The list of cars I’d like to drive is basically “every car,” in that if you give me a chance to take a spin in or on anything, I’m in. Cheapest economy thing? Give me the keys. Hammered farm truck? Slide over, I’m driving. Forklift? Tractor? Scissor lift? Yes, yes, and yes. Actual “cool” cars, trucks, and motorcycles? Obviously yes.
The list of things on wheels I actually dream of driving is much shorter, and pretty basic, I’m sure. Like every other car person, I’d like to take a turn in a bona fide modern supercar of any stripe – I don’t care if it’s a mere C8 or a Ferrari. I’d also like to drive a full-on monster truck (but no backflips, thank you), and a properly fast snowmobile and Sea-Doo are also on the list. And there’s all the old and/or weird stuff I’d love to experience. 1960s Mini Cooper, Honda City with Motocompo, first-year Viper, Amphicar, Subarus XT and SVX, Honda Prelude Si with AWS, every sporty thing from the 1980s basically … it’s a long list.
Always near the top, though, is a track day on a proper sportbike with a full set of gear and all the training and practice I need to put a knee down like an actual MotoGP rider. That looks incredibly thrilling to me, and I’d love to be able to say I actually did it. Of course, I’d be happy just to fit into a set of leathers, so baby steps.
(I was going to wrap it up there, but the gang has been chiming in on Slack, so I’ll include their comments “Tales From The Slack” style:)
What’s On Your Gotta-Drive (or ride, or fly, or sail) Bucket List? See you in the comments!
Top graphic image: DepositPhotos.com
Motorcycle sidecar racing as the not-driver but the counterbalance person.
late 80s touring/GT racecars: if I were to pick one it’d have to be GTO entries for IMSA in 1989. Can’t beat the noise that Audi 90 Quattro made. Plus the terror of having to anticipate all 800 horses coming on at once once the turbo got really going must have been the ultimate rush
I’ve a long list of dream machines but currently what is highest on my list is my current car that I own, but you know, completely free of problems and working well enough that I am confident to beat on it without worrying it will break.
Looks like we need to send Jason on a fact-finding trip to Brazil!
Ariel Atom on city streets while wearing full Stig-style race gear.
Unimog.
With cool attachments of course
https://youtu.be/S7DwprMutr4
That was my first answer – I wanna have to learn a shift pattern like this. (From https://matarama.com/en/unimog-416-gearboxes-shift-patterns-and-maximum-speeds )
The US military SEE Tractors with the backhoes offer even more levers.
That’s pretty simple actually
I’ve never had the pleasure of driving a Unimog, but that’s pretty ordinary for a tractor.
I don’t know about 20 speeds in reverse, but maybe.
Of course if you are splitting the gears to pull a freight train or something that might interesting
Yeah, come to think of it even my baby Kubota has a similar forest of transmission levers – R/1/2/3 H pattern, high/low range, transfer case, two speed PTO.
We had a truck on the farm with a four speed, and behind that a two speed “brownie” , none of them synchronized of course. Splitting gears meant half the shifts would be both transmissions at once, and if you were pulling a loaded trailer in a muddy field and missed a shift you might be stopped again by the time you figured it out. Parking in high range would be cause for “talk”
As fun as it sounded, it was not.
This is a tough question. Some of these I want to drive because I am too large to ever have the chance.
– any Miata, really. I can’t wedge myself into one and close the door.
– S2000 for the same reason.
– Ferrari F355.
– Acura NSX.
– C4 or C5 Vette.
– E28, E39 or E60 M5 with a manual.
– air-cooled Porsche 911.
– SVT Lightning.
– DeTomaso Pantera.
SVT Lightning is a good choice. They used to be (relatively) everywhere back when, but became super-rare really fast.
FWIW, I would fit in the Lightning. Snacks haven’t hit me THAT hard.
What’s funny (to me anyway) is how they’re basically slightly smaller than a current Ranger I think.
Lucid Air
Monceau R107 EV and W111 Cabriolet EV
Hemmels Pagoda SL EV
Brabus R129 300SL 3.6-24
Ferrari 412i
Ferrari 328GTSi
Maserati 3500GT Spyder
Bentley S3 Continental Mulliner-Park Ward Drophead Coupe
Bentley Azure (2nd Gen – Arnage based)
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Renault Twingo EV
The Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder is amazing. The ones with the ZF five speed and disk brakes but before the Lucas fuel injection are the ones to get.
I wonder where the one I had is now.
Ferrari 308 GTS, in an appropriate tropical setting, wearing appropriate tropical attire.
A Morgan Aero Supersports.
One of my bosses had one of (well an Aero) and he showed me a video on his phone of him autocrossing it, and also doing the expression session part, eg donuts and burnouts. Up close those cars are also stunning.
Any Ferrari from the mid 60s-early 2000s. I want to sit in the upscale, beautifully simple interior, listening to the V8 or V12, and running through the gears with a gated manual. All while knowing my car looks good while not overdoing it
I would also like to drive a 911 turbo(not sure which gen) and a proper classic Mercedes-something from the 60s,70s, or 80s. And a manual a 7.3 Powerstroke
I would also like to run a combine harvester someday
I had a 2CV as my only car for a couple of years as a kid. Good fun. You put your foot to the floor at all times, even when changing gear. Bit scary on the motorways in high winds. As for what I want to have go at…. Helicopter, hovercraft, articulated lorry, jetski, Caterham, Arial Atom and S2000 are on the list.
Top of the list is a Citroën DS or CX, I’ve actually driven a 2CV. After that a Kei truck a Porsche 911 and a V8 pony car. I also want to drive something with a 2 speed axle or range change, since my spin around the truck museum only used 1st and 2nd gear of an 18 speed.
Don’t laugh, but I want to drive a Mazda CX9 because I haven’t yet, and sort of want to buy one.
But if you actually meant (you did) what do I lust to drive, it’d be a Citroen DS.
I do not laugh, I have driven so many of these things, ridiculous as it is, Isort of want to drive an ordinary car. Today I went to town in the big car to pick up some bearings for the generator bush on the Fowler, yes it now has a belt pto and I still have both hands. The thing I would like to drive? Mercedes has taken the 747 so maybe a massive ship, or (because I have the driving skills of a young gazelle) a Donkervoort F22. In real life, I think I might like another 1st gen Xc Volvo.
Which one, the first-gen or the second-gen?
Though the first gen CX9 is interesting, I want the second gen since it’s got the same familiar, robust 2.5L turbo four/six speed auto as most of their other cars from that time, and seems basically (to me) like a stretched CX5. It’s also got the kodo exterior design and the nice interior. I know it’s not nearly as fast as other three-row SUVs with six and eight cylinder engines, but I’m never in a rush. I also know it’s not going to be as efficient as hybrid/newer crossovers, but I don’t drive enough miles per year for that to be an issue either.
The other vehicle I think about as a possible ACTUAL near-future purchase is just a newer/nicer version of my current three-row, which is a first-gen Volvo XC90. Mine is a five cylinder FWD, so if I got another I’d like the 3.2L six with AWD if possible. In a better color than my boring beige too.
The gen. 2 CX-9 is, yes, really nice. Structurally, I don’t know if it’s just a big CX-5 or not, but it’s athletic just like one.
As far as the P2 XC90, yes, those are great. The 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo I5 in yours is just fine; I’ve never heard of anyone having serious issues with it, nor the 3.2-liter N/A I6. There’s also a ton of support for P2 XC90s and they’re quite well-understood at this point.
I think either one would be fine. Obviously the CX-9 will cost twice as much, all else being equal, but it will also be much more modern.
I do very much enjoy my ’22 Mazda3 with that drivetrain. Some days I wish it got better fuel economy (it’ll do 31 on the way to work if I’m responsible and as little as 9 if I’m not), but it is otherwise excellent. People can knock Mazda for sticking with it, but there’s a reason they have. It is an absolute joy to drive and I don’t think I’ve ever loved a vehicle this much.
The 2nd gen CX-9 is also a really handsome car imo
Very much agreed! 😀
If it fits your size needs the CX9 is a lovely appliance. We put 65k miles on our 2021 before we went to a slightly larger, but significantly better packaged Honda Pilot. The CX9 has great steering, comfy seats, and gets decent fuel economy for what it is. If you’re genuinely looking at them, you want a 2021+ for the upgraded infotainment that Mazda started using in the 2019 Mazda3. Also need AWD because the way the powerplant is tuned like a diesel you will roast the tires in the rain coming from a stop. Also, Soul Red Crystal is a requirement. If we had gotten one with Memory seats, I probably would have been more willing to keep it around a bit longer. There is a 10″ height difference between my wife and myself, so every time I drove the car there was lamenting trying to get everything back where she wanted it seat and mirror wise.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback re: the 2nd gen CX9, and I’ve bookmarked this thread for future reference. 🙂 I never had an SUV before my current daily, the 1st gen XC90, which I bought on a spontaneous whim. I like it a lot, and really appreciated the cargo space when I had to pack to evacuate during the recent fires in LA. Mine isn’t particularly fancy and shows its age, and MPG isn’t stellar, but those mid-oughts Volvos are very decent cars for what they cost used. I’d happily buy another.
I also own a Miata (my 2nd) and have liked most of Mazda’s lineup for the past couple decades. From small to large, what they’ve got is just plain nice, all things considered. I’m a bit less enthused about their recent crossovers, but will probably come to like them over time. A 2nd gen CX9 would be nice to have, and I keep my eyes open for one locally, but happily, my XC90 still runs fine till then. 😉
Had you asked me when I was 20, or 30, or even 40 would I ever own a three-row SUV, I’d have laughed at the idea. They do come in handy though, even for a single guy like me. 🙂
Torch has got my back, what did I say just last week? A caterpillar 789!
The list could go on forever but my first thoughts are:
First gen Viper immediately comes to mind!
Morgan
2CV
Volvo 1800ES
I’ve owned the 3rd car on your list. It’s nice, but it’s not some great drivers’ car that begs to be driven. Sorry.
The list is endless. I think it’s pretty amazing how different the experience is for each unique machine.
I suppose one of the more odd experiences I’m craving is trains of any sort, but preferably a regular electric metro-style train or light rail.
My list is pretty short.
’66 GT40 Mk.II (my money is no object dream car)
The bonkers Alto Works project I’m gonna start once I’m out of debt in the next 18 months, which is the “how many bad ideas can I put in one vehicle to get it out of my system” dream car.
I’d like to drive (and own) a vintage station wagon with an inline-six and a three-on-the-tree. Preferable a GM product, as I’m familiar with the 235, 250 and 292 engines as well as the Rochester Monojet carburetors. Although I wouldn’t rule out upgrading to fuel injection.
My first pickup was a three-on-the-tree with the 250, and before that I owned a Plymouth station wagon, but it had a V8 and an automatic.
Mark Tucker, if you’re ever in Seattle, give me a heads-up and you’re in.
I’ve never had the chance for a proper rear-engine Porsche. Always been curious.
Before following through on that offer you may want to confirm whether Mark meant for the phrase “into the water” to refer just to the Amphicar or instead to the entire list.
I, too, would like to drive a manual gated Ferrari into the water
Jason wants to drive a Velorex? I can make mine available, as long as he doesn’t mean that he wants to drive a good Velorex.
Ford GT-40. I occasionally practice double-clutching in my modern cars not b/c Vin Diesel but b/c if I ever do get that chance, I’d like to do it with a maximum of glorious 289 or 427 V8 howling and a minimum of embarrassing metallic grinding.
I’d also aspire to, ala yesterday’s autopian asks, not slam the door on my head.
We double-clutch in our 1942 fire truck, but that’s because it doesn’t have synchromesh. Racecars from 25 years later hadn’t gotten on the trolley?
One of the best trivia bits from Bullitt is that during the high speed part of the chase scene, the sound of McQueen’s Mustang isn’t a Mustang at all, it’s an overlaid recording of a GT-40 on the track. You can clearly hear the double throttle blips on the upshifts.
The list is thousands of cars long, so I’ll name 10:
-Ford P68
-Opel Eco Speedster
-TVR Cerbera Speed 12
-Ferrari 250GTO
-AC Propulsion TZero
-Lotus Elite (1st Gen)
-Lotus Europa (1st Gen)
-Tesla Roadster (1st Gen)
-Porsche 550 Coupe
-Devin SS
The second gen Elite seems pretty awesome too, but I also dig the Eleven.