10 Cars To Last You The Rest Of Your Life

[Populuxe]

This is a little thought experiment I came up with recently. What if you only got 10 cars to last you the rest of your life? Any ten cars you want, but you don't get any other cars ever. How would you chose your ten? If you're a Mustang guy, you could easily just choose your ten favorite Mustangs and be done with it. Or maybe the R34 Nissan GT-R is the only car you've ever cared about. You could get ten of them. Maybe you want some variety so you get one car from ten different companies. Or ten different countries. Maybe you're into the history of cars so you get one car from each of the last ten decades. Or you're more practical and you get ten different types of cars so you have something for every situation. Maybe you get one sensible reliable Japanese sedan and nine of your favorite hyper cars? Or you just pick the ten cars you most love in the world. Yes, concept and custom cars are allowed, but only if they still exist in running condition. Sorry, Mazda Furai fans. Take your beef up with Top Gear. But remember, no other cars ever. That means if you're 20 now, by the time you're 90, your newest car will be 70 years old. What would be your ten cars? Here are mine:

Warning: This list has been updated. See the new list here.


1966 International Scout 800. Gotta have an off-roader.


1959 Lancia Appia GTE Zagato. Classic Italian beauty with a 1100cc narrow-angle V4.


1957 VW Ghia-Aigle. Only one made, but it's a beauty and fulfills my need for one air-cooled VW.


1938 Peugeot 402 Darl-Mat Coupe by Pourtout. France in the late-'30s produced some of the most gorgeous art deco cars ever. This is my favorite.


1956 Moretti Gran Sport. I've already got the Lancia, what do I need the even smaller 750cc Moretti for? Look at it. It's gorgeous.



1926 Kissel 8-75 Speedster aka Gold Bug. I've always loved American roadsters of the Roaring '20s, and Kissel has long been my favorite among them.


1972 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger. I have to have a muscle car, and the Valiant Charger with the inline Hemi-6 from Down Under remains one of my dream cars.


2015 Morgan 4/4. Yes, this is my modern car. I prefer the basic 4/4 simply because it comes with the skinniest tires. You may not believe it, but skinnier tires make for more enjoyable driving.


1969 Isuzu Bellett GT-R. I've been in love with the Bellett GT-R since it appeared in GT4.


1954 Ford Comete. Such a lovely, elegant car.

So in the end, I went with ten cars I really like with no rhyme or reason.

 

[CyborgGT]

There have been so many 'top ten'-esque car list threads over the years... but one never tires of making lists! People's taste changes as their enthusiasm for the automobile broadens anyway. My cars would all be customized, that's just the kind of person I am. No order...

1) '91-'93 Accord EX wagon. This is my real-world project car right now and I'm actually building it with the intention of never getting rid of it. I figure being a Honda its performance potential is boundless as far as the FWD layout is concerned thanks to the aftermarket, and being a wagon it's practical enough that it can serve any function I might need. Example photo isn't mine; mine wouldn't be quite so low (or stickered), but it still looks good!:

2) NSX, my main dream car. It would definitely be a fixed roof model, but I'm always going back and forth between which headlight style I like more. Possible J-series swap to keep future maintenance cheap, and supercharged. Definitely in black.

3) Mustang of some sort. I'm always jumping around between which body style I like most, but whatever I got it would be built to handle.

4) I'd have to have some sort of small car in there, because the original Italian Job was awesome. NA Miata (with hard top) is a strong contender, because RWD is just fun to chuck around.

5) There's got to be a supercar in here somewhere. The Ford GT is my favorite.

6) GC Impreza coupe; I need some sort of AWD car. It would be interesting to see what could be done with these engines naturally aspirated. Maybe swap in the flat six from an SVX, even. 22B wide body for certain.

7) Hummer H3T. I live in Colorado, where off-roading trails are easily accessible, and I just like the way these things look. 4-doors, too, so if I kept the lift and other mods mild, it could even serve as a decent family hauler.

8) FD. Gotta have a rotary, and this is easily one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Unsure how mild or extreme I'd go with modification...

9) The Porsche. 718 Cayman GT4.

10) [2021 edit:] And... something bonkers, I guess. Ariel Atom 4

 

[Sertsa]

So 10 cars I would buy now that could survive and get through about anything?

Then I'd start with a diesel Mercedes from the late 70s to early 80s, such as the 300D. Could even covert it to run on vegetable oil.

Now that the practical will always run car is out of the way, it's time for some fun. So a classic, air cooled, non-turbo Porsche 911. Maybe an SC if they still can be found for non-stratospheric prices.

And going back to something that can last for ages and get through anything, a good ol' Land Cruiser.

Come to think of it I might be able to go with just those three. Well, maybe not. I'd need a roadster. I'd pick a Miata if I weren't 6'2," so I'll go with an S2000.

An Accord Coupe, Circa 2000. I put nearly a quarter million miles on one.

I'm tempted to add a Ford Crown Vic, a Mustang, and a BMW E30, but I'll stop with those five. For 10 maybe just get two of each.

 

[CyborgGT]

^ My '92 Accord had 260k miles on it before I swapped the engine, and the car was otherwise still in excellent shape. And really, the swap was more a "why diagnose when I can swap in more power?" Not sure my RSX would hold up quite as well (has an overall fragile feeling, relatively speaking), Honda's interior quality seemed to take a bit of a dive in that early '00s era. Still... their engineering is why I'm so into Hondas.

 

[Sertsa]

^ My '92 Accord had 260k miles on it before I swapped the engine, and the car was otherwise still in excellent shape. And really, the swap was more a "why diagnose when I can swap in more power?" Not sure my RSX would hold up quite as well (has an overall fragile feeling, relatively speaking), Honda's interior quality seemed to take a bit of a dive in that early '00s era. Still... their engineering is why I'm so into Hondas.

Mine lasted a very long time and got me through some pretty rough roads, literally and figuratively. When I decided to shop for a new car in 2012 I was surprised to find how different Honda/Acura had become, and that I couldn't find any I liked. (I tried to find a new Accord Coupe with a manual to test drive, but no dealers had one). So I tried some other cars and bought a Mazda.

 

[TexRex]

1959 Lancia Appia GTE Zagato. Classic Italian beauty with a 1100cc narrow-angle V4.


1957 VW Ghia-Aigle. Only one made, but it's a beauty and fulfills my need for one air-cooled VW.


1938 Peugeot 402 Darl-Mat Coupe by Pourtout. France in the late-'30s produced some of the most gorgeous art deco cars ever. This is my favorite.


1956 Moretti Gran Sport. I've already got the Lancia, what do I need the even smaller 750cc Moretti for? Look at it. It's gorgeous.



1926 Kissel 8-75 Speedster aka Gold Bug. I've always loved American roadsters of the Roaring '20s, and Kissel has long been my favorite among them.


1972 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger. I have to have a muscle car, and the Valiant Charger with the inline Hemi-6 from Down Under remains one of my dream cars.


2015 Morgan 4/4. Yes, this is my modern car. I prefer the basic 4/4 simply because it comes with the skinniest tires. You may not believe it, but skinnier tires make for more enjoyable driving.


1969 Isuzu Bellett GT-R. I've been in love with the Bellett GT-R since it appeared in GT4.


1954 Ford Comete. Such a lovely, elegant car.

*shudder*

 

[Akwaaba]

Top 10 Cars, to last the rest of my life!
Interesting idea!

1. The daily run around: Alfa Romeo 166 V6
2. Yellow Audi R8 for my Wife
3. Going out: Maserati Quattroporte
4. Going out, but need a bit more boot space: Audi RS6 Avant (or an AMG Mercedes Estate?)
5. Going camping: Land Rover Discovery 7 seater
6. Blasting down not so tight roads: TVR Tuscan
7. The childhood dream car (#2, the original dream car was a 512BB) Ferrari 288 GTO
8. Cloudy day classic: Ferrari 250 GTO
9. Sunny day classic: Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder
10. Aston Martin V12 Vantage

 

[Famine]

What if you only got 10 cars to last you the rest of your life? Any ten cars you want, but you don't get any other cars ever. How would you chose your ten?

TVR Cerbera Speed 12.

Then the rest of my life is short enough that I don't have to bother picking nine others.

 

[JR98]

My 10:

1. Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nur 2002

2. BMW M5 2006

3. Range Rover Sport Supercharged 2008

4. Shelby GT500 KR 2008

5. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2004

6. Ferrari 458 Italia 2009

7. Porsche 911 Turbo S 2007

8. SRT Viper GTS 2013

9. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG 2014

10. Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG 2010

 

[xZAMGMarmite]

10 cars to last me for the rest of my life.

1. Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI (W210)

2. TVR Sagaris

3. Brabus 850 S

4. Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4'2'

5. Mercedes-Benz G350 BlueTEC

6. Aston Martin V8 Vantage (with decat exhaust)

7. Shelby Cobra 427

8. Nissan Skyline 2000 Turbo GT-E (C210)

9. Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe

10. Pagani Zonda F

 

[Tyger]

Interesting thread, will have a think about this but in the meanwhile props to @Populuxe Cowboy for his choices in the OP, some awesome cars there, at least half of which I'd never even heard of

 

[R5]

1938 Peugeot 402 Darl-Mat Coupe by Pourtout. France in the late-'30s produced some of the most gorgeous art deco cars ever. This is my favorite.

All of my yes for this one 👍

 

[AudiMan2011]

My 10 for the rest of my life:

1. Audi R8 V10 Plus: The weekend supercar.

2. Tesla Model S P85D: Electric daily

3. BMW M550d xDrive Touring: Road trip car

4. Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6: Go-literally-anywhere off-roader

5. Abarth 595 Competizione: City runabout + hot hatch

6. Toyota GT86 TRD: Track day, bro

7. Audi Q7 V12 TDI: Towing car

8. 1963 Mini Cooper: The project car

9. Audi Quattro: The rally legend

10. Toyota Supra TRD: The hoon-mobile

 

[synchromesh]

1. Lister Costin. Believe me, it was very hard to choose one Lister. This stands out a bit because of how unique it is. I have connections with classic car racing and this would be my car for it.

2. DeLorean DMC-12. This is my actual car and it's definitely on this list.

3. Mini John Cooper Works. As a Mini fan and owner, it would be a great daily driver.

4. Mini Countryman S ALL4. My winter car and a 5 passenger vehicle if I need it.

5. (Gonna tag @Legro ) Mini Era Turbo. An awesome little car turbocharged from the factory.

6. Chevrolet Express 3500. Perfect for bringing my ATV from place to place and for hauling my Lister from place to place.

7. Jeep Comanche. If I need an off roader why not get one that also functions as a pickup truck?

8. You know what this is. The second I got in one I loved it, and it's going to be on my list as my super car.

9. Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. A sweet car to drive and it will give me something to do when it breaks down.

10. Triumph Spitfire 1500. My Dad used to have one and it was great. The reason I posted this particular one is because I want to restore one. Maybe one even more beat up than this. My restoration car.

EDIT: all cars on this list apart from the Express van would have a manual transmission.

 

[Alutec]

10 Skylines c:

 

[Slash]

1. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

2. 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

3. 1985 Ford F250 4x4

4. 1979 Ford F250 4x4

5. 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder

6. 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

7. 1975 Ford Ranchero

8. 1972 Ford Gran Torino

9. 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet

10. 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440

 

[synchromesh]

1. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

2. 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

3. 1985 Ford F250 4x4

View attachment 402572

4. 1979 Ford F250 4x4

5. 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder

6. 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

7. 1975 Ford Ranchero

8. 1972 Ford Gran Torino

9. 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet

10. 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440

I was expecting an Econoline somewhere.

 

[R5]

I was expecting an Econoline somewhere.

Yeah, a nice little Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost

 

[synchromesh]

Yeah, a nice little Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost

Wait, what? Sorry I'm confused. I was talking about this:

 

[Heldenzeit]

1. 97 Miata (my racecar) Montego Blue on tan
2. 1990 Lexus LS400 (everyday driver) Burgundy on burgundy
3. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (racecar towing) Green on tan
4. Mazda RX7 FD3S (affordable dream car) Montego Green on tan
5. Mercedes CLK-GTR Supersport (Ultimate dream car) Red on black
6. Ferrari 288 GTO. White on red
7. Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion. Yellow on grey.
8. 67 Corvette coupe 427. Black on red, red stinger stripe.
9. 95 Toyota Century. (black on black)
10. Ferrari 550 Barchetta. Rosso Corsa on tan.

 

[R5]

Wait, what? Sorry I'm confused. I was talking about this:
View attachment 402587

Ah right

Thought you were making a joke about fuel consumption or something. Ignore me.

 

[synchromesh]

Ah right

Thought you were making a joke about fuel consumption or something. Ignore me.

Because that's Slash's number 1 priority

 

[R5]

Because that's Slash's number 1 priority

That was the "joke" I guess

 

[Slash]

I was expecting an Econoline somewhere.

Why? I don't need a van

 

[Populuxe]

10 Skylines c:

But which Skyline? 10 of the same? Or one of each? KPGC-10, KPGC-110, GC210, R30, R31, R32, R33, R34, R35?

 

[mustang fanatic]

1969 Mustang Boss 429

427 SOHC powered 1969 Mustang

1967 Shelby GT500

1978-79 Ford truck

1970 Challenger R/T

1964 Ford Galaxie

1970 Ford Torino Cobra

1969 Dodge Charger R/T

1970 AMC Rebel Machine

1970 AMC Javelin

 

[synchromesh]

1969 Mustang Boss 429
View attachment 402767

427 SOHC powered 1969 Mustang
View attachment 402768

1967 Shelby GT500
View attachment 402769

1978-79 Ford truck
View attachment 402770

1970 Challenger R/T
View attachment 402772

1964 Ford Galaxie
View attachment 402773

1970 Ford Torino Cobra
View attachment 402774

1969 Dodge Charger R/T
View attachment 402775

1970 AMC Rebel Machine
View attachment 402776

1970 AMC Javelin
View attachment 402777

Hey it's good to see you again man! Welcome back

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

For me I'd be happy with 10 Fords and also 10 Non-Fords.

Fords;

1. My old Capri 2.0S = it was my first car.
2. '03 SVT Cobra = dream car.
3. '70 Boss 302 Mustang = classic cruiser.
4. Falcon Boss 335 = family car.
5. '06 GT = toy.
6. '04 SVT Lightning = use for carrying things.
7. '14 Hennessey Raptor = for the event of an apocalypse.
8. '85 Capri 2.8i = daily classic.
9. '15 Shelby GT350 = daily.
10. '69 Shelby GT500 = sunshine classic.


Non-Fords;

1. DeLorean = always wanted one.
2. Charger Hellcat = family car.
3. Ferrari 250 California = classic cruiser.
4. Lamborghini Diablo = toy.
5. Aston Martin Vanquish S = long distance driver.
6. Jaguar F-Type R = Daily.
7. Mercedes SLS = second toy.
8. Lamborghini Miura = sunshine classic.
9. C2 Corvette Stingray = classic.
10. Dodge Challenger RT = daily classic.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

RenaultSport Clio 182 Cup

Toyota Mark X G's

Holden Special Vehicles Maloo GTS

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe

Nissan GU Patrol

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce

Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG for the missus

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 TME

Datsun Fairlady Z like so:

179 by Ryan Lockwood, on Flickr

And a Daihatsu Charade GTti for the lulz.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Ah, now I guess I'll pick my 10 cars for the rest of my life.

1. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2. Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)

3. 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

4. 2016 Ford Focus Mk.3 RS

5. Audi RS2 Avant.

6. Ford Escort RS Cosworth

7. 2016 Ford Shelby GT350

8. Mclaren F1

9. Porsche 911 Turbo (993)

10. Toyota Supra (JZA80)