With the poll asking if the Model 3 is the most you've ever spent on a vehicle, that got me thinking about my previous cars. So here's my history and I invite others to contribute and maybe we can find some common ground. Or debate the virtues of Model "A" vs. Model "B". Just no flame wars....
1973-75: (years are approximate, given my age and recollection)
1967 Dodge Polara (aka, the "Tank"). Parents car driven in high school. Safest thing ever on the road. Except when the power steering would occasionally go out. Like on highway 17 over to Santa Cruz.
1975-80:
1971 Lincoln Mercury Capri (2000cc engine). Bought from my parents; previously my older brother's car. Last car that I was able to really work on. Personally did the tune-ups, replaced the water pump, alternator and timing belt, adjusted the valve clearances, re-built the carburetor, adjusted the clutch. Left the brakes and transmission to the experts.
1980-88:
1980 Mazda RX-7 GS. First car I bought new. Last couple of years was running with an aftermarket turbo.
1984-91:
1984 Mazda 626LX 5-door hatchback. Bought new. Eventually sold it to my brother.
1991-2000:
1981 Chevy Camaro. Wife's car she replaced with a Dodge Caravan. I had bought her a license plate frame that said: "Wow! I could of had a V8!" (it was the gutless 6 cylinder).
2000-present:
2000 BMW 323i. Bought via this new thing called the "internet" from CarOrder.com. In case you're not familiar with this company, they acted like a middleman between the customer and traditional dealers. They took a person's order and then shopped around for a dealer willing to supply the car at CarOrder's price. Although I lived in San Jose they sourced the car from Alexander BMW in L.A. They must have lost some money on this transaction as I configured the car with the standard leatherette but when I was given the detailed specs prior to delivery saw that it was built with leather. Told them about the error but they said they would cover it. About a year later they closed their "doors".
1973-75: (years are approximate, given my age and recollection)
1967 Dodge Polara (aka, the "Tank"). Parents car driven in high school. Safest thing ever on the road. Except when the power steering would occasionally go out. Like on highway 17 over to Santa Cruz.
1975-80:
1971 Lincoln Mercury Capri (2000cc engine). Bought from my parents; previously my older brother's car. Last car that I was able to really work on. Personally did the tune-ups, replaced the water pump, alternator and timing belt, adjusted the valve clearances, re-built the carburetor, adjusted the clutch. Left the brakes and transmission to the experts.
1980-88:
1980 Mazda RX-7 GS. First car I bought new. Last couple of years was running with an aftermarket turbo.
1984-91:
1984 Mazda 626LX 5-door hatchback. Bought new. Eventually sold it to my brother.
1991-2000:
1981 Chevy Camaro. Wife's car she replaced with a Dodge Caravan. I had bought her a license plate frame that said: "Wow! I could of had a V8!" (it was the gutless 6 cylinder).
2000-present:
2000 BMW 323i. Bought via this new thing called the "internet" from CarOrder.com. In case you're not familiar with this company, they acted like a middleman between the customer and traditional dealers. They took a person's order and then shopped around for a dealer willing to supply the car at CarOrder's price. Although I lived in San Jose they sourced the car from Alexander BMW in L.A. They must have lost some money on this transaction as I configured the car with the standard leatherette but when I was given the detailed specs prior to delivery saw that it was built with leather. Told them about the error but they said they would cover it. About a year later they closed their "doors".
