I've owned over sixty cars since 1977, some pretty cool iron among them -- 409 Impala, SS Camaro, several Olds 4-4-2s, a litany of other '60s GM A-bodies, a Mustang convertible, and a Jag roadster -- along with an assortment of trucks, SUVs and beaters.
But the best car of all is also the most unassuming: A 2005 Mazda Tribute S SUV. No, really. Let me explain ... I purchased this vehicle two years ago in showroom condition with an unheard-of (for a 12-year-old car) 36,000 miles on it, for the princely sum of $4500 (original MSRP was nearly $30K!). It had all the options that I wanted (3.0 V6, 4-wheel discs, 4WD, premium audio) and none of the ones I didn't, and was painted a lovely shade of burnt orange (we call it "The Donald"). Since I bought it, we've put about 50,000 miles on it (about half a dozen trips back and forth between Vancouver Island and various locations in the US Southwest, along with being the go-to car for local trips). The sum total of repairs (exclusive of routine maintenance and fluids) during this time has been zero. Nada. Oh, I had to pony up for pads and rotors, but it would have been weird if I didn't have to do that. If I want to pick nits, I guess the gas mileage could be better.
But really, never before has a vehicle given me so much for so little. We've packed months' worth of belongings and two drooling, shedding Golden Retrievers into the back of it and taken off for some of the nastiest roads on the west side of the continent, and it still performs quietly and smoothly and without complaint. And it cleans up pretty good -- which is cool, because if you've ever put dogs in your vehicle, you know it's never the same afterwards!
I only hope that I haven't put the whammy on this car by bragging, but I figure what the hell, I've already gotten my money's worth.
This thread was inspired by the Dream Cars thread. It made me think, "Yeah, okay, but practically speaking what are the best cars people have owned?" What's the car that has given you more than you could ask for?
But the best car of all is also the most unassuming: A 2005 Mazda Tribute S SUV. No, really. Let me explain ... I purchased this vehicle two years ago in showroom condition with an unheard-of (for a 12-year-old car) 36,000 miles on it, for the princely sum of $4500 (original MSRP was nearly $30K!). It had all the options that I wanted (3.0 V6, 4-wheel discs, 4WD, premium audio) and none of the ones I didn't, and was painted a lovely shade of burnt orange (we call it "The Donald"). Since I bought it, we've put about 50,000 miles on it (about half a dozen trips back and forth between Vancouver Island and various locations in the US Southwest, along with being the go-to car for local trips). The sum total of repairs (exclusive of routine maintenance and fluids) during this time has been zero. Nada. Oh, I had to pony up for pads and rotors, but it would have been weird if I didn't have to do that. If I want to pick nits, I guess the gas mileage could be better.
But really, never before has a vehicle given me so much for so little. We've packed months' worth of belongings and two drooling, shedding Golden Retrievers into the back of it and taken off for some of the nastiest roads on the west side of the continent, and it still performs quietly and smoothly and without complaint. And it cleans up pretty good -- which is cool, because if you've ever put dogs in your vehicle, you know it's never the same afterwards!
I only hope that I haven't put the whammy on this car by bragging, but I figure what the hell, I've already gotten my money's worth.
This thread was inspired by the Dream Cars thread. It made me think, "Yeah, okay, but practically speaking what are the best cars people have owned?" What's the car that has given you more than you could ask for?
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