If your car died, what would you buy?

[smsimpson83]

Another Yaris, maybe one with Hybrid Synergy Drive... when it finally makes it to the Yaris that is...

[Vince-HX]

Cant just buy a new car, rather build my own

gotta stay with Honda because they are magical

I would ride my ninja 250 while I found a clean Insight shell. I would then install a k20a3 with a custom turbo kit and programmed to leanburn with hydrogen injection (NOT HHO!). I would modify the rear to accommodate a awd Honda wagovan rear end that would be coupled to a brushless electric motor with regen capabilities. It would also have solar panels on the roof flush mounted and would have the option of plug in charging.

400+hp awd hybrid Insight

It would cost about 15K from start to finish and would be capable of 80+ mpg and a sub 12 second quarter mile.

[elhigh]

Ford Focus wagon or Metro 5-door - if I could find either one! All the manny tranny models of either have been totally snapped up. Looks like Americans can indeed shift for themselves when necessary.

[whokilledthejams]

I'd want another xB. It's really a fantastic car.

A fun joke:
Q: How many 1st-gen xB owners does it take to change a light bulb?
A: NO, I'M NOT CHANGING THE LIGHT BULB. I LIKE THE OLD ONE BETTER, AND I'M KEEPING IT FOREVER. THE NEW ONES ARE SO MUCH WORSE.

[Arminius]

A TDI would be nice.

[MetroMPG]

Oh, I'd probably just get another Suzukiclone. And scavenge the salvageable mods off the wrecked one (I can't believe anybody would steal it). I'll also never buy a new car. Can't stomach the depreciation/money out the window.

[gascort]

I'd get another pre-96 manual transmission, sub-100hp car. Probably something pretty common, so parts are cheap.
I'd like something without power steering, like an escort pony, but those don't have a/c either, making those cars useless with my wife and baby.
I don't want an OBDII car with excess sensors to fail and unnecessary security/electronics. Sequential fuel injection is efficient enough.
My stepdad's 96 camaro was rendered useless when his body control module with its Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) started going haywire. The car's not going to be stolen now; it's getting old. The module costs like $1500, about the value of the whole car.

[Will]

I guess if my Metro died I would have to cry for awhile, ok a loong while. Then I would buy another one and rape my Metro for parts. I really want an Insight, but I can't really spend that kind of money

[reformed]

New mini cooper.

[Hacksaw]

If we're talking realistically, I'd buy another Geo Metro 3cyl/manual for cheap and fix it up.
If I ever bought a new car(I won't), I like the Mini Cooper...maybe their new "Clubman" model.
If money was not a factor, I'd definitely order a Tesla...now that's an electric car!!!

[Coyote X]

Cars actually die?

hehe I have never had a car that was not repairable, as long as the vin plate is still readable it can be fixed It just might not look quite the same as it did before...

[rsx2002]

new car would be a civic gx, old car probably a crx or metro

[vtec-e]

Probably a ford fusion 1.4 tdci.
Ford Fusion Style 1.4 TDCi Specifications | UK New Car Data
*Ford*Fusion,*Oldest:*2004,*Newest:*2004,*Diesel*O nly - Used*Cars on Carzone.ie - New & Used Cars in Ireland

Might be a jump down in the reliability stakes (nothing broke on the civic yet...) but i need three full rear seatbelts for booster seats.

ollie

[Johnny Mullet]

If my Metro were to die, I would be totally upset about it. I probably would not replace it with another Metro to be honest unless is was a rust-free Southern Metro and then use my parts where I can. Don't get me wrong, I love the Metro, but another used one from my area would not be worth the hassle of doing another rebuild and then worry about the frame and structure defects.

I would be interested in a Honda CRX or Civic or maybe even a Toyota Paseo, but the car I would really want would be a pre 1999 Volvo 850 or V70 with a non-turbo 2.3L 5 cylinder mated with a manual. I worked as a Volvo tech for a few years and these cars are the best out there.

[rjacob]

I love Honda's! I have owned several of them. They run forever! So if my current car (2000 Honda Civic VP) died, I would probably look to buy another Honda. I have never bought a new car, so I would be looking at quality used cars. I might look for a manual, but not sure. I have been driving an automatic for a long time. I guess it depends on what I find available. I would love a Civic Hybrid, but doubt I would want to pay the money for one. I might go for a Toyota Prius, but again doubt I would want to pay that much for one, if I could find one. So I might be looking at Honda Civics, or maybe even Accords if I could find a good deal on one. I would certainly be checking out EPA estimates. The new Honda Fits look interesting. I would also see whats available from Acura. I might check out Scion's as well as they have been mentioned a lot on the board.
But if I didn't buy a Honda, I would be checking out Toyota's. I wouldn't buy an American brand car. Every American brand car I have owned has been a piece of crap. They just don't last!!!

[Big Dave]

If the truck were totalled out, I'd probably get something cheap to drive until I got a project done.

Alternative A:
A 1994-96 Chevy Caprice (or Impala SS or Buick Roadmaster), convertit to a t-56 transmission and a 6.5 GM turbodiesel.

Alternative B:
Buy a 6-speed Pontiac GTO (not the G8), tweak the aero some, and wait til 4.5 diesels become available.

Alternative C:
If I could get a Hummer H3 REALLY, REALLY cheap, I'd convert it to the six speed and a Cummins 4BT3.9 or the M-B diesel out of a Sprinter. Just to show it can be done.

Alternatice D:
A Chevy K-Blazer with te same treatment as Alternative C

I'd look in the West or Southwest (Denver, Phoenix, etc) for a rust-free vehicle.

I have no beef with Hondas and Suzuki clones (I regard the Insight as a little engineering jewel) but they just don't have the headroom I need.

[bryn]

i'll buy whatever i can find for less than $500. mini vans are nice, plenty of room for tools and building materials.

[88CRX]

for me:
If it was all of a sudden and i absolutely have to replace them
CRX -> Miata
IS-250 -> IS-250
RX-300 -> RX-400h

If i could wait till they are too old or break:
CRX -> i think it'll last until the CRZ comes out, or hybrid S2000, or full electric. (used as daily driver)
IS-250 -> another Lexus / Acura.
RX-300 MY2000 - I think I'll be dependable for another 5 years. Everything is good in it. Hybrid Van or 7 seat SUV.

[TheDon]

choice numba zero( kinda like superman issue number 0)

1981 Delorean DMC-12 with a grooved gas flap hood, black interior, 5 speed, pontoon antenna, gunmetal wheels.

1st choice

1999 E300D Turbodiesel ( Black)

2nd Choice

1987 300SDL Turbodiesel ( Black)

3rd Choice

1987 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel

4th choice

1987 190D 2.5 Turbo

5th choice

1985 190D 2.2 5 speed ( can easily get 45 mpg)

6th choice

198x 300TDT Turbodiesel (thats a wagon)

7th choice

2001 VW Golf TDI

[steensn]

If I was Euopean... this guy!!!

First Drive: Volkswagen Lupo 3L TDI