My Cars

This is the list of cars that I have owned through the years, and I have been fortunate enough to own a few nice ones along with way.

• 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic (dark blue & real rust - w/305 V8 engine) purchased used in 1989 with about 70,000 miles. I am quite fond of this vehicle perhaps due to this being my first vehicle I ever owned, but for an old car it was actually fairly reliable and was built like a tank. Although, a car of this vintage did require a lot of general maintenance with frequent oil changes and spark plugs that only lasted around 10,000 miles. I also did a variety of repairs myself such as fixing the ventilation system and rebuilding the carburetor (a couple of times). It also had a floaty boat like ride, but it was comfortable.
  Disposition: Driven to the junk yard in 1994 with roughly 140,000 miles on it.
• 1987 Pontiac 6000 (medium brown w/2.8L V6 engine) purchased used in 1991 with over 90,000 miles. Being a front wheel drive car, it was good winter vehicle. Nonetheless, it was in a non-operational state a few times lasting multiple months while waiting for money to repair, but it was just a secondary vehicle for my wife to use when the other vehicle was not available.
  Disposition: Traded in 1997 with roughly 150,000 miles on it.
• 1990 Chevrolet Camaro RS (dark red w/305 V8 engine) purchased used in 1994 with about 40,000 miles. This was my first performance vehicle. Although by today's standards, it really wasn't that great. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this vehicle. In addition, it had good styling, and it was actually fairly reliable.
  Disposition: Traded in 1999 due to someone running a red light and hitting the vehicle.
• 1996 Pontiac Transport (red & gold w/3.4L V6 engine) purchased in 1997 as a demo with 4,200 miles. We really drove this vehicle a lot, and it was fairly comfortable and a flexible hauler with the removable seats. In addition, it was a good winter vehicle. Unfortunately, this vehicle did cost us a small fortune in repairs over the years.
  Disposition: Given to my son in 2006 with roughly 180,000 miles, and he kept it for another 50,000 miles or so.
• 1999 Chevrolet Camaro RS (silver w/5.7L LS1 V8 engine) purchased new in 1999. This was a fun vehicle to drive, but it had so many problems it felt like I was driving a rental from the dealer more often.
  Disposition: Traded in 2000
• 2000 Chevrolet Corvette (black w/5.7L LS1 V8 engine) ordered and received in 2000. This was a fun vehicle to drive, but it really didn't accelerate as quickly or handle as one would expect for a sports car. It also developed squeaks and rattles fairly quickly, and the lights got stuck up just after four years of usage. In addition, on the highway it was nearly impossible to carry on a conversation due to the noise level inside the cabin.
  Disposition: Turned back in 2005 after the lease was up
• 2001 Ford F250 Super Duty (gold Lariat w/6.8L V10 engine, SuperCab, extended bed, 4x4, and heavy duty trailer package) ordered and received in 2000. Other than the transmission required replacement just after the warranty ran out, this has been a fairly solid vehicle. It is fun and comfortable to drive, and it tows heavy loads without issue.
  Disposition: Current vehicle
• 2006 Ford Explorer (gold Lariat w/4.6L V8 engine, 4x4, and heavy duty trailer package) ordered and received in 2006. This vehicle was excellent in the winter and a fairly good tow vehicle. It did have some transmission problems early on which were covered under warranty.
  Disposition: Traded in 2013 with roughly 150,000 miles on it.
• 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (dark red w/7.0L LS7 V8 engine) ordered and picked up at the Corvette museum in 2010. This vehicle was by far the best performance car I have ever owned. It accelerated like a rocket, and it had outstanding handling. Unfortunately, it did develop a few squeaks and rattles shortly after owning it (only a couple hundred miles), and it required major engine repairs costing nearly $8,000. All of the exhaust valves were out of spec after only 6,000 miles on the engine, and I just didn't believe GM had ever fixed their manufacturing problem so I had Katech complete the repair.
  Disposition: Sold in 2015 with just a little over 9,000 miles.
• 2014 Ford Focus ST (red w/Turbo 2.0L I4 engine) ordered and received in 2013. This vehicle has been fairly solid other than one recall to fix a stall problem. For the price, it has an amazing amount of performance (it's quick and handles great). If I have any complaint, it would be the pedal placement isn't ideal for heel & toe shifting. Nonetheless, I have a blast driving this vehicle, and it is fairly practical too.
  Disposition: Current vehicle
• 2014 Honda Civic (dark red w/1.8L I4 engine) purchased in 2014. My wife really wasn't taking to driving a stick, so we bought this vehicle for her to get around. The car is ok, but I really do not like the uncomfortable seats, audio system (cumbersome to use, organized poorly, and unrefined), lack of power, or the handling. Although, this vehicle probably does have the best gas mileage of any vehicle that I have ever owned with nearly 40mpg on the highway.
  Disposition: Current vehicle