[VTEC Goes Bwaah]

When you think of the "best" car you've ever owned, what comes to mind? Is it the car you had the most fun in? One that you had the most memories in? Your first new car? Or something else?

For me it's my 2012 Civic because it has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It's not a flashy pick but I've had no major issues since I bought it in 2013. Which is a relief compared to other cars I've owned. As far as most fun cars go it'd be a 1992 Jeep wrangler that I had for a brief period, you can't have a bad time with the doors and roof off.

Reply below and let's see what everyone picked!

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI SE 6M. I miss that car everyday. The Integra is my shot at getting a sporty fun rig to get out of the minivan doldrums! 🤠

 

[RUNN1N]

I had a 1994 Del Sol from 2005-2008, and admittedly loved that thing--they weren't quick and they weren't fast, but the roof didn't leak in the early years and they were dependable. I wouldn't want my old one back or to have to use one a daily today, but do wish I had one for sunny weekends.

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

I had a 1994 Del Sol from 2005-2008, and admittedly loved that thing--they weren't quick and they weren't fast, but the roof didn't leak in the early years and they were dependable. I wouldn't want my old one back or to have to use one a daily today, but do wish I had one for sunny weekends.

I had an opportunity to get one a while ago and regret not trying for it. They look like a ton of fun.

 

[benzaccord]

I'm not sure which I liked better at the time:

1. 1986 Nissan Maxima SE 5 speed: Not too many cars back then had the horsepower (152 was good back then), a 6 cylinder engine (from the 300ZX), and a manual transmission, had lots of comfort and technology, while consistently getting 25 MPG (which was better than the 4 cylinder engined cars I had prior). I purchased this car used in 1989 with 40K miles on it for $8,000.
2. 1992 Acura Legend LS Sedan, 5 speed: Very luxurious, 200 HP, 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, loved that the engine was mounted north/south while being front wheel drive. Unlike the Nissan, the handling was more predictable than any car I've had to date. I purchased this used in 1994, with 13K miles on it for $24,000

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

I'm not sure which I liked better at the time:

1. 1986 Nissan Maxima SE 5 speed: Not too many cars back then had the horsepower (152 was good back then), a 6 cylinder engine (from the 300ZX), and a manual transmission, had lots of comfort and technology, while consistently getting 25 MPG (which was better than the 4 cylinder engined cars I had prior). I purchased this car used in 1989 with 40K miles on it for $8,000.
2. 1992 Acura Legend LS Sedan, 5 speed: Very luxurious, 200 HP, 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, loved that the engine was mounted north/south while being front wheel drive. Unlike the Nissan, the handling was more predictable than any car I've had to date. I purchased this used in 1994, with 13K miles on it for $24,000

Oh wow - those Legend manuals were apparently supercar rare!

 

[Xhilr8n!]

My first car, 1965 Plymouth Satellite. 318 V8, 2 barrel carburetor. This is not me or my car, just a pic I found. Paid $200 with 24,000 miles. Drove 200 months through High School, college, grad school, and a few years employed. Sold at 243,000 miles for $200, I know where she is even now. Named “Claire” after the first song on the B52‘s first album.

Edit: Claire never had those awful little bumperettes

I learned to drive challenging mountain roads with Claire, when my hair was long in the seventies. But to me then she was just a big American car, I dreamed of having a Lotus. An Europa.

35 years later on my 55th bithday we found a grand example, 3841R. Later I drove that Lotus on those mountain roads, and saw the life lesson to appreciate and enjoy what you have, as I missed driving the Plymouth up there those decades before.

 

[johnv]

Hard to pick one. Best was probably 1998 Honda Odyssey. That car did everything, even though it was slow.
Best value was probably the 2000 Toyota Tundra. Bought it with 140Kmiles and sold it with 170K miles for $200 less. I didn't need it after I sold my boat.
Favorite is the 2002 Saab 9-5 wagon. I love me some station wagon! Drove for about 18 years and 230K miles. Hated saying goodbye.

 

[Slowcarfast]

I’m happy to see the other wagon lovers!
I define best as fitting the wants and needs I had at the time and being happy to own and drive it.
For that I choose my 2011 Volvo V50 T5, which I just said goodbye to last year. IMO it was also the best looking and sounding I’ve had, but never enough of a driver’s car.
Best driver’s car would be my other definition of best car, and that would be the 1999 Miata I bought in 2011 and used for a season of autocross.

 

[Desert Driver]

For me it was my 2006 Subaru Outback XT Limited MT in Atlantic blue pearl with a short-throw shifter. For some (damn) reason in 2009 I had a fit of environmental consciousness and decided I needed to get a more efficient car--so I got a new style Honda Fit, which was a decent little car but really too small for me--and so I sold the Outback. Should have never done that. The OBXT was both a hoot to drive and really practical, plus it had a gorgous panoramic moonroof which Subaru for some reason no longer puts in the Outbacks (but does in the Foresters) and I could even take it mildly off-roading. If Outbacks still had MTs I'd very likely get an Onyx XT 6MT, though I hate those new, obtrusive tablet screens in the center console.

Subaru even made an ad from a post I had on SubaruOutback.org, the Outback enthusiast forum:

Sigh.

 

[Xcfool]

Well, when you've spent 20 of the 30 years you've been driving with a single car its most likely the best.
While far from perfect, selective mods have made my 03 Matrix xrs 6spd a pleasure while also being a jack of all trades. Able to be sporty when desired and thrifty the majority. Rear seats fold flat to create an expansive cargo hold.
262k miles and it still pulls strong and sounds great as the rpms climb thx in part to a TRD CAI.
I have mixed emotions about the prospect of parting with her.

 

[Slowcarfast]

Well, when you've spent 20 of the 30 years
…
a pleasure while also being a jack of all trades. Able to be sporty when desired and thrifty the majority.

This is one of the compelling reasons for the Integra for me. I can still be driving stick 20 yrs from now when everything else is electric.

 

[Kurbel76]

Deleted

 

[B00FL00PS]

My current ride: 2012 Forester base model w/ 5 speed manual. It burns oil and needs another gear, but the practicality, fun factor, reliability, and capability combined make it really perfect for this time of my life (26yo). Its sitting at ~130k now. Its sooo much fun in the snow and hauls all the camping and paddleboarding stuff I want. I’m not even sold on upgrading its so good. I think something quieter, more comfortable, and the driver aids are really compelling but a new car is a lot of money. I plan to test drive and see how I feel. With mainstream electrification coming and high used car prices, it might be a compelling trade before it needs some big repairs and use that for an integra lease.

 

[TougeLife]

View attachment 1166
My current ride: 2012 Forester base model w/ 5 speed manual. It burns oil and needs another gear, but the practicality, fun factor, reliability, and capability combined make it really perfect for this time of my life (26yo). Its sitting at ~130k now. Its sooo much fun in the snow and hauls all the camping and paddleboarding stuff I want. I’m not even sold on upgrading its so good. I think something quieter, more comfortable, and the driver aids are really compelling but a new car is a lot of money. I plan to test drive and see how I feel. With mainstream electrification coming and high used car prices, it might be a compelling trade before it needs some big repairs and use that for an integra lease.

Have you checked the resale value on yours and others out there currently?
Last I heard they hold value well.

 

[johnv]

practicality, fun factor, reliability, and capability combined make it really perfect

Sounds like you really use the car as intended. Kudos. At 130K, there's a good chance you will begin needing additional service $$. Keeping would still be a huge value over a new car at $40K. It's not unheard of to get 250-300Kmiles out of a forester. But, you have the reliability/downtime issues for a daily driver.
Not saying it's not a reliable car. I'm a big Subie fan. If it's still solid, it's worth it to keep it.

 

[Isah037]

Honda Fit 2013, I know I know, the next models have a way better design and I 100% agree but it was the one I got at that year so it was what the market had. Why I liked it so much? Super econ, great space and low price. I think this was a model that really gave you value for money. Right now I don't think I'd go back mainly because now I need more space but man do I miss its econ, specially with this gas prices

 

[TougeLife]

Honda Fit 2013, I know I know, the next models have a way better design and I 100% agree but it was the one I got at that year so it was what the market had. Why I liked it so much? Super econ, great space and low price. I think this was a model that really gave you value for money. Right now I don't think I'd go back mainly because now I need more space but man do I miss its econ, specially with this gas prices

Those were excellent cars! Did you modify it or add any cool or interesting accessories?

 

[VTEC Goes Bwaah]

Honda Fit 2013, I know I know, the next models have a way better design and I 100% agree but it was the one I got at that year so it was what the market had. Why I liked it so much? Super econ, great space and low price. I think this was a model that really gave you value for money. Right now I don't think I'd go back mainly because now I need more space but man do I miss its econ, specially with this gas prices

As far as economy cars go the Fit is usually a solid choice. How long did you have it for?

 

[VTEC Goes Bwaah]

View attachment 1166
My current ride: 2012 Forester base model w/ 5 speed manual. It burns oil and needs another gear, but the practicality, fun factor, reliability, and capability combined make it really perfect for this time of my life (26yo). Its sitting at ~130k now. Its sooo much fun in the snow and hauls all the camping and paddleboarding stuff I want. I’m not even sold on upgrading its so good. I think something quieter, more comfortable, and the driver aids are really compelling but a new car is a lot of money. I plan to test drive and see how I feel. With mainstream electrification coming and high used car prices, it might be a compelling trade before it needs some big repairs and use that for an integra lease.

I don't really see a lot of manual Foresters so this is pretty cool. Good to see it out in its element. Where was this photo taken?