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 got my first car in 2010. Since then, I’ve owned 12. I’m only 32, so I’ll probably end up owning dozens more during my life.
I’ve owned more than I can count (I stopped counting at 60 something 20 years ago) but that was because I worked at high line car dealerships and we got lots of interesting stuff traded in…..if they didn’t want to keep it for the used car lot because it needed work or had too many miles, it was available for wholesale cost. So I got an RX7 that needed a clutch ($350 installed), a really nice Jeep that had a couple of spots that needed rust fixed ($300 at the local body shop) an 86 Mustang that needed a heater core (but I lived in Sandy Eggo, who needs heat?) an early 914 for my high school aged brother, a rusty E-Type that I spent 4 years fixing, a few Corvettes, a 911, a first year Mini Cooper S 1071, lots of Audis and who knows what all. It was a fun time in my life, there was always something interesting in the driveway to run around in.
Sheesh, I am in the minority:
I’ve never had more than 3 at a time, only two currently.
1961 Oldsmobile 98
1966 Plymouth Sport Fury
1989 Mazda B2200
2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
2003 Mini Cooper S
1970s Toyota FJ55 (project I abandoned pretty quickly as I already had the Plymouth)
1990 Mazda B2600i 4×4
2015 Nissan Frontier
2007 Honda Accord V6 Hybrid
2012 Honda Accord
2005 Pontiac GTO
The bold are the current lineup. I’ll be honest, I love the GTO, but I can tell my clutching knee is deteriorating so I’m not sure how long that beasty is staying with me. Hopefully years, but not forever. The Accord is slated for replacement in the next 12 months. I’m eyeing the Civic Hybrid hatch right now. The Accord is a good car but as a V6, it’s not terribly good economically with city driving.
Really haven’t owned that many..
1984 Fiero
1986.5 Fiero GT
1988 Fiero Coupe Quad 4 HO swapped
1990ish Mazda 323 (when I learned beater cars are nice to have)
1993 Corsica
1999 Cherokee Classic (first decent vehicle, RIP)
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 (still own)
1995 Neon (back to a beater)
2010 Xterra Offroad (First above $10k vehicle purchase)
2018 Camaro SS 1LE (first new vehicle purchase)
2020 KTM 690 Enduro R (still own)
2022 Colorado ZR2 diesel (current daily driver)
2007 Aprilia Tuono (just picked up 2 weeks ago)
I’d like to get back into a V8 / track car so I’ve been idly looking at C5/6 Vettes, but I’m not sure I want to dedicate the garage space and money right now.
I’m over 70 cars and counting, and a dozen motorcycles. Somewhat chronological, but I’m not 100% sure on that for the first half of the list. Bolded are current fleet.
1974 Mustang II
1974 Fiat X1 9
1974 Jeep CJ5
1977 Jeep CJ5
1978 Mustang II
1979 VW Super Beetle Conv
1985 Honda Prelude
1982 Toyota Celica GTS
1985 Toyota MR2
1980 Triumph TR8
1985 Suzuki Samurai
1985 Honda Civic
1990 Geo Storm
1985 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1990 Ford Bronco II
1998 Nissan Maxima
1993 VW Passat GLX
2001 Mazda Miata SE
1983 Fiat X1/9
1988 Bertone X1/9
1972 Mercedes 240
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2006 Honda Element EXP (Black)
2006 Mini Cooper Convertible S
2008 Mini Cooper Clubman S
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid
1983 BMW 320i
1985 Dodge Ram 50
2006 BMW X3
1974 Dodge D20 truck
1999 VW Passat Wagon 5-speed
2005 Mazda 3 GT
(The great fire)
2006 Subaru Outback Wagon
2000 Mercedes SLK 230
2010 Mercedes GLk 350
1999 Porsche Boxster
1990 Honda CRX Si
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9
1993 Mazda Miata
2006 Mazda Miata
1997 Mazda B2300
2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Conv
2005 Chevy Colorado
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Conv
2005 Saab 9-2x
1999 Ford Ranger 4×4
2000 Ford F150 5speed
2005 Chevy Colorado
2004 Honda Element (blue)
2009 Honda Element (blue)
2008 Honda Ridgeline
2010 Honda Ridgeline
1985 Pininfarina Spider
1983 Alfa Romeo Spider
1999 Toyota Tacoma
2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
2000 Jaguar XJ8
1993 BMW 318ti
2004 Lexus is300
2007 Honda Element (Black)
2005 Ford F150 Styleside
2008 Saab 9-3 Aero
2005 Jeep Wrangler TJ
2012 Honda Accord V6 Coupe
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2006 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner
2011 VW Eos
2013 Honda Ridgeline
2005 Saab 9-2x
2001 Jaguar XJR
(71)
1981 Honda CM250
1983 Yamaha Virago
1985 Honda Nighthawk S
2003 BMW CT650
2003 Ducati ST2
2004 Yamaha Zuma
1985 Honda Hawk GT
2005 BMW R1200GS
1998 BMW K1150RS
1985 Honda Hawk GT
2020 KTM 390 Adventure
2005 Triumph Sprint
(12)
Own in the future? I don’t know, still a couple I ‘d like to experience owning, likely a MGB GT at some point, and a 911. Otherwise, I don’t see a need. I drive so little now with WFH, and living in a small town. The Ridgeline I own now could last me the rest of my life, since it only has 48K on it.
In order of appearance:
1962 Buick Invicta Convertible – Blue
1974 Pinto – Blue
1973 Montego – Blue
1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4dr – Blue
198? Plymouth Horizon – Yellow/Tan
1980 Ford Fiesta – Orange
1974 Datsun 260Z – Brown
1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass 2dr – Wht
1988 Hyundai Excel – Blue
1991 Ford Explorer – Blue
1930 Ford Model A business coupe with rumble seat – Red and black
199? Pontiac Grand Am – Green
199? Pontiac Bonneville – Purple
1987 BMW 528i – Silver
1968 Ford LTD 4dr – Green
1930 Model A business couple – Red/Blk
2006 Mazda 6 Wgn – Black
1989 Ford Taurus SHO – Bronze
2006 Hyundai Azera – Silver
2008 Mazda 3 Wgn – Silver
2010 Mazda 3 Wgn – Silver
2010 Mazda 6 Sedan – Silver
2016 Kia Sorento – Titanium
2016 Tesla Model S P100D – white (current)
2015 Toyota Tundra – White (current)
2006 Corvette convertible – Alpine white, base, 3LT, one of only 647 – now where the hell are my New Balance shoes and khaki cargo shorts? (current)
1929 Ford Model A fordor – two tone blue (current)
Cars I plan on before I die: Citroen SM, 1950 Commandar Starlight coupe, Renault Alpine 110, 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, 1985-1988 BMW 528 manual (my first was an automatic), AMC Javelin, 1969 Jenson Interceptor, 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado
Certain cars I had to let go for external reasons, but with the current cars, that’s no longer the case!
I haven’t owned nearly as many cars as some of the group here, but I like to think I’ve had some fun ones in the 16 years I’ve been driving. I’ve owned the following in order:
1999 Mercury Cougar V6 5-speed – first car – sold
2004 Subaru WRX STi – sold
2004 Subaru WRX Wagon – sold and missed dearly
1968 VW Beetle – restored it with my dad, and love it dearly. Will never ever be sold
1999 Subaru Forester 5-speed – sold and missed
2021 Crosstrek 6-speed – murdered by texting idiot running a stop sign
2010 Forester XT – wife’s daily driver that I love driving and will keep forever
2023 Crosstrek CVT – couldn’t find another new 6-speed to replace the 2021
I just bought #41 last weekend.
I currently own 8, technically 9, but the 9th one is a fix-and-sell project that no longer has its original purpose since my friend moved back to the other side of the country.
I could easily see my lifetime ownership count surpassing 100; even though I do keep cars longer than I used to (I have more money, so I can afford slightly nicer stuff, and can afford to fix more things) I still have problems with losing interest in cars within months on occasion and selling them.
Current fleet is:
1991 Mazda Miata (since 2016)
2005 Saab 9-2x (since 2019)
2004 Chevy Silverado (since 2020)
2007 Toyota Prius (since 2021)
1995 Suzuki Alto Works (since 2023)
2010 BMW 335d (since 2023) it’s for sale, but selling a high-mileage diesel BMW isn’t easy
2005 Saab 9-2x (since 2023) bought from an Autopian, was going to replace the one above, but that one doesn’t need replacing
2015 Fiat 500e (since a week ago)
Fun to read through all vehicles in the comments. Here are mine, in order of purchase:
Dodge WF 1.5 ton Truck 1940
Ford Mustang HT 1966
Saab 90 1986
Seat Toledo 1994
Peugeot 206 GTI 2002
Mercedes A140 2000
Audi A3 1.9TDI 2008
Piaggio Vespa 300cc 1968
Volvo V70 T5 2001
Ford Mustang Convertible 1966
Volkswagen Passat TDI170 GT-Sport 2008
BMW 320d 2009
Mercedes SL350 1973
BMW 523 2006
Mercedes B180 CDI Sport 2008
Triumph Bonneville 2001
BMW i3 94 Ah Rex 2017
Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 2004
Dodge RAM 1500 2004
Mitsubishi Pajero 2005
Mercedes 200 CLK 2005
Citroen 2CV 1964
Peugeot 1007 1.6 2005
Lexus RX400h 2006
Land Rover Discovery II V8 1999
Austin A30 1956
Mini Cooper Countryman 1.6 2011
Jeep Cherokee 1981
Volkswagen ID4 PRO 150KW 2023
BMW i3s 94 Ah 2018
Still have the 2cv, Mustang convertible, Austin and Cherokee as enthusiast cars while driving the ID4 and i3s daily.
I have just bought no 42, a nice unspoiled VW T4 Eurovan, I plan on going camping/roadtripping in.
I also still have number 5, 12, 20, 21 and 39.
I have owned an astonishingly small number of cars and kept many foe a long time. Since 1987 I’ve only had 11 cars and 3 motorcycles, On the plus side I’ve owned two for motorcycles over 30 years and gotten 15 years out of two of my cars.
I do feel an urge to buy some new to me stuff like classic cars, dirt bikes and maybe a camper van
Too many to list and remember in full, I know it’s in excess of 50, currently have 3. Plus two buses, one converted to a mobile home and two proper trucks with refrigerated pantechnicons on the back of each. Also three caravans (trailers) and several box trailers.
Too many to count and type out in a reasonable time. There were a number of years where I’d buy 2-4 cars per year that I would fix, drive for a few months to a year or more and then sell at a profit. Since I’ve made several decades worth of trips around the sun I don’t expect to own to many more before my time is up. So unless I win several million in the lottery maybe 10 more.
In order of appearance…
Currently own:
2004 Subaru Legacy (not quite running)
2001 Ford F250 Diesel
2002 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
1995 BMW 325is
Previously owned:
2002 Subaru Impreza (wrecked after 2 hours)
1995 Ford F150 – gave it to my dad
1996 Ford F150 – parts for 1995
1996 Ford E350 Diesel
1984 Jeep Cherokee
1996 Subaru Legacy Wagon
2011 Subaru Forester XT
I’m sure I’ll own several more in my lifetime. I’ve been getting a car each year for the last 3 years, so I am up for a new one this year.
In order of appearance
1960 190sl
1971 2002 (roundie)
1971 240Z
1985 GTI **
1991 Nissan 4×4 pickup
1991 Impreza*
2000 M Coupe **
2003 Saab 9-3T*
1978 K5 Blazer
1995 Protégé
2006 Navigator Ultimate
2001 Miata **
2020 Model 3 performance*
2018 Morgan 3
2005 Lotus Elise
1991 Miata (supercharged!)
1991 Lotus Elan
2022 Rivian R1S
2005 ES330
2005 Mazda 3
1990 F250
*denotes wife’s car
** denotes dearly departed
It used to be German cars in the stable but I have been experiencing a British invasion of sorts.
While I am getting older my tastes are leaning heavily on “weird” and “light” and British cars seem to best fit that description.
I have been trying to assemble a small collection with a plan to hold on to them until the end, as I fear that the days of the lightweight “tossable” sports car fading quickly.
Forgot the $250 1962 BelAir staton wagon we took kegs to football games in. 3 on the tree and a straight 6 with single barrel carb. Not fast by could haul a large number of college kids the couple of miles to Autzen stadium.
1965 Mustang Coupe, 289, 4 barrel carb, 4 speed
1968 VW Beetle, 1.5 L, Holley 2 barrel carb, 4 speed
1968 Triumph TR 250, 2.5 L engine from a tractor, Twin SU sidedraft carbs, 4 speed
1971 VW Karmann Ghia, 1.6 L, extractor exhaust, 4 speed
1972 Datsun 240Z, Twin Solex sidedraft carbs, ANSA exhaust, 4 speed
1974 Chevy Monte Carlo, lethargic 350, 10 mpg
1975 FIAT X/1-9, 1.3 L, 4 speed
1976 Pontiac Shitbird (Sunbird), Iron Duke 2.5 L, self destructing slushbox and torque converter
1981 VW Rabbit, 1.6 L Diesel, 4 speed, 52 mpg
1986 Honda Accord, 5 speed
1992 Nissan Maxima, 5 speed
1996 Nissan Maxima, 5 speed
1989 Toyota Supra Turbo, 5 speed
1996 VW Passat, 2.8 L VR6, 5 speed slushbox
2001 Jeep Liberty, 3.7 L, 4 speed OD slushbox
2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe, 2.0 L, 5 speed
2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe, 2.0 L, 5 speed
2015 Honda Accord Touring, 3.5 L V6, 6 speed auto slushbox
2018 VW Golf R, 2.0 L, 7 speed DSG, APR Stage 1 tune, 373 HP
2022 Audi S5 Sportback, 8 speed slushbox, IE Stage 1 tune, 446 HP
Take guess at my age.
I’ll be getting rid of the S5 this fall, in favor of one of the following. Give me your input, thanks.
2025 Audi S3
2025 Acura Integra Type S
2025 VW Golf R
NOT a Tesla CyberTruck
I got my t-shirt today! Yay!
Cars… hmm…I have a feeling it’s not as many as most here.
89 Dodge Shadow
84 Ford Escort
94 Cavalier
99 Altima
01 Pathfinder
04 Mazda3 (first brand new car)
08 GTI (worst. car. ever.)
08 TSX
14 Mazda6
10 Miata
16 CX-5
20 Model 3
So 12 in about 25 years. I’ll have more – the only thing limiting me from adding to the current fleet of 3 is space. I’m seriously considering a V8 Mustang right now, and also want a J120 Lexus GX. I’ll have the Miata for as long as it stays on the road. And even then, I’ll probably engine swap it.
I’m actively looking to change the Tesla out for something else this year.
I don’t know how many cars I’ve owned, so I guess we can count them together-
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (* denotes still owned)
1. 1965 Plymouth Fury III (2 door, hardtop, 383 4bbl)*
2. 1991 BMW 318is
3. 1998 Chevy Prizm (5sp)
4. 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (5.2L)
5. 1997 BMW 328is
6. 2001 Jeep Cherokee (4.0, but an auto,sadly)
7. 2008 BMW 535xi
8. 2004 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab ( 5sp, but a 3.7L , sadly)
9. 2002 Ford F250 (V10, 6sp) *
10. 1998 Lincoln Continental *
– Wow! Just barely double digits! Pretty tame compared to this group. I feel like I may be forgetting some….
Honorable mention to significant other’s-
-2004 Toyota Camry
-2006 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition
-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
Yep, remembered at least one more- I had a 1976? Mercury Marquis 2 door, I bought it for $20 and a 30 pack of Busch, drove it for a summer, then used it as a demo derby car.
77 Caprice Classic sedan
73 Cutlass Supreme coupe
88 Cavalier coupe
91 Cavalier RS coupe
95 S-10 4×4
99 Neon sedan
00 Voyager minivan
05 Rainier (V8)
00 Century sedan
13 Elantra sedan
14 Cruze sedan (diesel)
16 Cherokee 4×4
19 Cherokee Trailhawk 4×4
19 Colorado ZR2 V6
19 Challenger R/T
20 Colorado ZR2 Bison Duramax
20 Camaro RS Convertible
20 GTI Mk7.5
22 Atlas Cross Sport VR6
22 GTI Mk8
22 M235i
23 Tiguan SEL R-Line
23 Golf R 20AE
-current-
01 S-10 4×2
24 M240i
The first car I ever drove was a Caprice Classic Wagon. Pretty sure it was the same year. Had the rear-facing seat and a power window for the back in case you needed the least-favorite children to huff monoxide and STFU.
I remember the back of a wagon growing up… but not much else!
Not going to guarantee complete accuracy on model year…
but:
You also asked for responses for how many more cars I’ll own: I’m hoping the Accord will last me the next 10 years, at least. Only been putting about 600 miles per month on it since I’ve owned it. I’m just hoping to hold on to something reliable enough that I can shell out cash for some ridiculous Abarth tribute car before I die.
And there it is: 1999 Geo should be 1990 Geo.
Also missing my 2004 Ford F-150, which I parted ways with 3 years after I bought it because I was tired of replacing the ignition coil every time I drove through snow… which was a lot because I was living in deep rural southeast South Dakota where plowed roads are something only left coast liberal bitch about.
I’ve owned 52 since I got my first car in 2010 (have 4 currently), and could very well triple that number in my lifetime.
In order of purchase:
1970 VW Squareback (totaled when rear-ended)
1971 VW Squareback (given to my sister-in-law, who eventually sold it)
1994 Toyota Corolla (given to my mother-in-law, who drove it into the ground)
1986 BMW 325eS (totaled when rear-ended – sense a theme here?)
1990 BMW 325iS (sold to a PRO3 driver after we had kids)
2002 Mazda 5 (sold within 12 months due to being noisy / rattle-y)
1994 BMW 318i (used as kid hauler for several years)
2003 Volvo V70 (replacement for the Mazda – total lemon)
198? Chevy S10 (lasted about 8 months before we passed it along)
1991 BMW 318iS (sold to fellow CCA member, whose son then totaled it)
2012 VW SportWagen TDI (bought back by VW due to dieselgate)
2015 VW SportWagen TDI (currently being driven by my daughter in Pittsburgh)
2010 BMW 128i coupe (current DD – my hopefully forever car)
2018 Nissan LEAF (wife’s current DD)
2004 BMW 330Ci (son’s current DD)
(Not included: leased 2010/2013/2016 Nissan LEAFs prior to 2018 LEAF, 1975 Honda CB125S, 1984 Kawasaki KZ440LTD, 1976 Honda CL360 basket case in garage in pieces)
I’ve purchased 10 cars over 14 years, but four of those were for my wife. All but three were purchased with cash.
It’s a pretty interesting mix across sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, a wagon, and a couple of sports cars spanning Japanese, German, and US brands. Of those 10 cars, 3 were manuals, 5 were automatic, and two are electric.
I intend to buy plenty more cars over the years, but haven’t briefly had four at one time that got super annoying to cycle around the driveway, 3x at a time is really the limit until I can have a dedicated shop space, and even then, I don’t want more cars than I can regularly drive every week.
Owned:
91 Cherokee
92 wrangler
96 Cherokee
99 Cherokee
Another 99 Cherokee
87 300zx non turbo
91 sentra
91 nx2000
91 240sx
94 sentra
98 sentra
99 sentra se
90 geo storm
93 mx6
97 civic
01 escort zx2
01 sl2
99 Chevy 1500
01 Chevy 2500
05 caravan
12 town and country
12 golf tdi
01 Disco
Still have:
17 toyobaru
18 ram 2500
That’s 25 by my count and I feel like I’m just getting started. That list needs some diversity and I’m not me without some form of vehicular junk. Maybe I’ll go old and Italian next.
You hit the sweet spot of 1990’s Nissan with the NX2000 (sad it was not offered in a stick IIRC) and the 240SX. The Sentra also hit above its weight class and was a really solid little car.