I recently stumbled upon a challenge while perusing automotive Twitter. In meme format, there was a picture of a three-car garage, and it was a “pick any car” challenge, except it was three different ones.
“Pick any car” challenges are quite common on social media, but this one was the only one that had me really think it over. This was agonizing!
These challenges have rules, and there really are no wrong answers. Everyone’s car choice is going to reflect certain things in their lives and personalities. Here are the rules:
- You must pick three vehicles.
- You will own them for life. You cannot buy any other cars or sell these.
- You cannot rent a car.
- Maintenance and fuel must be affordable on your current pay.
Without the rules, most people would pick their three dream cars and call it a day. The rules make you think more about what you require from a car, which is why this post interested me so much.
It also forces you to think of your future.
You may be urged to pick a Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini to fill your garage, but what if you need to buy a new dishwasher and take it home? Do you really want something like this as a daily driver when you are in your senior years? Can you afford the maintenance? Will the car become obsolete like the drawer full of cell phones everyone has?
These rules can take the fun out of things, but here are my three and why I picked them, and they will probably surprise you if you know me:
- 1993 Buick Roadmaster Wagon – the Roadmaster was in my opinion the last great American land yacht. With room for anything you would reasonably carry, Cadillac features, and a simple GM LT1-based engine, it is a great compromise to be one of these three cars. I am a sucker for wagons, too. Throw a trailer hitch on the back and you have truck like versatility. While fuel economy will be low, replacement parts are cheap because this platform shares many parts with other GM models.
- Any year Toyota Corolla – In August of 1979, I was brought home from the hospital in a sturdy, blue Corolla hatchback. Like all Corollas, it was small, efficient and problem-free until we sold it to a neighbor. Is it boring? Absolutely soulless, but sometimes you need a stable car that is going to start every time and get you to work. Cheap parts are available, it gets good fuel economy and it’s roomy enough to go to the grocery store. The newer ones have enough bells and whistles to be comfortable and modern. I probably wouldn’t be happy driving one, but it would outlast me, my children and probably their children.
- 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia – This is the only pick for me that I have owned. I drove one through college and only sold it to buy tools to start work. It was sporty, stylish and functional. It is also the simplest car on the list. Using mostly Beetle mechanical parts, the Karmann Ghia is cheap to repair. With its complete lack of electronics, the air-cooled VWs are impervious to any cyberattack, EMP threat or control module failure. Plus, elderly me would probably think it was much cooler than the Corolla or the Roadmaster it shares the garage with. These cars turn heads every time they are on the street, but they aren’t much on utility.
Well, that’s my list. I’d love to see your picks in the comments and your reasons for picking them.
You can leave your response in the comments section.
As for me, I will see you on the road!
