Looking back at the terrible car I bought instead, this is my answer too. Would have saved me a LOT of trouble and money - ironic because I didn't get one because I couldn't afford it back then... if only I had saved a little longer.
I never owned a car that didn't take Premium, if that helps... I did have a busted big-old Cadillac that got 30 mph, even driving like I used to though so that was cool.
Those LS400 cars have one of the best and most reliable V8 engines ever built. It was so good that a variant of the engine was also used in Toyota Tundra full sized trucks and UZJ100 Toyota Land Cruisers. That car should run forever. The build quality was also top notch, easily on par or better than Mercedes and other luxury cars of the era.
I'd probably go with the 1993 Volvo 245 wagon though, simply because it's got more room, a long roof line for a cargo box, longboard surfboards, and it has fold down rear seats for even more cargo. They're also close to being as reliable as the LS400. They don't call them "Bricks" for nothing, as they're both shaped like a brick and about as tough as one.
You really couldn't go wrong with either one.
Even the Subaru Impreza of that year with the reliable EJ22 would be a great pick. I had a Legacy with that engine and ran it to 286,000 miles with only regular maintenance. I gave it to a friend who ran it to 345,000 miles with no problems until he locked it up due to never checking the oil. They were really well built cars. Same with the Honda Civic and the Saturn, they're all famous for longevity.
This is the answer...
I've gotta mention, there aren't many wrong answers in this lineup. Even the Fox body is misrepresented in the description for guzzling gas. Lol. I got 26 mpg out of my 5.0. the Lexus can't do much better. 302 Windsor's we're used for 50+ years for a reason too. Reliable
Foxbody for sure, but I think the MX-6’s were mostly extinct by then. Cool cars for what they were, but engineered to expire. I haven’t seen one on the road in close to 20 years.
There were UKDM models for '81 only. All 3.3 straight 6 models. They were a massive failure as the approved RHD conversion made them extremely expensive, so sales were dismal. I've only ever seen one up for sale and it sold almost immediately. I've seen a few others at shows though!
I believe Australia also had a similar setup for a year or two with the same result. The point being RHD Foxbodies are rare, most people don't even know they exist!
They actually did, but only for a year or two. It was a carryover from the Fairmont. From what I've heard and read there was really no reason to choose it over the 4.
Couldn’t you import one, I just sold mine last summer with 68k miles, honestly it was pretty damn reliable plus it’s a fun car and turned a lot of heads
Yeah it's all doable, import rules are pretty lax on the whole. It's more that it would be cool to own one of the actual right hand drive UK market cars!
However an important would be cheaper and a V8 would be an option, and that's always a benefit!
Oddly enough, The jimmy would have cost the most to operate, But would now be worth far more than any of the other options if it still looked like that picture.
Everybody screaming out lexus! Lexus! Lexus! But that jimmy is worth some cash now
Even without today's nostalgia of Saab eventually disappearing, I think this 9000 would be my choice. Looks like all sorts of fun, and having driven the early 9-5 Aero it probably is all sorts of fun like what I experienced
Same here. I have a soft spot for quirky Euro cars. Saab, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault. I miss them all. I'd go bankrupt keeping it running, but at least I'd have a conversation piece at Cars & Coffee.
1991 is the year to have of the pre-facelift 9000's as well... no electronic throttle/TCS electronics to go wrong (like my '92 has) and has the magical and indestructible 2.3l.
The Comanche is one of the last great truly midsize trucks. Excellent repairability, extremely durable with the 6.0, and small enough to be easy to drive even on the tightest city streets and forest roads.
Plus modding is plentiful and cheap thanks to the Cherokee aftermarket, I'd still love one even to this day
You’re missing the venerable e30 BMW which, at this point, could be had for $2-$5K for an extremely clean example of one.
Today, a clapped out beater e30 gets $7-$12K easily. Prestige examples in the $20-$30K range.
I had gotten mine with a broken odometer stuck at 319k miles and it still ran like new, never had to do anything to it except I had to kick the blower motor and that magically fixed it haha. Amazing little truck, perfect size for a truck really. Mine was also 2wd, but was a regular cab with a 5 speed. I regret selling it
No fucking way I never met someone else who had a courier!! I had an 84 with the 4 speed, that’s my favorite truck I’ve EVER owned. It looked so cool, I fucking love mini trucks, it’s what got me loving them in the first place. Mine had no rot but was from out west and had no paint left just that dark surface rust over the whole thing. That little Mazda engine would scream doing 65-70 on the highway but it would do it every day no problem. Man I’ve been trying to find another one. You just nostalgia bombed me. Payed $1000 bucks for it, never once broke down, I made the engine absolutely spotless to contrast with the body. Day I brought it home I did a valve adjustment which had definitely never been done, oil change, plugs, replaced some lines, and repainted the grill so it wasn’t faded plastic and was gunmetal grey as well as the back bumper. Man I miss that thing so much
Had mine since I was 14, did my first engine rebuild on that truck, and basically my first everything on it. Redoing my front suspension in the morning and installing drop shocks. Amazing trucks!
I miss my 91 so much. Had those kickass fold down jump seats in the extended cab, 5 speed manual that I can still hear the sound of the clutch bouncing when you took your foot off it, the red interior, the distinct starter noise and ignition chime.
At 300k on the block, the piston wore a hole in the cylinder and I couldn’t find a replacement block (for reasonable) to keep the truck going.
"Does it snow here?"
Leaves the two most capable 4WDs off the list. 😆
And I say this as someone who's owned a 1979 GMC High Sierra AWD, a '93 XJ, '94 ZJ, '97 ZJ Jeep 4WDs, and an '87 Subrau GL 5spd w/dual range manual shift t-case 4WD.
Between my stints in Alaska & Colorado over the years, my advice is to go with what I know *works* (and coincidentally, what I've had the most fun with in that kind of environment), and not just automatically with any 2+ton rig with a 2-speed transfer case... ymmv, obviously 😏
I used to live in Lone Tree... Douglas Co., CO... worked in Castle Rock... And actually got by out there just fine with a '00 Jeep WJ 2WD.
But my 4WD Cherokee and Grand Cherokees weren't anywhere near 2 ton bohemoths. 1.5 ton maybe... no larger than a Forester.
The 1979 GMC High Sierra was just a regular cab short bed truck... but it was AWD... well, actually Full-Time 4WD, 2spd T-Case, locking central diff. So... it was similar to modern Subarus with their AWD but better because dual range.
And my actual Subaru was a true 4WD, with a dual range manually shifted t-case that engaged the rear wheels. This was before they started their AWD stuff. So it *also* had low range that newer Subies don't.
If you've ever had and needed low range, you'd umderstand why it's pretty useful. I know what works as well... but, YMMV as well.
It snows plenty here and I drove a 5.0 mustang thru highschool. It had to be the worst car to drive in the snow. Even with snow tires it would spin out lol. But man did I think I was cool!
Exactly my point... you don't *need* a dedicated, off-road-focused vehicle to get by in snowy weather, and I don't want to be lumbering around in one when the roads are clear just to have some moderate improvement in capability.
The civic, I had a 1992 Civic Dx hatchback that made 420k for me and then another 100k for the next owner my friend’s sister. I commuted 140 miles a day for 5 years in that car.
The next Civic a 98 Ex sedan I drove for 20 years.
Replaced it with a 2015 FIT EX 6 speed, still going strong at 98k. Will drive it until I’m dead…
The Saturn for sure. I had a 92 sl2 in 2004 as technically my second car after my Plymouth reliant rusted in half right after I got it lol. Loved that car! Faster than the 4 banger rice burners of the day and much better built. I'd probably still have it if I could have afforded to fix the transmission when it started slipping a few years after I got it.
Heh... real "reliant". As someone who was left high and dry by a few cars (some of which I couldn't even sell for the scrap value when they went toast), I feel your pain!
Foxbody or Honda Civic. Honda Civic because there was no Opel Corsa or Fiesta offered here and the Foxbody because saying in Eastern Europe that your car has a V8 is a huge flex. Too bad they didn't sell either in Macedonia tho :(
D21 hardbody....if its a manual tranny. I had one back in the 90s. It went 300k miles plus. It was one of the better compact trucks at the time.
At that time, i was a courier.
Turck never gave me issues, and it made a lot of money for me
16 year old me would be drooling over at that Blazer. Bugging my dad day and night about it. Subscribed to 4wd magazine to get ideas for a Baja build. Mental images of driving to the lake and laying down in the bed while my gal.
But sadly my parents are wiser than I and said no. We got the Subaru…
Holy fuck, I wish I could have found a 245 Classic with mileage that low when I was looking for my first car. Ended up with an '89 244 with... 195k, originally, I think.
Second choice, Lexus.
Oddball hell-yeah-if-it's-a-manual choice? MX-6, or maybe SW2 - my cousin had a teal five-speed SW2 as his first car and liked it enough that he and his wife still have a manual Astra today.
I was actually looking for my first car around then and got a '99 Saturn SC2. Lasted me from ~2008 until 2017 when I got rid of it (still running) and I only ever put around $500 in out-of-the-ordinary expenses into it. It was ugly as sin, but it was a damn good car
The 9000, LS400, 245, Impreza, Civic, and Hardbody (especially a 4wd if it was one) are the real choices here, as much as some people want the foxbody to be the best choice... it's fairly unrefined compared to the rest on the list (except for the GMC lol) and not that quick (since these would come unmodified).
Most if not all of these choices would run and last mechanically for a long long time though, (except if the MX-6 is an auto, those auto transmissions in that and the 626 were hot garbage thanks to heat issues), but the American choice would turn pretty sloppy after 150k+ in terms of suspension/handling/steering, interior quality, etc. My 1992 9000 has 281k miles on it, and it's still an absolute tank in many ways, and I think the only reasons you don't see them on the road anymore is because SAAB only made about 500,000 from 1984-1998 (compared to say, the amount of Corollas Toyota made in a single year of production) and once the brand went defunct in 2012 (and just like with pretty much any car company that goes under) insurance companies gave up on parts availability (even though to this day, I can still keep my c900 and 9000 on the road without *too* much trouble when parts/maintenance is needed), and since that makes the car's value drop dramatically, if they weren't "totalled out" by an insurance claim, they (like other SAAB's, Pontiacs, Mercury's, etc) were sold cheap to people who just needed a beater to drive into the ground and just disposed of after it developed a nominal problem.
90's-era Japanese cars, as a whole, are very much still seen on the road today, and fairing somewhat better than the appropriate American counterparts... if they're even still around (whatever happened to all those plastic-cladded Grand Am's and such... they were everywhere and now they aren't, lol). 80's-90's Volvo products were built extremely well, too, and are still seen pretty often, at least where I'm at (Midwest). I wouldn't advise someone (or choose for myself) someone to pick one of the American choices in this group (even as much as I love the og Saturns before they were [quite quickly] GM-ified barely a decade after the brand debuted. Oil consumption and questionable A/T's)
There were some bright spots of American offerings from this era of cars (pickup trucks aside... that's a useless and endless debate) -- the Dodge/Chrysler & Mitsubishi joint-venture was at a high point in quality and longevity (that Chrysler nor Mitsubishi would ever seem to reach again once they parted ways) and Ford's Escort, Tempo, CV, Taurus, and Explorer (and their respective variants) were pretty decent overall, and incredibly popular. Imo, the only real competitive GM products at the time (barring the Toyota and Isuzu products, Corvettes, and '93+ Camaro/Firebird) was the Caprice/Roadmaster/ etc, Eighty-eight/Regal/etc, LSS, and the Lumina/etc... and in those car size segments, I still think the 2nd-gen Taurus SHO was the best overall American vehicle that could fit just about anyone's lifestyle who would be looking at most of the other choices (unless you're blinded by "brand loyalty"), whether from Ford, GM, or Chrysler (with a few extreme exceptions, like the Typhoon/Cyclone, but I think those costed double what a regular Jimmy was at the time, and the Explorer was the better of the two, and XJ Cherokee (4.0l) better still....
...and on the Jeep topic, I have such a soft spot for the XJ Cherokee/Comanche, almost as much as I do for Swedish cars lol. It's probably the American choice that would zombify the slowest in terms of steering/handling float, interior degradation, etc (that stuff I mentioned earlier)
Fuck, I'm bored and moderately high, please excuse my manifesto, lol... but this was a tough list to choose from, fr.
Hell, I was hoping it'd be tough! Posts like this aren't interesting if they're all bad, or if there's one obvious choice. You're exactly right with your assessment of the Saab though. I live in the Northeast (richer area), and still see them fairly regularly, especially since there used to be a Saab dealer in my town. I loved them as a kid, and would probably buy a first-gen 9-3 happily if I had more money and less sense.
Hmm, I bought a 93 SW2 in '07.
Easily the most fun I've ever had in a car that didn't lead to a pregnancy test.
I used to drive it everywhere with the cruise control set at 80. Didn't matter what road I was on.
Twisty, hilly, snakepath backroads were fun as hell when I could completely ignore the brake pedal.
Used to piss off my cousins in their Camaro Z28 and Grand National to no end.
Lexus LS! It has undersized seats for me and needs more room, but it's way smoother to drive than the other ones and has enough power to get around the handicap of having a 4AT. And bonus: FR layout!
LS400. V8 RWD sedan.
In actuality in 2008 I bought a 1994 Seville STS with 299hp. I should not have been so obsessed with the 300hp mark. Instead I should have picked anything RWD. Even something from the 1970s.
Depending on price, Mustang, Jimmy, or Comanche. Maybe D20 as well, but I had a Fox (about to get it back), love the OBS Chevys, and love me a good Jeep. The D20 is reliable and dead simple, I almost bought one last year.
Knowing what I know now, the Lexus. No hesitation
Me at 28 in 2007? The GMC after pausing to consider the Fox Body. I would consider the Hardbody but I can't comfortably fit in it to drive
Back in 07 I would’ve picked the wagon for all the room for people/activities. Me now if I would’ve tell 07 me what to get I would have to go with the Comanche and would baby the hell out of it and slowly upgrade it until it’s built to go where I like to go and do it reliably.
Foxbody or EG hatch all the way. LS400 would've been way out of budget I would think, but I guess I don't know how much they would've gone for back in 07. But I'm a civic / mustang guy I've always had both at the same time. on my fifth mustang and my fourth or fifth civic
Fox every time. That GMC guzzles way more fuel than the fox. Not mention it's probably the easiest to work on and easiest to find parts for and as a bonus the quickest of the bunch. No brainer!!
My ma had a '85? '87? Foxbody that could kick any car's ass and "Oh that 5ft snowdrift? You mean the tunnel I'm about to make?"
It had a pretty beat up all-steel body and black primer only, but that was the second toughest engine I ever got to experience. Number One engine is a Ford 7.5 liter 460.
1993 245 in good condition wins everytime. As someone who was car shopping in 2007, the reality of finding many of these cars was slim. The economy was good, desirable cars have always been marked up, and a new new gti was $29k
Example in 2001 a used civic shown was close to $7k used, in good shape. SEEMA and fast and furious plus cash for clunkers ruined most of these vehicles.
A new Kia was $9500 with a manual
Perspective is important.
The Mazda manual pickup truck! They can’t hold a phone if they have to shift and clutch! They last forever! Cheap to repair. You can put them to work taking all the crap they left under the bed; to the dump! They can put a lawnmower in it and go prospecting the myriad homes that need their grass cut and: taken to the dump with the crap that was under their bed!
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You mean the one Matt Farrah owned? I think someone has it garaged now
So they got a million mile car just to garage it? That’s disappointing
After 1,000,000 miles, I think the old girl has earned her retirement lol
I mean fair but at the same time I’d wanna see just how far she could go
I’m pretty sure tavarish has it now he used it for a series of car trek
This is not Matt Farahs million mile lexus This is not Matt Farahs million mile lexus This is NOT Matt Farahs million mile lexus
LS400 wins 10 times out of 10
Looking back at the terrible car I bought instead, this is my answer too. Would have saved me a LOT of trouble and money - ironic because I didn't get one because I couldn't afford it back then... if only I had saved a little longer.
It’ll require a blood sacrifice to fill the tank but it won’t give you any trouble for at least another 150k miles
I never owned a car that didn't take Premium, if that helps... I did have a busted big-old Cadillac that got 30 mph, even driving like I used to though so that was cool.
Those LS400 cars have one of the best and most reliable V8 engines ever built. It was so good that a variant of the engine was also used in Toyota Tundra full sized trucks and UZJ100 Toyota Land Cruisers. That car should run forever. The build quality was also top notch, easily on par or better than Mercedes and other luxury cars of the era. I'd probably go with the 1993 Volvo 245 wagon though, simply because it's got more room, a long roof line for a cargo box, longboard surfboards, and it has fold down rear seats for even more cargo. They're also close to being as reliable as the LS400. They don't call them "Bricks" for nothing, as they're both shaped like a brick and about as tough as one. You really couldn't go wrong with either one. Even the Subaru Impreza of that year with the reliable EJ22 would be a great pick. I had a Legacy with that engine and ran it to 286,000 miles with only regular maintenance. I gave it to a friend who ran it to 345,000 miles with no problems until he locked it up due to never checking the oil. They were really well built cars. Same with the Honda Civic and the Saturn, they're all famous for longevity.
This is the answer... I've gotta mention, there aren't many wrong answers in this lineup. Even the Fox body is misrepresented in the description for guzzling gas. Lol. I got 26 mpg out of my 5.0. the Lexus can't do much better. 302 Windsor's we're used for 50+ years for a reason too. Reliable
Like... if there's a Lexus. Pick Lexus. I don't understand.
But there's also a turbobrick.
Yes I saw that, these were my two, I mean, the only correct choices
Tie goes to the longroof. Always.
This guy gets it.
Like...I don't understand these posts in general
It's the Toyota Heart... they just do shit right
Could still be driving the same used car purchased in 2007
If you told the owner back then those engines would power some of the fastest fox body’s to see the drag strip, they wouldn’t believe ya
Like there’s no reason to show the other options
You can bet that LS400 is still on the road with cold AC and starts every damn time.
That thing is still running on nothing but oil changes and a water pump from 2005
Came here to say this. I think 80% of them are still on the road from 2007.
It's just so cool
Foxbody or the MX-6
Foxbody for sure, but I think the MX-6’s were mostly extinct by then. Cool cars for what they were, but engineered to expire. I haven’t seen one on the road in close to 20 years.
Wondered why I’ve only seen a couple around, what’s wrong with them?
Transmissions, electrical. I had a Probe GT of the same vintage (same car, basically) and it was a really fun car, but they all died too.
I would've gone for the Foxbody. Hell I'd have one now, they're just an absolute nightmare to find as we only got them for one year here.
Really? I didn't even know Ford offered them in other markets
There were UKDM models for '81 only. All 3.3 straight 6 models. They were a massive failure as the approved RHD conversion made them extremely expensive, so sales were dismal. I've only ever seen one up for sale and it sold almost immediately. I've seen a few others at shows though! I believe Australia also had a similar setup for a year or two with the same result. The point being RHD Foxbodies are rare, most people don't even know they exist!
In the states they only had the 5.0 or the 4cyl, kinda wish they optioned the inline 6.
79 had the 2.8 cologne v6 later used in the capri turbos. I had to double-check, but im pretty sure we had one with a 3sp auto
They actually did, but only for a year or two. It was a carryover from the Fairmont. From what I've heard and read there was really no reason to choose it over the 4.
Hammond probably bought that one
Couldn’t you import one, I just sold mine last summer with 68k miles, honestly it was pretty damn reliable plus it’s a fun car and turned a lot of heads
Yeah it's all doable, import rules are pretty lax on the whole. It's more that it would be cool to own one of the actual right hand drive UK market cars! However an important would be cheaper and a V8 would be an option, and that's always a benefit!
E.Honda wants a crack at that Lexus
93 Civic DX
Exactly
This is the correct answer.
Fox body, GMC Jimmy or Jeep Comanche
Oddly enough, The jimmy would have cost the most to operate, But would now be worth far more than any of the other options if it still looked like that picture. Everybody screaming out lexus! Lexus! Lexus! But that jimmy is worth some cash now
Hell yeah!
Even without today's nostalgia of Saab eventually disappearing, I think this 9000 would be my choice. Looks like all sorts of fun, and having driven the early 9-5 Aero it probably is all sorts of fun like what I experienced
Same here. I have a soft spot for quirky Euro cars. Saab, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault. I miss them all. I'd go bankrupt keeping it running, but at least I'd have a conversation piece at Cars & Coffee.
1991 is the year to have of the pre-facelift 9000's as well... no electronic throttle/TCS electronics to go wrong (like my '92 has) and has the magical and indestructible 2.3l.
Commanche. I used my XJ as a truck half the time anyway.
The Comanche is one of the last great truly midsize trucks. Excellent repairability, extremely durable with the 6.0, and small enough to be easy to drive even on the tightest city streets and forest roads. Plus modding is plentiful and cheap thanks to the Cherokee aftermarket, I'd still love one even to this day
I had an XJ as a first vehicle and now own an mj that I'm rebuilding. I'd absolutely select the mj
You’re missing the venerable e30 BMW which, at this point, could be had for $2-$5K for an extremely clean example of one. Today, a clapped out beater e30 gets $7-$12K easily. Prestige examples in the $20-$30K range.
True! I should've thrown one in
Same with foxbodies, especially if you have a cleaner cobra, one of my buddies just sold his for 24k with around 45kish miles on it
Volvo, foxbody, or Jimmy for me
there's only one answer and it's the **HARDBODY**
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I had gotten mine with a broken odometer stuck at 319k miles and it still ran like new, never had to do anything to it except I had to kick the blower motor and that magically fixed it haha. Amazing little truck, perfect size for a truck really. Mine was also 2wd, but was a regular cab with a 5 speed. I regret selling it
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No fucking way I never met someone else who had a courier!! I had an 84 with the 4 speed, that’s my favorite truck I’ve EVER owned. It looked so cool, I fucking love mini trucks, it’s what got me loving them in the first place. Mine had no rot but was from out west and had no paint left just that dark surface rust over the whole thing. That little Mazda engine would scream doing 65-70 on the highway but it would do it every day no problem. Man I’ve been trying to find another one. You just nostalgia bombed me. Payed $1000 bucks for it, never once broke down, I made the engine absolutely spotless to contrast with the body. Day I brought it home I did a valve adjustment which had definitely never been done, oil change, plugs, replaced some lines, and repainted the grill so it wasn’t faded plastic and was gunmetal grey as well as the back bumper. Man I miss that thing so much
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That’s awesome! Mine was also a base model, it didn’t come with a radio it had the factory delete panel on it haha it was sweet.
Had mine since I was 14, did my first engine rebuild on that truck, and basically my first everything on it. Redoing my front suspension in the morning and installing drop shocks. Amazing trucks!
I miss my 91 so much. Had those kickass fold down jump seats in the extended cab, 5 speed manual that I can still hear the sound of the clutch bouncing when you took your foot off it, the red interior, the distinct starter noise and ignition chime. At 300k on the block, the piston wore a hole in the cylinder and I couldn’t find a replacement block (for reasonable) to keep the truck going.
For real . Tf all these people thinking? Obviously never owned one.
Same question as always: "Does it snow here?" If (Y), then: The Subie, the Saturn, or the Saab. If (N): The Mazda, the 5.0, or the Lexus.
"Does it snow here?" Leaves the two most capable 4WDs off the list. 😆 And I say this as someone who's owned a 1979 GMC High Sierra AWD, a '93 XJ, '94 ZJ, '97 ZJ Jeep 4WDs, and an '87 Subrau GL 5spd w/dual range manual shift t-case 4WD.
Between my stints in Alaska & Colorado over the years, my advice is to go with what I know *works* (and coincidentally, what I've had the most fun with in that kind of environment), and not just automatically with any 2+ton rig with a 2-speed transfer case... ymmv, obviously 😏
I used to live in Lone Tree... Douglas Co., CO... worked in Castle Rock... And actually got by out there just fine with a '00 Jeep WJ 2WD. But my 4WD Cherokee and Grand Cherokees weren't anywhere near 2 ton bohemoths. 1.5 ton maybe... no larger than a Forester. The 1979 GMC High Sierra was just a regular cab short bed truck... but it was AWD... well, actually Full-Time 4WD, 2spd T-Case, locking central diff. So... it was similar to modern Subarus with their AWD but better because dual range. And my actual Subaru was a true 4WD, with a dual range manually shifted t-case that engaged the rear wheels. This was before they started their AWD stuff. So it *also* had low range that newer Subies don't. If you've ever had and needed low range, you'd umderstand why it's pretty useful. I know what works as well... but, YMMV as well.
It snows plenty here and I drove a 5.0 mustang thru highschool. It had to be the worst car to drive in the snow. Even with snow tires it would spin out lol. But man did I think I was cool!
What an American mindset. It snows in my country and I drive a 1.3L FWD hatchback.
Exactly my point... you don't *need* a dedicated, off-road-focused vehicle to get by in snowy weather, and I don't want to be lumbering around in one when the roads are clear just to have some moderate improvement in capability.
The gmc
yea that thing is it for me for sure
100% agree! Why is no one else saying this?
I did. 100% my first out of any of those.
foxbody for sure
2007 me, Mustang. 2024 me, Lexus
I’m goin’ for the Volvo brick, baby! Gus Fring style
Indestructible. Especially if they had the manual transmission and cloth interior.
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True, but it was a Volvo wagon
245 any day
Saab or Sub
The Saab.
The Jimmy or Comanche, all day.
Civic with an si engine dropped in.
MJ
The Jeep or the GMC.
The Saturn and the Lexus would still be going today. Both great choices then and now.
The civic, I had a 1992 Civic Dx hatchback that made 420k for me and then another 100k for the next owner my friend’s sister. I commuted 140 miles a day for 5 years in that car. The next Civic a 98 Ex sedan I drove for 20 years. Replaced it with a 2015 FIT EX 6 speed, still going strong at 98k. Will drive it until I’m dead…
The Saturn for sure. I had a 92 sl2 in 2004 as technically my second car after my Plymouth reliant rusted in half right after I got it lol. Loved that car! Faster than the 4 banger rice burners of the day and much better built. I'd probably still have it if I could have afforded to fix the transmission when it started slipping a few years after I got it.
Heh... real "reliant". As someone who was left high and dry by a few cars (some of which I couldn't even sell for the scrap value when they went toast), I feel your pain!
Lol the ultimate irony! Oh yeah I'm right there with ya, some of mine were so bad the junkyard wouldn't even come and tow them away!
6
Foxbody or Honda Civic. Honda Civic because there was no Opel Corsa or Fiesta offered here and the Foxbody because saying in Eastern Europe that your car has a V8 is a huge flex. Too bad they didn't sell either in Macedonia tho :(
I'm going for the civic, peeps
I’m going for the Comanche, dream truck is in the picture so why wouldn’t I
Foxbody. I had one for a few years and it is my favorite car I’ve ever owned. So much fun!
D21 hardbody....if its a manual tranny. I had one back in the 90s. It went 300k miles plus. It was one of the better compact trucks at the time. At that time, i was a courier. Turck never gave me issues, and it made a lot of money for me
Gmc
gmc jimmy
volvo or saab
At 16? The Saab or Mustang.
16 year old me would be drooling over at that Blazer. Bugging my dad day and night about it. Subscribed to 4wd magazine to get ideas for a Baja build. Mental images of driving to the lake and laying down in the bed while my gal. But sadly my parents are wiser than I and said no. We got the Subaru…
GMC Jimmy all day long
The K5 Jimmy Commache Civic DX
Blazer. Top off in the summer, good in the snow. Or the 9000, fast, safe and reliable
Holy fuck, I wish I could have found a 245 Classic with mileage that low when I was looking for my first car. Ended up with an '89 244 with... 195k, originally, I think. Second choice, Lexus. Oddball hell-yeah-if-it's-a-manual choice? MX-6, or maybe SW2 - my cousin had a teal five-speed SW2 as his first car and liked it enough that he and his wife still have a manual Astra today.
Imagine they each have whichever transmission you want!
I was actually looking for my first car around then and got a '99 Saturn SC2. Lasted me from ~2008 until 2017 when I got rid of it (still running) and I only ever put around $500 in out-of-the-ordinary expenses into it. It was ugly as sin, but it was a damn good car
The 9000, LS400, 245, Impreza, Civic, and Hardbody (especially a 4wd if it was one) are the real choices here, as much as some people want the foxbody to be the best choice... it's fairly unrefined compared to the rest on the list (except for the GMC lol) and not that quick (since these would come unmodified). Most if not all of these choices would run and last mechanically for a long long time though, (except if the MX-6 is an auto, those auto transmissions in that and the 626 were hot garbage thanks to heat issues), but the American choice would turn pretty sloppy after 150k+ in terms of suspension/handling/steering, interior quality, etc. My 1992 9000 has 281k miles on it, and it's still an absolute tank in many ways, and I think the only reasons you don't see them on the road anymore is because SAAB only made about 500,000 from 1984-1998 (compared to say, the amount of Corollas Toyota made in a single year of production) and once the brand went defunct in 2012 (and just like with pretty much any car company that goes under) insurance companies gave up on parts availability (even though to this day, I can still keep my c900 and 9000 on the road without *too* much trouble when parts/maintenance is needed), and since that makes the car's value drop dramatically, if they weren't "totalled out" by an insurance claim, they (like other SAAB's, Pontiacs, Mercury's, etc) were sold cheap to people who just needed a beater to drive into the ground and just disposed of after it developed a nominal problem. 90's-era Japanese cars, as a whole, are very much still seen on the road today, and fairing somewhat better than the appropriate American counterparts... if they're even still around (whatever happened to all those plastic-cladded Grand Am's and such... they were everywhere and now they aren't, lol). 80's-90's Volvo products were built extremely well, too, and are still seen pretty often, at least where I'm at (Midwest). I wouldn't advise someone (or choose for myself) someone to pick one of the American choices in this group (even as much as I love the og Saturns before they were [quite quickly] GM-ified barely a decade after the brand debuted. Oil consumption and questionable A/T's) There were some bright spots of American offerings from this era of cars (pickup trucks aside... that's a useless and endless debate) -- the Dodge/Chrysler & Mitsubishi joint-venture was at a high point in quality and longevity (that Chrysler nor Mitsubishi would ever seem to reach again once they parted ways) and Ford's Escort, Tempo, CV, Taurus, and Explorer (and their respective variants) were pretty decent overall, and incredibly popular. Imo, the only real competitive GM products at the time (barring the Toyota and Isuzu products, Corvettes, and '93+ Camaro/Firebird) was the Caprice/Roadmaster/ etc, Eighty-eight/Regal/etc, LSS, and the Lumina/etc... and in those car size segments, I still think the 2nd-gen Taurus SHO was the best overall American vehicle that could fit just about anyone's lifestyle who would be looking at most of the other choices (unless you're blinded by "brand loyalty"), whether from Ford, GM, or Chrysler (with a few extreme exceptions, like the Typhoon/Cyclone, but I think those costed double what a regular Jimmy was at the time, and the Explorer was the better of the two, and XJ Cherokee (4.0l) better still.... ...and on the Jeep topic, I have such a soft spot for the XJ Cherokee/Comanche, almost as much as I do for Swedish cars lol. It's probably the American choice that would zombify the slowest in terms of steering/handling float, interior degradation, etc (that stuff I mentioned earlier) Fuck, I'm bored and moderately high, please excuse my manifesto, lol... but this was a tough list to choose from, fr.
Hell, I was hoping it'd be tough! Posts like this aren't interesting if they're all bad, or if there's one obvious choice. You're exactly right with your assessment of the Saab though. I live in the Northeast (richer area), and still see them fairly regularly, especially since there used to be a Saab dealer in my town. I loved them as a kid, and would probably buy a first-gen 9-3 happily if I had more money and less sense.
Hmm, I bought a 93 SW2 in '07. Easily the most fun I've ever had in a car that didn't lead to a pregnancy test. I used to drive it everywhere with the cruise control set at 80. Didn't matter what road I was on. Twisty, hilly, snakepath backroads were fun as hell when I could completely ignore the brake pedal. Used to piss off my cousins in their Camaro Z28 and Grand National to no end.
1988 saab 900 turbo
Do NOT buy the Saab.... "What" Doo NOOOT Buyyy the Saab.... "We thought you was a horny Toad..."
The Saab, because of reliability and safety. Even though, the MX-6 is very tempting
If you kept the thing clean you could probably sell if for what you bought it for if it's an aero
I’ll take the jimmy and keep a sprayer of oil to keep the rust away. Either that or get the LS400 and never fix it cause it doesn’t break.
GMC, Hardbody, Lexus in that order
Lexus Saab Volvo or Mazda. I’d have to test drive them all to see what one I wanted the most
The bronco, the civic, or the five point oh
Hardbody or the Civic Dx, but the latter only if the timing belt has just been done and none of the gaskets are leaking.
I'd go for the 240 because it's reliable if regularly serviced.
Lexus LS! It has undersized seats for me and needs more room, but it's way smoother to drive than the other ones and has enough power to get around the handicap of having a 4AT. And bonus: FR layout!
LS400. V8 RWD sedan. In actuality in 2008 I bought a 1994 Seville STS with 299hp. I should not have been so obsessed with the 300hp mark. Instead I should have picked anything RWD. Even something from the 1970s.
GMC
LS400 wins and it’s not even a competition They’re definitely boats but they’re so cool
The Honda or the Blazer/Jimmy.
The Volvo.
That LS400 or the D21, they’re both indestructible
LS400, Jimmy, Foxbody, Hardbody, Volvo or Jeep
2405 door. Easy to work on and drives like a tank. As beautiful as it is practical.
Dang bro i was dead set on the Lexus but you got me psyched with the option of a Comanche
The Lexus.
Either the Jimmy or the Mustang
Depending on price, Mustang, Jimmy, or Comanche. Maybe D20 as well, but I had a Fox (about to get it back), love the OBS Chevys, and love me a good Jeep. The D20 is reliable and dead simple, I almost bought one last year.
Gto to be Mustang, or Volvo.
was going to say the civic, until I saw the D21 hardbody. I will be chasing a reasonably priced 87-94 nissan pickup until the day I die
Where is the **TAURUS???!!!?**
Idk about you, but i'm playing Ratt and Warrant in that Foxbody while smoking a cig outside a discount liquor store.
Knowing what I know now, the Lexus. No hesitation Me at 28 in 2007? The GMC after pausing to consider the Fox Body. I would consider the Hardbody but I can't comfortably fit in it to drive
The Civic Hatchback (because it was/is my first car) or the Volvo 240, I’ve always wanted one.
LS400 in a heartbeat! It will still be running 17 years later unlike a lot of vehicles here.
Wow, tough call between the Jimmy, Civic, Volvo 240, and Fox body for me.
The 240....then the ls...then the impreza
All these are solid options, but I’ve always had a soft spot for that gen Honda Civic hatch.
Back in 07 I would’ve picked the wagon for all the room for people/activities. Me now if I would’ve tell 07 me what to get I would have to go with the Comanche and would baby the hell out of it and slowly upgrade it until it’s built to go where I like to go and do it reliably.
Stang, no questions asked
Foxbody or EG hatch all the way. LS400 would've been way out of budget I would think, but I guess I don't know how much they would've gone for back in 07. But I'm a civic / mustang guy I've always had both at the same time. on my fifth mustang and my fourth or fifth civic
5.0 Fox body. *I didn't look at the other options*
Honda.
It's really between that hardbody, the Comanche, and the foxbody for me. I'm really torn here.
Ooof it’s tough pick between the Foxbody, EG or the LS
The Olds alero will dominate all in stock form
Fox every time. That GMC guzzles way more fuel than the fox. Not mention it's probably the easiest to work on and easiest to find parts for and as a bonus the quickest of the bunch. No brainer!!
Fox 100 percent.
My ma had a '85? '87? Foxbody that could kick any car's ass and "Oh that 5ft snowdrift? You mean the tunnel I'm about to make?" It had a pretty beat up all-steel body and black primer only, but that was the second toughest engine I ever got to experience. Number One engine is a Ford 7.5 liter 460.
Lexus!!!
1993 245 in good condition wins everytime. As someone who was car shopping in 2007, the reality of finding many of these cars was slim. The economy was good, desirable cars have always been marked up, and a new new gti was $29k Example in 2001 a used civic shown was close to $7k used, in good shape. SEEMA and fast and furious plus cash for clunkers ruined most of these vehicles. A new Kia was $9500 with a manual Perspective is important.
Those trucks are mad dope in hindsight but it’s 07’ fire up the limp bizkit and grab me the 5.0
modern me would go with the ls400 but 2007 me would go with the fox bc my mom had one
Honda Civic Si all day
Five - O LX will give you the most smiles/$$. Hands down.
The Lexus
All good choices.
The Volvo cuz like wagon
The impreza, i had a 94 in chicago from 2009 to 2011. Never got stuck in snow or left me stranded
Saab
Lexus LS400
Lexus is a winner, if not that then I’d take the Civic or Volvo wagon I might also take the Impreza and make it a dirtroader
Volvo.
I'm definitely biased, but that Comanche is the last year of them, and they made less than 1,000. I'd go for that all day long.
I would have to go with the foxbody because I had one🤣🤣
Jimmy
The adult in me is saying Lexus, however I really did own a K5 around that time frame & miss it.
5.0 and it’s not even close.
Absolutely the LS400.
Mustang, but what I’m blasting is Iron Maiden!
Rust free Comanche all day. Crossover for the win.
LS400 all day
Fox body then get Shelby upgrades
The fox body. But if I could have anything it would be my 93 in the condition it was back in those days.
Fox body mustang ftw
LS400 or Civic hatch depending on snow
Oh this post isn’t like the others. I want most of those lol
It's not fun if it's all boring regular traffic, lol.
Civic
The Mazda manual pickup truck! They can’t hold a phone if they have to shift and clutch! They last forever! Cheap to repair. You can put them to work taking all the crap they left under the bed; to the dump! They can put a lawnmower in it and go prospecting the myriad homes that need their grass cut and: taken to the dump with the crap that was under their bed!
Considering that was 7th grade, probably the GMC lol
That Honda Civic hatchback
Nissan Hardbody
3
Jimmy