If you’ve been on this earth for more than, oh, a few years, you’ve probably heard the saying ‘variety is the spice of life.’ While that doesn’t mean foster a sort of general impermanence, it means trying new things can keep things interesting. However, what about more of the same? Today we’re asking you which car you’d own two of at the same time, and why?
First, the rules. The two cars must be from the same generation, and they can’t be wildly different versions that effectively only share a shell. For instance, a 525i and an M5, or a V6 Challenger and a Demon 170. However, differences in trim, paint, upholstery, condition, and use case are all fair game, as that still means they’re roughly equivalent to each other.
Now, I’m not the sort of person to own the same car twice, much less concurrently, but lately I’ve been giving the thought of a second Boxster a chance. The one I own is already a lovely low-mileage summer toy, but a winter Boxster in a less precious colorway with more mileage and a somewhat questionable history could be a proper laugh. At the bare minimum, I’d be able to save money on oil filter by buying in bulk.
Likewise, I reckon if I ever own something rare enough that a parts car would be a valuable asset, it would make sense to own both a good example and an automotive organ donor of sorts. Not every classic is a Mustang or a Beetle, and I’d imagine that if you lived in North America, having two Citroën DS19s or two Honda Z600s would come in handy for maximizing uptime.
So, which car would you own two of, and why? Is it a matter of different use cases, having one to keep stock and one to modify, cannibalizing one for spare parts, or fulfilling daily driver duties in a two-car household with one optimal solution? Regardless, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
(Photo credits: Porsche, Citroën)
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EDIT: misread the question
Either a Porsche 356 type C, 997 911 Targa or 63 fuel injected Corvette Stingray. Just gorgeous cars that I wouldn’t mind having more than one of
I currently have two VW Vanagons – a 90 Carat w/ an EJ22 Subaru out back and a 83.5 Westfalia. This is down from my max of 5 at one time that happened before they got popular and were following me home (literally, once or twice) as folks didn’t value them much.
Why two?
The Carat is simply more useful on a regular basis – fold the rear seat into a bed, pop out the jump seats and anything can fit back there. It also rides smoother. The other thing is that the Westy is restored and simply worth too much these days to drive all the time. The Carat model is less desirable (so worth less) and just in fair condition (so I don’t worry as much).
Would be nice to have a second R53 – better chance of one of them actually running…
Same, but I want to get a stock MCS to use as a comparison to my modified MCS. It would still need to be a 6-speed car and I would prefer a non-sunroof car.
I would like two Gen 2 Priuses. Preferably later in the run like 08. One will be the daily driver the other one I would want lifted slightly and outfitted to go overlanding and car camping.
I dunno, I guess a 3rd gen Rx7, one with the rotary (because I think a proper Rx7 should be rotary) and one that actually works.
Could get a C4 Corvette and an FC Rx-7 and no one would know the difference.
I’d want the FD but I guess same thing just with the c5
At one time, I owned two Mercedes-Benz 300 SDLs. I had a 1987 in good shape and suitable as a daily with over 250k miles on it, and I had a rusting ’86 with over 250k miles on it in non-running condition that served as a parts car.
Probably an air-cooled Beetle, I’ve got a 1972 Super Beetle, but would love a standard Beetle too.
My parents actually ended up with the same cars, something they swore they’d never do. My dad got a Macan GTS last year, and my mom got the standard (non-GTS) model this year. She was driving an X5 and it was just too big for her. She drove a lot of SUVs and sedans but the right fit was the Macan. Just the right size, not hard to climb up into, and it had all the options she wanted. At least they did different colors, the GTS is a dark metallic grey and my mom’s is an excellent shade of bright red.
I had the same reaction to the OG Ford Edge. There is a reason why the world is converging on SUV/CUVs, I think.
The way that the Macan, particularly the GTS, somehow manages to feel like a hot hatchback, is truly remarkable.
I had the same thought about the Beetle. I have a ’76 standard Beetle, but I wouldn’t mind owning a few other Beetle variants. At the moment, I’m most interested in a convertible, an autostick, or a ’90s/early 2000s Beetle imported from Mexico, but I could see myself buying another car almost identical to my ’76 just to have a backup. I also would like a project Beetle at some point.
I’d love another 2nd gen CTS, maybe the wagon version, but it’s auto only (face it, the “V” is unobtanium at this point).
Miata is also a good answer. And S2000.
Uhh, E350 Centurion vantrucks apparently.
The goal here is His and His mid-late production Mercedes-Benz R129 SL500s
Plus an old E Class wagon for the doggies.
Well, let’s see. I already have two Associated RC10s, two Tamiya Blackfoots, three Kyosho Optimas, two Bolink Legends, five or six Tamiya Grasshoppers and Hornets and Lunchboxes of various flavors… oh, you meant real cars?
I’ve got a rere Optima, but two original Turbo Mids, one of which I raced back in the day.
COTD to us in the TOYS discord!
Argh, I keep forgetting to post stuff to the Discord. I’ve got some new finds to share. I’ll do that later.
I’d own a 2nd S2000 as a track rat in a heartbeat.
I’m not sure I would seek out two of the same of any vehicle, but I have inadvertently owned two Ford Explorers at the same while I was in the process of selling the older Explorer after purchasing a newer one. Beyond that, maybe a Jeep, like if I could find a CJ-5 and a CJ-8 that I could afford, but even then I’d probably only keep the CJ-8.
If I ever own an XJ Cherokee again, I’ll likely need two just to have enough good metal and parts to keep em going.
Is this a joke? Parts are extremely cheap and plentiful for XJs, and in fact basically all Jeeps.
There’s a car that I’ve owned a dozen at a time, and over the course of 10 years, I owned over 50 of them. I’d do it again, but the bad ones are long gone and the good ones are worth collector car money now. I consider it the best all-around car ever made – the Volvo 240. If I could, I’d own a Ti 2-door and a plain-jane wagon.
I was in the same boat for a few years with a handful of Volvo 140s.
Got rid of them all when I joined the Military.
A couple my wife and I are friends with both had a Nissan Versa hatch for years. Most puzzling intentional double ever.
My wife’s friends have two Kia Niros, for some reason…
I know a couple who have his and hers PT Cruisers. Hers is a convertible, and she never puts the top down.
I first have to ask, first gen or second gen?
If second gen, wow. That’s “we have a pain dungeon downstairs” levels of masochism right there.
first
I have cousins who had a pair of silver VW Rabbits for a few years.
Then we knew a couple who had a pair of silver twin-stick Plymouth Champs.
The late 70’s were an unusual time.
A family friend had two Chevy Trailblazers of the early aughts. I distinctly remember the car stalling while trying to get going from a stop. It was only a few years old at that point. They were eventually sold for a Dodge Journey and Ram 1500
The childless older couple across the street from me have his-and-hers Subaru Ascents. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There’s an older couple in my neighborhood that has a pair of Honda Accords. One is black the other is grey. They previously had 2 silver Accords.
When we were in high school, my friends parents both had Toyota Siennas. One grey, one white. Only other difference was one was AWD. They had three kids so I guess it made sense, but they used one of the vans for towing a horse trailer, which didn’t seem like the ideal vehicle for that job. Oh, and they traded their perfectly functional, paid for previous cars at the same time, just so they could have the vans. They were always perpetually in significant debt, never met a family who was worse with money than them. They were some of those creepy Christian homeschooling parents.
My actual answer is the first gen Tacoma. 1st would be a single cab 2wd 5 lugger with the 2.4 2RZFE and a turbo the size of a cantaloupe, and a Crew Cab SR5 TRD OR with a lift, 33’s, Go Fast Camper, 4.56 Gears, 5 speed swap and a Supercharger.
Does convertible or wagon count as separate? I’m trying to bend some rules here
I’ll allow it
In that case, E46 M3 convertible and coupe.
edit: meant to reply to Rippstik
Fiskar Ocean, because you’d realistically need one as a parts car.
Only one?
Sign me up for two Mazda Cosmo’s with the 20B. The first one because awesome rare rotary engine 🙂 and the second one because awesome rare rotary engine 🙁
I’d own two identical Subarus so that I would always have access to one while the other is at the dealer with it’s engine on a stand.
I think you need 3 to make that work.
I thought I might be too cute by half if I went that far.
But you’re right, of course.
Cayenne 958.2 diesel and 958.2 turbo s. Because when you don’t want to hypermile, you want to drive a rocketship. It would also give me the opportunity to own two different colors because I can’t make up my mind which color I like the best…
Miata. I would love to have a few NAs honestly. One as a casual daily that’s kept basically stock, one that’s set up for more spirited canyon drives, and one that’s set up as a hard core track/autocross car. I could forego the casual daily as I had a lightly modified one as a daily for years and it was great, so 2 would suffice in a pinch. But really, I just need someone to buy my Peugeot so I can get one to start with!
What was edited out of the NA reel that went up on Instagram a while back, was that when I drove the Mazda UK press car it was, gearshift aside, utter dogshit,
I saw that reel and was very disappointed. Prior to that I thought you were a raving lunatic with accurate opinions. I learned that one of those was incorrect.
Was it just in terrible shape or are you just not fond of them in general?
It was a Mazda UK press car, part of their heritage fleet. So I’ve got to imagine it was in great condition. I think part of the problem was I’d just stepped out of an ND, part expectations but mostly just the fact they are 35 year old cars now. I mentioned this to an auto journo friend at the time and he agreed with me.
Interesting. Yeah I drove one last week and loved it still.
I was coming here to say the same, but rather go with a pair of NDs, both manual of course. A soft top Club with the BBS/Brembo/Recaro package for sportier duties, and an RF Grand Touring for more leisurely drives. If the soft-top/RF split is a step too far, then both shall be soft tops. The Grand Touring gets some nice features the club inexplicably doesnt, like auto headlights, rain sensing wipers, and I believe auto up/down windows, as well as a thicker top for insulation/noise.
The BBS et all package on the club however is an absolutely stellar vehicle that has some serious goodies that feel aftermarket level of special, but with a warranty. Seriously, those Recaros are GOOD. And heated. And with Headrest speakers. It is exceptional.
Miata is always the answer. Currently I have a stock special edition 91 NA British racing green, tan leather, with the original zipper top and about 68 k miles. 5 speed. Its stable buddy is a 2010 PrRHT GT with fab 9 turbo and about 28k miles.. 6 speed. The 91 is a joy to drive and always makes me smile. The tastefully modded 2010 with the power hardtop and turbo is a fantastic drive that makes me laugh hysterically when I unleash it. Miata’s… you need 2… one for each foot 🙂
I would like a ’99 Saab 9-3 Viggen 3-door in Lightning Blue.
Then I would like another ’99 Saab 9-3 Viggen 3-door in Lightning Blue.
You know why.
Oh god yes. That was the car that got away from me back in the day, in just that configuration and color. I still regret the mistake of hesitating too long to buy it.
I had a ’96 900 Turbo, and always wanted to experience the Viggen. And while I loved the green on tan mine was, Lightning Blue is a great color.
I have owned multiple Datsun 720s for years.
Currently, I have somehow ended up owning 3 1st gen Dodge Durangos at the same time? That was not planned out, but just sort of happened. But consolidation of good stuff is happening, then off to the scrapper for 2 of them I think.
Parts or “I haven’t sold it yet” are really the only reason I ever have two of the same vehicle, except for the occasional flip maybe to refill the car hobby coffers.