eBay Motors recently flew me from LA to Vail, Colorado, where I had my choice of four machines to off-road: A Porsche Taycan Crossturismo on all-terrain tires, a Lexus GX, a Toyota Tacoma, and a Jeep Cherokee XJ. As much as I loved the Lexus GX (as I wrote about earlier), it was the XJ that has my heart, even though it may not actually be objectively better than the Lexus. And that’s simply because the XJ — more than any other vehicle ever built — just makes me feel at home.
The first car I ever owned was a 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ that I bought from the Scott Stadium parking lot in Charlottesville, Virginia for $1,400. It had 220,000 miles on it, rusty rocker panels, and an exhaust leak, and I was pretty nervous because I had just turned 19 and I had absolutely zero experience working on cars.
What followed, though, were years of me simultaneously learning how to wrench on cars and learning about mechanical engineering in college. The combination of hands-on and theoretical engineering work — at the same time — was life-changing, and gave me a profoundly deep understanding of how cars work.
I drove that Jeep from 2010 until I moved to LA in 2022, and right now it’s sitting abandoned in the woods in northern Michigan. Hopefully I’ll rescue it someday.
Anyway, I mention my trusty old XJ because my drive in eBay Motors’ XJ — one the company had purchased from eBay Motors and modified using parts obtained through eBay Motors — had me feeling all nostalgic.
Yes, the eBay Motors XJ is built to a much greater extent than my XJ. I had just 31-inch all-terrains and a three-inch lift; this white Jeep out in Colorado had 35s and probably a 4.5 inch lift. Plus, the eBay Jeep was a 1999, with the facelifted interior and exterior.
And yet, it still felt so familiar.
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The trail took us through gorgeous Rocky Mountain woods, with the dirt having been eroded and worn away by previous trekkers. This allowed the Jeep’s solid axles to show their stuff, just flowing right over the terrain with alacrity:
Even though I’m fairly sure the vehicle hadn’t been re-geared, the 4.0-liter motor’s prodigious low-end torque, combined with the Jeep’s low-range gearing and light curbweight, meant I barely had to touch the gas pedal to get up steep grades and over large boulders.
When I look at that engine bay, when I tap that throttle pedal and feel the instant response, when I turn that steering wheel and feel that vague but buttery power steering, when I tap on those marginal brakes, when I look through the huge greenhouse at my clearly-visible surroundings — it all just makes me feel at home. It’s the Jeep that taught me everything — how to off-road, how to wrench, how to drift in the snow, how to rip donuts, and on and on.
It’s not an objectively great vehicle when it comes to ride quality, noise, fuel economy, and I could go on and on. But it’s got soul, it can off-road like a monster, it’s cheap, parts are available (on eBay Motors, my hosts would probably like me to remind you), it’s small and lightweight, and most importantly: It feels like home. If it were possible for one to have a “best friend” automobile, the XJ would be mine, and as was made clear when driving this white one in Colorado, I don’t think that will ever change.
What vehicle makes you feel the most “at home” when you’re behind the wheel?
I previously owned a 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan and 2004 G35 coupe so I got very used to the interiors and feel of those cars, I’d say that’s as close to home as it gets for me.
These days I feel refreshed getting into my truck to drive somewhere, the RAV4 hybrid I drive daily inst very inspiring.
I can’t say this for sure because I haven’t driven one since I sold mine, but I think I’d slot right into an NA Miata like nothing ever happened. My 986 feels almost perfect, but deferred maintenance from before I bought it means I’m still at arms-length. I’ve dived under the tonneau cover to work on stuff before, but the bag of snakes underneath the intake manifold still somewhat eludes me.
I think once my local indie goes through the vacuum system and I do some work on the shifter, brakes and trim, it’ll feel more “mine”. My 2015 2-series and modified 2002 WRX never felt like home, they had mysterious mods done by other people and some weren’t quite my taste, but my 2001 A4 felt like home when I had it. Something about stock turn-of-the-century cars just feels right. The crap-tastic plastics, smooth body panels, big reflector housings, it’s all familiar. I look forward to getting to know my Boxster, until then it’ll remain an exciting new acquaintance.
I had a ‘91 Civic base hatch (70 hp, 4 speed manual, dealer installed AC and right side view mirror) that got me through college and law school. I still miss the huge greenhouse, 41 mpg highway, the way I could rest my right elbow on top of the passenger seat, and the huge cargo space with the seats down. I put the fattest Touring T/As that would fit on the 13” steelies, and it handled like it was on rails. I’ve had many “nicer” cars, but none better.
00’s Hyundai Elantras.
We had an ’02 GT (the hatch) I learned how to drive on, that my parents owned for 10+ years. Then they had an 09′ Elantra Touring (for a while at the same time as the GT) that they recently sold to my sister, who used to own an ’07 Elantra sedan. I recently replaced a ’12 Elantra Touring that I owned for a few years with my van.
I have way, way to much experience with Hyundai Elantras. But boy do I know a lot about them at this point. Everything about them is instantly familiar to me, probably because I’ve spent something like 400k miles driving them or riding in them.
I’m still a huge fan of the Touring, even if the one I owned was a giant piece of shit. The one my parents had was taken care of properly, and still looks and feels damn decent 15 years later.
Jeep XJs and TJs have basically the same interior as far as the front seat goes, so those feel equally homey to me. I also spent a LOT of time in first generation Dakotas, so that would probably also push some nostalgia buttons, but I think I would find it too old school to feel like home.
Facelift XJs anyways.
I travel full-time in an Express camper van, so it is literally my home.
Hard to argue with that!
97-06 Wrangler. I’ve owned somewhere around 20 of them over the course of my life. I can handle one in about any on or off-road situation you can put me in, I’ve lifted them, returned them to stock, broke them, fixed them, pushed clapped out non-running examples up on to my trailer, and gone into debt for double the book value (a particularly well preserved LJ) I’ve patched frames back together, swapped out sensors in wal mart parking lots to revive them, and generally just know them and their limits like the back of my hand.
I’ve made a lot of memories in them, and learned a lot of lessons in (and under) them.
My ’05 was the first time I ever got in and slotted the key into the spot without looking. I never missed with that key from day one. There’s something perfect there.
First gen Miata. Had one for years, I moved several times with it, and it was just the best car I ever owned. I never should have sold it, but I did. Now I’m paying 3x as much to get another and I can’t wait. They are just such perfect cars to me.
yup, NA felt like home to me also. brilliant ergonomics and driving dynamics.
it was a rusty, leaky 5hitbox by time i got it. drove it thru 5 winters – absolutely terrible in ice and snow, but the risk of failure is an essential element of adventure, and every day was an adventure relying on it a my dd.
I only went through 2 real winters in mine, but I had snow tires mounted on the NA wheels and a set of NBs for the summer with nicer rubber on them, and with snow tires that thing was as planted as my Subaru. Never had an issue.
To put it in 2 words- my car.
I bought my 2002 mustang in May 2006 while I was in high school. Its gotten upgrades over the years, gained a supercharger, changed from auto to a manual, and gained different body parts. But its my car. I get in it, and it feels like it did the day i forgot my wallet in it after the test drive. Ive had years of not driving it, or slightly neglected maintenance, but its there. And I wont sell it. Is it my dream car? No. Is it the car that I always wanted? Also no. But its the car that people ask if i still have, its the car that led to many friendships, and memories. While my childhood homes have sold, the family trucksters moved on, its stayed.
Its my car. And it feels like home.
Not the Jurassic Comanche? I keep seeing you on my Members’ Rides list and need to reach out. We need to hear more about your cars.
Surprisingly not! I blame the french-sourced electronics. Its like a puppy that has excited accidents- i love it, then mad, then back to love. Currently gathering parts to redo the interior of it.
Haha I had one of those once. The puppy, not the Comanche. Luckily she mostly just went on my sister’s friend which I found hilarious.
My friends had a puppy that was a nipper- I learned quickly not to sit on the floor!
Haha yeah. As promised, I just emailed you to talk about a members’ rides feature, I have been told mine end up in spam a lot so please let me know if you don’t get anything.
Got it! Ill send a response later after work. Thanks!
Are you in the Jurassic Park Motor Pool? I have a JP Jeep YJ on there.
Yup! Im one of the Comanches there.
My first true love was a 1987 black on black Chrysler Conquest TSi. To this day any time I see a Starion/Conquest my heart still stops. I had 3 overall at one time or another but haven’t owned one for decades now though I still have models and posters for that car on my wall.
Mk IV V, VI, and VII VW Golf/Sportwagen/Alltrack are just the automotive sweet spot for me. Small enough to be agile, agile enough to be fun, but still big enough to function as an only car.
Add in thick steering wheels, analog gages, and THREE DAMN DIALS for hvac like God intended. Bonus points for the late MK 7 and 7.5s with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
I’ve had several in the family over the years, with two still in the fleet: 2012 JSW TDI and 2017 Alltrack.
Mk 7.5 GTI base model with 6-speed manual and plaid seats is the apex.
I came here to say something very similar about those same generations of VW. I’ve had a 2009 GTI, a 2012 CC, and currently drive a 2014 Sportwagen TDI. My ex has a 2005 Passat wagon that I did a ton of work on, man I loved how that thing drove even if it was a maintenance headache. My VWs always seemed to have just the right options for me. I’m a simple guy, if you give me Bluetooth, cruise control, power windows, and heated seats (all standard equipment on most of those cars) I’m a happy camper.
Also adding air-cooled VWs to the list. I’ve had a 1972 Super Beetle since I was 11, and I’m 31 now. There’s something comforting about that unmistakable air-cooled VW interior smell that makes me feel right at home.
I’m in the same boat. I’ve owned various VW’s over the last 30+ years fo driving, and while I do gripe about them fairly regularly, I can’t really see myself driving anything else. I love my stupid wagon
The freedom of driving coming back to the US since its a company policy to arrange transportation going out of the country. Nothing like picking up my car at the airport, driving to a gas station, get an enormous drink with bunch of ice and snacks and drive home. Its not a car itself, it can be any car but just appreciating what we have (open space, bathrooms everywhere, large drinks, etc). *Freedom intensifies* lol
For me it’s any station wagon from the 1940s. They’re big boxes made of wood, just like my house.
Land Rover LR4. It does everything I ask of it while being comfortable and spacious enough for drives of any length with perfect visibility all around. When the seats are all folded down, it has space for anything and everything I’ve ever thrown at it with room to spare, and it has never let me down mechanically or done so much as give me a CEL. When I sit in it, it just feels “right” and there’s nothing I would change.
I travel a lot for work and am often in rental cars. Coming back to my Mach-E GT after driving a Toyota CorollaCross for a week feels like home.
Once you have an EV for a while, you really do get used to the instant torque and passing power.
In terms of cars I have the fondest memories with, that would be my old bugeye WRX and my NB Miata. I really really miss my Miata.
I am with you on the Miata. Mine was an NA, but I regret selling it every day.
I liked my XJ, but home is the Cruiser. And I mean, I could take it from my driveway right now and live out of it for at least 48 hours comfortably. But Japanese cars always fit my frame well, and the Cruiser just fits me both physically and in other ways.
I find myself nearly at home in the GX and other cars in this family though.
A Miata. Any Miata. I’ve had four and they all felt that way. Fell in love with my first one, and since it became crashed I had been trying to recapture the romance through other cars, but they could never duplicate that magic. Eventually came back around and never left. It was always the answer, I just forgot for a while.
Also this. Bought my first (an NA) when I was 23, my second (another NA) at 30, and recently bought my third (an NC) at 39. Have driven countless others of all generations, and while I accept they’re imperfect, and on certain journeys I wish I was in something a little bigger/comfier/less wobbly, these cars just feel “right” for me.
Second option is the first-gen Honda Insight, which I owned just before my second Miata. I’ve not returned to one of those yet other than for a brief drive, but that was another car that just felt right whenever I was in it. Something about Mazdas and Hondas…
My NA Mazda Miata. It feels like a trusty old pair of shoes. You sit in it, and it’s just right.
I bought a new 2003 WRX wagon which I had for 18 years until the Subaru rot finally took it.
This year, I bought a 2014 WRX wagon, and as soon as I sat in the driver’s seat, it felt like I was home. I turned and told the seller “I missed these seats”. And he nodded, knowing I was right.
Nissan S13 240sx. No cabin I’ve ever sat in feels as “just right”. Its not about the performance or anything else. It just about the feels while I sits.
It would be my 2001 Miata. I’ve had it since 2012 so the familiarity helps. Mostly though it would be just how responsive and nimble it is. The turns, the shifts, the braking. It all feels organic and like an extension of myself. It isn’t as much a car I get in and drive but more something I put on and wear.
Loving all the Miata love here!
Easy answer for me – Toyota 4Runner. Really, any off-road capable SUV feels “right” for some reason, but I especially love 4Runners.
I’ll be curious how many peoples’ answers *won’t* be their first car or a car of their youth, because this question seems exactly like asking “when were the best music and movies made?” and hearing 95% of people answer with the time period when they were 15-25.
I’m guilty of it myself. The answer for me is a ’90s W-body GM.
This was going to be my answer as well. I have owned the following GM-10/W-bodies:
So essentially, I spent 20+ years with a W as my DD.
I’m actually looking at another 2002 Intrigue with about 100K miles for about $2500.
The only thing holding me back is the metallic beige paint.
My first car was a 94 GP, the first car I ever bought with my own money was a 98 GP GTP, and I much later owned an “honorary” W-body in a 3800 powered 2008 Lucerne.
How did you like the Lucerne? There are a couple of low-mileage examples for sale near me, but i was concerned how they handled.
Also, most of them are beige or white, 😛
Well handling was quite low on my list of priorities for that car, as you might expect.
It was a very reliable and comfortable commuter that was very cheap to run, which is exactly what I wanted out of it. I wouldn’t buy a Northstar equipped model, but the 3800 was like getting reacquainted with an old friend.
Oh, and mine actually wasn’t white or beige, but even worse, it was silver.
Nope. Not for me. First car was a 2000 Monte Carlo, followed by a 2002 Grand Prix. Both were great, but not anything I have high amounts of nostalgia for.
I posted my ‘home’ elsewhere. I got my 2015 Fit at 59. I’m now closing in on 70.
My first car was in 1971: a 1963 Valiant convertible. It was fun, but decidedly primitive.
I’ve had my car almost three years, so it would have to be that. I’ve never owned more than one of anything, but at one point my dad, my sister and I all had 93 Z28’s at the same time, so I spent plenty of time wrenching on those. It’s been so long I’m not sure I’d feel “at home” in an F-Body anymore.
Definitely my Triumph GT6.
It’s light, nimble, maneuverable, narrow, hauls ass, easy to work on and repair, and is inexpensive to operate. There’s no nanny devices, no bells and whistles, no electronic aids, and I’m in full control of the machine. And the inside feels like being in an old WWII fighter plane.
They are wonderful machines aren’t they? Terrible, but also wonderful.
Converting mine to electric made it a lot less terrible. As an ICE, I could only drive it about 100 miles at a time between engine work and ICE-related repairs.