What is the best car you have ever owned?

[steve white]

@Pondoro
Or a nice Nissan Patrol with a Cummins diesel for the same Nm at a fraction of the cost. As much comfort and power.
The Range Rover is the 243 of the 4x4 world. Plenty of advertising but can't live up to the hype. I don't trust a vehicle that hasn't got a dipstik for the oil.
Bob

We can't get that here, Bob....sad. Nor the Toyota small diesels.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

mmmmmmmmm..........A 1965 chrysler Valiant V8 273 was very good also a great hunting/field ute was a 1965 Valiant Wayfarer Utility with slant six 225 with LSD very reliable go any where car currently have a 2010 Chrysler 300C 5.7 Hemi, best car ever no complaints! eyeing off a Ram Laramie 5.7 at the moment....

@Boxlock
Why not go the full hog and get a Jeep Track Hawk with a 700 horse power Chrysler V8 under the bonnet.
Now that's some serious grunt ant speed.
Bob

 

[steve white]

Well @Kevin Peacocke glad you started this thread as I would never have got around to firing it up.... ...not sure where to start...and hope not looking like being flash, but my father was into cars big time till his later years...nearly got killed in his jaguar XK120 on the moors in North East England when a driver coming the other way didn't realise how fast he was going and turned across the road in front of him....theXK was literally left in pieces...one of the steel spokes went though his chest ...he pulled it out and went to help the other driver...they weren't married then but my mum to be went with him to the doctor who was a friend of his...the doc said how the fk you are alive I don't know...I couldn't have pushed a scalpel through where that spoke went without cutting an artery...just bit of background to most likely where my love of fast exotic cars came from...assisted by him of course....I think on another thread I said a lot of money was spent on cars..guns..partying and girls....and I believe a lot of fun was had....some was a bit of a blur... ...my dad liked alfas...so first 2 cars were alfasuds that had great fun in...start of learning how cars handled....started writing but it got bit long...so will just list them...with bit of info after some...but had great fun with all of them...some I wish I still had as now worth a fortune...after the 2 alfasuds

2.0 litre lancia beta coupe ...first time done for speeding..police said they had to chase me at speeds of up to 90mph (speed limit 40mph)for over 2 miles...I didn't know they were chasing me till I slowed down and saw blue lights coming up behind...pulled over as thought they must be going to an emergency..not chasing me ..
Then lancia beta montecarlo..2 seat mid engine sports car...used to scare the crap out of you if you forgot the front brakes locked up at the drop of a hat
Ferrari Dino 246 as my dad always fancied one...ended up my drive as was bit cramped and uncivilised for him..... was 18 years old...great dad...brilliant and beautiful car...sounded fantastic and taught me the art of driving an Italian exotic...the starting procedure...allowing to warm up before moving and avoiding 2nd gear in it until oil was warm..

Started racing in UK so 246 wasn't really practical, so got a Ford escort RS2000 droop snoot as they were called....had serious fun on circuit with it as was an instructor for the racing school who also ran the racing cars...so we hammered around the circuit going to corners to observe the pupils...brilliant handling...and if got lost never did 3 point turn...just handbrake turn

Then things went bit staid as was given my mums merc 280ce...this was when my dad kind of cooled on cars .

Then We moved houses and he said if I get this price you can go get something exotic...must have been feeling sorry for me as mates were in ferrari..lotus and porsche amongst other things...so house sold and went over to London to test couple of cars...Lamborghini jalpa and De Tomaso pantera GT5...but even at the not so old age of 25 I decided the resonance in the pantera cabin a town speeds was not liveable with...preferred the jalpa as had targa roof...and had sports exhaust fitted...so the v8 sounded great...had some good trips in UK and Europe with it...was last thing my dad bought for me before he passed away.....so had it from 1985 to about 6 years ago when sold it to a friend ..so still get to see it ..

Then when was in London was in lamborghini show room as the salesman was a mate by now, and took the countach QV out for drive..ordered one and picked it up from the factory in Sept 1987...also sports exhaust..which had very small pancake looking silencers...didn't take long to blow the baffles out..so was more or less straight through...now that sounded awesome....I read tests on the countach now with the tester saying its no good and better to look at...bullshit...its a car you had to learn to drive..and when you did you could open the throttle 100 rpm at a time...and whole car was precise....handling was fine...took mine around castle coombe race circuit on a track day one time...only thing that was faster was an F40...my friend had a QV at same time and we had unbelievable fun in them...uk road trips...and in Europe... and we pushed them to their limits...also kept it for along time..

Next ..had at same time as QV..the 25th anniversary countach...but didn't like it as much as the QV so sold it after couple of years

Took it easy for a while..BMW 325 sport for every day...the jalpa and QV when first had I used daily...so still had them when had the BMW ..so wasn't deprived....

Then got a Lister Le Man's...which was basically a totally rebuild jaguar xjs..engine to 7 litres..body work totally changed..manual gearbox...its nickname was the batmobile as it was black...it was interesting but needed a bit more development...which was disappointing as was not cheap...broke the diff on it ..and the centre of one of the alloy wheels sheared when I went around a corner...luckily it was a slow one..it got sold

Then changed BMW for porsche carrera 2 with the tiptronic gearbox...was OK for daily use but that box not great for when you wanted to go for it..

Then Aston Martin Db7 volante...was the 6 cylinder version and looked great but not that fast

Then porsche 996 turbo with tiptronic box as well..but had been Improved a lot...that was fast and great daily driver..used it on couple of track days in France...but the 4 wheel drive system wasn't really suited..but it still was fun...

Next had ordered an Aston Martin DB9 volante when they were announced...the turbo 996 was such a good daily drive I was a bit dubious about the Aston...when it arrived I said to the salesman I need to have another drive just to check in my mind if its going to be OK...he said if you don't take it no problem as there were long waiting list at the time...well was a sunny day and put roof down and with the v12 howling ...I was like OK this will f---ing do ....had some great trips in it and a beautiful car...sounded fantastic...but it went when we tried the divorce scenario first time...

Then during those proceedings and good friend passed away from a stroke 6 weeks after his 40th bday...the day he was taken to hospital his new car arrived in the showroom...a mutual friend who looked after his cars was taking about it...I said let me go look..I said if its OK with his family I will buy it if I like it...they were yeah no probs...this was 2008...it was a mercedes AMG CLK Black Series...I had only gone up the Road from the showroom and knew it was a car that had been made for me...sounded unbelievable..handled amazingly...can go sideways at 5mph...50mph or 150mph...balance is perfect...I have done track days with it in France at the 2 different le mans permanent circuits a few times and always big grin....so now as far as I am concerned I have the perfect pairing...an amg clk black series ...and here my landcruiser double cab with the great 4.2 litre straight 6 diesel...both great at doing what they are designed and built to do....apologies for a long rambling one...

Wow, just Wow

 

[norfolk shooter]

Well @Kevin Peacocke glad you started this thread as I would never have got around to firing it up.... ...not sure where to start...and hope not looking like being flash, but my father was into cars big time till his later years...nearly got killed in his jaguar XK120 on the moors in North East England when a driver coming the other way didn't realise how fast he was going and turned across the road in front of him....theXK was literally left in pieces...one of the steel spokes went though his chest ...he pulled it out and went to help the other driver...they weren't married then but my mum to be went with him to the doctor who was a friend of his...the doc said how the fk you are alive I don't know...I couldn't have pushed a scalpel through where that spoke went without cutting an artery...just bit of background to most likely where my love of fast exotic cars came from...assisted by him of course....I think on another thread I said a lot of money was spent on cars..guns..partying and girls....and I believe a lot of fun was had....some was a bit of a blur... ...my dad liked alfas...so first 2 cars were alfasuds that had great fun in...start of learning how cars handled....started writing but it got bit long...so will just list them...with bit of info after some...but had great fun with all of them...some I wish I still had as now worth a fortune...after the 2 alfasuds

2.0 litre lancia beta coupe ...first time done for speeding..police said they had to chase me at speeds of up to 90mph (speed limit 40mph)for over 2 miles...I didn't know they were chasing me till I slowed down and saw blue lights coming up behind...pulled over as thought they must be going to an emergency..not chasing me ..
Then lancia beta montecarlo..2 seat mid engine sports car...used to scare the crap out of you if you forgot the front brakes locked up at the drop of a hat
Ferrari Dino 246 as my dad always fancied one...ended up my drive as was bit cramped and uncivilised for him..... was 18 years old...great dad...brilliant and beautiful car...sounded fantastic and taught me the art of driving an Italian exotic...the starting procedure...allowing to warm up before moving and avoiding 2nd gear in it until oil was warm..

Started racing in UK so 246 wasn't really practical, so got a Ford escort RS2000 droop snoot as they were called....had serious fun on circuit with it as was an instructor for the racing school who also ran the racing cars...so we hammered around the circuit going to corners to observe the pupils...brilliant handling...and if got lost never did 3 point turn...just handbrake turn

Then things went bit staid as was given my mums merc 280ce...this was when my dad kind of cooled on cars .

Then We moved houses and he said if I get this price you can go get something exotic...must have been feeling sorry for me as mates were in ferrari..lotus and porsche amongst other things...so house sold and went over to London to test couple of cars...Lamborghini jalpa and De Tomaso pantera GT5...but even at the not so old age of 25 I decided the resonance in the pantera cabin a town speeds was not liveable with...preferred the jalpa as had targa roof...and had sports exhaust fitted...so the v8 sounded great...had some good trips in UK and Europe with it...was last thing my dad bought for me before he passed away.....so had it from 1985 to about 6 years ago when sold it to a friend ..so still get to see it ..

Then when was in London was in lamborghini show room as the salesman was a mate by now, and took the countach QV out for drive..ordered one and picked it up from the factory in Sept 1987...also sports exhaust..which had very small pancake looking silencers...didn't take long to blow the baffles out..so was more or less straight through...now that sounded awesome....I read tests on the countach now with the tester saying its no good and better to look at...bullshit...its a car you had to learn to drive..and when you did you could open the throttle 100 rpm at a time...and whole car was precise....handling was fine...took mine around castle coombe race circuit on a track day one time...only thing that was faster was an F40...my friend had a QV at same time and we had unbelievable fun in them...uk road trips...and in Europe... and we pushed them to their limits...also kept it for along time..

Next ..had at same time as QV..the 25th anniversary countach...but didn't like it as much as the QV so sold it after couple of years

Took it easy for a while..BMW 325 sport for every day...the jalpa and QV when first had I used daily...so still had them when had the BMW ..so wasn't deprived....

Then got a Lister Le Man's...which was basically a totally rebuild jaguar xjs..engine to 7 litres..body work totally changed..manual gearbox...its nickname was the batmobile as it was black...it was interesting but needed a bit more development...which was disappointing as was not cheap...broke the diff on it ..and the centre of one of the alloy wheels sheared when I went around a corner...luckily it was a slow one..it got sold

Then changed BMW for porsche carrera 2 with the tiptronic gearbox...was OK for daily use but that box not great for when you wanted to go for it..

Then Aston Martin Db7 volante...was the 6 cylinder version and looked great but not that fast

Then porsche 996 turbo with tiptronic box as well..but had been Improved a lot...that was fast and great daily driver..used it on couple of track days in France...but the 4 wheel drive system wasn't really suited..but it still was fun...

Next had ordered an Aston Martin DB9 volante when they were announced...the turbo 996 was such a good daily drive I was a bit dubious about the Aston...when it arrived I said to the salesman I need to have another drive just to check in my mind if its going to be OK...he said if you don't take it no problem as there were long waiting list at the time...well was a sunny day and put roof down and with the v12 howling ...I was like OK this will f---ing do ....had some great trips in it and a beautiful car...sounded fantastic...but it went when we tried the divorce scenario first time...

Then during those proceedings and good friend passed away from a stroke 6 weeks after his 40th bday...the day he was taken to hospital his new car arrived in the showroom...a mutual friend who looked after his cars was taking about it...I said let me go look..I said if its OK with his family I will buy it if I like it...they were yeah no probs...this was 2008...it was a mercedes AMG CLK Black Series...I had only gone up the Road from the showroom and knew it was a car that had been made for me...sounded unbelievable..handled amazingly...can go sideways at 5mph...50mph or 150mph...balance is perfect...I have done track days with it in France at the 2 different le mans permanent circuits a few times and always big grin....so now as far as I am concerned I have the perfect pairing...an amg clk black series ...and here my landcruiser double cab with the great 4.2 litre straight 6 diesel...both great at doing what they are designed and built to do....apologies for a long rambling one...

And thats the evidence I would use to call you a petrol head mate

 

[mikecatt13]

I've owned a lot of great cars and trucks, and a few that weren't. Truck of choice is a Ford diesel, many miles on 7.3, 6.0, and 6.7s. Love my other current collection, but recently added a very special company car. Lots of factors (tax, business, depreciation that's already occurred, etc.) went into this but I wont bore you with those details. Definitely a dream come true much sooner than expected, you only live once!

The quality is as expected but just superb and the driving experience of luxury and comfort is absolutely second to none. In addition to a through pre purchase inspection, many of the main components being BMW, I have high hopes for reliability and maintenance and repairs are very reasonable compared to many other exotics. It was actually pretty weird at first, but it's pure enjoyment now!

 

[BWH]

I sold my 04 Chevy Z71 with 250k miles on it to my landscaper…. Almost original. It’s still going pulling a trailer everyday. My 17 Z71 has had a néw transmission, new AC, new brakes, etc….. with under 100k…… I don’t know how to comment without crying!

 

[Flipper Dude]

Not sure where it’s gonna end up on my list, but I just flew from Houston to San Francisco this weekend and picked up this little baby I bought sight unseen. Driving it back to Texas. In Phoenix as we type………….. So far, so good.

 

[spike.t]

Lots of fine cars in that list but I bet you wish you kept that Countach lol. No way to tell quite where they would be today of course but they're high now!

Yup....it and a couple of others....the countach qv is or was for sale a bit ago in Australia where it went....friend sent me the advert from the dealer there....still has the ferry ticket in the service book from calais to Dover when I drove it back from the factory when I picked it up...

 

[spike.t]

I have always loved my Toyota's. I have driven Landcruisers, Tundra's Crew Cabs but since Toyota have stopped importing Landcruisers to the US I have driven the Lexus 570 SUV. What a great vehicle. I have just purchased the new Porsche Taycan EV and it is suppose to land at the Port in Houston Tx around December 9.

Jeez you going to the other side....an electric car.... .sorry but you couldn't give me one for free....

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

A Landcruiser by a country mile, any landcruiser I currently have 2 x LC 79 one double cab and a single cab as well as a VX 200 they are simply put the epitome of reliability.
Had another 79 sold it, GREAT CAR.
Had a Landcruiser Prado sold it, GREAT CAR.
Had a FJ cruiser and all be it impractical for a family, sold it, but GREAT CAR NONE THE LESS.
IMHO if you drive anything else you just have not had the opportunity to appreciate these vehicles .
My very best always!
Jaco (a Land Cruiser enthusiast!)

PS @spike.t a Lamborghini is not a car it’s an ass rocket!!
PPS. With all these nice cars in the thread my safari prices seem more and more reasonable

 

[spike.t]

I've owned a lot of great cars and trucks, and a few that weren't. Truck of choice is a Ford diesel, many miles on 7.3, 6.0, and 6.7s. Love my other current collection, but recently added a very special company car. Lots of factors (tax, business, depreciation that's already occurred, etc.) went into this but I wont bore you with those details. Definitely a dream come true much sooner than expected, you only live once!

The quality is as expected but just superb and the driving experience of luxury and comfort is absolutely second to none. In addition to a through pre purchase inspection, many of the main components being BMW, I have high hopes for reliability and maintenance and repairs are very reasonable compared to many other exotics. It was actually pretty weird at first, but it's pure enjoyment now!

View attachment 503565


View attachment 503564

Lovely...is that the wraith?...a friend had a phantom when the new ones first came out....unbelievable sitting in the back being wafted around London...

 

[mikecatt13]

Lovely...is that the wraith?...a friend had a phantom when the new ones first came out....unbelievable sitting in the back being wafted around London...

Yup, it's a Wraith. Inspired by music edition, fell in love with the copper when I found it and the deal was right.

It was really weird actually owning one and being in a "normal area" (pretty rural. Rented one once in Vegas but it wasnt the only one on the strip), but adjusted quickly. Entrepreneurship has more "cons" than most think, might as well enjoy the "pros" when you can! Driving it today running errands wearing my camo haha

 

[fourfive8]

Yes! Lots of interesting wheels from around the world. I've enjoyed the tour. Except for my most reliable aforementioned 2000 Chevy Silverado 2x Vortec 6, I've had too many to remember or worry about. Besides my F150 Crew with the 3.7 EcoBoost, I also currently have a 2005 ES 330 Lexus with 187,000 miles- a model I haven't seen posted yet, although the Toyota Camry is comparable. Bought it used for cheap and my goal is to put at least 300,000 miles on it. MPG is good at about 27 city/highway combined. Quiet and comfortable with excellent handling. Some have gone up to about 600,000 miles with regular maintenance. My only complaint is the "rear" bank of plugs are nye on impossible to access! But Iridium plugs do last a long time and the ignition system/engine seem to be easy on them. So far an excellent, reliable car plus it does not have the trendy open mouth, growling bullfrog front end of many of the more recent models

 

[TheSayHeyKid]

That's an easy one. I had an 82' Ford Bronco with a straight six and a manual meat grinder. That truck refused to die! It has taken me out west and back, up some gnarly trails, and ate snow like a three year old sitting on his *ss in the front yard during winter. It had rubber floor mats and was a "hose it out" special when it got dirty. Oh yeah...lost my virginity in the back seat of that truck. AHHHH...THE FOND MEMORIES!

 

[AES]

Lovely...is that the wraith?...a friend had a phantom when the new ones first came out....unbelievable sitting in the back being wafted around London...

Agreed, new Phantom is the nicest car I have ever owned.

Which I should distinguish from the most “fun” or “rewarding”.

 

[Safari Dave]

Well, until recently, I would have said my 2003 Dodge RAM Quad-Cab, 4x4, long bed RAM 3500 with the 5.9 L Cumming turbo diesel engine and 6-speed manual transmission. But, the clutch dropped in May and messed up the transmission, and it hasn't been right since.


Like you, Kevin, I had 2 Landies at the same time (a series III and a Series IIa), but something stayed broken with them all the time. I finally sold the IIa and gave the III to my friend in exchange for erasing all the money I owed him (A deal I would have been a fool to refuse).

I've owned 3 Toyota Landcruisers (FJ40, FJ55 and an FJ60). I still have the 1986 FJ 60, that I bought as a college student in 1988.

The 2004 Lexus GX 470 (Toyota Landcruiser Prado) that is my current daily driver, may be my favorite. It's never had an issue, is great and smooth on the highway at 80 MPH, tows a moderate load with ease, and I can lock the differential and climb terrain even better than I could with any of the older Landcruisers.


I once traded a Landcruiser for a Jeep. I'll never do that again!

 

[Jay Kelley]

My current "car" is a 2017 Frontier with 118k miles. No maintenance other than oil changes, a battery and new tires. I think I'll keep it...

 

[rnovi]

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, the second one sold off the lot right when they came out.

247,000 miles, 4 sets of tires, 3 sets of brake pads, one wheel bearing...Unbelievable machine. I sold it to my brother when we moved out of California.

What a truly great machine.

 

[fourfive8]

Maybe time to re-visit the favorite vehicle thread. The more I drive my current PU the more it impresses me. From since before I had a license to drive, much less own a vehicle, I think I've favored Chevy/GM pickups- maybe because the family did. The first one I remember we had was, IIRC, a '52 or '53 Chevy plain Jane used for work around our place. Got to drive/steer it a little starting at about age 6-7. Then fast way forward to my first new vehicle, a '74 basic Chevy pick up. Ok but really an-under performer. No power and poor fuel mileage. After that had many beat up, used cars and PUs until I bought a used, low, mileage 2000, two wheel drive, Chevy Silverado V-6. Simple, manual trans on the floor, inexpensive and zero problems- finally selling it at over 200K. Great pickup truck. My replacement PU is a 2014 F150, 3.5L Turbo 6, FX4 Off Road, super crew, short bed. The 2014 was the last of the steel body F150s. I think it weighs about 700 lbs more than a comparable post-2014 F150. So it's fuel mileage is not quite as good as the "beer can" models of same size and engine. But OH boy it seems to be a superior vehicle in most every respect. I think the CarFax record showed assembly in Kansas City. I do have some experience with the comparable 2015 aluminum body F150 model... but this 2014 F150, IMO, is a far better vehicle! Unless mistaken, I think the FX4 Off Road was Ford's answer to the popular Chevy Z-71 Off Road. I've not a motor head at all so if that is in error please post the correction. This FX4 has 80K miles and is as tight as new. It handles extremely well on all road conditions. With the locking differential ON and in four wheel drive it handles heavy snow extremely well... have been giving that ability a full test lately. I don't haul pull any really heavy loads and only occasionally a trailer so no need for the muscle of a F250 or larger or a diesel. Just as with my high mileage 2005 Lexus going for 300k, I'll find out if this F150 with 80k miles will give me another 100-150K.

 

[Scott CWO]

Ford trucks are my favorite. I grew up a Chevy/GM guy but switched to F-250s and F-350s because they sit higher and front wheel wells are larger. When we have to put chains on for snow, the chains won’t make contact with the front wheel wells on a Ford but they will on a Chevy truck. Why Chevy continues to build a truck with such small front wheel wells is beyond me. The Chevys have always seemed more like a farm truck while the Fords are a ranch truck that does more serious off-roading.

I always need a longbox for hauling and a diesel for high elevation towing big trailers. A diesel runs a lot cooler compared to a gas engine at elevation.