After reading this thread I got to thinking that there were some cars that I wish I’d bought, but circumstances just got in the way. After my '80 Camaro died, I decided that I needed a new car. My dad agreed to give me $1500 towards the purchase of what ever I wanted. So I was off and running. The first car I found was a '69 Firebird 400, dark blue, black interior, 4spd. The only problem was that the floor had rotted out on the driver’s side so there was a hole. But he had the new floor pans, and I worked in a repair shop. Noo problem I thought. My father decided since he was putting up the money, he had final say, and he nixed it. Then there was a '63 Riviera, with the Wildcat motor. Silver, burgandy interior and side pipes. This thing ran like a wet dream. But I got out bid when I after I test drove it.
After being threatened by my parents, whose car I was driving at this point, with a lime green '79 Ford LTD wagon, I ended up buying an '87 Ford Tempo. But I got the “sport” package, 2 door and a 5 spd. Had it for 4 years and it only left me stranded once. Of course that was on the Cross Bronx Expressway at Jerome Ave. Not the best place for a white kid with a shaved head. Scary. Drove that until it died a year later.
1968, I’m in VN and the poker games have been good to me. I ordered a new Lotus Europa. It was to be delivered in San Francisco in mid August, perfect timing. Then I get a msg. telling me it can’t be there until late Sept., no choice I had to cancel the order. They refunded my deposit though, because it was their problem. I ended up w/ a cherry '67 Catalina and a '64 AH Sprite. I had the Sprite engine rebuilt and about a week later my brother totaled it. No insurance and he’s never offered me the first dime. Life goes on.
On a lot in Santa Monica my Dad and I find a 1970 Ford Torino with a 460 CI V8 and a shaker hood scoop. In looking over this car I realize I know the previous owner - a lady who belongs to our church who was at least 70 years old - and drove the car about twice a month.
After Dad drove the car he firmly nixed the deal - it was too fast, he said. He was right, but I still lament “the one that got away.”
Oh, and then there was the 1970 Mustang Boss 302…but that was “too fast,” as well.
I ended up with a 1974 Cougar XR7 - that had the 460 CI V8 - and was fast. Dad approved of that one.
My “one that got away” isnt quite as classic as those, but it still hurts.
I knew I would be getting a car within the next few months, so starting around september last year I began patrolling Ebay, Autotrader, Cars.com, exc. and the local newspaper, looking for deals. Parents gave me the green light right after thanksgiving, so I started looking seriously. Along rolls a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX, auto (pooh), less than 30k miles, great condition, less than 5 miles away, and for a reasonable price. Exactly what I wanted; right price, right car, and right time. Until parents found out that it needed premium fuel. I offered to cover the difference, but they nixed it.
The sad part is that they didnt care about the speed (Dad was thinking of selling me his 2003 mustang GT), but the price of gas. I hardly even drive!
A 1971 (maybe a 1970 now that I think about it…) 4.2 E-Type that needed some re-building. I had the know-how, access to the money and a garage space, but went safe and bought the red Firebird instead.
A 1999 Mercedes CLK430, fresh off the lot. Tempting, and I had the cash, but I couldn’t justify buying a car upon which every little scratch or nick or ding would make me weep. Or one that would be eaten away by road salt. Or one that would cost a mint to insure and/or repair. Besides, I’m not enough of a car nut to need or make proper use of 275 horsepower. Not buying the Benz was wise in the end, I think. Besides, a co-worker ended up buying one so I got to tool around in it now and then anyway.
five years ago i was this || close to buying a zamboni. some guy a few klicks from my parent’s house had an old one (i think it was an '85 or '86 model, but i could be misremembering by a year or two) for sale in his front yard. i inquired, inspected & test drove. it was old, but well maintained, and ran fine (the seller was the manager of a nearby arena, and let me resurface the ice pad.) we negotiated a price, but i needed a week to get the cash on hand. in that time, i got outbid, and couldn’t afford to re-up my bid.
i know it would have been the most impractical vehicle to own (especially since i was planning on using it for my commute to work, and not in any way intending to become a freelance resurfacer or anything.
but it would have been sooo cool to own a zamboni.
And you could have made the ice on the roads all nice and slick for the drivers behind you.
In 1986, I was saving up my money for a neighbor’s '69 Olds 442, dark green with a gold racing stripe. His daughter went out and started it every morning. By the time I had the $600 saved up, it was gone. I settled for a sensible '81 Plymouth Horizon.
In 1977 my boyfriend wanted me to test drive a BMW 2002 ( I think) When we got there they also has a 1966 Farari. I test drove that instead. I ended up with a 1977 Datsun 280Z. I loved my Z, but Sometimes I think about that Farari…sigh.
'98… I had my eye on this sharp Jaguar XJS 12 cylinder… don’t recall the exact model year but it was immaculate. I showed up at the lot, $15k cash in hand, only to see this ROYAL BITCH driving off in it with a big smile on her face.
A month later I bought a '95 Corvette. Owned it a month, got it up to 155mph… and promptly got a DUI.
When the transmission on my MG Midget went out I needed something to tool around in while I found and replaced said transmission.
I was moments away from picking up a 1973-ish AMC Gremlin for $100!
I bailed out at the last moment when the owner told me on the phone it might make the trip from his house to mine (about 30 miles).
Around the same time I almost got a Bricklin for about $500. The guy selling it didn’t think it would take much work to get it running. I still kick myself for not buying that one.
Not sure how close he really was to buying, but in the late 70s, Dad spied a fairly good looking E-type Jag (one of the 3 point something models) for sale at auction, completely unwanted.
Dad reckoned if it weren’t for the cost of insurance, at a pinch he might have bought it. As it stood, he needed a four seater to replace his old MGB GT. I was due to be born and Dad needed a “practical” car. Practical in this case being a Lancia Beta coupé
Not to be an elitist prick, but it’s Ferrari. And if you don’t know how to spell it, you’re probably not familiar with the associated maintenance costs, either. Be glad you got the Datsun! Unless readjusting the valve timing every 5,000 kilometers at an official Ferrari dealership is your sort of thing.
I’ve been very very tempted by many many cars. The closest I ever came to buying something really cool was when I found myself drooling over a 1986 Daimler Double Six. This was in 1999, I think. It was the exact colour as the one in the picture, dark grey metallic with a light grey interior. Automatic (of course), with a fantastic V12 5.3 liter engine. It was in reasonable shape, and not all too expensive. I decided not to do it because of the notorious running costs of Jag V12’s.
It was probably a wise decision…
As recent as last year, I found myself doubting over potential running costs again. This time, my love for the car won it, and I drove off in my very own Alfa Romeo 166. It’s a fantastic car, and so far has proven to be very reliable as well.
A slightly used 1989 Mazda RX-7, cherry red. What a beautiful car. My wife and I were car shopping when I spotted it. I took it for a test drive and fell in lust. The problem was that we were car shopping because she was pregnant with our first child. She didn’t think a 2-seater would be “practical”. I tried to convince her that the infant seat would, too, fit in the rear fold down seat. If we turned it sideways. She won, we bought a new Subaru instead.
