The General Car Thread.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1987. You're a Tennessee fertilizer factory worker with a wife and 4 kids. Your younger son is turning 16 next year, and he wants "some sort of a muscle, sports car" as his first car. The budget is meager, but it still allows for a purchase of some (thankfully!) relatively low-power vehicle. It has to be cheap to run and safe. The options are:
- 1972 automatic 225 ci Dodge Challenger coupe,
- 1974 automatic 2.0 Mercury Capri coupe,
- 1973 manual 1.3 VW Karmann-Ghia coupe.

Which one would you buy?

I'd choose the Dodge. Reliable engine, pretty cheap parts, good interior space, well-liked pony car styling.

[Petrolheadia]

I recently saw 2 American cars as company cars on one day and one street.

One was a 1st gen LX Chrysler 300 sedan from a company called Enco, with a vanity plate saying L2 ENCO (suggesting that L0 and L1 are taken by Enco's other cars) at the start of Zielona Street.

Another was a 90s Econoline 350 at the street's end, wearing a livery of a company selling forestry machinery.

You don't see that often.

[East Fredonia]

Imagine it's 1987. You're a Tennessee fertilizer factory worker with a wife and 4 kids. Your younger son is turning 16 next year, and he wants "some sort of a muscle, sports car" as his first car. The budget is meager, but it still allows for a purchase of some (thankfully!) relatively low-power vehicle. It has to be cheap to run and safe. The options are:
- 1972 automatic 225 ci Dodge Challenger coupe,
- 1974 automatic 2.0 Mercury Capri coupe,
- 1973 manual 1.3 VW Karmann-Ghia coupe.

Which one would you buy?

I'd choose the Dodge. Reliable engine, pretty cheap parts, good interior space, well-liked pony car styling.

Why no Ford Maverick?

[NeoOasis]

Imagine it's 1987. You're a Tennessee fertilizer factory worker with a wife and 4 kids. Your younger son is turning 16 next year, and he wants "some sort of a muscle, sports car" as his first car. The budget is meager, but it still allows for a purchase of some (thankfully!) relatively low-power vehicle. It has to be cheap to run and safe. The options are:
- 1972 automatic 225 ci Dodge Challenger coupe,
- 1974 automatic 2.0 Mercury Capri coupe,
- 1973 manual 1.3 VW Karmann-Ghia coupe.

Which one would you buy?

I'd choose the Dodge. Reliable engine, pretty cheap parts, good interior space, well-liked pony car styling.

Why no Ford Maverick?

I was going to say Ford Mustang II... But chances are it'd probably be a Ford Tempo. No way in hell am I buying a 16 year old anything vaguely sporty... not when there are 3 kids behind him that will likely inherit the car after he gets a job and his own car. Slow, cheap, and what I'd assume is safe.

I wonder if I could get a good deal on a CPO Taurus. That would be ideal, pay up for a semi-new car that is ultra safe, modern, and should be cheap to run in the long run.

[Auzkhia]

What's your local car scene like?

In Pennsylvania, there's always going to be at least a couple of tuned Golfs or Jettas at every car meet, show, and C&C. We call those PA Dubbers.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1987. You're a Tennessee fertilizer factory worker with a wife and 4 kids. Your younger son is turning 16 next year, and he wants "some sort of a muscle, sports car" as his first car. The budget is meager, but it still allows for a purchase of some (thankfully!) relatively low-power vehicle. It has to be cheap to run and safe. The options are:
- 1972 automatic 225 ci Dodge Challenger coupe,
- 1974 automatic 2.0 Mercury Capri coupe,
- 1973 manual 1.3 VW Karmann-Ghia coupe.

Which one would you buy?

I'd choose the Dodge. Reliable engine, pretty cheap parts, good interior space, well-liked pony car styling.

Why no Ford Maverick?

Because pre-Craigslist, local paper listing, era.

[Petrolheadia]

What's your local car scene like?

In Pennsylvania, there's always going to be at least a couple of tuned Golfs or Jettas at every car meet, show, and C&C. We call those PA Dubbers.

Used BMWs, from 2002s to E93s, used Audis, from 80 B4, to A4 B7, to RS6 C5 and some 90s Civics and CRXes (Del Sols).

[Petrolheadia]

When you thought complaining about the decline of motoring was a new thing...

[Petrolheadia]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

[Auzkhia]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

[The Two Jerseys]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

I'd rather commit suicide.

The donk, the tires will at least last longer.

[Cannot think of a name]

What's your local car scene like?

In Pennsylvania, there's always going to be at least a couple of tuned Golfs or Jettas at every car meet, show, and C&C. We call those PA Dubbers.

I live in LA now, so...legendary.

[NeoOasis]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

Asking the important questions!

Donk for me. Stancing tends to mess around with suspension geometry too much. I don't really want to replace my tires 3 times a year if I can avoid it. Also tastefully done donks do exist. I'll take my Caprice with 24s and a waffle house paint job.

[Costa Fierro]

What's your local car scene like?

It's New Zealand. It's a mix of old classic cars, hot rods or modified Americana and the "boy racers". So basically every kind of affordable JDM car imaginable.

[Cannot think of a name]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

Donk can do parking lots and speed bumps and when it floods...

[Auzkhia]

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

Donk can do parking lots and speed bumps and when it floods...

Who's laughing now?

Yeah, I'd rather have a donk, because it doesn't ruin it as badly as stancing.

[Petrolheadia]

What's the deal with fast-food-branded donk cars?

Personally, I think it's some kind of a parody of racing liveries by sticking one on something that is very, very far from a racecar.

Yes, they're supposed to be silly and satirical.

Speaking of which, would you rather have to drive a stanced car or a Donk, assuming both are the same exact car.

I think donk, assuming it's properly-built.

[Aillyria]

What's your local car scene like?

In Pennsylvania, there's always going to be at least a couple of tuned Golfs or Jettas at every car meet, show, and C&C. We call those PA Dubbers.

Alot of 90s to mid 2000s Hondas (mostly Accords and Civics), Mustangs and Cougars (all eras), Teslas, BMWs (mostly 3series or 5series), Miatas, RX7s (mostly FCs, occasionally FDs), MR2s (usually SW20s).....all I can think off the top of my head.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

[Auzkhia]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

Saabs are safe, so safe that it bankrupted them.

What's your local car scene like?

In Pennsylvania, there's always going to be at least a couple of tuned Golfs or Jettas at every car meet, show, and C&C. We call those PA Dubbers.

Alot of 90s to mid 2000s Hondas (mostly Accords and Civics), Mustangs and Cougars (all eras), Teslas, BMWs (mostly 3series or 5series), Miatas, RX7s (mostly FCs, occasionally FDs), MR2s (usually SW20s).....all I can think off the top of my head.

Which state?

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

Saabs are safe, so safe that it bankrupted them.

Alot of 90s to mid 2000s Hondas (mostly Accords and Civics), Mustangs and Cougars (all eras), Teslas, BMWs (mostly 3series or 5series), Miatas, RX7s (mostly FCs, occasionally FDs), MR2s (usually SW20s).....all I can think off the top of my head.

Which state?

And what city?

You know, a small Valley of Death town is not going to be like downtown LA, and the Memphis ghettos aren't gonna be like Nashville suburbs, despite being in the same state.

[Aillyria]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

Saabs are safe, so safe that it bankrupted them.

Alot of 90s to mid 2000s Hondas (mostly Accords and Civics), Mustangs and Cougars (all eras), Teslas, BMWs (mostly 3series or 5series), Miatas, RX7s (mostly FCs, occasionally FDs), MR2s (usually SW20s).....all I can think off the top of my head.

Which state?

North Carolina.

[Auzkhia]

Saabs are safe, so safe that it bankrupted them.

Which state?

North Carolina.

Ah, I see, we have those examples, but Volkswagens seem to be very disproportionately popular here than other states.

Saabs are safe, so safe that it bankrupted them.

Which state?

And what city?

You know, a small Valley of Death town is not going to be like downtown LA, and the Memphis ghettos aren't gonna be like Nashville suburbs, despite being in the same state.

I do know the regional differences, but ok. I'm from the Philly suburbs but also spent time in rural PA, but it's exactly what you expect, more trucks vs more luxury cars, especially on the Main Line.

[Patridam]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

The Cutlass. By all means a very competent all around package of a car back in the day (even according to reviews of the time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DErl3b7T7Vk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQZFM7A7zKU) which is why it became popular, its safety was perhaps not as designed-in as the Saab, but the size more than made up for that; and almost anything is safer than a Scout. Plus she'll appreciate the comfort and better power, and your pocketbook will appreciate the ease of finding parts for literally the most popular car in America.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1992. You are a 46-year-old married fertilizer factory worker from Tennessee with 4 kids. Your older daughter is turning 16, so you're looking for a cheap car for her. It has to be relatively cheap and easy-to-own, as well as quite safe. The options are:
- 1979 260 ci Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
- 1977 232 ci 4WD International Harvester Scout II,
- 1976 2.0 Saab 99 sedan.

Which one would you buy?
I think I'd risk it and end up buying the Saab.

The Cutlass. By all means a very competent all around package of a car back in the day (even according to reviews of the time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DErl3b7T7Vk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQZFM7A7zKU) which is why it became popular, its safety was perhaps not as designed-in as the Saab, but the size more than made up for that; and almost anything is safer than a Scout. Plus she'll appreciate the comfort and better power, and your pocketbook will appreciate the ease of finding parts for literally the most popular car in America.

Yeah, I was quite on the fence about it, and only decided to choose the Saab in the last second.

By the way, how's the new GM car thing going?