The life of a car enthusiast is one that confuses some people. The average person might have a car or a couple, and those cars are merely transportation appliances. If life were a cartoon, you’d witness smoke coming out of someone’s head when you explain to them that you drive a Yugo instead of the latest Camry. You might witness a blue screen event if you explain that said Yugo is only one of a dozen cars in your arsenal. How many cars have you owned throughout your life and what were the highlights?
I bring this question up because this subject has come up a number of times for me recently. The topic of fleets is also theme day over at the sweet car forum of Opposite-Lock. My parents have finally realized the scope of what’s going on. I’m storing four cars and a motorcycle at their house and they finally popped the question. My mom was shocked to hear that I‘m currently sitting on 14 cars and 8 bikes. My dad’s ears perked up and he just wanted to trade stories about cars.
I recently went to a couple of press events and the question about what’s in my “stable” is always one that draws in some eyeballs. The motorcyclists expect maybe two bikes, not eight, and they certainly don’t expect one of them to be a Suzuki RE-5. Likewise, the car people also expect maybe a few cars, but definitely not five Smart Fortwos, a Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI, or a Volkswagen Phaeton.
If I were to tally up everything I’ve ever purchased, I’ve had over 30 motorcycles, around 30 cars, and two buses. Most of these vehicles were purchased in the period of 2017 to today. I used to revive barn find motorcycles for fun, which is how I arrived at that number. A lot of my cars were Gambler 500 vehicles or bad Volkswagens, which pumps up that other number.
There’s a second question in here, and it’s how many more cars do you think you’ll own in your lifetime? I’m not sure I can say. One of the dreams I have is to open up a personal museum of my favorite vehicles under one roof, like Beau, but with less money. Of course, I also have a career where following my heart with cars is practically a job requirement.
I don’t see myself getting many more vehicles right now simply because I don’t have the space or the money for them, but I could see a future proposed by Matt Hardigree:
I could see that being a local news story written about me one day. Just don’t let me become Ron Dauzet. Everything has to run and I have to drive them.
Here’s where I turn things to you. How many cars have you owned? What were they? How many more do you think you’ll own?
I currently only own six cars. In my life I am closing in on 150. I’ve owned over 30 air cooled VWs alone. I don’t have a problem, you have a problem! 😀
Once you find something you have an affinity for, they just seem to multiply. My first vehicle was a 72 Westy, and I soon went on an acquisition rampage somewhat like the drug-buying episode in Fear&Loathing in Los Vegas. I didn’t think it was a problem, but the County Code Enforcement Officers did…
Since you asked 🙂
In order of purchase, starting in 1991:
1. 1953 Chevrolet pickup, 235ci 6-cyl.
2. 1952 Chevrolet pickup, 235ci 6-cyl.
3. 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu sedan, 305 V8.
4. 1985 Plymouth Duster hatchback, 2.2L 4-cyl.
5. 1979 Plymouth Duster, 225ci ‘slant’ 6-cyl.
6. 1978 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon, 200ci V6.
7. 1974 Ford LTD sedan, 400ci V8.
8. 1976 Ford LTD sedan, 400ci V8.
9. 1980 Ford LTD sedan, 302ci V8.
10. 1981 Mercury Cougar, 302ci V8.
11. 1969 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 472ci V8.
12. 1968 Cadillac Coupe deVille, 472ci V8.
13. 1978 Chrylser LeBaron sedan, 318ci V8
14. 1978 Buick Skyhawk, 231ci V6.
15. 1975 Ford LTD Coupe, 400ci V8.
16. 1970 Plymouth Satellite sedan, 318ci V8.
17. 1986 Nissan Stanza sedan, (?) 4-cyl.
18. 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier, (?) 4-cyl.
19. 1984 Toyota Celica, 2.0L 4-cyl.
20. 1983 Chrysler Cordoba, 318ci V8.
21. 1989 Cadillac Brougham (Maroon), 307ci V8.
22. 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis, 302ci V8.
23. 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, 1584cc 4-cyl.
24. 1984 Buick LeSabre, 307ci V8.
25. 1952 Chevrolet 2-door sedan, 216ci 6-cyl.
26. 1994 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 4.9L V8.
27. 1967 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 429ci V8.
28. 1959 Cadillac Series 62 sedan (bubbletop), 390ci V8.
29. 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille (flattop), 390ci V8
30. 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille (flattop), 390ci V8 (parts car)
31. 1991 Toyota Celica, 1.6L 4-cyl.
32. 1983 Dodge Ramcharger, 318ci V8.
33. 1998 Cadillac Eldorado, 4.6L ‘Northstar’ V8.
34. 1975 Cadillac Eldorado, 500ci V8.
35. 1994 Saturn sedan, (?) 4-cyl.
36. 1991 Toyota Corolla, 1.6L 4-cyl.
37. 1969 Mercedes 230 sedan, 2.3L 6-cyl.
38. 1969 Mercedes 250 sedan, 2.5L 6-cyl.
39. 1972 Mercedes 220D sedan 2.2L 4-cyl diesel
40. 1991 Ford F-150, 302ci V8
41. 1974 Mercedes 240D sedan 2.4L 4-cyl diesel (converted to run on WVO)
42. 1979 Mercedes 300TD (green), 3.0L 5-cyl diesel
43. 1979 Mercedes 300TD (beige), 3.0L 5-cyl diesel
44. 1993 Mercedes 300E 2.8, 2.8L 6-cyl
45. 1991 Cadillac Brougham (dark blue), 305ci V8.
46. 1988 Cadillac Brougham (blue), 307ci V8
47. 1993 Oldsmobile Regency Elite, 3.8L 6-cyl
48. 1995 Oldsmobile Regency Elite, 3.8L 6-cyl
49. 1993 Buick Park Avenue, 3.8L 6-cyl Supercharged
50. 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, 3.8L 6-cyl
51. 1957 Plymouth Savoy, 3.8L 6-cyl
52. 1987 Cadillac Brougham (white), 307ci V8
53. 1998 Ford Ranger, 2.5L I4
54. 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 3.4L V6
55. 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis, 5.0L V8
56. 1995 Ford Escort, 2.5L I4
57. 1999 Ford F-250, 5.4L V8
58. 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 3.8L V6
59. 1982 Jaguar XJ6, 350ci Chevy SB from an ’88 IROC Z
60. 1987 Jaguar XJ6, 4.6L I6
61. 2000 Ford E-150, 5.4L V8
62. 1994 Pontiac Transport, 3.8L V6
63. 1993 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 4.9L V8
64. 1971 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 472ci V8
65. 2012 Chevrolet Volt, Electric motor plus 1.4L I4
66. 1988 VW Fox Wagon (Parati), I4
67. 1990 VW Fox Wagon (Parati), I4
68. 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne, 250ci I6
69. 2014 Chevrolet Spark
70. 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, 350 LT1-derivative V8
71. 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4.2L Vortec I6
72. 2000 Jaguar XK8, 4.0L V8
I still have 16 in the current fleet, with 10 of those “inflated and plated”. My rate of purchase has slowed considerably in the last few years, but I could see things picking back up a little bit once my daughter has moved out.
ok you win
Without getting into the nitty-gritty of listing all of them, all-in around 30.
Due to space requirements I own mine serially rather than in a herd.
82 celica st
83 celixa st
93 Saturn Sl1
95 Saturn sc1
98 chevy s10 reg cab 2wd
94ish chevy 1500 Cheyenne 4×4
99 chevy 1500 z71
03 s10 4×4 4 door
06 hummer h3
08 Toyota sequoia
14 4runner
17 4runner
20 rav4 hybrid
A lot was driven by changing needs to fit in kids, tow things, etc. This is my half the garage as my wife makes her own decisions on her vehicles.
Funny this comes up now. My brother and I were talking about this and made a list of them this past Memorial weekend. I am at 21 cars (and 1 motorcycle) at age 32, for 16 years of driving.
1991 Pontiac Grand Am2000 Ford Mustang V61999 Ford Mustang GT2000 Mercedes-Benz S5001991 Toyota Camry1994 Toyota Camry2006 Hyundai Tiburon GT2005 Saturn Vue2006 Nissan Sentra SE-R2016 Ford Mustang V62008 Ford Focus1999 Chevrolet Corvette2011 Ford Fiesta2008 Infiniti G35X2011 Nissan Leaf2012 Nissan Leaf2009 Toyota Corolla2007 Volvo S802023 Chevrolet Bolt EV2011 Honda Fit2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Suzuki GS500F (Motorcycle)
My younger brother’s list was much larger at 52 cars. He is 30 and started driving at age 18, more than 4 cars per year on average.
Oh, let’s see if I can name them all. I think I’m at 19 motorized with 5 in the current fleet, plus 2 campers. Much less than I thought.
You should have had a bonus question of which was the worst car.
My Alero was just short of being able to lemon law, with like 26 days in the shop in it’s first year and one problem that took 3 times to fix. The alternator failed the day after I bought it new. It continued to be a steaming piece of garbage until the lower intake manifold gasket started leaking at under 40,000 miles. I sold it soon after to a co-worker cheap (with warnings) and he continued to have troubles.
The list. After the Cutlass, they were certainly “an car” for a long while”
1972 Olds Cutlass S (the high school/college ride)
1997 Buick LeSabre
1998 Ford Contour
2000 Olds Alero
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
2005 Saturn Vue (with the 3.5L Honda V6)
String of Family Hauler Cheap “GM Family Discount” Leases – 2004 GMC Envoy XL, 2009 Chevy Traverse, 2012 GMC Acadia, 2015 Buick Enclave, 2018 GMC Acadia, 2021 Buick Enclave
2008 Astra (manual)
2014 Volt
Current Fleet:
2008 Caddy STS (kid #2’s primary)
2021 RAM 1500 (my primary to haul the non-motorized fleet)
2021 BMW 330e (wife’s primary)
2023 GMC Acadia (kid #1’s “cheap” lease – he’s at college in the UP of Michigan, so we wanted him to have something new and AWD, since he’s driving 9 hours each way and usually in horrible weather).
1979 MGB
Non-motorized
1966 “Canned Ham” Vintage Trailer
2007 Airstream Safari
25 if you count the ones that were “mine” in spirit even if my name wasn’t on the title (i.e. cars that Dad technically owned but were driven exclusively by me in high school). That’s not as many as I thought. Oh, well. I’ve got a few years before people start yelling at me for doing 35 in the fast lane and leaving my blinker on all the time. I might have 4 or 5 more cars before that happens. I’m pretty happy with the way my stable looks right now. Happier than I’ve been for a long time, so I think it’ll stay that way for quite some time.
Probably close to 50 cars in 25 years of driving. I couldn’t remember them all.
I won’t bore you with the list, but the current count is 82. Think I’m good for another 10-20 maybe. I’m only 67 yo…
I’m 38 and rounding the 150 mark. So with my 22 years of being behind the wheel I would think I’m not too high up on the totem pole, But at the same time, I don’t know anyone that has kept track past the 100 mark. I have friends easily into the hundreds but they don’t keep track, and sometimes they have a car for a few hours. I keep mine a minimum of a few weeks. I currently am at 8 total if I count my boat.
Current list of cars in my possession:
The most I have had at one time was 14. Anything above that I’m pretty much maxed out on space indoors and I refuse to start parking cars outside permanently.
this is absolutely what I’d do with a lottery win..
in actual boring real life, 2 cars in S. Africa (Hillman Vogue, Mazda 323), 6 in the USA for total 8 in my life.
Buying a Ford Maverick for my first new car (and last new car). I’d like to find a play toy car, older Mustang or Thunderbird, but realistically have nowhere to store it and not enough cash flow to justify it..
Nice of you to chime in, Mr. Leno
OMG….
1973 Chrysler Cordoba
1986 Mercury Cougar
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
1983 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Wagon (the BEST wagon, but only the 305)
1994 Hyundai Excel (I owned it for 12 hours, and it was the “sporty” version…)
1988 Volkswagen Jetta
1984 Dodge Diplomat ($60 from the police auction)
1978 Chevrolet Blazer (K5, natch)
1974 Chevrolet Truck (it was so busted I can’t be sure which version…)
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier (4 door crapmobile version)
1994 Ford Taurus SHO (YAAASSSSSS…it did go 144 MPH…governed…in Forest Green natch…)
2007 Kia Spectra (rowed my own gears as well, and had it for 10 years, but still…a POS brand new…)
2004 Saturn Vue (my first and worst experience with the dreaded CVT…)
2014 Ford Escape (the “good” one with the 2.0 turbo at least)
2011 Kia Forte (glutton for punishment)
2016 Ford Fusion SE (I hate Ford for getting rid of their cars…this one was fantastic, especially for the price! Talk to Clarkson about how much the English, sarcastically or not, loved their Mondeos/Fusions)
2021 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid (Yes, CVTs can be boring, but this thing still had pep.)
2012 Volvo XC60 T6 (needed AWD)
Current: 2017 Ford Explorer Sport (still need AWD and capacity, but MAN do I miss that Toyota MPG!)
I grew up in NY, so I didn’t own a car until I was 19…so that’s in 27 years of driving. Yikes.
Here’s the list:
1974 Mustang II
1979 International Scout II Terra
1979 Ford Fairmont Wagon (with fake wood on the sides)
1987 Ford Ranger
1997 Dodge Dakota
2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T
2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR
2013 Dodge Ram 2500
2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2017 Volkswagen Golf R
Currently:
2021 Ford Bronco Badlands
2018 Porsche Cayman
Your current line up is goals.
ETA: this entire list is badass
So far:
75 Chevy Malibu Classic
90 Cadillac Brougham
75 Triumph TR6
99 Chevy Suburban
91 Nissan 626 (mighta been a 92)
97 Honda Accord
01 Volvo XC70
77 CJ7
06 Accord
12 GTI
19 Civic Si (current daily)
Shared in marriage:
72 MGB
02 Mustang GT
05 Mini Cooper S (current summer fun!)
Not a bad list at 47 years old. Hopefully more to come!
I have had between my fiance and I had 9, I am 31 currently but really thought I would have owned more by now. I still own 4 of those 9 and one of those 9 my dad currently has.
Actually I have owned 11. And in no order at all. Those marked with c I still have (of my dad has)
2000 F350
97 Dakota
89 Firebird-C
90 K5 jimmy
94 Blazer- C (dad)
98? Crv
2013 Fj Cruiser- C
92 D250-C
73 Javelin
2018 Tourx- C
78? Nova (never titled in my name I just pulled the engine from it for my firebird)
BE VERY CAREFUL. Next question could be about wives…
I came here to gauge my level of utter lunacy to find myself at the far end of that spectrum. I’m 46 and closing in on 200 cars (and trucks, vans, etc). I was hoping someone else might be close..? I still own nine of them, currently, so that is a pretty high percentage given the total number. I knew it was high and I spent some down time a year ago working on the list and I feel pretty confident I have them all accounted for. I haven’t done a motorcycle list. Not nearly as long, but considerable in its own right. I guess I will have to freelance my own article for The Autopian recounting my journey to utter car-insanity (200 mark).
Looking forward to reading that. Please write it like instructions that can be followed.
I’m close. I’m at about 150 and I’m 38. I did the same and made a list a few years ago for a similar discussion. The fun thing that me and my friends like to count is cylinders…
“What’s your cylinder count”
Well, I’ve only been driving since 2001, which, yeah, OK, is 20+ years now, but that’s still a lot less car history than a lot of other people on this site.
Still, I’m at 12 cars and 1 motorcycle so far, based on that, I’d figure at least that many more to go? Hell, my current employer mandates that I buy a new one at least every 4 years, so if I stick with this job, there’s going to be that frequency at the very minimum
I’ve seen you posting this before, what basis can they dictate this? and do they compensate you for the cost?
I guess the basis is, companies aren’t legally required to reimburse their employees anything for business travel, though it is good practice to do so, so, if they do, they can dictate the terms under which they will do so. In their case, max 4 years old/min 4 doors/min $37,700 MSRP, otherwise you can opt out and eat the 1500-2000 miles a month out of your own pocket.
It’s 28 cents/mile plus a fixed monthly amount (which is supposed to be theoretically enough to cover the fixed costs monthly of the car – payment and insurance – as long as you dont go wildly over that minimum MSRP or are classified as some especially bad insurance risk), but the whole thing can fluctuate up and down from quarter to quarter, if you aren’t driving enough by their math, they can adjust it downward, if you drive more than they expected, they’ll raise it upward, but either way, any adjustment lags a few months behind the data that triggered it
So you’re driving for work, not just sitting in an office with a parking lot full of corporate mandated new cars then…. If driving is part of the job I guess that’s one way to do it, and ensure’s no one is driving around doing business in a 1972 breadvan or something.
I’ve only had 2 in my 7 years of having a license, and to be perfectly honest, unless I get super lucky or fortunate, I’ll probably crest 7 or 8 throughout my life…… and that’s being generous.
It’s pretty much a money problem.
Been there. Keep working, things can get better.
53 years old. 56 vehicles that I can remember. Going forward I’m trying to focus on quality vs. quantity so I doubt the total count will keep up with my age, but when opportunity presents itself on a good buy, I have poor self control.
In 38 years of motor vehicle ownership I’ve managed this:
Former:
1937 Plymouth P4
1959 Ford Country Sedan
1959 Ford Custom 300
1959 Ford Galaxie
1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner
1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza
1965 Ford Galaxie 500 (two of these)
1965 Ford Thunderbird (two of these, too)
1967 SAAB 96
1968 SAAB 96 V4 Deluxe
1969 SAAB Sonett V4
1969 Volvo 144
1970 SAAB 95
1974 Volkswagen Type 1
1974.5 MGB
1977 Volkswagen Type 1
1980 Honda Civic Wagon
1982 MG Metro 1300
2007 Zap! Xebra
Current:
1967 SAAB 96
1970 International 1200D
1975 Volvo 66 GL
1976 Volvo 66 GL
1978 KV Mini 1
1980 KV Mini 1
1981 American Microcar Tri-Ped
1981 HMV Freeway
1982 Austin Allegro 3
1982 Triumph Acclaim HL
1983 Austin Maestro Vanden Plas
I’m not going to attempt an extrapolation to future results from this. I think that’s for the best.
How many have I owned? Too many.
How many more will I own? Yes.
Since getting a license in 1984 – 23
Make-Model-Model Year-Year Acquired
AMC Rambler American 1968 1984VW Rabbit 1980 1985Subaru GL 1981 1988Honda Rebel CX250 1986 1986VW Scirroco 1980 1988Ford Tempo 1986 1989Audi 4000CS Quattro 1986 1991Dodge Horizon Omni 1987 1996Dodge Caravan 1995 1997GMC Sonoma 1998 1999Jeep Cherokee 2001 2001Ford Focus 2001 2001Nissan Altima 2006 2006Nissan Frontier 2008 2008Ford Explorer 2011 2011Ford Focus ST 2013 2012Ford Focus RS 2017 2017VW GTI SE 2018 2018Mazda CX5 2020 2019Mercedes GLC300 2023 2022VW GTI SE 380 (current) 2024 2023VW Beetle Cabriolet (current) 1978 2024
As for more, meh, not sure. If I do they will be older – like to get my hands on a Mk1 GTI, but not holding my breath. Newer cars are having all the personality bred out of them. (This doesnt count vehicles i bought and paid for that my ex-wife drove around in concurrent with mine lol)
Hmmm…I guess also doesnt count cars bought for kids that I owned… <Phrasing … owned the cars, not the kids>
I’ve never owned more than two at once, and I’ve only owned about 7 (I’m 40). 9 if you count two hand-me-down dirtbikes when I was a kid.
My girlfriend doesn’t think I should even have two vehicles (which is funny, since she cites lack of use when she hasn’t donated or driven her previous car over the year and a half she’s had the new one), so I don’t see a significant number of vehicles in my future. Though I’m definitely entertaining trade offers instead of just selling my pickup, so I might just get into the habit of trading to keep rotating through vehicles for my second car.
I’ve had a 2003 Nissan Altima (2003-2018) and a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek (2018-present) also a work vehicle (2017 Ford Explorer 2020-present). Based on this progression I’ll have 2 or 3 more personal vehicles before I stop driving.