Love-struck readers choose autos they adore

Roland Jones Business news editor • Profile • E-mail

Love is a special sort of chemistry, especially when it comes to the relationship between man and machine. It’s hard to say what draws one person to a burly muscle car, while another finds a fiery Lamborghini irresistible.

So with Valentine’s Day approaching, we asked MSNBC.com readers to tell us about the rides that make their hearts skip a beat. The results were revealing. American muscle cars, like the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Charger, were firm favorites, but dependable Japanese vehicles like the Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima were also well-loved. And with gas prices high, cars with good fuel economy were readers’ sweethearts.

“What really gets me going is my 2000 Honda Civic,” wrote Dave Rossi of Columbus, Ohio. “It has never gone below 32 miles per gallon, except on one cold and snowy week last year (and even then it got 30). It’s even gone as high as 48 miles to the gallon at an average speed of 80 miles per hour. If I ever make a few million bucks, I might buy a Ferrari. Since that’s unlikely, I’ll stick with something that still allows me to put food on my table.”

There were other fantasies. Jay Brown of Columbia, Md., confessed his love for German automaker RUF’s Rt 12. “Call it an ‘Uber-Porsche,’” he wrote. “It’s stupid fast, has unreal handling, all-wheel-drive and a wonderful intake and exhaust; sleek styling too. Gimme that car with a Sirius satellite radio installed and I won’t ask for another thing — ever.”

So if your idea of Valentine’s Day romance is splashing out on a new set of rims and tires for your Chevy, read on — you’re a true car romantic. Click on the link below for a slideshow of images and the best comments on the cars MSNBC.com’s readers love the most.

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