What car do you drive?

DigitalQuirk · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject:

Still driving my '02 Grand Am GT:

It's paid for, and loaded with every available option that matters. Going on to six years old this year, and I still love driving it. Handling is awesome, power (especially off-the-line) is still great from the 3.4L V6, with powerful 4 wheel disc brakes and meaty tires to keep everything under control. It takes regular unleaded, and if my foot isn't too heavy, it'll deliver fuel economy almost as good as a 4 banger economy car; especially on the highway where the engine loafs at around 1800 RPM. Nice with gas prices through the roof! Plenty of room in the car and trunk to take my family on vacation. The powerful seven speaker Monsoon stereo is a treat to my ears, and the power sunroof gets a lot of use when the weather turns nice.

It tells me everything I need to know; when to change the oil, when to add a bottle of washer fluid, if the oil or coolant level is low...it even tells me when traction is low (when driving on ice and snow). Best of all, it's been rock solid for reliability. Sporty, economical, practical, fun, feature-rich, affordable, reliable, unique...it's a shame they don't make them like this anymore.

Here's an interior shot:

_________________

Our final experience, like our first, is conjectural. We move between two darknesses.

gorkur · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:17 am Post subject:

As much as I wanted a big diesel truck, and didn't like the small dimensions of the Jimny, I still decided to take one for a test drive. And I loved it Cool

It's also more economical than those trucks I was looking at, which is good considering todays gas prices Rolling Eyes

_________________

Quincy · Newbie Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

viaton wrote:

OK, this is pretty much gravedigging but the topic has been made before so I prefer to use the old one.

At the moment, this one (winter tires):

Nice ride!

wiskow · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

Here's what I drive... It's a 1996 Mercury Sable station wagon. It's not what I'd call a "nice ride", but it's a good car for hauling my family around... It can also haul quite a bit of Commodore hardware. Wink

It's got 210,000 miles (or 336,000 km) on the odometer, and it still runs great! Smile

I'm planning a month-long road trip with my family this summer, driving from here in Southern California, to Wisconsin, to Ottawa, Ontario, then on to New York, Washington, D.C., and finally Southern Texas. Then we'll cut through Mexico before going back to Las Vegas for CommVEx! It'll be a 7000 mile (or 11,200 km) trip, visiting friends and relatives, and seeing sights all along the way. Anyway, this will be the car we do it in. Smile

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

wiskow · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

hehehe... here's another photo of my car that I found from our road trip last year up to Oregon in April. This is with the car-top carrier attached to the top, driving through one of the drive-thru redwood trees in northern California. Smile

If you look closely, you can see my head sticking out of the driver's window. Or you could see the original hi-res photo here. Smile

In addition to vintage computers, I also like vintage license plates. That's an Oregon license plate from 1970 on my car, which I have legally registered on my car. Even though I live in California, my car is registered in Oregon because I'm in the military and that's my state of "legal residence". Which is nice because California has much higher taxes on vehicle registration. Smile

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

thedaemon · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

1993 Honda Civic VX. Get's great gas mileage, who needs a hybrid when you own a VX! Very Happy

I'm a runner for a law firm (lots of driving) so having a fuel efficient car is great. I also own a 1972 Datsun 510, and a 2003 SVT Focus.

Commie-Kid · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:01 am Post subject:

In a few months I'm going to be driving my dad's 20-something year old piece of shit Chevy custom cab.... aasss soon as we (read: I) rebuild the transmission.
The thing sits about 3 ft off the ground, and I can see what I run over through the rust holes in the floor Rolling Eyes

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!
_________________

Music expresses that which cannot be said in words, but must not remain silent.

DigitalQuirk · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

Commie-Kid wrote:

In a few months I'm going to be driving my dad's 20-something year old piece of shit Chevy custom cab.... aasss soon as we (read: I) rebuild the transmission.
The thing sits about 3 ft off the ground, and I can see what I run over through the rust holes in the floor Rolling Eyes

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!

Might cost you more in gas in a year than it would cost you to get a decent economy compact car. Add to this the time and effort you'll need to put into rebuilding the transmission, which, IMHO, isn't worth it unless the body is in perfect shape; and even then, I'd opt for a low-mileage junkyard tranny first. The worst part about rebuilding yourself is you never really know if you did everything right until it's all back together and you're driving down the road... Shocked

_________________

Our final experience, like our first, is conjectural. We move between two darknesses.

wiskow · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:35 am Post subject:

Commie-Kid wrote:

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!

Do you mean 3 miles per gallon? That's bad enough, but you just said it gets 1/3 miles per gallon!

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

DG · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

This is my car: (Audi A6 2.4 quattro)

I bought it last summer.
This is my previous car:

Mika73 · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject:

-90 Corvette ZR-1. Its been my ride 8 years. Cool

Commie-Kid · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!

Do you mean 3 miles per gallon? That's bad enough, but you just said it gets 1/3 miles per gallon!

-Andrew

No, that wasn't a mistake. It gets something like 18 (I think)

@DQ
Perfect body? Laughing

I can see what's in the bed thru the giant rust hole in the side!

Ah well, at least it runs.... Well, it's going to run.
_________________

Music expresses that which cannot be said in words, but must not remain silent.

wiskow · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

Commie-Kid wrote:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!

Do you mean 3 miles per gallon? That's bad enough, but you just said it gets 1/3 miles per gallon!

-Andrew

No, that wasn't a mistake. It gets something like 18 (I think)

Well, now you're really confusing me... Confused

First you said you get 0.333 miles per gallon... I ask if you meant 3 miles per gallon... You say it wasn't a mistake, and then you say you get 18 miles per gallon?! Make up your mind, man! hahahahahaha

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

Commie-Kid · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:25 am Post subject:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

Oh, I forgot, it gets like 3 gallons to the mile too!

Do you mean 3 miles per gallon? That's bad enough, but you just said it gets 1/3 miles per gallon!

-Andrew

No, that wasn't a mistake. It gets something like 18 (I think)

Well, now you're really confusing me... Confused

First you said you get 0.333 miles per gallon... I ask if you meant 3 miles per gallon... You say it wasn't a mistake, and then you say you get 18 miles per gallon?! Make up your mind, man! hahahahahaha

-Andrew

I was emphasizing the suck of this truck.
Sorry for being so confusing Wink

Either way, I'm just excited to be driving.
_________________

Music expresses that which cannot be said in words, but must not remain silent.

wiskow · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:39 am Post subject:

Commie-Kid wrote:

I was emphasizing the suck of this truck.
Sorry for being so confusing Wink

Okay... Well, 18 MPG isn't that bad for a truck... Wink

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

Commie-Kid · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:10 am Post subject:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

I was emphasizing the suck of this truck.
Sorry for being so confusing Wink

Okay... Well, 18 MPG isn't that bad for a truck... Wink

-Andrew

It is when gas is $3+ a gallon! Shocked

_________________

Music expresses that which cannot be said in words, but must not remain silent.

wiskow · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:14 am Post subject:

Commie-Kid wrote:

It is when gas is $3+ a gallon! Shocked

I think there are more than a few Europeans here who would love to pay $3 a gallon (~80¢/L.) ... I think the Netherlands has it the worst right now at around $9 a gallon... Of course, when it could be worse, it could also be better... Hugo Chavez keeps the people of Venezuela happy by selling gasoline at about 12¢ for a gallon!

Anyway... It always helps to keep things in perspective.

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org

Wally · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:19 am Post subject:

wiskow wrote:

Hugo Chavez keeps the people of Venezuela happy by selling gasoline at about 12¢ for a gallon!

Christ.........Australian's haven't paid that low a price since about 1914. Crying or Very sad

tomz · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:19 am Post subject: What car do you drive?

-@-Wally-When I first started driving I was paying 22 cents a gallon, sigh
these were the days when $5 was your weekly petrol bill,this included the weekend drive as well as the drive to work during the week.

Today here in OZ we are paying approxomately $6-80 per gallon, of coz its all done in litres nowdays.....

BTW-Do not confuse US gallon with rest of the worlds Imperial gallon they are different quantities:wink:

Twisted Evil

tomz

_________________

http://noname.c64.org/csdb/scener/?id=1971
http://retrobrad.org

DigitalQuirk · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

wiskow wrote:

Commie-Kid wrote:

It is when gas is $3+ a gallon! Shocked

I think there are more than a few Europeans here who would love to pay $3 a gallon (~80¢/L.) ... I think the Netherlands has it the worst right now at around $9 a gallon... Of course, when it could be worse, it could also be better... Hugo Chavez keeps the people of Venezuela happy by selling gasoline at about 12¢ for a gallon!

Anyway... It always helps to keep things in perspective.

-Andrew

To put that into perspective, let's bear in mind that the people of Venezuela don't make the money that North Americans and Europeans make, nor do they enjoy our expensive lifestyle; as such, 12¢ a gallon for them would be like $9 a gallon for us. Good to see someone doing what's right for his people, rather than what's right for Corporate America.
_________________

Our final experience, like our first, is conjectural. We move between two darknesses.

Quincy · Newbie Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

DigitalQuirk wrote:

Still driving my '02 Grand Am GT:

It's paid for, and loaded with every available option that matters. Going on to six years old this year, and I still love driving it. Handling is awesome, power (especially off-the-line) is still great from the 3.4L V6, with powerful 4 wheel disc brakes and meaty tires to keep everything under control. It takes regular unleaded, and if my foot isn't too heavy, it'll deliver fuel economy almost as good as a 4 banger economy car; especially on the highway where the engine loafs at around 1800 RPM. Nice with gas prices through the roof! Plenty of room in the car and trunk to take my family on vacation. The powerful seven speaker Monsoon stereo is a treat to my ears, and the power sunroof gets a lot of use when the weather turns nice.

It tells me everything I need to know; when to change the oil, when to add a bottle of washer fluid, if the oil or coolant level is low...it even tells me when traction is low (when driving on ice and snow). Best of all, it's been rock solid for reliability. Sporty, economical, practical, fun, feature-rich, affordable, reliable, unique...it's a shame they don't make them like this anymore.

Here's an interior shot:

Blah blah blahbityblah It's still a chick car.You are delusional,there's nothing unique about a Pontiac Grand Am GT.It's a good thing they dont make it like that anymore the new Aussie made Pontiac G8 is the way to go.Good handling RWD,50/50 weight distribution,precise steering,sitff suspension,a torquey V8...it's as good as a 5 series BMW.It's not cheap though you gotta pay to play.

thedaemon · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

Agreed Quincy, still a chick car. Good handling? haha no. I had a 95 grand am at one time, boy that was a piece. Glad your's is working out for you though. It's always nice to have a paid off car that's reliable! Keeping it clean is the way to go. May it last you another 5 years.

Lockett · Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 178 Location: Missouri

My ride is a bright red 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT. It handles and accelerates well, and is cheap to maintain(and cheap to replace, should it conk out on me!). It also looks great, even after almost a decade.

Photobucket won't upload the pics that I nicked off of eBay, though(I don't have any good ones myself, and the dealer photos are good, anyway).
_________________

I love English. Its words are short, clear, and monosyllabic.

Also a WoSer!

DigitalQuirk · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

Quincy wrote:

Blah blah blahbityblah It's still a chick car.You are delusional,there's nothing unique about a Pontiac Grand Am GT.It's a good thing they dont make it like that anymore the new Aussie made Pontiac G8 is the way to go.Good handling RWD,50/50 weight distribution,precise steering,sitff suspension,a torquey V8...it's as good as a 5 series BMW.It's not cheap though you gotta pay to play.

I never knew you were a self-appointed authority on automobiles, Quincy! Laughing

I did a quick search on "Chick cars":

http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/...hick-cars/

Quote:

when we say “Chick Cars” we mean these are cars women should drive and no self-respecting man should be caught dead driving or even riding shotgun — because these cars have feminine curves, engaging personalities and bleed XX chromosomes.

Most people in the automobile press industry (that is, people who are, unlike you, actually paid good money for their opinions on cars) tend to describe my car's appearances as "Beefy," "Aggressive" and "Muscular," terms generally not associated with a chick car. With four exhaust pipes, Batman spoiler, ram air intake scoop nose, ribbed body cladding, rocker panel extensions, deep recessed fog lights, and a thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel, my GT is about as far as you can get from a chick car. What else is there on the road today with a ram air intake, Quincy?

Now, while RWD may be ideal for a performance car, guess what? They absolutely SUCK in snow. Know what else? We got a lot of snow this year. I LAUGHED at the poor schmucks in their RWD "Performance" cars stuck at the bottom of a hill, while my FWD with traction control easily pulled my car up and along. Yes, there is something to be said about a man being able to make it to work every day. I suppose some people would buy a FWD winter beater, but honestly, I just don't have the time or space to keep an extra car around. Not when I can find the balance I need in my GT.

The only one who's delusional here is you, Quincy, to think of yourself as some sort of authority on automobiles. Laughing

As for handling, thedaemon, you ought to know that a 2002 GAGT is a completely different car than the '95 you had, and incorporates vastly superior handling capability. The platform changeover happened in 1999, and the new model got a very rigid body structure, and the GT got very thick sway bars and beefier tires.
_________________

Our final experience, like our first, is conjectural. We move between two darknesses.

wiskow · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

DigitalQuirk wrote:

I did a quick search on "Chick cars":

http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/...hick-cars/

In my world travels, I'd have to say that the #1 "chick car" of all time has got to be the special Hello Kitty edition of the Daihatsu Mira:

-Andrew
_________________

Cottonwood BBS
http://cottonwoodbbs.dyndns.org