Owning your childhood "dream" car...
Discussion
Although I'm happily willing to accept that a car from the 2000s thanks to better safety, HVAC, rust protection and standard features such as AC makes a better daily driver, there's still something special about the "halo" cars from my childhood (the 80s and early 90s) that does it for me. Feelsome steering, instantaneous throttle response, respectable performance and more reliable and refined than vehicles from previous eras. Have you ever owned one of your childhood "dream" cars and if so, did the reality live up to the dream? If you haven't then if the stars were to align, what would you go for?
On a more realistic level, I did own one of my childhood "dream" cars, a Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 back in the early 2000s for 2 years and it certainly didn't disappoint but whereas I'd love to own another one or my other favourite 80s/early 90s hot hatch, a mk2 Golf GTi 16v, I think that ultimately I'd rather go for something a bit more special than a FWD hatchback.
I'm thinking E30 M3, 190E Cosworth, Sierra RS Cosworth 3 door, Escort RS Cosworth, Delta Integrale, Audi Ur Quattro, Audi RS2, Honda NSX, Porsche 964 Turbo/993 Carrera, Impreza P1, Evo VI TME.
I'm a little torn between the Sierra and the Integrale but I'm thinking that the Sierra might disappoint and the Integrale probably wouldn't. It's kind of exotic for a 5 door hatch too and being possibly the most successful rally car of all time gives it a certain allure too. One thing's for sure, I would rather have a barn full of these 80s/90s "icons" than be just another rich prick in a new Ferrari/Lamborghini/McLaren (no offence intended).
I veer between a red or yellow Evo II but once saw one in dark green which was rather lovely.
So, have you ever owned any of your childhood "dream" cars, did they live up to your expectations and if you could own just one of them which would it be?
On a more realistic level, I did own one of my childhood "dream" cars, a Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 back in the early 2000s for 2 years and it certainly didn't disappoint but whereas I'd love to own another one or my other favourite 80s/early 90s hot hatch, a mk2 Golf GTi 16v, I think that ultimately I'd rather go for something a bit more special than a FWD hatchback.
I'm thinking E30 M3, 190E Cosworth, Sierra RS Cosworth 3 door, Escort RS Cosworth, Delta Integrale, Audi Ur Quattro, Audi RS2, Honda NSX, Porsche 964 Turbo/993 Carrera, Impreza P1, Evo VI TME.
I'm a little torn between the Sierra and the Integrale but I'm thinking that the Sierra might disappoint and the Integrale probably wouldn't. It's kind of exotic for a 5 door hatch too and being possibly the most successful rally car of all time gives it a certain allure too. One thing's for sure, I would rather have a barn full of these 80s/90s "icons" than be just another rich prick in a new Ferrari/Lamborghini/McLaren (no offence intended).
I veer between a red or yellow Evo II but once saw one in dark green which was rather lovely.
So, have you ever owned any of your childhood "dream" cars, did they live up to your expectations and if you could own just one of them which would it be?
I always wanted a Peugeot 205 GTi and a Renault 5 GT Turbo Raider and I had both and neither disappointed. I bought them in that sweet spot before they started to become valuable. I also had a couple of Impreza P1's and loved them, in fact I am considering getting another one in the near future despite the stupid prices.
In purely empirical and technological terms, any similar modern car will easily outperform them, but does a Golf R, for example, have that special something that a Peugeot 205 GTi had? Does anything even come close to the specialness of a P1 nowadays? Or will any of the modern M3's be remembered as fondly as the E30? Only time will tell, but I suspect not quite as much.
If someone offered me a mint MkiV Supra twin turbo or the brand new one, my head would want the new one, my heart would want the old one.
For example at the moment my head says stick with your FK2 Type R - it's an awesome car. My heart says get a P1 again and for keepsies this time.
In purely empirical and technological terms, any similar modern car will easily outperform them, but does a Golf R, for example, have that special something that a Peugeot 205 GTi had? Does anything even come close to the specialness of a P1 nowadays? Or will any of the modern M3's be remembered as fondly as the E30? Only time will tell, but I suspect not quite as much.
If someone offered me a mint MkiV Supra twin turbo or the brand new one, my head would want the new one, my heart would want the old one.
For example at the moment my head says stick with your FK2 Type R - it's an awesome car. My heart says get a P1 again and for keepsies this time.
I'm late 40's and a few months ago bought a 928 S4.
The Countach was a little out of budget and whilst I did try to sell my other half for organ harvest, fell short of the 959 asking price.
I have a few other classics, but there is something about Der Kaiser that just puts smile on my face . It is not worth a huge amount, but arguably undervalued, it just makes me fee like I'm that callow spotted youth, with fast Lane posters of 928s, Lambos and RS200s on my wall. I even have a playlist of pure 80's cheese.
Yes, as a child I dream of owning a Caterham, an Esprit, and latterly an Elise in my late teens when they were launched. I've owned two Caterhams and one Elise and they actually exceeded my expectations. I kept them for a good while, drove around mainland Europe in the Elise quite a few times and have some very fond memories of them all. I drove an Esprit a while ago and it matched my expectations. I've also been lucky enough to drive and own some more of the cars I lusted after and had on my wall as a kid: I've driven a Honda NSX for example, and I've raced in a variety of cars since 2001, which is more than I could have wished for as a child. One car I did think I'd own one day was my favourite toy car, a Ferrari 308 GTB. When I was a teen they were about £20k-£30k secondhand, and they were in reach when I was in my 20s, but then they just accelerated in value and I'll probably never own one now.
The only problem is that as life goes on, circumstances change. I now have several hobbies that require a big car, I have a family so two seaters aren't really practical, and I've moved to an area and have a job where virtually all my driving is now over long distances, and I can't afford the depreciation on any of those dream cars at my current 25k miles a year. I did own my Elise in this position for a while and found I just didn't use it. I think in one year I did about 800 miles! One thing I will say though is that life is about experiences, so I've used my change in circumstances to own an even broader variety of cars than initially interested me when I was growing up.
The only problem is that as life goes on, circumstances change. I now have several hobbies that require a big car, I have a family so two seaters aren't really practical, and I've moved to an area and have a job where virtually all my driving is now over long distances, and I can't afford the depreciation on any of those dream cars at my current 25k miles a year. I did own my Elise in this position for a while and found I just didn't use it. I think in one year I did about 800 miles! One thing I will say though is that life is about experiences, so I've used my change in circumstances to own an even broader variety of cars than initially interested me when I was growing up.
I did own one of my childhood dream cars. It was riddled with problems, bad on fuel, expensive to insure and I didn't fit in it. Then it caught fire on me. So I bought another one which has all but bankrupted me. Wouldn't swap it for all the tea in China though.
Love that green colour!
Love that green colour!
I always loved the Elan Plus 2 since seeing one on an A level Geography trip to Buttermere in The Fish car park longer ago that I wish to recall - fell in love with the shape.
In my forties I managed to acquire a basket case Plus 2 which I sold my Caterham to restore and then spent around seven years rebuilding from the ground up. The first trip out I drove it to Buttermere and the cycle was completed.
It has lived up to expectations however a modern Lotus is calling and I'm now seeking an Evora.
......that first ever drive out in the Lakes
In my forties I managed to acquire a basket case Plus 2 which I sold my Caterham to restore and then spent around seven years rebuilding from the ground up. The first trip out I drove it to Buttermere and the cycle was completed.
It has lived up to expectations however a modern Lotus is calling and I'm now seeking an Evora.
......that first ever drive out in the Lakes
I've owned most of mine - the most memorable car from my childhood was a Mk2 Escort bright orange with BVR (that abbreviation will sort the oldies from the kids)
I've owned RS2000 with Cosworth engine, Mk1 with V6, Integrale, Sierra Cosworth, Astra 16v, Golf and 205 GTis etc, 200SX, Supra, TVRs...
The car I thought I wanted was an air cooled 911, my father was a car trader and took one in, I borrowed it for a month as people said you had to get used to them
What a POS, it didn't go, stop, communicate nor corner as well as my 328 !
So disappointed !
I tried a 996 later and hated that too.
My current dream car is a Pantera or a 68 Camaro - Dad had both along with many other cars which in hindsight he should have tucked up in a barn.
I've owned RS2000 with Cosworth engine, Mk1 with V6, Integrale, Sierra Cosworth, Astra 16v, Golf and 205 GTis etc, 200SX, Supra, TVRs...
The car I thought I wanted was an air cooled 911, my father was a car trader and took one in, I borrowed it for a month as people said you had to get used to them
What a POS, it didn't go, stop, communicate nor corner as well as my 328 !
So disappointed !
I tried a 996 later and hated that too.
My current dream car is a Pantera or a 68 Camaro - Dad had both along with many other cars which in hindsight he should have tucked up in a barn.
As a kid, my dream cars were perhaps not that aspirational. As such, the XJS and Lotus Esprit made a large impression on me at a young age. (Esprit from James Bond and the XJS from The Saint)
This must have been quite early impressions as I was born in 1974. Both figured in films and telly in about 1977.
When the mk1 MR2 came out (I was 10), the design cues (pop-up headlights and the buttresses at the rear) and the fact it had rave reviews at the time of launch, it became my 'dream' car. I then bought one in 1997ish and loved it. It had the leather interior and T-Bar options and not many miles when I first purchased it. I kept it for seven years, toured Europe in it and cherished it like no other car I have since had. I would love to drive another now - but I suspect I would be let down? I would still like to try an Esprit, but the XJS has terminally lost its appeal. The design is still great in my eyes, but the 'old man' image and potential for big bills put me off ever buying one.
This must have been quite early impressions as I was born in 1974. Both figured in films and telly in about 1977.
When the mk1 MR2 came out (I was 10), the design cues (pop-up headlights and the buttresses at the rear) and the fact it had rave reviews at the time of launch, it became my 'dream' car. I then bought one in 1997ish and loved it. It had the leather interior and T-Bar options and not many miles when I first purchased it. I kept it for seven years, toured Europe in it and cherished it like no other car I have since had. I would love to drive another now - but I suspect I would be let down? I would still like to try an Esprit, but the XJS has terminally lost its appeal. The design is still great in my eyes, but the 'old man' image and potential for big bills put me off ever buying one.
Lotobear said:
I always loved the Elan Plus 2 since seeing one on an A level Geography trip to Buttermere in The Fish car park longer ago that I wish to recall - fell in love with the shape.
In my forties I managed to acquire a basket case Plus 2 which I sold my Caterham to restore and then spent around seven years rebuilding from the ground up. The first trip out I drove it to Buttermere and the cycle was completed.
It has lived up to expectations however a modern Lotus is calling and I'm now seeking an Evora.
......that first ever drive out in the Lakes
That's a really nice story In my forties I managed to acquire a basket case Plus 2 which I sold my Caterham to restore and then spent around seven years rebuilding from the ground up. The first trip out I drove it to Buttermere and the cycle was completed.
It has lived up to expectations however a modern Lotus is calling and I'm now seeking an Evora.
......that first ever drive out in the Lakes
I sometimes see a lovely yellow Elan just like yours on my way home. I've always loved them. Evo issue one asked people like Gordon Murray what their favourite driver's cars were and quite a number of them listed the Elan.wow a lot of people really have very low bars for their dreams
as an 80s kid i had the standard white countach with wing and red 288GTO posters on my bedroom walls
funny enough neither of which i have owned, i probably could have got a countach when they where selling for 50k but the mental bills always put me off
the OPs list of cars i would consider normal daily drivers
as an 80s kid i had the standard white countach with wing and red 288GTO posters on my bedroom walls
funny enough neither of which i have owned, i probably could have got a countach when they where selling for 50k but the mental bills always put me off
the OPs list of cars i would consider normal daily drivers
The dream cars were always an F40, Countach and/or a 959.
Sadly all out of reach but if I could have one it would be the F40.
Realistic dream cars were Fast Fords.
I hankered after a Sierra Cosworth more than anything. It was my generation and was just the coolest thing.
Sure, there were E30 M3s, Lotus Carltons and Mercedes 190 Cosworths but I always wanted a Cossie.
Second place was a Series 2 Escort RS Turbo. I know, I know - it is fundamentally a s
t car and the 205 GTI/Integrale/Golf GTI were all better but that's what I wanted.
The issue now that I am in my 40s and even close to being able to think about a second car is price. Fast Fords are stratospheric.
Sadly all out of reach but if I could have one it would be the F40.
Realistic dream cars were Fast Fords.
I hankered after a Sierra Cosworth more than anything. It was my generation and was just the coolest thing.
Sure, there were E30 M3s, Lotus Carltons and Mercedes 190 Cosworths but I always wanted a Cossie.
Second place was a Series 2 Escort RS Turbo. I know, I know - it is fundamentally a s
t car and the 205 GTI/Integrale/Golf GTI were all better but that's what I wanted.The issue now that I am in my 40s and even close to being able to think about a second car is price. Fast Fords are stratospheric.
V8RX7 said:
I've owned most of mine - the most memorable car from my childhood was a Mk2 Escort bright orange with BVR (that abbreviation will sort the oldies from the kids)
You got me thinking, who thought a great big piece of black vinyl on the roof would be a good idea? My red Mk2 1600 Sport vinyl roof started peeling and made the car look awful.Dave Hedgehog said:
wow a lot of people really have very low bars for their dreams
as an 80s kid i had the standard white countach with wing and red 288GTO posters on my bedroom walls
funny enough neither of which i have owned, i probably could have got a countach when they where selling for 50k but the mental bills always put me off
the OPs list of cars i would consider normal daily drivers
I was really responding to the question of owning and driving my dream cars.as an 80s kid i had the standard white countach with wing and red 288GTO posters on my bedroom walls
funny enough neither of which i have owned, i probably could have got a countach when they where selling for 50k but the mental bills always put me off
the OPs list of cars i would consider normal daily drivers
My ultimate dream car I've not even sat in and I've only actually seen a handful of times... it's remained unchanged since the early 90s: the McLaren F1. At no point in my life has it not been my ultimate dream car.
alorotom said:
Born 82 and my dream car remains a Testarossa. I’ve driven one and sat in many and I’d still love and covet one - not sure I’ll ever get the chance to own one though now that the prices are stratospheric for them.
Probably the most overpriced of the lot though and will really suffer in a crash. They were £30-35k cars at one point. I seriously doubt anyone is paying £100k + for anything but the mintest of the mint.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff