Cars. What does the typical audiophile drive?


Just curious. People have asked about watches,
cigars, beer, and even ones income here.

1: What do you drive (daily & weekends)?
2: What might you be driving in the future?
3: What would you drive if $$$ was no object (pick 2 ;-)?

My answers to the above:
1: Toyota truck.
2: Newer Toyota truck.
3: Lamborghini Murcielago & McLaren F1.
houndco
3.1 Bugatti Veyron 3.2 Porsche GT3 RS

Of course, like my Viggen, they'd all have upgraded sound systems!
R
Me: 2007 Audi A6, 4.2L V8, SLine
Wifey: 2007 Land Rover LR3 HSE V8

Future:

Me:Audi S8, BMW M5/6, Jag Xk-R, or of the kids go to privae school - Audo TT, Some future Infinity....
Wifey :She shure loves the LR3

My Pic: 599 Fiorano or perhaps an F2007, just to have around....
I drive a two year old Ford Taurus,but I let the salesman talk me into these two upgrades:
--a rustproofing package for five hundred dollars,and a set of high end spark plug wires for only five thousand dollars.
Now: 1998 Subaru Outback
Future: Newer (but still used) Subaru Outback
Cost no object: Brand new Subaru Outback

Cars bore me. I prefer to ride / race my Colnago road bike whenever possible.
Old 92 Audi 80Q that refuses to die, even after rabbits eat on the wiring.... not a good car for hauling audio gear though...
I have 2 cars: A 2003 BMW M3 for the back roads and a 1984 Nissan Sentra to keep the stupid miles off the M3. As you can imagine, there is a slight difference in performance.
A 2007 Infiniti G35X, a 2003 Denali XL, a 2003 Harley Fat Boy, and a 2006 Harley Road Glide
I currently have 3 cars: A 2000 Range Rover for daily commuting, a custom built Porsche 993 GT2 Evo (700hp) and a vintage BMW 2002 race car. Just sold my 2002 M5.
a couple mustangs: 96GT and a 66 with a 289 4bbl engine. Also have a saturn wagon with a killer factory stereo ;)
Alfa Romeo GTV V6 or my partners VW Caddy van. The VW is great for moving gear around, anything larger than a phono stage takes up too much room in the Alfa...
My gear gives me away...
I touched on this elsewhere, confessing my frozen evolutionary state, with a modest collection of Harman/Kardon TOTL equipment from 1976-1992. My daily driver is a '97 BMW 328iS with sports suspension, manual transmission (how else can it be an Ultimate Driving Machine?), and factory-equipped with an H/K 12-speaker audiophile system with cassette and six-disc changer. It has a cool radio/hi-fi dual selector that optimizes either news radio from the front speakers or a multispeaker system with separate amplification. Like all my old junk, I keep it in 100% functional condition and intend to operate it as long as it is reliable. I enjoy being involved with my driving, and I enjoy spinning vinyl at home-- it's nice having somewhere to play the cassetes and CD-Rs I make as the suspension is a little stiff for a dash-mounted turntable. For pleasure, I ride a modified '95 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100, the earlier carbureted version. It produces its own music, and I would never think of listening to anything else when I am riding. Instant zen.
1. I drive a 1988 Chevrolet Station Wagon.
2. Same car.
3. I'd spend $30,000 to restore it.
aporigine checking in
1) Minimalist Mazda pickup, 4cyl, 5spd, vinyl (analog?) seats, 28mpg hiway. AM/FM radio, no cassette or CD. Playing Classic Rock or NPR.
2) Some USA sport-oot for Soccer Mom duty. Will allow XM to lapse.
3a: Ferrari 575 Maranello. No radio. Engine noise will keep me satisfied. (Or the upcoming Lexus LF-A if it fits folks my size).
3b: BMW M5, the previous V8. Stick. White.
cheers apo
Addendum.
I spent some time goofing off and reading some other responses. I'm a little surprised nobody has rewired their Jag's ignition with Stealth Indra ... (ducking)
Best car I ever owned was my '98 Bim M3, e36 four-door five-speed. (Waited 18 months for them to build it without a snurf. Sunroof rails steal two inches of headroom PRECISELY on the driver's spinal axis. Me tall; me hate. If you don't follow the automotive scene, [the Bim]'s a very unremarkable-looking car. Lets me blend in. I drove it in a very inconspicuous and courteous manner ... and every now and then I found an empty stretch of I280 to let slip the Jagdhunde and hear'm howl. Wheeeee.
Most responsible car i had was a '92 Honda Civic VX. When CA destructively reformulated their gas, adding 15% oxygen content, I lost 15% fuel economy. I captained that thing like a sailboat - or rather a sailplane. Momentum management and easy power use were cardinal features of driving it, much to the dismay of all the (bad word) jackrabbits behind V6es a few minutes late for work. Pfeh.

Now we have kids, and passenger capacity (and a mountain address) have forced us into large sport-utes. With current gas prices. Oy. Now my fun vehicle is a Harley bagger with a "bite me!" exhaust note.
cheers apo
1: 2006 VW Jetta tdi (50+mpg hwy) & 2002 BMW M Coup.
2: 2008 VW Jetta tdi wagon with the Dynaudio system.
http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/vw.php
3: Porsche GT3 & Bugatti Veyron.
Been driving Saabs most of my life, both here and in Europe. Too bad GM is driving the brand into the ground
The daily driver and family vehicle I drive is a 2002 Ford Escape. The fun car I drive on sunny days is a 1994 Eurospec M3.

I was into cars way before I got into audio. In fact, I would say that because of cars I got into audio. That's because I wanted a decent sounding car audio system in my 1978 Camaro Z-28 (1st car). My 1st "quality" car system included a Blaupunkt head unit with an equalizer/amplifier. Good memories!
"1: What do you drive (daily & weekends)?"
daily - Metro Bus
weekends - 1991 BMW 318i with lots of dents - if I can get it away from my teenage daughter...

"2: What might you be driving in the future?"
Flexcar

"3: What would you drive if $$$ was no object (pick 2 ;-)?"
one of these
http://jalopnik.com/cars/alternative-energy/zap-lotus-team-up-on-electric-crossover-suv-232415.php
and one of these
-http://www.worldclassexotics.com/Electriccarconv.htm
or what the heck, one of these
http://www.maxmoto.co.uk/images/Aprilia%20FV2%20MilleDue.jpg
I have updated my cars since this thread began and now drive the following:

Wife's Car and Weekend Family Wagon

2007 Volvo V70 R Wagon
Titanium Gray with special "Atacama" leather
No roof rack!
HEICO racing pedals and shift knob
Pirellis

This car is amazing - turbocharged to 300 HP right out of the box and can be easily tuned to 400 +.

It has AWD with a fly by wire adjustable suspension and a sporty, but stunning leather interior that would be hard to match in a $150,000 + car. With the suspension on the extreme track setting, it really corners and feels more like a Porsche than a wagon. Interesting, but perhaps not a surprise, this limited production car was not successful commercially, as it seems the average Volvo driver is not so concerned about cruising at 150 MPH on the way to the grocery store. So the bean counters at Ford killed it earlier this year and I had to scramble around to find one of the few. If you can find one, these cars are amazing.

Daily Driver and Commuter Car

2007 Ducati 1098
Racing Yellow
Termignoni Exhaust

This is my first Ducati and unless there is snow or ice on the ground, I drive it 80 miles daily in and out of midtown Manhattan through the heat, humidity, rain, cold and/or darkness.

It is a gorgeous bike with a gorgeous exhaust note - I particularly love the racing yellow color after first thinking a Ducati should only come in red.

The bike is bigger and more comfortable than you might expect - I am not quite 6' 2" and an hour each way is no problem.

Time will tell if Ducatis have become more robust and reliable, but at 5500 miles so far, I have had no problems other than low speed stalling which the dealer fixed under warantee.

A couple of notes for bikers: the front brake calipers on this bike are ASTOUNDING. It took me several thousand miles to get comfortable feathering the brakes as they are really really strong and could easily flip the bike. Also, the torque curve is so smooth and progressive that speed really sneaks up on you - even more than usual on a bike. So easy to look down and notice that you are suddenly going 100 MPH, but without all the screaming revs and commotion of Japanese bikes or my previous Triumphs.

I dont worry as much as people might think about SUVs, but I do worry about deer at night. So an upgrade to Xenon lights might be an order with the next service and new tires.

In summary, a great commuter car and highly recommended for performance oriented audiophiles.

Cheers

cwlondon
Daily: Scion TC, a stunning value & Ford Explorer I got dirt cheap until I can get a real SUV (4Runner or LR3, depending on it's quality or lack thereof!)

Future: BMW 1 Series / Lotus Elise (fun) & the TC ... will run that into the ground and sell it to some kid who will do things to it that cost double what the car is worth while not adding value to it?! SUV for hauling & driving in snow (Western NC).

Cost no object: ?, I am not much up on the Italian stuff, kind of gaudy, like a medallion on a hairy chest to me ... if you see what I mean! It would have to be an Aston Martin or some other with classic lines, or maybe a TVR. Could be partial to vintage & classic cars though ... an ex had a father (uk student then) who had a '24 Bentley ... that was fun.
jaguar XKR,refined, sexy, fast,comfortable, impractical, exclusive,personal;just like my so call stereo!I think it is hard to be a conneisour in just one area. if you ahve highly tuned senses , you will just have to be a slave to that! BTW will work for speaker cables!! lol
A Powerdyne supercharged '94 chevy S-10 ZR2 that pumps out ~290hp of good clean head snapping fun. The suspension has been upgraded with polyeurathane bushings and the engine has been outfitted with other engine management goody's.

The trucks appearance has been intentionally left stock to hide the power/performance that's available on tap that can be unleashed on unsuspecting/ignorant motorists, namely the tuner crowd ;-)

Of course the main purpose of the power is for 4x4 agility but who can resist?

Cheers
BMW 335 convertible. Love the drive and yes, the top comes down even when it's cold. Drives like sh.. in the snow, haha.
Had to finally trade in my 2002 Audi S4 (Special "Money Pit" Edition) for an 2008 Acura TL Type-S in Black Pearl. Sure is purdy (except it's completely white now from all the salt from the roads)!

1markr
'round here they use 36" rims to get through the bogs, and byoues ... once that paint job gets handled slappin' a set of them onto your ride might be a automotive fashion statement or even start a trend!

... you'd sure get a better view of the road!
Not sure if typical, but I drive a Mercedes SLK 350 convertible when it's nice out, and a Hummer H2 when it not.

I want a Diablo in the near future.
My favorite car from the past was a mint 1979 Pontiac Trans-Am (pretty rare in Australia).
Currently driving 1998 Nissan Skyline R34 GTT (so quick).
Would love a Veyron in the future (But who wouldn't)
2008 911S. First car I ever ordered without the upgraded sound system, I just didn't see the point. Sound system in this car is mediocore, at best. I don't really care;)
95 Elantra everyday car

Rare 92 Twin Turbo Dodge Stealth with all options

04 Crossfire Gun Metal Gray w extras

Have owned soooo many sports cars almost like audio equip.

happy listening!
Japan

Wilson has auto colors. . .
2006 Lexus GS 300 in Blue Vario with Mr. Mark Levinson providing the entertainment via 330 watts over 14 speakers.
Winter: 4x4 Toyota Pickup.
Summer: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 ragtop or Trumph Bonneville Scrambler
1: Saab 9-5 Aero with Hirsch 280bhp performance package
2: Saab 9-5 Aero with Hirsch 280bhp performance package
3: Saab 9-5 Aero with Hirsch 280bhp performance package
2004 Scion xA and when I need it, 2001 GMC 3500 Duramax Diesel. Weekends I use wife's Camry Hybrid.

If money was no object I would drive a Lingenfelter Corvette... (sigh...)
1987 Porsche 930 (911 Turbo). It's my daily driver, and my "other" hobby. I probably couldn't afford to drive it if I didn't do all my own wrench work on it. Honestly, I think the car has me under some sort of spell; what fool chooses a car with no AC and/or heat, in the modern age (I removed these items a while back to reduce weight and simplify service)? Oh well, I guess I have heat in the summer and AC in the winter? Ironically enough, I NEVER listen to the stereo in it...
Daily driver: 2002 Nissan Maxima

Weekend ride: 86 Corvette

$$$ no object: 2009 ZR1 Corvette
I just traded the Porsche Cayman for a Lexus RX400h. It is much more comfortable on the road for long distances, and I don't have to worry about life without a spare tire.