OPPO QOTD: What Could Have Been Edition

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 02/17/2020 at 09:10 • Filed to: None

0

20

What car did you look at/test drive/almost purchase but decided against?

For me, it was a 2002 Jaguar XJ8 in Frost Blue Metallic with a cream interior, walnut trim. Absolutely gorgeous, a little wear on the seats and the wood was cracked but the varnish was still glossy. Best part? It was only $2000. The reasons I decided against? Well, its an old Jag, had 170k miles, and unsurprisingly, the CEL was on. I still think about it, the XJ8 is such a beautiful car and makes a great sound.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:12

1

Nissan micra (twice), Fiat 500 abarth (twice) and a Dodge dart.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/17/2020 at 09:13

0

Reasons you decided against them?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:22

2

Dart? We just couldn’t make a new car work (I think we were 20).

Abarth: just decided to go a more responsible/cheaper route. And bought my ST.

Micra: Decided to go more premium once and bought the CX3 and then the other time I bought my Forte

vondon302 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:26

2

I don’t have many current ones but I got a whole list of stuff from the 90s.

Air cooled 911 black forget the year $ 12000

68 bronco $3500

70 454 stick Monte Carlo $ 5000

65 Falcon fresh paint 302 stick $ 3500 this one was in 1987.

I’ve got more but these four stick with me.

ranwhenparked > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:27

1

1985 Cadillac Seville: the ride was so smooth and the cloth seats were so soft and comfy. Ended up with a Volvo 940 instead, always regretted not getting the Caddy.

E90M3 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:27

1

I almost impulse bought a 2009 C63 once.

I’m really glad I didn’t because I got laid off two weeks later. 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:32

2

1991 Oldsmobile  toronado trofeo with the touchscreen computer. It had a lot of miles, and the computer didn't work. I passed on it and got a supercharged Buick Riviera instead. I stand by my decision.

Khalbali > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:35

2

Lots over the years, but the main one I still think about was a black ‘62 Fairlane 500 2 door. Not this one, it was stock and just needed too much work for me to handle, I would have been in way over my head.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:35

2

2004 Mustang GT, it was my 1st choice when I was looking to buy the Mini. But a squeaky th ro wout bearing fouled that plan.

punkgoose17 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 09:36

1

I would still love a late XJ6.

Almost bought a ‘98 Contour V6 as my first car, instead of a '00 Jetta VR6.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/17/2020 at 10:00

0

That was a solid decision. There’s a mint SC 95-97 Riveria in my town, owned by a really old couple

OPPOsaurus WRX > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:14

1

Before I bought the Allroad I looked at an early 2000's XJ8 in a beautiful dark red, early 2000's V70R in gr ey, and a 1986 Land Cruiser in rust and oil on red paint .

Before that, I was cross shopping the WRX with a Ford Sport Trac.

ToyotaFamily > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:16

2

A Mazdaspeed Miata is the one that got away for me. It was perfect; low miles, tasteful mods, not a speck of rust. Not having a garage killed that dream though.

Second one was a 98 extended cab Tacoma. Paint was beyond saving but i t had one of the fattest service history folders I’ve ever seen and also rust free.

WilliamsSW > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:37

1

Back around 1986, I almost bought a 64 Impala like the one pictured for $650. 283/PG, and decent shape but a little rust. Someone beat me to it though - I came back from the test drive and the seller had someone there who he said just bought it. Ended up buying a Dodge Dart that was a total POS.

A few years later, I put down a deposit on a 72 Impala convertible with a 400 (not sure which 400) then had second thoughts and got my money back - ended up buying a 64 Oldsmobile that was a pretty nice car, but not a convertible.

Both would have been a lot of fun - I regret the first one more, only because I eventually got desperate and made a mistake. 

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:46

3

VW Corrado SLC. I didn’t really care for the G60 version, but loved the VR6 and after the test drive was almost ready to drop a bundle on one. We got back to the dealership and I wanted to take a look at the engine so I popped the hood as I was opening the door. This was in the days before airbags but when cars had a passive restraint mandate, which on most cars meant a motorized shoulder belt. Well, as I opened the door this stupid seatbelt grabbed me by the neck and stuffed my head into the dash. I couldn't close the door since my head was in the way and I didn't know where the release was so I called out for help. The salesman and my buddy came over and busted out in laughter before finally releasing me. I swore at that moment never to buy a car with those incredibly dumb belts and so I limped away from this car, pissed off to no end because I loved everything else about that vehicle.  

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:50

2

I want it.

I miss my Riv. It pulled like a pissed off banshee on a gentle roll (5-10 mph). My friend had just gotten a new MkV GTI in college and we did some stoplight races to 60. Off the line from a standstill , the GTI sometimes had me, but if we started from a slow roll, I’d just dumpster him every time.

phenotyp > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:53

2

Almost bought this ‘98 A8 on a whim, just to drive it home to Texas from Ohio for the inevitably-tragic story that would be:

There was also this Celica GT-4:

There was an M45 that a dealer lent me for a weekend, that I was very tempted to jump on, but I ended up going with my piece of shit 2007 550i instead.

And pretty much every AW11 MR2 that ever comes up for sale. But I very rarely seriously look at any car for sale, because I’m too overwhelmed with kid, work, house, and life in general to seriously entertain.

Most of all, though, I regret not buying every 911 or 912 I saw when I was 19-21, when they were just fancy Beetles.

phenotyp > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 10:53

1

Almost bought this ‘98 A8 on a whim, just to drive it home to Texas from Ohio for the inevitably-tragic story that would be:

There was also this Celica GT-4:

There was an M45 that a dealer lent me for a weekend, that I was very tempted to jump on, but I ended up going with my piece of shit 2007 550i instead.

And pretty much every AW11 MR2 that ever comes up for sale. But I very rarely seriously look at any car for sale, because I’m too overwhelmed with kid, work, house, and life in general to seriously entertain.

Most of all, though, I regret not buying every 911 or 912 I saw when I was 19-21, when they were just fancy Beetles.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 11:44

2

I once looked hard at an Alfa GTV. It would’ve been seriously cool, but 17 year old me hadn’t turned wrenches for a living yet and was in no way ready for the Italian Car ownership experience. I probably would’ve turned out terrible. That said, in the same situation today I’d be prepared to pick up cheap Italian and know how to deal with it.

A few years later I very nearly pulled the trigger on a Bi Turbo. This particular Bi Turbo had been maintained for a decade by my mechanical mentor and was a one owner car . All the money had also been spent converting the car to Bosch fuel injection, making it maybe the only early Bi Turbo that actually starts and runs most of the time, and all but certainly the only one you would actually want to own. By that point I was turning wrenches professionally, and knew exactly what I would’ve been getting into. I could’ve made it work, and part of me wishes I had pulled that Italian trigger.

functionoverfashion > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 02/17/2020 at 13:18

1

I came very close to buying more than one manual V70R. I am still torn, because I now have a 2012 XC70, which is of course nowhere near as interesting but far more reliable. I would have loved any manual R wagon and would have also spent untold time and money maintaining it, so... it’s probably for the best. But I pine for that sweet straight-five-turbo-manual goodness!