What kind of cage does an R rider drive?

[jbuzbee]

I don't have a car. Before the R I had a Ducati Monster, before the Monster I had a Honda Civic: when the speedo stopped working it had 147,000 miles on it. You know what, I actually still have that car. It's up at the farm probably under a summers full of grass!

[ride1150r]

honda element and isuzu rodeo.

[MidlifeMark]

2005 Acura TL. My stereo on wheels.

[Gord]

I was an avid Mini lover long before I became a bike rider. I imported a 1964 Morris Mini from the UK back in 1999 and sold it in March 2004 to finance my 2004 R1150RA. It was sad to see such a great car go - but it went to another lover of vintage British cars. Besides which, I still have my 2002 Mini Cooper (Canadian Launch Edition, #18 of 500) to satisfy my Mini urges when they strike. Strangely, I have put way more miles (kilometres!) on my bike this year than on my car.

[arkline]

I'm soooooo embarassed...My wife has a Forester, feels safer in it.

I on the other hand have never, ever had a kewl car. All my four wheeled vehicles, going back to the 55 Buick two-tone red and white my last year of high school, have been hand me downs and so freeking practical...Not that I haven't drooled over really nice vehicles from time to time, you gotcher Audis and your Porsches, your Lotus, your 65 GTOs, Thunderbirds, Mustangs, and 'Vettes. Your minis, your maxis, and what not. But not for me, alas.

We did trade in a Sauterne station wagon (previously chosen by and driven by the wife until it landed on me when she bought the Forester) on a Hyundai Accent a little over a year ago. 'Sposed to be the kid's wheels. High seats and front and side curtain airbags. Kid still hasn't gotten her license and the car has less than 3K miles on it. Sheesh...I am sooooo embarassed.

[rph802]

for me is a 2003 Nissan Xterra XE 4WD. Was looking for to buy something new (my first brand spanking new car!!) a couple years ago. Need something 4WD for general purposes and my driveway in particular in the winter. Like a good Vermonter, thought about a pickup but not real practical for day to day driving for me unless I got something like an S-10 (blech). Considered the Subarus but SUV's were all the rage. Wanted a manual transmission and a six cylinder. The Escapes were too small and V6 only came with an auto. As much as I love my american trucks, the SUVs just dont seem to hold up as well. Browsing around some car site, came across the Xterra. Met all my requirements and manufactured in TN so I don't feel bad buying a "ferrin" vehicle. Poked around the net and found a board (shocking I know). Lurked there a while reading the good bad and ugly and these guys have no problem airing their dislikes. Relatively minor issues all in all but admired the honesty of the group. Did some shopping around and found my baby. Been almost 24k problem free miles.

Only complaint is that Nissan went and almost completely redesigned the 2005 model and it really kicks ass. 6speed MT, 80 more hp with the same gas mileage rating. Just an awesome rig!!

Craig

[Bry]

i have a 2003 audi a4; my girlfriend has an suv (gads!). i was all happy, saving gas $$ using my bike exclusively the last few weeks--today she calls me and says she's using my car while i'm at work to save her gas....hmmmm, wondered why the tank looked low. there's a lesson here somewhere.

Dano!

I can alway be sure when the wife says "lets take my car" her tanks empty and as the chilvalrous male I must fill it... grrrr.... one day she's gonna push it to a station with ME steering!



Bry

[R4R&R]

I hate to admit that I have one of those dreaded SUV's (1997 GMC Yukon). Great towing vehicle, but currently re-evaluating my vehicle due to: 1) gas prices and 2) I sold all of my toys that I need to tow (boat, dirtbikes/atv, etc). I like different vehicles and I have been considering the RX-8, another VW TDI based vehicle, or an Accord. I really don't care too much for cars since my most enjoyable vehicle is the bike. I'll drive whatever is in the driveway when I need it. I actually put more annual miles on the bike than I do in a car. To me the 'cage' is a tool for hauling my kids/family around.

My wife has a Honda mini-van. Good basic kid hauler (yeah, soccer-mom).

[dano]

Bry: i hear you. the things we do...

[queenpdog]

Another Subaru driver. Mine is a '97 Legacy wagon (my second). Nothing fancy, but the AWD is great in the snow.

Until recently I owned a '73 VW cargo van. It was gorgeous, but not practical for Minnesota.

I now have my eyes on the new 2006 Honda Civic SI. 200 Hp. Looks HOT.

[MattPie]

Current: Silver 2002 WRX Sedan.
Past: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 5-speed, and 1995 Dodge Neon

I, for one, was drawn to the BMW because of the boxer engine. I had always thought about getting a bike. I was so impressed by the engine in the Subaru that I punched in "boxer motorcycle" one day. And, sad as i am to admit it, I said, "Hey, BMW makes motorcycles?" Followed shortly by, "Holy crap, BMW makes some fantastic motorcycles!" The rest, as they say, is history.

[beekstersocal]

04 GMC envoy xl 05 CHEVY 3500 hd express 06 BAYLINER 185 04R1150R

[ken k]

2000 ford zx2 (a real bottom feeder with a 5-speed, crank windows and no remote entry. I actually have to lock it with a key! Can you imagine?!?!?!? But hey its a fun little car, gets 30 mpg and its paid for, in fact I paid more for the R than the zx2!)

Wife drives a 2000 Mazda MPV, nice family hauler with leather, sun roof, air bags all around and a great stereo. I am looking at replacing that with the new Mazda5 however.

ken k

[bmwdave52]

2005 Subaru Outback. Replace the Tundra.

[vinman]

Well I used to be a Subaru driver too. I had a 2.5RS and a Legacy GT. Gotta love that boxer engine. Too bad Subaru manual trannys suck at least that's been my luck. So I switched to a Honda Accord EX V6 with the 6 speed tranny. What a sweet, smooth motor.

[BigJugs]

I'm a native Texan and therefor obligated to drive a pickup (2001 Ford F-150 SuperCrew). I just recently bought my wife a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder and am very pleased with it. Fastest SUV I've ever owned!!! It has the 4.0L version of the 350Z's 3.5L engine...

Cheers,

[Wayno28]

Wife has 2002 Chevy Impala and I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado

[jonothan]

I drive a VW Beetle 1.9 TDI. My wife drive a Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Both made in Mexico.

The quality of the VW is superb. Lovely punchy turbodiesel engine, and a very well-assembled car.

The PT Cruiser is a bit tacky by comparison but my wife loves it. I've never known her love a car as much as she does this one.

J

[Leno]

Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso 1.6 twin-spark. Lovely car to drive and looks great.

[Paul Mihalka]

I used to be more into cars than I am today. Over the years I had many. It was mostly in Venezuela, where I also raced cars and bikes. Had MG, Borgward, Lancia, Mercedes, Range Rover (two-door, 5 speed, no power steering, no air-cond), Saab turbo.
Today fourwheelers are utility. A '94 Isuzu Trooper - the mulch/topsoil/plant carrier, called to duty when there is real snow, and a '97 Infiniti I30, the best appliance I ever had. Both bought used, about two years old. Best way to buy a car.