If You Could only Drive One Car for the Rest of Your Life, What Would it be?

[Jim Prower]

Ah, the one that got away...Always a good choice, in my opinion.

 

[eSZee]

If you start thinking too practically, you'd probably end up nominating whatever you already drive.

I'd love an RS4 but the reality of insurance, fuel and servicing costs makes it prohibitive IRL.

You've got to have some elements of fantasy to your selections.

people are bringing up lambo's and ferraris and ancient gas guzzlers, yet you make an rs4 seem like the worst car to own. That is funny. Insurance isn't that high, it gets 20mpg on the highway, and maintenance isn't a problem. If I'm gonna be stuck in one car for the rest of my life, of course I'll be using my brain and picking something fun and practical. I'd be stupid if I didn't.
"Honey, could you pick up the kids from soccer practice?", "Oh I'd love to dear but there is already a piece of yarn in the trunk of the Countach."

 

[buickgnx88]

1973-1979 Chevy K20 with a fuel injected 383 crate engine, NV4500 5-speed, and 35" tires.

 

[TsukubaTrueno]

Volkswagen Phaeton W12

or an Audi A8

 

[socomplayer2]

As of right now I think I would be satisfied with a Subaru Imprezza Wrx Sti spec C RA-R

 

[Danny]

I know you'll all think 'shut up Danny, you drunken idiot', but I'd be more than happy to drive Kermit (Daewoo Matiz) for the rest of my life. Sure, it's slow, noisy, and only slightly more comfortable than walking, but it's got so much character crammed into it that I could forgive it anything. Not that I've had to, the only mechanical problems I've had have been punctures. This thing could survive a nuclear winter. And while it's a lot like piloting a ship around Cape Horn when you take corners quickly, it's also a shedload of fun (I've driven my mum's Audi TT and while much faster, it wasn't nearly as enjoyable), and light enough to allow pretty impressive speeds for such a training-shoe of a car.

And no, I'm not joking. And no, I'm not drunk. Well, not very.

 

[Jim Prower]

Danny, I'd drive a car with a handful more horses, and over 15 years older. I don't think you're crazy...

but then again, I may not be the best person to judge. I do have a registered mental condition. X3

((Aspergers, for anyone wondering))

 

[homeforsummer]

Good call Danny 👍 Small, cheap, and more fun than a bath with drunken Olsen Twins.

I'm finding it hard to think of something to answer this question with. My instinct is telling me to say "911". Probably a C4S, as I'm sure I'd appreciate the added traction in occasionally dodgy weather. It'd certainly have enough performance to enjoy day to day, and if looked after would probably last a lifetime. It'd be comfy enough for long journeys and it's small enough to use in crowded cities, and although you can't really fit people in the back seats, they'd be good enough for occasional luggage.

I'm going to test the "for life" theory with my MX5 though. Although I'll very likely buy other cars in future, the Mazda is worth little enough that there'd be very little point selling it. So as long as I have somewhere, anywhere to keep it, it's staying with me. I think I could happily keep the Mazda and have a succession of comfy cars to counterbalance it. Not exactly the spirit of the thread, but more realistic. The 911 option is my "sole car" choice, I think.

it gets 20mpg on the highway

Methinks you're forgetting the economical significance of 20mpg over there compared to in the UK. Over here, you may as well just shove your wallet into the petrol tank, as burning money would be less expensive than filling an RS4 with petrol.

 

[Nicksfix]

Chrysler 300C SRT8.

Luxury and performance all wrapped up in 1 car.

 

[theM3rcenary]

I would have to choose the Ferrari F430, I love the looks and the sound of the engine, performance and reliability however I have no idea really other than I like the way it handles in GT5P!

 

[Rykon Zero]

Logic wins out this round.

I'll instead choose a Mitsubishi Starion/Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth Conquest.

I think it looks really good, I'd take one over an FC RX-7, I'd get it in dark blue, wide body version, and a nice and fresh Evo engine. It'd fit in there, because they use basically the same engine, I'd just trust the Evo engine a little more.

So, is that fine?

 

[Alex.]

Yup.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Boy, I'd have to say a small-midsized sedan or wagon, with over 300 horsepower, power to the rear wheels (all or some) a manual transmission, subtle good looks, and at least 20 combined mpg.

My current S60R fits that neatly, but maintenance costs and weight, take that out of the equation. I would want something a little more fun in the corners, cheaper to maintain, and maybe a little more peppy.

Any suggestions?

 

[Jim Prower]

Boy, I'd have to say a small-midsized sedan or wagon, with over 300 horsepower, power to the rear wheels (all or some) a manual transmission, subtle good looks, and at least 20 combined mpg.

My current S60R fits that neatly, but maintenance costs and weight, take that out of the equation. I would want something a little more fun in the corners, cheaper to maintain, and maybe a little more peppy.

Any suggestions?

335i. Over 300, RWD, Definitely manual. Looks are subjective, dunno about the MPG...Very fun in the corners, Maintenance covered if you buy new, expensive if not, definitely peppy.

Other choice might be G37 sedan, or C-class.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Both great suggestions. And neither ludicrously unattainable!

 

[Boffin]

I guess my mentioned cars deserve some photos on this thread, seeing as noone else put them up.

Hmmmmmm - still completely undecided as to which one I would live with. If it makes it better, definatly the RS6 for everyday life, and the M5 for enthusiastic sesions. Yes I know it has 75hp less, and less torque, but I'd rather the FR dynamics I reckon. Of course a test drive could change these opinions.

Also I'm going to stick my head out and say that the M5 looks better. Different for sure, but I see the RS6 is too predictable in its design.

 

[YSSMAN]

There was a list that ran through in my head, filled with a wide assortment of cars (and trucks) that would be very appealing to me in the long-term, but few offered the kind of overall sense of win that I would want later in life. I was moments away from posting something like the Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sportcombi, or its sister car the Opel Insignia OPC Touring, but I wanted something with a bit more gusto:

2010 Pontiac G8 GXP

They made it only for a year, only a few thousand examples exist, and its arguably the greatest car GM has made in four decades. Power, luxury, performance... All at an affordable price. Sure, I'd be happy with an E39 M5, which is essentially what this car is. But, I'm an American car kind of guy, and this is the kind of car that I love. Generally speaking, I can't go wrong.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Come to think of it - maintenance costs? Lets just make it an M3 Sedan.

 

[mafia_boy]

Although I would probably still be driving this if the wife didn't tell me to sell it. '73 Toyota Corrolla SR5 with a 2TG motor.

*snip*

Hey-Sus Cry-st!! I would've sold the wife first before I got rid of that!! That looks awesome, what sidedraughts are they, weber's or dellorto's and how big were they?? I had a TA22 back in the day with the 2T-G, and that engine was bulletproof, 6500rpm burnouts all day long!! Same couldn't be said for the suspension, strut tower collapsed at 70km/h......scary ass ride when that happened!!

Some of these cars you've all chosen are awesome, but I've already made my pick, and have to stick with it.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Tough decision.

or

 

[JCE]

"Everyday for the rest of my life"?

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG in black.

No contest. Style, speed, luxury, noise and space.

 

[nobuffalo]

With a roll bar and hard top please.

 

[Small_Fryz]

i just cant see how you could seriously consider anything but an Audi RS6 wagon or a brabus mercedes ultra limo.

practical and super cool / fast

 

[TheCracker]

i just cant see how you could seriously consider anything but an Audi RS6 wagon or a brabus mercedes ultra limo.

practical and super cool / fast

They have all the practicality of a large estate/wagon and the performance of a supercar, but they also have the running costs of a supercar too. An expensive service every 10k or so, where you are likely going to have to replace all four tyres and probably the brake disks too is going to get irritating as well as expensive very quickly.

I know it's all theoretical, but i presume the idea behind the original question is that you can choose and are given whatever car you want for free, but you have to drive only that car and run it yourself for the rest of your life.

 

[slidesquad#1]

The high-end Euro sedans/wagons would be awesome. But in ten years time, once stuff starts to break out of warranty, my wallet will kill me in my sleep. I'd probably go for one of these. Not the cheapest of things to maintain, but definitely in the realm of possibility.

Can't be too bad, this guy looks like he probably knows a bit about driving and stuff, and he reportedly quite enjoyed driving it.

I really like wagons. And I like Evo's.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Yeah the F6 Typhoon would have been second on my list. But I prefer the Sexy Rexy to it.

 

[exigeracer]

They have all the practicality of a large estate/wagon and the performance of a supercar, but they also have the running costs of a supercar too. An expensive service every 10k or so, where you are likely going to have to replace all four tyres and probably the brake disks too is going to get irritating as well as expensive very quickly.

I know it's all theoretical, but i presume the idea behind the original question is that you can choose and are given whatever car you want for free, but you have to drive only that car and run it yourself for the rest of your life.

I think that the repairs and maintenance of something like an Audi RS for the rest of your life would be the equivalent of owning a second, more time and money consuming car, which this thread does not permit. It combines enough of both the primary practical hauler, as well as the sportier, higher-maintenance, sportscar. I'd be willing to take that penalty instead of having just one, less interesting yet very practical runabout.

 

[Appie]

This one would suffice

Mercedes Benz C320 CDI

 

[TheCracker]

I think that the repairs and maintenance of something like an Audi RS for the rest of your life would be the equivalent of owning a second, more time and money consuming car, which this thread does not permit. It combines enough of both the primary practical hauler, as well as the sportier, higher-maintenance, sportscar. I'd be willing to take that penalty instead of having just one, less interesting yet very practical runabout.

Oh yeah, understand all that, which is why i nominated the RS4 as my choice. I was kind of pointing out to Small_Fryz that the RS6 (or Brabus etc) might offer A6 or E-Class levels of practicality, but at a price of running costs that equal the exotics they can run with performance wise.

 

[///M-Spec]

It would have to have four real seats. So a 911 GT3 or F430 would be out. Pretty much any sports car, really.

It would have to be a good daily driver and long distance highway cruiser, so rock hard suspensions, hair-shirt interiors and feature stripped lightweight homologation specials would be out. Scratch the GT-R and Evolution.

It would have to get me to the track and once there, act like it actually belongs there. Axe anything with a torque converter. Manuals, sequentials and DCTs only. Anything heavier than 4,000 lbs. also starts losing big points. So does anything with lackadaisical body control, crap brakes or an open differential. Any car with non-defeatable electronic aids are automatically out. And despite the fact that I think FWD cars can be fun to drive, RWD and AWD cars are more fun --so front draggers are also out.

Being really fast on the track is also a bonus. My S4 can do all of these things, but especially quick at the track it isn't.

That really only leaves a handful of cars.

RS4 - Underwhelming performance. Carbon buildup issue.
M3 - The sedan is kinda ugly. The coupe isn't as practical. Gas hog.
M5 - Longterm reliability of SMG-III is a question mark. Downright comical fuel economy. Probably slower than the M3 at most tracks.
CTS-V - I really like the regular CTS, but the styling on the V is iffy. Also seems under-tired for what I've read.
Panamera - Ugly. Damn ugly. But of all the options, has the most appealing combination of compromises. Of is that least objectionable?

Panamera Turbo then.



The question is almost depressing to me. Its like asking "if you could only eat one type of food" or "if you were trapped in one physical location for the rest of your life". Variety is the spice of life.


M