An Adventure in owning Automobiles!
What follows is a history of the last 20 years of my life and the vehicles that I have owned (that I can actually remember).
I am surprised at how ridiculous this all really was while compiling all of these pictures.
What can I say, I love cars!
 
 

1977 Olds Toronado
It was originally my Grandmother's car and was donated to us.
My dad thought it was the coolest thing in the world.  It was an enormous car that provided the driver with that "Tank-Like" experience.
This car had an enormous V-8 and sucked up gas like it was candy.
I hated driving this car.  My brother eventually totaled it by taking on a Porsche 944.
 

 
1983? Dodge Aries K-car
This is the only photo I could find of a our Dodge Aries K-Car.  The most un-impressive example of American engineering ever put on the face of this planet.
My other brother totaled it while driving by his girlfriends while looking into her window.
 
 

 
1977 Fiat X1/9
This is the first Vehicle I ever purchased with my "own money."
An underrated car that was a lot of fun!!
To my left is my younger brother with his '77 Chevy
Please...no comments on the clothing....

 

1978 Honda CX-500
The Fiat eventually died and I ended up buying a this Motorcycle to get by.  Mine was actually blue and had a larger furring.
 

1987 Jeep CJ-7
The motorcycle soon died (snapped a lifting rod) so I bought my first Jeep. Talk about a fun vehicle!!!!
 

 
1984 Pontiac Fiero SE (5spd, 2.5L, loaded)
After selling the Jeep, I bought my first Fiero!
This was taken in 1991
It eventually died from a piston problem.
 

 
1988 Fiero Formula (5spd, 2.8 V6, loaded)
A beautiful and fun car in it's own right.
Unfortunately, I totaled it on Christmas morning 1993 on the way to my dad's.  (Slid on ice into a wall on the interstate.)  Perhaps the worst day of my life.
It is now several years later and I have not recovered emotionally from the accident.
 
 

 
1986 Fiero GT (V6, 4-spd).
After that, I bought my third Fiero.  Not the most impressive Fiero I've ever owned (especially after the Formula)  But I still enjoyed the car.  

1988 Suzuki Samurai
I sold the Black Fiero because it was having problems and bought this piece of crap.
It would barely go 65mph on the interstate.  It was noisy, small, and accelerated like a sloth.  I kept it for about six months and was glad to see it go.
This is a picture of one identical to mine, except that I did not have the large tires.  
 

 
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX (5spd, turbo, very fast!)
After the Suzuki, I bought this Eclipse.  I needed something with more cargo room anyway.
Probably one of the most dependable cars I've ever owned.
I sold it right before it hit 100,000 miles (put 75,000 miles on it) and never had a problem with it.
 

 
1995 Isuzu Rodeo (V6, Auto, 4x4)
I sold the Eclipse and bought my first Rodeo.  First automatic auto I have ever owned.
I totaled it while driving to work one evening. OUCH!

1999 Isuzu Rodeo (same as above)
I ended up leasing this baby.  First time I have ever leased a vehicle (and the last).

2000 Suzuki Katana
I decided to buy another motorcycle.  Probably the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
I might also add, that after the Samurai, this was a much nicer piece of machinery from Suzuki.  
 

'95 GSX (AWD, 5SPD Turbo)
I decided to buy a another sports car, so I opted for The 2nd Mitsubishi Eclipse I have owned.  Awesome car just like the first.
 

 
2001 Yamaha R6.
I quickly grew out of the Katana and sold it to buy this wonderful bike.
One of the nicest bikes I have ever owned.  My son is perched on top of it.
I sold it due to financial reasons at the time.
If I ever buy another bike, I will most likely buy another one of these.

We moved to VA.  This is one of the pics.
The Yamaha is tucked on the trailer behind the Rodeo.
 

 



1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 (AWD, 6SPD, Twin Turbo, Active Aero)
After moving to VA, I sold the Eclipse for a faster car.  Searched the country for this one.  Had to have it shipped to me on a flatbed truck from New Hampshire.
Perhaps the funnest (and most expensive) car I have ever owned.
This thing was so fast it would make you face contort when you floored it.
I almost cried when I let this one go.  But the kids could not fit... 
 

2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (V8, 5-spd).
I had to sell the toys (Motorcycle and 3000GT) because having kids makes one adjust his priorities (at least for a while..).
I bought a brand-new Dodge Dakota Quad Cab instead.
A fully-loaded 4x4 that serves me well shooting pictures in the field (my job).
 

2002 Kia Sedona Minivan
We bought this treasure thinking it was the "grown-up thing to do."  All it did was send me into a fit about getting older,
We had it for about a month and took it back to buy the Durango (next)...

  1999 Dodge Durango
What can I say, we're a Dodge family.
This is officially my wife, Bridget's truck and she uses it to do whatever she has to do. 
Talk about crappy gas-mileage.
 

 2006 Nissan Titan - 4x4, fully loaded
After I sold the Dodge Dakota, I bought this wonderful truck. I sold it because it would not fit comfortably in the garage.
I am kicking myself, to this day, for selling this wonderful automobile.  It was everything a guy could want in a truck and more.



2004 Toyota Sienna Minivan LE
I got rid of the Durango and I bought this for my wife.
  Don't knock it, this is the perfect vehicle for a family.
Everything one could want - DVD, Leather, automatic rear and side doors, and everything else.
Plus, it will probably out-live anything on the road - even with the abuse my kids give it.



2004 Nissan Xterra, SE/SC, Supercharged, 4x4, leather, loaded
After the Titan, I just had to get another Nissan.  Another awesome vehicle that got horrible gas mileage.
 
 
2004 Triumph Daytona 650
Probably the most comfortable, best-handling bike I've ever owned.  Unfortunately, I was almost killed on it and totaled it.
After shattering my collar bone, breaking three ribs, two vertebrae, and collapsing my right lung, my wife said it's the end of my motorcycle adventures.  :-(

I sold my wonderful Xterra and bought a bigger, faster vehicle.... A newer Xterra. 
Here they are in my driveway while one was coming and the other was going.




2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road. 4x4, 6-spd,
No kidding, this thing is fast, powerful, nimble, comfortable, and fun to drive.
I plan on holding onto this one for a long time.
Did I mention that it hold suit with most of my other vehicles and has horrible gas mileage?
Yup....

1987 1/2 Fiero GT.  5spd
My father purchased this car brand-new in 1987.  It has been in the family ever since.
It now sits in my garage and I am slowly restoring it to showroom condition, although it is not far off to begin with.
It is all original except for the rims and tires.
Even the factory paint is original.  A beautiful car, indeed. 

After the minivan got totalled, I bought this for my wife to drive.
2012 Toyota Sequoia.  Probably one of the best-made vehicles we've ever owned.

After the Xterra was hit by a deer on the interstate, I replaced it with this.
Current ride: 2010 Chevy Avalanche LT