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Made in us
Member of the Ethereal Council






I would love an El camino.
My dad had a Ford Ranchero.
Slightly less would be a Ducati. By my mom says I'm. Other allowed to, this is a Harley Davidson family.

5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





 hotsauceman1 wrote:
I would love an El camino.


Most El Camino guys that I've run into have a very specific year they desire/dream about/own, etc. . . are you the same way, or at the point where just about any El Camino would be awesome?



On the El Camino front, I've always had a love for the Subaru Brat. I'd love to own one, however I have no idea how realistically priced they are these days.
   
Made in us
Powerful Phoenix Lord





 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
 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.



Yep, I feel ya. I'm driving an older Mk5 Golf at the moment, and a Mk4 Golf before that, etc. My father owned a GTI many years ago, and I've had the joy of driving an older MkII on occasion for a job I had many moons ago. The dream was always to eventually get a slightly new mark with a TDI and drive it till it rusted into the ground. Sadly that's unlikely to happen now.
   
Made in ca
Lord of the Fleet






Halifornia, Nova Scotia

Not very original, but a 911. Air-cooled preferably, but I'll take a water cooled one if a good deal pops up, just not a 996.

I've been eyeing 240zs as well as far as affordable classics go.

For a daily with some practicality, just about any Audi with RS in front of a number. Ideally an RS4 or 6 Avant, but we don't get those here in NA.

Being super realistic, I'll likely end up owning an FB RX-7 as a project. Maybe put a 20B in it if I have money to burn.

Mordian Iron Guard - Major Overhaul in Progress

+Spaceship Gaming Enthusiast+

Live near Halifax, NS? Ask me about our group, the Ordo Haligonias! 
   
Made in us
Powerful Phoenix Lord





This is definitely bordering on not realistic...but while we're on the subject of dream cars:


   
Made in gb
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols






Horray, another Alfa fan!
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

I wouldn't mind an Alfa - if I could count on it running every time I turned the key...

   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

1984 called, they want their frame of reference back.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/15 23:07:00


We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

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Made in gb
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols






 JohnHwangDD wrote:
I wouldn't mind an Alfa - if I could count on it running every time I turned the key...


That reminds me of the old jokes about pre-VW Skodas.
   
Made in au
Grizzled Space Wolves Great Wolf





 Future War Cultist wrote:
 JohnHwangDD wrote:
I wouldn't mind an Alfa - if I could count on it running every time I turned the key...


That reminds me of the old jokes about pre-VW Skodas.
Or post VW Skodas if they use one of the unreliable VW engines.

Alfas still have a pretty bad reputation for reliability which they continue to earn. I know they’re trying to shake the stereotype of unreliable Italian vehicles, but they still do poorly in consumer reviews and also are poorly rated by warranty companies as needing repairs more frequently and those repairs costing more.

Granted, modern cars as a whole are more reliable than days gone by, so I’m sure modern Alfas aren’t as bad as old ones, but they still rank poorly compared to other vehicles.
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
 Future War Cultist wrote:
 JohnHwangDD wrote:
I wouldn't mind an Alfa - if I could count on it running every time I turned the key...


That reminds me of the old jokes about pre-VW Skodas.
Or post VW Skodas if they use one of the unreliable VW engines.

Alfas still have a pretty bad reputation for reliability which they continue to earn. I know they’re trying to shake the stereotype of unreliable Italian vehicles, but they still do poorly in consumer reviews and also are poorly rated by warranty companies as needing repairs more frequently and those repairs costing more.

Granted, modern cars as a whole are more reliable than days gone by, so I’m sure modern Alfas aren’t as bad as old ones, but they still rank poorly compared to other vehicles.


Alfa has issues when they can't send a reliable unit to the press corps:
* https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-fails-to-complete-track-test-video-ar176993.html
* https://jalopnik.com/the-alfa-romeo-giulia-is-the-perfect-unreliable-italian-1796883384
* https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a10308214/alfa-romeo-giulia-issues/

As a general rule, the press corps gets the "best" cars, specially selected, fully-loaded and sometimes tuned. If those are failing with any regularity, then imagine what the consumer-grade Alfa is like...

   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

They also get early, or even pre, production models.

Dad got a brand new Nissan, second iteration of the model so not even completely new to the market, and that must have been recalled at least 3 times, including once for an issue deemed potentially dangerous enough that the dealership held on to the car for 3 weeks and paid for a hire car while waiting for parts rather than simply book it in for a later date.

So it can happen to Japanese cars several years into their life cycle just as easily as brand new cars from allegedly unreliable manufacturer.

In fact, I've seen the car in question (a Qashquai) appear on both lists of the most and least reliable cars in the U.K, so it would appear there isn't even consensus about what reliable looks like.

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

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Made in us
Devious Space Marine dedicated to Tzeentch




Why all these little cars? I've always wanted to drive something like a dump truck, so an International CXT would be great, or if I'm willing to lower my standards and buy something totally impractical, a Hummer H2.

The more expensive, but more realistic vehicle I may actually buy someday if I could afford it, is a Mercedes GLS AMG. Horsepower, passenger space, cargo space, massage chairs, heated and cooled cupholders... if I am going to spend six figures on a vehicle, it better be comfortable.
   
Made in au
Grizzled Space Wolves Great Wolf





 Azreal13 wrote:
They also get early, or even pre, production models.

Dad got a brand new Nissan, second iteration of the model so not even completely new to the market, and that must have been recalled at least 3 times, including once for an issue deemed potentially dangerous enough that the dealership held on to the car for 3 weeks and paid for a hire car while waiting for parts rather than simply book it in for a later date.

So it can happen to Japanese cars several years into their life cycle just as easily as brand new cars from allegedly unreliable manufacturer.

In fact, I've seen the car in question (a Qashquai) appear on both lists of the most and least reliable cars in the U.K, so it would appear there isn't even consensus about what reliable looks like.


As a general thing, you can get unlucky with any sort of car, but you’re more likely to get unlucky with certain types of cars.

Think of it like getting an unreliable Alfa is like rolling a 1, getting an unreliable Japanese made Honda is more like rolling a double 1.

If you read through user product reviews of cars you’ll find someone somewhere has had an issue with even the most reliable of cars. But you also see the nature of the problems, how they were dealt with and how often the same issues seem to come up and the “unreliable” cars you see the same issues come up from multiple owners, you see owners complaining about multiple trips to the dealer to get it fixed, and individual owners that have had multiple issues with their car. Whereas more reliable cars the negative reviews are less frequent and more like “there was a thing, it was fixed, now car is good”.
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

With an Alfa, I think you roll a d6, and:
1. Car is a lemon
2. Car has multiple, recurring problems that come and go
4-5. Car has a problem that Alfa says is not a problem.
5+. Car is "fine"

OTOH, with a Toyota, instead of rolling a d6, you roll a d20

   
Made in nl
Pragmatic Primus Commanding Cult Forces






 JohnHwangDD wrote:
With an Alfa, I think you roll a d6, and:
1. Car is a lemon
2. Car has multiple, recurring problems that come and go
4-5. Car has a problem that Alfa says is not a problem.
5+. Car is "fine"

OTOH, with a Toyota, instead of rolling a d6, you roll a d20

Well, yeah. What did you except from something made in Italy.
Italian engineering is always like a lottery. Big chance you get something with massive flaws, but occasionally you get something really beautiful.

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Made in gb
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols






I’ve owned a 2003 156 for over 3 years now, and it’s going very strong. Not that it hasn’t given me problems though; when I got it the battery was on its last legs and thus was causing all sorts of issues with the electrics (especially the alarm). But a simple replacement fixed all that. And yes, I’ve also had to replace the radiator and the front shocks, but on a car that’s over ten years old, that’s acceptable to me.

I bought it for £650. Adding on all of the work I’ve had done to it over three years, it’s cost now me about £1300. For a car of that size and power, I consider that a bargain. And it’s such a pretty looking thing to boot. Oh, and I can always find it in a carpark, because it’s so unique among all the usual Nissans and Vauxhalls. It gets occasional second looks, and one time, a guy who owned an AMG merc stopped me for a chat about it. He owned one of the first 156s to arrive in Ireland, and he still considers it one of his favourite cars ever. And he advised me that it’s a future classic, so I should hold onto it and keep it good.

Yes, the build quality isn’t up to the same standard as a Beamer or an Audi, but it is passable. I’m sure older Alfas were rust buckets but by the 90s they seem to have overcome the worst of it. And the engine is solid, provided that you keep it oiled. That’s why I like it. It’s a real petrol heads car, because you have to give it a little bit more TLC than your standard run around.
   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Wow, somebody else who's actually owned an Italian car who finds them equally reasonable.

It's almost like people's references are outdated!


We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

Ask me about
Barnstaple Slayers Club 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Denison, Iowa

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
 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.


Heck yes I bought it. It took me a number of years to get the parts, but I made it as aluminum as I could, and all the hoses are the stainless steel braided ones. I ended up putting it in my 1987 Monte Carlo. With the iron to aluminum engine swap, changing to aluminum upper and lower control arms, aluminum rims, and aluminum hood and trunk lid, I dropper her down to just under 2800 pounds. The engine dynoed in at 587 HP. I almost got my hands on an aluminum tube frame for a G-body, but it slipped through my fingers.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Something that I wish would actually be a thing... I want something in the US that was similar to the Austrailian Ute. Kind of like a modern El Camino, possibly with an all-wheel drive or 4WD function.

I prefer a car, but every now and then I need to haul something larger that I need a truck bed for (bags of yard waste, small appliance, gas can). I'd prefer to NOT put these in my trunk.

How wonderful would it be to have something like an AWD Chevy Impala, where everything rearward of the back seats is just a small, 4-foot pickup bed? Possibly with some kind of hinged cover so you could still use it as a "trunk" if you wanted to.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/16 20:55:14


 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

 Azreal13 wrote:
Wow, somebody else who's actually owned an Italian car who finds them equally reasonable.

It's almost like people's references are outdated!


It's as if you have no clue how reliability is measured. One good car doesn't mean that a brand is reliable.

The reported failures I linked are for the current car, in the last year or two, so not dated at all. It's unheard of for a non-gak car company to have issues of that breadth. But FIAT managed it as a pattern, not a one-off exception.

   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Yes, decades ago.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Just out of interest, how much of your assertion is based on personal experience, and how much of it is based on "stuff you've heard?"

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/17 00:54:46


We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

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Made in gb
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols






I also owned a Fiat Stilo...until my brother crashed it...it was a mistake sharing it...but up until then, it was a effing solid car. Torquey turbo diesel...black, 2 door, not the van like 4 door model...fantastic car...not a single mechanical or electrical fault.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/17 01:13:31


 
   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Just to bring some facts to the discussion..



Reliability by brand cars 1 to 4 years old


Rank Brand Score
1 Suzuki 97.7%
2 Lexus 97.5%
3 Toyota 96.8%
4= Kia 95.8%
4= Mitsubishi 95.8%
4= Subaru 95.8%
7 Skoda 95.6%
8 Alfa Romeo 95.5%
9 Hyundai 95.4%
10 Seat 95.2%
11= Mazda 94.6%
11= Vauxhall 94.6%
13 Dacia 94.1%
14 Fiat 94.0%
15 Honda 93.8%
16 BMW 93.4%
17 Volkswagen 92.9%
18 Ford 92.7%
19 Renault 91.7%
20= Audi 91.5%
20= Volvo 91.5%
22 Mini 91.2%
23 Porsche 90.9%
24 Peugeot 89.4%
25 Citroen 88.1%
26 Mercedes-Benz 88.0%
27 Nissan 87.1%
28 Jaguar 84.9%
29 Jeep 82.7%
30 Land Rover 76.5%
31 Tesla 57.3%

https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17826

Alfa a few 10ths of a percent off equal 4th and Fiat just about bang average, and well above some notable Japanese and German marques.

Note that this is based on percentage of cars, so volume isn't a factor, other than lower volume brands can absorb far fewer individual incidents without it harming their score, obviously.

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

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Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





 Azreal13 wrote:


Alfa a few 10ths of a percent off equal 4th and Fiat just about bang average, and well above some notable Japanese and German marques.

Note that this is based on percentage of cars, so volume isn't a factor, other than lower volume brands can absorb far fewer individual incidents without it harming their score, obviously.


[urlhttps://clark.com/cars/most-reliable-cars-2018-jd-power/[/url]

Per the article in the link I provided, Fiat is worse off than many of those same Japanese and German makers. . . However, this is limited to the US market.


On the personal note, Fiat and Alfa didn't pass the "eye" test when I lived in Germany (a climate very similar to where I live now). . . by that I mean that I saw far, far too many Italian cars that were only a few years old at most already showing rust through their paint. . . And because I live in a wet climate, that is simply unacceptable for me.


EDIT: on a more positive note, lets not turn this thread into deriding someone for their desired cars, or trying to "prove" one car make is better than another. . . I mean, its not like someone has said they want a literal death trap like a Pinto or something, right?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/17 02:54:25


 
   
Made in gb
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols






The garage I go to specialises in Alfa Romeos. When it comes to my car they’re the only ones I trust. And the reason why I trust them is because they always have classics in the workshop. Meaning that other people are willing to trust them with their genuinely valuable cars. Last time I was there they had a GTV, a 75 and a Spider. Fantastic.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/17 03:28:29


 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





 Future War Cultist wrote:
The garage I go to specialises in Alfa Romeos. When it comes to my car they’re the only ones I trust. And the reason why I trust them is because they always have classics in the workshop. Meaning that other people are willing to trust them with their genuinely valuable cars. Last time I was there they had a GTV, a 75 and a Spider. Fantastic.


That is a definite plus. .. a buddy of mine lives/ works across the street from a Restoration shop in the Bay Area that specializes in Alfas (and euro sports cars in general, but the owner has a major spot for Alfas, and really knows his stuff there).

Around where I live there are highly reviewed specialist shops for different makes as well that, once I'm out of warranty I'm sure I'll make use of
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Fiat continues to make gak cars:


Still at the bottom,.

   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

I'm not sure that's quite the damning indictment you intended, aside from the disclaimer stating that it's based simply on numerical scores and not statistical significance, they've used a methodology which means that the most reliable make is almost certain to need attention in whatever time period this is supposed to cover, so despite being visually supportive of your opinion, the fact is that statistically needing attention less than twice isn't actually all that bad.

Still, as Ensis says, lets not get bogged down in a tangent, I'm entitled to my opinion based on real life experience, statistical evidence and corroborating anecdotes, and you're entitled to be wrong.

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

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Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Excuse me? You have ZERO facts. I have industry numbers, and you simply dismiss them out of hand? That is about the most willfully ignorant stupidity I've seen on Dakka.

Ignored. I'm not wasting my time with you.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/12/17 04:35:03


   
Made in gb
The Daemon Possessing Fulgrim's Body





Devon, UK

Aside from the survey from a well known and respected automotive magazine I quoted and linked to?

Yeah, zero facts.

But thanks for letting all the Dakka Bingo players check off "passive aggressive declaration of ignoring to get attention rather than quietly clicking it and getting on with life."

We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark

The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.

The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox

Ask me about
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