# What kind of cars do you prefer and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 1, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839 "2018-11-01T14:53:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/41 "2018-11-02T23:50:07Z")
I want a HMMWV (humvee). Not a Hummer a real military Humvee. I think I could drive it. If not I figure I can learn. I want to be able to hit suicidal deer without dying. ---
**Author:** ![mind\_the\_gap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/42 "2018-11-03T00:20:04Z")
Well, if we’re gonna dream, Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Mille Miglia spyder Lola T-70, small block motor ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/43 "2018-11-03T00:46:39Z")
I think about cars a lot. I have a 1966 MGB roadster, which is a ‘clone’ of my first car (although this one has overdrive 🙂 ). I used to have a Porsche 911SC, so my dream garage would have a Racing Yellow Porsche 993 coupé and a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrara Targa, plus a new liquid-cooled 911. I’d also like a cream 1970 Ford Thunderbird coupé with the 429 V8 and a white landau top. In addition to the MGB of course. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/44 "2018-11-03T03:01:06Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’d also like a cream 1970 Ford Thunderbird coupé with the 429 V8 and a white landau top. I learned to drive in a '73 with the 460. :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/45 "2018-11-03T06:09:35Z")
My only preferences for a car are Reliable and Cheap. So I always buy a bottom of the line Toyota. Haven’t been disappointed in thirty years. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/46 "2018-11-03T07:16:27Z")
> [@Williams](#): > > Guys which cars would you like to have in your dream garage? For example, my list would be: Chevrolet Corvette, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracan. In my opinion, these models’re the most pretentious. I’ve owned all sorts - pick-up trucks, sports cars (mostly Porsches), luxury cars (one vintage, a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow), urban commuter cars (Smart Fortwo, Fiat 500, Mini Cooper), etc. And there have been some motorcycles in there (currently jaganiust a vintage Moto Guzzi). Experience has taught me that I like driving more than tinkering, so my dream garage would have new vehicles rather than vintage. It’s also taught me that pretty much any sports car beyond a Boxster is wasted on US roads, and though I’ve owned a bunch of convertibles I’ve rarely used the top-down feature. I also see exotic sports cars as rapidly getting into diminishing returns - the performance difference between a new Porsche 911 and a new Ferrari/Lamborghini/Pagani or whatever is narrow while the price difference is huge, epecially in real-world driving. So my dream garage would be something with a nice interior, practical, with a bit of get-up - Porsche Cayenne. For weekend fun, a new Triumph Street Twin. For that bit of garage art that shows how quirky and sophisticated my tastes are, a final year BMW Z3 M Coupe (affectionately called the Clownshoe) with the S54-inline six engine used in the E46 M3, black with tan interior, no sunroof, sitting on BBS LM wheels . This is because I live in rural Ky now. When I lived in downtown Chicago, my dream garage was a Mini Cooper Goodwood and a Ducati Monster 796. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/47 "2018-11-03T11:33:24Z")
I generally like SUVs for my daily driver. My last car was a 2001 Honda CR-V 5-speed manual and that was super reliable, it just ran and ran. 230,000+ miles. Now I drive a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel. I hope it goes for 500,000+ miles. It has 60K now. That Jeep can tackle some pretty tough trails, and it’s comfortable too. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/48 "2018-11-03T14:00:27Z")
Cars have never been important to me. In fact even if I were rich, I think I’d rather use my money to leave an inheritance or to fund philanthropic pursuits I believe in. I’d rather drive a nice midsize sedan and use the money for other stuff. But if some billionaire told me that for every $1 I spent on vehicles, he would donate $3 to other causes I liked, then I could see myself building a car collection. So in that scenario I think I’d have 80s pickup truck with a lift kit Jeep Wrangler with a lift kit old hearse with a lift kit (this would be fun to drive) Full size, mid size and compact luxury vehicles (not sure which make. Probably Benz or Lexus). ferrari 308 gts (FWIW, my hyundai sonata has similar HP and 0-60 speeds, which is disappointing). Cadillac escalade Stretch limo made out of a cadillac, if I had a driver. Also: dune buggy touring motorcycle cruiser motorcycle 250cc motorcycle dirt bike helicopter private jet ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/49 "2018-11-03T17:28:31Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I used to have a Porsche 911SC, so my dream garage would have a Racing Yellow Porsche 993 coupé and a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrara Targa, plus a new liquid-cooled 911. Why in the world would you want a 1989 911 _Targa_? Porsche came out with that variant in the 1960s when almost everyone thought the US would outlaw convertibles (Mercedes and Jaguar kept right on going), and when that never happened they brought it back in 1984, so the Targa hasn’t made a lick of sense in 35 years. It’s kinda annoying that Porsche still uses the name on increasingly nonsensical variants (it essentially means “really big sunroof” now) to this day. I’ve owned one, and have nothing against them, but I’d go full ragtop if I were getting another 911. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/50 "2018-11-03T18:05:16Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Why in the world would you want a 1989 911 _Targa_? Aesthetics. There’s something ‘charming’ about it. Also my other two choices are coupés so I wouldn’t need another one. For a convertible, I have the MGB. Why an '89? Last year for the original body style. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/51 "2018-11-03T21:14:08Z")
I prefer dumb cars I can boss around. Not nanny-mobiles always warning you about not having your seat belt on, obstructions, lane violations, low tire pressure etc. etc. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/52 "2018-11-03T21:22:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I prefer dumb cars I can boss around. > > Not nanny-mobiles always warning you about not having your seat belt on, obstructions, lane violations, low tire pressure etc. etc. :mad: Mrs. L.A. says the Prius is ‘too bossy’. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/53 "2018-11-04T01:33:37Z")
I like the car web sites that let you build your own. I have discovered I prefer white cars. Like a fridge. In real life, I buy used cars. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/54 "2018-11-04T12:08:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I want a HMMWV (humvee). Not a Hummer a real military Humvee. I think I could drive it. If not I figure I can learn. I want to be able to hit suicidal deer without dying. They drive just like any other car, really. And yeah, they are great for running over stuff. Those nasty little pine trees in the southeast Georgia swamps? May as well just be long grass. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/55 "2018-11-04T22:31:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I want a HMMWV (humvee). Not a Hummer a real military Humvee. I think I could drive it. If not I figure I can learn. I want to be able to hit suicidal deer without dying. They have automatic transmissions. As long as you learn to start one, they drive more or less like a car. They may have come a ways since I had to drive them, but they got really loud at 60 mph, and couldn’t go much faster than that. But, wow, they could tackle terrain that I would be afraid to walk on. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/56 "2018-11-05T05:57:42Z")
Ones without black wheels… Other than that, I’m pretty live-and-let-live. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/57 "2018-11-05T09:33:12Z")
The title and OP are asking different questions. Which type of car do I prefer? Luxury sedans (saloons we call them in UK). They have the room and flexibility I need, generally are good to drive, and you feel pretty “special” driving one – even if they’re actually common as muck and cheap as chips. But dream car? Sure an AC cobra, Ford GT or whatever the latest Ferarri is, thx. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839/58 "2018-11-05T15:40:16Z")
Real world? I like my Corolla. Pluses: it’s small (I’m most often the only one in it; my family is in it only about once a week, when we go out for dinner together), gets decent mileage (about 32 combined, although I think it should be higher, but it’s roughly where the EPA estimate is), it’s reliable (I had a boring Camry that lasted to 283,000 miles, so I love Toyotas), and it does what I want. And it was cheap at under $20,000. Minus: It’s a plastic car. Essentially disposable. Not very comfortable for long distances. Dream cars: I’m partial to McLarens. I love the F1, and I’m impressed with the new Speedtail. Not so much with the Senna; it’s got too much fiddly stuff on the bodywork. The 720s looks awfully nice though. And I’m falling in love with Koenigsegg. Any hypercar would do, actually. I’ve always been a fan of small roadsters like the MG T series. More modern, I’d have a BMW Z3. Driving needs to be fun (although with traffic getting heavier, and American roads falling apart, it’s more tedious than ever, but dammit, driving is more than just getting from A to G. It’s fun. It’s freedom. It’s control. It’s…listen to Fast Eddie’s monologue]([The Hustler (4/5) Movie CLIP - You're a Winner, Eddie (1961) HD - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxLZWWRKUI/)) in _The Hustler_ during the picnic scene, starting at about :45. That’s what driving is all about.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-cars-do-you-prefer-and-why/823839.md?page=2)