Biggest Automotive Regret

"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01) 07/04/2016 at 18:36 • Filed to: None

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When I got out of law school in 1997, I knew I wanted to buy an interesting car. I didn’t need a car - close to public transportation and living in DC at the time, but I wanted one.

Drove a lot of cars, but I went with my original desire - a Mustang GT convertible 5M. That is, until I got behind the wheel and realized that tall me could not get far enough from the clutch. I got such a cramp! And they could not unbolt the seat and move it back.

So I bought a ‘97 SHO.

But for 10 grand more, I could have bought a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Should have.

What’s your biggest automotive regret?

S65 > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:39

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Letting my father sell his CRX

Steve in Manhattan > S65 07/04/2016 at 18:44

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Si?

not for canada - australian in disguise > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:45

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There was a $900 Lada Samara for sale on Kijiji about a year ago not far from me. I regret not having $900.

Steve in Manhattan > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/04/2016 at 18:46

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Something tells me there will be another ....

interstate366, now In The Industry > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:49

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I had the chance to own a MK3 Supra a year or two ago. It didn’t run, but my dad’s coworker was pretty much giving it away. I was mildly interested, but I passed on it because I didn’t want to deal with a second project car at the time. Sigh.

S65 > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:50

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yes

Steve in Manhattan > S65 07/04/2016 at 18:52

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Let me guess ... red?

And those little cars were something that would not come around again. They ‘replaced’ it with the del Sol, which was shite. I test drove one. Just sloppy.

DutchieDC2R > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:57

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My first ride was a Miata NB. After owning it for a few years (and spending quite an amount of money on it), it really did become a potent little track monster. But honestly, if I waited a little longer, I could have gotten a LHD TT Supra Mk4. They were not that expensive in that era, especially not in Germany.

I know own an ITR, love the car, but had a chance to sit down in an R32 GTS-T (which was my first choice before laying my eyes upon my ITR) and god, I would never do anything to betray the ITR, but that GTS-T, its RB20 sounded so damn good...so good...Its not really a regret, but rather an itch...a ‘what if’ type of feeling....the first one however, the Supra, yeah, def. a regret....

Birddog > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 18:58

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I had a chance to drive one of those brand spanking new when I was a body/paint apprentice. I wasn’t impressed. I’m still not impressed 21 years later.

Regrets? I have a few.

1. 1990, I was offered a 1971 Barracuda with a 440 and 6 pack (non-original) for $1100. I passed because I was still in HS and needed Dad’s approval. He said it wasnt worth that. A HS buddy snagged it and sold the 6 Pack setup for 3 times the cars price.

2. 1991, a friend found an original owner 1972 Duster for $500. It was all stone stock, rust free and even had the original purchase contract in the glovebox. Vetoed by Pops again. A HS buddy bought it. Still has it with a 440 under the hood.

I learned a lot from Dad. I had to stop listening to him about cars after those. There are plenty more that I passed on too.

Often wrong. Never in doubt.

Steve in Manhattan > DutchieDC2R 07/04/2016 at 18:59

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ITR is ...?

Steve in Manhattan > Birddog 07/04/2016 at 19:03

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So the lesson is, next time you have an automotive decision, ask dad’s advice and do the opposite.

S65 > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:06

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No. It was white

Birddog > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:06

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Oddly? Yes. I still do it to this day. Wrong or not it’s nice to have that resource.

Dsscats > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:08

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Integra Type R

GTCL > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:12

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Selling my 1991 CRX, so I could get an 06 GTI. Biggest mistake ever. I had the crx for 11 years, and put a lot of time, effort, and money in it over the years. I definitely made a mistake selling it, and I know I'll never get that back. I have a 2013 Mustang gt now. I don't regret it in the least. In fact I love it, but I still wish I had the crx to blast around in.

S65 > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:13

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Integra Type-R

DutchieDC2R > DutchieDC2R 07/04/2016 at 19:14

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The gents replied already, but yeah, Integra Type R....

S65 > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/04/2016 at 19:17

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Steve in Manhattan > Dsscats 07/04/2016 at 19:22

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thx

Steve in Manhattan > GTCL 07/04/2016 at 19:24

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I don’t fault you for those decisions ... a GTI is a GTI - drove a 1st gen, but never owned one. Wish I had.

not for canada - australian in disguise > S65 07/04/2016 at 19:24

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Lada Samara best Lada.

GTCL > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:28

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Yeah, I liked the idea of the GTI. The actual ownership was a pretty bad experience. I loved driving it, and having it to daily around the city, but the repair and maint costs were just ridiculous. Stuff was always breaking too.

Steve in Manhattan > GTCL 07/04/2016 at 19:33

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This reminds me of my ‘87 300D - the D part is reliable (although Mercedes had to replace the turbo and trap oxidizer) but window lifts, sunroof motor and cable, radio, cruise control ... and on and on. German cars eat parts.

S65 > not for canada - australian in disguise 07/04/2016 at 19:38

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GTCL > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 19:41

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My wife literally made me get rid of the GTI and buy the mustang. She hated all of the time and money I spent fixing it.

Steve in Manhattan > GTCL 07/04/2016 at 20:18

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You can’t fight that - as I have said many times during my 12 year relationship ... you will lose the battles, and you will lose the war. She always wins.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 20:43

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Last year, loaded pristine ‘87 Celica GT-S liftback for $2500... Haven’t seen one that good or that cheap since. Looking like I never will.

Many more regrets (like buying that blue Tercel) but the former sticks out to me most.

mjswee > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 20:54

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I test drove an Isuzu Vehicross that was in great shape and lowish miles about 7 years ago and they were asking $6500. It didn’t really meet any of my needs at the time so I passed on it. Now its nearly impossible to find one that is in good shape with low miles.

There was the G50 911 that was priced in the low teens a few years ago. It had a few modifications that hurt its value, but nothing that couldn’t be reversed. Didn’t quite have the liquidity at the time to buy it.

There also was the Bradley GT kit car that had a Porsche 3.2 flat six and 915 transmission that was only $1000. There was also a 911SC shell on Craigslist at the same time that would have been a perfect match. I just wasn’t quick enough to act on it.

Then, before buying my 996 I was also considering a Ferrari 308. You could get a good driver 308 for the same price as a mint 996 (low to mid $30s). I knew at the time the 308 were on the rise, but just couldn’t resist getting into a Porsche (plus financing the Porsche would be easier). Now the 308s have doubled in price and I’ve traded the 996 in on a 997 (which I do not regret).

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 21:05

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Should have waited longer and found a better 7.3L powerstroke.

Its only been a year but i think i should have kept my 98 Talon TSI AWD. But then again i did street race with it a lot...

Gaff, just Gaff > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 21:06

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1990 E30 M3. White with adjustable wing and splitter. Awesome car, low miles, white/black. First son going off to college and couldn't justify having that in my garage and pay tuition. Oh, and the 1964 Comet Cyclone. Red/red. Great example, one owner. Liked it a lot.

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/04/2016 at 21:45

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I feel your pain.

Ferdinand Adlersflügel > Steve in Manhattan 07/04/2016 at 22:57

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I had the opportunity to order a 911R from the factory but I didn’t do it. I can’t really rationalize why I declined the offer but I was given about two days to make my decision. The car was offered first to people who had bought a specific Porsche in the past, bumping me towards the top of the list. I explain to myself now that the 911R is a raw car built for purists and I don’t have the time to devote to it. I wouldn’t drive it very much and I wanted someone else to get that opportunity. Oh well.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Steve in Manhattan 07/05/2016 at 03:38

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Don’t get me wrong, I love the GLI and I don’t want to sound like an ungreatful teen, but I really wanted a stang as my first car, and I should have just bought one. Thing is, my mom wasn’t convinced I needed a V8, but I probably could have talked her in to a 4.6 GT. all I wanted was the V8 sound and ability to burn rubber, I didn’t give a fuck if the thing actually was fast. still, I got a good car and loved it, but I regret not getting a mustang GT.

...Oh well, that's why I'm ordering a new 2016 soon ;)

Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo > Steve in Manhattan 07/05/2016 at 04:23

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Selling my insurance totalled 89 civic si to my best friend for 300 and seeing it rot in his back yard for the last 8 years.

Steve in Manhattan > Ferdinand Adlersflügel 07/05/2016 at 18:12

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You probably made the right decision - you don’t want a track car that you use every day.

Steve in Manhattan > Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo 07/05/2016 at 18:28

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Can you save it?

Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo > Steve in Manhattan 07/05/2016 at 23:03

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If he would let me buy it back. No it will molder away to nothing. He will not sell

Steve in Manhattan > Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo 07/06/2016 at 19:02

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Odd choice - I’d want it fixed, or I’d want it gone.

Ferdinand Adlersflügel > Steve in Manhattan 07/10/2016 at 21:21

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You’re not wrong. A C4S is a good daily driver but it’s just as good at the track. It’s better as a daily driver than a 911R because I can get cooled seats and other nice things. Still, I know I would have driven it even if I sold it a few months later. The guy that bought the chassis number I was able to get put the car in storage and it still has all of its plastic wrap from Porsche on it. That is the part that I regret.

Steve in Manhattan > Ferdinand Adlersflügel 07/11/2016 at 01:53

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Yeah - I’m always amused when Lambo or Porsche or Ferrari takes things out of a car and charges more for it. And if if you want your radio or A/C back, they charge you.