Let's talk about the vehicular tastes of our significant others...

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland) 05/07/2014 at 12:55 • Filed to: the other half, articles, marriagelopnik

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! While some females may like cars, having a fancy car in and of itself is not going to make you more attractive to women. This got me thinking about how my wife feels about automobiles. Mrs. Automatch is not what I would call a "gear-head," through she is very tolerant of my obsession. It helps that my sickness brings in a few dollars and has paid for several vacations.

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However, she does have an appreciation for quality automobiles. She will admire a 911 on the highway; she shares my affinity for sport-wagons (though not to the same degree) and on a recent !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! "You need to make more money so we can own a Ferrari." (she really likes the F430)

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Sometimes, I am confused by what she likes. On our nightly walks around the neighborhood we pass several Nissan Armadas. On more than one occasion she has said, "If I didn't have to drive a minivan, I would get one of those….or a Honda Pilot." The Pilot I get; after all it does seem to be the default vehicle of choice for MAMs (mom's avoiding the minivan)...but the Armada? It is big, it's awkward, and it eats gas like a T-rex at an endless hot-wing buffet. Oh well...at least she hates the Armada's ugly cousin.

Also, In a recent super-cool turn of events she alone, came up with the idea that we should decorate our son's bedroom with a vintage racing theme.

Gotta start 'em young you know…

What are some vehicles that your significant others dig or don't dig? Any surprises?

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is a professional car buying consultant, lover of all things automotive and a bit wagon obsessed. You can find more ramblings and plenty of carporn !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

CAR_IS_MI > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:00

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Doug, in typical humorous DeMuro fashion, brought up that females aren't really into cars.

It's not the car, its just Doug...

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:01

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Sounds like Mrs. Automatch and Mrs. HHFP could have a lot to talk about. She loves older 911's and she drives a sportwagen TDI manual. Then she went and did it when we took a walk around at a dodge event when she said she totally wanted the loaded 30th anniversary grand caravan...guh.

Tom McParland > CAR_IS_MI 05/07/2014 at 13:02

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LOL

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:03

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Hahaha that's awesome about the bedroom.

My wife, who when I started dating her back in college drove a god awful 97 Mercury Tracer (YES I used god awful and Mercury in the same sentence, a piece of my soul died in that crap can).

Well, I wanted her to have 4x4, after all the stories she told me of spinning/sliding/almost dying in the tracer, for her next vehicle.

Ended up in a Jeep Liberty (which kind of also sucked lol) but she LOVED IT and it made her a Jeep fanatic. She currently drives a 2008 Jeep Commander which she also loves. She walked across the parking lot at the store the other day to check out a bad ass lifted/geared up Jeep Wrangler.

In fact, just 2 weeks ago she told me how she wants a lifted built XJ or Wrangler Unlimited in the future as an off road toy. She doesn't want to scratch up her Commander off road (which hasn't stopped her from flying down dirt roads when ever she can. I mean it, she literally came home the other day complaining about a completely non-essential dirt road being close because she wanted to use it. And if you saw under the thing when I do oil changes....she could at least get an undercarriage wash!)

She also loves classic pickups/rat rod pickups.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:04

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Mrs Aya digs small hatchbacks, like Honda Fit or Renault Clio. She also digs a small roadster, like Mazda MX5 or Mercedes SLK. And he also loves the sportwagon, particularly the RS6 with V10 or the current gen E63.

I think that's all. And oh, the current gen 911 and SLR Roadster. I think it's surprising she knows SLR Roadster, i guess she have seen it somewhere..

alexotics > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:06

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While I don't have a significant other yet, my girlfriends of years past have driven Volvo XC70, Mazda 3, MINI, MINI, VW GTI. I was quite ok with all of their rides.

My dream is to have my wife daily drive an Aston Martin DBS Volante or red Ferrari 599. It would be the ultimate form of foreplay. :D

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:07

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My girlfriend likes the Miata and hated her Camry. She gets points for this.

However, she hates all E36 BMWs now that she's had a decent accident in one. But the accident was caused by black ice and having summer tires on the car in winter (her dad isn't very bright when it comes to cars), it had nothing to do with the car at all.

She almost got an Acura RSX to replace her Camry. But alas, she has a Taurus.

thebigbossyboss > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:08

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Ms thebigbossyboss really wants a Volvo C-30 and loves Porsche's. She is saving her money for a C30, but can't drive stick and can't reach the pedals on my stick car, because race car.

Aaron Foley > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:09

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Out of all the crazy cars I've tested or brought home, my partner settled on a Kia Sportage last year.

Anon > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:10

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I currently in between girlfriends so I can only really speak of female friends. One of my friends is absolutely in love with audis, specifically those of the "S" variety. Her dad has always owned Audis S4s so she loves them. Also I ride bikes with her dad (who's a massive gear head) and he was asking me about what I thought about my mini cooper because he was thinking about buying one for her. Well I told him I didn't recommend it (you can look at my history and find out my love hate relationship with my Mini) however I did recommend an older S4 as you can easily find them in the same price range and he seemed pretty receptive of the idea. So if she ends up getting a S4 for her college graduation present I better go down as the best friend in the history of friends.

Tom McParland > Aaron Foley 05/07/2014 at 13:10

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Turbo?

Chris Clarke > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:25

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My wife decided that since our A4 Avant was such a part of the family that we should keep it just to pass down to the kids. Her dream car to own one day is a gun metal great RX-7.

Meatcoma > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:27

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You need to make more money so we can own a...

I hear that as well. "If YOU made more money...."

My wife has a very wide range of wants in the car category. Dodge Challenger, C3 vette, Nissan Juke, BRZ/FRS, Mustang, Porsche 911, Cayman, Carrera, 944, 968, Lotus Esprit, exige, elise, any ferrari, luckily most of her wants align with some of mine.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:28

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Once we had kids and started looking for bigger vehicles, I tried to talk my wife into a wagon to no avail (said it's too much of a "mom car"). We ended up with the Volvo XC90 (Really, this isn't the ultimate "mom car?")after she passed on the XC60 and, of course, the XC70. Two years later, the XC90 is "too big" and she spots a used BMW 325iT at our local dealer when I'm thinking about getting rid of the 535i. After my shock ("You want a wagon, now?") turned into frustration ("Why didn't you want a wagon two years ago?! We're going to take a bath on the XC90!!") we ended up getting the little E46 wagon (it did drop our monthly payments and insurance about $400).

My wife still pines after the Range Rover Sport (okay, only if we buy one with a warranty from CarMax) and the BMW X6 (no f'n way I'm buying a less-practical X5). She has also expressed interest in the Toyota FJ Cruiser (I'd like one, but not practical with only two doors). If we win the lotto and become multi-millionaires she wants a Veyron. Yes, a 1000hp super car to tool around town in. So overall I don't think I'm doing too bad in the wife department.

Aaron Foley > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:29

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Ha. Not even. EX trim, just a baby step above the base model.

Imirrelephant > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:30

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Mrs Irrelephant likes SUVs and about anything convertible (she thinks the Murano CrossCab is ugly, thank the gods!). We currently have a '09 Highlander that she DD's . It's somewhat boring to drive, but fine for most things. If we do need to get a minivan (UGH) for kid hauling duties some day, She likes the Odyssey. I lean more towards the Sienna or the new Sedona, but at least it's not a T&C.

She likes Jeep Wranglers. I could go for an Unlimited. 1st gen Bronco would be pretty sweet, though.

It's too bad I just got a '12 Jetta TDI for my commute. I could have easily talked her into letting me get the '15 Sportwagen when it hits the States. If I had the cash and no 100 mile daily drive, she would let me get a CTS-V Wagon no problem.

yamahog > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:31

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Eh, my SO's alright , I guess .

Jagvar > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:31

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Mine lives and breathes Infiniti. And I'm a hardcore Volkswagen guy. Still, we've managed not to kill each other.

revrseat70 > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:32

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Agreed on the bedroom! Very cool. My wife drives a Volvo XC60, but looses her cool whenever she sees the new generation Lexus IS in dark colors. I'd prefer her to have one of those too... maybe some day an F-sport will be in order. By then, we will probably have kids though. My wife is pretty cool though. For being luxury minded (she said her dad's Lexus IS250C is "a zippy and quick car" despite having driven my ex-boosted IS300 and ex-GTO) she is also a pretty cool wife to look for cars with. As long as it's safe, feels like a quality product, and we can afford it, she's down with whatever. We were considering Golf R's or WRX's/STi's... When we actually started looking, she was sensitive enough to it that she could feel the differences in the cars from the passenger seat. So much so that she didn't even want to drive the WRX herself because she could tell how much better the STi feels.

Tom McParland > Jagvar 05/07/2014 at 13:32

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Well...at least you will always have one working car. :D

Tom McParland > revrseat70 05/07/2014 at 13:33

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My wife really likes the new IS as well.

revrseat70 > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 13:35

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I always consider making a vacuum cleaner joke about that front end, but won't.... mainly because I'm the one who vacuums...

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 14:03

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My wife likes the Mazda CX5 for when we have babies, but she said the FR-S wasn't big enough for our only car. I hate the fact that she is right on that one.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Chris Clarke 05/07/2014 at 14:06

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My dream car is a montego blue FD3S. Sadly I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

Nibbles > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 14:12

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When I met my wife, she was driving a 1997 Dodge Dakota. It was weathered, had been used to pull horse trailers all its life, but was a damn good little truck. Only on its third transmission, too! She loved it and had driven trucks primarily her entire driving career. It was cool, albeit slightly immasculating, to have my tiny old Saab parked next to her V8 truck.

She didn't know much about cars, and didn't really care to learn, until we started playing the "what's that?" game. She'd point out a car, I'd ramble off tons of information about it, and after a while that info started to stick. Now we go to shows together, bounce car stuff off each other, and she helps me restore the 900.

She still loves her trucks. Project Thanks Obama is hers (although I mainly drive it) and she learned stick on the truck. She's highly interested in seeing how the EcoDiesel performs but, deep in her heart of hearts, she wants a Mustang GT. With a stick.

That's why I love her. Also why my next car won't be a Mustang because I get the next car goddamnit

newton > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 14:14

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My right hand enjoys all the same cars I do.

Aero > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 14:50

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My GF of four years wants a 350Z, but has settled for an SVT Focus for now. I'm happy with that.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 15:02

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First of all, your wife sounds awesome.

My wife also is pretty fantastic and has some great moments (she once said she liked the looks of the Lotus Elise), and she watches Top Gear and F1 with me, and has already said she's okay with me owning a Porsche one day, but she loves her SUVs/crossovers and sitting up high. We have three kids and two dogs, so we do need a car with room for all us. Her current ride is an '08 CX-9 AWD Grand Touring - we bought it new for ~$10k off list when gas prices were out of control in the summer of 2008. It's been a great car for us, and we've racked up 130k miles on it, including trips to Colorado, Texas, Florida, and one epic one to Montana. She still loves it (it's loaded) and I joke that she's the coolest soccer mom in town with her 20" rims. We're planning to take it all the way to 200k (if not 250 or 300) before we finally replace it (the MDX is high on the list right now, but I'm looking forward to seeing what SkyActiv means for the CX-9).

Tom McParland > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/07/2014 at 15:03

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Kudos on the CX-9. I try to recommend them to so many people who want Highlanders and Pilots, but they are reluctant to give the Mazda a shot even if I can save them thousands on the CX.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > It's a "Porch-uh" 05/07/2014 at 15:06

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Sounds like you got a good one.

I think you've got your Xs flipped, by the way.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chris Clarke 05/07/2014 at 15:06

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Your wife is awesome.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 15:13

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I recommended it to our next door neighbor, and they bought one, too. It's honestly really great to drive on long trips, and a billy goat in the mountains. Transmission works well for downshifting for steep grades as well.

ChrisFu > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 15:15

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Went to pick up my brother-in-law from the local FBO during a recent visit, and it presented itself with a nice photo op for my wife's car:

And yes, its a 6MT. She's rather fond of it.

Tom McParland > ChrisFu 05/07/2014 at 15:17

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The GLI is really nice

handsoff > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 15:56

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Mrs handsoff really wants an old Mustang or some other loud, V8, stick-equipped car. Or a Viper. Or a '97-06 Wrangler. We went looking for a new car for her last year, and ended up spending half our budget because she couldn't go home without this used RAV4 with a stick. More money for car parts is fine with me!

handsoff > handsoff 05/07/2014 at 16:04

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That said, she says her next car will be a Pilot or a crew cab pickup. Girls use weird logic

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 16:07

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What is a significant other, hooman? :p

SpontaneouslyCombustible > Chris Clarke 05/07/2014 at 16:18

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Agreed with davesaddiction. Damn, you did good.

Chris Clarke > SpontaneouslyCombustible 05/07/2014 at 16:19

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Too bad that by the time I'll be able to afford one, there won't be any left.

Frosted > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 16:49

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My girlfriend drives a Prius but has put her foot down that her next car has to be either a Mini Cooper S or a VW Golf GT.

Ferrero1911 > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 18:02

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My boyfriend drives this:

Before that he had 2 Miatas (at the same time) and when I started dating him he drove an E46 328Ci. I would say he has varying, but good taste.

cabarne4 > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 19:41

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The girl I'm on again / off again with had an NA Miata for her first car. Traded it in last summer for a 350Z convertible. She hardly puts the top down, though, and is thinking about trading it in for a hardtop (if she can find a place that'll basically trade her for her vert).

Parents are another story. Neither of them are "car people", really. Mom has had PAV's (Pediatric Assault Vehicles) for as long as I can remember. 80's Ford E-series van (in a very 80's gold color), '94 GMC Suburban (the big one), and then an '03 Ford Expedition (her first new car purchase — still driving it today). She's about 5'2" and wants something tall so she can see over people for once.

Dad has had the most random assortment of cars. When I was really young, he had a Firebird — white with an eagle mural painted on it (he got it in the 80's. It complemented the van fairly well). He got rid of that and got Grandpa's old Mercedes — a Blue-on-blue-on- dear-god-why-is-everything-blue late-80's 300SEL. He had that up until 1997, when he bought a 1999 SAAB 9-5. As the story goes, he went to a trade show, saw the SAAB on display, and said "I'll take that one". Somehow convinced them to sell it to him. It was pre-US-production, and had features that didn't make it to market (such as a multi-disc CD changer, and heated / air conditioned REAR seats — The production model only had heated rears). Had that until 2004, when he got a brand new Nissan Titan and gave the SAAB to my brother, who promptly wrapped it around a tree. A few years later he gave the Titan to my brother, who promptly drove it into a ditch. He then got a brand new Nissan Maxima, which he gave to my other brother last summer. He's much more responsible. My dad then bought another new Titan (2013)... Then he took the first Titan back from my brother, because he moved to NYC, and I can't think of a worse vehicle to own in the City... So now he drives two Nissan Titans?

Desu-San-Desu > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 20:29

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I am the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. My girlfriend, when asked what kind of car she'd like her next vehicle to be, said this:

"I'd like two, really. One for family stuff. Preferably something along the station wagon. But not like, anything wimpy. Something with some power so I don't have to feel like I'm going to get rear-ended when getting on the interstate. You remember those old Toyota Cresta- yeah, Cressidas, that's it. You remember those? I always liked the wagon versions of those. Or maybe one of those Subaru Legacy's with the turbos. Yeah, the GT. Those were really nice. They look nice, have a lot of power, and the AWD is nice since I'm a nurse and sometimes might have to deal with driving in ice and stuff.

The second car would be just for fun. Something for taking up to the mountains and stuff. You know, a 2-door or something? Something kind of fast and fun. I saw one of those BRZ FRS things the other day and they look really nice. Or maybe like an old Toyota Spider- MR2? Is that what it's called, with the engine in the back? Yeah, that. Maybe a Honda, the convertible one. I tried a Miata one time, but it was a little tight on space for me. Either way, I'd like it to be rear-wheel drive. I used to drive a Crown Vic and it was a rear-wheel drive and I really liked it. All-wheel drive is nice too. I just don't want front-wheel drive. My ex's car was front-wheel drive and is just wasn't any fun."

She also watches Top Gear with me a lot, is really interested in learning about rally racing, and accompanies me to the monthly Cars and Coffee every month and just gets a huge kick out of learning about all the types of cars there.

BeholdTheCamaro > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 21:45

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My ex was into classic American muscle, although I suspect that was mainly sparked because she liked the '67 Impala on Supernatural.

fhrblig > Tom McParland 05/07/2014 at 22:19

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My partner admitted he almost bought a Jeep Compass. I do not let him go car shopping alone anymore.

Actually, he has a weird thing for the Ford Flex. I think they're ok enough, it just seems like a weird one for him to like.

It's a "Porch-uh" > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 05/07/2014 at 22:58

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How ya figure? X6 has less cargo space in the rear since it's the "coupe" version.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > It's a "Porch-uh" 05/07/2014 at 23:20

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Right, and it's butt-ugly. Re-read what you wrote (I knew what you meant).

Dsscats > Ferrero1911 05/07/2014 at 23:29

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I was waiting until you showed up :p

Dsscats > Frosted 05/07/2014 at 23:30

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Why not GTI?

Dsscats > fhrblig 05/07/2014 at 23:30

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Did your partner have an SX4?

Ferrero1911 > Dsscats 05/07/2014 at 23:34

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Haha, too bad he couldn't post what I drive. He's been working on replacing suspension parts on the Bronco all day...while parked on the street. This is the first car I've seen him work on that doesn't need a low profile jack and/or ramps.

Dsscats > Ferrero1911 05/07/2014 at 23:42

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I'm pretty sure my car might need a LoPro. Somehow I literally LOST my floor jack. How the hell does that happen!? What is getting replaced?

fhrblig > Dsscats 05/08/2014 at 00:17

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Yes, 2 of them actually. He now has a Juke AWD turbo.

Ferrero1911 > Dsscats 05/08/2014 at 00:51

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Panhard bar bushings, sway bar bushings, sway bar link bushings and shocks. He's still got tie rod ends, center link, and drag link to do tomorrow.

Frosted > Dsscats 05/08/2014 at 00:51

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That's what I meant. Missed a letter.

Tom McParland > fhrblig 05/08/2014 at 07:44

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Dat Juke....about the Flex, I am working on a post about that

Stupidru > Tom McParland 05/08/2014 at 10:42

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My wife's tastes are everything that I detest. She equally hates everything that I love

fhrblig > Tom McParland 05/08/2014 at 10:58

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I thought I would hate driving the Juke, but it's pretty fun to drive. Even the CVT isn't that bad.

toomuchcommuting > Tom McParland 05/08/2014 at 12:26

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My wife has had only two cars, a 98 Altima and a 06 Saturn Vue. She really like the Mazda 5 mini van for her next car, she did say later on in life she wants a c7 Corvette so I guess I'll keep her.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > cabarne4 05/08/2014 at 12:35

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I am confused how your dad bought the 1999 Saab in 1997 haha

AhsuBH > Tom McParland 05/08/2014 at 13:09

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My wife drives a 1970 GTO Judge. I win.

Tom McParland > AhsuBH 05/08/2014 at 13:12

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You win

SpontaneouslyCombustible > Chris Clarke 05/08/2014 at 14:31

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That's more or less how I feel about AE86s. Not for the JDM DORIFUUUU nonsense. I've just always liked them. Figure i'll keep my mk2 and then have a car that i swap out every couple of years. Sadly an 86 wouldn't be something i could find unmolested or even lightly molested but cared for.

I forsee the same fate for 240s within the next 5-10 years.

Trevor Mohr > Tom McParland 05/08/2014 at 19:39

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Meanwhile, my mom doesn't know a single thing about cars. She probably doesn't even know how many cylinders are in the engine of her 2011 MDX.

cabarne4 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/08/2014 at 19:47

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Some trade show. He was showing off new printer tech from Lexmark, SAAB was showing off their new concept. Somehow he bought it. I still have no idea how. It was essentially an Aero in a color that never made it to production, with a few ahead-of-their-time features that were never offered.

9brghtn4 > Tom McParland 05/09/2014 at 10:45

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My dad digs the E24 and I couldn't agree more.

zeontestpilot > Tom McParland 05/09/2014 at 14:01

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My wife digs most anything from Chrysler, GM, or Ford; though she really loves the 2nd gen corvette stingray. SUVs are too tall, crossovers are the right height to drive in, and wagons are ugly and are horrible in rear-end collisions (i've tried to convince her otherwise). My pickings are slim as to what our next car will be....

thegregorius > Tom McParland 05/10/2014 at 17:53

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I recently got myself a Miata, with full approval of my girlfriend (provided that I replace the noisy sports exhaust...). I'm often talking about cars that I'd like to get, and since she always gives me that worried look suggesting that she can see the two of us living inside a huge garage in the future, I make a point of showing her pictures of the car in question (to her delight , I'm sure).
I showed her a picture of an early-2000s Jaguar XK8 coupé, and she nodded approvingly.
I showed her a picture of a 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider, and she said that while she liked it, she thinks that it might be enough to have one small car without a proper roof. ("But this one is Italian! ", I responded.)
I showed her a picture of a Caterham, and she said that I can buy it as long as she never has to go near it or acknowledge its existence.
Finally, two days ago, I showed her a picture of a beautiful Jaguar XJS coupé. She threatened to leave me.

Now tell me, dear oppos: I really do like this girl. Is it ever worth foresaking an XJS for love?

Side note: The evening when we first met, she stated that she wants an A5 Sportback. So there might be room for negotiations in the future.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/13/2014 at 08:26

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Wow. Fail. Why didn't she do RSX?!

PardonMyFlemish16 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 08:32

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My wife's automotive tastes pretty much end with

- does it have 4 wheels

- will it start every day

- is it "cute"

Her last car was an ~04ish Ford Taurus, which she loved and her current car is a Rabbit which she likes. Strangely, because we watch a lot of MotoGP and I've been riding for a while she's actually more knowledgeable about motorcycles. She can tell you who is leading the championship this year but she couldn't tell you the difference between a Mazda and a Maserati lol.

Shes not a fan of my car projects. In fact when I bought my Z which is the first car I've had after a 3 year hiatus with just a bike she explicitly said "NO PROJECT CARS".... not a difficult restriction with the price of Z parts.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B 05/13/2014 at 09:16

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The RSX was in really poor condition, at least according to her parents. It was their choice so she ended up with the Taurus.

Dream Theater of the Absurd > It's a "Porch-uh" 05/13/2014 at 09:55

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Where were all the women like that when I was still single?

Digitalsolo > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 09:56

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My wife is also tolerant (generally speaking) of my automotive and racing obsession. She at least feigns an interest in what I'm doing and compliments my cars occasionally. She also has generally good taste; at a recent auto show her favorite car was an Aston Martin. She was less thrilled when I explained what they cost. That said, she LOVES her Hyundai Santa Fe. There is nothing WRONG with it, per se, but man is it a boring vehicle. She was also utterly flabbergasted when I traded in my Infiniti G35X for a MINI Cooper, haha.

She (and her family) is also a big fan of hanging out with my family at the race track (we campaign a Top Fuel team), which is nice. She even tolerates me travelling around the country to attend races.

cretony38 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 09:56

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Take some responsibility and show her the joys of driving a stick shift car. You won't regret it.

Tom McParland > cretony38 05/13/2014 at 09:58

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I should add that the reason my wife "has to drive a minivan" is she is a wheelchair user due to paralysis.

MAXIMUMVRM > AhsuBH 05/13/2014 at 09:59

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pic of the judge (car not wife)

cretony38 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:03

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Sorry I was only referring to the joys of having our ladies manipulate a stick shift.

Tom McParland > cretony38 05/13/2014 at 10:07

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No worries dude, I agree that we should teach our ladies how to row the gears.

Collin > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:08

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This is Completely Disinterested Girlfriend's car. It is a car.

cretony38 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:09

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Agreed, we also won't regret the additional skills in the bedroom.

VIN 1Z67W2S500001 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:10

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My wife digs this... ?v=3

or this...

or maybe something like this...

Did i mention I married the perfect woman???

Tom McParland > cretony38 05/13/2014 at 10:11

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Tom McParland > VIN 1Z67W2S500001 05/13/2014 at 10:12

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Those are some cool old-school rides.

CalzoneGolem > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:12

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My wife is fixated on a CRV for some reason. I'm sure her next vehicle will be an SUV. It will probably take a long time to use up the Soul enough that we'd need to replace it.

Tom McParland > CalzoneGolem 05/13/2014 at 10:12

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I can understand the CRV, it is a very reasonable car.

Mike Stuart > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:13

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My wife's criteria are reasonably new, reasonably powerful and now AWD. The AWD criterion was put on the list after her previous BMW 123d hatch, that's the 2.0 L twin-turbo diesel one, was stranded in a snow drift outside our house for 3 weeks in the winter of 2010. Since then, there have been two VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI. The first one was a *bling* 2011 R Line with 19" wheels and only 140 bhp which wasn't really enough, so a tuning box was fitted to get that up to c. 175 bhp. The current one is a 2013 2.0 TDI Match with the rather splendid 177 PS engine which again wasn't quite enough so the tuning box is now seeing service on that to produce c. 205 bhp and 350 lbs-ft of torque. 16" alloys with Dunlop Winter Sport D4 rubber in the winter months have made both of these unstoppable and reasonably fun transport. However, I believe she'd still like an Elise or an Exige or a Porsche or a TVR or......

Tom McParland > Mike Stuart 05/13/2014 at 10:14

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350 Torques!

CalzoneGolem > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:14

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I tried to push her into a used XC90 instead of the Soul but she wanted something new and fuel efficient. A used XC90 would be neither of those things.

Susan > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:17

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I am into Mopar and Jeep; he is into classic gm and Jeep. The mods are where we have taste discrepancies. He wanted to paint his c10 panel like a purple and green rock at one point. I told him it was a stupid idea to make it look like Barney made of marble. Luckily we haven't got that far with the truck yet. Lol

SAABerJon > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:18

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My partner has a 90 Miata that we turbocharged, a 90 Mercedes 560SEC, and a 2008 Miata as a daily. It's the M-trio

DougNuts > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:20

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I have a 15 month old son and a new house under construction. I would like to personally thank you and Mrs. Automatch for the awesome decoration idea. Where can a guy find some posters, etc. for reasonable prices?

Tom McParland > DougNuts 05/13/2014 at 10:23

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Mrs. Automatch's plan is to find the images on Pinterest or something then canvas print them. But I do believe there are websites where you can purchase vintage race posters.

Susan > CalzoneGolem 05/13/2014 at 10:23

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resisting the urge to use a soul pun. In all seriousness, the crv isn't bad, but Id check out the little renegade jeep, too. When it comes out.

veteran011 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:27

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My GF has told me that her dream car is an Audi TT. I'd get her the RS just so I could have some canyon carving fun too.

MIATAAAA > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:28

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My S.O. really likes the Nissan 370Z and the Subaru BRZ.

I have no complaints about his taste in cars.

DougNuts > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:31

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Thanks, she's on Pinterest, so I will put the bug in her head tonight.

Coty > CalzoneGolem 05/13/2014 at 10:35

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You know what you must do.

Mike Stuart > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:41

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Yeah she keeps saying she can see other drivers turning their heads and giving her funny looks as she blasts past them. It's her compensation for the fact that she no longer rides fast motorcycles. :D

s2knj > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:43

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It saddens me to read how the significant others of most of you guys don't mind your obsession with cars. My wife just doesn't understand at all. She resents the fact that I have my S2000 in the garage as a "play" or "weekend" car when that money could be used for purposes such as home improvements.

She hates when I spend time washing and detailing it when I could be doing work around the house. And, FORGET about putting money into it for modifications. I'd be a dead man walking. And now that we have a kid, I get the eye roll for wanting to drive it anywhere.

If you're wondering, yes, it makes me miserable, but please don't rub it in. As for her taste in cars, she's always like "mid-sized" sedans (Accords and now drive an Optima EX). She doesn't lust after anything like I do. She now wants a 3 row SUV because she thinks they're "safer" than cars strictly because of the massive weight of the things.

Thanks for listening, jalops.

Fenderaddict2 > Tom McParland 05/13/2014 at 10:43

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Posted this elsewhere, but I have never seen women flock to a car they way they do to my Father in Law's '56 T-Bird. Being a big ol' flirt, he really makes the best of it.