Tell me about your first car and current car

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl)
11/03/2016 at 10:23 • Filed to: None

The Blue bull

as the title says, I’ll start

My first car is one I would love to have again at some point, especially after recently driving one with the 3.8. I had a 1994 Ford Taurus with the 3.0 vulcan. it was rotting in the back-yard and I patched it up and got my license on it. I drove it for about a year before my parents convinced me to sell it and take their explorer (which seized up after three days of ownership).

My current car (My fifth) is a 1995 Subaru Legacy Outback L wagon which I bought for $150 and drove across the country WA-VA. She has 258k on it and is probably the most boring car I’ve ever owned. it handles really well compared to the other cars I’ve owned, but if I ever bought another it would need to have a Manual. I really like the boxer engine though and despite being a midsize car it’s smaller than my Taurus.

Hasn’t my photography come a long way

DISCUSSION (61)

TheHondaBro > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:26

My first car had a 3.0 V6 and independent suspension.

My current car has a 3.0 V6 and independent suspension.

I have the same car.

Matthew Phillips > TheHondaBro
11/03/2016 at 10:28

Accord ?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:29

My first car was a 1988 Toyota Tercel with a 5 speed and rust speed holes. It died right before I was legally allowed to drive it on my own, but whatever.

My current car is a 1989 Toyota MR2 with a 5 speed and even more rust speed holes. It blew an engine at one point, but I knew the engine was going when I bought it and was surprised to get 20k miles or so out of it considering how much of those miles were on track and now it has twice as much power and alot less weight. His name is Charlie, he’s adorable, and will likely try to kill you.

Urambo Tauro > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:30

My first car was a 1989 Chevy Suburban R1500.

I now drive a Mustang GT and a GMC C2500 pickup, both 1995 models.

I guess I’m a sucker for V8s, RWD, and pre-OBDII.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:31

they are both green, grey interior, V6 (altho current has a couple snails) 4 dr, offroad capable, both have been rear ended.

95 explorer, 03 Allroad

gmctavish needs more space > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:37

My first car that I actually drove for a bit was a 1969 Volvo 144S with a 4 speed.

My current car is a 2006 Subaru Legacy wagon, auto.

From what I understand, the 3.0 Vulcan is a way better engine than the 3.8. I believe the 3.8s have a habit of eating head gaskets.....the 3.0, however, is generally one of the more bulletproof motors that Ford made

BeaterGT > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:37

My first car was 1995 Firebird V6 complete with T-Tops and 9 ball shifter. It was great for drifting in the snow and doing one wheel peels.

My current car is a 2005 Legacy GT and it has heated seats and a 5 speed that is worse than what was in the Firebird.

Party-vi > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:38

My first car is a 1949 CJ3A. $1,700 got it out of a garage in Kentucky where it was retired from swamp racing to Maryland for a restomod. It currently slumbers awaiting a transfercase rebuild, because putting a Spicer 18 behind a 302 is stupid. Here it is in all its glory.

Kinja'd!!!

My current DD is a vaguely nice 330Ci. I say vaguely because it’s great to drive and the HK stereo is wonderful, but the peeling A and B Pillar trim and wonky sunroof shade keep it from being truly nice. That and it tramlines like a mofo.

Kinja'd!!!

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:41

I kinda had 2 first ones. My (hand me down) 2003 Honda Odyssey, and a family shared 2007 Nissan frontier. The Honda was great, the V6 was a great engine, lots of space to haul shit. The rust & transmission killed it. The Nissan was a V6 rwd, it great burn outs, and doughnuts. I killed it with snap over steer on a side road, ditch, and tree.

My current car is a 2011 Juke (fwd, 6spd mt). It is a great thing, handles well for a top heavy cross over. I really do miss the cargo capacity of a truck & van.

3point8isgreat > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:42

My first car was a ‘97 V6 Mustang (manual of course) I bought from my dad in highschool. I didn’t like that it was a Ford, and was the lowly V6. This car is what my username references of course.

I still have that car, 8 years and 100,000 miles later. It has been my reliable and efficient daily, and my hilarious hoon machine. It has toppled more than its fair share of V8 mustangs in autocross. I don’t know what the future will bring for it, but I know I’ll have it until the end!

I also have a 2005 Magnum RT AWD. While I have learned to love driving the V6 hard, never again will I not get the V8.

Tripper > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:42

My first car was a red Mazda Protege 5 manual. I traded the 1996 explorer that my parents gave to me when my mom got a new car to get it and the guy at the dealer backed a car into the explorer minutes after I completed the trade in paperwork! The Mazda was a great first car, but it was totaled in a head on accident where both myself and the passenger were lucky to walk away unscathed.

My current car (12th) is a 2016 Audi S3, a car that I had no interest in until I drove one. I was looking to replace my troublesome E90 M3, I cross shopped STi, Golf R, M235. Couldn’t find an R, already owned an STi, and liked the S3 more than the M235. I’m happier with it than I every thought I would be with two pedals.

fhrblig > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:42

My de facto first car was an ‘83 Celebrity with the 2.8 V6, carbureted. I’ve heard lots of people hate on that engine, but in my car it was unkillable. I had it from spring of ‘92 through the end of ‘99 with my older sister driving it for a couple years inbetween. We both loved it. All kinds of things were broken on it, like the speedometer, driver’s side door, constant check engine light, etc., but it was awesome. It got towed while parked in front of my dad’s house, and the $50 it would have cost to retrieve it was about 16 times its worth, so it was left there.

Currently I have another beigemobile, a 2013 Kia Optima LX.

Blind Willie Tyresmoke Namington IV > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:43

My first car is a 1989 Fiat Panda 4x4 with a 1 litre capable of (allegedly) producing 50hp. I’d like to buy a new(er) car but I’m still getting used to the incredible speed

Blind Willie Tyresmoke Namington IV > Blind Willie Tyresmoke Namington IV
11/03/2016 at 10:45

By the way, how do I get access to tell you all about its incredible reliability?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:48

My first car was a black 1991 Honda Prelude Si with black interior and an automatic. In retrospect, it was a turd that shouldn’t have bought.

My current cars are three Preludes. A modified 2001, a 1993 that I never talk about, and...a black 1991 Si, but the current one has a 5-speed and tan interior.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:54

My first car was a 1991 Toyota Celica I got from my Dad. Old, but screwed together well, it suffered all sorts of abuse at the hands of two teenagers (it was passed down to my brother after I left for college) but never complained. I actually fixed up the car mechanically in 2015 (it had been sitting idle in my parents’ garage) and got it running, but structural problems meant that the $500 scrap fee was about the same amount we would have gotten for selling it (the trunk didn’t work, the passenger side door barely worked and was a different color from the rest of the car, etc.).

My current car is a 2008 BMW 128i, manual. The car is great fun to drive, but I discovered after camping this summer that my significant downsizing from a wagon was not the right idea based on my lifestyle. I’m planning to replace the car with something with more cargo space sometime within the next year.

marshknute > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 10:58

First car was a 95' Miata, so a 1.8l I4 with 128 Kobe beef horsepowers.

Kinja'd!!!

Current car is an 08' Base Vette with a 6.2l V8 and 430hp (plus 10-15hp for the racing stripe). The previous owner tinted the windows so much that it’s actually impossible to see behind me.

Kinja'd!!!

TheHondaBro > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:00

Yep!

E90M3 > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:05

This is something about my first car.

This is something about my current car.

fintail > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:17

First car I drove regularly was a 66 Galaxie almost identical to this:

Kinja'd!!!

First car I actually bought and titled in my name was the W111 fintail I still own, parked alongside my current car, a W212 E250:

Kinja'd!!!

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:17

My first was and is my infamous Taurus SHO. Deep jewel green metallic 1991 model with the 3.0 Yamaha mill and a five speed. It’s laid up in the driveway with a mysterious electrical gremlin resulting in a no start situation.

Currently driving the also probably infamous Free Cutlass. It’s a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham Sedan with a 305 and more brown than yoy can shake a stick at. It’s searing snow shoes right now, looking like a junker on plain steelies. Can’t wait to put the slot mags back on.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > TheHondaBro
11/03/2016 at 11:18

I also have a car with a 3 litre and independent suspension. It’s not a Honda.

TheHondaBro > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
11/03/2016 at 11:21

Hyundai Accord?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:25

I still have my first car (I mean, I would hope I did, considering I’ve only had it 5 months) and I still love it to bits but sometimes question how much money and time I spend on/with it.

Mercedes Streeter > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:26

First car was a 2001 Kia Rio. It had the uncanny ability to make any passenger take off their clothes. To this day I’m not sure why, but I never complained. I drove it 11,000 miles and it was pretty much completely MyGyvered together. Transmission only worked because there was a metal stake jammed into the shifter, the engine ran on synthetic motorcycle oil, and it never had a working cooling fan...it was cooled by pure speed and the water pump.

Kinja'd!!!

Current car is both a 2012 smart fortwo and 2016 smart fortwo.

Kinja'd!!!

The 2012 is my second ever car and the 2016 is my third. I technically have a fourth, a 2003 GMC Envoy XL (my name is the only one on the title, so it’s mine)...The worst of the bunch is the Envoy...it’s somehow the only car I’ve ever driven that can compete with classic British cars for terrible electrics.

AfromanGTO > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:30

First car was a 1971 Firebird Formula.

My current cars are a 2006 GTO and 2014 SS.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:50

Kinja'd!!!

My first car was a 1998 Honda Accord I was given in 2003, which I still have. After that I bought a 2001 suburban in 2010 from my father for a pittance. My car buying stopped until 2015 when I bought my S600. In the summer of 2016 I bought my LS400. The S600 is my daily driver, but it’s nearly impossible to describe without breaking into hyperbole. Where a normal car has 6-8 cylinders, this has 12. And 2 turbos. The interior leather package cost more than a Mitsubishi Mirage. Everything tavarish has said about this car is patently false. The car will break down and it will be very expensive. How expensive? $7000 in a year expensive. But when everything is working it really is something. I have a theory that when you put the pedal to the floor in this car it actually spins the rest of the world backwards. The 0-60 is impressive sure, but the car keeps accelerating at that rate until you hit the limiter. I haven’t found a car that can keep up with this thing on a highway roll on. Have I mentioned that it handles far better than any 5000 lb car has any right to? But the most stunning thing about all of this speed and grip is the fact that it does it almost silently and with little drama. Beyond the driving dynamics, the car is supremely comfortable and has everything you need, plus some more. Was the car a terrible financial decision? Absolutely. Would I do it all again tomorrow? Without a hint of doubt.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 11:50

My first car was a 2012 Kia Soul + meaning that it had the “big” 2.0 engine putting out about 164 HP. When I saw this majestic little green car pop up on the carmax website, I knew I had to have it.

Kinja'd!!!

One year and two not at fault accidents later, including getting rear ended by an Xterra that was going 45, I decided that it was an unlucky car and that I should trade it in. Then came a 2014 Elantra 1.8 which lasted about 10 months before it was lemon lawed, a 94 Volvo 850 Turbo which I got for free on its last legs, finally leaving us at my current car, a 2015 Subaru Outback. I got her 12/31/14 with 4 miles on the odo and have since added 35k to it. It’s a little slow being such a big car with a small engine (2.5) but I absolutely love it and it’s many capabilities.

Kinja'd!!!

Matthew Phillips > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/03/2016 at 11:56

I’m assuming Legacy’s are just slow.

Arrivederci > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 12:22

First car was a 1993 Mustang LX hatchback with the mighty 2.3L four-cylinder and a five-speed stick. Inherited from my sister when she left for college. Drove it throughout high school and my freshman year of college until getting something else.

Current car is a 2014 BRZ Limited.

Matthew Phillips > Arrivederci
11/03/2016 at 12:28

My fourth car was a 1986 Mustang with the 86 horsepower carbureted 2.3 and a 4-speed manual.

osucycler > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 12:30

I got/bought the family 1982 Toyota 4x4 when I turned 16.

Kinja'd!!!

Many adventures and lessons were and are stilling be learned today. I’m a bit of an aberration in that I managed not to wreck it (wrecks still happened) beyond repair, let it rust into into oblivion, or off road it into a junk pile. It has its own place in the garage and has become the on going project.

Currently drive a 2014 CrewMax Tundra, no picture because I haven’t bothered taking one being that it currently looks like every other full sized Tundra.

I love both trucks for different reasons but there is something about the ole 82' and rowing through the gears, the smells and sounds that takes me back where and when adulting was a fleeting thought.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 12:30

Unless you get the H6, they’re quite slow to accelerate. I can easily cruise going 80-90 on the highway, it just takes forever to get to reach those speeds.

Matthew Phillips > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/03/2016 at 12:31

Same...

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > TheHondaBro
11/03/2016 at 12:36

Ha. Funny guy.

Arrivederci > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 12:51

In the seven years between our models, they discovered another 19 ponies! I think mine was rated at 105 when it was new, but I’m not sure it still had all of them kicking.

Matthew Phillips > Arrivederci
11/03/2016 at 12:53

I do want another one, probably when the Subaru kicks the bucket.

Matthew Phillips > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/03/2016 at 12:58

If you would like send me a really good picture of your car from the dead front or a really good picture of your car with you with it and send it to Flatsidewaysfl@gmail.com if you don’t mind I would love to feature you and your car on the FB for the FSFL podcast.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 13:50

I’d love to send a picture if you’d be willing to blur the front plate ! Would I be involved in the podcast then ?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 14:10

First car? A manual 1990 Ford Festiva with around 90,000km that looked like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Only on mine, I added red pinstriping to the bumper making it look better.

Paid $2000 for it.

I subsequently spent $1500 getting a 900W stereo installed.

The car was pretty light and reasonably fast for the time (0-60 in about 10 seconds before the 900W stereo was added). Parts were expensive and mechanics weren’t very familiar with it. It had a habit of going through CV axles. Also at highway speeds, if there were crosswinds, the windshield wipers had a habit of lifting off the windshield. The car had 12" wheels. The tires that came with it were crap. Replaced with new Firestone tires that were crap... almost worn out after a little over 20,000km and as I was planning on replacing them, one of them blew out on me... total sidewall failure even though it wasn’t low on air (checked the air pressures just the day before).

Got into a minor fender bender with it one winter when a Toyota RAV4 surprised me by stopping for a green light on icy roads.

Had it for about 3 years. Sold for around $850 with around 150,000km on it.

Current car? A manual 2005 Ford Focus Wagon that looks like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Paid $2000 for it. That price included new front brakes, etest, cert and fixing the rear driver side door latch. It’s fast enough (0-60 in around 9 seconds). It’s very practical. Spent another $2000 on it getting a set of 4 season tires, getting some maintenance done and fixing a few minor things like a new thermostat with housing, new antenna and getting the rear brakes/e-brake serviced.

I’ve had it now for about 10 months.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheHondaBro
11/03/2016 at 14:12

(purposely not reading the replies below)

Obviously you drive an Acura NSX...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
11/03/2016 at 14:15

Obviously it’s a Mercury Sable wagon with the Vulcan V6.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > gmctavish needs more space
11/03/2016 at 14:15

“From what I understand, the 3.0 Vulcan is a way better engine than the 3.8.”

Yes.

TheHondaBro > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/03/2016 at 14:16

Transverse V6, indeterminate number of camshafts. Might as well be an NSX!

Spoon II > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 14:57

Kinja'd!!!

First car was a 1991 Toyota Corolla 4wd wagon (not pictured, but exactly the same as the one above). It was slow, but unstoppable! Also, great for a high school kid who liked to shuttle his friends around.

The current car has two options:

1. 2014 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L and 8 speed transmission. Which I actually love driving around in. It’s comfy and surprisingly nimble.

2. 1997 Probe GT with the 2.5L V6 and a manual. This thing’s just hilarious fun, and it has the pop-up headlights. Since I’m a giant child, I just play with them all the time. None of that pesky ABS or Stability Control either, for all my hooning needs.

Matthew Phillips > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/03/2016 at 17:52

Let me talk to the guys, I wouldn’t have a problem having you on for an episode to talk about owning the Benz. and I can blur the plate.

wiffleballtony > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 17:55

Kinja'd!!!

Similarly, my first car was a 1995 Ford Taurus GL in evergreen. Same 3.0L Vulcan. Mine was an ex company fleet car. it died unceremoniously in a car wreck back in 2004 when my insurance wrote it off. I dont think I’d go and repurchase that car but I did love it. Despite being a bit of a boat anchor I never felt like it was lacking in power. Currently I drive a 2012 Mustang GT. Which is exponentially more powerful and fun.

Matthew Phillips > wiffleballtony
11/03/2016 at 17:58

I loved it because it felt like a city friendly version of the Crown vic I owned two cars later, and yea it wasn’t fast, but it wasn’t slow. I would prefer to have one as a winter beater one day.

wiffleballtony > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 18:05

For whatever reason Kinja ate the Mustang picture. Also I’m in an area that doesn’t have winter.

Kinja'd!!!

Matthew Phillips > wiffleballtony
11/03/2016 at 18:06

Mighty fine horse there.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 19:08

Awesome. I don’t have any pictures right now and the car is a mess, I’ll shoot you an email Saturday.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 19:08

First car:

Kinja'd!!!

Wagon. Manual transmission. Relatively low powered (76 HP)

Current car:

Kinja'd!!!

Wagon(ish). Manual transmission. Relatively low powered (157 HP)

There have been other vehicles in between (Porsche, BMW, VW, MB) but I keep going back to the same old theme and see no reason to change. I know what I like...

MUGENJIBZ > Matthew Phillips
11/03/2016 at 20:08

My first car was a 1995 Toyota Camry DX. It had a 10 disc CD changer, Aiwa headunit and Yokohama stickers that I put on the doors (it had Mastercraft tires). It had the 5SFE 4 cylinder engine, and an automatic transmission. It was beige with a beige cloth interior.

10 years later, my current car is a 2016 Porsche Cayman GTS. It does not have a 10 disc CD changer, nor does it have an Aiwa headunit. It also lacks the Yokohama stickers that I so expertly placed on the doors of my Camry. It DOES have a clutch pedal. That is all.

MUGENJIBZ > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/03/2016 at 20:11

Picture from Cars and Coffee in Eden Prairie, MN?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > MUGENJIBZ
11/03/2016 at 22:19

I mean, I’d call it chaska, but yes !