uno!
Now for the car,
think, think, think, think.
I know I am very happy with my Honda civic, the CRV is great as well(sis has one)

4WD Suburban. Gotta have something to haul guns and ammo all the way to the compound.
regards,

a cessna

Chevy! Chevy! Chevy!

you don't want to get one of those squatty little mini cooper (even though they did cool stuff with them in the movie The Italian Job) don't get anything that looks like it would deflate if you put your foot on the bumper to tie your shoe.
Oh, a nice big truck, with a sword rack in the back window to deter the ninja monkeys that are no doubt following your every move.

A HUMMER! And not some sissy civilian knock-off, either.

I recently got a MINI cooper. It's fuel efficient. Not everyone has one. It's built by the British - our allies. It gets 25/35 gas mileage - a bonus with gas at over $2/gallon.

It's also a chick magnet, if you're into them - and I think you are.

Chrysler Crossfire convertible. ooooooooo

Frank don't buy a new one. Xebit will "pimp" it out on "pimp my ride" You can have a laptop in it...so you can post and drive to work. Why spend only most of your life on imao.us...spend it all!

Get a rickshaw, and have your minions take turns running you around.

and don't listen to Laura. I put a bike rack on the back of mine, which could easily be modified to hold ninja swords, monkey killing devices, and bazookas.

So, it's not a hummer, but hey, you can always park UNDER the nearest hummer if the parking lot is full.

And you'll get lots of laughs telling people it has a HEMI, then frowns as you blow past them off the red light.

For Pete's sake will you buy somthing that at least sounds like it was make in the USA. And Crysler's don't count.

Get a Subary Impreza WRX. Moderatly priced, and is fast, with 227 HP, turbocharged goodness.

Plus it's all wheel drive for when the Day After Tomorrow comes true and blizzards hit florida.

At the risk of sounding like a suckup, I second Jennifer's idea. A black Crossfire, NTM logo on the seat backs.....

Mercury Marauder... the only car I've seen reviewed in National Review.

Practical but stylish:

Acura TSX
Mazda6 coupe or 5dr (I like the sedan better)
Acura CL/TL

Sporty:

Subaru WRX (STi or regular)
Mazda RX8
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

SUVs:

Chevy Trailblazer
Honda Pilot
Toyota 4Runner/Highlander
Nissan Xterra

kia sorento, baby! that's my next ride, and since kia has such a stigma associated with its name, hardly anyone has one. get the luxury trim (i think it's EX): nice vehicles, regular SUV gas mileage (so you're supporting the booming economy), affordably priced, great safety rating for when monkeys run into the sides of your vehicle. 100K mile power-train warranty, 5 year btb and roadside.

kinda girly, though; since i'm a girl, that's not an issue for me.

whatever you buy, buy through the dealership's internet sales dept. set up your appointment online before you ever go to the dealership. you get much better deals that way.

Mmmm, hip car, looks good on Frank, prestigious...

1963 Split Window 'Vette with a 327 CI engine and side pipes. Ultamate Chick Magnet

I keep hearing good things about the Nissan Xterra.

But if you go American I'd say Jeep Liberty.

Since he's not a car person I'm going to venture a guess that he wouldn't be very handy with a classic car. Buy new. Crossfire!

Get the new Pontiac GTO. Low key styling but with plenty of get-up-and-go (350 bhp). Not everyone will be driving them either and I think they are going in the low $30's.

Brass.

Everyone knows:
REAL men drive trucks.
REAL Amercians drive American vehicles

Duh!

(My Chevy pickup is 12 years old, 220 thousand miles, and has never had a problem)

I know almost everything about cars and humbleness, so here's my advice.

Subaru. How big do you want it. All subaru's have options to be fast, including the forrester. They all top out about 25k.

Other option, pollute while getting awsome fuel economy. Volkswagon TDi's. Awsome. 50mpg.

I've owned both options, so need more advice, mail me. like I said, I know cars.

Daniel Machado

Get a 3 year old BMW 3 series.....looks the same as the 2004 but you'll get to miss out on the depreciation. Girls love bimmers. then again its German. guess you'll have to weigh it out...your love of girls vs. hatred of germans.

New Mustang is a chick magnet, but there may be too many on the road to be unique. New T-bird would look phenomenal with you behind the wheel...but may be too pricey. What is "too pricey" for Frank J.?

Get a hummer. we all know you gots to have a hummer in florida.....

Inifinti G35; very nice ride for not a lot of money.

What does Rummy drive .. oh yeah a Buick

Ecto-1

Ecto-1

sorry about the double post

Mercedes makes a very cool C230 coupe that runs ~23k. I wish Ida known that before I bought my GTI, sweet little zoom-zoom though that is. And Mercedes are probably made in a factory in the US and owned by US interests...

But if you want strictly an allied vehicle, then choose a MiniCooper, definitely.

I wish I could go with you to buy it - car salesmen are absolutely terrified of me for some strange reason and I could get you a really good deal...

I hate to recommend a Japanese car, but if you want a sweet car without paying a lot, get the Honda Prelude. It is simply beautiful. Besides, people will start thinking you are in the Triads or something. ;D

My Chrysler 300C is big and roomy, is within a few ticks of a Boxter S in the 1/4 mile, and while it costs more than a new Hyundai, costs a lot less than some of the other things mentioned here.

It will become somewhat common, but not for a year or two. It looks impressive. I've had lots of people sitting in the left lane suddenly move over when I come up. I'm not tailgating or flashing lights or using the horn. Simply BEING THERE is enough.

And the exhaust note is the best thing since the 60s.

greywolf and others, the hummer IS the civilian knock-off, the real thing is the hmmwv. they're crazy expensive tho.
i've got a dodge durango and i love it. never had a problem, goes anywhere (as long as you get the 4x4), got a bigger gas tank and more cargo room and seating than other midsize suvs, and got a kick ass v8. i dont think the new ones look as cool, but they do have a hemi.
as far as shopping, make sure you know exactly what you wanna pay AND, if you're not paying all up front, exactly what you want your apr to be. i got the price i wanted but got screwed on the apr. (it was my first new car buying experience)

Check out the 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It's bigger than other Wranglers. Get it in Black with tinted windows-oh it is so sweet looking, quite the head turner.
The tinted windows would be a great place for your web site logo.

I forgot about Dodge! Paul has a fantastic Dodge Dakota Sport quad cab pickup that he just loves. It's taken us safely through many trips in cold and inclement weather, though I don't suppose you have much care about that.

And it's not exactly 'hip' but definitely more masculine and you can haul stuff on your many vacations with your groupies.

Late '60's Muscle Car. Easy to fix, gas-guzzling, no need to get smogged or have any "clean-air" devices sapping away horse-power, LOUD (and not in that tiny-testicle "I've got a big exhaust pipe on my li'l ol' civic" sort of way, but that "I drive a vehicle that will crush your fiber-panel plastic arse back to the eco-friendly beginnings that you had" sort of way), and Angelina Jolie will instantly become your love toy.

Take, for example, the following:

Year: 1969
Make: FORD
Model: MUSTANG MACH I
Engine Size: S CODE 390-320 H.P.
Transmission: C-Z AUTOMATIC
Stock No: 11066
Exterior Color: BRIGHT RED
Interior Color: BLACK

http://www.volocars.com/showroom/showroom_d.php?id=11066&make=Mustang/T-Bird

Note that I am just trying to give you some idea of what these beauties look like... you can prolly find them WAYYYYY cheaper elsewhere.

If you don't like Ford, try one of these:

Year: 1973
Make: DODGE
Model: CHALLENGER
Engine Size: 383 MAGNUM
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Stock No: 10990
Exterior Color: RED
Interior Color: WHITE

http://www.volocars.com/showroom/showroom_d.php?id=10990&nhs=0&make=mopar/chrysler&show=

Year: 1967
Make: PLYMOUTH
Model: GTX
Engine Size: 440-375 H.P. SUPER COMMANDO
Transmission: 4-SPEED
Stock No: 10868
Exterior Color: RED/BLACK STRIPES
Interior Color: BLACK

http://www.volocars.com/showroom/showroom_d.php?id=10868&nhs=7&make=mopar/chrysler&show=

Year: 1967
Make: PONTIAC
Model: GTO
Engine Size: 400 H.O. 360 H.P.
Transmission: TH AUTOMATIC
Stock No: 10814
Exterior Color: STARLIGHT BLACK
Interior Color: BLACK

http://www.volocars.com/showroom/showroom_d.php?id=10814&nhs=7&make=pontiac&show=

If you have to ask, you need to take the bus.

Frank:
Buy what I just did, a loaded 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71! It has a power moon roof so that the guy riding shotgun can stand up in the hatch with his/her shotgun and take out terriorist nut bags and evil monkeys as I drive full throttle! I like to use my 12 ga. Remington Model 870 express. It can take a beating and keep on shooting. Yeehaa! V8 power, 16 MPG! With gas in CT at $2.50 per gal., I'm have a ball...want me to give you any stock advise?

You're in Florida. Go to the Barrett Jackson Palm Beach Auction first. Get yourself a nice classic daily driver piece of Detroit Iron. Saw a fully restored '58 T-Bird that went for $23K - now that's hard to beat.

If you want a truck - Chevy, Ford, Dodge - take your pick. Any of them in 4WD will get you where you need to go. Personally, I've got an F350 Crewcab diesel - lot's of room - decent mileage.

Oh, & my around town driver is a real sleeper - Volvo S60 T5. Looks like a plain old 4 door - except it will do 140mph really quickly. The R60 version is all wheel drive 300hp. The S40 T5 is smaller, about 30K and 250hp.

Too many nice cars out there to get stuck in Riceland looking at Acuras et al. Look around, take lots of test drives that's all part of the fun.

One I'd seriously look at if you're in the market for a big sedan type thing is the Chrysler 300 with the Hemi & sport suspension. Saw one up close & personal - niiiice, big, fast car about $33K.

The new GTO is a good suggestion, as is the new Mustang & Mazda RX-8.

Go drive them & scare the salesman that always wants to go along for the ride - that's all part of the fun. Make sure you comment on things like - "hmmmmm...glove box looks like it'll hold my .45 and 3 clips." "You, know, I'm just not sure that trunk will hold my shotgun, HK, AND the 2000 round ammo box."

Get thee a 2004 Audi A4!

Unique - not that many out on the road, unlike the BMW 3 series - everybody and their mother has a 3 series nowadays. Not to mention the interior & handling are better.
Affordable - nicely loaded A4 for about $30k.
Prestigious - It's definitely belongs in the upper echelon with bmw, mercedes, acura, lexus, infiniti, etc.
Gun-friendly - there's a storage drawer underneath the front passenger seat, perfect for a full size/backup gun! The trunk is HUGE, perfect for hauling around a bunch of long guns & ammo. The sunroof is also wide enough to fire a bazooka from (ala Ronin)

Not to mention it's pretty practical, with 4 doors, yet still zippy.

Other cars you might like: Infiniti G35 coupe/sedan, Saab 9-3, Volvo S40, BMW 330i

I would suggest a truck...preferably diesel since they can go about 500,000 without falling apart...I like the F250 or F350, but the Dodge's look really good, too. I did like the Chevy's, but then they went and changed the body style to look like the Avalanche, and I am not that crazy about it. One problem you might run into is that a new diesel truck costs about as much as a house! So, that may be a problem (it is for me--I want a new one, but my eyes are bigger than my check book. I guess I will have to keep driving my '89 Chevy stepside a few more years!)

Look at the above url. You'll see a real car.

Here's something to consider. This is the bet value.
Buy a used car on Ebay in your local area.
Be sure to investigate carefully.
Have it inspected. Get a good aftermarket warranty. Investigate the warranty company also. Pay cash. Drive happily ever after.

American cars like Cadillac, Lincoln arer great values. They depreciate in price much more than other luxury cars, like Lexus and Mercedes. Say 3-4 years old. 60,000 miles is almost new these days. I hear of 200,000 miles often.

I'm with SarahK - get a Kia. The Amanti is pretty smooth. Leather interior, front and rear A/C controls, looks a like a Benz for about half the cash.

Guards Red Porsche 944/968.

You know you want one.

JEEP!

Read a couple of issues of Car & Driver - they have good informative reviews and don't cut any slack when the car sucks. (And they are funny) With that in mind, they would probably recommend:

Anything with a BMW logo - (that goes without saying)
Mazda 6
Infiniti G35 (sedan or coupe)
Audi A4
Any VW TDI - (50mpg can be yours, but you'll become a devout vw fan)

Someone above said that real men drive trucks, and this is true, but if you don't really need one, then what's the point? (I love my truck and I use it as a truck despite being a code-warrior as my day job.)

Finally - while I don't have a single American car referenced up there - you really don't know anymore and I would argue that it doesn't really matter. My Toyota is built in Indiana. So is it Japanese or is it American? Say, if perhaps my Chevy was buit in Mexico? Would that make it American made?

ok just one comment....faaaaack japanese cars.....ok now i love the chrysler 300 or Ford Focus ZX3....the 300 has mad styling and isnt bad on gas and the focus has rave reviews and is fun to drive and efficent....not only that but the ZX3 is pretty sporty looking i like it

Nissan Titan - just like an SUV/Truck - real power, good towing, solid warranty/reputation and best of all - Made in USA! Puts GM, Ford & Dodge trucks to shame.

If it's too masculine for you - then drive a Toyota Fecis.... :)

Buy American, like Honda (Ohio) or BMW (South Carolina). Don't buy Chevy & Ford (Mexico mostly).

I say buy a Honda S2000. Ohio is a battleground state that could use your money. If you're gonna buy a car, might as well help President Bush also.

i heard nissan is owned by the french.

Frank, get a mustang!

Get a T-Bird!

Be patriotic and get an American Car! Don't buy from the filthy commies or crazy europeans!

buy AMERICAN bitch. Cadillac CTS

How about the A-Team's van. It was fast,and on a couple of occassions pre-ban full auto Mini-14's (AC-556). Call me crazy, but I think Mini-14's in the grill could come in handy on the morning commute!popped outta the grill

Howzabout the SRT-4? For around $22K you get the next hottest car Dodge offers after the Viper (and the Ram SRT doesn't count as it's a truck...but I'd consider it too) 2.4L turbo, 5 spd manual and for 2004-up models, a limited-slip is included and more hp and torque over the 2003 model. Practical as a 4 door, but fast and fun, in my book.

Don't get the KIA..I just shudder thinking about a car which is a twin of Hyundai but has a name which is three dots away from a wartime reference a la' K.I.A.

My recommendation, FWIW

Ken,
car guy, former technician, former Neon Sport owner, soon to own a '90 GMC, but really lusts after the new Dodge station wagon, Magnum

frank you are a conservative at heart but you drive like liberal pansy; a Hyundai Accent, that is a korean piece of fuel efficeint crap. get yourself an American SUV so you can run over that korean s***.

If you get a MINI cooper, I'll just point and laugh.
And the ladies who are not in awe of your comedic genius will be even less impressed.

Jesus Christ.

It all depends on what you want to use the vehicle for. If you are using it for highway driving 80% of the time, do not get an SUV. I would say get a Chrysler 300C, except I'm a Mopar guy and I hate the new 5.7 "Hemi" Magnum; the 300C w/5.7 has cylinder deactivation, so unless you floor it you're only running on 4 cylinders---a slap in the face to those who want a V8 in the first place. But you can get it with a V6, and it is a very nice car for about $26,000. A Jeep Liberty or Chevy TrailBlazer is good for all-around use. Fords are pieces of sh*t, don't get one of those. A Ram 1500 quad cab is nice, I drove one for a few days and it gets plenty of attention.

The main thing is to get a vehicle you feel comfortable and safe in, as that will have an impact on how you drive.

A 1989 Pontiac Bonneville. If not so much for you, then do it for the ladies.

1. a Segway - if too expensive see #2
2. a Schwinn with a banana seat.

So, you like the idea of military HMMWV, but not the cost? For around $20k you can get a brand new Pinzgauer!! You can read about them here: //www.pinzgauer.uk.com , and drive one at your local tactical supplier. Happy off-roading.

Get a JEEP: Wrangler, or whatever the hell you call them down there (TJ in AfCanistan). Last summer I got the full 'Vader (black on black, deep-tinted windows). Very badass, plus the roof comes-off for 360 degree field-of-fire (also good for swordfighting). Cheaper than the Hummer, too.

Go Doc Brown and Marty style: a Delorean!

Subaru Legacy 4-door sedan. AWD. Leather interior, can handle high speed, evasion, and more. Love mine, just be sure to get really good high-performance tires. :)

You should get a 1995-98 BMW 500 series with about 100,000 miles on it for under $10,000.

LELARN TO DRIVE STICK!

Then, go to the auto dealers and instead of looking at the car prices, LOOK AT THE INSURANCE DEALS. Take nothing that doesn't last a minimum of 7 years, 100,000 miles BUMPER TO BUMPER. ANd, make sure you get this. THEN, you can buy anything. All faults go to the auto maker to repair. Don't trust Toyota! They LIE. You can trust VW. They stand by their PLATINUM COVERAGE. And, I'm told PONTIACs can go 400,000 miles, trouble free these days. That's the best advice I can give you.

Any thinking man would lean toward the Honda Civic or the Honda Accord. Practically indestructible, good gas mileage, decently priced....you couldn't ask for anything more. If you want to stretch a little, check out the Toyota Corolla or the Camry.

Japanese is the only way to drive.

If you are looking to look "manly" definitely a truck, Jeep, or suv. If you are looking for something that looks nice, is reliable, respectable and gets good gas mileage--and throw in a bonus--is American Saturn is an excellent car. I had a 1997 Saturn and traded in for a 2003 Ford Explorer (family upgrade) and still miss my Saturn, a year later!

The perfect vehicle for you would have to be an M1 Abrams... however due to their illegality on streets the next best thing would be one of those armored pick-ups with the 50 caliber machine gun in the back

Jeep wrangler. A 4X4 and a convertable rolled into one. And with the new, slightly longer version, you have more room for your Freedom Arsenal.

Plus, total strangers will wave at you when you drive by.

Those of you who laugh at Mini Coopers apparently haven't seen them blow by Bimmers and other high-end sportscars on a race track. It's sweeeet to see the little dickens leave other drivers in the dust.

When my '72 BMW 2002 dies, I'll likely buy a Mini. BMW makes 'em; they're good cars -- and maybe they'll last as long as my current daily driver.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Frank, you should buy it once you're finally recognized as a genius and rewarded as the vanquisher of the hordes of crazy screaming monkeys unleashed upon the world : a Zimmer Golden Spirit Convertible http://www.zimmermotorcars.com/photo_2002.html
It is a new Mustang, with a nice V8, stretched and refurbished with all those nice things any capitalist car should have : chromes, a golden eagle hood ornament, more chromes...
If 2 doors aren't enough for all your groopies there is also a 4-door convertible model made from a Lincoln Town Car.
And in case of an attack from treacherous nail-toting monkeys, you got 3 spare tires available.

Go with a Jeep Wrangler, They are fun to drive and look cool sometimes. Or else you got to go with the Suburu Impreza WRX Sti. in black. that is the way to do it.

I've seen real army HMMWVs for about 20-25K. I've seen them on Ebay too, Whatever you do DON'T BUG ONE OF THOSE "Hummer"s THEY AREN'T WORTH THE MONEY.

Other than that, Chevy and GMC make some good trucks and SUVs, but they cost more than a HMMWV anyway, and HMMWVs look cool, and besides, they're kickass.

Just make sure to get all the papers for a HMMWV, otherwise the Army might say they want it back... and get it.

Hyundai(I'm not sure about the spelling and I'm too lazy to check.) Sonata GLS. Nice ride, not expensive and a kick butt warrantee.

TurkeyHead:

Not quite true about the new new Hemi. The cylinder deactivation is only under light load at moderate speeds (basically at cruise). Any effort at all brings back all eight. I certainly can't feel any delay when accelerating (and NOT flooring it).

Marc, only 2 types of people drive Eclipses: girls and gay guys. I don't think Frank is either.

Gary and the Samoyeds

I stand corrected. Still, I don't even like the idea of cylinder deactivation; the way I look at it, if I'm going to buy a V8, I want it to be a V8, not an engine that reverts to fewer cylinders when I'm not looking. People who buy V8s aren't doing so for fuel economy, so why try to sneak something past? If they wanted fuel economy, they'd be getting a small V6 or a 4 cylinder.

I'm still a young'un, but I'm all old-school Mopar. I have a '97 318 ci Dakota, 2wd, "tastefully" upgraded (no ricer crap, no press-on window guards, etc.). I put headers, a new air intake, and a new Flowmaster exhaust on it; soon I'll be adding an M-1 intake manifold, larger rocker arms, a PCM upgrade, and other goodies. I'll see if I can scan a picture of it and put some links up in a day or two.

Out of the six cars I've had over the past 28 years, I've had three Toyotas, two Mazdas (the first was a hand-me-down), and a BMW. I've had best luck with the Toyotas, and regretted giving up each one of them (but I'd avoid the MR2 Spyder - there isn't enough room to carry a box of Kleenex™).

I don't make recommendations on trucks because I've never owned one.

Volvo v70R. A true stealth vehicle. All the libs will think that you're one of them until you leave clouds of acrid, choking tire smoke behind you as you tear out of the faculty lounge parking lot. Besides, Ford owns Volvo.

Frank, I drive a 2000 Toyota Prerunner with a 3.4V6. I've had it for two months now and I love it! I traded in a GMC with 225,000 miles on it. I got it for under 15,000 with only 65K on it. Just get a damn truck and dump that crappy little Japanese car. Good luck.

J. H.

I'd suggest a current-gen V6 accord coupe. That new 240hp is mighty spritely and runs on regular(bonus!). Also, it comes with either a 5s auto or 6s stick and the is also a optional factory performence package

Go to www.bugatti-cars.de/bugatti/index.html and check out the Veyron 16.4. 1001 horsepower W16 engine. That's the car for you.

Frank, you need a truck. Think of how handy it would be. When all hell breaks loose, you can easily convert your pickup truck into a "technical". Sure you wont have .50 cal in the bed, but you can have a hick with a 30-06 deer rifle and a cooler full of beer back there.

Since you are not a car guy anyway, why blow all that cash on a new car? Why quibble about make and model? The question is asked incorrectly. Do not buy a car; buy an owner. Look for an old person with money selling their cream puff, because old people are scared of everything. Even though they are retired and have nowhere they really need to go, the thought of a breakdown fills them with terror, so they pay a fortune to the dealer to maintain their car in brand new condition. Then they get scared anyway and sell it at 60-80K miles. You will get a nice loaded big car for very little money. Spend the rest on guns and ammo. Mmmm... Magnaporting... Laser sights... Multiple projectile rounds... Failing that, listen to Mr. Jive. Classic cars are another great deal. New is for suckers.

my suggestion: Model T ford

any other ford or american car would do fine too

Saturn Red Line

Hey Frank,
I've never posted here before, but I love your site. What kind of a car/truck/suv you buy realy depends on what you need it to do for you. Personally, My whole family has always owend Jeeps and we love them. I have found them to be very reliable and usefull for moveing, hauling, and towing things at my parent's cottage (and playing in the mud). I also live in WI and the 4WD is almost a necessity in the winter if you have to do any driving outside city limits. My last Cherokee was an absolute workhorse, it survived 16 long, hardworking years until I finnaly sold it. I don't know if you plan on doing anything other than commuting, but if I lived in FL, I would get myself a Jeep Wrangler. The Wrangler is incredibly hard-core (availible with a 2.4L 4 cilinder engine if you want good gas milage, or a 4.0L in-line 6 cilinder if you want more power), and in FL you could have the top off almost all year. I'm sure you could find some way to mount a 50 cal on the roll cage.

matc

I really like my Toyota Echo, has lots of storage space (drawer under passenger seat, and upper and lower glove box, cubbies on either side of the radio, space under the steering wheel) and the instrument panel in the middle freaks people out. Oh, and I get about 30/35 miles per gallon.

I would have to go back to an original post and suggest you DO consider a MINI Cooper S....

The most "bang" for the buck you can buy if you want a fun, fast, sporty car. It outhandles anything on the road short of a top of the range 911, they are inexpensive ($17k-$20k), hold their resale vaule better than just about any other car in the US, and on top of that are rated one of the safest cars you can buy. 6 airbags, and the only car the NHTSA rated safer was a C-class Mercedes, and then by only 1 point.

Plus, with the rear seats down you can haul the following - AR-15. AK-47, MINI-14, Galil ARM, M1 Carbine, Ruger 10/20, 2 shotguns, 5 pistols, an Uzi submachinegun with suppressor, and all the ammo needed to entertain a busload of friends. I know, I've done it....

Hummers and Vette's are for soccermoms and little men with smaller penis'.

Ford Mustang Convertible. They're fast, and surprisingly easy to get parts and repair for. I had a Mustang for 5 years, got a more "sensible"
carf-A Sentra-and then got crushed by the damn thing breaking down all the time.

Plymouth Prowler for pure sex appeal

Frank. Buy American!

And you need somethin that tells other drivers "Hey, Im Freakin Frank J. I have big guns, and I don't mess around."

I'd say a Ford Bronco with a nice lift and a set of 35" tires would do it. Get Black.

I was about to say a Chevy SSR - saw one BLOW by me on the interstate the other day - WOW! Little, retro chassis, BIG engine. Then I saw that they START at $42,225. Eeep!

Frank~

Well, how about telling us what your budget is?

There is always ebay motors; get a nice car CHEAP, with only 500 miles on it... you know, after the ashtray got full from some fellow capitalist pig. :)

That and the test drive cars are usually sold there too.

Well......the new Mustang is a great looking car. The new Nissan Maxima looks hot. If money's no object, get a Maybach - a Totally awesome car.

You could do like I did and get a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP coupe limited edition Daytona 500 Pace Car. (What a mouthful.) I mean, who DOESN'T need a 250hp supercharged road eater? I know where you can get one, too! ;-)

I drive a 2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and the ladies are all about my car....especially when you take some hot young thing up to the drive-in theatre in a red convertible for a date. They are helpless against your power.

I also dig the new 300C, but you can't put the top down. :(

If you want cheap motoring with a littel panache, get the VW Golf with the TDI. That diesel will outlast the car, and get you about 40 mpg.

Or...

You could drive what I have: A F350 crew cab, with a supercharged V10. Eleven MPG, but will blow the doors off a Mustang (unless it has a blower, too). Guaranteed winner in the collision contest with the Golf or Mustang, to boot.

Hey Frank,

They are right about total strangers waving at you if you buy a Jeep Wrangler. I just bought my first one, a Rubicon, and I get waved at all the time. It's kinda weird. However, I love my Jeep and it was the best present I ever bought myself.

Brass.

The Nissan Altima is made in Smyrna, TE. If you're looking for value, great looks, performance and luxury it's what to buy. But get the '03 or '04. You want the V6.

Acura TL is awesome, also.

You can't go wrong with the new Accord, either.

There are two Chevys you should stay far, far away from.

One is the Beretta. They stopped making these things for a reason.

The other is the S10 pickup, mainly because it's more of a bigass El Camino then a real truck.

I just got an insane deal at Courtesy Toyota corner of 436 and University -- Orlando. I don't know if that is close to you. Todd was my salesman and he should have a sign on him that says "anti-salesman" I told him what I liked and what I had to spend. Did the wheely dealy thing and came out with a great deal. No I don't work there or have any affiliations... He personally wrote me a "thank you" for jacking a car from him and it said that they offer 50 bucks for referrals.

Frank,
wait until next year, save your cash, and buy one of the new hummer H3 trucks. Looks like they're going to be ~35K. Frickin' sweet ride, and I hear you can run over a full grown silverback gorilla at 50+ with nary a bump.
SWEET ride.

Frank,
wait until next year, save your cash, and buy one of the new hummer H3 trucks. Looks like they're going to be ~35K. Frickin' sweet ride, and I hear you can run over a full grown silverback gorilla at 50+ with nary a bump.
SWEET ride.

Get the new GTO - it's understated, can really move, and you show your support for our Aussie friends.

Wait...better idea. Get an RX-8. But not just any RX-8. Glenn Reynolds' RX-8! He's not worthy of such a fine car, so just take it from him. Then you get a car for free and have more money to spend on guns and women (after you have it detailed to get the puppy-shake smell out of the carpeting, of course.)

Turkeyneck:

I don't KNOW why they did the shut-off thing, but I THINK they needed it to get the MPG up a couple points to avoid the "gas guzzler" tax.

I can't really hear any difference in the exhaust note, but since it only happens in certain loading conditions, which by themselves would change the note on a normal V8, it's possible there is a difference.

I recently bought a Toyota Matrix and love it. Great gas mileage, fun to drive, and plenty of space for guns and ammo.

And not everybody has one.

Oh, and every one of them is built in California.

I'm a young single male EE, and I drive a Honda Civic Si 2003, which I bought last October. Very few people seem to have these, and I don't know why - they ROCK. Very practical, *very* fun to drive, very cool-looking. (Made in England FWIW.) Cheap too - I paid $17k for mine.

I almost got a Mini but there was a four-month waiting list and a $5k premium over the Civic. Still, I do feel a slight twinge of jealousy whenever I see one go by ... I also love the Toyota MR2 but I have to be able to haul music gear, so that was out. Maybe when I have a mid-life crisis.

Then again, I'm a guy that likes to wear his cars; I like 'em to be >4-cylinder motorcycles with a cage (think Triumph Spitfire). If you really want a truck, get a Ford. We Americans sadly haven't figured out how to make a good small car recently, but we definitely make the best trucks.

Yay Normalizer! Loved reading your recommendation for the Mini (c:

A convertible. I'd recommend the Chrysler Sebring. The 2004 model is classy, it has enough space for a bunch your fellow cohorts to ride in comfort, and a trunk big enough to store several bodies, shovels, and implements of destruction.

Plus it's a convertible. It's a no-brainer I say!

Charles.

Nissan Murano

I you do get a Jeep don't bother getting the hard top, the soft top isn't nearly as loud as I though it would be. (If they even offer the hard top in Fl) Now I'll have half my garage taken up all summer long. Unless you plan to do some very serious wheeling just get a sport. Love my Ruby but have yet to lock the axles, only had it afew weeks.

http://silentrunning.tv/images/944.jpg

It calls to you, Frank. Listen. You can hear it. And one like it could be yours for about the price of a new ricebox.

Rod,

I haven't had to use the lockers yet either and I've been to Moab twice (only 4hours from where I live). The Ruby will climb just about anything in 4-low.

Brass.

A Ford first of all. I'd say not knew but if you really must go new go witha F-sreies Pick up (4x4) or a ranger. If you must go with a car get a Mastanhg Cobra. But those would break the bank (but I wouldnever buy the frill girly leather seat Pick up. The only reason to go witha Non-ford is to get a suburban or a Jeep Wrangler.

I would go older. I would suggest a OLder (like pre emmision control F series 4x4 or an early Bronco. Or again if you must buy a non-ford get a Jeep or suburban. The older rigs have plenty of parts and can be extremely reliable for years (espacially witha motor swap as I've done). Not everybody is driving the older rigs so you'll be unique. If you must aget a car get a early Mercury cougar and trick it out. It is mechnically the same as a mustang and not everybody drives it.

Pat

A real man might listen to Sarahk;Isuggest the M2 halftrack,econonomical 6-cyl. engine,will run til' the earth is a sheet of glass.If that's a little heavy-duty any full-size Bronco up to about '86.But I still say ask Sarah.

If you want unique, get a military vehicle that would make the hummer cry, like a Benz Unimog or a Pinzgauer. For plain unique, get a short bus. For practicality, any pickup, preferably huge. SUVs are getting too soft. Tree has good advice as well, though an M113 APC is also pretty cheap as armored vehicles go. Sarco has a T34 for sale if you want that...

My husband and I love our Ford focuses (focii). He got the 2-dr hatch and I got the sedan. I like the hatch better. It's not too expensive, great on gas (average of 28 MPG city). I'd go with the SVT--stick shift, 170hp, and a sticker under $19k. Only catch--they stopped making them this year--so there are no '05s out. Either that or an Escape. I'm into buying American and since Chrysler is partially-German-owned, they're out, I've just had bad luck with Chevy's, and Pontiacs...Love those Fords. The new F150s are sweet, but pricey.

Some vehicles i have been mulling over:

Saab 9-3: unfortunately made in land of Blix, but owned by GM. 4cyl w/ Turbo baby! Made in the same factory as the Boxter. 205hp/209ft-lbs. Decent MPG 22-30. 2001 $14K, but peeps think they're expensive and Snaaby. Deceptively large cargo capacity: 46 cu ft. Reliability issues, though. Upgrades available. Nutty following.

Honda Element 4WD SUV: Made in Ohio. Quote from Slate, "a rugged Panzer for Pavement-lovers." Note the Gen Y pun. "Volume! [...] A man could blog from in there!""Corners well for a room! " 4cyl 160hp/161ft-lbs MPG 21/25. 2003 $14k. Jackson Racing supercharger in the works.

Toyota Avalon: US made, but definately not in a union shop = Bulletproof engine. V6 210hp/220ft-lbs. Decent MPG 21-29. Comfy and cushy interior for your infidel American ass; exterior is an excersise in somnabulism. A Lexus with a Toyota badge. 2001 under $20k.

2005 Chrysler 300C: Hemi with that engine managment system MDS = cool. Sorry MOPAR fans, I'd rather not fund anymore Jihadis than we really have to. Roomy boat from the 70's with schtyle. Plus, it's a hemi. Did we mention that it has a hemi? Of course the Hemi ain't cheap; $33k new, guaranteed to lose half its value in two years, and receive at least one recall a year.

I have a few other ideas if you're still reading this goddamn thread.

adamthemadman - in a world of the insane, only the mad are not crazy, err, sanely sensible, perfectly opaque...

I agree with the Saab. Got an '03 9-3 a couple of years ago and don't regret it. Not too many on the road, either (at least here in Motown). It's the new body style, looks more Honda and less USSR.

You can pick up a decently functioning classic mustang (60's era) for about $8000. Drives like a bat outa hell and looks like sex.

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