What Car Does Franklin Drive in GTA 5?
As an avid GTA fan, one of my favorite aspects of GTA 5 was the incredible variety of vehicles. And Franklin‘s personal car – the Bravado Buffalo S – quickly became a standout due to its slick design and nods to an iconic American muscle car.
In this article, we‘ll take a closer look at Franklin‘s car – from its real-life inspiration to custom details that make it unique.
The Bravado Buffalo S is Based on the Dodge Charger
Bravado is GTA‘s fictional version of Dodge. And Rockstar clearly took inspiration from recent Dodge Charger models when creating the Buffalo S.
Specifically, the 2015-2018 Charger SRT Hellcat and SRT 392 models. These performance-focused Chargers have an aggressive, almost sinister look with their lowered stance, flared fenders, and gaping grilles.
According to GTANet, "the Bravado Buffalo S seems to be based on the sixth generation Dodge Charger combined with some visual cues from the Ford Mustang."
So while it draws heavily from the Charger, Rockstar added some Mustang styling touches too.
Why the Charger Embodies Franklin‘s Character
In my opinion as a passionate gamer, the Charger perfectly complements Franklin‘s driving skills and streetwise attitude.
Recent Chargers give off a bullying, intimidating vibe – matching Franklin‘s willingness to tackle any dangerous mission. And the Charger continues to dominate as a raw American muscle car – echoing Franklin‘s pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps journey in Los Santos.
So the Bravado Buffalo S was the perfect choice of car by Rockstar‘s designers. Its bold styling and V8 soundtrack are the perfect match for Franklin‘s gritty character.
Franklin‘s Buffalo S Customizations
While clearly modeled after the Charger, Franklin‘s Buffalo S has some unique personalizations:
- White body color rather than the stock gray/black
- Custom "FC1988" vanity license plate
- Upgraded performance for faster acceleration
- Lowered suspension and tuning for better handling
These tweaks to the Bravado Buffalo S help it better represent Franklin‘s style – clean yet aggressive. The white paint jobcontrasts nicely with the car‘s imposing silhouette.
And according to some GTA fan theories, the "FC1988" plate could reference Franklin‘s birth year or have other personal meaning.
Other Notable Cars Franklin Drives
While he sticks with the Buffalo S for most missions, Franklin has access to other wheels, too. Some other cars he drives include:
| In-Game Car | Real-World Inspiration |
|---|---|
| Bravado Gresley | Dodge Durango SUV |
| Bravado Bison | Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup |
| Declasse Asea | Ford Focus or Acura TSX Sedan |
As a Bravado fan, I tend to think Franklin prefers the Dodge-inspired cars. But he‘ll opportunistically grab any set of keys to handle his dirty work.
Wrapping Up
From its modern Dodge Charger inspiration to custom details, Franklin‘s Bravado Buffalo S says a lot about his character. It matches his headstrong attitude and contrasts nicely against Los Santos‘ gritty backdrop.
I hope this insider‘s guide has given you some new appreciation for Franklin‘s go-to vehicle. As well as the incredible automotive variety found across GTA 5!
Let me know which GTA car is your favorite in the comments. And check back soon for more geeky gaming insights!
