Identify your wheels

**Dan** · 24 Aug 2001, 2:58 PM

So, fellow planners and planning students, what kind of internal combustion powered vehicle do you drive? (Much as you're tempted to brag about your Trek or Metrocard, bicycles and transit passes don't count in this thread.) I'm under the impression that planners tend to gravitate towards "liberal" cars; i.e. Saturns, Volvos, Saabs and Hondas, with a disproportionately large amount deferring to basic pickup trucks.

My car -- a red 1995 Ford Contour LX (Ford Mondeo to those outside of North America), with the Duratech V-6 engine. Bought it with 6,000 miles (10,000 km) on the clock before I got out of grad school; now the odometer reads around 111,000.

In a few months, though, I'll probably be getting a new used car. I'm leaning towards a VW Pasaat, or Volvo S70 or V70, although those choices aren't necessarily carved in stone.

**Tranplanner** · 24 Aug 2001, 3:30 PM

Well Ford is 2 for 2 so far...

I drive a 1996 Ford Escort - Bought with 35K on it, now has 97K. And I think the clutch is starting to go...

I do take transit to work though!

My colleague drives a Passat wagon - he likes it. I think I'd get a Focus or one of the new Mazada Protege5's, if I was buying something right now (based on my $$ situation).

I don't Dan - how are you going to impress the beach bunnies with a Passat? Gotta go with a convertible....

**Red** · 24 Aug 2001, 4:04 PM

Get a cabrio, your dog will appreciate it.

I drive a 2000 Malibu with less than 13k on it. I hate driving, would give up the car in a minute... if I lived remotely close to ANYWHERE with transit.

**biha** · 24 Aug 2001, 4:11 PM

What is this, NPR's Car Talk radio program? Next thing, posters will be asking for advice on whether to trade in that '89 Toyota with repeated transmission problems, or try once again to repair it! As for my car, the front wheels rattle wher I make hard right turns at excessive speeds. Any idea what causes it?

**Dan** · 24 Aug 2001, 4:13 PM

Originally posted by Red
Get a cabrio, your dog will appreciate it.

(looks at self in mirror) :rolleyes:

Nope, I'm not a perky 22 year old blonde female. Don't think I'm qualified to drive a Cabrio, much as Bailey might like the thought.

(... and before anyone says anything, Bailey isn't a Poodle, nor is she a Poodle mix. Call her that, and she gets very upset.)

**Tranplanner** · 24 Aug 2001, 4:20 PM

Originally posted by Bella
What is this, NPR's Car Talk radio program? Next thing, posters will be asking for advice on whether to trade in that '89 Toyota with repeated transmission problems, or try once again to repair it! As for my car, the front wheels rattle wher I make hard right turns at excessive speeds. Any idea what causes it?

I think your problem is caused by hard right turns at excessive speeds!

Sounds like a ball-joint to me...

**Chet** · 24 Aug 2001, 4:45 PM

A '98 Subaru Outback Sport, a '96 Land Rover Discovery, a '99 Harley Sportster, and a plethora of pre-1965 volkswagens. The 100th anniversary Harley Fat Boy is on the horizon! As a local government planning director, the Land Rover raises eye brows (as in, "we must pay him too much") but it was bought back in my days working for a developer when I drove 6,000 miles per month and needed an "image car". My next one will probably be another Subaru...

**Linden Smith** · 24 Aug 2001, 6:15 PM

I used to drive a 1984 chevy s-10 extended cab pickup, I sold it with 176,000 miles and went without for about six months.

Then, giving in to a more purient side, I bought a Mercedes 1995 C220. I gotta tell you Dan, don't consider a Volvo without looking at some 5-10 year old M-B. Great car, better than any BMW i've ever had.

My regular ride is a 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado (motorcycle). I get some flak for showing up at work in my leather pants though.

**Planderella** · 25 Aug 2001, 4:52 PM

1992 Geo Storm with approximately 157,500 miles on it. This is my first car and based on my wonderful salary, it will probably be my only car.

**giff57** · 27 Aug 2001, 10:05 AM

Keep in mind that I live in snowy Iowa and actually need four wheel drive for a couple of months a year. A Harley would be great if they paid me enough.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

**Downtown** · 27 Aug 2001, 10:27 AM

1993 Chevy Corsica

164,000 miles

But the car is much happier now that I'm carpooling just 4 miles each way to my new job.

**NHPlanner** · 27 Aug 2001, 11:21 AM

1998 Chevy Cavalier

Better gas mileage that the '86 Caravan I bought off of my parents when I was in college.

**Dan** · 27 Aug 2001, 1:03 PM

Originally posted by Linden Smith
Then, giving in to a more purient side, I bought a Mercedes 1995 C220. I gotta tell you Dan, don't consider a Volvo without looking at some 5-10 year old M-B. Great car, better than any BMW i've ever had.

I'm tempted, and I'll admit to looking at 'em -- you can get a three or four year old BMW or Mercedes with about 50K or 60K on the clock for about $18,000 to $20,000. Thing is -- in my small town, what would people think if I drove up to a building jobsite or did code enforcement in our eight-block, shotgun shack-filled ghetto in a late model 3-Series or C220? I did ask a few citizens about it, and they essentially said "don't worry about what others think." The Town Manager and Mayor, though -- they think driving a German luxo-cruiser isn't really prudent.

For some reason, the Volvos and Saabs have the luxury, but they don't send out the unwelcome message of "look where your tax dollars are going!" Same thing with SUVs and some American luxury cars (Oldsmobile Aurora, Chrysler 300) whose cost approaches the cheaper BMWs.

**laxman33** · 27 Aug 2001, 1:07 PM

i've got a 97 VW Golf with hydraulics and a $15000 stereo system

Believe it or not?

**Dan** · 27 Aug 2001, 1:08 PM

Originally posted by Planderella
1992 Geo Storm with approximately 157,500 miles on it. This is my first car and based on my wonderful salary, it will probably be my only car.

During my first planning job, I drove a 1985 Volkswagen Jetta with some sizeable hail damage. A stripper model. No air conditioning -- and I was living in southern New Mexico at the time.

**mike gurnee** · 27 Aug 2001, 3:13 PM

Dan,
I was first going to say that appearance does count in the public sector. I have always had a "practical" vehicle for work (VW, Cavalier, Protege), and a step up for the spouse and trips.

But what counts is price. If you can get a Volvo/Mercedes for $20K, why should that be any different than a new Taurus for the same amount?

Of course, the caveat is what does the boss think? And the follow-up to that: does it make a difference what the boss thinks?

Ask for a city vehicle for your code enforcement activities.

**Cardinal** · 27 Aug 2001, 3:37 PM

Ford Ranger, 2WD. With 700 feet of driveway and Wisconsin winters, it looks like a Subaru is in my future.

**Jen** · 28 Aug 2001, 10:05 AM

Well, back in our DINK days I traded in my 'white 84 VW GTI for a '97 Golf. Husband Doug traded in his black '84 GTI for a full size cargo van (for hauling our Ducati's) Then came the kids (in '96 & '98)so now I drive the van. But we last year we traded in the Golf for a 2001 Beetle.
Now I am scoping out my next new vehicle choice, either a BMW touring bike or a Triumph dual sport bike!

**Brent** · 28 Aug 2001, 4:20 PM

Right now I drive a 1993 Toyota pickup with 180,000 miles. I was broadsided a while ago by a car thief who ran a red light and I still haven't repaired the considerable body damage to the passenger side. Although my truck has been extremely reliable and virtually indestructible, a rear-wheel drive pick up is a terrible snow and ice vehicle - so I am shopping for a new car.

I am looking at the VW Jetta TDI. Anyone have any experience with the TDI engine? Are cold starts or long idles a problem? So far everything I've read says they are great engines and the fuel efficiency is amazing.

Thanks.

**poncho** · 28 Aug 2001, 4:58 PM

90 Nissan P/U with abour 250,000 miles on it. Speddometer broke about 5 years ago so I am not really sure. I love it, faithful to the end.

**Downtown** · 29 Aug 2001, 9:59 AM

Sadly, the 93 Chevy Corsica was totalled yesterday (sniff, goodbye old Blue)

We are now a generational throwback, a one-car family.

**giff57** · 29 Aug 2001, 10:30 AM

<We are now a generational throwback, a one-car family>

By the time I pay the payment and fill the Mountaineer with gas we can't afford to be more than A one car family

**planasaurus** · 30 Aug 2001, 11:49 AM

Well, since you said that only bikes and transit passes are not allowed, I will post my ride... a 2001 Yahama Vino scooter. max speed 30 MPH, 49 ccs, 85 miles per gallon. Great for Chicago driving (I ride the bus in the winter), I can pass all the cars that are in traffic and park anywhere.

**cracker** · 31 Aug 2001, 11:43 AM

1990 Ford Ranger, 138k miles So maybe pick up trucks are the planners choice. Why I wonder?

**Brent** · 31 Aug 2001, 12:53 PM

Go Becki. You're setting a good example for the rest of us planners. I used to be much better about using alternate modes, but I live in the mountainous boonies now. Still no excuse, I should be biking to work twice as much as I do now.

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