Who's who and what's what...

[PJ_Duker]

I've driven quite a few new cars in the past few years and in the process found myself having a hard time to choose between rides I like and/or would buy. I've worked them down into 3 catagories. Daily Drivers/Family Cars... Play Toys... and Utility/ATVs... Mind you these are just my educated opinions.

As for the daily driver (DD) or family car. This is the kind of ride that gets you and/or your family, safely, to and from work or school. I feel a car like this is just to be comfortable, be safe, be functional, and to look good in the process. One might find also take gas mileage into consideration. For me this kind of car can be found in rides such as the new Chargers or any sedan type luxury car. The Audi A4 also accomplishes this task well. The all wheel drive feature allows for safe driving in most all weather conditions. The interior is stylish and the car is quite comfortable. Chargers and 300Cs do this well also. The Charger is a bit sportier looking but both cars can be obtained in stylish and comfortable interiors. I had to drive from St. Louis to Panama City in an 06 Charger with a V-6. We averaged about 25mpg and rolled in comfort and style. It even got to the point where I fell asleep a few times and almost crashed my rental! The 300C I would say is a more luxurious alternative to the Charger but will set you back a little more in the pocket book. Both cars can be obtained with a 5.7 Liter or an AWD model. Both are fairly fun and exciting, while being comfy and fuctional at the same time.

For a utility vehicle I would think the prime features would be comfort, fuction, and purpose. 4X4s are the main type here. Trucks and SUVs. A Jeep is a nice 4X4 with alot of power. The ability to hit the snow or mud isn't lacking but you might be a bit chilly with those cloth roofs. I live out in a small hick town and when it snows it's difficult to make it out of my driveway. I have an '84 GMC half ton and it will climb over the biggest mounds of snow with little to no tire slippage. Unfortunately it's not the sexiest beast nor is the 350 in it good for anything more than pulling big loads. But newer trucks these days look nice and have the same features as my pick up. Land Rovers are nice but over priced. H2s are over rated and Escalades are no where near a utility vehicle. If you're looking for a 4X4. Go American as the most powerfull and fuctional pick ups come from the red white and blue.

Now's my favorite. The play toys. Let's face it. You didn't buy an '08 Corvette to be able to drive to work and save gas. It's just a play toy! The key features here are style and speed! Some might consider fuel economy but for the most part the only numbers we're concerned about here is HORSE POWER!!! Americans have some great rides at great prices but primarilly Europe owns this market. Italians have Ferrari and Lamborghini. Or if your tastes are more refined you can swim across the pond and visit our old cosouns in jolly England. There you'll find Jaguar, Alfa Romero, and Aston Martin. Germans have complicated cars like BMW and Bugatti. Russia has TVR wich seem to be over powered roadsters. And Japan has a nack for making little four bangers tune out super car power. The only questions here are taste and budget. If money is no object you can hit Italy and find a car that will make your freinds' muscle cars look like Mopeds. And in England you'll find so much refinement that you'll catch yourself saying things like "Cheerio lads!" But unfortunately money is an object and one that's not easy for everyone to come by. So to meet our horse power needs we sail east and hit Japan or return home for a good old fashioned muscle car. America will land you in a Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, or for the slightly wealthier...a Corvette. Japan will put you in something that you'll to squeeze into and that will make everyone laugh at you. Up until you they hear that turbo and watch all four of your tires scream off like a weed eater on Crack. Again...here it's all about personal preference. I'm gonna leave my preferences. How about yours?

Daily Driver... Well at the moment I'd take a nice AWD car. I'm not married nor do I have kids so I'm going with something smaller and sportier. I'd sit happilly behind the wheel of a nice Audi or Volvo. Even a BMW would see it's way into my garage.

Fuctional... In this direction I'd have to see myself into a big pick-up. A new F-150 or Toyota Tundra. I even like the new H3! I got to take one out on an off road dirt track and it just handled brilliantly! Climbed hill after hill and for being so big it turned on a dime! I just wish it was so plasticy and cheap feeling. Especially for the price tag on it!

Sport... Well if money were no object then hands down I'd be seated behind an Aston Martin DB9. The car has a sexy interior, nearly 600hp, and a race track to road variable suspension. One night you can take it to the bar and it'll will drive like a nice and safe family sedan. Then the next morning you can go to the track and tear the tires off in a blistering blur of silver and chrome! As great as all that is...I'd have to say the main focul point of the car though is style! It is hands down the sexiest thing on 4 wheels! But as I said, money is an object...so more than likely I'll be picking up a new Challenger R/T. 5.7 Liters and a 5 speed stick! The way the car was meant to be!

There's my thoughts. If anyone posts a car I've driven I'll post again and give you my hands on experience...