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well, we all know 'need' is a relative term, but back in the day i had a stable i was quite happy with:
1989 F250 XLT Lariat 2WD with a 351W and the ZF 5-speed
2004 GTO
2004 Honda VFR motorcycle
that pretty much took care of every 'need' or 'want' i had at that point in my life since my commute was short and i lived in sunny SoCal where you can pretty much ride year-round. but then came a marriage and a move across country to NC, so:
sold the F250 to buy the engagement ring
wrecked the GTO, which as much as i miss it worked out in the long run since i needed a more fuel-efficient DD for my insane commute, plus getting people in and out of the rear seat was beginning to get really old.
still have the VFR but it will likely go soon. eastern NC has no decent riding roads like SoCal did and i just don't get the joy out of it anymore. proceeds to go to another GTO (most likely).
now i have a 09 Scion xB. it's the most practical vehicle i've ever owned, but i have no real love for it. i can haul 4 full-size adults comfortably, load tons of groceries, take it to the occassional auto-x to get my fix (yes, i've done it), and can even hook up a little utility trailer to it for runs to the dump all while getting 30+ freeway MPG. still, i just have no attachment to it like i had for my previous vehicles.
so to make a long story short, i only 'need' the one vehicle. but things sure seemed a lot more fun when i had the 3.
Being a child of the 1950's I know for personal use no one "needs'' more than one car.
If you own more than one vehicle for personal use then you got way more money than you can use sensibly.
No offense, but it's 2009 now. You sound like my mom and dad. Dad is 69 and my mom is 65. I constantly get asked why why why? Well for one thing I wasn't raised in the 40s and 50s. Things are different and we also think differently.
But back on subject, I'm more of a two vehicle person myself. Paid off my K1500 a few months ago and I really want to sit it out for a while and pump her up some. Maybe add a 2" lift with a size bigger tire and maybe a supercharger. But until then, I really want to find more of a fuel efficient ride right now.
Interesting question. I guess the answer would have a lot to do with where you live, how much room you have to keep them, and what you like to do. IF I were to own a home ever again (doubtful, but maybe):
1. Gotta have a pickup. A modern four-door, short-bed, V6 or V8 power would be nice. An El Camino would be a nice alternative. Make it a 1970 El Camino SS with the LS-6 454 and you can eliminate my #4.
2. A nice commuter vehicle. I don't like being crammed into a small car, so something with some decent interior room. I'd like it to have a four-cylinder. six-speed, four-wheel disc brakes, and AWD. I think a Subaru or Suzuki would fit the bill nicely.
3. Something that you could take out once in a while for cruising or long road trips. Maybe a vintage Buick Riviera, Pontiac Grand Prix, or Chevy Caprice.
4. At least one vintage muscle or pony car. A Camaro, Chevelle, GTO, 442, GSX, Hemi or 440 Cuda.
How many you need? How many you want? I've got 4 and that's enough. 05 Col Xtreme as my DD, 02' Audi A4 (great mileage) 93 Z28 w/ a 1000hp so naturally it's a weekend brawler, can be driven everyday but there's no fun in that and then my 01 Z06 bone stk. When I want to go cruising that's the ride and when I've got a lot of frustration to release the 93 is the weapon of choice.
This question ---how many cars do you need for yourself?---does depend on a lot of relative information...
Quote:
Originally Posted by superk
Interesting question. I guess the answer would have a lot to do with where you live, how much room you have to keep them, and what you like to do.
For example: Living on a farm you might need at least three....Live in New York City and it might be a joke to own a car. ....and of course
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tightwad
Being a child of the 1950's I know for personal use no one needs'' more than one car.
An answer like this doesn't necessarily mean you sound like ---old mom and dad--- But, cars---most cars--- are depreciating assets, combined with the routine maintenance costs, licensing, and insuring you have to ask yourself is it really worth it? Don't get me wrong though because there is definitely the recreation/collector aspect of cars. And, of course practicality says a lot about a person...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenGene
What I need is what I have - one. A minivan, very practical, can carry a lot of people and/or cargo, gets reasonable gas mileage.
As for me, owning one well running car with low miles is perfect. But, having an alternative vehicle like say...a motorcycle getting 50+ miles per gallon would be nice at times. Just like having a truck could sure come in handy also, but for the few times I have actually---needed--- a truck, renting it daily makes a whole lot more sense financially speaking.
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