper-cars!!
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on November 13, 2006, 12:12:13 AM
Driving a Pacer was like driving a fishbowl.
Gremlins were actually fun!! Yeah, you could outrun 'em on a skateboard, but they were fun little things, almost like bumper-cars!!
Once got to drive a gremlin that someone had shoe-horned a small-block V8 into. That little thing would scoot. NOT very stable, though, too short a wheelbase for the power-curve. Unfortunately, the hood kinda gave it all away what with that scoop and all - but it would have been fun to trundle up to a stoplight, all stealth-like, and compete against a traditional muscle-car ... imagine their surprise when you either kept up or won. <heh>
Many years ago, I saw a 4-wheel drive gremlin - no, seriously. It had been jacked up in a major way, with 36" tires all around, and a pair of driveshafts pointing up at nearly 45 degrees - or it would have had, as I saw it after it had just broken a u-joint from the rear shaft - too steep an angle for a classic-u-joint. Shoulda used CV joints ... but it was an odd site to behold. That gremlin had a small-block v8 squeezed under the hood, too.
There's an elderly lady here in town that drives a bright orange Gremlin.
She bought it new, and has had it taken care of properly, with maintenance and all, and doesn't drive it beyond Brenham, Caldwell or Bryan/College Station. It's got about 55,000 miles on it.
:o
That straight six they put in those Gremlins will run forever when properly maintained.
I saw a Gremlin with a 440 in it. Taking off in that thing would be quite frightening I imagine.
MB
That AMC straight six, and the old Plymouth slant six...they'd literally run forever.
My ancient Plymouth slant-six from college is still functional in a dune buggy on South Padre. From a 1966 'Cuda, so that engine's 40 years old, and it had over 155K on it when I got rid of it in 1974.
Yeah. AMC didn't make their own motors. They used Plymouth/Dodge motors almost exlusively I believe. That's why they ran forever.
Quote from: Sibling Chatty on December 04, 2006, 10:18:02 PM
That AMC straight six, and the old Plymouth slant six...they'd literally run forever.
My ancient Plymouth slant-six from college is still functional in a dune buggy on South Padre. From a 1966 'Cuda, so that engine's 40 years old, and it had over 155K on it when I got rid of it in 1974.
There is a branch of engineering called vector analysis. I was exposed to this interesting bit of "how 2" when I took a math class (which I later dropped--beyond my capabilities. ::) ).
Anyway, a vector is simply a very precise description of a force-line.
A rotating engine generates a series of these force-line, or vectors. When a vector does not have an opposite vector canceling it out, you get vibration. Alternatively, a single large vector can have 2 small vectors canceling it out. And so on.
When you analyze the vectors generated by a slant six-- it's amazing. Due to the adjustment of the timing of the compression-cycles of the 6 cylinders, you see that almost ALL of the vectors are canceled out. No need for special "balance shafts" or other anti-vibration systems. It's almost automatic, if you space your compression cycles around a circle, divided up into 6 parts. Very little tweaking needed (which can easily be done by trial-and-error, no massive computer sims required). Very smooth engines.
It's really no wonder why those straight-6 engines just kept going and going and going .... ;D
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Contrast that to a V6, which does NOT have such a neat arrangement of vectors. In fact, until advanced computer modeling, they could not easily make a low-vibration V6.
A V8 is not quite as neat as a straight-6, but almost. Particularly if the opposite banks are at 90 deg or 60 deg-- the vectors line up, and cancel out.
A straight-8 is just a smooth as a straight-6. Perhaps a bit smoother. But 8 cylinders in a row is a bit of a design issue. You WILL still see straight-8's in huge over-the-road trucks, and engines that power shipping.
Incidentally, no straight-4 or V4 is inherently anti-vibration. There MUST be "extra" parts to cancel out the vibrations of 4 cylinders.
The exception is the boxer engine, of course. This is a "flat 4", with 2 banks of 2 180 deg apart. Like in the venerable Volkswagen engine. And in some modern-day Subarus. Even with just 2 cylinders, a boxer engine layout is automatically "smooth" (as in the older BMW motorcycles). (with smooth being relative, of course.)
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on January 14, 2007, 09:23:13 PM
A straight-8 is just a smooth as a straight-6. Perhaps a bit smoother. But 8 cylinders in a row is a bit of a design issue. You WILL still see straight-8's in huge over-the-road trucks, and engines that power shipping.
Ah, but straight 8's
were tried in cars but they had their own peculiar problems, mainly to do with torsional effects in the (long) crankshaft. I used to know a guy who had an old Riley Straight 8. It was a magnificent old beast. It could take about 12 people and at highway speed you could count the cylinders firing - bang, bang, bang, bang... at a nice sedate rate.
This tended to be the way they overcame the problems with the crankshaft, by having long stroke, low rotational speed engines. A product of this design option was enormous torque, you could drive off in top gear if the spirit so moved you. The Riley was a great old piece of work. I wonder what ever happenned to it, regretably my friend is no longer with us, so I guess I'll never know. :(
Sibling Bluenose
I gotta get me one of those! ;D
Dunno if this'd actually be my dream car, but check this video out....
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x157l2_bugatti-veyron-at-top-speed
I used to own a Morris Traveller!
I like things made of wood...I can't help it! ;D
Wasn't that the only car that could fail an MOT test on woodworm?
You can't beat a half-timbered car !
One of my first cars was a Mini with go faster stripes.
My best loved was a Polo Coupe Sport which I eventually sold to my ex who promptly wrote it off going round a roundabout. That was a sad time !!
Does it look something like this?
(http://www.knottoys.com/img/products/large/speedy_car.jpg)
I would love to have a car like that.
1987( or 86,88) Chevy Monte Carlo
Black
OH Baby!!!!!
go really, really fast and look HOT doing it!
One of the very classic Monte Carlo designs, a very sexy look. (And sexy isn't a word I use often for an inanimate object. Sensual lines and an almost predatory grace to the style makes it work, though.)
like the attached...
I've just found out that this beauty is scheduled to go under the hammer at the Christie's Auction in August.
(http://www.jdmfilmreviews.com/userimages/user-7695113_1177921687.jpg)
It's Steve McQueen's Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (McQueen bought in 1963 and was driving it for ten years). Only 351 of these beauties have been produced and this one is "probably the best example of a Ferrari Lusso that's out there on the marketplace".
The asking price is around one million, so I guess I'll have to start saving money.
More about it here:
http://www.jdmfilmreviews.com/steve-mcqueens-ferrari/
A Land Rover.
One of the old, boxy, aerodynamic as a brick but will go over or through anywhere you care to take it ones.
I know they are slow, uncomfortable, leaky etc. I don't care.
While the rest of you need a huge garage, highly trained mechanics and a vast spare parts bin for your sporty, fickle, temperamental supercars, all I'll need is some baling twine and sheep poo, jobs a good 'un.
Quote from: Pachyderm on July 06, 2007, 12:39:37 AM
A Land Rover.
One of the old, boxy, aerodynamic as a brick but will go over or through anywhere you care to take it ones.
I know they are slow, uncomfortable, leaky etc. I don't care.
While the rest of you need a huge garage, highly trained mechanics and a vast spare parts bin for your sporty, fickle, temperamental supercars, all I'll need is some baling twine and sheep poo, jobs a good 'un.
you have to be related to my uncle Bill--- he can look at a vehicle and it goes- I had a 72 Caddy (Coupe de Ville) and he kept that boat on the road forever. In hindsight it was so nice to be able to call him upon breakdown nad have him show and fix the thing with mateirals readily available!
Lately -and after my trip to the old continent- I've been contemplating the idea of getting one of these;
(http://thekneeslider.com/images/smartukilg.jpg)
I read somewhere that they plan to sell it in the US in 2008.
Trust me, you don't want a SMART...
It may have it's positive sides, like easy to find a parking space etc, but honestly, that car is a piece of c***.
First, you can't fit anything in its trunk; small shopping bag maybe, but not if you shop for a week for a whole family.
Secondly, it's very unstable. I had the opportunity to almost flip over (we were on two wheels at moments), while driving through a curve (not too fast, at around 60 kmh maybe).
Plus it was designed by a company who made watches. With interchangeable bits.
I have no desire to be in a car I know was designed to pop apart to change to the new, cool colour...
Didn't they fix most stability problems in the 2nd version? I'm not so interested in cargo area, we bought a Subaru Impreza station wagon (my wife is driving it) so if we need to carry stuff that would be the car to do it. When the opera is on I have to drive a fair amount of miles and while my current car is quite economic (Toyota Echo/Yaris) getting something more efficient is relatively expensive (a Prius) and driving a motorcycle on a daily basis doesn't sound too appealing to me.
Heh, I was gonna tell you to get a Yaris instead... ;)
I have always questioned the logic of buying a Smart Car for fuel efficiency as they are relatively expensive compared to the new batch of subcompacts like the Echo/Yaris. If you do go ahead and get a Smart, you'll have to run tests and figure out how long it takes for the additional fuel efficiency to pay off the difference in purchase price. Ditto for hybrids, although with GC's new rebate system, they may be worth looking at up here (still don't trust the overall cradle-to-grave environmental benefits WRT the battery system, though).
Having given up my poor old Firefly for a cargo-lugger (Hyundai Santa Fe - don't hiss - it ain't an SUV if it's only got a 2.4L engine in it ;) Uses about twice the fuel of my 1000 cc 'fly) I'd probably get a small runaround for the second car, but the Smarts look too small. Even if they are crush-resistant in a crash, I seem to remember from physics class what happens to a small mass in an elastic collision with a larger mass.
I'm also wondering how the highway driving experience would be in a Smart (if you're doing big drives for opera); the Firefly was very tiring to drive on roadtrips due to lack of power (i.e. expended energy cursing at it on hills), excessive road noise, and instability in windy conditions (or from passing trucks ::)). Wouldn't be my first choice for a long-distance commuter, personally.
In my experience the problem with small cars in the highway (in north america) is that most of them are automatic with only 3 gears. After that the gearbox should be calculated for the power to mass ratio. If those 2 conditions are met the behavior of the car will be equivalent or in some cases better than a bigger automatic car. I might end up replacing my Echo with a new Yaris or a Nissan Versa. I'd like a Mini but those are more expensive.
I like the way these itty bitty cars look
but here in the USA I would be afraid to venture out in traffic in one
imagine a Hummer bearing down on you! And people are woefully impolite around my town. Physics ya know.
It is a good idea- and one we need. But I agree I don't want interchangable parts.
Like I'm totally going to go like pink today and then like for the homecoming game it'll be so Hornet blue....
Quote from: anthrobabe on July 09, 2007, 10:22:06 PM
imagine a Hummer bearing down on you! And people are woefully impolite around my town. Physics ya know.
It may be so, but the only 'solution' to that is if we all drive tanks.
:irony:
In fact, it's a pity I don't have enough money to start my own car company because I know that if there was an offer in the market for an *affordable* armored truck/van there would be a long waiting list...
/ :irony:
I refuse to drive a huge car/van/truck/SUV unless I have a very reasonable need for one of those things, and in the past, when I needed one I've rented it.
Sorry for the little rant. :oops:
Heh, I used to like to taunt Hummers in the 'fly. Dangerous, but fun when they figure out you're not scared of them.
Re: Highway driving, used to commute about 100 km a day in the Firefly - it was a 5-speed manual and did well except on long hills (could do them easily, but not at highway speeds). Great little car in the snow, too. Not as fun on 600 km drives, particularly if you want to have a conversation (too loud - better to crank up the music).
:offtopic: sort of
can I confess something?
I have an entire stack of flyers that say
"If it's too big to park
it's too big to drive" on them and I place them on windshields from time to time
you know the big vehicles and they are in about 3 spaces- and occasionaly some small vehicles too, not sure if they get the subtlety of it but I feel a wee bit better.
Big vehicles have their place- but not as many places as they are found.
I also have a really naughty one I put out for when they park so close I can't get my door open with out a ding on someones vehicle. it contains the F word, a photo of a can opener and Mickey Mouse flying the bird.
Oh my! I've been tempted to do that for a good while but for some reason I haven't had the guts to do it.
My hat's off to you M'Lady
[pity I couldn't find a smilie for it]
Ok. I have to confess. My 'dream car' is my current vehicle. A Chevy Avalanche Z71.
Heated seats for my poor back. Five passengers in comfort and space on a thousand mile trip, and their luggage, and their household necessities, and their toys (surf boards, two sets of golf clubs, twelve cases of drinks...).
And the trip that used to need two drivers and leave everyone exhausted, I now drive all thw way and I'm no more that a little tired at the end.
I can carry twenty sheets of 8x4 plywood and twenty sheets of drywall undercover.
I used to carry a sheet of sticky labels with a cartoon of a cute young lady and the legend "I hope you can f**k better than you park. You'd never get it in" for those clowns who park in two spaces.
Quote from: The Meromorph (Quasimodo) on July 10, 2007, 02:10:22 AM
Ok. I have to confess. My 'dream car' is my current vehicle. A Chevy Avalanche Z71.
Heated seats for my poor back. Five passengers in comfort and space on a thousand mile trip, and their luggage, and their household necessities, and their toys (surf boards, two sets of golf clubs, twelve cases of drinks...).
And the trip that used to need two drivers and leave everyone exhausted, I now drive all thw way and I'm no more that a little tired at the end.
I can carry twenty sheets of 8x4 plywood and twenty sheets of drywall undercover.
I used to carry a sheet of sticky labels with a cartoon of a cute young lady and the legend "I hope you can f**k better than you park. You'd never get it in" for those clowns who park in two spaces.
:ROFL:
you have a reason for a Chevy Avalanch--- plywood and lots of people! I admit they do look pretty hot-
There was a place where one could buy fake parking tickets that were absolutely hilarious and some rated X---
here I think
[url][http://www.prankplace.com/parking.htm?kbid=1103&sub=parking&gclid=CPKpzcGJnI0CFQlQWAodI1nZ6g/url]
I've also taken the red ovals with the slash through them and put them on peoples W stickers too.
My kids and my mother say I'm going to get shot someday-- gotta catch me first!
OOOOH cARRRRRs , ten years ago if asked such a question , I'd have a list of vehicles only billionares could afford .
Now I'd love to create my dream car that could operate without burning anything...maybe a vehicle that could clean the air as it goes . It should be amphibious as well so I can go fishing while i drive.
I haven't had a car for ten years now , I think burning fossil fuels as an evil this planet could do without . Horse and buggy for me...slow the whole world down a notch...whats the big hurry anyways ?
When I was younger I used to want one of these:
(http://www.philseed.com/images/volvo-amazon-1959.jpg)
Now days I would be very happy if I could find a less environment hostile station wagon, than the one I have (a Renault Laguna 98) that I actually could afford to buy.
I also have a love affair with cars like Landrover (the old type that actually are designed to take on challenging road conditions) and Toyota Land cruisers... But I have no reason to drive such a gas gulping monster most of the time. :(
I have to do some driving under bad winter conditions every year and I would love to have four wheel drive.
Don't you get Subarus up there? We got a nice station wagon that isn't a gas guzzler as a regular SUV or 4x4 (I found this one (http://www.subaru.se/15r_sports_wagon_impreza.aspx) for Sweden). Or perhaps a Suzuki Jimny (http://www.globalsuzuki.com/automobile/jimny/index.html)? ;)
With a Subaru, the 'can afford to buy' can be an issue. As can the 'afford to take in for scheduled servicing', according to my parents. Nice cars, though.
Well, admittedly we got the cheapest one with an extra discount for my wife's job (an auto-part wholesaler). As for maintenance so far only an oil change, so I don't know... (hopefully it isn't too expensive :nervous: )
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on July 30, 2007, 07:38:05 PM
Don't you get Subarus up there? We got a nice station wagon that isn't a gas guzzler as a regular SUV or 4x4 (I found this one (http://www.subaru.se/15r_sports_wagon_impreza.aspx) for Sweden). Or perhaps a Suzuki Jimny (http://www.globalsuzuki.com/automobile/jimny/index.html)? ;)
If I was sure the Subaru would actually stay in one piece even after the last date of the two year warranty I'll think about I'm but I'm not...
I did own a Toyota some years ago, and we have a Nissan in the family that runs excellent so Asian cars is not out of question in any way.
And I don't want an SUV darn it! I wouldn't be caught dead in one! :snark:
I said "the old type that actually are designed to take on challenging road conditions" *grumble, grumble, rant*
;) ;D
Quote from: Darlica on July 30, 2007, 08:58:16 PMAnd I don't want an SUV darn it! I wouldn't be caught dead in one! :snark:
I said "the old type that actually are designed to take on challenging road conditions" *grumble, grumble, rant*
;) ;D
:ROFL: You sound like me a few years ago - and even still I'm very adamant that I drive a 'large car' or maybe a 'tall station wagon' despite appearances. I figure the small engine justifies it - a 2.4L engine is too small to be an SUV. Handles like a dream on rough roads too (but no 4 wheel drive; I like FWDs just fine for snow anyways, although 4x4 is better in mud).
Actually, there's not much I don't like about my Santa Fe; it's the closest thing to dream car that I'll be getting as long as I have to pay for it (the price was a big part of what make it dreamy). ;)
You have a SUV! *pokes Agujjim with a stick*
:mrgreen:
That Santa Fe is a nice little vehicle... :P
Yep! Kind of like the new ones, too... but they cross the line to SUV territory. The old model (mine) are $20,000 vehicles that outdo their $30,000 competition; the new ones are $30,000 vehicles looking to go head-to-head with $40,000+ models (base model prices, but the base model is still a nice package; who else throws in heated mirrors etc. on the lowest model?)
Hyundai cars are still wonderfully underpriced; Canadians hold on to their cars for years and years so people here still remember the Pony and think Hyundai = Crap. I've heard that the deals are even better in the US - they are really working hard to shake their image. I've heard reliably that Hyundais are cheaper here than in Korea; over there they are the top brand and sell at a premium compared to other domestics.
Quote from: Darlica on July 30, 2007, 08:58:16 PM
If I was sure the Subaru would actually stay in one piece even after the last date of the two year warranty I'll think about I'm but I'm not...
According to the long term charts I've seen Subaru's have a very good quality (or I wouldn't have gone that way). We had Toyotas before and I can assure how good those are. My family (and my first car) has always had Renaults and I do like them very much so you may be Ok. :)
Quote from: Agujjim on July 30, 2007, 10:43:51 PM
Hyundai cars are still wonderfully underpriced; Canadians hold on to their cars for years and years so people here still remember the Pony and think Hyundai = Crap. I've heard that the deals are even better in the US - they are really working hard to shake their image. I've heard reliably that Hyundais are cheaper here than in Korea; over there they are the top brand and sell at a premium compared to other domestics.
Back home (Colombia) Hyundays are sold well and the fact that taxi drivers use them without complain is a good measure of quality (if you've driven in Colombia you'd understand ;))
I'm getting a bit suspicious of Toyota; Phil Edmonston (author of Lemon Aid car ratings books) notes that Toyota and Honda have let quality slide a bit in past years and are riding on their good names to sell vehicles. Dad has a Corolla and has been very happy with it and used ones tend to be a good value.
I was strongly considering a Matrix, but the Santa Fe was more car for less money. One of my friends bought a Matrix and said she'd have liked to get something bigger like ours if she had the money - turns out she paid about $3000 more (base model). ;D
The only thing I can tell you is that we've got 2 Toyotas about 7 years ago, a Corolla and an Echo (Yaris everywhere else) and I can't complain. The Echo was made in Japan and has required less maintenance than the Corolla (made in the US), but both are quite good cars. If I want to change my Echo is because I would like something with a stiffer suspension, but I actually like the car a lot.
On a related note, I saw a magazine with long term quality charts and Toyota was on top (regarding the number of complaints), so I guess they are still Ok ;)
Yeah, I'd trust them still. We also had Echos up here until 2006/2007; if I was going for a very small car I'd get one.
To this day, I have yet to see a car that will out-perform (normal conditions) or out-comfort a 1992 Camry, including the Mercedes that I got to drive when my Mercedes owning friend needed something that would pick up 2 travelers and their luggage at the airport.
Of course, that was before a moron wrecked my Camry for me...
With the little 4-banger, it was fairly economical (VERY economical compared to most cars that size) but Toyota's gone downhill since then. I wouldn't want a new Camry, for sure.
Another 92? OH, yes, please....
================
Really? (My mother has a black cherry colored Scion XA that I covet.)
I really want one of those that little old mail trucks. One of these, more or less. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/319181113_0cdde10448_m.jpg
Noisey and no A/C (VERY important where I live in the summer) but I still want one.
Tesla (http://www.teslamotors.com/) all the way! (If only, if only.)
And it's not just because Nikola Tesla was amazing.
I've recently fell in love with a car - Volkswagen Eos:
(http://www.brisbanemotorshow.com.au/media/images/photo-gallery/Volkswagen-Eos-BIG.jpg)
I've always liked the looks of the Lotus Elise... I saw one in a parking lot on the way to work today.
:faint: :panic: :woohoo: :kiss2: :YaY:
Went back and drooled over it in the pouring rain. WANT.
I'm gonna go look at it again if it's still there at lunch.
That is the kind of car I can't have. I already have a heavy right foot, with something like that I would be getting tickets left and right. BTW, I love the small engine.
---
On a (thread) related note, I'm reading that one of my dream cars (Mercedes 540K) has pretty much the same (or less) performance than my Echo, 106 mph/170kmh on the supercharged version. :o (excluding mpg, obviously :mrgreen:).
It's the kind of car that shouldn't be wasted on me.... I drive slowly and cautiously. ;)
But if I was going to buy a toy car (assuming too much money and a need to spend it), it would be a serious option and rival for the Genesis Coupe I had earmarked for this position. Either would show up Dad's Miata. ::)
Assuming I had a second obscene wad of cash lying around after the Tesla, I'd blow it on this (http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_R8.html).
Partly because of the excellent driving experience my dad's TT has provided for the past little-more-than-a-year I've actually been allowed to touch it.
Speaking of the Tesla I mentioned this (http://www.aptera.com/) in other thread:
[youtube=425,350]OI2iCE51R9U[/youtube]
I waaaaaaant!
My new dream car is a BMW R1100R Motorcycle.
This is another dream car (alas, not available in the US) Subaru R1
(http://www.cvt.co.nz/images/cvt.cars.subaru.r1copy.jpg)
They even made an electric version in Japan (R1e) that charges to 80% in 15 minutes.
Does it use supercapacitors?
I've heard there's an electric screwdriver out that charges in 90 seconds.
Quote from: Agujjim on June 18, 2008, 02:42:03 PM
Does it use supercapacitors?
I've heard there's an electric screwdriver out that charges in 90 seconds.
Electric? That is so yesterday.
I want a sonic screwdriver.... ::)
I wanna ride Mero's motorcycle. :mrgreen:
There are a couple of BMW guys among the Harley Hogs here (remember, our mayor is a motorcycle guy, and the biggest church in town advertises itself as "religion free and biker friendly") and they're pretty sweet.
Quote from: Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith on June 18, 2008, 04:03:40 PM
Quote from: Agujjim on June 18, 2008, 02:42:03 PM
Does it use supercapacitors?
I've heard there's an electric screwdriver out that charges in 90 seconds.
Electric? That is so yesterday.
I want a sonic screwdriver.... ::)
You two are nerds! (but I likes nerds in both candy and human form)
Mero got a motorcycle! That's awesome.
I've been pondering it myself, been ages, but I could take some brush up safety lessons and all. I live to far from work for a scooter to really be feasable right now (the road is a two lane highway for most of the trip-- dangerous even in a car). I have even thought about moving closer to work lately--- then I could walk/bicycle/scooter/bus with ease.
But my 17 year old has really mixed feelings-- on the one hand she is done with high school(and that is a story for another day! I'm gonna kill the kid, no not drop out but in some ways worse,long convoluted tale, I'm gonna kill her) but on the other is it
:desperate: OMG 2 far from THE BOY!-- like he wouldn't be able to find her or something.
Quote from: anthrobabe on June 23, 2008, 07:35:42 AM
:desperate: OMG 2 far from THE BOY!-- like he wouldn't be able to find her or something.
My age group tends to be entirely unreasonable and melodramatic about these things, but that's our job. U JUST DONT UNNERSTAND!
Quote from: Alpaca on June 23, 2008, 03:49:51 PM
Quote from: anthrobabe on June 23, 2008, 07:35:42 AM
:desperate: OMG 2 far from THE BOY!-- like he wouldn't be able to find her or something.
My age group tends to be entirely unreasonable and melodramatic about these things, but that's our job. U JUST DONT UNNERSTAND!
Now where have I heard that before?
I actually followed a boy across the USA once at her age. My father had hired a helper (he was a truck driver for United Van Lines)--- I sort of stowed away in full sight that summer just to be with that boy. The kid was like 17 (yes underage, probably ilegal to hire, but he did it) and I was 16.
;D
I see the bike has Divine Light shining on it ;D
Well it's certainly bringing joy to my heart... :P
I haven't riddenfor about 15 years. My skills are gradually coming back ( I no longer have to think about lines through bends, for example). It's very different from anything I've ridden before, very neutral in its handling, amazing amounts of torque at any speed, and heavy (over 500 pounds). It will, I think, be several weeks before I'm good at low speed (slow walking pace) riding again. My proudest skill, it will be hard to relearn it again from scratch, but very satisfying when I do.
That is a very elegant looking machine, IMHO.
Argh ! The vehicle I dreamed of as a nine year old converted into a space craft .
I toured our solar system in that thing many a night , sigh , the daze of my youth .
Speaking of motorcycles:
[youtube=425,350]Ujydj6SBfxM[/youtube]
The Antro Solo Solar/Dynamo(yes Fred you can pedal it!)/Petrol vehicle in the works (http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/24/transportation-tuesday-antro-solo-gets-150mpg/)
Quote from: Sibling Zono (anon1mat0) on June 27, 2008, 03:23:35 AM
Speaking of motorcycles:
[youtube=425,350]Ujydj6SBfxM[/youtube]
That looks like something even _I_ could build....
....and I may just do that!
Or, maybe an electric scooter instead.
Would be too cool, for those short trips across town. A 50 mile range would do.
Maybe one of these:
http://www.electric-bikes.com/cars/index.html (http://www.electric-bikes.com/cars/index.html)
(http://www.electric-bikes.com/cars/lev01.jpg)
I could do one of those-- and yellow is perfect for it.
What I like about the Antro Solo is the fact that the pedals (for helping charge the battery are on both the driver and passenger side)--- sort of like a paddle boat you can rent at a lake! and since no way any car can be completely solar(well one day) it has capability to use gasoline as well.
Speaking of YELLOW...
This is my new High Visibility motorcycle jacket. All armored, vented and waterproof.
My family is already calling me the 'Pillsbury Glowboy'.
That's cool, M.
Unfortunately, for some drivers the only way you'll be noticed is if you shout directly into their dimwitted head, "I'm HERE, D@MMIT" with a bullhorn.
I was once run off the road (while riding) in the wintertime. Sun was out, but I was wearing a florescent orange jumpsuit.
This suit really glowed, especially in sunlight.
But, an idiot could not see me, for some reason.... and into the ditch I went (to avoid being run over).
I was too busy not actually wrecking to catch dimwit's plate number...
Quote from: The Meromorph on July 08, 2008, 03:46:44 AM
Speaking of YELLOW...
This is my new High Visibility motorcycle jacket. All armored, vented and waterproof.
My family is already calling me the 'Pillsbury Glowboy'.
Have seen those in use around here. They're REALLY glowingly bright!! I put on my 'heavy duty' sunglasses while driving the other day, just to cut the bright glow from the guy in front of me with one on.
It's almost, but not quite, a metallic sort of glow, but it's a chemical, not metallic agent in the fabric. (According to Joey at the bike shop here, anyway. He's cute--a young Johnny Depp lookin' guy, so I'll listen to whatever he has to say!)
Y'all are seriously making me consider putting two-wheeled transportation on my to-do list for later in life. (No way that will ever happen while I live in the remote vicinity of my mother.)
Fuel efficiency alone, it's worth it. The fun factor...even moreso. Please make sure you've got a decent sense of balance, or it's also a pain thing...experience speaking here.
I've got some classic road rash scars, thanks to a totally warped inner ear "thing" that's transient and dangerous.
I have an excellent sense of balance, and I STILL have lots of road rash scars, most of which were gained on two wheels sans motor (never wrecked hard on a dirt bike, and gave the habit up when I was a young'un).
Actually, one of them is a road rash scab, from Friday. Spectacular wet-pavement-on-a-downhill-corner layover, complete with several-fathom slide, but relatively little skin loss (cell phone in a side shorts pocket took the brunt of the force) limited to elbow. The other damage was minor bruising and lacerations, plus a cut on my nose where it got hooked by a protruding branch on a fallen log. Luckily, I stopped when I hit the gravel and avoided plowing into said log (saw it coming, there was little to do at that point).
Wear a helmet, m'kay? I definitely saved myself some head damage (again). Probably time for a new brain bucket, though.