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.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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