What do you drive, and why?

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davintosh's picture
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What do you drive, and why?

Ok, time for another diversion from the usual Mac-centric chatter (and because I'm at work and really sick and tired of the project I'm working on.)

What do you use for wheels, and why did you choose that particular unit?

As for me, I've got a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4-door. Great little buggy — my kids call it "the Jeep" I guess because that's easier to say than "Suzuki". I did a fair amount of research on the Suzuki before shopping around for one — they are kind of the equivalent of Jeep in the Far East. They have built 4 wheel drive vehicles for a long, long time, and have it pretty much down pat. They even supply a lot of countries with military vehicles, so with that kind of qualifications behind it, all I needed to do was shop around to find the right one. I bought it second-hand in July... 75,000 miles, no rust, very clean, AC, and a CD player, for just a tad over $3000.

Some of the things I like about my Suzuki: it's small enough to get in & out of tight spaces easily, can turn a 180 in the width of the average side street, gets 25-30mpg getting thrashed around town all day, but still has enough gusto to pull trailer loads of stuff around (last month I pulled 6,000lbs of paving stones home with it. Ended up with a slightly bent hitch(!) but I can fix that!). It has 4 wheel drive for our immenent snow-packed roads (South Dakota) and for the occasional foray into the wilderness on hunting trips.

So, what's your ride?

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2002 Honda Civic EX

2002 Honda Civic EX 4-Door

Name: Lucky
Color: Green

Why?

1) The '99 Civic EX coup got totalled
2) Great handling, good space for a compact
3) 40 miles per gallon, even after 100K

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1988 Ford Fiesta Popular - 95

1988 Ford Fiesta Popular - 950CC or so...

Why:

1) Its gets from A to B - goes forwards and backwards... + stops.
2) It does 40 to the gallon easy
3) It goes fast enough as the speed limit around here is 60-70...
4) It has not died
5) And im learning to drive...so its a good for insurance purposes. I can't master the clutch though Sad

The speedometer recently clocked and went from 99999 to Angel Its at around 100 miles according to the dial!!

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1993 Chevy Corsica

1993 Chevrolet Corsica 4-door
3.1L V6 engine
varying degrees of white
119,000 miles
On 5th alternator and 2nd starter

Why?
1) My 1995 Buick Skylark was totalled in June 2000, just 8 payments from being paid off. Damn lawyer from Ohio! Smile
2) I needed something with cheap monthly payments until the insurance company wrote off my Buick.
3) I didn't want the Ford Tempo, even though it was cheaper than the Corsica. When you get into the car and the automatic seats try to press your knees into the dash, something's wrong. (I'm 6' 4")
4) I'm guaranteed that it will be available for me to drive (pending mechanical problems) - my wife hates to drive it! The last time she tried the alternator caught on fire! :o
5) It's fairly easy for me to work on without taking it into the repair shop. The first alternator cost about $250 to replace including labor. A rebuilt one cost about $80 plus a little time for me to do myself. The sole exception to this was the heater core - if I ever have to replace that again, I'm getting rid of the car!
6) It's non-descript, but has some power under the hood. It uses some gas, but it's not too bad.

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older German cars mostly

I've got 6 german cars and one Japanese. Only 2 cars actually run right now (or maybe ever at the rate I move!), a '92 BMW 525iA and an '85 VW Golf.

525 is the main driver these days, fast and comfortable, it's got ~181K miles. The VW has ~820K miles, I used it when I was driving as a courier around the NJ-NY-PA area.

Other cars include '96 VW GTI (front collision damaged), '68 MB 280S (rusty, + mech probs), '83 VW GTI 1.8L 16v (nearly complete, needs finishing), '76 BMW 2002 (rusty), '70 Datsun 240Z (rusty).

Good thing I've got a decent garage and a long(ish) driveway! Oh, and a fairly tolerant spouse!

dan k

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2002 mustang GT convertible

2002 mustang GT convertible
2004 subaru forester 2.5 XT

subaru was my dads, then he got the mustang...and gave me the subaru
then decided he didnt like the mustang all that much so...we drive both of them
subaru: very fast, yet still practical
GREAT car
only problem, premium gas and only about 20 mpg

mustang: waste of money...dont get one...only gets about 18 mpg (backseats are tiny)

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I have owned quite a few cars

I have owned quite a few cars for my age. Years ranging from a '65 Mustang to a '91 Nissan Hardbody. My current vehicles are Jeeps. A '75 Cherokee, and a '81 J10. And like computers, I mod them alot (its a disease Wink ). Here are some picts of them, neither is stock, although the J10 is fairly stock compared to the Cherokee.

1975 Cherokee

1981 J10

As for what I drive them... Well, I enjoy driving them, I live in the moutains so not owning a 4wd is just asking for trouble in the winter. They are also great for summer time camping/fishing/etc. And you dont see them very often.

HackintoshG4: your complaining about a V8 getting "only" 18mpg?! And right above that say a little 4 banger gets 20mpg... I would say the Subaru is the least efficient of the two. And the Mustang is a pony car, not a family sadan. If you always carry a bunch of people then no, it isnt the car for you. But if its just you, and 1-2 other people fromt time to time, and you like a V8 car, its just fine.

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Electric Minibike LOL!

Electric Minibike LOL!

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Carriage

1995 Mazda 121. 1.3l carbie 5-speed manual.

Why? HAH. Well... I can rationalise it by saying it's cute, comfy, plenty spacious given the exterior dimensions, has a fair bit of boot space(the boot looks tiny from outside but it extends well into the interior behind the back seats), it's got REALLY low mileage, and it's got an awesome sound system(like all Mazdas do) and great fuel economy..

But really, it's coz I won't pay insurance for a bigger car(I like money...), and I got this one free off my grandmother. Biggrin

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77' Datusn 280Z Why? 1. T

77' Datusn 280Z

Why?
1. The buick century was much too practical
2. Its pretty fast
3. Around here its unique among all the Mustangs, Camaros, and Firebirds
4. It was affordable
5. BUCKET HEADLIGHTS!
6. Z cars are friggin sweet
7. I just wanted something different

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My truck

1994 GMC Jimmy
Manual Transmission
4WD

Why: Wanted a truck and the kick-ass 1988 Doge Ram I had my eye on was only a three speed auto*.
Regrets: Now I really want a pickup. An old one, from when trucks looked like trucks.

*Funny test drive story- My buddy and I took the '88 RAM for a test drive out to an interstate. When we brought it back, the engine was smoking from the hood and the interior vents. Salesman asked if I wanted it. "Umm, No." He asked why, and we just stared at the smoke billowing from the engine in silent awe.

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Test Drive Story

That's a great one! Car salesguys can be so clueless.

Reminds me of my best test drive story; back in 1986, my wife & I were newly married, and I had a burr under my saddle about buying a new car. I started shopping around, and one fine December Saturday morning I stopped by the Dodge dealership to peek at a Dodge Colt Vista Wagon they just got in. Four wheel drive, nice option package, 16 miles on the odometer. There weren't many salesguys working that day, and the one I talked with had another customer looking at a car, so he just gave me the keys so I could take it for a spin. Great!

Took it all over the place, and all went well until I was on my way back to the dealership; going down the street about a half mile from the lot, some chick in a mid-70's Oldsmobile blasted through a yield sign & broadsided me. Or rather, broadsided the brand new Dodge Colt Vista Wagon with only 20-some miles on the clock. Nobody was hurt, except maybe the chick's yippy little dog, who was riding on the back shelf of the Olds at the time of impact. I think he ended up on the dashboard.

After the accident I called up the salesguy (didn't even remember his name!) and he came to pick me up and arranged for a tow truck to come for the remains of the Dodge Colt Vista Wagon with only 20-some miles on the clock. We get back to the lot, and he's still trying to sell me a car. I decided that was omen enough to keep me from buying a new car. And to this day I haven't bought anything new.

Oh, and the Dodge Colt Vista Wagon with only 20-some miles on the clock? A couple of weeks later, it showed up on their used car lot, all spiffed up. Don't know if they told prospective buyers about the little mishap or not.

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I just got a new (to me) car

I just got a new (to me) car to have for my new job.

Its a 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII. It has the 4 cam 4.6L v8 with craploads of power. 280hp stock. Almost the same motor as the mid 90's mustang cobra. It can do the quartermile in under 15 when supertuned and modest (inexpensive/free) upgrades. Stock it does the quarter in like 15.something. It only takes premimum fuel, i don't care!

Its fully loaded with all the options except for sunroof (i hate them so it didn't bother me).

Why:

I love fast cars. I have never had one of my own. With my new job i wanted a fast luxury car. I could buy 2 or 3 of these mark viii(which have terrible resale value, think about the target market for lincolns: old men who want big boats, not luxury high performace coupes) for the same price as an equally comparible/condition Lexus. I thought about the old infiniti q45's as well (they are also dirt cheap) however they have a nasty achilles heel (search for timing chain guides and q45 to read the horror stories). I would/will never consider any german or european car, no thanks. Germans may have incredible engineering but they have horrible expensive reliablity. Amercian cars might be crappy too compared to japenase but at least they don't cost super huge bux when they do break, plus i'm an ex-mechanic anyway so fixing the standard stuff that goes wrong with american cars isn't all that big of a deal to me.

So my only real choices were caddy's (i do love the mid 90's eldo's) but they are still pricer than the mark viii, the buick something (forgot what its called but they are still pricer because they were made around 95-96) and the markviii for luxury sport coupes.

Finally the interior is nice and big and comfy and made of dead animals. I like it.

If money were no object to me, i would drive in anything big and fancy and gas hogging, anything to annoy the whiny sierraclub/greenpeace hippies like a Hummer or something. It would be really fun to drive it though the "How Berkeley Can You Be" parade. Smile

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Re: My truck

1994 GMC Jimmy
Manual Transmission
4WD

Why: Wanted a truck and the kick-ass 1988 Doge Ram I had my eye on was only a three speed auto*.
Regrets: Now I really want a pickup. An old one, from when trucks looked like trucks.

My son's friend drives a 76 3/4 ton powerwagon with the huge 440 engine/4v and it has full time 4wd. When he drives up hill and floors it, you seriously can see the gas gauge moving down. Its that bad on mileage. I also have a project truck of my own (1985 dodge ramcharger, lifted, blah blah) but it would get 15 to the mile on the highway. My son's friend's truck gets like 5 or 6 mph. LOL

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Well, I don't quite drive yet

Well, I don't quite drive yet (coming soon though... I'm excited), but my parents' rides...

2001 Ford Escape
This one's going to be mine when I get my license. For those who don't know, it's a compact SUV. We have the V6, which provides 200HP... a tad much for something of that size. But it's fun to drive... plus, it's loaded with everything but the Mach audio system, which now I wish we had ordered, seeing as how -Wallstreet-'s mom's Escape has it and it knocks the pants off the stock Ford one.

2002 Infiniti I35
It replaced a '94 Taurus. 'Tis black with black leather, looks very nice. Looks-wise, it's got an air of sporty mixed in with a lot of luxury. 255 HP V6... that'll scream if you give it the chance. Bose sound system standard... sounds really really good, especially compared to the Escape. We got a really good deal on it, too - about $5,000 off sticker. It was one of those days in December when the dealers are clearing out '02s to bring in '03s, and we got lucky.

Those be my rides. I have an electric scooter. It's red... gets me where I go, which isn't too far.

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The missus's car

1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4-door
cherry red
3.?L V-6

Why?
1) Her prior vehicle was a 1985 Buick Century that was falling apart. It was going to cost more to fix it than the car was worth.
2) Because she hates driving my 1993 Corsica! Wink
3) Because of the low mileage - when we got it about 10 months ago the mileage was only 35,000 miles for something that was 7 years old.
4) Because the 1995 Saturn we test-drove before this was not quite what we wanted.

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Well...

I had an '01 Grand Prix, coupe, GTP, dual super charger, metallic blue finish, graphite leather, 8 speaker Bose system, sun roof - everything I wanted except being a GTX with a 6-speed.

Why: 'cuz I could
But: Traded it in after 9 months to get the wife a minivan (had to do the good husband thing, but hey I'm only 30 and have plenty of time to make it up later).

So: I am now driving a '01 Aztek (with the tent kit).

--DDTM

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I've owned quite a few as well...

... But I guess I've been at it a little longer too. 69 Chevelle, 71 Duster, 71 Audi Fox, 72 Nova, 81 Mazda GLC, 81 Jeep Scrambler, 82 Dodge Charger, 81 Honda 650 Custom, 76 Bonneville (Moby Dick), 87 Toyota Starlet, 82? Honda Civic Wagon, 87 Celebrity Wagon, 81 Vanagon, 87 Subaru Wagon, 76 Rabbit, 71 Datsun Pickup, 88 Crown Victoria, 93 Aerostar, 95 Honda Civic DX, 98 Plymouth Voyager, 94 Sidekick.

My kids are always amazed that I remember all the cars I've owned and remember so much about each one; how much I paid for it, why I bought it, from whom I bought it, major life events that happened while I owned each of them (whether those events had anything to do with the car or not). It's not that I'm a total car freak, because I'm not. But it's funny how a stupid frustrating conglomeration of metal, plastic and rubber can be such a central point in your life. Just listing the cars I've had brings back floods of memories -- some good, some bad. Kinda like picking up a smell that reminds you of your Grandma's kitchen or something like that.

Yes, still working on that project that has me bored out of my skull and latching onto any diversion that comes along... Why do you ask?

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Aztek

"So: I am now driving a ‘01 Aztek (with the tent kit)."

You know, when those cars first came out, I thought "Yuk. Maybe it's a design that'll grow on me." Still hasn't. I dunno why... They just look kinda funny. (nothing personal!)

Does the tent kit go out the back, or how does that work? Not straight up like the Westfalia's, does it?

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Re: I've owned quite a few as well...

... But I guess I've been at it a little longer too. 69 Chevelle, 71 Duster, 71 Audi Fox, 72 Nova, 81 Mazda GLC, 81 Jeep Scrambler, 82 Dodge Charger, 81 Honda 650 Custom, 76 Bonneville (Moby Dick), 87 Toyota Starlet, 82? Honda Civic Wagon, 87 Celebrity Wagon, 81 Vanagon, 87 Subaru Wagon, 76 Rabbit, 71 Datsun Pickup, 88 Crown Victoria, 93 Aerostar, 95 Honda Civic DX, 98 Plymouth Voyager, 94 Sidekick.

My kids are always amazed that I remember all the cars I've owned and remember so much about each one; how much I paid for it, why I bought it, from whom I bought it, major life events that happened while I owned each of them (whether those events had anything to do with the car or not). It's not that I'm a total car freak, because I'm not. But it's funny how a stupid frustrating conglomeration of metal, plastic and rubber can be such a central point in your life. Just listing the cars I've had brings back floods of memories -- some good, some bad. Kinda like picking up a smell that reminds you of your Grandma's kitchen or something like that.
[/i]

Actually I can understand where you are coming from. I am sorta a car freak but thats not the thing. The thing is that a car becomes a part of you. I can remember every single car that i have had since i was 16 and remember almost every repair i did to all of them. I remember the first time i wanted a lincoln Mark (around 1988 when i was 19 and the neighbor of the girl that i was with bought a mark vii and i was entralled and i remember seeing in an old issue (still have it) of Car Stereo Review a tricked out 89 mark vii with cool stereo stuff). I can remember the approx amounts of each major repair that I have done to each of my cars. I remember the stupid things I did and how scared i got becasue of it (ex: in 1985 with my first car, 1970 ford maverick, i needed a jump so the neighbor used their new jeep to jump me, but i put the wires on backwards which burned up the hot wire inside the insulation that went to the alternator).

I just don't understand how people think of a car as purely an appliance and have no attachment to it whatsoever.

Its also funny that now with my life experience, i can look back at one of my early cars and now diagnose what was wrong with it and how to fix it cheaply (i had a crappy buick 78 skyhawk in 1987 that had a huge leak by the tranny, fluid would pour out of it, never could afford to bring it to a shop in 87 but now i know that i just would have needed to replace the tranny cooling line after thinking back how the fluid was dripping like crazy from the joints in the line).

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Yeah...

I had felt the same way at first. This was actually my wife's - we swapped when she got the van. I have a silver one with the lower panel molding. It is actually okay. They are much better on the inside than one would think. Comfy, convenient, versatile.

The way the ten works is you lift the glass and lower the tailgate and it straps on the tailgate, the wheel well, and the roof rack and wraps over the lift glass. The kit come with a full size air mattress (only about 3"-4" thick, but okay for a night or three). The matress goes in better if you remove the storage bin and rails and fold up and remove the back seats. You can leave them in, but it takes away useful camping space. It is ideal for a couple going off, not a family of four, so I guess you would have left the back seats and bin at home before setting out anyway.

As an idea of how big it is inside, I was able to put in four 7500 PowerMacs and four 6100 PowerMacs in the back (with the rear seat up and storage bin in) and wad plenty of room ontop for keyboards and cables without blocking the view for dirving. It is like having an enclosed pick up truck with a high center of gravity and a less than appealing body style and a driving space as nice as my Grand Prix (even if it doesn't corner as nicely).

--DDTM

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Saabs, lots and lots of Saabs...

1) 1991 Saab 900 5dr : 2.0l 16v N/A
Why?
* It's plenty big enough for me to fit my frame into, small cars and me don't agree - 9 times out of 10 the seats don't go back far enough for me to get my legs in... The trunk's big enought to carry any load imaginable too; sofas, wardrobes, washing machines, beds, you name it - it's lugged it about.

* It's safe; in 20+ years of our family running Saabs we've never lost one in an accident - admittedly we've turned other cars into insurance losses but never written off one of ours.

* It's a design classic.

* I've always wanted a 900 since I was a kid.

2) Saab 9000 Griffin 4dr : 2.3l 16v Turbo
Why
See above reasons, plus:
* It was an absolute steal on eBay

I use the 900 for my daily commute, whilst the 9k gets used for long distance trips and back-road runs...

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sorry

I would lie and say I have a Mclaren F1, but I don't drive so I can't even say that!

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1989 Toyota Supra Turbo, 5-sp

1989 Toyota Supra Turbo, 5-spd.

'nuff said Blum 3

CCC

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I dont yet have a car (im in

I dont yet have a car (im in college, not having a car sucks), but i drive whatever i get my hands on. When im at school, i usually end up driving my friends Jeep (1996 Cherokee Country), which, unfortunatly, has an automatic trans. Untill i can afford a car, my transportation consicts largely of a yellow 21 speed bicycle.

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I own a 1985 Buick Regal with

I own a 1985 Buick Regal with only 101,124 miles on the clock the car runs great and it perfect for me cause in only 17. the car has the Buick 3.8L V6 non-turbo(too bad it's not a Grand National) but it's plenty fast and gets great gas mileage this summer i put in a new transmission.
You can see pictures of my car hear. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/505023

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Probably a good thing...

it's not a Grand National; you'd probably just get yourself into trouble with it. My first car was a 69 Chevy Chevelle with a 350 V8 & manual 3 speed. I would rather have had a 396, but my car was trouble enough. I got a ticket with it the first night I was legal to drive, which resulted in me getting my license pulled for 30 days.

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I drive...

Wheels: 2
Color: Blk
Weight: ~35lbs.
Mpg: .oo1
Fuel: Java.
HP: .02
Batt. 1.5 Button Cell
Maker: Specialized

Another words.... I Bike.
I think cars are should only be used when there are more than 1 person, hauling heavy loads, going more than 17 mi., Disabled, And some other factors. I am not what you consider the typical environmentalist... I do allow a lot of pollutable stuff to be put in nature. However, I try not to create a worse planet while I'm living on it. To tell you how not extremely environmentalist I am... i want to own a 60's Classic VW Beatle... the one with the Flat glass windshield. I love the way the engine is aircooled. And the fact the ultra-light planes can use the Beatle engine to power them (Because it is aircooled) . So even though I don't have a car now, It doesn't mean that I will never have one. But that is my dream car. So in the future, that is what I'll own. That is my car.

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I believe the last part...

..because my Patented Methods of Working Out An Online Personality's Age tell me you're not yet old enough to drive.

But hey, tell me I'm wrong and said methods will be canned. Wink

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I'm a month from being twenty

I just choose not to drive... I can drive, I DO have a licsence.. I just don't have a car...

EDIT: you might want to taker a look at that Patented Personality thing before you market it. Lol.

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My Car

Er yeah, though I drive what ever I can at home, I'll just talk about my car since 2001

Model: Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3
Year: 1988
basically beyond that, I got it off a sports writer from Chicago for pretty cheap. Up until about 1995 Mercedes were pretty much 'bullet proof' (mechanically speaking) and this one's served me well. I've got a pretty good story too about a car, only it's my fault it smoked the first time we drove it:
The first car I ever did a rebuild of was an 86' Porsche 944. We had finished a valve job and were all but done putting the Cam tower on when an Aluminum lug we were tightening....split apart and fell back INTO the cam tower. So we had to undo everything we had done (my Pop and I), and fish this piece of aluminum out (woulda been a sad sight to see my father dancing in the driveway with a cam tower!) Anyways, to make a long story short, after reassembling things it seems we forgot to torque down the main drive gear and starting the car up we were greeted with this horrible horrible screetching noise and smoke pouring from the engine...so much for a year and a half of hard work!

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Hrmm...dangit

Back to the drawing board...

Wink

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I wonder how human metabolism

I wonder how human metabolism compares with engine effciency. It would be interested to see a theoretical mile per gallon of a human... 100 years of engineering vs a few million?...

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Well since...

I view that personally (with my own spin on it) as Miles per pot. Let me explain: I am probably the worst coffee drinker anyone I know has seen. I can slug down about 2 1/2 pots of coffee per day. The problem with drinking the coffee is not the shakiness (and the obvious restroom breaks that are needed) is staying awake. For me , (since I have ADHD and some other "things" that are wrong w/ me) It gives me the sudden bursts of energy right when I need it. However, it also let's me sleep. It has the adverse effects on me than it would any other person... So when I drink more, I fall asleep more, plus it gives me the needed boosts when I need it, (and when my meds REALLY get off kilter, I can stay awake for more than 36 Hrs. straight. So it is like a catch-22.
One day I will get off of the coffee, but after this next pot....

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2 Rides right now. First o

2 Rides right now.

First one's a 1995 Escort I bought back in 1997. It had just come off a fleet lease in which it had acquired 12,000 miles over the course of 2 years. I bought it because my '81 accord was wrecked from being run off the road by a Semi. It was inexpensive, somewhat sporty looking, and was pretty much all I needed in a car and then some (5 speed, cruise control, air conditioning, a relatively large cavernous space to put cargo in, and 4 doors as opposed to 2 on my accord). I've alwas loved hatchbacks, and this car's no exception.

In May 2000, the compression ring went out on the #4 cylinder and I was working 2 well paying jobs. I decided to park it and bought a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3. I bought it because it was inexpensive, sporty, a hatchback (2 doors though), and looked pretty nice. I'd also been keeping an eye on the Focus (ford's Escort replacement) since the concept drawings were released back in 1997 or 1998. I loved the look.

In 2001, I replaced the engine in my Escort, only to have my sister drive it and trash the clutch over the course of 4 days. So I took it all back apart and replaced the clutch as well.

Now I have both cars. I'm the sysadmin for the largest Focus community on the web, and as such I get lots of free go-faster parts (I refuse to say go-fast because it still feels slow) like exhaust, underdrive pulley, intake, performance chips, etc. Despite all the stuff I've done to the Focus, the wife drives it more than I do. She works closer to home so she puts less miles on it.

I stick to driving the Escort. It gets 35-40 MPG when I drive it like an old lady. I squeezed 45 MPG out of it a few weeks ago. Might have something to do with the fact that I finally took about 250 pounds of tools and camping equipment out of the hatchback Smile

I deliver pizza 4 nights a week as well, and the Escort's proven to be a versatile warrior. It's not without it's problems, but overall it's an easy car to fix, and with gas prices the way they are, it's a godsend to my wallet.

My cars:

http://www.focushacks.com/escort/
http://www.focushacks.com/focus/

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Escorts

If only I had known earlier, I could have had most of a 92 Escort to donate, my brother used to own my Grandmother's 1992 Ford Escort, it was in basically new condition until she sold it to him...he apparently backed into a curb (his story) and bent the frame (must'a been something to see an escort shooting sparks o.o). I basically feel the same way about that car, though it was no speed demon it was a really really solid car, not my cup of tea mind you, but I couldn't find anything wrong with it. Havn't driven a Focus yet, but I have driven one of the last Escort model years (my grandmother's newer car) and it's the same basic comfortable feeling.

Jon
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There's the pic of your GPS o

There's the pic of your GPS on your Focus page, so I guess it'
s safe to admit that I've ridden in both of those cars with ax0n driving near or in excess of 100mph... :o Secret :ebc:

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2000 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro.

2000 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro.

I had it custom built new. It's very quiet and smooth and drives like a dream.

http://vader.inow.com/~drbob/car.html

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Update

Believe it or not, since this post started, I actually sold my previous car, so muwaha I'll go again!
1994 MB E320

Fun Drive!

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1995 Chrysler Cirrus LX

IMAGE(http://www.stratusphere.us/allrides/DrWebster.jpg)

That pic is old, though...I have chrome wheelcovers on it now.

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whee

'02 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Power sunroof, premium stereo (though it doesn't like some of my burned CDs), power everything except seats.
It's basically a family sedan, but I drive it because I got it for $8k. Resale value on the '02 is about $12k right now. Only thing I don't like about it is it gets ~ 23 mpg.
I would be driving an '01 Chevy Prizm (rebadged Toyota Corolla) but I totaled it while driving home from Louisiana in the middle of the night. THAT one I got for only $5k, and it was a nice car. I miss it. Sad

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Ditto

since this post started, I actually sold my previous car

Same here, sold my Saab 900 this morning. I'm gonna miss the old girl :cry: But I've got my 9000 to waft about in now...

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from what I can gather I've g

from what I can gather I've got the newest auto here then!

its an '04 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

'nuff said, I believe? Blum 3

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1995 Ford Escort LX wagon. C

1995 Ford Escort LX wagon. Code name: Maxwell.

White, four doors, four cylinders, five gears. 170,000 miles, 30 MPG.

A great, dependable little car.

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Re: from what I can gather I've g

from what I can gather I've got the newest auto here then!

its an '04 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

'nuff said, I believe? :P

And perhaps the largest debt load as well? Driving the newest & shiniest isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Remember that borrowing huge sums on a vehicle is a losing proposition. They depreciate too quickly. I'll always remember the advice of one of my college business prof's: Buy what appreciates in value; lease what depreciates. (that said, I have to admit that I don't follow the leasing advice when it comes to cars, but I avoid buying new and do a lot of my own repair work. And I'm not ashamed to drive something 'til it's good & rusty.)

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fun cars

I've got an 02 focus zx3 hatchback base model with the five speed. Over the years, I've leaned towards european and japanese cars (first car was an acura integra, followed by a few volvos, a bmw, a saturn, and a few fords). Prior to the focus, I had a 99 Ford Contour SE Sport. It was a great car, comfy, quick, and pretty decent. Then I got a job doing field tech work, and needed something a bit more utilitarian (the contour didn't fare well with boxes for eMacs or 19 inch monitors). So, I traded in the Contour on the focus. It's a halfway decent little car. Granted, it hasn't been the most reliable, but it's been good to me. I packed up all my worldly items into it and moved from Florida to Pennsylvania in it, and have made numerous road trips in it. Bought it with 23k on the clock on 29 feb 04, it's gonna roll 59k on the trip home from work tonight. All in all, no real complaints, I'd buy another Ford, just not another focus.

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1995 olds cutlass/ 1988 camaro iroc-z

I dirve a 1995 oldsmobile cutlass supreme sl.
-it was free
-replaced my 1989 honda accord
-has 60,000 miles on it
-runs great
-everyday car
-great for hauling vintage macs

my 2nd car 1988 chevy camaro iroc-z
-its fun to drive
-looks cool
-runs near perfect for its age
-v8....

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ha

My e-mail suddenly fills with "Hey look, a reply!" I'm thinking someone finally answered my old AppleScript question, but noooo. This thread's been dead for a year. Blum 3

Still driving my '02 Elantra, though. Rear ended someone a few months ago, but it's still kicking.

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Given this thread is already re-opened...

I drive a 1989 Volvo 740 Turbo HP(w/Turbo+ kit installed).

Why? Why not? Wink It's quick enough to blow off the occasional Nissan 200SX or Commodore Turbo, seats are as nice as yer average big, cushy arm chairs, it's awesome on fuel, and heck, it must be the best sleeper on the road.

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1992 Suzuki Sidekick 4-door

It won't start but when it did, it was an awesome "jeep." I drove it 600km on a 10 gallon tank of gas. It either needs a new or clean fuel filter/line or it is an electrical problem, the wiring is old.

I drove the Suzuki to Halifax, Key West, San Diego, Inuvik, and places inbetween. I once drove it on a quad trail up a mountain! I put it in 4x4 low and stopped frequently to let the engine cool down. I also drove the older model 4x4 Suzukis when I lived in the Caribbean, they were popular there and quite practical.

This past summer I cycled across Canada on a mountain bike from Victoria, BC to St. John's, Newfoundland.

My current vehicle is walking.

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A 1997 Civic DX. Accidentally

A 1997 Civic DX. Accidentally christened Milkshake. Its a nice little car, good on the wallet. Plus, I like driving stick. Now, to find a damn stereo for it...

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