9 Cars We Irrationally Love
What exactly do automotive journalists do when you put them in together in a room? The logical answer is complain about their last hotel room, or the size of the prawns at dinner, or the inability to get a first-class upgrade during their last manufacturer-sponsored event. But no, we don’t do that. (That’s what posting on Instagram and Twitter is for, obviously.)
But seriously, we asked the folks here at Hagerty Media about cars they irrationally love. Like a moth to a flame, they couldn’t resist sharing their thoughts and experiences to prove their irrational adoration for certain hunks of automotive iron. How ungrounded are these choices? You tell us in the comments.
1990-94 Nissan Pulsar GTi-R
Is there anything more irrational than loving a car you’ve only driven in a video game?
The Nissan Pulsar GTi-R in Gran Turismo takes the cake for me. It comes with items you rarely find in a car of this size, like a large (2.0-liter) four banger with turbocharging and all-wheel drive. With aftermarket modifications, this Nissan starts punching far, far harder than its demure size suggests.
When you need to dominate the short races in early stages of Gran Turismo (as you start off with very little money) this homologation special makes you a hero quickly and cheaply. And that makes it a rock star in my eyes. — Sajeev Mehta
Rental-Spec Toyota Camry
I made the joke to a colleague the other day that I may be a bad car journalist because I like boring stuff that won’t strand me and vaporize my wallet. A car that I irrationally love? The Toyota Camry. I’m 30 now, and over the last few years I’ve really come to appreciate predictability.
The Camry is, by my own words, “ruthlessly competent.” Sure, a great driving car with a few ornery habits can be entertaining, but only when you won’t get jammed on a roadside by them. When it comes to hoovering up miles, it’s hard to go wrong with a Camry, and for that reason, it’s earned a ton of respect from me. — Nate Petroelje
Grumman LLV
Never driven one, will likely never own one, never talked to someone who put miles on one, but something about the Grumman LLV has me captivated. It could be that a lot of fun motorcycle parts arrive in the back of one, or that I daydream about how it would be the perfect around-town motorcycle and bicycle hauler.
The LLV is small but designed to fit things inside with a low load height, enough power to run with traffic, and is sized for some hilarious paint scheme opportunities. This is a vehicle designed for one specific purpose and I find that charming, even if my attraction is wholeheartedly irrational. — Kyle Smith
Two Unexpected Race Cars
I irrationally love two oddball race cars. In 2020, a team I used to race with, RBank Racing, took a Honda CRX and a Saab 9-3 to Indy for a pair of eight-hour Champcar Endurance Series races. I’d driven both cars before, but this was the weekend where I came to really appreciate them. On that Saturday, I had the opening stint in the Saab and took it from 37th to second, behind a 944. We ultimately finished fourth overall due to some brake issues late in the race. At the time, the Saab fit the rules of the series quite well—it made great power, was comparatively fuel-efficient, handled just well enough, and was a breeze to drive. Almost no one (besides us) bet on Saabs, but they just flat-out worked at that time in that series.
The CRX was everything the Saab wasn’t, as it was always trying to crash you. If you were on the throttle, it was all understeer, and when you were off-throttle the back end always wanted to come around. I have never been so busy in a race car, and emerged from the CRX exhausted but smiling. I ended up turning a lap within about a second of my time in the Saab. I can’t think of a more different and quirky duo, and I fell in love with them both because of it. — Eddy Eckart
Honda Fit
Gotta be the Honda Fit for me. So basic, so unassuming, so utilitarian. Its most recent generation in the U.S. got away from the lightness and tossability that once made it such a surprising joy to fling around, but I still love it.
In the U.K., where it is known as the Jazz, the Honda Fit is known as an old-lady car. But who’s laughing when you can fit a grandkid and a big pile of grocery bags and still steal a barely-there parking spot? I crave a Fit for the sheer ingenuity and dedication to solving the problem of “affordable city car.” — Eric Weiner
Chrysler Crossfire
I have no good reason to like it, and I’m embarrassed to even admit it, but I have a soft spot for the Chrysler Crossfire. I have no particular loyalty to Chrysler, nor do I particularly like the Mercedes SLK platform underneath, but every time I see a Crossfire I let out a little “ooh.” Mainly, it’s the Art Deco details and the rear end that’s part goofy, part sexy. — Andrew Newton
VW Passat Wagon (B3)
My irrational crush is the Volkswagen Passat wagon—the B3 model offered in the U.S. from 1990 to ’93. The B4 that followed is essentially the same car, but for some reason I’ve always liked the blank, grille-less front end (IS THAT AN EV?!?), and I will never not appreciate the functionality of a boxy wagon with juuuust a touch of Euro flair. You could get them with the VR6, and in Canada they were offered with Syncro all-wheel drive. Practical and fun! — Stefan Lombard
3/4-Ton Diesel Pickups
I do not need a diesel truck with 450hp. I do not enjoy towing. I stopped toting around a Bobcat skid-steer when I got a job at a magazine and stopped working for my dad’s fence business. Still, every time I get behind the wheel of a modern turbodiesel pickup, I get it. The torque is effortless, the fuel economy is kind of not terrible, and modern truck interiors are nice. I’m forced to remind myself of how much more maneuverable and affordable mid-size pickups are and how I don’t need the $10,000 diesel option.
The whole idea of collecting is that you have the predictable car and the collector car… or cars… or if you have a short commute like me your predictable car is a 10 year old beemer and things go down hill from there
I have always wanted a Jensen Interceptor. Not enough to pay what folks are asking for the 1 or 2 that show up on the market, but enough that if one ever tickles the hairs on my venus flytrap, it will be in my collection
I also love my much maligned Allante and still maintain that most of the haters have never driven one
Hi TG, I have a 72 Jensen Interceptor. I bought her 20-some years ago. It’s been a great car with good support from the UK and KnD here in the states.
A friend of mine let me drive his Interceptor back in ’73. 130mph on the freeway passing cars doing half that speed at night. Totally amazing!
My first Allante was a 87. Just way under powered but great for long trips and a large trunk. My current one is a 93 with the Northstar. Has nor given me any trouble and that engine gets up and goes. Like lots of things GM, when they finally got it correct, they quit making it. But then I vintage raced a Bill Thomas Cheetah for 20 years 🙂
I owned an Allante. It was crap. Ran strong to about 60. Then ran out of breath. The bose stereo was garbage when it got older and nothing aftermarket fit. It was neither single or double din. The non power top was an exercise in futility. It was fun for about two weeks. The HT 4100 is a known problem as well. As a collector car I would say dont
Mine has the HT4500. If you talk to the 24 hours of lemons folks, this is one of the engines on their list for being able to sustain high RPMs for extended periods of time.
It took me a few tries to master the mechanical top, but once you get the hang of it I can get it up and down quickly with out a lot of hassle. My buddy had an XLR that was plagued with all kinds of hydraulic and limit switch issues. For older cars, you WANT the mechanical top
I know low power is one of the common complaints with these cars, but I have never had any complaints with mine. Maybe it depends on the year.
The HT4500 and 4900 are indeed surprisingly good in Lemons.I was blown away when I noticed that.
I’m with Andrew Newton. I’m totally irrational about the Crossfire – have been since it came out. There is nothing to be gained by owning one, and I probably never will, but I look longingly at them whenever I see them. Irrational as all get out!
Agreed. Of all the cars listed, the Crossfire is the only one that I always notice and lust for during infrequent sightings on local highways. What a spectacular design !!!
Well DUB6, I think your irrationality is legit. I have been a Citroën geek for many years and have owned 8: 2 Deux Chevaux, a Dyanne Truckette, a DS21, two DS Safaris, a BX and a ’55 Traction Avant! Went looking for a ‘sporty car’ when a good car buddy asked if I had considered a Crossfire (roadster); a blank stare followed! So, as is the case today… tap, tap on the keyboard and up pops a yellow ’05 Roadster for $15K (Canadian). Love at first sight and I’ve not tired of looking at it after 2 years. It’s fast enough to keep me humble on track days and stands out at any show and shine.
Any car that has a section of corrugated steel metal roofing for a hood has got to be cool. Even cooler if you cover it in carbon fiber wrap.
As a youngster I always desired a ’66 Nova 2dr post with L79, four speed etc. Mo Carter raced one in the Shell 4000(?) rally. The car then went to a dude from Vanny’s Sunoco on Hwy6 Mount Hope who street raced it. The same location also had the 65 Malibu Carter raced the year before.
Every time I find one I can’t afford it and should have bought the previous one I couldn’t afford at that time.
I’m now looking for a similar age Rambler American to stick the drive train from a ’98 Z28 in. License plate RAMBLUUR. I’ve got enough cake to do this, but better not wait.
not surprised…at the blank stare
But doesn’t the name imply a poorly operating ignition system. Asking for a friend
Or – more dangerously – being caught between two opposing parties, shooting at each other…
“Looks like 2 dogs humping” Clarkson, Top Gear. But, I’ve always sneakily liked the Crossfire coupes strange LOOK. I wonder what the design brief was?
And as I recall, Jeremy actually liked the Crossfire despite complaining about its poor quality construction ‘built to a cost’ etc. I likewise have irrationally always liked them. I also liked the Allante as well as the last T-Bird, and the Riata. So there’s a pattern. If something cool came out and totally failed, you can be sure that I want one. But most of the vehicles on this list are just plain awful.
I totally disagree with “two dogs humping”. Now, “one dog dumping” I can see…
I agree with the Crossfire. That thing has become more attractive to me as the years go by, more that 10 years ago and certainly more than when new. But then again, my eyesight isn’t like it was 20 years ago.
My buddy has a Crossfire that “needs everything”. Been sitting for years. I’d buy it if they gave up their very slow (5 yrs and counting) restoration. Black all around and very much the eye catcher.
I have had mine since 2008, a lot of fun in all that time. Especially traveling with the Crossfire Forum members across the country. The pictured car is/was exactly what I have. Some mods since first purchasing.
I have a Crossfire. It is SO much fun to drive. I find the shape strangely like a stretched Daytona (no, seriously)with the rear spoiler raised, completing the Kamm tail, and reminds me of a GT6 I had at Uni…..
I own a Crossfire SRT6 Convertible. It only has 19K miles on it. It goes like stink! I dated my beautiful wife in it. 162 mph across the desert one night. I dated my beautiful wife in it. The only thing hotter than the back end of it is hers. Ha !
I have a 2005 SRT-6 Roadster I bought in 2007 as an investment vehicle. I do that: I buy rare special interest cars. Over the years, I have read article after article by people slamming the Crossfire. I’ve never understood that. I agree that the Xfire is a different vehicle but comments like “better wear a fanny pack when driving an SRT-6” or “it looks like a dog taking a dump” have no place in car mags when untrue. Could it be that Chrysler was broke after Daimler dumped them and had no advertising funds for the greedy car mags? BTW: The SRT-6 Roadster is so rare that you won’t find one in Lenno’s garage, Peterson’s, etc. It’s a “rational” car for sure!
These are cars I endure in traffic. No love here for these.
But like they say about mates there is someone for everyone and sometimes you have to settle for a good personality.
I do love my diesel F350 that I really don’t need! Once you get one of the ‘big diesels’ it’s hard to go back to a smaller truck. Actually an old S-10–or a kei truck–would meet my needs 95% of the time. But this is more fun-
You should have both! That’d be the most fun.
Get the Kei as a spare!
Yes. OBS ’97 F250 7.3 here. 172K miles only! Fun Fun Fun…
1999 Accord 2 door coupe.
Early 90s Pontiac Grand Ams and Grand Prix and even some of the other things get some appreciation (Sunfire)
Olds Aleros
A real deal on a survivor of any of these and I would really consider it even if it wasn’t the “best time for us” to add another car to the fleet.
We have a 2003 Honda Accord coupe. 207k trouble free miles. Nothing out there that is a comparable, affordable 2 door car.
Owned a 1991 Pontiac Grand Am, from New, with Quad 4 engine.
Put 51k miles on it in 10 months, never had any problems. One recall for noisy power steering pump. Excellent car.
Kyle – I don’t think you can get a 9-foot+ long chopper in a mail truck…
But I’d love to try!
Actually, I think you could. You might be using the front fender for an armrest, but it could work. I’m a retired mailman and drove many of these thousands of miles. I just heard from a former co-worker that the LLVs won’t be sold as they are phased out. For some stupid reason, they’ll all be junked. What a waste!
Also a retired letter carrier, I drove an LLV for 25 years. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit in the back of those mail trucks!
Remember you are dealing with the U.S. government. Those of us who served in the military can attest to waste.
Take out the mail tray and open the bulkhead door, a chopper would easily fit. Another retired mailman here, I always called it the “Easy-bake Oven”, if you’ve ever driven one in the summer, you will understand.
A few retired LLVs have made it into private hands…
The mail truck would be a great LS swap candidate.
Had the first iteration of the Honda CRX si (red). Didn’t race it, so never experienced the described issues. Fabulous, fun, great looking, great handling car. Traded it in for a new BMW 535 with fewer than 20,000 miles. Wish I still had it to go with my current 535xi and 2005 Porsche Carrera S cabriolet, but that would be greedy.
“new BMW with fewer than 20,000 miles”? Sounds like a used one to me??
I think Jim means the Honda had less than 20K on it when traded for the BMW.
My understanding is that you cannot own a mail truck, however you can own a Gruman Kubvan. If I could send you a picture of mine making the trip from Massachusetts to Oley PA, with a 1933 Indian Chief inside the van & towing a 1940 Indian 4. Body & frame all aluminum, VW 1.9 diesel 5 speed & running gear, no problem, got more questions & looks for the van than I did for two bikes.
A few LLVs are privately owned…
I’ve played with the thought of stuffing the engine, transaxle, suspension, right hand drive from a Japanese or Korean car into an LLC. It would retain the Grumman body and have a drive train better than the crap Chevy S-10 it came with.
I drove a 1991 Passat Wagon on the track for HPDE Days for several years. 2.0 16 valve with TT CHIP and free flow exhaust. Lowered springs and track tires. Embarrassed a fair amount of cars at Watkins Glen in the corners where it would lift its RR tire half a foot off the ground in turn 9.
Yawn
I always loved the Nissan Frontier 4 Door. I had several as company cars for the first few years they were out. They had decent power, great fuel economy and a comfortable ride. I could easily carry two road bikes and all necessary gear for weekend cycling excursions. The newest models appear to be even better.
I have a 2019 F-250 Super Duty crew cab to haul my wife’s horses a few times a year. It is my daily driver and the most awesome vehicle for my frequent road trips. It’s wonderfully comfortable and spacious. It has all the amenities i need; power everything and apple carplay. I dont use the 4×4 capability a lot but its great to have on my trips in AZ, NM and CO. And, if i can stay at 70mph or below i can get 20mpg.
Truly a luxocruiser 🙂
Someone needs to turn a mail truck into a hot rod.
I’ve seen these that have been LS swapped. Great sleeper.
Definitely irrational. Not one of these triggers anything in me. Now if there was an Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo on the list, well, I couldn’t be held responsible for my actions.
Exactly, my same thoughts. Is the writer not American?
I noticed in the opening photo of the Crossfire that the driver is on the right-hand side.
Check the plate, he’s in Britain.
I HATE Turdyota Camrys!!
They are occupied by sheeple who have NO clue about traffic laws, lane control, situational awareness, use of mirrors and turn signals, and common courtesy.
They clog our roadways & highways and cause umpteen accidents.
I agree with you 100%
This can be said of basically any common vehicle, Nissan’s Chevy’s Ford’s, Hyundai’s, Kia’s, Tesla’s, etc. I have had far worse clueless behavior from Tesla’s and BMW’s than Camry drivers. I’m not a Camry owner but I can understand why someone who just wants a reliable car would buy one.
C’mon, Joe, why don’t you tell us how you REALLY feel??
Same could be said of people who drive hyundai/ kia vehicles.
TRUTH lives here
What is a “sheeple”…?
I can agree with your assessment of Camry drivers, most of the time but like my friend Lincoln (owner and driver of a ’58 Corvette, Miata, Triumph Stag etc) loved his 5sp manual Camry. Ran forever, great in snow, fun to drive, almost invisible. He killed it going through a ditch too fast. Keeping the bucket seats for another project. I have a Solara (2 door Camry) that’s getting close to 400k miles and everything still works. I’ll scrap it when necessary (drive it to the junk yard at 90mph), but in the meantime I’ll be cruising and no I don’t drive like the people you’re complaining about.
Who loves these cars? You certainly don’t speak for me or anyone I would talk about cars with. Diesel trucks are cool, but all the cars you mention are not.
Michael, my wife’s family had a saying. “That’s why they make both chocolate and vanilla.”
Gary B., note the proper use of the apostrophe, possessive and conjunction (not plural).
Had a chance to talk with my previous rural route postal person when her Grumman LLV while she was waiting for a tow truck as the LLV had died in our driveway near the end of her delivery day. She had absolutely no good words about it. It broke down on her fairly regularly and was not comfortable to drive.
You wouldn’t want an LLV mail truck after about 5 minutes in one. You cook in the summer, freeze in the winter. They are prone to combustion and who wants to go home charcoaled. They don’t have the power to get out of their own way. Absolutely a terrible vehicle. A former mail carrier here who knows.
Yes Dave, I agree. After 25 years of summer heat & freezing winters in that thing I’m glad I’m retired!