Car Hall of Fame

I have a car problem. I like cars, and it seems I'm always wanting a new one. I tend to get infatuated with a specific car until either my feelings subside, or I purchase the car. In the past, I typically went with that second option (purchasing the car). As a result, I've had a fair number of cars, and most of them are ones that I really loved for one reason or another. The list below is not all of the cars I've owned, only those that were particularly special in one way or another.

This is an homage to those cars. My Car Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, some of these cars were owned in a time before the internet and digital photography existed. As a result, I don't have pictures of every vehicle worthy of the Car Hall of Fame. In those cases, I have found (or built) replicas, and have noted where that is the case.

The current line-up

Apparently I like silver. But seriously, I do - I think it contrasts well with the black accents, and shows a car's lines well while not being too flashy. That said, my next car will not be silver. When I purchased my 2018 Tacoma, I promised myself (and my wife) that I would have it for at least 10 years. I can honestly say I'd love to keep it for as long as it will go!

2023 Toyota GR86

This is sort of the second time I've had this car...

2018 Toyota Tacoma

The current family camper.

Gone, but not forgotten...

I still have dreams about some of these cars. Dreams with these older cars usually goes something like this: In my dream I realize that, through some stroke of luck or fate, I still have one of my old cars. Perhaps it was tucked away in storage for a long time, or suddenly I realize it was sitting in my driveay. Regardless, it's mine again, and then I'm genuinely happy and really excited to drive it! And then of course, I wake up. In reality, I probably would not want to have most of these cars back. They were great at a time and place in life, and at least part of the love is based on nostalgia. But to have them back for a day or two - that would be pretty awesome!

These are listed in chronological order of when they were owned.

My first car: 1984 Toyota Corolla SR5 Liftback

This car felt so much "newer" than it was at the time, though, looking back, it was only 11 years old so it really wasn't that old. Fun to drive, always reliable, except for the muffler which, throughout college, was held on by random bits of wire. No traction control of course, and rear wheel drive, so there was always the surprise fishtail to make your drive more exciting. I parted ways with this car shortly after graduating college, but I'm sure she would have kept going for many years.

A model I built because sadly I can't find pictures of the real thing.

I thought the popup headlights were so awesome.

Rear drive, with a moon roof. It took me through college.

My insane second car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

I was obsessed with the 300Z my last two years of college, so when I was nearly graduated I jumped the gun and bought a car before I even got a job. Really dumb, but no regrets. Everyone who is obsessed with cars has made equally foolish mistakes. If I hadn't bought it then I likely never would have.

Ridiculous car to have at that stage of life...

So nice and SO fast, but SO SO impractical at 23, especially for someone who likes to go camping!

I'd love to have this one back again!

The one I miss the most: 1980 Toyota Pickup

"Lil Yoda". Lots of camping trips were taken in this truck. It came by way of a relative who had purchased it new, and it had ridiculously low mileage (about 43k when it was 20+ years old in 2001!). Not pretty, but super clean. Of all of my cars I've own, this one attracted the most unsolicited offers to buy it. I kept it for a few years, but I wanted something "nice", and I was relatively poor, and keeping two cars didn't seem like the best arrangement at the time. But I'd really love to have it back!

On a camping trip.

The rest of the Hall of Famers

The rest of these are all cars I loved at some point in time, for whatever reason. Some were ones I just really really wanted and went to to great lengths to get, and others were ones I picked up and then grew to love.

1996 Toyota Celica: Not fast, just fun and felt "luxurious" at the time.

2002 Subaru WRX "Bugeye" Wagon. LOVED this car. It could do anything.

1969 Datsun 2000. I towed this back from Bend, OR.

Super fun to drive - less fun keeping it driving.

This car was like a boat - your two happiest days of ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it.

2013 Subaru BRZ, my first brand-new car. Great car, wrong time for it. I've remedied that with the 86.

2013 Subaru BRZ, Alex's first brand-new car too!

2013 Subaru WRX. Fun, fast, practical. Loved it.

1997 Toyota Tacoma 2WD. Super basic, but such a pleasure to drive. Awful picture, but it's not the type of vehicle you think "I'd like to take a picture of that!".