I’ve got a Seat Alhambra. It is basically a VW Sharan, but cheaper, and I bought it for space. Seven seats if needed, five with quite some space for transporting things, and down to two seat and a lot of space if that is needed (and I ran this configuration twice in the last three weeks, so it is not something once-in-a-cars-lifetime like.

It also has a trailer hitch which allows me to pull 1.8t. That’s a feature I have only tried to see how it works out, pulling a trailer around the block and doing some reversing and parking with it to see how it works, but the hitch was included and might be needed next year, so I’m fine with that.

I originally wanted to buy an electric car, but at that time, most electric cars were overpriced matchboxes on wheels, so they were simply useless for me. At the moment, the VW ID Buzz is one electric model that would do size-wise, but it is way, way too expensive, and it is ugly as f-ck to boot. If prices and design have reached acceptable levels, maybe the next one will be electric.

2022 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo

• It’s electric and electricity is cheap in the Seattle area, especially from 11pm to 7am for me when it’s $0.044 per kwh
• It charges very quickly on roadtrips, up to 270 kw or 5%-80% in about 20 minutes (did Seattle to Vegas and back in it!)
• it’s a wagon so it’s very practical. both our big dogs fit in there and we’ve taken them on some shorter roadtrips. I even got a roofbox for it, and it didn’t impact the range as badly as I’d feared
• the driving experience is wonderful. it’s not even close to the fastest Taycan but the 4S even at second lowest trim is without question fast enough, but the real enjoyment comes from the handling on top of that, it’s just so so so good
• keeps up with GT3 RS at the track, though that might be more about GT3 RS owners babying their cars than anything else
• its comfy and quiet and communicative

While I’m not exactly thrilled about the massive depreciation, I don’t see any other car now or in the foreseeable future that can also do all the things it does well without being a fucking SUV or crossover or truck.

Also if Taycans get cheap enough for more people to get into them, I hope more people do, cuz even the absolute lowest spec, zero options, smallest battery sedan is a solidly excellent car

I live in a walkable city and I am an insufferable snob about it. It’s really nice being able to just go outside and get groceries. No traffic. No parking. No fuel. No insurance. No maintenance.

2013 Toyota 86. My parents bought it for me when I lived in Perth. Love it to death: the looks, the way it drives everything. Since moving to Melbourne It’s been sitting in a parking spot for 6 months. I feel terrible for it. If anyone knows any nice places to take it for a day trip or a couple day city getaway I’d love to know.

So much makes it mine but if I had to pick one thing it’s the work I’ve done on it. I’ve done services, given it new wheels (after crashing and wrecking the old ones lol) and replaced parts. One particular thing I really enjoyed doing was getting a replacement throw-out bearing for it. A big moment for me was arguing with my dad about what was causing problems; listening to my gut over his advice and doing a massive job of taking out the gearbox and clutch. Im still riding the high I felt when I saw that rusted fucked up throw-out bearing. So happy that I managed to do such a big replacement part job without any issues.

2018 Kia Soul.

I like boxy cars, they’re big on the inside. And the small boxy ones don’t feel small.

I had a 2005 Honda Element for many years, and it just started falling apart. The car itself was worth less than the fix, so I got rid of it, but I got used to no car payment, so I decided I wouldn’t pay more than $300/month. Found this car for 10k. Perfect.

I like it. It’s slow to gain speed, but I’m not trying to out speed anyone. It also fits my giant 112lb dog no problem. It’s comfy, and though most would now think it’s old tech-wise, it was a major improvement in tech compared to my previous car.

Tesla Model 3. Didn’t know Elon was a raging nazi back then.

2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring.

Bought it because I don’t fit into a Miata. I like having a more powerful engine too.

I’d like to eventually buy an EV, but modern cars suck. They’re too big and handle like shit because of their size and electric steering. I want something small and nimble that is reasonably fast and handles like a dream; the 350Z checks all of those boxes. Literally point the car where you want to go, and it just goes there, even with all the driver assists turned off. I see why it’s a popular drift car.

My legs.

But, if I was forced to choose, I’d go with an RV, and then live out of it. No in-between. Why?

I have two preferred modes of living. One is without a car in a walkable area. The other is with a car, and my house is attached to the car. Everybody already gets walkable cities, but having an RV would warrant the freedom to be able to bring all of my possessions anywhere I want, whenever I want. For practicality, I’d use a motorbike for travelling after parking the RV. This is the only way I could own a motor vehicle–it must serve a purpose beyond merely moving a few people and objects between point A and point B. Else, I don’t want one.

The only cars I’ve been at all interested in otherwise are old Honda Stepwgns, the Peel Trident, station wagons, and, indeed, motorcycles. Still see no point in these when a hypothetical RV would be much better for a solo road trip, and when I can go on a vacation via plane or another friend’s car. I’m not going out alone.

I don’t like single-use items. I prefer everything I have be as multi-purpose as possible.

EDIT: I should probably clarify I would live out of an RV. It’s not just a hypothetical alternative, it’s something I’m considering.

2007 Toyota Prius because it gets 45mpg and I have to drive about 45 miles to get to work

2006 Nissan Frontier for when I need a truck. It has the same specs as the Tacoma, just as reliable, and a lot cheaper in the used market.

2016 Hyundai Accent. It was cheap and what I could afford. I will run it into the ground before I get another one. She works and she’s tough. She got me across country with a full trailer attached to her and is just fine. She’s filthy, but she is mine. And I love her.

2015 grand caravan. Great family car, two reason it’s not a Honda or Toyota, 10 000$ price difference at the time that my low mileage does not justify but the main point is the stow and go. It turn the family car into a light cargo in seconds.

2022 Chevy Bolt EUV. EV with plenty of space and comfortable. Good mileage and never pay for gasoline again.

2021 GMC Canyon.

I never wanted a truck, but with home ownership and Saskatchewan winters I learned early enough that they do come in handy for renovations and such. Also, the older I get, the less I want to groan getting into and out of a vehicle, so the higher the ride, the better for my back.

But I still didn’t want to go full truck (half-tonne). So I compromised and got a quarter-tonne. Useful enough for day to day stuff, but with a V6 engine isn’t really any worse on fuel than your average SUV.

2022 Polestar 2 with all the options. I think the Polestar is super cool, and I didn’t want to replace my Tesla with another Tesla. I got it used last August for $36k, because used rentals were flooding the market. This car goes for $70k new, but it is not worth anywhere near that

2013 VW Golf-R - it’s paid off and runs like a champ but I’m looking forward to replacing it some day with something like a used Tychon. Never buying an ICE car again with any luck. I love the Golf-R because it’s fast enough to be fun but still somewhat economical and handles well enough as a daily. It gets me around town and up to the mountains without any trouble.