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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The cars we dream about as kids do not always make sense as cars to own. In an October 1, 2026, reader prompt, The Autopian’s The Bishop asks which childhood or teen dream cars readers would no longer buy—and what changed. The answers range from small off-roaders to exotic supercars, with adult concerns such as maintenance, comfort and everyday usability entering the picture. Read the discussion at The Autopian.
What is The Autopian asking?
The question is simple: “What Cars Did You Want As A Kid That You Wouldn’t Buy Today?” It invites readers to name a car they once longed for and explain whether they would still want to own it now.
That distinction matters: admiring a car, imagining yourself behind its wheel and living with it are different things. A dream can remain appealing even after the costs, compromises or effort of ownership become harder to ignore.
Why did The Bishop rethink his dream car?
The Bishop’s example is a Fiat 131—or a later Brava—converted to resemble a Fiat 131 Abarth rally car. Ads for conversion kits and rally footage made the idea exciting to him. Over time, he reconsidered the prospect of driving a loud replica and maintaining a seventies Italian car.
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He summed up his personal change of heart this way: “I thought this would be the coolest car ever to own, but as years went on, I realized I didn’t have the self-confidence to drive a loud fake race car and fully lacked the patience for seventies Italian cars”. That is his own judgment about what he would enjoy owning, not a general reliability assessment of Fiat 131s or Bravas.
Which former dream cars did readers mention?
The visible comments offer a wide-ranging collection rather than a consensus list. They include practical-looking off-roaders, classic sports cars and high-end exotics:
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- Cars Set : The Yewkou series includes realistic cars featuring metal body. It includes pickup trucks, racing cars, sports cars, and various other series.
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- Geo Tracker and Suzuki Samurai
- C4 and C3 Corvettes
- Porsche 944
- Jaguar XJS V12
- Maserati Biturbo and Maserati Bora
- FD Mazda RX-7
- Bugatti EB110, Ferrari F50 and Lamborghini Diablo
These are individual memories and reactions, not the results of a poll. The comments do not establish that any one class of car was the most commonly wanted.
What can change between wanting a car and owning it?
Readers describe a range of reasons for cooling on a once-desirable car, including maintenance demands, repair or parts expense, comfort and daily usability. Others still value a car’s looks or the experience it represents while deciding they would not want the responsibilities of ownership.
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- 【4 Pcs Diecast Cars Set】Four different diecast car models have different types of bodies and colors, including sports cars/trucks/sedans/racing cars, all measuring 4.9 × 2 × 1.4 inches. The standard 1:36 ratio, open doors, and bright color combinations faithfully capture the eternal aesthetics while reflecting vibrant the vitality of racing sports!
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The discussion does not provide comparative maintenance figures, reliability data or safety assessments for the cars mentioned. It is a collection of personal reactions, so a commenter’s concern about a particular model should not be treated as a measured conclusion about that model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to answer the question with a useful story
A memorable answer can explain not just which car you wanted, but what made it seem irresistible and what you think differently about now. Consider including:
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- SCALE: Precision-crafted 1:38 scale die-cast metal model of the 2006 Ford Mustang GT, measuring approximately 5 inches in length
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- CONSTRUCTION: Durable die-cast metal body with plastic components and premium paint finish
- REALISTIC DETAILS: Features accurate wheel design, distinctive Mustang grille, and authentic body styling of the GT model
- The car’s make and model—and, if relevant, the version or generation.
- When or where it first caught your attention.
- Whether you still want to drive or admire it, even if you would not want to own it.
- What changed: your preferences, your sense of daily practicality, or your willingness to take on maintenance and repair work.
The strongest answers can hold both ideas at once: a car can remain a childhood favorite without being the car you would choose to live with today.
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