Been down this road before? Other unusual cars owned

[Ionno56]

I'm wondering if the kind of person who buys a Smart might have been attracted to unusual cars in the past. Myself, I have a long list, but here's one that's a spiritual predecessor of the Smart - the Subaru 360. 360cc two cylinder, two cycle engine (25hp), comfortable seating for 2 + 2, 925 lbs and a 0-60 I once timed at 45 seconds! What skeletons are in your closet?

[16d @ 4]

45 sec.!!!! You must be getting 200 mpg.

[Ionno56]

This was 1976. The car was a 1970 and carburation and engine efficiency weren't quite as advanced. As I recall, it got 45 mpg around town and, of course, with its performance there really wasn't any such thing as highway driving.

[83Griz]

Ionno, great thread, I enjoy unique vehicles, currently I have a 63 VW Dunebuggy with 1200 CC 100hp, dual carbs etc. I also have a '66 mustang conv. Both have been requilt and dolled up.

I prefer to buy vehicles on first year they are available, Honda Odyssey, pilot, ridgeline. The first year the depreciation is the least and values hold best for several years. I have found this to be true for the past 4 vehicles I've bought and sold. I expect it will hold true with the smart. GRIZ

[cosmart]

1965 Corvair Corsa
1969 AMC AMX
1970 Mustang Mach 1 - 428 Super Cobra Jet
1985 Mercury Capri GS 5.0
1988 Mazda 323 GTX
2006 Mazdaspeed6


All of these cars had production numbers way lower than the 20-30K smarts that will be sold in the US in 2008. The most rare was the 323 GTX, of which only 1000 were imported.

I've had some common cars, too.

[partsrme928]

I drove a Fiat 600 multipla micro bus and a 850 spider. tons o fun not very reliable

[DowneasTTer]

I'm afraid it started with my first car a 60 Fiat 500 purchased from a local estate sale on Mt. Desert Island in Maine in 65. Never had to worry about finding my car in the parking lot However could hear the rust worms at work when the engine was shut down. Loved having the only Honda 600 coupe in Maine in the early 70's. This was followed by such favorites as a Citroen DS 21 Pallas, a great Jensen Intercepter, several BMC/ British Leyland sports models MG-A to TR-6s. Currently the stable consists of a mint 90 Jaguar XJ-S conv, 95 Saab 900 conv, 99 Rialta, 01 Audi TT roadster, 02 Range Rover and of course the 08 smart fortwo cab. See what that first purchase can do to someone. So for those that have teen age sons/daughters PLEASE make that first purchase something practical like say a Ford/Chev

DowneasTTer
Orrington, Me

[omahanut]

Well none of my unusual cars have been purchased new, but I have had my share of VW beetles, and currently have a 66 VW and an 73 VW Thing.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by omahanut

Well none of my unusual cars have been purchased new, but I have had my share of VW beetles, and currently have a 66 VW and an 73 VW Thing.

i LOVED the VW 'Things'......i wanted one SOOOO bad but my dad said "NO!". so to dad, the best 'first car' was a 70 Dodge Dart. hey, it was a car...i wasn't about to complain!


HEY.....you left out your VIBE!!!

[SmartCard]

yep, we seem to be a glutten for purnishment and waiting lists:
'01 PTCruiser
'04 MINI Cooper S

Of course, both of those waits combined weren't as long the wait for the smart