# meep, meep, what do YOU drive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2004, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516 "2004-12-18T13:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/61 "2004-12-19T04:43:49Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > So how is work on the Death Star coming along? > > šŸ˜ƒ Well, Iā€™m still mulling over some of the things I want to do to her, and trying to track down a source for a couple of parts I really need. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/62 "2004-12-19T04:59:32Z")
I have a 2003 Honda Accord LX sedan. Not flashy, not peppy, but comfy, dependable and safe for my son to ride in. Itā€™s green with tan fabric interior. I wish Iā€™d gotten the blue one with gray interior - stains show up way too easily. Maybe Iā€™ll have it detailed in the spring. Iā€™d love to trade it in for an Accord Hybrid when the lease is up in two years. Iā€™d have to live in it to afford it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/63 "2004-12-19T13:07:36Z")
> [@zippyh](#): > > Iā€™d like to get a Bianchi SASS single speed mtn bike. > Mainly because itā€™s chrome. Nice, but Iā€™d slap some gears on that thing. Iā€™m currently on a '96 Minelli Mt. Echo, but I think Iā€™ll upgrade in the spring to something new, perhaps foldable. I canā€™t really justify any other vehicle since I live and work in Manhattan, but when I leave here, Iā€™ll probably pick up a Honda Shadow. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/64 "2004-12-19T14:47:58Z")
I would love a new Range Rover, but we have no car payments and thatā€™s very nice! (Our two Land Rovers are paid for) Itā€™s a really sweet car, with everything I could possibly need (and somethings Iā€™m sure I donā€™t need). But my 2000 Range does have multi-CD player, GPS nav system, heated seats & windshield, etc. Hubby really want a mid-1980ā€™s LR Defender 90, bright yellow, either tranny. Totally impractical but it would be car #3 so the kids would never be in it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/65 "2004-12-19T15:04:57Z")
I drive a 2001 CAMI (Suzuki/GM) Vitara with slightly oversize tires. 4wd for snow and logging roads. Enough clearence for logging roads. A small footprint for turning around on skidder trails. A fuel sipping 4banger for economy. Front and back seats that fold flat for sleeping stretched out full length. A really good heater. A surprisingly nice stock sound system. Never had anything break. Cheap as beans to buy. I only drive a few minutes to work, so any old vehicle would do. I like the Vitara because on the weekends I can comfortably trailer my canoe for a few hundred kilometers on paved roads, but still have no difficulties with logging roads for the lfinal jump, and because it can handle the rather nasty winter snow storms we get around here on the north shore of Superior. It is not a rugged 4x4 like the indestructible Samurai or powerful Jeep, but it is sturdy enough for my needs, and never needs any repairs. A nice combination of reliability and comfort. [http://www.autogazeta.com/c/8/b/suzuki1.jpg](http://www.autogazeta.com/c/8/b/suzuki1.jpg) Dream machine? If I had more money than brains, Iā€™d fit a 40s/50s Dodge Power Wagon carry-all body over a late model Dodge truck chassis, and power it with a Cummins. [http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/classifieds/vest42wc53.php](http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/classifieds/vest42wc53.php) ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/66 "2004-12-19T15:08:58Z")
> [@psycat90](#): > > 2002 Ford Escape. It really is an awesome vehicle. > > Iā€™ve been tossing the idea of trading it in for an Escape Hybrid, but Iā€™m not sure yet. Iā€™m still too attached to this one. Donā€™t do it!!! I work for Ford, and agree that the Escapeā€™s a great fun little SUV that performs well, but weā€™ve failed miserably with the Hybrid tranny. You do _not_ want one right now unless you enjoy spending time at your dealership. The current transmissions are so jacked up the warranty issues are astronomical, something near 50%! I was so disappointed, as Iā€™d been anxiously waiting for this model launch, but there ya go. Hopefully, theyā€™ll fix it rather than decide thereā€™s not enough market for a baby-SUV hybrid. Iā€™ve got a brand new Expedition, and Iā€™ve figured out what almost all of the shiny buttons do! šŸ˜ƒ Kept my '95 Ranger pickup, wouldnā€™t get much selling a ten year old truck even with the low mileage. Itā€™s been a fabulous vehicle for me, my first real grown-up purchase and has required almost no maintenence so for now Iā€™m keeping it. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/67 "2004-12-19T15:14:41Z")
2001 Subaru Impreza wagon, midnight blue, alloys, bought new in Nov. 2000. Getting close to 70K miles, will run it till at least 100K before considering anything else. If I donā€™t suddenly hit the lottery, replacement will most likely be a Forester, Honda CR-V or Jeep Liberty. Dream car: my dead grandmotherā€™s 1964 Buick Riveria, silver, magically restored to showroom condition from whatever junkyard it finally ended up in. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/68 "2004-12-19T15:34:13Z")
2001 VW Jetta VR6, manual transmission. It is Blue Lagoon with black leather heated seats and a moonroof. 31,000 miles. Itā€™s a great car in the summer, but the low profile tires make it suck in the winter. When the snow/ice is really bad, I drive the dog hauler, a 1991 GMC Safari van. It has AWD. I want a Subaru Outback, or a Jeep Liberty just canā€™t handle the expense of a new car; the Jetta is paid for. And honestly, I miss my 1990 Geo Tracker. It was the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. The 4WD was great. It started every morning, and the only things I needed to replace in the 13 years I owned it were the thermostat, the soft top, the tires, and the muffler. The clutch even made it, and I learned to drive a stick with that car. My brother said Iā€™d burn the clutch out in a year. HA! ---
**Author:** ![Jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@Jammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jammer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/69 "2004-12-19T18:59:34Z")
Iā€™m currently driving a 2003 Ford Explorer tricked out with all the options. My dream vehicle is some flavor of hot sports convertible, but Iā€™m not sure Iā€™ll ever go for it. Being 6ā€™4", I require a lot of room in a vehicle to be comfortable. The Explorer actually feels small sometimes, so Iā€™ve always been afraid to even test drive something sporty. Maybe Iā€™ll just get an Expedition next and then rent a Ferrari for the weekend. šŸ™‚ Jammer ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/70 "2004-12-19T19:17:44Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > Donā€™t do it!!! Sweet, thanks for the tip. Too bad, though. Hopefully they do work the kinks out. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/71 "2004-12-19T19:28:35Z")
Oh, _dream_ car you say. Well there is the [Porsche Carrera GT](http://www3.us.porsche.com/english/usa/carreragt/default.htm). That would be kinda nice. šŸ†’ ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/72 "2004-12-19T20:44:54Z")
Currently Iā€™m driving a 2001 Toyota Tundra Extended Cab pickup. Good beyond anything I expected. I use it (hard) to haul things, and it has done everything that Iā€™ve asked of it. In addition, it is as comfortable as any sedan. Mrs Sunstone drives a 2001 Toyota RAV 4. Zippy little SUV with 4 wheel drive. The only complaint is a high level of road noise when on the interstate. Both vehicles are matching silver. Not to be like coples that wear the same sort of clothingā€¦silver or white is a good choice for our area because of the high temperatures. Can you tell that I like Toyotas? IF we had to replace these, I would go with another Toyota pickup, and a Toyota van to replace the RAV 4ā€¦as we have a grandchild ā€œin the wingsā€, the van is a real possibility. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/73 "2004-12-19T21:29:25Z")
my day to day transportation needs are met with the van provided by the company, a 1998 ford e-150 with a ladder rack and factory utility shelving. off working hours, we generally use my wifeā€™s 2003 toyota rav4. this is a wonderful small, fuel efficient suv. excellent for the type of winter driving we encounter. my other vehicle is a rusted out, broken down piece of junk 1983 ford f-150 4x4 pickup. the upside: i paid 1100 dollars for it in 1996. in eight years i have spent less thn 200 dollars in repairs. i rarely drive it, but it will start every time, and in fwd low and low gear it will climb up the 30 degree slope of my driveway through hood deep snow, pulling the e-150 utility van behind it. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/74 "2004-12-19T21:36:38Z")
2000 Chevy 1-ton pickup. Crew cab, long bed, 7.4L engine, manual tranny. (Hey, gimme a breakā€¦ youā€™re issued one of these when you move into Texas. Proof-of-pickup is a requirement for citizenship) šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/75 "2004-12-19T22:42:26Z")
**El Kabong** said: > [@](#): > > If I donā€™t suddenly hit the lottery, replacement will most likely be a Forester, Honda CR-V or Jeep Liberty. If youā€™re looking for a vehicle in this class, make sure you test drive the Ford Escape. I went through the same list of vehicles, and the Escape won hands down. The Liberty in particular really disappointed me. I loved the look, but once I drove it it went off the list in a flash. Compared to the other vehicles in the list, it had squirrely handling, was unrefined, and the interior was uncomfortable and seemed more cramped than it should have. There were also no good places to rest your elbows. The Escape drives more like a sports sedan. Itā€™s actually fun to drive. The seats are more comfortable, all the controls fall into place, it has a MUCH better stereo system, itā€™s quieter, accelerates better, and the interior packaging is amazing - on the outside it looks fairly small, but when you get in, it looks huge. Iā€™ve carried all kinds of things I thought Iā€™d never get into it. The only thing the Jeep is better at, IMO, is off-road performance. If hard-core offroading is your thing, the Jeep is the best of the bunch. But if youā€™re mainly looking for a practical commuter vehicle, then in my opinion the Jeep is dead last among the vehicles you mentioned. I havenā€™t driven the Subaru Forester XT, but I know some guys who just love it to death. It would definitely be on my short list. ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/76 "2004-12-19T23:02:06Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > I have an electric red 2003 BMW 325Ci, with a manual transmission. > > Itā€™s absolutely awesome. > > Hereā€™s a [pic](http://www.evilrepublic.com/window.jpg). > > I wouldnā€™t trade it for anything under $80,000. Jesus, youā€™re two weeks my elder, and driving my dream car. Lucky guy :o ---
**Author:** ![START](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@START](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/START)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/77 "2004-12-20T00:51:13Z")
Right now Iā€™m rollinā€™ in a 1988 Honda Civic 4 door, itā€™s green and has a green and black interior. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/78 "2004-12-20T00:57:31Z")
> [@START](#): > > Right now Iā€™m rollinā€™ in a 1988 Honda Civic 4 door, itā€™s green and has a green and black interior. Hey, **START** if you need parts for that thing, let me know. I canā€™t help you with everything but Iā€™ve got an 84 Accord, which probably has a few similar parts, and Iā€™m itching to unload some of them. ---
**Author:** ![catnoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@catnoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catnoe)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/79 "2004-12-20T00:59:17Z")
2001 Ford Focus Hatchback. Prior to that I had an '88 Nissan Sentra (my first ever brand new car) that I absolutely adored. Sold it in Italy to someone just arriving for $800. She was still in great condition. A month later, picked up the Foci. ---
**Author:** ![wenonahbone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wenonahbone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wenonahbone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516/80 "2004-12-20T01:59:16Z")
2002 Toyota Rav 4 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meep-meep-what-do-you-drive/280516.md?page=5)