How we dress and what we drive

[Amelie]

I MUST GET ONE OF THESE!!! What a cute little car!!! This is the Smart Twofour Cabrio and starting at under $17,0000 US dollars, I think that's a pretty darn good price. I'm sure any added amenities will cost a bit more. But, how many amenities can one add to such a tiny little car! OOhh, I want was so badly, I don't know why, it's just such a happy little thing. I think it would put smiles on the faces of people I drive by.

wow! a convertible smart! thats awesome! I want one too!!

*needs to get her drivers licence*

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

1966 NSU Prinz and 1961 Morris Minor 1000:

The picture is from 1966, when the NSU was brand new.

 

[cooncatbob]

I'd like one of these, especially if they came out with a panel truck version.
Bob.

 

[Viviene]

In my black PT Cruiser I get 24 mpg (realizing that I live in the sticks and it's not highway driving). DH who drives the cranberry cruiser (my mom nicknamed it "The Flaming Eggplant") does highway driving to go to work and gets 30 mpg.

We have two daughters, ages 9 and 8 so instead of going the minivan route we decided on the cruisers instead. We can pack the heck out of them and had no trouble fitting in all the kids stuff that we used to need.

 

[Rafter]

I'd like one of these, especially if they came out with a panel truck version.
Bob.

Hey Bob,
Your vehicle has presence, it has heft, and exudes luxury – all it needs is a big honkin’ hood ornament glittering in the sun.



Anyway, this is just my dream car, not mine yet but I hope Chrysler is really going to build the next Chrysler Imperial with the Hemi V8 powered engine.
The awesome grille:

Full view:

Inside:

Does the Chyrsler Imperial Concept evokes the Classic Style of the original 1934 Chrysler Imperial?:

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

Haha, I was wondering when someone was going to bring out the Imperial.

It probably would have beat out the 300 in my list if we were in complete fantasy-land.

I wonder if they'll build it, and if they do, if it will resemble the concept.

My only concern is that what it basically looks like is a Rolls Royce. And if you're the type of person who buys such a car, you're not going to care if there is an "American" version -- even if you can buy it for half as much. You're just not.

But then again, plenty of people bought the 300, so maybe there is a market for it. It's a very cool looking car. The only thing I'm not sure about it the headlights. They look awkward somehow, but that would probably be fixed by the time it hits production.

 

[Rafter]

Haha, I was wondering when someone was going to bring out the Imperial. It probably would have beat out the 300 in my list if we were in complete fantasy-land. But then again, plenty of people bought the 300, so maybe there is a market for it.

First, if Chrysler produced the Imperial and sold it for $55,000, it would impart the look and feel of an automobile four times that price. The view over the long hood, the appearance of the retro-styled dash, the sheer size of the thing reminds me of a variety of classic Rolls-Royce models, from the Silver Cloud of the 1950s to today’s Phantom.

The car has presence, it has heft, and in production trim it would exude luxury – all it needs is a big honkin’ hood ornament glittering in the sun. Based on my impressions of the Imperial, if Chrysler is wondering if it can compete in the luxury car class with something bigger and more opulent than the successful 300, the answer is yes.

 

[Hamilton_Honey]

Dream Car / Practical Car

If I only could.....1942 Pontiac Streamline Eight

But I am currently shooting for the PT Cruiser - Preferably in Patriot Blue with windshield visor, hood ornament and 40's fender kit...we'll see what comes my way.

When I was a kid, my dad had a blue '56 Chevy step-side pickup. Ahh-good times...

 

[drafttek]

In defense of the PT...

Sure it's built on the Dodge Neon platform, it gets very good mileage, you can get it with a 210 hp turbo, and did anyone mention convertible? The sedan can hold an 8ft stepladder inside with the hatch closed and can also haul seventy-eight "30 packs" of beer (I know, I helped load it). It is infinitely customizable with a huge aftermarket parts scene. When they first came out in 2001 they sold out, Chrysler couldn't make them fast enough and were selling above sticker.

I've found them to be the ultimate "love it or hate it" car. There is no in between. Those that love 'em, God bless ya'. Those that hate 'em, don't bother criticizing because those that love 'em are having too much to fun to care what you think.

 

[PADDY]

Landy

 

[Pink Dahlia]

We have a couple Smart Cars around here. I see them often on my drive to work. They are cute and are huge in Paris! But I wouldn't want one.

Anyway, I drive this:

It's a racing edition Sentra. The best part is it's a manual. Boys are generally impressed when the find a girl who can drive "stick." At least that's been my experience.

 

[BuddyJ]

I find this discussion quite interesting. Thinking about it, it seems to me that most cars with a timeless, classic style are out reach financially from the general public. StanleyVanBuren's list of cars all come close to $50k new, yet most people seem to find sub $20-$30k as the range for affordable cars, or at least do-able. And the offerings in that bracket -- the vintage inspired Mini, PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR -- well, they can leave a bit to be desired.

So, what I do is look to the used market where my dollar goes further and the selection of cars is huge. For what one could spend on a new commuter, the opportunity to own a well-maintained, reliable, older but more stylish car. For example, I purchased a used 1985 Mercedes 380 SL for $5k.

It wasn't in the best condition, but it had all the documentation and service records tracing back to when it was purchased new locally for $46,000 in late 1984 by a local doctor. Had I purchased a perfect one or decided to spend the money to restore it completely, it would still cost less than a new car. I have since sold the car and moved on to something more sporty, but nothing I have now comes close to getting the attention that the Merc did.

If you're willing to look and do without a factory warranty, there are many older cars that fit the bill of being comfortable, practical, reliable, and stylish.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

BuddyJ -- I wholeheartedly agree w/ your choice of the older Benz convertible. In fact, I recently looked at a few of those myself. You can always get incredible deals when you buy used. I wrote the article with the average buyer in mind, and most are simply not savvy enough for the used market. But if you are, more power to you.

Oh, and only the Jag was $50k. The Caddy and the Chrysler are both in the $30s.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Paddy, I LOVE the Rover. I have always wanted one of those, but I really wish I could get my hands on a Defender!! What a great truck. The only thing that comes close around here is the new 4 door Wrangler. It is a great looking truck, and it's got the reliability of a Jeep. I wouldn't mind one of those either.

Buddy, my Grampa was in the car business. He specialized in Mercedes, which made my Dad a bit addicted to them. Anyway, he had a few of the SL convertibles, but his favorite one was his 78'. He still kicks himself for selling it. He's since had the newer SL's with the bigger body style, and he hated it. He got rid of that and got the Lexus convertible which was an incredible car. But his hankering for another Benz came on strong, so he got the CLK550. This is the first Benz that he has driven that he has actually really been happy with since his 78' SL. My Mom has also always driven a Benz sedan, since I can remember. She just got rid of her E550 which was an incredibly luxurious ride and got the BMW 7 series. The BMW is incredible, I think it's a bit more high tech than my Mom needs, but it's such a comfortable and also luxurious car. This is a big change for my Mom, my sister and I have bets on how long it will take her to get that hankering for another Benz. I guess once you drive this brand you'll do anything to have another one. I think there should be a Benz anonymous group. Every person I know who drives one wouldn't think of going to another brand.

 

[Haversack]

A couple of weeks ago the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about a local couple who purchased what we here could prety much all agree was a vintage dream car: A 1937 Rolls-Royce four-door saloon with less than 26,000 miles on it for a little over $40,000. Here's the link to the article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...MTGC6OV3PK1.DTL&hw=rolls+royce&sn=001&sc=1000

It even came with its factory-original tool kit. The story also gives some insight of driving a pre-war car in today's world.

Haversack.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

A couple of weeks ago the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about a local couple who purchased what we here could prety much all agree was a vintage dream car: A 1937 Rolls-Royce four-door saloon with less than 26,000 miles on it for a little over $40,000. Here's the link to the article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...MTGC6OV3PK1.DTL&hw=rolls+royce&sn=001&sc=1000

It even came with its factory-original tool kit. The story also gives some insight of driving a pre-war car in today's world.

Haversack.

WowWee! That is one heck of a buy!!!! I'm envious. Thanks for posting the link to the article. I can't believe that price, it seems it should have gone for much more.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

Great article!!

A guy I know in my hometown of Los Altos (south of SF) has a right-hand drive 30s Rolls as well, but its nowhere near this nice.

I'd say for $40k, that's a bargain. But, I have to say that this is exactly what I was talking about when I said you'd be a fool to drive this sort of car daily. It would have to be a weekend car.

Look at it this way though: Would you rather have this and a car that costs $20k that you drive daily, or one car that costs $60k? Rhetorical question. You know my answer.

 

[Marq]

what is it? the cab and grill I mean? late 30's ford? dodge?

The Truck is a late 35/36 ford all steel all ford cept the enjin........Paul

 

[RIOT]

My baby.. 1951 Mercury Kustom

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l15/joeriot/RUMBLERS/lenore.jpg" width ="480" height="330" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

And I'm at best a jeans a t-shirt guy.

 

[Pilgrim]

I've driven a PT Cruiser (rental) and found it quite enjoyable. If I did own one. I think it would be the turbo version and grow flames almost immediately.

Actually, there aren't a lot of cars that catch my eye today, and I really deplore the tendency to "bling" cars with chrome taillights, ridiculous wheels and tires that have such narrow sidewalls that a pothole means a bent rim.

But in my garage is a 1958 Fiat 1200 Roadster, and my 1983 280ZX Turbo is in the driveway. I believe I'm covered for style.