Our Two Cents: Dream Vehicles That Don’t Exist
For this installment of Our Two Cents, we asked the team here at Hagerty Media about their dream vehicle. But we aren’t talking about a vehicle they can buy, rather we asked about one that doesn’t exist on the market.
Many of us wanted a new vehicle with features of older ones, but that wasn’t all we came up with. I bet you’ve never considered some of these ideas until now, so let’s get right to it!
A Throwback Truck?
![1996 Chevrolet Silverado truck C/K GMT400 front](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-3.37.33-PM.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=393&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“Brand new, full-size pickups that just do pickup things well, no excessive luxury items, that costs under $25,000. I appreciate the old days where the trusty pickup was a means to do work, and not a luxury vehicle. In reality, I think what I am asking is for GM to just bring the GMT400 back.” – Greg Ingold
A Legit Fast Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ?
![2022 Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2022/11/Gingerman_BRZ_86_4283-2.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=427&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“A BRZ/FRS with reliable 300hp. I don’t have a ton of time in these cars, but the small amount I do I really liked the feel and experience, I just wanted a little more under my right foot. Sure, I should just buy a C5 Corvette but it would be cool to not have to shop a 25-year-old chassis when a new platform is so close to what I want.” – Kyle Smith
The Best of Japan, Inc?
![1984 Honda Civic Wagovan](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2020/05/1984-Honda-Civic-Wagovan.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=458&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
![2024_mazda_cx90_fender_inline_6_badge_emblem](https://media.hagerty.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-cx90-c74-platform-12.webp)
“I want a new, AWD Honda wagon with clean, timeless styling and a 300-hp inline-six mated to a 6-speed manual. Then add a Mazda-gorgeous instrument panel, and an efficiently packaged cargo hold that will swallow my bike.” – Joe DeMatio
All Or Nothing?
![Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider overhead 3](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/05/New_Ferrari_V12_ext_05_Design_spider_media.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=360&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
![2000 Toyota Camry](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-11.25.30%E2%80%AFAM.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=377&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“A front-engine, rear-drive, stick shift convertible that has a V-12, Italian styling, and a sophisticated European interior, but the reliability and running costs of a ’99 Camry. It’s trackable but not uncomfortable around town. It’s inexpensive enough that normal people can afford one and stays that way. No flipping. Only genuinely cool people buy it.” – Andrew Newton
“When I grow up, I want to live in Andrew’s dreams. They seem like such a cool place.” – Kyle Smith
“Now I want a beige Ferrari 812 with a slush fund, ensuring I have a comprehensive ownership experience that mirrors the reliability of a Camry.” – Sajeev Mehta
The Ultimate In Auto Transport?
![Elysian Aircraft electric EV airplane](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-15-at-9.59.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=154&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“I want a C-130 cargo plane with electric props that can haul my favorite cars wherever in the world I wish to drive them, but won’t give me the equivalent CO2 footprint of France.” – Aaron Robinson
The Most Practical Off-Roader?
![](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2022/06/2022-Toyota-Sienna-Road-Trip-driver-side-rear-three-quarter.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=427&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“Oh man! Tons of great ideas here! Big fan of Joe’s wagon idea. Can’t decide if I want to say something that would actually be possible to create/build or just go full-on dreamland mode. How about both?
Dreamland: full-size 4×4 camper van that seats/sleeps six with plenty of cargo room for skis and bikes. It will handle/perform like the best off-roaders on earth, and on dirt it handles/performs like the best hypercars do when they are on the road. Is that too much to ask for?
More realistically: I would love a full-size SUV with minivan sliding doors. Give me plenty of ground clearance, decent 4×4 performance, excessive towing capabilities, and the greatest doors ever conceived in the history of the automobile, all in one package! Oh, and add a hybrid drivetrain of some sort for amazing MPGs and fuel-source flexibility!” – Ben Woodworth
A Gran Touring Minivan?
![Ford SHO Star Minivan concept](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/05/1995-ford-sho-star-concept-01.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0)
“It’s hard to argue that the most sensible vehicle available isn’t a minivan, because it is. New ones handle adequately and some have decent horsepower—Honda Odysseys have 280—but my issue remains that no manufacturer has ever built a genuinely performance-oriented, fun-to-drive minivan. I’m not talking a sliding-door Hellcat here, and of course, it would be a niche version of whatever minivan it was based on.
But give me seven seats, a taut, lowered suspension; maybe 325 horsepower with a snorty exhaust, a pair of Recaros up front, Brembos at all four wheels, reasonably wide, sticky tires on good-looking wheels, plus an all-wheel-drive option and a Class 3 towing package, which can handle a reasonable number of towable toys. Suddenly you’ve got a bunch of potential customers who have never seriously considered a minivan before»like me.” – Steven Cole Smith
Chop ‘Em Down?
![2023 Yukon Denali front three quarter](https://hagerty-media-prod.imgix.net/2024/01/2023-gmc-yukon-denali-ftq-scaled-e1706023546346-1024x576.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=360&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=640)
“Mine is simple, yet complex: I want trucks/SUVs to sit as high as modern CUVs, and CUVs/cars to sit as high as cars from 20 years ago. Then we can have less frontal area, better visibility, and smaller wheels with taller sidewalls. What I wouldn’t do for vehicles with smoother rides and better outside views!” – Sajeev Mehta
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In general, any car or truck that has an MSRP of 10k would be a good start.
In 1969, a high-school kid could work minimum wage for 1 year and buy a brand new truck, Datsun Roadster, Volkswagen beetle, or many other cars. Cash, no payments, no interest. With money left over to buy fuel, go out, etc. Today, that would take 3-4 years. Sure, we got airbags, cup holders and climate control, but my stock ’69 Datsun 2000 still outruns stock Miatas (pre-2018) and gets better fuel economy doing it.
A track car with the comfort and reliability to be a grocery-getter? I would say any version of the current Corvette C8 fits the bill. I’m always running out for errands in mine. Oops, looks like I forgot something. Gotta go back.
How about a new BMW hardtop convertible that looks as good and drives as well as my 15 year old one?
How bout a rear wheel drive basic muscle car raw power big engine manual transmission lt wt No drivers nanny heated cooled 14 way power seats backup blind spot cruise control , dodge dealers and the ones who ordered demon 170 loaded them up with all the options that where removed to save wt only 50 out of the 3301 had one seat and no options, same with red eye 807 ho super stock opt to remove the back seat for $1 very few did most loaded for the collections, 1320 scat pack few one seat drag cars
Wow, Sajeev, you hit a nice ‘bone’ with this feature – I don’t know I have ever seen 5 pages of comments!! Well done – I enjoyed the article, other Hagerty suggestions and the comments! Nice job.
With any luck I mighta hit some funny bones too. 🙂
While we are talking about wishes – how about a V8 RWD 6 passenger convertible properly equipped for under 50K
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Options
Custom 4-wheel disc brake upgrade 13″ front disc brakes with European Windstar rear disc brake package.
Custom Supercharged 3.8L “Tumble Port” V-6 Featuring an O.E. spec. positive displacement Eaton Supercharger and custom manifold boosting horsepower and torque by 30%.
Kenny Brown Performance Chassis Support System EXtreme Subframe™ System with front and rear cross-chassis load braces.
Carbon-Kevlar Brake Pads High-performance, high-temperature brake pads.
Chrome Wheel Upgrades Available on most wheel packages.
Recaro Sport Seats High-quality sport seats with optional armrest.
On-board Navigation Systems High-tech GPS Navigation.
LCD Video Monitors Drop down LCD Monitors with TV and VCR.
Ralph, back in the 80s, my wife told me she wanted a small house with big rooms, and lots of them!
we live in snow country. a few years ago at SEMA dodge had a sliding rear door minivan on a Jeep chassis with good ground clearance and van versatility
Jeep president killed it as he thought it would take too many Jeep clients away!
all current mini vans have insufficient clearance and too much frontal plastic for snow drifts