Current weekend/summer car is an RX8, but for the longest time aside from the moderen F2T (aka mazdaspeed3) and my Iraq present to myself (e36 323is) it has been far from the rest.

Now growing up my parents had an na miata but that's kind of by proxy I guess.

I had the answer for a few years and enjoyed it until it was killed by a grand marquis. After a few years I missed the small/light feeling of driving it, but needed something more practical. I ended up with an e30 and have been pretty happy with it.

I've never owned any "answer" because I, and just about everyone around me, can only afford economy cars with good fuel economy. The Miata could almost be an option, but it wasn't exactly an economy car, and therefore not many were brought in so now they're basically rare classics.

Edit: I do have a Samurai which is an offroad "answer."

I have owned exactly zero of the traditional "answers".

Something with an LS: Nope, but want. I have thought of picking up a 04-06 GTO, and I wanted to buy a G8 GT when they were new and Pontiac was going under, but dealers were marking them UP instead of down in typical GM fashion.

Something with a Rotary: Nope. I have enough friends that have or had rotary cars that I can live vicariously through them.

A Miata: Nope, I no fit. helped build a Challenge '91 Turbo Miata though. That thing was scary in a good way. I can see the appeal.

A P71: No. I am not a big Mod motor fan, however I would totally rock one if it were cheap enough. I like Marauders a lot.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon: Nope. I've had plenty in the family though. I would totally rock a 90's 2-door Blazer or Yukon GT though. Especially the Yukon GT. So 90's.

A diesel pickup/SUV: Not yet. I like them but the prices are ridiculous. There was a used Duramax on some site the other day going for $7k and it was not even running! I am really interested in the new diesel Colorado if it ever happens, and the Ram EcoDiesel.

Honorable Mentions:

-2002 and 2009 Subaru WRX's: the all weather answer, until the bearings spin or you cook your diff

-Turbo Dodge: the "I wanna go fast but don't want to spend more than $500" answer

-2012 Mazda3: the daily driver answer

-1979 Trans Am and 1983 Z28: the circa 1985 "let's troll the beach for babes while blaring Ratt out of the 6x9's" answer

Nope on the Rotary, Nope on the Miata. I had the P71's predecessor from GM, the 9C1. Better car in every respect than the P71 IMO. I drove Dad's Diesel 'burb while in college for a few weeks... and he also had a diesel 1T flatbed. Own an LR4 (4.8L LSx variant in the truck).

I've spent a lot of time owning the "Not the answer to ANYONE'S question. Ever." They're fun too.

In reply to tb:

Although I've owned 4, I actually don't think a Miata is much of an answer to many questions. I wouldn't want one for a daily driver- I need a truck.

It is, however, the answer to many questions that are asked here frequently:

"What is a cheap?"

"What can corner?"

"What is fun?"

"What can easily be modded cheaply?"

"What gets good fuel economy?"

To these questions, Miata is a win.

BMW doesn't always win, mostly because of cost.

LS: Too much money.

Rotary: I love Gen 1 RX-7s, but the prices suddenly jumped as soon as I entered the market.

Miata: All the ones in my price range are at least 50% oxidized iron.

P71: My friend has one. I'm not man enough.

Suburban: Too much money, too impractical for my situation.

Diesel: Cheap diesel cars are too slow for me, a Cummins won't fit in the garage. Powerstrokes are E36 M3. Not a fan of GMT400 or GMT800 HDs.

I've not owned any of them.

LS - anything with an LS engine costs more than I can afford

Rotary - too hard to work on, gas pig, Hard to find a nice one in the rust belt

Miata - someday, but no room/budget right now. May cost too much to get the car into the shape I want anyhow. (wide body w/turbo)

P71 - no need or desire. I hate 4 doors.

Tahoe/'Burban - don't need, single guy with nothing to tow.

Diesel truck - See above. Did own a gas one and a couple of S-10s

Surprisingly, I've owned quite a few answers.

Something with an LS; Nope. Anything V8 sucked when I was single (no chassis, ugly). Nowadays after the C5 was released there are good options but too late as I'm attached to the replacement for displacement.

Something with a Rotary; Yes. owned a few RX7s and still have my FD.

A Miata; Yes. A MazdaSpeed Miata and an NA. I race the NA in Spec Miata

A P71; Nope - and I never will. Terrible car IMO.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; Does an Excursion count?

A diesel pickup/SUV; Yup. Diesel Excursion tows my trailer and race car.

If I owned any more cars, I'd be broke.

Life is good

wearymicrobe wrote: Something with a Rotary; Nope A Miata; Nope A P71; Nope A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; Nope A diesel pickup/SUV; Nope Something with an LS; Darn 6.0 and a manual but something tells me this does not count.

That's the answer to a question that no one asked.

I've had a Diesel pickup, a Cherokee, A wrangler, a miata, and currently am building an LS powered car.

jstein77 wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: Something with a Rotary; Nope A Miata; Nope A P71; Nope A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; Nope A diesel pickup/SUV; Nope Something with an LS; Darn 6.0 and a manual but something tells me this does not count.

That's the answer to a question that no one asked.

Technically, that's the answer to the question 'Why Not?'

Something with an LS; Nope, not yet, but there is still time.

Something with a Rotary; Not yet, but there is still time.

A Miata; Yes. A MazdaSpeed Miata that I bought new and still have.

A P71; Nope - and I never will. Terrible car IMO. No idea why these have any fans.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; No, no interest. I need a van, not a SUV because wheelchair.

A diesel pickup/SUV; No. Besides the buy in cost, Mrs T.J. cannot stand the smell of diesel exhaust. Not even a little bit and the only vehicle this would make sense in for me would be a full sized van. SUV = no purpose to ever own. If I buy a truck again in the future, it would be a beater for local lumber store and dump runs.

I have owned zero of those thus far, but the only one that really is the answer is a diesel truck. The rest of them, well....they never were the answer in the first place.

The only one on the list I've owned is a Suburban. It was an 87 "Choo Choo" custom. It was a 3/4 ton, loaded with everything, from a 454 to a rear ladder and roof rack, dual a/c, tv, 4 velour captain's chairs, etc. I loved it. It was in VGC and I specifically bought it to tow with. When I quit towing regularly I sold it. I still miss it . . . except for the 10mpg.

I have only driven one Miata and I want one. It's on my to do list.

I think I'd like to have a first or second generation RX7 just for the experience of owning one. I actually like the looks of the first one better.

Something with an LS: No, don't like the cars they come in all that much. Might consider one in a car they don't belong in naturally.

Something with a Rotary: No I prefer to not work on my cars that much, but I think they're cool.

A Miata: No, just never clicked with them and I'd need a bucket seat right away to feel comfortable, or drive with the top down 365.

A P71: Would consider and have, but never owned, I already have a DD I like. If I ever feel the need to cruise around in my living room I will look for a clean one.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon: No. I don't need or want this much vehicle.

A diesel pickup/SUV: See above.

Something with an LS; not yet but maybe someday. I’m thinking a swapped older truck or station wagon.

Something with a Rotary; no, but it’s on my list of vehicles

A Miata; Yeah, my first GRM challenge vehicle was a 91 Miata with a turbo. Car was a lot of fun and I do miss it. I hate convertibles but at least mine was a hard top.

A P71; I hate the mod motors and would rather have an LT1 Caprice. If I’m already driving something that big then I’d rather have a crew cab truck.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; yes, I owned one for about a year. Picked it up for $1000 as a tow rig for the challenge car. It had high miles and a few issues but it towed well and was comfortable. Down side was a truck was more useful to me to haul car parts and construction materials.

A diesel pickup/SUV; I don’t tow enough to justify having a diesel truck.

Jeep Cherokee: XJ’s are great. I think they are easy to work on, decent winter vehicle, and are quick enough to be entertaining. Down side is fuel economy and rust.

I have three suburbans: 69 4x4, 89 4x4, and 91 4x4 (now for parts)

I've owned a few diesels and currently have an 02 k3500 with the duramax/ allison and an 84 CUCV with the 6.2/th400HD

I haven't owned a p71, but do own one of it's early ancestors...a 72 4 door LTD.

Jeeps: I've owned several but currently have a 99 Cherokee and 2012 Wrangler.

Nothing with an LS......yet. I do see it happening sooner rather than later though.

Never owned a Miata or anything with a rotary.

SVreX wrote:

tb wrote: I have never owned any of these up until my current toy... of course I might now be convinced that the e30 is actually THE answer to all questions.

How's it tow? Can I put 4 engines in the trunk? Seat 7? Will people think I'm gay if I drive it?

tows my race trailer fine. Granted it only weighs about 500lbs fully loaded. trunk on an e30 can fit five race tires. Could possibly fit a couple Miata engines in the trunk, and a couple more in the back seat. Seating 7 is only a matter of how uncomfortable your passengers can handle being, lol. And nobody will think you're gay driving an e30. Unless it's pink.

I have not owned any of those. When I got into cars i've owned GTV6, 350Z and Skyline, WRX, and Mustang GT.

Also always preferred Fords over GM.

I think "the answer" is overrated. If I wanted a car like that I would pick up a MR2 or a S2000 instead. I don't dislike Miatas though.

P71 is a boat like autotrans car. Not a fan.

Not a SUV/Truck fan.

For older cars I think there are more interesting lighter or lightweight rwd cars out there than LS cars or Miatas. Plus I like cars that are already turbocharged and capable of 300hp than a car like a Miata. I like cars with good 1/4 mile times as well as handling potential.

I would pick up a RX7 Turbo. Or, rather, the Rotary P71. AKA Mazda Cosmo 20B.

Anything 90s or earlier I like Z31 300zx, Starion, Rx7, Skylines, DSM, Celica Alltrac, Galant VR4, Pulsar GTIR, Evo, turbo S13s, etc.

Something with an LS; No, although a C6 Z06 would be nice.

Something with a Rotary; had an '83 RX7 back when they were new.

A Miata; 4

A P71; no desire, I find them truly awful. No disrespect to those that do, but I really don't find them engaging to drive at all.

A Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon; No need of something that big.

A diesel pickup/SUV; Same as above

I dunno, my answers have always been EF civics and DA integras. But that's mostly because I'm poor and don't fit into miatas (at least not comfortably).

Something with an LS;

A diesel pickup/SUV;

nope

E30/E36

S197

nope

have owned more than 40 cars/trucks/motorcycles … none of the above

Never had any of the list. Closest I have come are some predecessors to the Miata: Alfa-Romeo Gulia and MGA.

wbjones wrote: have owned more than 40 cars/trucks/motorcycles … none of the above

Which raises the question: how is an 89-01 Civic, CRX, or Integra not one of the answers?