What's ONE Car You ALMOST Bought But Now Look Back And Wonder "What Was I Thinking?"

Way back in 2004 -- jeez, it seems like ages ago -- I remember I was looking to pick up a new set of wheels. I wanted something fun, had plenty of utility and was relatively unique.

Interestingly enough there was one car that really stood out to me. In fact, for a bit of time I was nearly in love. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the Mazda Protege5.

At that point, no one I knew had owned a Mazda, to my eyes it looked pretty good and it was a wagon. What WASN'T there to love?! But after getting in it and trying to get comfortable, I realized it wasn't possible. Being 6'8 does put a damper on getting certain cars, folks.

After looking around, I wound up in a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. It was a car I loved but my God did it have its faults.

Looking back on this situation though I can only think one thing -- what was I thinking?! A Mazda Protege5 over all the other options out there?!

Do YOU have any "What was I thinking?" automotive moments, Spies?

Discuss...

irishmike - 6/6/2012 12:49:10 AM

+1 Boost

Too bad you didn't fit in the '5', it was a great driving car. It still has a bit of a following to this day. Unfortunately rust worms find them delicious, too.

LSIII - 6/6/2012 12:19:49 PM

0 Boost

I had a 2012 Honda Civic for 3 months, very cheaply made radio would lock up all the time. Not the same as Hondas from earlier days.

Agent00J - 6/6/2012 2:02:03 PM

0 Boost

2006 Nissan Titan LE 4x4 - I had to have a truck because I had branched into construction. What a mistake that was, both the truck and the construction company. Sold the truck 6 months later to my then partner and bought a '06 BMW 330i.

-00J

M35MT - 6/6/2012 3:27:41 PM

+2 Boost

Agent 00R - a few things I dont understand about your post:

1. In 2004, the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback were introduced as a 2005 model, in the summertime. Why would you be interested in the previous generation? Where they even on sale for more than a couple months of the year?

2. You're a car enthusiast (obviously) - why wouldnt you look at the Mazdaspeed Protege?

3. You ended up in a Toureg, which can climb up to $50k in price - but you cross-shopped it with a $17k hatchback?

what gives?

valhallakey - 6/7/2012 1:10:41 AM

+1 Boost

Nissan Altima back in 94, waited another year and got a 95 M3 instead. Whew!!!

motor1 - 6/7/2012 6:31:49 AM

+1 Boost

In 2002, I took ownership of a new 745Li. I wasn't really put off by its ugly face at the time, but I was impressed with the engine and interior tech and comfort. Now I have an S-Class and I am quite upset that I didn't take a look at the 2002 S-Class, the W220 shape, which I regard to be quite a nice car. Or even an E39 M5, my favourite BMW ever. Whenever I see an E65/6 in traffic, I wonder what on earth I was thinking buying something so ugly.

2ndbimmer - 6/7/2012 7:06:55 PM

0 Boost

land rover discovery. This was me coming from a 4 cylinder wrangler. I loved off roading and thought the camel trophy styled up discovery was so cool, plus it had a V8! Almost bought one, but decided to go with a 2 door blazer ZR2 as a project car to go off roading with.
Drove a discovery a few years later and couldnt believe how big of a POS it is. drives like crap, terrible seats, even the steering wheel was off. who puts the center part pushed out so it disrupts your hands?
everything wrong on so many levels.

2ndbimmer - 6/7/2012 7:06:55 PM

0 Boost

land rover discovery. This was me coming from a 4 cylinder wrangler. I loved off roading and thought the camel trophy styled up discovery was so cool, plus it had a V8! Almost bought one, but decided to go with a 2 door blazer ZR2 as a project car to go off roading with.
Drove a discovery a few years later and couldnt believe how big of a POS it is. drives like crap, terrible seats, even the steering wheel was off. who puts the center part pushed out so it disrupts your hands?
everything wrong on so many levels.