What kind of car do you drive and why.

1998 Lexus GS400. 4.0L 300hp V8 sedan, terrible on gas and terrible in snow, both of which are moderate problems for me…

But I got it dirt cheap, the motor runs good as new at 225k miles, and I know enough about the platform to do all the work myself. So it’s just not worth getting rid of and it makes such sweet sounds when the gas pedal goes down.

2005 Scion xB

  • Good mileage & plenty of room.

1993 Dodge Pickup / 3/4 Ton / Gen 1

  • 5 speed with Cummins Turbo Diesel . Fairly decent mileage for a big truck & will tow anything I want to tow.
    Old but extremely reliable.

M 1028 CUCV

  • 1986 5/4 Ton Chevy Pickup
    “Fun truck”… go anywhere pretty much.
    Manual Lock In/Lock Out 4WD.
    Detroit Locker in rear end.
    Gov Locker in front end.
    Diesel

1998 Four Runner. Because my friend gave it to me as a gift eight years ago. I have a solid perfect diamond encrusted driving record going back decades. I have never been in an accident. I lived and drove all over the USA. My definition of "Defensive driving" is: The exact opposite of Offensive driving.

I am extra cautious about: distractions, inclement weather, driving at night, driving while the sun is in my eyes, driving when I am late and in a hurry to make up time, making sure that I avoid temptation to beat a light; pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, driving when everyone else is going significantly above the speed limit, limited sight distance due to tight curves and hills, foreign objects in the road, turns, lane changes, and other peoples adrenalized driving modes, two way stops, four way stops, parking lots, etc, etc, etc. I know that operating a motor vehicle is inherently risky. With so many deaths and severe injuries on Americas' roads and streets, the only reason motor vehicles are not banned is because they are necessary to maintain the lifestyle that we are accustomed to.

While motoring down the street in a vehicle, I have never been attacked.

I like American vehicles. More classic, parts are cheaper, but they don't last long. Foreign cars parts are very expensive, but they last forever.

2006 GMC Sierra crew cab, always have had a GM truck and love the extra room the crew cab has vs the extended cab.

2013 Cadillac CTS-V coupe, third pedal. Because 725hp is fun and I like to go fast.

P-pump that bad boy.

2006 Tacoma V6 4x4 TRD, bought used in 2007. Because I need a truck at times but don’t need a full-size pickup. It replaced an ’86 Toyota pickup that wasn’t quite big enough anymore.

2016 Tesla 3, bought new before there were any used ones. Because we wanted an EV and needed the range the Model 3 offered.

1999 Jeep XJ Cherokee, bought used in 2001. Many mods for 4-wheeling. I can’t sell it because then I like the places I can go in it and I can sleep in the back of it.

1968 Volvo 123 GT, bought used in 1972. Because I just like it a lot and started modding it way back then and never wanted to part with it. I was able to hang on to it and so I did. Turbo repowered, etc. A bit of a sleeper. It is the car I had when I met my wife. I still have her too.

1980 John Deere 2140 4x4 tractor, bought used in 1996. Because it has a snowblower plow and is has a turbo diesel that works well at altitude; no electronics, reliable.

225k, wow says a lot about the brand.

One of my favorite classic cars.

1995 Saturn SW2 w/ 5 speed manual bought new and about to hit 80k. Can’t afford a new car. Not many manufacturers offer wagons anyway and we don’t like crossovers.

I’m very sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those engines had a design defect that caused the cylinder head to fail and mix engine oil with coolant which could blow the engine.
They had an extended warranty for it but thats long expired, the best things you can do at this point is to not push the engine hard, don’t tow anything and avoid using the car in hot weather if you can.
And check the oil very often to make sure it has not turned into a frothy milkshake.

I see only americans here with big engines, cheap gas. I drive 2001 Renault Kangoo worth 1000$, 2 seats, big amount of space back there, where I sleep while camping and on the other days I pack it with stuff if I have to. It only takes 6l of diesel and has 1.9D engine with 65 horsepower :sunglasses:

Looking forward to buy a Volkswagen T5 with 2.5l engine this year, because of the same purposes, but now I go bigger and more quiet (my Kangoo is savage, loud as hell inside).

Depends on which motor it has.

The standard SOHC L24 motors suffered from cracked cylinder heads. The optional DOHC LL0 motors did not.

More info on Wikipedia here. It states that an estimated 2% to 5% of engines were affected.

After selling my tricked-out Suzuki Jimny and VW I bought the cheapest SUV there is - a ’17 plate Dacia Duster 4x4.

I’ve put a new engine in it, remapped it to 140ish HP (the Americans are laughing now), put a bit larger AT tires, wheel spacers and 2” lift. It is reasonabely good off road (a lot better than most most SUVs we get in Europe), great for snow and compared to Suzuki it’s fast, comfy and not thirsty.

Still planing on getting an old VX Samurai, restoring it and then making a propper off-roader with it.

And also I drive an Škoda Octavia :person_facepalming:

Perks of living in the Balkans.

2011 Subaru Outback - I bought it used the dealer made a mint off me - he drives a Mercedes
It hauls all my gear bikes, kayak, camping, wife.
Installed a hitch for my utility trailer, makes hauling yard goods and furniture easier

I live at the top of steep hill when its snows I don’t have any problems.
I did sleep inside onetime at a trail head - but I prefer sleeping outside.

This my second Outback - my first died of a blown head gasket at 164K miles, I am hoping to wring more miles from this one

Yeah, great little cars that go anywhere with good tires. I really enjoyed driving mine off-road. I had to use my winch only a few times, once to get a stuck Patrol out of snow :smiley:

I actually like the Duster. It feels cheap inside with all the plastic but that has it’s pluses - leather and plastic interior coupled with 3D rubber mats make it so easy to clean.

Is that the mk.II “country” version?

Its interesting how the 2010-2014 series Subaru’s had many problems including head gasket and oil consumption.

2003 Subaru Forester XT

Purchased it used in 2012 with 205,000km on the odometer and it’s at 277,000km now. I wanted a wagon with AWD and reasonable clearance for rough roads but didn’t need something as big as an Outback. I wasn’t looking for an XT initially but one I took it for a test drive I didn’t want any less power.

I’m planning to lease a new Outback this year but I haven’t driven one yet. I wish the XT was available in Australia, but I probably don’t really need the power.

I also had the transmission re-built on the first Outback,
The head gaskets went months after after paying off the transmission rebuild, that car didn’t owe me anything.
I don’t think I would buy another after this one though. I ’m leaning towards the Rav4 or the Venza after this one is done. I drive my cars to very end.

Syncro’s are great and long lasting!

That’s why I ask. Only seen a “country” few times on the road, really rare.