What Was Your First Car?

ttf_EWadie99 · Post by **ttf_EWadie99** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:08 pm

I'm now 17 years old and I've been looking into cars lately. So out of curiosity, what was your first car?

ttf_BassCase · Post by **ttf_BassCase** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:22 pm

'73 Dodge Dart Custom, with a 318 cubic inch Mopar V8. Love to find another one,36 yrs. later!

ttf_Bimmerman · Post by **ttf_Bimmerman** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:25 pm

old BMW 535i, then a Subaru Legacy. The Subaru was a great first car-- reliable, dependable, and ridiculously good in snow with awd, abs, and snow tires. I put a lot of miles on that car driving up to go skiing.

ttf_largobone · Post by **ttf_largobone** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:26 pm

My first (and current) car is a 2005 Ford Five-Hundred. My dad bought it new, passed it to my brother a few years back, and then I got it last Fall when I got my school permit. Nice vehicle with plenty of space to haul trombones, euphoniums, tubas, etc.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:28 pm

1967 Olds Cutlass Supreme with an 8 cylinder engine that took premium fuel. Back then premium fuel was only 40 cents per gallon, though.

It was replaced by the first car we bought new: 1972 Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi Colt-Gallant). Got me through the 1974 and 1975 Gas Crises since it got fantastic gas mileage for the day.

ttf_EWadie99 · Post by **ttf_EWadie99** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:31 pm

My first car could be a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica which my family has. They could look for another car in the near future if I pass my drivers training, test, etc. It's a pretty good all-round car.

ttf_jalapeno · Post by **ttf_jalapeno** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:48 pm

my brother and I shared a 1995 GMC Jimmy. He rolled over on a turn going too fast.

I think there's a reason you don't see many GM's from those years still on the road

ttf_itisunknown · Post by **ttf_itisunknown** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:54 pm

1972 Pontiac Lemans for $700...followed by a 1970 VW Squareback that I also only paid $700 for. Both of them were driven very hard and put away wet, but served me well as a college student in Boston. They got me back and forth to and from Pennsylvania on breaks and lots of round-trips from Boston to a nightly gig on Cape Cod as the end of summer and fall classes overlapped. The VW Squareback didn't have a heater...in Boston...BRRRRRRRRRRRR

ttf_ivanandrade · Post by **ttf_ivanandrade** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:58 pm

Toyota Corolla 2004
AMAZING CAR!!!!

ttf_keybone · Post by **ttf_keybone** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:37 pm

Quote from: BassCase on Jun 17, 2016, 02:22PM'73 Dodge Dart Custom, with a 318 cubic inch Mopar V8. Love to find another one,36 yrs. later!

'66 Dodge Dart with the 225 Slant 6, 2 door GT coupe. As you stated, I would like to find another one, this time 50 years later! This time, make it a convertible!

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:53 pm

A 1965 Plymouth Valiant 4dr with a 225 slant-6. And I never want to see another one again.

ttf_thetuningslide · Post by **ttf_thetuningslide** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:54 pm

You're taking your test at 17? Here in Ohio, we're allowed to start driving school as soon as we get our temps (15.5 yrs.), and take our test at 16. Im 16 and currently halfway through driving school. What's the law wherever you're at?

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 4:09 pm

Early 70s Mercury Comet. Like this but greenish-yellow...

ttf_harrison.t.reed · Post by **ttf_harrison.t.reed** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 4:15 pm

A 1991 Ford station wagon. I've also owned another Ford wagon, and a Saturn wagon. I needed an SUV in Alaska, but my wife and I recently bought a Mitsubishi Mirage 2017 model for about $13,000. It gets 44 MPG and takes about 16 bucks to fill up. Cheapest and only brand new car I've bought.

I am a fan of hatchbacks, as you can tell. Great for camping and tooling around town.

ttf_Graham Martin · Post by **ttf_Graham Martin** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:06 pm

The first car I owned in the early 1960s in the UK was an Isetta Bubble Car, if that qualifies. Many would say it is a motorcycle and I actually drove it on a motorcycle licence:

After that I came to Australia and, after getting a proper driving licence was soon driving a company Holden Van, which was soon replaced by a Holden station wagon.

I then drove company cars, usually the latest Holden until I went to the US to work, where they do not have company cars to the same extent as we did in Australia. So I had to buy my own car and ended up with the infamous Ford Pinto.

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:11 pm

Quote from: harrison.t.reed on Jun 17, 2016, 04:15PMMitsubishi Mirage 2017 model for about $13,000.

Wow, cars are that cheap in Korea? They are 21K up here in the Great White North.

ttf_anonymous · Post by **ttf_anonymous** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:16 pm

A 1957 Ford Fairlane 500. My parents bought it new and passed it along to me some years later.

ttf_harrison.t.reed · Post by **ttf_harrison.t.reed** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:27 pm

Quote from: BillO on Jun 17, 2016, 05:11PM
Wow, cars are that cheap in Korea? They are 21K up here in the Great White North.

No that was in Colorado! It's an economy car. If you are paying 21K for a Mirage that's a rip.

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:22 pm

Quote from: harrison.t.reed on Jun 17, 2016, 05:27PMNo that was in Colorado! It's an economy car. If you are paying 21K for a Mirage that's a rip.
No, that's Canada.

ttf_MrPillow · Post by **ttf_MrPillow** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:23 pm

My first car was a miserably but lovable 1984 BMW 318i. It was a real piece of work, but I got it running well enough over a summer. Initially you had to start it with a screwdriver and the drivers seat was a 5 gallon bucket! Very fun car, small but quick and great to throw around with the simple 5-speed. No idea why I don't have a picture of the whole car!

A couple of years ago I made a huge upgrade to a 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek. Amazing car. Nothing gets me around South Dakota when the blizzards set in better, or on the trails whenever outdoor excursions strike. it gets good mileage for AWD, and can fit most anything I need it to carry.

ttf_Alex McMahon · Post by **ttf_Alex McMahon** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:38 pm

My first car was a 1988 Dodge Dynasty that burned oil, had no shocks and was pushing 150000 miles when I got it. Big bench seats and lots of room. A couple years or that, then I up/down graded to a 2005 Ford Escort (a piece of junk), then a 2006 Honda Civic coupe, then a 2005 Honda Element (my favorite vehicle ever) and now a 2012 Subaru Forester. I would still have the Element if it didn't have so many little problems, but my own lack of preventative maintenance caught up with me in the end.

ttf_Eastcheap · Post by **ttf_Eastcheap** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:49 pm

Quote from: jalapeno on Jun 17, 2016, 02:48PMmy brother and I shared a 1995 GMC Jimmy.

I think there's a reason you don't see many GM's from those years still on the road

Yeah, they're all here where I live.

Quote from: BillO on Jun 17, 2016, 05:11PMWow, cars are that cheap in Korea? They are 21K up here in the Great White North.

21k Canadian? That's about 16k US, which still isn't great, but...

Or 27k Canadian? That stinks.

Quote from: ivanandrade on Jun 17, 2016, 02:58PMToyota Corolla 2004
AMAZING CAR!!!!

I'm still driving a '99. All of the trim is falling off and two of the door handles have snapped but it's still better than the used cars I've looked at as potential replacements. Most people are not kind to their cars.

Heck, I'm still on the OEM muffler and a set of Bosch spark plugs I installed over ten years ago. Clean burning sucker.

ttf_bonearzt · Post by **ttf_bonearzt** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:00 pm

My first car was a '65 Dodge Dart, 170cu 5 mousepower slant 6 1 bbl carb...Great car with a big trunk that loaded the Infinity 6x9 3 way speakers nicely with a Concord stereo! Could crank Wagner/Star Wars/T.O.P./EWF/Huey Lewis REALLY well without distortion!! Also lots of room for fire wood/horns/camping equipment, skis, etc.
Also had a nice BIG back seat.....

But SLOW as a MOFO!! Also blew a nice smoke screen when I floored it.

Great car, but had to leave it when I finished college & moved. Sigh.....

Eric

ttf_JohnL · Post by **ttf_JohnL** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:02 pm

The first car I regularly drove was a brown 1974 Pinto wagon. The wagons and runabouts weren't prone to bursting into flames like the coupes did. 2.3L 4 with automatic, so it was pretty much a slug. One thing Pintos did have, though, was pretty good handling.

The first car that was actually in my name was a 1974 AMC (remember them?) Javelin; sienna orange with a light brown vinyl (today it'd be "vegan leather", I suppose) top and a 360 CID V8. I usually drove about 5 mph below the speed limit because I knew it was a cop-magnet.

Then there was the Barracuda...
198 CID slant six, tuned headers, and a Holley four-barrel carburetor on an Offenhauser manifold. The transmission was a three-speed manual with a floor shifter. Cheapo fake sheepskin seat covers (the previous owner had used duct tape to patch the holes). It wasn't much off the line, but the high end was pretty good. Get it rolling, stand on the gas, and hold on. 45 MPH in first gear. I had to scrap it when I moved down to SoCal; couldn't make smog down here (it passed tailpipe but failed visual inspection) and I couldn't sell it (change of title also required a visual inspection).

ttf_harrison.t.reed · Post by **ttf_harrison.t.reed** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:02 pm

Quote from: bonearzt on Jun 17, 2016, 07:00PM
But SLOW as a MOFO!! Also blew a nice smoke screen when I floored it.

I thought MOFOs had to be pretty fast?

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:04 pm

Quote from: harrison.t.reed on Jun 17, 2016, 07:02PMI thought MOFOs had to be pretty fast?
NOT the 170cui. It was MOFO SLOW.

ttf_thetuningslide · Post by **ttf_thetuningslide** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:07 pm

I found a couple 455ci V8 Firebirds around me...

Prolly get 12mpg but it'd be fun doin' it

ttf_bonearzt · Post by **ttf_bonearzt** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:43 pm

Quote from: BillO on Jun 17, 2016, 07:04PMNOT the 170cui. It was MOFO SLOW.

That's for sure!!!! Coupled with an auto trans? putputputputput.....

But it was solid steel EVERYWHERE! And like I said, rockin' stereo & big back seat, and tires were cheap being only 13"!!

Called it the Ghost, it was white with a red interior, big steel chrome bumbers, just slow!!!

Eric

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:28 pm

Quote from: bonearzt on Jun 17, 2016, 07:43PM
That's for sure!!!! Coupled with an auto trans? putputputputput.....

But it was solid steel EVERYWHERE! And like I said, rockin' stereo & big back seat, and tires were cheap being only 13"!!

Called it the Ghost, it was white with a red interior, big steel chrome bumbers, just slow!!!

Eric

And easy to work on. Those slant 6's were a mechanic's dream. Everything was accessible. Good thing too, as my 225 needed constant care and attention.

Remember those awful automatic chokes? They were on most cars of the day. I became the local expert and made some decent beer money keeping the neighbors going. Fun times.

ttf_JohnL · Post by **ttf_JohnL** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:06 pm

Quote from: BillO on Jun 17, 2016, 08:28PMAnd easy to work on. Those slant 6's were a mechanic's dream. Everything was accessible.Try having one in a '71 Barracuda. The engine bay was designed to take 426's and 440's; you could darn near crawl in there with the engine to work on it. Not that mine ever needed a lot of work. No A/C, no power steering, no vacuum assist on the brakes.

ttf_octavposaune · Post by **ttf_octavposaune** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:18 pm

1984 light blue Chevy Camaro Berlinetta. 3980# without my fat rearend, 105HP 2.8L V6. Digital dash, t-tops, and horrible mid 80s GM problems. Multiple trannys, just about everything went wrong.

When I got passed by a Hyundai going up a mountain pass I knew I needed something better.

Benn

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:42 pm

Quote from: thetuningslide on Jun 17, 2016, 07:07PM...Prolly get 12mpg but it'd be fun doin' it

My 61 Cadillac... 9 mpg.

ttf_thetuningslide · Post by **ttf_thetuningslide** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:19 pm

Quote from: robcat2075 on Jun 17, 2016, 09:42PM
My 61 Cadillac... 9 mpg.

What kind of engine did that thing have in it?

ttf_Eastcheap · Post by **ttf_Eastcheap** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:49 pm

Quote from: EWadie99 on Jun 17, 2016, 02:31PMMy first car could be a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica which my family has.

Why not just schedule the orchiectomy and get it over with?

Seriously, sell the soccer-mom-mobile and get something cool. It's not cheap, it's not practical, and, to be honest, it's actually kind of stupid. But, speaking as someone who's been shopping convertibles for the past month, it's a lot less pathetic at 17 than it is at 50.

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:09 pm

Quote from: thetuningslide on Jun 17, 2016, 10:19PMWhat kind of engine did that thing have in it?

I recall it was a V-8. The Internet says it was a 390 cu. in.

ttf_thetuningslide · Post by **ttf_thetuningslide** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:11 pm

Quote from: robcat2075 on Jun 17, 2016, 11:09PMI recall it was a V-8. The Internet says it was a 390 cu. in.
Not too shabby. Looks like an awesome car

ttf_Eastcheap · Post by **ttf_Eastcheap** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:19 pm

Quote from: robcat2075 on Jun 17, 2016, 11:09PMI recall it was a V-8. The Internet says it was a 390 cu. in.

So not the bigun, then (what was that, 500-something?)

Still, pretty, pretty car. Black?

ttf_chipolah · Post by **ttf_chipolah** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:36 pm

Mine was a 1949 Ford woodie station wagon with a flat-head V-8, 3 speed manual transmission and overdrive. (that was back in 1959)

ttf_vegasbound · Post by **ttf_vegasbound** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 5:40 am

A Renault 5 1984 model!

ttf_anonymous · Post by **ttf_anonymous** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 5:53 am

VW Beetle 1966 model. With 44 horsepowers engine (DIN) and 6 Volt battery. Frequently jumpstarted down a hill wintertimes when battery was drained. The 1968 model got 12 V battery.

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 5:58 am

Quote from: Bard on Jun 18, 2016, 05:53AMVW Beetle 1966 model. With 44 horsepowers engine (DIN) and 6 Volt battery. Frequently jumpstarted down a hill wintertimes when battery was drained. The 1968 model got 12 V battery.

Yeah, but at least you didn't have the "Macht Nicht Sticks" (semaphore turn signals).

ttf_anonymous · Post by **ttf_anonymous** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 6:04 am

Hehe, yes I rememeber those. But that was even older, like 1958 model I think had those...

ttf_Torobone · Post by **ttf_Torobone** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 6:05 am

A rusty 1965 Volvo 122S. Also sold in the world as a Volvo Canadian or Amazon. Purchased well used in 1971 with about 120,000 miles on it.

It was so fun to drive, but there was always something to fix.

I started writing a short story of all of the mechanical issues I survived with this and my next Volvo. As I listed all of the breakdowns, failures, and things falling on the road, it's turned into a novella. But it was my first car and my first love.

ttf_sacfxdx · Post by **ttf_sacfxdx** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:17 am

1975 Oldsmobile Omega - 350 4 bbl

ttf_KingMan · Post by **ttf_KingMan** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:22 am

1950 Chevy 2-door sedan. 216 in-line six, 3 on the tree. Cost $100 in 1962, $80 for a year of insurance.

ttf_bonearzt · Post by **ttf_bonearzt** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:51 am

Quote from: robcat2075 on Jun 17, 2016, 09:42PMMy 61 Cadillac... 9 mpg

Those monsters were HUGE!
I think each had their own zip code!
Tim Allen had a good skit about the older BIG cars. Might have to look it ipbagain.

Eric

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:55 am

Quote from: bonearzt on Jun 18, 2016, 07:51AMThose monsters were HUGE!
I think each had their own zip code!
Tim Allen had a good skit about the older BIG cars. Might have to look it ipbagain.

Eric

Yeah, but in Texas you can get away with a land yacht like that. Try parking one of those in New York City

ttf_robcat2075 · Post by **ttf_robcat2075** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 8:18 am

Quote from: bonearzt on Jun 18, 2016, 07:51AMQuoteMy 61 Cadillac... 9 mpgThose monsters were HUGE!
I think each had their own zip code!

Quite unlike anything today.

One time, in a parking lot, some people came up and asked, "Can we see your trunk?"

Well, OK.

"Wow! Now THAT'S a trunk. They don't make trunks like that anymore!"

I could fit my full-size bicycle in the trunk and I used it when the car broke down. I pulled the bike out and rode to the part store to get the stuff I needed.

I drove it for a couple years but i started to get uneasy about a car with no seat belts and brakes that disappeared when they got wet.

ttf_BillO · Post by **ttf_BillO** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:06 am

Quote from: octavposaune on Jun 17, 2016, 09:18PM1984 light blue Chevy Camaro Berlinetta. 3980# without my fat rearend, 105HP 2.8L V6. Digital dash, t-tops, and horrible mid 80s GM problems. Multiple trannys, just about everything went wrong.

When I got passed by a Hyundai going up a mountain pass I knew I needed something better.

Benn

By the time I was on my 5th car, the 1988 Z24, the same V6 was up to 130hp and at only 2600# and with a 5 speed Getrag manual, it was competition for the small block Camaro/Firebird at the time. It was a fun car and had pretty nice lines for a compact American car of that period.

ttf_EWadie99 · Post by **ttf_EWadie99** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:34 am

Quote from: Eastcheap on Jun 17, 2016, 10:49PMWhy not just schedule the orchiectomy and get it over with?

Seriously, sell the soccer-mom-mobile and get something cool. It's not cheap, it's not practical, and, to be honest, it's actually kind of stupid. But, speaking as someone who's been shopping convertibles for the past month, it's a lot less pathetic at 17 than it is at 50.

You know, I always had a crazy want for old cop cars like Chevrolet Caprice or Ford Crown Victoria. As for convertibles, I would love a late 90's Chevrolet Camero Z28 or Pontiac Firebird.

Also, my father seems to have a agenda against foreign cars.