How Many Cars Would You Actually Own?

"PelicanHazard" (pelicanhazard) 03/27/2014 at 12:00 • Filed to: dream car garage, fantasy, dreams, future

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We all like to gawk over supercars and top-trim fancymobiles and wish for every kind of vehicle we desire to appear in a Leno-esque garage to which we have the keys. Then we succumb to the reality that Lamborghinis don't make the best daily drivers and thus buy a Focus or Golf. But really, how many vehicles would we own given the chance?

For this exercise, assume you don't have to worry about the cost or tax of buying a vehicle, but you are responsible for all the running costs, including insurance and whatever is required for registration. You also are not allowed a magic separate structure to store vehicles; you must park them on your property or property you can afford to rent out. How many vehicles would you own?

I'm restricted by a semi-crowded street parking situation, though I do have half of a two-car garage at my disposal. So I'd probably keep my Dart for DD and park it out front along with a FIAT 500 for trips into denser areas, with a Cherokee on winter tires stashed away in the garage for winter duty and a BMW C650GT beside it for quick summer trips to go meet up with friends or something. I'd still have enough money room for other wanted vehicles like a truck or wagon, just no room to store them. I also can't trade my Dart/FIAT in for a Volt/i3 because I rent and can't install a home charger in the garage.

So, for me, three cars and a scooter. This is in stark contrast to my fantasies of owning a Cadillac, an S-Class, a McLaren, a truck, a minivan, a full-size SUV, a wagon, and something like 5 different sedans/hatchbacks for regular use.

What about you?

Reigntastic > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:03

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3 cars. One for track use, one for DD/date night, one shitbox project. Maybe throw a motorcycle into the mix.

HammerheadFistpunch > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:04

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I think 4 cars is all I would need.

1. car for the wife and kids

2. heavy duty tow vehicle

3. off road play thing

4. canyon carver/track toy/summer vehicle.

The Tow vehicle and play thing can sit outside.

RazoE > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:05

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All the cars I could afford to park/maintain. Last year I had 5.

RacecaR > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:06

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So basically no fantasy involved? Just real life scenario? I would own three, which I have done for about the past 9 years or so. A daily driver for my wife, a daily driver for me, and then a project/toy/weekend car for me. One day I would like to get a weekend car for my wife as well. It may happen eventually.

PelicanHazard > RacecaR 03/27/2014 at 12:08

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The only fantasy involved is that any car can be had at no cost to you; purchasing it and paying the taxes on it cost you zero.

Lekker > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:08

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5 and two motorcycles. An Exige S, Camaro z/28, BRZ, S-Class and a Range Rover HSE. The breakdown: Exige S for track, Camaro daily for me, BRZ daily for the wife, S-Class for fancy dining and Range Rover for travel. Motorcycles: Triumph Daytona 675 (08 model), and a Harley Davidson VRod Night Rod Special edition. The Triumph because triple, and the Harley to go cruise with my dad.

Now in terms of storage, I have a 2 car garage with 2 on driveway and spot on the side of my house for another 3 cars. So I'd keep the bikes inside, the S-Class and and Exige inside, and the BRZ, Range rover and Camaro outside.

CalzoneGolem > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:09

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I'd have 3. Winter, not winter and fun.

Party-vi > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:15

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I think, 4.

- Willys

- Daily driver

-Winter/ski SUV

- Rotating project/fun car (jonesing for an old S Class at the moment)

I've got a garage for the Willys and a 4-car driveway and street parking for the rest.

t_s > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:15

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Nine, a nice number, without the worrying connotations of double figures.

Gamecat235 > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:18

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Given current situation, house has no garage, single carport which is exposed on two sides (entry and to the drivers side): 3 cars. None of them so flashy that they are immediate targets for obvious theft. They also need to be relatively reliable and under warranty.

1: 2014 Beetle GSR (I've come to love my 2000 New Beetle and though the HPA Beetle is still for sale, it would bankrupt me if something broke on it). This would be my daily. No this isn't a joke.

2: 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser (have two kids and since the mileage is the same between this and the Sequoia, and in your scenario I'm not buying it, price isn't the factor). Likely be the wife's daily.

3. 2014 Audi S5 6MT. Weekend / Fun car.

I'm truly torn between the Beetle GSR and a 2014 V6 Mustang with the V6 Performance Package. LOL. I am a weird duck.

Agrajag > Lekker 03/27/2014 at 12:18

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Shelby Cobra, 1986 Dodge Ramcharger w/318, 1975 Chevrolet Suburban w/454 rwd only, and then what I currently have.

2 of those I previously owned and want again.

RacecaR > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:21

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But space and upkeep are real world? So I would have to stick with 3. That is all I have space for, without filling up my driveway, which my wife would hate.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:22

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I'm in the process in designing and erecting a standalone garage (steel building) to work on and house cars. Splitting 5 cars between two garages is getting tiresome. Will be nice to have them all in one place. Space is invariably always the issue. I've got a $3k AE86 that takes $50 a year to insure and is the cheapest thing I've ever seen to fix/run. Staying realistic is key. Don't bite off more than you can chew and the rest comes relatively easy.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:25

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Just two and two motorcycles. My current Forester would become a super daily with an STI 6 speed and some STI related engine goodies. Fun car/project would be 2013 STI hatch, black. Two bikes would be a KTM supermoto and a street bike of some sort, maybe an R6.

Saracen > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:27

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Three or four.

The DD - Efficient, comfy, practical. Something like a Golf TDI.

The Mule - Something used, cheap and durable that can trailer, haul me and some friends to the slopes, haul mountain bikes, home depot runs, etc...something like an old school Land Cruiser.

The Track Beater - A project car for me to use as a learning tool for driving and working on cars. Would spend most of its time in my garage on jack stands. Doesn't have to be street legal if I can tow it. S14 240SX would be ideal.

The Sports Car/Dream Car - a 997.1, etc.

willkinton247 > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:27

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I'd probably own 4.

A car that meets my (future) spouses needs
A car that gets me around in a fun way. Maybe a GTI?
A fun car, like a miata at this point in my life, maybe move up market in the future.
A vehicle with towing capability.

Textured Soy Protein > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:32

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So, my actual 2 car fleet is:

2013 BMW 135is DCT

1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8

I would probably stick to 2 cars but change them out for:

2013 Corvette 427 convertible

2014 Ford Flex Ecoboost

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:32

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I'm really rather lucky in the space that's been provided to me. We've got about an 80ft square hardstanding out the back, and we'll be building a 6-berth garage (3-wide and 2 deep) to store/work on cars as well as a single tall garage that's already built. The 6-berth garage will have an awning over the front providing shelter for a further 3 cars.

Then, at the other end of the hardstanding we'll have a row of 'car ports'. Basically open-faced shelters for another 4-6 cars.

In other words, I'm bloody lucky in the space that I've got. The deciding factor is the number of cars I can maintain. I've found that I can make acceptable progress on 2 or 3 project cars, and do occasional maintenance on 2-3 more.

Ideally, if I manage to land a higher paying job such that I could afford more work to be done by garages, or pick up a protege to help, I'd have a fleet of about 16. That's enough to cover the bulk of cars I really really want to own.

I'd probably have one or two running and on the road at any given moment, but rotate them around every 3 or 4 months to keep them all ticking over and make sure I'm not one of those guys that amasses a collection and just lets them rot.

That's the plan anyway :) we'll see how far I get

Stupidru > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:33

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Given that I only have a deep 2.5 car garage, I'd probably own 4 cars. Keep my winter beater in the driveway, keep my summer car on the left side of the garage, keep my wife's car on the right side, and keep my track rat parked perpendicular to the two garage cars similar to the picture below. My winter beater would be a WRX, my wife would drive a Trailblazer SS, my summer car would be a Terminator Mustang, and my track rat would be a Lotus Exige

CAR_IS_MI > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:35

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Given that I must use my current (low pay) job and the property I can currently afford, as well as the fact that I currently have 8 vehicles on that property, and can not reasonably fit any more, I will go with 8...

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein 03/27/2014 at 12:35

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Your current fleet seems like the best mix of everything you would need - fast sporty DD in the summer and a plush SUV for winter/hauling duties.

Stevo777 > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:37

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To be honest for me I'd like in my 3 car garage, a new Mercedes S65 AMG for the weekend land missile, a new 2014 BMW M5 Competition package (6spd) for the daily, and last but not least a ML550 for those rainy days. ( looks in wallet, can not afford)

edit: Yup, it's a fantasy garage. but it feels good to dream...

mr2gud2u > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:38

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3 for me. Daily driver modded wagon, sort of a beater diesel F250, and a 90s F or B-body to autoX

Tom McParland > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 12:39

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So buying them is free but maintenance is on me and I have to fit them on my property. Then it would be 3: V60 T6 R, Maybe a pre-owned Cayman, and a E39 M5

Gamecat235 > Tom McParland 03/27/2014 at 13:00

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I like the way you think. I went big on the wife's SUV, and relatively tame for myself and the weekend vehicle. Given flashiness constraints (exposed street parking).

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi 03/27/2014 at 13:06

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Thanks. I'm actually really happy with this combo.

I got the 135is first, and got the Jeep instead of putting snow tires on the 135is. Which worked out well, because I fit just about perfect in the 135is with the adjustable side bolsters at their widest. I drove it once my biggest-ass winter coat on once and it was a tight squeeze.

The Jeep is definitely better for being cushy and driving in winter. It's not crazy big but a lot more room to spread out. Driving over silly-steep driveways and potholes are no problem. Also nice to have the back seat that fits actual humans and cargo capacity for road trips with my gf who can never just bring one bag.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 13:08

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I have three right now and im only 20 so by thirty i hope to double it :) I like craigslist too much

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 13:14

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Let's see...

We have 3 currently: 2002 SVT Focus, 2008 Saturn Astra 5-door XR, and 1994 Dakota. We own (pay the bank to let us live in) a house with a 1 ( in actuality, none, it's filled with crap) car garage and a 2-car driveway.

Truck is parked on the side street next to the house. Thankfully it's a corner lot.

I'd say we could maybe have room for one more, but that's parking awful close to the neighbor's yard behind us.

Tom McParland > Gamecat235 03/27/2014 at 13:19

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Yeah I assumed that this list did not include my wife's van. She gets the driveway, I can fit 3 cars in front of the house.

bob and john > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 13:26

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if we are just limited on upkeep, then id have to have just 1 car. and then like 7 motorcycles

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 13:27

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In a perfect world this is what my Stable would look like.

Daily Driver: Tesla Model S

Winter/Trips to Home Depot Duty: 2015 GMC Canyon Diesel 4X4

Weekend Toy: SRT Viper GTS

Motorcycle: BMW R Nine T

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 03/27/2014 at 13:29

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what ever happened with your parking situation? I remember you having issues a few weeks back.

Dusty Ventures > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 13:51

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Five, plus a trailer. Rally car, desert race truck, tow/support truck, daily runabout, fun weekend car.

If I were to do specific makes and models:
Nameless GT86 or Super Production spec Subaru STI
TrophyLite
Ford F-450 decked out as a desert chase truck
24 foot open trailer with tire carrier
Fiesta ST
Ford GT (ask me again in 24 hours and this one would probably change)

Textured Soy Protein > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 03/27/2014 at 13:55

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I was mostly able to work it out . She had put up the notes about the parking policy to calm down a bunch of my neighbors with nothing better to do than complain to her about cars they think have been sitting too long. But she doesn't have the time to actually enforce the policy.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I still have to occasionally move the Jeep—if I drive it even one a week I'll be fine—but the apartment manager is going to leave me well enough alone. She agreed that if any of my self appointed parking Nazi neighbors complain to her about my Jeep, she'll call me rather than the towing company.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Textured Soy Protein 03/27/2014 at 14:08

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good to hear.

B_dol > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 14:54

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Setting aside the limiting factors of space, etc., I would keep the fleet to a number where I can still maintain/clean/store all the cars myself. The GF and I have agreed that probably keeps the number around 4.

Right now that is a 2014 BMW 228i MSport and 2013 Scion FR-S. Later on it might grow to include a reasonable DD (3 series diesel wagon or small crossover) and an exotic toy.

N/A POWAAAHH > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 17:16

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I would own 3. My DD (which I have), something fast for the weekend, and something fancy and an auto for cruising around.

B_dol > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/27/2014 at 18:05

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What're you rocking at such a young age!? Bravo.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > B_dol 03/27/2014 at 18:33

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2003 Miata, 91 Jeep cherokee and 2001 Ford Escort Zx2

stuttgartobsessed > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 19:39

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I'd only have 2 for my current living situation. Though in an ideal work my house would be the upper floor of an abandoned factory/warehouse made of brick and I could just park all of my cars in my "house" on the main floor. I'd also repair them there. In that case I'd have anywhere between 5 and 50.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PelicanHazard 03/27/2014 at 20:50

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Three- a practical/family car, a "fun" car, and a project car.

TA4K > PelicanHazard 03/28/2014 at 01:19

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I would have to go Fiesta ST or earlier Focus RS for around town, a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute for hauling, and probably an Exige or Evora, or maybe a P1 or 918 for a fun car.

Because-Racecar > PelicanHazard 03/28/2014 at 02:14

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Hmmmm..... for my ultimate, "hey I make good money and am doing great in life but didn't win the lottery"

3.

1) Fiat 500 Abarth, upgraded, daily driver + hoon (yay, one down)

2) Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon/Sahara, upgraded, ultimate adventure/winter/bro truck/screwYourSUV/broDoYouEvenLift/itsSnowingAndIdontCaaaaarree

3) Some kind of dedicated racecar. Because racecar. Miata, 4C... the whim changes every week!

Right now I can afford my #1 only. And just barely. I would love to have a Jeep and give absolutely ZERO fucks about potholes.

GRawesome > PelicanHazard 03/28/2014 at 09:39

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I'd go with 8, one for each day of the week plus one for special occasions or to rotate in when one of the others need service/repair. I already have 5, so I'm not far from the goal. Once there I may sell one as I buy one to keep the number at 8, but it would be hard. My wife and I are building a garage (among others rooms, but who cares about those) at our house, to go from a tiny 1 car garage to a nice 4 car garage, so with lifts I could reasonable fit 8.

Leadfoot866 > PelicanHazard 03/31/2014 at 16:35

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Right, given my current housing situation of one parking space reserved, but anything else would have to be on the street, it will probably be just two vehicles...

2012 Focus hatch - The Daily and occasional autocross toy.

Old Jeep (Grand) Cherokee (preferrably with AMC 4.0L) - The Winter Beater.

Impulsoren > PelicanHazard 04/01/2014 at 04:42

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Five cars. A pickup, for obvious utility reasons. A van, for moving many people at one time, moving stuff in the rain, and race car hauler. Daily driver, being a small AWD vehicle for getting to work no matter what. A racecar. A weekend driver. Caveat: maybe need 6 cars so you can have both a classic and exotic weekend car. I have been trading back and forth on the latter instead of both.

Ricky Weston > PelicanHazard 04/01/2014 at 10:31

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As of now I have 9 cars. I'm still shopping around—both for cars and more storage space for said cars. How many would I like to own? As many as I can afford.