Any changes to your "automotive family" soon?

[knightfan26917]

Anyone else have thoughts of changing up the automotive family?

For a while, I've wanted to add the following vehicles to my car family:

1975 Caprice Classic convertible

1977 Caprice Classic sedan

1978 Caprice Classic coupe

1989 Caprice Classic 9C1

1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe

But, now ... the only vehicle I want to add to my family is a 1989 Caprice Classic (sedan or 9C1), to be the "summer" daily driver to my "winter warrior" 1979 Caprice Classic sedan.

Along with that, I've decided that, if the "right" '1989 CC (good shape, FI, cruise control, A/C, power, road trip worthy, etc.) comes along, I'll probably sell my 1972 MC. Why? Because my '72 MC is the only "expendable" MC I own ... the '76 is the year my parents had; the '79 is my first car; the '81 was my parents' car; and the '87 has sentimental reasons for the year....

But, even that plan could change, if my next checkup indicates I need more surgery ...and/or... I buy my own house....

In the meantime, my newest cars will have to do ... ~50 of them. I bought 80 cars, ~30 of which I bought for my nephew, who is learning what each car is VERY quickly!

I bought these 2 for Dad:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248265&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

I bought these for my nephew:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248270&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

And, these are mine:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248267&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248268&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248269&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_10.15.11_Volo.IL *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Nothing stays the same" __ Sick Puppies __ 'Maybe'

[vonVeezelsnider]

Going to be adding an LT1 Fleetwood Brougham to the fleet as soon as I can find one in acceptable condition for the right price... I graduate with my Finance degree in late 2012 and within a year would like to be in a NEW car so I can park my Impala (no way am I getting rid of this thing- sentimental attachment) and Fleetwood. Good MPGs are a must (4cyl) so probably a high spec Cruze or Malibu- maybe a Verano.

[balthazar]

I am going to contemplate selling my first car, because I have not touched it in many years and it's 3rd on my car 'to-get-to' list. It also makes no sense to restore it financially, in that I can buy a beautiful driver for half the cost to do this one up (and mine is in relative great shape- needs cosmetics and some mechanics due to age, but no metal or damage repair).

And if I don't get something done on vehicle #2 on the list this year, that may go as well.

[Nick]

E39 M5, for sure.

[ocnblu]

After I test drive some hatchbacks, I may decide to keep what I have and simply install a sail to the roof. Or I might fall in love and abandon truck ownership. It's not like there is no precedent for that in my history... '86 Camaro 5.0, '92 Golf, 2 '98 Bugs, and an '00 GTI, all hatches.

[Z-06]

Looking for some changes pretty soon (6 months or so), but plans are still up in air.

[Robert Hall]

The Jeep just keeps rolling along..127k now. This weekend, replaced the shocks, serpentine belt, some fluids and bulbs. Going on a little road trip this weekend into next week.

I'd like to buy a new car, but not without a garage. Moving out of AZ is my first priority, and that's still a ways off, but in the short term.

[Satty]

I'd like a convertible, but I'm not seeing a path towards one that doesn't require Inceptioning the wife...

[Robert Hall]

I'd like a convertible, but I'm not seeing a path towards one that doesn't require Inceptioning the wife...

I really want a convertible. But without a garage, it would deteriorate from the vile sun, bird poop, cats, etc. here. It will have to wait..

[Drew Dowdell]

nothing planned immediately.

[ZL-1]

The MINI is giving some trouble and is close to 8 years old, so I am investigating both 1.4T automatic and 1.7 diesel Astras (both 5-door and wagon body styles - I like the wagon). I might change from go-kart driver to responsible driver after all

Edited March 11, 2011 by ZL-1

[daves87rs]

Waiting to see how things go first.

If I do decide to add, a compact or a Malibu would be a good choice.

[usonia]

Well, the lease on my Malibu ends in a couple of months so I'm trying to decide what comes next. It takes me a long time to decide on a vehicle so I've been thinking about this for several months already. As is probably true with most people, I have conflicting wants and needs. This time around I may end up with a minivan.

I've already started getting grief over the idea from people I know. I'm a single guy with no kids but I'm leaning towards one because they're big, they're quiet, they ride nicely, they get sort of decent gas mileage, I can carry stuff when necessary and I can sleep in it when I go camping without needing to worry about the weather.

Maybe I'll go for the Dodge 'Man Van' to up the excitement quotient.

[ocnblu]

Interesting choice, usonia. Stow-N-Go FTW... flat load floor in no time for sleeping. High seating position and plenty of glass for easy visibility.

[usonia]

Interesting choice, usonia. Stow-N-Go FTW... flat load floor in no time for sleeping. High seating position and plenty of glass for easy visibility.

Yep, that's the appeal for me. They aren't very exciting, but I have a real practical streak in me and the minivan seems to fit the bill. I've owned two vehicles at the same time before but I don't want to go through that again so my one vehicle needs to do a lot of things. Plus, I've never owned a minivan so it will be a new experience if I get one.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I'm just mad they got rid of "Swivel 'n Go"... That was an awesome feature.

[A Horse With No Name]

I am going to contemplate selling my first car, because I have not touched it in many years and it's 3rd on my car 'to-get-to' list. It also makes no sense to restore it financially, in that I can buy a beautiful driver for half the cost to do this one up (and mine is in relative great shape- needs cosmetics and some mechanics due to age, but no metal or damage repair).

And if I don't get something done on vehicle #2 on the list this year, that may go as well.

Wow....

I'm just mad they got rid of "Swivel 'n Go"... That was an awesome feature.

Agreed...would love to have a mid seventies Cutty with that...

[GMTruckGuy74]

On the new vehicle side, no chance unless I hit the Mega Millions or NJ Lottery (which would require me to play more than I do now, which is nil). The wife has a little over 3 years left on her 72 month loan on the '08 G6, and unless it's absolutely needed, we'll be keeping that car payment-free for 2-3 years aferwards. The '06 Envoy just celebrated its one-year anniversary with me yesterday, March 12, and is not close to being fully paid off (there's more than a few years left there). Unless a contingency plan is needed (wife wants a new Buick LaCrosse if that ever comes to be, and I have no idea what I could afford <truck, SUV> to replace the Envoy), a new vehicle is not on the radar for the wife or me.

Now my step-son turns 17 in April, minumim driving age in NJ (probationary license). He failed the written driver's test last school year (Jan '10); a very nice Phys Ed teacher this past January offered to re-test students that failed last year. He studied that driver's manual from cover to cover, and passed. His grandmother and him split the cost of a driving school's 6-hour behind the wheel course, and he now has his 16 y-o's learner's permit with his driver's test scheduled in late September. Now he is saving up for a car, though my wife and I think he needs to worry about other things than a car (like what he plans to do re: post high school plans first). I'm for his gaining some freedom and independence, but our limited funds leave us unable to help him much. He is the one in the house most likely to get a vehicle, albeit very used, this year.

I still have that beautiful white and gray '87 Pontiac Grand Prix LE on my radar, though lack the necessary funds to make that happen now. The GM dealership it is at is no longer a new vehicle dealership - first, they lost Pontiac in 2009, and then at some point late in 2010 they lost the Cadillac franchise (it is now just an AC Delco authorized repair facility). Last I checked (October), the two '80s GPs were still parked inside the garage covered up (I need to get over there soon to update this info). If things work out, I may try to obtain this car in the next 12 months (by work out, that means take the meager savings I have leftover from last summer and combine that with money I earn from selling off toys & some automobilia taking up a lot of space in my basement). Of course a wrench in the gears would be finding a '55-'57 GMC that would take the place of the '87 GP...

No other vehicle purchases needed by family members or close friends to the best of my knowledge. Which sucks for me, because I like helping people shop for cars (and stopping at dealerships for brochures and info)

[ocnblu]

The Fiesta brochure I got has the dealer's name printed on the front "Courtesy Of", and inside the back cover, there is a short history and info on the dealer itself. A cool touch for the brochures, saleskid says all Ford dealer brochures are like that now.

[caddycruiser]

You never know with me, but as of now no plans. Always thinking of something. As my current position advances, by June I should have a new Acura to drive as well, demo time.

Family the same. Mom just got her Terrain, no more Camaro. Dad is dandy, on his projects. Brothers Regal needs a new powertrain, but he both won't do that or replace the car, so who knows.

[knightfan26917]

I am going to contemplate selling my first car, because I have not touched it in many years and it's 3rd on my car 'to-get-to' list. It also makes no sense to restore it financially, in that I can buy a beautiful driver for half the cost to do this one up (and mine is in relative great shape- needs cosmetics and some mechanics due to age, but no metal or damage repair).

I understand what you mean, balthazar, but I would advise against selling your first car. I know way too many people that have sold their first car for similar reasons ... and then highly regretted it later.....

***

The only other car I want ... a 2011 Dodge Charger, Toxic Orange with tan/neutral interior trim. I wrote about it here...

http://www.motorgnomes.com/2011/03/charging-forth/

But, I can't exactly justify the expense of a new car ... especially given some additional health issues, possibly more surgery, and/or purchasing a house....

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_04.16.11_Dwight.IL *

*** RE-OPENED 3rd GEN MC (1978,1979,1980) FORUM > http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/index.cgi ***

"Hood slidin' like Bo Duke"__Dierks Bently__'What Was I Thinking?'

[Drew Dowdell]

There might be a 1986 Continental addition to my fleet.

[Dsuupr]

How could one replace a perfect car like Marie, my 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity. She averages 26 to 28 mpg in the city, seats 6, is able to carry any and all things I need, can tow up to 3500 lbs (though I have not tried and do wonder how the little 4-cyl. could move anything that heavy), has a $0 payment plan, takes on dirt roads as if she was a 4x4 Suburban, needs little to no money when repairs are needed and is as reliable as anything money can buy.

The big question is, why would someone need anything else?

OK, OK, so it takes her 15 seconds to get to 60 mph, she floats when I take a corner so I have to obey speed limits and she isn't as quite as a new Buick, but past that she is all love.

[RjION]

I'm not one to say never to something different....Maybe a HHR 2LT 2.4L auto will come my way. If it has a sunroof and leather I deduct, if it has a luggage rack they get no extra. If it looks anything the ones in the links ... keep it in your garage.

My link

or this

My link

Edited April 8, 2011 by RjION

[Dsuupr]

I am going to contemplate selling my first car, because I have not touched it in many years and it's 3rd on my car 'to-get-to' list. It also makes no sense to restore it financially, in that I can buy a beautiful driver for half the cost to do this one up (and mine is in relative great shape- needs cosmetics and some mechanics due to age, but no metal or damage repair).

I understand what you mean, balthazar, but I would advise against selling your first car. I know way too many people that have sold their first car for similar reasons ... and then highly regretted it later.....

I'm with Knightfan. It isn't the cost of the redo you should be thinking about, but rather the fun per mile that you would get out of redoing your first car over getting something else. Of my 40+ cars, there are many I wish I would have kept, but most importantly, I wish I would have kept my first car (1977 Chevy Nova that was just like my Opa's who passed away a few years prior to me getting my first car).

At this point Marie is never going away. If I get remarried, my new wife will need to understand that the car and I come together or not at all.