Happy Friday, Autopians! I’m writing this on Thursday evening, and I’ve got to make it quick: my wife and I are going to a concert tonight. We’re going to see a band from the ’80s named after a sci-fi villain from the ’60s (ten points* to you if you know who I mean). This means I don’t have time to pick cars, but since it was a short week, our three previous winners set us up perfectly for a round of track-daily-burn.
But first, we need to know our third winner:
Well, look at that! I guess it really is hip to be square. The Cube takes a comfortable win. But again, I don’t think either one is a terrible choice. And thanks to a couple of commenters for the education on Fiat’s “Multi-Air” intake; that’s a rabbit hole I’ll dive down when I have more time.
Now then: Here are the rules. You must choose one car as your daily driver, your primary mode of transportation. You must choose another to set up for the motorsport activity of your choice, be that track days, dragstrip racing, time-speed-distance rallies, autocross, whatever. And whatever car you don’t select for those two roles must be destroyed by fire. Let’s take a second look at our week’s winners to help you decide:
1984 Chevrolet Caprice Estate
This family cruiser for days of yore was our winner on Monday. It features a weak-sauce 305 cubic inch version of Chevy’s small-block V8, and an overdrive automatic with the shifter on the column, where the car gods intended. Several commenters mentioned swapping the 305 for something healthier the first time around, and I can’t help thinking that this would make a great sleeper at the dragstrip: imagine the shock on some kid’s face when he gets his doors blown off by Clark W Griswold.
Then again, it’s currently a daily driver, and that big bench seat does look mighty comfy. You could do a lot worse for commuting. It’s the oldest and the slowest of the three, and arguably gets the worst mileage (if you could keep your foot out of the Mustang, that is), but probably the quietest and smoothest ride as well. But if none of that appeals to you, velour is probably mighty flammable…
2001 Ford Mustang GT
“Rode hard and put away wet” is probably the kindest description of this thoroughly hammered Mustang GT. It’s got almsot 200,000 miles on it, some questionable modifications, and mismatched body panels that hint at a history of poor driving choices. But it’s a V8 and a manual, and it does run and drive. So there’s that. It’s quick-ish already, and the aftermarket stands ready and able to make it even quicker and handle even better.
You could daily-drive a Mustang; lots of people do. But commuting in this one would mean sitting down in that trashed leather seat every day, grabbing that grubby steering wheel, dealing with that stupid aftermarket pistol-grip shifter. But hey, kudos to you if you want to try. Or torch it. It’s not like it’s got a lot of life left in it anyway.
2010 Nissan Cube
Yesterday’s winner seems like the most sensible choice for a daily driver. Small, maneuverable, easy on gas, and probably pretty cheap to insure. But small and maneuverable when combined with a stickshift could also make it fun on a racetrack or an autocross course. And I imagine you’d be something of a hero if you showed up to a track day with a race-prepped Nissan Cube. There can’t be many around.
But I also know a lot of you are no fans of Nissan, nor do you particularly like the Cube’s oddball styling. So I guess I couldn’t blame you for letting it burn. But before you do, consider how few cars there are in the world with six-speed manuals, and how many fewer are available with one than when this one was built. Can we really afford to lose one?
All right. You have your assignment, and you have your three contenders. No poll today, because it would have like nine entries, and nobody wants to deal with that. Just discuss, trash-talk, debate, and plead your case in the comments. Have a great weekend!
*Points are not redeemable for anything and have a cash value of zero. Offer void where permitted. Cannot be combined with any other offer. No purchase necessary. See complete rules for details.
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Daily the Cube, track the SN-95, and sadly burn the wagon.
I don’t need a wagon. Especially one that’ll use far more gas than the Mustang.
Track the Stang, daily the Cube, send the Caprice straight to hell
Daily the Cube, Track the Mustang and when it blows up burn it with the Caprice.
Track the Caprice. The back of that thing is large enough to house a Pratt & Whitney R-2000 or R-2800 with 2nd and third row removed. Sure, it would push the weight of the car to around 7000lbs once all mods are done, but you would have a power to weight ratio better than a Lamborghini.
Daily the cube.
Burn the Mustang. Then burn it again. Then to be sure, take the ashes and melted metal, and take some thermite to it.
Amen. Hopefully use this sn-95 as a lighter to burn all the other sn-95s while you’re at it.
Oh, and side-note to Hollywood…
If you insist on making nothing but remakes, fucking remake Barbarella already! With Kat Dennings in the lead role.
Huh?
While I agree with the statement (I’d watch the hell out of that film), it took me a hot minute to understand its relevance.
Mark’s concert clue involved an ’80s band named for a scifi character from the ’60s. Duran Duran is just such a band, named for a character from the film Barbarella (and also recorded the song Electric Barbarella).
Kudos: that’s a deep cut there
I’m not sure if I should be pleased or scared that someone understood my ramblings.
To be completely honest, I am largely unfamiliar with the film, but your mention of the title reminded me of the song, and I did some quick Google searching to fill in the blanks in my mind.
Not sure where to find it streaming, but definitely worth it if you are into campy sci-fi. And if I get my remake, they had better put Simon LeBon in the role of Duran Duran!
Track the Cube
Daily the Caprice
Burn the Mustang
Daily the Wagon, Track the Cube with a Manual trans….Actually would be a fun 24Lemons thing. Burn the Mustang before it self immolates anyway.
Duran Duran was the first real concert I ever went to, back when Rio was at the top of the charts and the ‘M’ in MTV actually stood for music.
I have no particular love for over-sized, under powered Chevy wagons, so burn it. The Cube is a rational DD. The MooseTwang is the only row-your-own in the bunch so it gets tracked by default.
The Cube was a manual which means no Nissan CVT – it’s a lot better than you think
I’m old, my memory is equivalent to a 50 y.o. tape drive.
But that will just make the Cube that much more pleasing to daily.
Daily the wagon, but swap in something a little spicier from GM’s extensive small block catalog; track the ratty Mustang; burn the Cube.
Daily the Caprice,
Track the Mustang.
Burn the cube on general principal,
Apparently I need not post, as this is already correct.
Agreed. I’d go for some kind of electric swap into the Caprice, though.
Or, at the least, a more modern fuel-injection setup. It’s either a carb or TBI, so something along the lines of a Holley Sniper or the like would be ideal.
Agreed. This one should have been the example of how the game is played, not actually asking the question of the readers…
You sure that Mustang hasn’t already been burned?
It’s OK. The flood extinguished the flames before it got too bad. Man, that thing is ratty!!
Easy choice for me:
Track the ‘stang
Daily the Cube (although I prefer the Fiat)
Burn that M-F Caprice (because the Peugeot was a much more interesting and worthy car)
If anyone says that “80’s GM wagons are the shit”, they have one too many articles in that sentence.
I mean you say it, so you must have way to many articles.
I’m still salty the Peugeot lost
What are the odds that a Duran Duran cassette might be in the center console of the wagon currently? Just askin’.
Track: Mustang
Daily: Cube
Burn: Caprice Wagon
The obvious answer:
Track: mustang
Daily: Wagon
Burn: the Cube.
Then burn it again.
Daily the Cube, set the Caprice up to compete in demolition derby, and burn the Mustang.
I just think the Cube is too dang ugly to drive
Track: Mustang
Daily: Caprice wagon
Burn: Cube
Track the Qube
Daily the Shaggin Wagon
Turn the Mustang into glue.
Track all three.
Then burn the Mustang.
I could see yanking the Mustang’s motor and throwing it in the back seat space of the Cube. Then the Nissan could fulfill all three functions!
In real life, the Mustang would have to be Torched (sorry, Jason). Caprice daily (even though it’s way too big for my taste/needs) and the Cube could become a fun track piece with a few minor tweaks.
Torching now involves a chainsaw, not fire. Counter intuitive, I know, but them’s the rules.
DURAN DURAN (?)
Also:
Track-Mustang
Daily-Cube
Burn-Caprice (sadly)
The Mustang can burn (I never liked them anyways!) but then that leaves me with a dilemma.
I’m going to say daily the Cube, and then use the Caprice for (driving to) the track (to watch other people race).
The Mustang is the easy choice for the track car. It’s a cheap, beat up, V8 manual car. Flogging the crap out of it is pretty much all it’s good for at this point
The daily vs burn decision is a bit more tough. It pains me to burn the Cube but that Caprice is just too nice to get rid of or track and would be so comfy around town.
Track: Cube ( life is too short to not try new things 🙂 )
Daily: Mustang
Burn: Wagon
I mean, obviously the Cube is the daily. And the mustang is the better choice for the track car. But I couldn’t bare to burn that sweet wagon. So..
Track: Caprice wagon
Daily: Cube
Burn: Mustang