What Car Do You Regret Losing the Most?

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt) 03/05/2016 at 14:45 • Filed to: None

3

100

Maybe you sold it out of necessity. Maybe it was because of an accident. Maybe you just thought it was the right decision at the time. We’ve all had cars that we regret no longer having.

For me, it was my 2003 540i M-Sport. Looked just like the one in the picture. It was a car that I wanted for years. I searched and searched until I found one at a little dealership in Louisiana. I bought it on Black Friday back in 2013. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was mine. I absolutely loved that car. Then it happened....

The Friday after Christmas I was driving home late that night when a 9 point buck ran out in front of me. There was nothing I could do. Thankfully I was ok, but I knew the car wasn’t. A few days later I got a call from the adjuster and my heart sank. Less than a month of ownership and it was over.

I should have tried to find another one, but I decided to go in a different direction and get a 350z instead. I still regret that decision, but it’s all in the past now and I am at least happy with what i have now. I still miss that car, though.

So Oppo, what car that you once owned do you regret no longer having?

Mr Parker > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 14:50

1

A 1991 Miata in red. Got totaled after 6 months of ownership. I bought it for $1200. I searched for another afterwards but the prices have gone crazy. I bought a 98' 740i E38 instead for $1400. But I still miss my Miata, often when filling up gas for the 740i.

Slant6 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 14:51

1

I miss this more than I should. Parents bamboozled me into selling it. I miss it every day.

But I sold it for so cheap ($2750) but they’re so expensive ($9000).

Matt Nichelson > Mr Parker 03/05/2016 at 14:53

0

Man that sucks. You’re more brave than me buying an old 7 series. I’ll give ya kudos for that.

Mr Parker > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 14:57

0

The 7-series was a barn find. The previous owner thought the engine was gonna go because it was making a knocking sound. I bought it fully aware of that issue. Put the car on the lift and realized the cats were bad. Straight piped it and 10k miles later, it still drives fine.

PatBateman > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 14:58

1

My 1996 Chevy 1/2 ton Silverado. Extended cab, dark green, tan pinstripes, chrome bed rails, 2WD with a 350 Vortec engine. It’s one of the reason why my wife fell in love with me (we were college kids, she loved guys in trucks).

It was WAY faster than it should have been. And with a high flow cat and two chamber Flowmaster muffler, it sounded the part, too. Stock rims and stance, but it looked intimidating on the road. I traded for a Yukon SLT in 2002, and I immediately regretted it.

Matt Nichelson > Slant6 03/05/2016 at 14:59

0

I dig the old Ivan Stewart look. That was a simply, yet great livery. Why did they want you to sell it?

citizennick > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:00

5

This one

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:00

1

My 300WHP awd Talon. My RX7 im building will be faster but something about low displacement high boost...

Matt Nichelson > Mr Parker 03/05/2016 at 15:00

1

Awesome. Here’s to hoping it gives you many more worry-free miles to come!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:02

1

My 1987 Jeep Wrangler. I sold her because I was in between jobs and needed the money and had a car I could borrow. I loved my Jeep and even with the 4 cyl and 5 speed and many problems, she has been the car I have always missed owning. Every now and then I think to look through my paperwork and track down the guy who bought here and see if I could buy her back, but I am afraid I would be too sad to hear he sold her too. So many years of good fun and hoonery all ended because I needed money more. Oh well. I am sure I will own another Jeep, but I’m sure no matter how fancy my new one is, it’ll never be as good.

Matt Nichelson > PatBateman 03/05/2016 at 15:02

1

Funny how a vehicle can bring people together huh?

TheOnelectronic > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:03

3

Went to a FoST because I wanted something simpler and more “raw” for lack of a better term. Also something that wasn’t going to be a maintenance nightmare out of warranty.

While I did accomplish that, I often find myself somewhat missing the interior refinement and, most of all, the supercharger whine. Still, it’s probably the nostalgia talking.

HammerheadFistpunch > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:03

4

my first car. still miss it. laugh if you want but it was everything a car should be except fast.

Spaceball-Two > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:03

3

My old pickup. I still see it around town. It appears to be well taken care of.

Matt Nichelson > citizennick 03/05/2016 at 15:05

1

Damn that is terrible. That quote you put at the end of your article is so true.

JCAlan > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:05

1

It looked just like this one. It was a 2006 CBR600RR in tribal orange. Bought it brand new, and was my favorite bike I’ve ever had. The seat sucked, but man other than that it just felt so right. Sold it when when my wife confessed to me that she spent all her student loan money on ????? and didn’t have enough left to finish her second year of nursing school. It’s probably as much the lousy situation as the loss of the bike that makes me still so upset about losing it.

Matt Nichelson > HammerheadFistpunch 03/05/2016 at 15:06

0

At the end of the day, it’s still significant because it was your first.

JCAlan > citizennick 03/05/2016 at 15:06

1

WOW! Nice ride and tragic ending.

E92M3 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:07

1

For me it was my E46 M3. I was moving across country, and decided to sell it instead of taking another trip to drive it back.

PatBateman > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:07

0

Word.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:08

1

This one.

Could havebought one month of insurance + new tires or six months of insurance in one chunk. Guess which one I picked?

Matt Nichelson > JCAlan 03/05/2016 at 15:11

0

That sucks. Have you thought about getting another eventually?

Matt Nichelson > CaptDale - is secretly British 03/05/2016 at 15:12

2

Money drives all of us to do things we wish we didn’t have to unfortunately.

they-will-know-my-velocity > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:12

2

My first S197 Mustang. 2006 GT coupe in Windveil Blue. Basically this with different wheels and Flowmasters.

I loved that car. My first car I bought for myself with my money. I bought it with 63K and doubled that in two years. I drove a lot. I had my first kiss in that car. I bought my first mods for that car. I fell in love, I got fired, I made love (quite a feat if you’ve seen the back seat of one of these), I went on road trips, I made my first wrenching mistakes and had my first succeses in it. I beat the hell out of it and carefully washed and waxed every week. I buried it under a pickup truck in a multi car pileup on a highway at 3am in Dallas one Saturday night. As soon as I got out I could see the engine was shoved back through the firewall. I walked away with just some airbag rash. Her name was Dinah and I have the front pony emblem of her grill above my bedroom door.

Even though the S197 is a plastic fantastic interior compared to my current car, even though my current car is. . . well more everything than my Dinah, I still wish I had it back. I love that car and I won’t ever forget it.

Matt Nichelson > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/05/2016 at 15:13

1

Talons are getting pretty rare too, aren’t they? I can’t remember the last time I saw one.

JCAlan > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:13

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Ya, I see them all over. Maybe someday I’ll stumble upon the right one. I’ve had bikes since then, so it’s not like I’m going without.

Matt Nichelson > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 03/05/2016 at 15:14

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Should I ask what happened?

Slant6 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:14

2

It had 220,000 miles (not much for a Tacoma) and I was going to school 200 miles away.

The heater core was also leaking. Hind sight I would have just paid someone to replace it instead of selling it. Someday I’ll buy my own new Tacoma and keep it forever.

Jayhawk Jake > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:14

1

My accord. Technically not mine, sort of a hand me down from my brother but in my parents name. I bought the Kia I had and they took the accord back and sold it. I should have just kept the accord, then gotten something like my current car a few years ago

Matt Nichelson > Spaceball-Two 03/05/2016 at 15:15

1

At least it sounds like it is in good hands then.

HammerheadFistpunch > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:15

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I’d still drive it, it was a fun car. Torsen LSD rear, center locking diff, 5 speed manual and an engine that liked to rev.

Matt Nichelson > E92M3 03/05/2016 at 15:15

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Did you already have your E92 by then or did you buy it later?

jariten1781 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:18

1

My 91 Prelude. Had it at the end of high school all the way through college. Needed something that could hold more than a couple ounces of luggage since I was going trappesing around the country for the Navy so I picked up a 5mT 6 wagon (also great car). No way to manage two cars at the time.

I seriously spent days vetting buyers and sold it to a freshman who seemed to appreciate the fact it was pristine and mostly stock. Would have never worried on it except I was back in town for a football game and saw a white 3rd gen. Slammed, Stupid wheels, coffee can hitting the ground, Giant Jesus mural on the back window, and...oh yeah...my old expired apartment parking sticker on the back bumper. It was my car. My gut was wrenched.

I’ve not since had a car that was a better match for me (though I’ve had a lot of objectively ‘better’ cars).

E92M3 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:18

1

I bought it later (after I moved).

Matt Nichelson > HammerheadFistpunch 03/05/2016 at 15:19

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I always thought these were actually pretty cool. I never see this gen anymore though.

Gone > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:19

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89 Mustang Notch SSP. Did T-5 swap, 3.55s, LTs w/x-pipe and UltraFlos. Sold to move. Stupid.

98 Camaro Z28 hardtop, T56, SCCA STU mods. Wrecked because stupid. Sold and now a NASA AI racecar. Turned down offer to buy back (for now).

Would love to have either back.

they-will-know-my-velocity > PatBateman 03/05/2016 at 15:21

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Hey man, this is truck country, I’m positive you can find another like it...maybe it’ll even run and drive. The CL advert will be something like “I know what I have. $5k obo no lowball iknowhatihave”

they-will-know-my-velocity > Slant6 03/05/2016 at 15:21

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Dude, paint alone that thing is cool. Even if I didn’t already have a thing for Tacos.

Spaceball-Two > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:22

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I tucked my business card under the wiper one day offering to buy it back. The owner never called so I’m guessing they love it is much as I did.

Mr Parker > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:22

1

Thanks man!

they-will-know-my-velocity > Mr Parker 03/05/2016 at 15:22

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I kinda wanna hear a straight piped 7 series....

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two 03/05/2016 at 15:23

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You fool!!!!!!!!

1

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/05/2016 at 15:26

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I know.

they-will-know-my-velocity > TheOnelectronic 03/05/2016 at 15:27

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Yellow car club ftw. Also, that is really clean. Were the mirror caps metal?

Matt Nichelson > they-will-know-my-velocity 03/05/2016 at 15:27

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Jesus that’s..... Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I’m sorry.

Funny you mention the emblem. My wife still has my hood emblem. I was going to throw it away eventually, but you just gave me a reason to keep it.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 03/05/2016 at 15:29

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Actually considered buying a manual soft top in the area once upon a time.

Matt Nichelson > jariten1781 03/05/2016 at 15:29

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Ugh. I hate that. You didn’t know, though.

mazda616 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:29

2

I miss my little 3. It was an excellent car. Owned it for six years with no major problems. Took it to college with me. Used it as a moving van several times. Drove off from my wedding in it. This past fall, I decided I wanted a new car. And I love my new car. But I miss my little red wagon (and the fact that it didn't have a payment).

Matt Nichelson > Gone 03/05/2016 at 15:32

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Wow, it was turned into a NASA car? That’s actually pretty cool. At least it was for a good cause then?

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/05/2016 at 15:34

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So long as it’s manual they are more fun to drive than they look

Mr Parker > they-will-know-my-velocity 03/05/2016 at 15:34

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I’ll post a video soon. It sounds like thunder.

Matt Nichelson > mazda616 03/05/2016 at 15:35

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I always like the hatch version of this car. Looks like yours was well kept.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 03/05/2016 at 15:35

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Just like the Tercel

AfromanGTO > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:37

3

My first 06 GTO is what I really missed. I totalled it going to see my a gf at the time, and now ex. I missed that GTO for a long time.

That is a red Mazdaspeed Miata behind it. ;)

Next to my buddies 67 Firebird.

This is one of my favorite pics of it. I bought my Gen Coupe after that, and I missed having a GTO so bad. After a few years of looking, I finally found the GTO I wanted. 2006 Impulse Blue metallic with the 6 speed and black interior. It also has factory 18s. So I am happy back with a GTO again, and SS too.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/05/2016 at 15:37

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exactly (my buddy had a tercel, they drive with the same kind of enthusiam and charm)

Matt Nichelson > AfromanGTO 03/05/2016 at 15:41

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Love the color of the one you currently have. Also your friend’s ride looks awesome.

they-will-know-my-velocity > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:45

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Yeah man, keep it.

jkm7680 > TheOnelectronic 03/05/2016 at 15:47

1

6mt or DSG?

I like Imola.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:47

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What else could it be?

It was a little dangerous, rusted, needed many repairs, but was fun to drive, 4wd on the fly, and just the best driving experience I ever had.

I bought it for 350 not running a threw 800 worth of parts at it in my driveway with my own two hands and it fired right up.

I let it become neglected for too long (but I did drive it daily), didn’t have any room for it on the new property, and didn’t have the justifiable funds to throw money at it, after just dropping all our savings on a house.

So I chose to keep the pickup instead of the other 3 cars I had at the time. THAT I don’t regret specifically. Here’s what I do regret: after a few months at the new house, I ended up with a usable garage, new garage door and motor, and also my income was much higher than I anticipated going into the year. Meaning that I ended up with the means to store it, to fix it, and to keep it. I have the means but now no Tercel. Even worse, I now own a dog and will soon have a little nephew on the way, and a little wagon would have been freaking perfect. Two other things I did not predict.

It is in good hands now and got its needed repairs. But fuck me.

Birddog > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 15:48

1

My 1986 Dodge Omni. I swapped in a GLHS engine, 555 trans, Stage II brain and a few other goodies. From the outside it looked like a stone stock econobox but it’d run in the 12s on Drag Radials. I surprised a lot of people with that little maniac. Unfortunately I needed money for a divorce and bankruptcy attorney so all the toys had to go.

Matt Nichelson > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/05/2016 at 15:50

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As you said though, you couldn’t predict what was going to happen in the future. That still sucks though.

Matt Nichelson > Birddog 03/05/2016 at 15:55

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That’s a crappy reason to have to get rid of something. Sounds like it was an awesome little sleeper.

Gone > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:01

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Yes. It lives on, which is cool. But it should be mine lol.

AfromanGTO > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:02

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Thank you! I am so happy I have it. That Firebird is pretty badass. Although it doesn’t have the Poncho in it anymore, it has a 327 with camel hump heads on it, and manual.

Matt Nichelson > AfromanGTO 03/05/2016 at 16:05

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You’re welcome. Blue looks good on almost any car. Not that I am partial or anything. ;)

Ej8gUy > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:12

1

I suppose the Integra, because it was stolen. Does that count? If I have to answer with a car that I willfully sold, then the answer is 2001 GTP.

AkursedX > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:13

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http://akursedx.kinja.com/the-ford-musta…

Matt Nichelson > Ej8gUy 03/05/2016 at 16:16

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Well it wasn’t of your own doing, but sure it still counts. I think that makes it even harder.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:18

2

My s2000. A bus driver clipped my front right corner and totaled the car. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss that car

Matt Nichelson > AkursedX 03/05/2016 at 16:19

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Great article. At least it went to a fellow enthusiast and not somebody who ruined it. There’s solace in that at least I guess.

Ej8gUy > Birddog 03/05/2016 at 16:19

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I know the feels all to well.

Spasoje > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:19

1

My answer looked identical to this one above.

1995 (last MY of that style) lease return, manual, XE, 4x4 w/ tire carrier. Was our family car at the time, and we loved it to bits. Dad traded it for something cheaper to be sure he could provide for us at a risky time, and instantly regretted it when the danger ended up passing very shortly afterwards.

I ran the VIN maybe a year or two ago, it has a repairable salvage title now...

Matt Nichelson > McChiken116 - Patrick H. 03/05/2016 at 16:20

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Sorry to hear that. Must have been a pretty hard clip.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:21

1

Should’ve bought tires

Matt Nichelson > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 03/05/2016 at 16:22

0

Damn. Looks like it was a beautiful car, too.

Matt Nichelson > Spasoje 03/05/2016 at 16:24

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Ouch. I can imagine that hurt when you found out.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:24

1

That’s not mine, but it was in that good of shape.

I wrecked it in 1993 before Al Gore invented the internet.

Spasoje > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:30

1

The sentimental aspect makes me optimistic...perhaps it was just some small damage that wrote off a heavily-depreciated car.

I’ll probably pursue it one day and find out exactly what the deal was. Though if it really was destroyed, I know I won’t be telling my dad about it...

they-will-know-my-velocity > AfromanGTO 03/05/2016 at 16:40

1

I love IBM. We should swap sometime :)

Gotta finish coverting to my 05 brakes and slotted rotors first though. And mounting the front splitter....and rear spoiler...and changing to an OTR intake...shit I need more hours in a day.

Funny story a GTO owner will appreciate, my left side mirror glass just up and fell the hell out the other day so I went on the hunt to find one. Ordered one from a GM dealer in West Babylon, NY that appears to be the last OE GM left side mirror glass in stock in North America. Box was old and dirty and said “Made in Australia” on it. Guy told me it looked like a return that never got sent back to the factory to when they got rid of all their GTO discontinued parts. Got it for a cool $35. I just hope I never need one again...

TheOnelectronic > jkm7680 03/05/2016 at 16:42

1

6mt as god intended. I don’t hate driving, brag about 0-60 times, or spend my day stuck in traffic, so there was no reason to get the DSG.

Also IIRC I don’t think they offered it in the S4 for 2010. I think at that point it was still a conventional auto. I may have that mixed up with the 335i though.

Khalbali > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:42

1

Bone stock 1990 CRX Si, grew up watching my uncle race one and it was my first car. Used it to deliver pizzas in college and eventually it needed to much work for my skills, and while it was out of commission I also couldn't make any money to fix it. Ended up 3 months behind on rent and sold it just to get caught up.

TheOnelectronic > they-will-know-my-velocity 03/05/2016 at 16:43

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I don’t know if they were actual metal or just a coating, but the “Aluminum optic” mirrors are the mark of Audi S and RS models.

Matt Nichelson > Khalbali 03/05/2016 at 16:45

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Sad way to have to let it go. Money unfortunately does that, though.

they-will-know-my-velocity > jariten1781 03/05/2016 at 16:47

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To be fair, I always buy my cars pristine and stock. I prefer to be the one doing stupid shit to them. :) I know that feeling though. I’m sure I’ll see my old Mustang floating around somewhere with some 20's and plastidip.

they-will-know-my-velocity > TheOnelectronic 03/05/2016 at 16:49

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Shfawncy.

promoted by the color red > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 16:52

1

Stolen, stripped, and dumped in Oakland.

Yeah, it needed engine work and it refused to engage reverse, but it was so much fun to heel-toe downshift from third into second at city speeds.

PatBateman > they-will-know-my-velocity 03/05/2016 at 16:53

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Nah, I’m good with my CTS right now. Although my wife does keep hinting that she wishes that I still drive a truck...

Maybe a Raptor for my next ride? I'd prefer a new CTS-V or a Hellcat sedan, but happy wife = happy life and all that.

Matt Nichelson > promoted by the color red 03/05/2016 at 16:54

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I can’t imagine having my car stolen and having that happen. What a terrible ending.

RonnyPStiggs > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 17:01

1

My super clean, 145k 96 Chev Tahoe. Fixed it in auto shop, bought it for $1400 from my school. Was planning on making it an overland rig/engineering platform but my parents dupped me into selling it. Huge mistake.

Matt Nichelson > RonnyPStiggs 03/05/2016 at 17:08

0

That does look very clean. Why did they want you to sell it?

HiredDriver > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 17:11

1

My ‘91 NSX. Red on Ivory, 5-Speed. Only had 78k miles on it. EFFFF.....

Matt Nichelson > HiredDriver 03/05/2016 at 17:13

0

Ooo nice car. What happened?

jkm7680 > TheOnelectronic 03/05/2016 at 17:24

1

Noice! As much as I want a manual one, I sit in traffic every day of my life.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 17:39

1

Not my car, but my dad had a black over tan Saab 9-5 aero. Sadly it got hit by the oil sludge recall and was replaced soon after with a boring 9-3 .

(Note, not my picture, but his was very similar)

Amoore100 > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 17:49

1

A combination of these two cars, imagine the black one with the body kit off the red one below:

And one of these:

Both were cars I grew up with, had various issues here and there but both got up to 300K miles+ before we parked them permanently when we got the Ody. My dad DD’d the black GLE for a few years but without a fifth gear he couldn’t go on the highway so it was sidelined next to its fellow turbo stick shift wagon before we donated them in 2012 to the school music program. I fought for years to keep those things so I could have them someday but it was not to be. I still tear up remembering them because I know that these bricks are a dying breed and finding a good one is going to be hard in a few years.

Tohru > RonnyPStiggs 03/05/2016 at 17:54

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You can get your revenge when you plan what nursing home to ditch your parents in.

Tohru > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 17:58

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Bought it from my great-uncle (the first owner) for $1500.

Sold it due to money troubles 4 years later for $1500.

The buyers never registered it, drove it with plates from a Kia on it, and got it towed. The last I knew of it, it was in a private impound lot in Milwaukee in January 2014 with $1100 of impound fees.

they-will-know-my-velocity > PatBateman 03/05/2016 at 17:59

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God I wish my GF liked Raptors. I point out every one I see and she always gets this bleh expression on her face. She rolls her eyes at everything I drive but she buys me hot wheels occasionally so I know it’s real.

I plan on testing our relationship with a Raptor someday. I actually think she’ll really like it. Compare that to all the lowered and loud cars I’ve had while we’re dating, I bet a nice SuperCrew Raptor with heated and cooled seats would be a nice change.

RonnyPStiggs > Tohru 03/05/2016 at 18:02

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Ooof that’s harsh. Well, now that I’ve sold it I think I’m going to save the money and buy something after college, hopefully a Land Cruiser or a HiLux/4runner

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Matt Nichelson 03/05/2016 at 18:09

1

I sold a 2001 Dodge stratus coupe 5spd to a parts yard. It needed a battery, new exhaust, probably every suspension component, and had a cracked windshield. It was my first car and I really wanted to keep it forever but just not financially feasible.