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So. . . Figured I'd start this topic since we've had "what are you driving now" threads and "what problems have you had" threads. . . Now I've always been a gearhead or petrolhead, and I suspect that that aspect of adolescence will never leave me.

The general purpose of this thread is to discuss cars that you would love to own, but I do think we ought to keep things reasonable by discussing cars that most of us mortals would have opportunity to own (ya know, so. . . no listing a 1.2 million dollar Enzo Ferrari, or multi-million dollar Jag E-Type, for instance). These could be cars that you love, but cannot reasonably get due to markets, or practicality where you live.


Being that I'm starting this thread, there are a couple that I will list:

Renault R5 Turbo, and the Renault Clio Sport V6 . . . Now, many of you in the US will know that the R5 turbo was available in the US as the "Le Car" . . . but I'd rather have the original badges and original markings from the home markets. Second there, the Clio V6 . . . I just think its a ludicrous idea, it sounds fun, and in the early/mid 2000s, when they had the metallic off color "side scoop" are to me, the best looking of the bunch. They are a bit goofy looking, but look like a proper blast to drive.


Next on the list, I'd put one of 3 classic models up . . . and I'm semi-actively in the market for one of these: VW Type 3, Karmann Ghia, or classic Beetle. In recent years, I've somewhat recognized that among classics, I am simply a VW guy. They look amazing when done, there are parts galore, and as such, the right restoration project car will be cheaper to restore than many other classics out there.

I'll have another Lotus one day. Probably won't be for a while though. The last one ran up some large bills that didn't go down well...

Meanwhile, I'm looking at upgrading from my current Ford Fiesta in the new year. At the moment it's going to take a lot to sway me from a Toyota GT86.

I'm going to be very pedestrian, as well as show my redneck side, by saying a fully-restored Chevy K10 shortbed stepside or K5. Pretty cheap and available, just not in brand-new condition. I've never really lusted after fancy sports cars or muscle cars but I've always loved 70's/80's pickups for their reliability and boxy designs, and while I've owned a couple they were nowhere near mint.

Jeep Wrangler or Saab 900S Turbo.

The latter might be hard since they stopped making those a while ago.

I'm an archaeologist so part of me always wants a Land Rover Defender. I'll never buy one because I'm unlikely to live in the countries I work in and they're absurd for everyday use.

But I'd still like one.

My dream car? A DeLorean. Flux capacitor not required.

Manta Montage. I almost got one a number of years back, made up to run on a supercharged Chevy V-8. It had something like 650 HP in an 1800 pound car with a full tubular aluminum frame. It went fairly cheap and money was tight at the time.

Not a big car guy. I could muddle my way through fixing one with some videos. But I wouldn't offer my assistance to somebody for fear of messing their stuff up.

But a 1970s era Chevy Camaro. I think pretty well any of them in that time frame. They are just pretty cars.

"Dream car"?

Hm. TBH, I kinda feel like I've already been there / done that with the Subaru SVX and E60 530i sport - both cars were plenty fast and fun to drive.

probably a 50s chevrolet station wagon. slightly less realistic would be an early 60s impala stationn wagon, or a buick riviera lowered with black candy paint.

After seeing how nice my dad's MX5 drives I wouldn't mind getting one of those one day. Either that or a Lotus Evora.

Either a 72 Cadillac or a 70s station wagon of various types. I love me a big ass land yacht of a car and the over all sharp edge look of most 70s vehives appeal to me

Modern cars, probably a corvette. I love how much performance you get for the price, and I love the combination of muscle car engine in a sports car chassis.

In fact I have a corvette, an old one though, early 70’s with a 450-ish hp big block. But ever since I drove my mate’s c5 z06 I’ve wanted a modern one. The old one is awesome and I’d never sell it, but the modern ones are just so much fun to throw around.

Alternatively I’d like to build my own hot rod, aiming for 1000kg with a 400-ish hp LS V8 including air conditioning. I tend to feel most modern stuff in cars is a bit of a spank, so the hot rod would be stripped back with only the modern stuff I like (fuel injection, air conditioning... and that’s about it).

Crispy78 wrote:
I'll have another Lotus one day. Probably won't be for a while though. The last one ran up some large bills that didn't go down well...

Meanwhile, I'm looking at upgrading from my current Ford Fiesta in the new year. At the moment it's going to take a lot to sway me from a Toyota GT86.

I actually just bought a Fiesta over an 86. Granted it was one of those sporty versions, stiffer suspension and a bit more power than a regular Fiesta. I reckon the Fiesta would give the 86 a run for its money on a track, the 86 has RWD that I like, but you can throw the Fiesta around and it sticks like glue.

The main thing that swayed me to the Fiesta was the price, it’s cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, cheaper to service, and all the saved money can go in to buying more high octane to go in to the old vette

The 86 was cool, but I actually thought the ND Miata was a better car to drive on the street, much more torque makes it better in traffic and the suspension is much more compliant going around rough city or mountain roads while not giving up much on the track to the 86.

I test drove both a few 86’s and a few miatas before I decided the Fiesta had a similar amount of chuckability in the corners but is a lot cheaper, I’d basically just be paying for the RWD because I like hanging the arse out around corners, lol.

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
I actually just bought a Fiesta over an 86. Granted it was one of those sporty versions, stiffer suspension and a bit more power than a regular Fiesta. I reckon the Fiesta would give the 86 a run for its money on a track, the 86 has RWD that I like, but you can throw the Fiesta around and it sticks like glue.

The main thing that swayed me to the Fiesta was the price, it’s cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, cheaper to service, and all the saved money can go in to buying more high octane to go in to the old vette

The 86 was cool, but I actually thought the ND Miata was a better car to drive on the street, much more torque makes it better in traffic and the suspension is much more compliant going around rough city or mountain roads while not giving up much on the track to the 86.

I test drove both a few 86’s and a few miatas before I decided the Fiesta had a similar amount of chuckability in the corners but is a lot cheaper, I’d basically just be paying for the RWD because I like hanging the arse out around corners, lol.

Yeah, I'm sure the Fiesta RS / ST whatever it is now would be a step up - but having had a Fiesta for half a dozen years, I want something else

Have driven a Miata / MX5 - earlier model though. They're alright but there were a few things I didn't like. Plus with kids, having 4 seats would be useful - even if they're not full size ones.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Not very realistic, but check out the engine for the Aston Martin Valkyrie...

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/cosworths-1000hp-6-5-litre-v12-ph-meets/39293

Crispy78 wrote:

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
I actually just bought a Fiesta over an 86. Granted it was one of those sporty versions, stiffer suspension and a bit more power than a regular Fiesta. I reckon the Fiesta would give the 86 a run for its money on a track, the 86 has RWD that I like, but you can throw the Fiesta around and it sticks like glue.

The main thing that swayed me to the Fiesta was the price, it’s cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, cheaper to service, and all the saved money can go in to buying more high octane to go in to the old vette

The 86 was cool, but I actually thought the ND Miata was a better car to drive on the street, much more torque makes it better in traffic and the suspension is much more compliant going around rough city or mountain roads while not giving up much on the track to the 86.

I test drove both a few 86’s and a few miatas before I decided the Fiesta had a similar amount of chuckability in the corners but is a lot cheaper, I’d basically just be paying for the RWD because I like hanging the arse out around corners, lol.

Yeah, I'm sure the Fiesta RS / ST whatever it is now would be a step up - but having had a Fiesta for half a dozen years, I want something else

Have driven a Miata / MX5 - earlier model though. They're alright but there were a few things I didn't like. Plus with kids, having 4 seats would be useful - even if they're not full size ones.

I have a 90s vintage MX5 as a weekend driver, which I bought 2nd hand about a decade ago. It's still as good a drive as when I took it.

Have been thinking about upgrading to the new MX5-based Fiat 124 Spider, but still too early to get a good 2nd hand deal. I wouldn't mind getting a good deal on a Honda S2000 or Mazda RX8, though.

I want a MkIII Ford Cortina with a black vinyl roof.

A year or two ago, this would have been a simple MkX Golf with a decent little TDI motor in it. Now I'll never see one for sale again in the US...so, no real dream car at the moment. I love motorsports, racing, and cars...but have too much practicality in mind when I purchase a car for myself.

Porsche 718 Cayman S - Such a beauty. Obviosuly there are a lot of nicer cars than this but this one is in reach of just about anyone. That's part of why it is awesome.

I love my MX5 and will keep it until it dies. It’s not 11 years old, has 110k on it but it’s been totally reliable, it’s fun to drive, fast enough and my eldest son loves going for a drive in it. He can see everything and loves having the roof down (the younger one doesn’t know what a car is yet other than a place to sleep).

When it’s gone I’m very tempted by either an FK8 Civic Type R (I grew up in the Max power generation, and I’m basically a 12 year old in a 30 something body), an Arbarth 595 competizione or a GT86. They are all cars I would love to own and life is too short for dull cars.

In terms of things I would love but will probably never get:

Clio V6
Impreza WRX
Mitsubishi Evo
BMW M5 Touring
Aerial Nomad
A Morgan of some type

One day I will own a caterham 7. I fell in love with them as a child and must have one one day.

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
I want a MkIII Ford Cortina with a black vinyl roof.

The man said realistic. Have you seen the price of old Fords recently

 Elbows wrote:
A year or two ago, this would have been a simple MkX Golf with a decent little TDI motor in it. Now I'll never see one for sale again in the US...so, no real dream car at the moment. I love motorsports, racing, and cars...but have too much practicality in mind when I purchase a car for myself.

My current car is a Mk 7 GTI. . . . And the reviews of Clarkson and many others are spot on: it's got the fun (power!!!!!) when ya need it, the boot/cargo room when you need it. . . It really checks all the right boxes for me.

Realistic? This is a tough one.

Quite often it's not so much the initial lay-out, but the maintenance costs if you've got something a bit exotic.

I've had a Boxster for some years (S model, but it's quite an old one now) and as Porsche's cheapest model it was't super expensive.

But - when I've had to get stuff done to it - bloody hell. Small concentric rings of metal for the clutch? Those have to be batch-made by some specialist in Germany and cost 6 x standard cost.
Refurb on the gearbox and the credit cards came out, as it's some horrible job that again only a specialist workshop could do, and an extremely tough few months last year.

Even oil, the engine takes 8ltrs of the bloody stuff and it chews through expensive rear tyres at a set a year.

I was thinking of a GT86/BRZ, because a mid-engine (and again boxer engine) will give brilliant road handling, but hopefully being a Toyota should be significantly cheaper to run.
Although of course it will miss the roar of the 6-cylinder engine, which is very nice for the odd occasion when you get a bit of empty, twisty road and aren't sat in a queue.

 Easy E wrote:
Jeep Wrangler or Saab 900S Turbo.

The latter might be hard since they stopped making those a while ago.

With soft-top? Those were lovely cars.

Being completely realistic, Alfa Romeo giulia quadrifoglio, or a Jaguar XE with the V6 engine.

Given my current budget, any car would be a dream car. But none of them would qualify as realistic.

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
Modern cars, probably a corvette. I love how much performance you get for the price, and I love the combination of muscle car engine in a sports car chassis.

In fact I have a corvette, an old one though, early 70’s with a 450-ish hp big block. But ever since I drove my mate’s c5 z06 I’ve wanted a modern one. The old one is awesome and I’d never sell it, but the modern ones are just so much fun to throw around.
.

Well, here is something that will blow your mind about the Stingray Corvette. A number of years ago I ran across a craigslist ad that I couldn't pass up. It was an assortment of high-end engine parts for a guy that was selling all his project stuff he knew he'd never get around to assembling. One of those pieces was a virgin (never assembled) Aluminum small block v-8 block. He said he bought it from a guy that bought it from GM in an auction in the mid 1980's.

I wanted to do my homework on this block, so I looked up the serial number. It was mostly sold by GM as an aftermarket block for the tinkerers, however it also found it's way into some Stingray Corvettes. It was only in their final year of production, and only for those destined for certain foreign markets, but it was a factory install job. Definitely not as heavy as their standard big block. Personally, I like the idea of a super- light, zippy Stingray.

 cuda1179 wrote:

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
Modern cars, probably a corvette. I love how much performance you get for the price, and I love the combination of muscle car engine in a sports car chassis.

In fact I have a corvette, an old one though, early 70’s with a 450-ish hp big block. But ever since I drove my mate’s c5 z06 I’ve wanted a modern one. The old one is awesome and I’d never sell it, but the modern ones are just so much fun to throw around.
.

Well, here is something that will blow your mind about the Stingray Corvette. A number of years ago I ran across a craigslist ad that I couldn't pass up. It was an assortment of high-end engine parts for a guy that was selling all his project stuff he knew he'd never get around to assembling. One of those pieces was a virgin (never assembled) Aluminum small block v-8 block. He said he bought it from a guy that bought it from GM in an auction in the mid 1980's.

I wanted to do my homework on this block, so I looked up the serial number. It was mostly sold by GM as an aftermarket block for the tinkerers, however it also found it's way into some Stingray Corvettes. It was only in their final year of production, and only for those destined for certain foreign markets, but it was a factory install job. Definitely not as heavy as their standard big block. Personally, I like the idea of a super- light, zippy Stingray.

Yeah that’s pretty cool. Did you buy it?

I know a few unique models got Aluminium blocks through the years, mostly rare race versions that normal people couldn’t get their hands on. You can also reduce the weight on the nose by keeping the iron block but swapping out the heavy iron components; cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, water pump, light weight starter, swap out the vacuum powered pop ups, that sort of stuff.

The biggest obstacle to making a light weight zippy older corvette is (and I say this as someone who loves old vettes) is they had a terrible chassis. It was heavier than a lot of larger cars of the day and about as stiff as a wet noodle. So to make a good zippy vette you you have to add structure to stiffen it up while removing other structure to make it lighter. Modern vettes have a much better chassis design and if stripped back can be pretty light weight. They still handled really well thanks to a very low centre of gravity and good suspension (at least for the day, not too many cars back then rocking big block levels of power/torque with independent rear suspension).

The C2 grand sports were super light (about 1000kg) and to do that they built a full custom chassis utilising a lot of aluminium and built completely unique bodies out of thinner fibreglass, so thin that they’re probably not practical as a street car.

 Steve steveson wrote:

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
I want a MkIII Ford Cortina with a black vinyl roof.

The man said realistic. Have you seen the price of old Fords recently

The Cortina isn’t considered a cool car I don’t think, you can get a half decent one for £5k

In a similar vein, I’d love to drive a Mark I or II Escort. Especially one of the higher spec ones.

 Howard A Treesong wrote:

The Cortina isn’t considered a cool car I don’t think, you can get a half decent one for £5k

After so many years around cars, I've come to the conclusion that cars are art. . . Just because I find one to be awesome, doesn't mean the next guy is going to like it.

Case in point. . . I do NOT like Lambos (with one exception), because I'm not particularly a fan of their styling, their exhaust note and the like. . . For those who are wondering, the one exception to that is the Huracan Performante showcased on The Grand Tour

At the other end of the spectrum, I just found a thread on my car club forum where this guy basically just bought a McLaren 720S to qualify for buying the as-yet un-designed car they're releasing in a few years time... Depressing...

A plug-in hybrid with at least ~1-200 miles of range on battery power only, under $20k at 3-5 years old. I want it to get from point A to point B on the lowest possible cost per mile so that I can keep as much money as possible for my airplane collection.