What car would you buy without ever having driven it?

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 04/24/2014 at 11:41 • Filed to: None

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I recall a column from Ezra Dyer several years about buying an M3, sight unseen, and without ever having actually driven an M3. The decision was based solely on the mythology of the name.

So, what's one car you would clean out your savings to buy, without ever actually ever being behind the wheel or knowing what it's like to drive? I'm not necessarily talking about buying sight unseen. Just that you KNOW this model is amazing and you don't even need to drive it to know you'd love it.

Does that make sense? For instance, I'd straight up trade my GTV6 for a clean-ish S30 240Z. I've always wanted one and I know I'd love driving one.

CAR_IS_MI > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:44

3

or

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:44

1

McLaren F1

RotaryLover > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:45

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This Accord exactly this way with a few miles/kms on it. I would buy it without even trying it.

A Lotus Elan S4 would be on the list too.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:45

1

I bought my Milano not having driven it and without seeing it in person. It just didn't make sense to drop $500+ on a flight + getting it back on a $3000 purchase. Developed a good relationship with the seller, talked to him a lot on the phone and via email, got plenty of pictures, and took a gamble. It worked out for me.

505Turbeaux > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:45

5

"I'd straight up trade my GTV6 for a clean-ish S30 240Z"

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:46

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I've always wanted a mid-90's 300ZX. Wife finally said that I can get one when we get stationed at our next base! There's not even a single one for sale (or that I've even seen) in Alaska.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:46

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This car isn't exciting.

But by now, we probably all know exactly how it drives...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:47

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I think a large pile of muscle cars fall onto this list for me.

And any corvette that wasn't manufactured between the years of 1973-1984

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:47

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The Lotus Cortina. All the way.

yellowdatsun > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:47

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Lotus Esprit. I've always wanted one. I don't care if it's impractical or unreliable, I still want one. Has to be before the restyle when they softened the lines. I like the origami ones with sharp edges.

MonkeePuzzle > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:49

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have bought several cars sight unseen, but having test driven same/similar model, so not quite the same.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:49

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I honestly can not imagine buying a car without driving it first (unless it isn't running). Is this, for some reason, my only option to actually purchase the car? Perhaps then I'd be willing for the right car, but only in that scenario.

Frosted > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:50

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Any Japanese kei car

A Nissan Silvia S15

A Nissan 180/240sx

A Nissan Cima

A JDM Toyota Crown/Aristo

Coty > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:50

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I bought my '67 Beetle and my '73 Fasty without ever driving an aircooled.

Chairman Kaga > 505Turbeaux 04/24/2014 at 11:52

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Yeah, but that's it. You have to understand I've been in love with the 240 since I was about 4 years old. Our neighbors had one...well, a 260Z... and I was obsessed. Every opportunity I had to sit in it, trading places with my other friends in the driver's seat, pretending to attack the Death Star or get away from Roscoe P. Coltrane, I was exhilarated. So that ONE car is on my short list of must own before I die. And if someone wanted to trade theirs for my GTV6, I don't think I could say no.

Forgetful > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:52

0

cazzyodo > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:53

1

I have no place getting a second car but this is sweet.

Quick background: my girlfriend and I came across one two years ago, no idea what it was, she loved it, I was intrigued, it was on my list of things to one day restore (after having a place to do so and actual knowledge of how to).

Justin Young > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:53

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Easy.

505Turbeaux > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:53

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yeah I have loved them too, but up here in the rust belt you are lucky to even see a 280 around that isnt held together by baling wire, so maybe my lust has worn off

Vicente Esteve > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:54

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Miata hasn't been the answer yet, so im just going to go ahead and

Bonhomme7h > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:55

2

Two Wheels Bad

Pillarless Class

Phallism

Sunshine, Lollipop & Rainbows.

Just For Laughs

Forgetful > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:55

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Autozam AZ-1

Chairman Kaga > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 04/24/2014 at 11:55

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More like, you are so obsessed with a particular car, say a VW Karmann Ghia, that you don't care how it drives, how it handles, how comfortable it is. You just want to own one, regardless.

Jonathon Klein > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:56

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DDMWorks 700hp Ariel Atom, because I want to die in a blaze of fiery glory!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:57

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such an excellent question. definitely these two

The Car Guy > 505Turbeaux 04/24/2014 at 11:57

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That is one ugly child.

Slow4o > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:57

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I bought my SVT Focus, sight unseen, from New Hampshire (I'm in Texas). The only other SVT I drove was at a sketchy used car dealer, and I literally just took it around the block. But everything turned out pretty well!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 11:58

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I don't think I've bought a car having test-driven it before :S they've all been towards the beater/project end of the spectrum.

To be honest, I think any of the cars I really want I'd gladly buy without having driven them beforehand. GTV6, Alfetta saloon, XJS, XJ40, X1/9, MGB GT, Spitfire, GT6, TR5, TR6, Stag, Toledo, Dolomite Sprint, Scimitar, Beta Coupe/HPE, Fulvia, SD1, P6, Delta Integrale, 2000 GTV, Montreal, Biturbo, Corvair, Toronado, '67 Firebird, 2600 Zagato, Flaminia SSZ, 75, 6, 159, 4C GTA, A110, Murena, V8 Vantage, Dino, 131 Abarth, Imp, E-Type, F-Type, GranTurismo, Khamsin, 914/7, T350C or a Sagaris.

Any inadequacies are just something to improve :)

Chairman Kaga > Noah - Now with more boost. 04/24/2014 at 11:58

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I got to drive a 1977 911 Carrera 3.0 at an SCCA event about 15 years ago. It was everything I thought it would be.

Noah - Now with more boost. > 505Turbeaux 04/24/2014 at 11:59

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this! somebody had to say it

Noah - Now with more boost. > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 04/24/2014 at 12:02

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hell yeah! I have been considering these for a DD. but I am a nutcase.

KirkyV > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:03

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"It wasn't the first, and it certainly isn't the fastest. I think it'll have to put up with being, simply, the best."

Mattbob > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:04

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pretty much same car for me, but it would have to have no rust, and no accidents. I'm okay withe mileage, but I've dealt with too much crap from rust and crashed cars.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:06

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....infinitely jealous. that is so excellent to hear though. I expect to cry my first time...

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:06

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KGC10 Skyline

Chairman Kaga > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/24/2014 at 12:07

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To be honest, I only drove my GTV6 for about 10 minutes before I committed to buy it. I'd never driven ANY Alfa prior, either. I got behind the wheel, loved the way it sounded, liked the feel, and said sure, $2,500 sounds reasonable.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:07

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Currently, my obsession is a BMW 2002.

Or an E30 M3.

Or an Ariel Atom.

Or a Caterham Superlight R500 (or any Caterham, honestly).

Or a BAC Mono.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Noah - Now with more boost. 04/24/2014 at 12:10

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Hell, I've been finding them cheap too. But they're all 1500 to 2000 miles away from me. The price for being in Alaska. I found a good few with between 90k and 110k miles for between $6000 and $8000. Most of them are in pretty good shape. I want one with T-tops. Not a convertible.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 04/24/2014 at 12:18

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yesss they're definitely in a depreciation sweet spot at the moment! and si ttops = obligatory haha

Spoon II > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:30

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A Delorean. Immediately.

revrseat70 > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 12:49

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Absolutely any of these if they were in good condition and I had the funds.

Chairman Kaga > revrseat70 04/24/2014 at 12:51

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I'd do many, many things for an NSX. And I've never even sat in one.

Bluecold > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 13:07

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If I won the lottery, I'd call this guy, and buy his Alfa Colli sport.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/59822…

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 13:17

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C6 'Vette

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Noah - Now with more boost. 04/24/2014 at 13:20

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Hell, give it a few more year and I wouldn't be surprised if these start to rise in price. Beautiful design and if you get the turbo V6 (which, let's be honest, why wouldn't you?) you're pushing 300hp. Can't argue with that!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 13:26

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If only I had a 240Z. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat :) it's sort of the other way around for me

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 13:27

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That sounds like something I'd do :) perhaps without the 10 minute drive as the car's not on the road, and $1000 cheaper

mpa-burner2 > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 13:37

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I've bought 2 cars without driving them - but I had driven other versions before.

'89 Mustang LX - 5.0, 5 spd - Flew to Indy to pick it up, but I had an '89 LX years earlier.

'03 Miata - Flew to Dallas and drove it back. Had a '00 Miata previously.

revrseat70 > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 14:26

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Out of all these cars, it would probably be the one I would hesitate on. But the GTR's in that pic... for sure

thebigbossyboss > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 16:01

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Buick GNX. 77-79 Lincoln Continental. What do you need to drive it for? What do YOU think it handles like? ha!

DeuxCentCinqTurboSeize > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 17:58

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If I found a 205 GTi in great condition i'd go for it.

Axial > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 19:44

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Let's see:

1990 Corvette ZR-1

1959 Corvette

Ferrari F50

Ferrari F355

Alfa Romeo 4C

BMW 850 Ci

BMW i8

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT

2014 Camaro Z/28

Jeep Wrangler, 2 dr.

I know I'm forgetting some.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 21:06

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Fiesta ST, I would buy without even going to look at one

PS9 > Chairman Kaga 04/24/2014 at 21:09

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Yyyyyeeeeesssss

Shiftright > Chairman Kaga 04/28/2014 at 13:44

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Toyota Camry / Corolla. You know it will of course, start, run and drive and most if not everything will work, regardless of age or mileage. The 'driving' experience will not have degraded much from new, because well, the experience of pushing a vacuum cleaner doesn't ever change much in overall feel.