QOTD: Your Best Buffet?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Today’s question was not, in fact, sparked by your author’s recent visit to a decent but not terribly impressive half-price buffet, but by — go figure — a Bring a Trailer listing.

The model depicted was one of those things we didn’t think would ever return… until it did: a Jeep pickup, this one of the Comanche variety. The 4×4 straight-six ’87 model made yours truly wistful, as it was one of those vehicles that got away.

Sometimes when car-buying time comes around, the circumstances of your life dictate a more interesting than usual pool of choices. This was one of those times.

They’re low-rent choices, but never mind that.

As I’ve mentioned this story before, I’ll try not to bore you with needless detail. Still in university, and with my daily driver totalled by a geriatric Impala driver, I seriously considered three replacements. Practicality wasn’t the deciding factor here; low cost and amusement was.

The first candidate was a Comanche just like the one in the listing. Alas, underbody rust had taken hold in a big way. Too bad. The second, an ’85 Volvo 240, was similarly infected with the Brown Beast, and that disappointment was perhaps even greater than the first. So, it was left to a pristine ’89 Prelude Si to ferry me through part of the early 2000s.

Truly, being in one’s early 20s is something you don’t appreciate until it’s too late. After that, pure economic practicality took over. For others, a growing family kicks them out of their G37 coupe or whatever and into a never-ending procession of crossovers.

Depending on your age, responsibilities, cash flow, and a number of other variables, one car purchase in your life will bring together more diverse and interesting candidates than any other. Maybe it was as a teenager, maybe it was after retirement. Whenever it was, we’d like to hear about it.

What did this eclectic pool of runners-up look like, and what did you ultimately bring home?

[Images: Volvo, Honda]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Dal20402 Dal20402 on Jan 23, 2020

    Every once in a while for several years I look longingly at F10 550is. The combination of big-sedan luxury, a V8, and a stick shift is irresistible. Then I come to my senses and realize that one of them would break me within two years of ownership.

  • Scoutdude Scoutdude on Jan 24, 2020

    Yeah I usually go in with a particular vehicle in mind though when I bought the MKZ I did think a little about a Mustang convertible, but never got beyond looking at a couple of listings, because I needed a comfortable commuter more than I needed another toy.

  • The Oracle Well, we’re 3-4 years in with the Telluride and right around the time the long term durability issues start to really take hold. This is sad.
  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
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