Following yesterday’s rant about modern-day cars and their godless, snooping manufacturers, I want to say this.
One of these days, I’m going to need a new car — the Tiguan’s odometer is nudging 150,000 miles pretty hard, and every time I set off on any kind of trip, I’m apprehensive.
I have no idea how I’m going to afford it without draining our meager savings; I may have to auction off almost all my guns to a certain group of gun-loving Readers I happen to know, just to defray some of the cost.
But just so everyone’s clear on the topic: given all that’s appeared above, there is no way I will ever consider a “new” car — i.e. one made since the mid-1990s — but I’ll aim for one made without too much electronic equipment. Here’s an example:
1993 Mercedes Benz 300CE ($38,000)
Less than 35,000 miles, that lovely 3.2-liter engine, and a Euro-spec stick shift… oh be still, my beating heart.
Of course, by the time I would actually be in a place to buy this magnificent car, it would be long sold (because duh); but it should give you an idea of the direction I’m aiming.
There’s another option: American cars. But to find one of those that was made before 1995 and hasn’t been hot-rodded to hell and back? That makes me really nervous. (And I can’t go with a truck — New Wife is adamant on this.) Plus, except for the 65 Mustangs, American cars of that era a generally fugly.
I will accept any and all thoughts on the topic. Be kind, willya?
Ford Panther platform, Mercury Marquis or Crown Victoria. The 2000s models don’t have all the digital doodads and they are reliable and bullet proof. I own a 2003 Mercury Marauder, a grampa hotrod. It’s like driving a large Mustang, and will run all day at highway speeds. Oh and a spacious two-body trunk that will easily carry several cased long guns and lotsa ammo.
The major drawback of these is they have automatic transmissions, shifter on column. Though the Crown Vic LX Sport has a floor shifter. I have toyed with dropping a 5-speed manual into my car, but have held off because it might make it difficult to sell someday.