Any Other Automotive Oddballs?

[billc83]

Since our beloved Allantes are somewhat of an anomaly in the automotive universe (half-American, half-Italian with a limited production run), I'm interested if any of you have any other automotive oddballs you own or are interested in.

[wcoates]

Hey Bill, interesting question. had the Allante out last week and stopped for lunch and a gent stopped and asked if I owned the car. he proceeded to tell me he had a ChryslerTC/Maserati that would soon be for sale. Will go look at it if anybody is interested.

[c5 rv]

Hmm, now that you mention it, I seem to be falling into a pattern of buying low volume or harder-to-find vehicles:

- After the end of the 2004 model year, I learned that GM was halting production of Quadrasteer trucks and I wanted one for towing. I searched and found a new 04 Sierra Denali.

- I had an interest in finding an 83-85 MB 300D. I never found one in good enough condition at a reasonable price. Also, the independent MB mechanic I knew was in his mid-70s and I wondered how long he would keep his shop open.

- It took me about 5 months to find the right 81 or 82 Vette. (I wanted a late C3 and had to have the power driver seat for some sense of comfort.) I found the car I bought in Ohio with about 30K miles and trailered it home.

- I happened upon my Allante within 2 weeks of starting to look and only 20 miles away. Dumb luck. Then again, I probably paid too much in purchase and repair costs.

- Next spring I'm probably buying a low mileage 2005-06 Lexus LS 430 as a daily driver. It looks like I'm going to have to search at least 200 miles out, maybe nationally, to find the right options, colors, and condition.

[wcoates]

Originally Posted by billc83

Since our beloved Allantes are somewhat of an anomaly in the automotive universe (half-American, half-Italian with a limited production run), I'm interested if any of you have any other automotive oddballs you own or are interested in.

Jensen Interceptor-American engine-Italian design house-British wiring?

Greg, as some know I'm waitng to hear if my Delphi pension is to be cut 30 or 70%. So after 74 GM vehicles- no more GM. Anybody have a mid sized 4 door people mover that they like, I'd be interested in knowing. Leased Saturn gets turned in mid Dec. What with this Lexus? I know zero about them.

[c5 rv]

My goal is to get a CPO V8 sedan. (I put 27K+ per year on my daily driver, so a new car is a killer on depreciation.) My choices are the DTS Performance, Lucerne CXS, and the LS430. The LS430 is the previous generation LS and the prices are getting reasonable for 04-06 units. It is also the best sedan I've found to transfer my wife from her wheelchair into the car. I also think the LS is feasible to drive for a second 100K miles without risking financial russian roulette.

I like the Lincoln MKS. But the car has poor 1st year reliability, has a lousy trunk opening, and requires the new (unproven) twin turbo engine to get acceptable performance.

My current Lincoln MKZ has been very reliable and, with AWD, drives fairly well. The 2010 version appears to have more differentiation from the Fusion. My problem with it is the smallish interior size and difficulty transferring my wife.

[babylac89]

My daily driver is pretty much an anomaly! It's a 2005 Honda Element, designed in the Honda Design Center in Pasadena, CA. Then developed at the Honda R&D Center in Torrance, CA., and manufactured in the East Liberty Plant in Marysville, Ohio. Then it was actually exported to Japan as a 100% American made vehicle. The only one in the history of Japanese owned companies. So that definitely qualifies on the anomaly side of things!

Chief

[c5 rv]

I kinda like the Element. It meets it's intended purpose. I considered one but the the seating position is too high for my wife to enter without using a step.

[billc83]

I only ask because I am really attracted to oddball cars: orphans, underappreciated, and the like. Hoped some of you might be too.

[c5 rv]

If you like orphans, come to this car show sometime in June in Ypsilanti, MI (between Ann Arbor and Detroit):

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows...how/index.html

[billc83]

One day. Ypsilanti is a long way from Seattle.

[c5 rv]

^^ If you wait a few more years, we may find that all of the GM and Chrysler brands will be eligible for the show.