What you *thought* your first car might be

[ChrisHGTV]

It seems to me that this thread seems to have gone slightly off track.: As I understood it, the intention was for it to be about the car we "dreamed that we would have" -vs "what we ended up with in reality" ???

Apart from the Volvo 240 estate I lusted after when much younger, when I got closer to actually buying my first car it had morphed into an Opel Monza. I did nearly buy one but I found my first Alfa Sprint for only slightly more money. And that then set me on a path!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I did nearly buy one but I found my first Alfa Sprint for only slightly more money. And that then set me on a path!

Strange how these things pan out. Small things which at the time and in isolation, but which become a significant turning point in our life.

Two things happened which led to me to driving almost exclusively Mercedes for more than 20 years - I can’t believe I’m old enough to say that.

The first was in 2001, reading the Autocar road test for the C 32 AMG, and how brutally fast it was, and how smart but subtle it was on the outside.

The second was in 2003, when the sales staff an empty Porsche dealer laughed at - and completely ignored - me when I enquired about a Cayenne.

With just a few exceptions - mostly cars not intended to be really used - almost every mile I’ve driven since 2003 has been in a Mercedes.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Apart from the Volvo 240 estate I lusted after when much younger, when I got closer to actually buying my first car it had morphed into an Opel Monza.

Oooof, I do like an Opel Monza

 

[HappytalkAgain]

View attachment 163406

Cuckoo was awesome.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Strange how these things pan out. Small things which at the time and in isolation, but which become a significant turning point in our life.

Two things happened which led to me to driving almost exclusively Mercedes for more than 20 years - I can’t believe I’m old enough to say that.

The first was in 2001, reading the Autocar road test for the C 32 AMG, and how brutally fast it was, and how smart but subtle it was on the outside.

The second was in 2003, when the sales staff an empty Porsche dealer laughed at - and completely ignored - me when I enquired about a Cayenne.

With just a few exceptions - mostly cars not intended to be really used - almost every mile I’ve driven since 2003 has been in a Mercedes.

It is very true. The trouble with Alfa is if you’re bitten, it’s very difficult to find a cure. It defies explanation really, as the cars generally have many foibles that amongst Alfisti are completely forgiven. My dad had a 33 P4 and although he is a bit of a petrolhead he couldn’t quite forgive it. When the rear view mirror just fell of I relieved him of it and that was Alfa number 2! I remember picking my Sprint up and welled up a bit driving it home - that badge in the centre of the steering wheel invoking thoughts of Ascari, Nuvolari, Farina…for me that’s how I really connect with cars, I love the history.

Same with Mercedes for me. I wouldn’t have the same connection with BMW. Audi possibly. But nothing else from the German stable really matches Mercedes in my view for that historic aspect.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It is very true. The trouble with Alfa is if you’re bitten, it’s very difficult to find a cure. It defies explanation really, as the cars generally have many foibles that amongst Alfisti are completely forgiven. My dad had a 33 P4 and although he is a bit of a petrolhead he couldn’t quite forgive it. When the rear view mirror just fell of I relieved him of it and that was Alfa number 2! I remember picking my Sprint up and welled up a bit driving it home - that badge in the centre of the steering wheel invoking thoughts of Ascari, Nuvolari, Farina…for me that’s how I really connect with cars, I love the history.

Same with Mercedes for me. I wouldn’t have the same connection with BMW. Audi possibly. But nothing else from the German stable really matches Mercedes in my view for that historic aspect.

How many Alfas have you owned?

 

[ALFAitalia]

I've had four..... I'm "OK" though!
I suspect Chis has had RATHER more!

 

[ChrisHGTV]

How many Alfas have you owned?

Not that many actually as I keep them. In fact I’ve never sold one, they have just met their demise in various ways! I’ve had a Sprint, Sud, 33, and 2 GTV’s. And a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo - not an Alfa but built on the same platform as the GTV so a cousin of sorts.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I've had four..... I'm "OK" though!
I suspect Chis has had RATHER more!

Only one more! . To be honest though I would likely still have them all on the drive if they hadn’t been written off! Only the 33 and the current GTV has escaped the insurance company!

 

[tmwsccsh]

When I was about 14 I saw the 3rd Gen Honda Prelude for the first time. I knew that had to be my first car.

Then reality kicks in and you see that a 2 litre sporty coupe isn't really the sensible option and you end up buying.....



... a 3rd Gen Honda Prelude!

Leather interior, 4 wheel steering, electric everything, air con, the lot. Yes it cost a fortune to run but I didn't care - it's what I wanted so I got one!

Probably a bad example to set...

TMW

 

[StMarks]

When I was about 14 I saw the 3rd Gen Honda Prelude for the first time. I knew that had to be my first car.

- it's what I wanted so I got one!

Kudos for achieving your heart's desire from the very beginning TMW.
Impressively blinkered determination, with a tasteful target subject too. *






* I always rather liked the look of the 4th Generation Prelude myself.

 

[tmwsccsh]

Kudos for achieving your heart's desire from the very beginning TMW.
Impressively blinkered determination, with a tasteful target subject too. *

* I always rather liked the look of the 4th Generation Prelude myself.

I liked the 4th gen interior but, pop up lights!!!

TMW

 

[fabes]

To go back to OPs question, it was a Lotus.
That is what I wanted as my first car.

Thank god "I want doesn't get"....

 

[StMarks]

To go back to OPs question, it was a Lotus.

Would that have been the Elan or Europa ?

 

[Darrell]

Would that have been the Elan or Europa ?

I remember seeing a Europa parked up in a street in Hendon when I was around 11 or 12. I think I hung around for hours just staring at it.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I remember seeing a Europa parked up in a street in Hendon when I was around 11 or 12. I think I hung around for hours just staring at it.

There’s a lovely yellow Europa in Bell & Colvills showroom near me. I drive past it every time I go to the butchers!

 

[fabes]

Would that have been the Elan or Europa ?

Europa, in red like the Corgi car I had

I did probably dodge a bullet there, looking back if you omit money and my mum agreeing to insure it for me, I mean her ....

I don't think my dad explained to her what the Sprint part of the Dolomite was.
He was 'a one'......

 

[MD5]

Having seen a new one at school in the late 60s, I asked someone how much it would cost to buy an MGBGT, which I had my heart set on, but it seemed unlikely to be achievable. A couple of years later, at the age of 17, I bought my first car, an E type. A Ford Prefect 100E type, to be precise, with no brakes, and for the princely sum of £10! Freedom.

 

[Diana1990]

I thought my first car would be Mini . Turned out to be Renault Megane. 1999 if I remember rightly

 

[BIGDOG]

A jacked up ford escort estate.

I had a nearly new Fiat Strada.