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My favorite decadent rides
Posted July 10, 2008
With a double-nickel speed limit and Corvettes with economy-car horsepower numbers, the eponymous car-chase flick "Smokey and the Bandit" showed that auto culture in the '70s still had a pulse. Now that we find ourselves back around this mountain, I'd like to say bullocks to gas prices and indulge in vehicular daydreaming, much like Cletus and the Bandit. Heck, there's no carbon footprint in that.
Even in my daydreams, my mind doesn't wander to ultra-high-zoot luxury missiles. Rather, I've been captivated by Nissan's $70,000 GT-R (in case you were wondering, $70K is a steal for what a GT-R can do). Ever since seeing an imported Japanese-market version in "The Fast and the Furious," I've wondered why Nissan never brought its fabled muscle coupe Stateside. Thankfully, this one crossed our shores with an engine to shame all previous GT-Rs — even many tuners. Of course, my dreams involve breaking the numerous computer encryptions and unleashing Godzilla's untapped potential — in the form of all types of shenanigans.
But my dream garage doesn't stop there. To combat the GT-R's PlayStation-esque controls, I'd have to invest in Dodge's visceral new Viper ACR — an even more hardcore version of a sports car turned up to 11. It dispenses with most of the technical nannies baked into most new performance cars (for the record, I believe it only has ABS). You can have all 600 horses in tire-screeching glory, provided you live long enough to enjoy it. If Burt Reynolds was driving one of these, "Smokey" would have been a really short movie.
Last, but definitely not least, is the first 100 grand Corvette ever made. No, I'm not talking about the trailer queens flying off Barrett-Jackson at eye-watering prices, but the latest, greatest coupe to bear the name "Corvette." For months, Chevy teased us with spy shots of this supercharged marauder — with enough horsepower to make the 500-horsepower Z06 look quaint. This one revives the nameplate last used by Chevy's DOHC, 32-valve 'Vette from the early '90s. This latest wonder — extracting the magic 100-horsepower-per-liter from a humble pushrod engine — breaks cover with 638 horsepower. That's enough mustard to hit illegal speeds faster than you can say 638 horsepower.
About the only thing these cars can't outrun is gas prices. But in Mike's fantasy garage, you don't worry about gas prices. That is, until you wake up.
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Posted by ApathyFades (Marc Palardy) on July 10, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unless you're a wealthy business owner. I find it odd that you don't have any lesser performing cars in your dream garage that possesses lots of character. I'm sure you wouldn't mind being a proud owner of a Mk I GTI or a Mk V for that matter. What about a Holden-built GTO? Or an SVT Cobra? I heard they were the only 'stangs built with an independent rear end. The rides you posted would undoubtedly lay down low sevens around the 'Ring. But, I dunno, whenever I dream of my dream collection, I include cars with character and personality as well as blistering performance.
Posted by MassachusettsLiberal (Massachusetts Liberal) on July 10, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's what I've been telling him for years, AF.
A Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon Anniversary Edition or Mazda Miata or Honda Civic del Sol won't win every stoplight battle. But at least there's a chance I'll own one or more of my dream cars. And neither of the above will bankrupt me at the gas pump.
Posted by MikeMcMillan (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ML, your taste in cars ranges from bizarre to just plain rubbish. There, I said it. I think a bread truck would be a better choice than a Roadmaster wagon.
Posted by MikeMcMillan (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, I've always wanted a MK I GTI or a Monaro-based GTO. But I chose to discuss three cars that were truly outrageous.
It makes me think: Have I blogged about my love of the Monaro-based GTO? Even Jeremy Clarkson seemed to like its badge-engineered stablemate, even with the dreaded Vauxhall name.
Posted by MassachusettsLiberal (Massachusetts Liberal) on July 11, 2008 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One Friday on my way to work, I saw two guys in a BREW loaded to the gills with fishing gear and towing a small fishing boat.
Seeing them and being so envious, I thought, "Does life get any better than that?"
Posted by ApathyFades (Marc Palardy) on July 17, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, I might point out that Nissan dealers are imposing a 35% "market adjustment" to the GT-R's price tag. That means the cheapest it goes for is about 100 large. I can easily see the hedge funders opting for a new 911 Carrera or Audi R8 at that price.
Posted by RickSpruill (Rick Spruill) on July 17, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mike, would it be too much to ask for a run down (in your opinion) of the top 10 domestic production cars of the last 25 years? If narrowing it down is too time-consuming, I'd settle for the "off the top of your head version".
I've got my own ideas. Want to hear/read yours.
Posted by MikeMcMillan (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marc: I knew the dealer gouging (euphemistically called "market adjustment") would hike the GT-R's price. But I still would stand to say it's a bargain.
Rick: I think I'll give my opinions of the best 10 domestic cars (only if you promise to vote for Obama. Kidding.) Though it should be said that my amateurish judgment can't hinge on driving impressions, as I've only driven a fraction of the cars that I'd like. But perhaps someday, if I'm an automotive journalist.