Although it lacked in all aesthetic departments, from the boxy metallic tissue-box looking exterior, to the luxurious burlap-sack covered seats, don't be fooled! The 65 horsepower 4 cylinder engine was a powerhouse, despite it's sewing-machine hum and accompanying ticks. All the bumps and rumbles in the road could be felt (and heard) during it's last few years, but that little engine refused to give up quietly.

Seriously though, it may not have been the most beautiful car on the road, this little machine was passed down twice within my family and I wouldn't be surprised if the engine were still alive today. I think we went about 60,000 km without a proper oil change one year, including road trips to Florida and constant weekend commutes, and the Pony never complained. I actually miss this car, as it was the least demanding and most trouble-free car I've ever had.

My 1997 Saturn SC1 was my first "project car". I bought it in 1999 and drove it until 2003/2004. When traded it had almost 279,000km and aside from a sticky starter, still drove me to work every day - even in the Canadian winters! For a car with about 100 horsepower, this little 4 cylinder was fairly quick to get going, and was great on fuel - partly because the car was lightweight and had plastic body panels. No major problems to report over it's lifetime, but I did start to burn oil after about 200,000km (partly due to my negligence in servicing). Great commuter car, and the SC series wasn't hard to look at.

The 1990 Probe LX was a nicely-designed addition to the Ford lineup. I remember the seats being very firm and uncomfortable on long road trips, but it had a nice bit of power. The power seatbelt option, which automatically extended and retracted the belt over the top of the window was a major pain, and once broken, rendered the car undrivable (without breaking seatbelt laws). In the early 1990's this car was HOT - if you can still find one in good condition, it might make a great starter or project car.

The 1985 Firebird was my dream car due to my love of the Knight Rider TV show. This was the first car I bought myself, and I spent hours polishing and detailing to keep her spotless. It had been very well maintained and was loads of fun to drive, until it rained. Be wary of leaks in the T-Top seals, around the door windows, and the door seals themselves. The car also has a reputation for bad electrical, which seemed to intensify during moist/wet weather. A great project car, would only recommend as a dry-weather driver!

I loved the look of the Avenger when they came out. Cheaper and less on insurance than the Avenger's cousin the Dodge Stealth, I bought this car in 1999 and it was a blast to drive. After a few years, started having trouble with wheel bearings, brakes needed servicing more often than I'd expect, and the cost of a tune-up on the V6 was high due to a poorly designed intake plenum which required several hours to remove to change spark plugs. Also watch out for the cheap door handles - they broke off in my hand twice, at a cost of $300 to replace (not including installation). Fun to drive, just plan for extra cost in the long run.

The 2009 Honda Civic, the 3rd car I've ever owned, has been nothing short of surprising. After 187,000km in 3 years this car owes me NOTHING and is still going strong. Fuel mileage is better than advertised, and mechanically has surpassed all of my expectations. Back seat room is comfortable for 2 adults and headroom all-around is great, even at 6'3" tall. I'm very satisfied with the Civic, and when it comes time to replace it I will be considering another Honda without hesitation.