The first car I want to buy is a Scion TC with a 5 speed manual! Modify a little so I can rip it on the tōge a little, then I want to get my absolute dream car, an FRS/BRZ!! Then later down the line I want to own a RHD JDM car, don't know which one yet tho!
What about you guys?!
Also the picture is a display of 86s and BRZs in Maryland!
A rare tC enjoyer! I had an 08 tC from 2016 to January of this year and it was an absolutely fantastic car. It never once failed me, cranked up first try and never even had any maintenance issues other than drinking oil up until I put some additives in it one time. A very practical and fun car and practical unless you have adults to put in the back seat. I sold it in near perfect condition this year to an 18 year old kid for 5500 USD and made him promise to take care of it.
After I sold the Scion I bought a 22 Miata RF which has been my (achievable) dream car since the ND came out in 2016. The car has absolutely lived up to expectations, without a doubt the most fun car I've ever driven, my friends FR-S and SS Camaro can kick rocks. The only thing I don't love is the machine grey color but I have a dark green wrap picked up that will nip that in the bud.
Finally my actual dream car is the lotus Elise/Exige. Im 6'2 and can't get enough of cars that I barely fit in. It seems like a Lotus is the perfect upgrade from a Miata but unlike the Mazda couldn't be my only car so I'd need a daily. Haven't figured that part out yet but I'm thinking maybe an Audi wagon. Not a huge fan of German cars but it's hard to argue the mix of luxury and performance the Audis offer.
There's a guy that has an LS swapped (shocker I know) 240z around here. He kills it in autocross competitions too. Usually first or second. And the madlad drives it to and from the events lol. He really hammers down.
The one in the 5th Gen supra had Toyota engineers all up in it. So you get German engineering power with Toyota engineering reliability.
I know they are basically the same motor, but the supra one does have a bunch of little changes that the Toyota guys made.
And Frankly I trust the Japanese engineers with my cars far more than I trust the Germans. I like my cars reliable first and foremost. A broken car is slower than the slowest working car.
I became aware of Pagani somewhere in the middle of the Zonda development arc and loved it. When the Huarya came out, I wasn't as enthralled by the rounder shape but I agreed, the thought of having those flaps and gorgeous steampunk [automatic] shifter was so enticing (not that I'll ever afford one). Ironically, I now think the Huarya is a standard shape and the Utopia has some less-desirable curviness, but the application of steampunk styling to the returned manual shifter is enticing. I appreciate the sentiment of no longer chasing the absolute fastest lap times and instead working towards a driver's vehicle that's 99% as fast around a track. Horatio Pagani continues to keep his artistic flare attached to his namesakes.
I'm gleeful over Koenigsegg for similar reasons, but from an engineering perspective. Christian can ramble on about his tech development and deliver results much in the way non-technical people think "Tesla" does.
I had a bike engined (Honda fireblade) locost 7 that's very similar. Trick with any 7 is to keep the weight as low as possible and the red line as high as you can. Still miss it now but the track days got expensive
Used to lust after the R34 Skyline as a kid. Interests have shifted a little, but still remains JDM at heart with a strong desire for a nice kei-car/van; something like an Autozam AZ-1 or something like a Suzuki Every.
Having driven a Geo Metro for a couple hundred thousand miles (350k on the odometer when I sold it for what I paid for it after having having driven it for 250k~ of those miles myself) I have a strong like for Suzuki products.
I, too, used to lust for the gtr! The R32 to be specific. I loved that car when I was younger. I still love it, but I don't see myself gravitating towards it as much as i did before.
I fell in love with Mopars back when I was a teen. My maybe attainable dream car if I didn't have kids and crappy health insurance is a 1971 Plymouth Cuda. Well maybe if I cloned it from a later model.
A car with open schematics, simple mechanic, no computerized bs other than basic engine control and good blind spot cameras. And good room inside. That's all
The right answer! Cars are filled so much computer bull shit it's unbelievable. It is to feel "luxurious" but all people need is mechanical tuned cars that will just work. Not a disposable, which ironically isn't good for the environment, which the entire point of electrifying is saving the environment. 🫠
Slightly different drivetrain but I loved these cars until I got with my wife who had a '99 GS and quickly realized how shittily built they are. The motor blew up at 120k, got replaced, and then died again shortly after. We sold it for scrap price. I'm sure the 4G63 is more fun to drive but there's a reason why you barely ever see these things on the road anymore.
Yeah - I'm prepared for that. I had a friend who had a GS back in the day, and it notoriously ran sometimes. Overall it spent more time running than it did broken down, but it was close.
But the other thing that struck me about it, and still does, is I think it's one of the most distinctive and attractive auto designs ever. Just something about those curves and that stance appeals to me in a way that no other car ever has.
And while part of the reason I'd want a stock one is that people notoriously bolted crappy parts to them, most of it is that I'd actually want it mechanically rebuilt pretty much from bumper to bumper. If I could find one that's had all of that done, and done well, that'd be fine too, but I'd rather have it done exactly the way I want it. And either way, I want the body to be completely stock.
I used to own a 2014 Ford Flex (Titanium trim). It started to wear down and eventually would have cost more to fix than it was worth.
If I could get an updated version of that vehicle, ideally with an EV conversion, I would be so happy. I ended up getting a 2024 Ford Edge, which is fine and came with a 0% interest promo, but is comparatively very disappointing. I tried to get an Explorer, which does appear to be a modernized Flex, but I live in a rural area and there were none realistically nearby given that it was a somewhat urgent situation.
Geez do I miss the Flex every time I leave my house.
Also, I suspect that this answer doesn't fit the general vibe of this thread, but I'm answering the question literally so I'm sticking with it.
edit: I do also own and enjoy a '79 Corvette, in case that helps with the last part! It used to be my dream car, but also it serves a very different purpose from what my Flex did.
[USA] To mirror your TC goal, I'd say my "buy it now" car was probably the Mercury Marauder. Simply speaking, a Mustang Cobra engine stuck into a Crown Vic pursuit. If you're under 25 and/or non-American, you probably didn't experience the Panther body being THE police car for a decade. However, I never bought one. I inherited a Lincoln LS and have had it over 10 years. An American take on the European look, less power, and superb handling make it lovable to me.
My version of your FeBReZeS dream is probably a Pontiac G8//Chevy Caprice pursuit/Chevy SS. Again, simply speaking, a corvette engine stuck in an Australian family sedan, but with decent handling. While less enticing this far past production, I'd throw Mercedes E55 or early E63 into this cohort.
Unobtainable dream: Anything from Pagani (engineered art) or Koenigsegg (artistic engineering). Jaguar XJ220 is in there as well.
Under, say, $200k USD currently? 99ish Viper GTS, obviously in blue with white stripes. The 2016 Viper is in there too as what I consider an acceptable homage to the original shape. I've also come around on the Gallardo. I just love the sound of a V10, especially one that's odd-firing such as the Viper or half the Gallardos.
Honorable mentions: Jaguar F-type. While the V8 sounds amazing, I'd probably choose a V6 manual since the cars on this list are meant to maximize enjoyment, not necessarily practical or the fastest around a track. Powerful cars haven't been as enticing since I picked up a few motorcycles. 1969 Mustang is easily my favorite year ever. 1967 Ford Galaxie has some excellent body lines IMO. Lotus Elise. Probably Amy Porsche 911, assuming the 2006 I drove was representative of the excellent driver dynamics present in all 911s.
El Camino SS. I'm flexible on the year, I don't mind the boxy look of the 80s models I just want that sweet ute style.
There was a very good condition one for sale near me a while back for $4,500, but it seemed too good to be true so I passed on inquiring about it. Plus I don't really have the place to put it or the spare cash to spend, but once I get a place with a garage you bet your ass I'm buying one.
Eventually when I retire to Brazil or decide to just abandon the US I'll get one of those Fiat Strada's and put a better motor in it. There's tons down there.
From my 20's: I started autocrossing at age 19 with a 1985 Corolla GT-S. Which for those that know Toyotas, know that the Corolla GT-S was the North American version of the AE86. Which is ONE of the greatest platforms Toyota has made. It ended up being my favorite car that I've ever owned. Adjustable struts/shocks, sway bars that would look at home on a semi truck and Hoosier tires. Plus some minor mods on the engine, which was also used in the MR2 of that era (4A-GE). It was a ferocious little car and I won a lot of autocross events with it. I was even keeping up with some of the MR2's, which at that time (late 80's) were the greatest autocrossing cars on the track.
Now that I'm in my 50's, having participated in multiple forms of auto sports, then left that for skydiving... My opinion about cars is this:
A "fast" car is just less slow that its competitors.
Given that I've been north of 225mph with NOTHING around me except for a parachute. Cars are booooooring.
A Renault Master MWB van. Tall enough to stand up inside of, wide enough to fit a 3 seat sofa or 2 pallets, and short enough that it fits in any regular parking spot. Ultimate practicality. I'm lucky enough to already own and daily drive my dream car.
Only thing that would make it better is if it was electric.
The 300zx is one of Nissan's coolest sport cars, besides the silvia ofc ;) . It's a shame that the latest Z is almost corvette territory prices because of those damn dealer markups!
I've wanted a pickup truck since I was a little kid. Specifically all black murdered out one. Now I have it - 2007 Nissan Navara King Cab with a camper shell and I love everything about it (except that it's rusting faster than I can keep up fixing it)
What's surprising to me is how much attention and compliments it gets from other people. I don't live in the US but pickups aint that rare here either - granted most of them are more or less stock while mine is slighly modded. I have people coming up to me at parking lots asking about it, kids are giving me thumbs up when I drive by and my customers are constantly commenting on it. I didn't want a big american truck as I prefer to keep low profile and not draw too much attention but apparently I just as well could have.
Bro i wish Toyota was allowed to produce the Hilux here. Such a reliable truck, so many Americans would benefit from it. It pisses me more and more that us Americans won't get the toyota hilux champ.
The Toyota pickup is a damn good second, always has been, since it was the same vehicle without diesel. Even today a Taco is a great vehicle (though a diesel would make it so much better).
Though I'd love a current HiLux diesel. What a slow and steady beast.
I’d like to do an electric conversion on a first or second Gen Cadillac Series 62 or Buick Super. It would be an incredibly expensive mortal sin, but I can dream.
Toyota Alphard van, ideally the Vellfire version because it looks even cooler.
Minivans are seen as lame and boring in the US/CA markets, because that’s all we had for a generation. Dodge caravans, windstars, uplanders, siennas, ugh. All boring, blob-like, uninspiring, uncomfy, and profoundly uncool. Luxury was only for Mercedes sedans and hulking Escalade SUVs.
But JDM vans absolutely rule. Doilies on the headrests. Pop-out footrests. Recliners. Curtains. More speakers than you can count. Cool body lines. Leather and wood absolutely everywhere. It’s like a limo you can park anywhere but still shag in.
But alas they’re exceptionally rare in North America, and difficult to import unless you go for a very old one. Maybe someday I’ll import one if I have the time and money for a silly van…
I'm super excited about the Aptera. I'm skeptical they can make it to market and even more skeptical that they will survive long term but man I'm rooting for them. That design should be the future of the auto industry
Yeah, it has a small market, but people who want one REALLY want one. So I expect that if they can ever get production figured out they'll sell as fast as they can be made for a short time, then they'd better move on to a new design if they want to stay around. Or, sell some of the solutions they built to other manufacturers. I think i've seen them selling their lightweight, flexible solar panels to another manufacturer.