Thoughts on ever-changing vehicle needs and wants

[UtahPete]

Re: muscle cars and trucks. I'm fascinated by them. I understand the appeal. I've driven a few, mostly some owned by Navy buddies. Harnessing that power and potential for speed is intoxicating. But, I've never been able to justify owning something like that; I'm just too pragmatic. I'm also no fun at parties!

The closest I've come to it is getting a stage 2 flash on my Spyder and installing BajaRon's anti-sway bar. I got tired of dealing with the CVMA HOG crowd sticking me at the back of the group and being able to outrun me on the straightaways (100mph+) . I stayed with those groups just long enough to experience th thrill of keeping up with them on the straightaways and passing up the entire group on the twisties. That felt good. I don't ride in mixed groups any more.

 

[Snoking1127]

I recently picked up a 2018 Fusion Energi Titanium Plug-in Hybrid for an everyday ride.
It's basically the same drivetrain as the new Maverick Energi.
It's the most comfortable and easy-driving car I've ever owned.
Every bell and whistle available, Lane keeping, Self parking, Sony audio, near dead silent on the road, and averaging mid 50's MPG.
It's not fast, but keeps up with traffic, and with the solar on my home, charging is virtually free.

My fun cars are the 427SC Cobra, and a 1995 Mazda RX-7 with a 427 stroked LS3 and 6-speed T56 tranny.
The Cobra is around 540hp at 2400 pounds, and the RX-7 is about 620hp and 2600 pounds.
The RX-7 is a legitimate 200mph car, but without traction or stability control, you better know what you're doing.

Also working on another roadrace car. It's a 3/4 scale Pro-Challenge Mustang with around 300hp and under 1900 pounds.

I have a buddy who is a car guy. He has both a 289 and a 427 "real" Ford Cobra, along with many other cars.

 

[troop]

My wife & I ordered a 2026 Dodge Durango RT 392 back on April 20th. It arrived exactly 16 weeks later and we picked it up 3 days after that. I'm 69 and my wife is 65, and we just basically wanted a burly SUV toy. After delivery, I installed both a cold air intake and an AWE cat back exhaust. Practical? Ha! 500hp, premium fuel, and 15 mpg (average) doesn't = practical, but we smile every time we drive it. We do have a Chrysler Pacifica that we drive more often. On the Spyder side, I have lost all interest in long distance travel and am content on all the places I have explored over the past 40 years of touring. I have a core group of fellow retirees who venture out on a weekly lunch ride between Apr-Nov. These rides vary in distance from 125-175 miles, mostly on County/State roads. I enjoy these rides much more than the rigor of the freeways/interstates on long trips. Therefore, over the winter I will be removing some of the bigger $$ accessories on the RT S2S and will be selling it come Spring. My next ride will be either a Ryker Rally or a Sport for those weekly day rides. I'm quite excited for that next chapter!

 

[RayBJ]

Funny, I'm also 80 and just picked up a 'new to me' 2025 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro for the day trips and use the Spyder for the long-hauls and <40 temp runs. I also bought my 1st ever pickup trucklette - 2025 Maverick Hybrid last November. Still able to keep the 2 wheels upright!