Classic cars (2 Viewers)

[TheIronSheik]

Driving home the other day, I saw an old 1960's Mustang. Beautiful condition. A true classic. I remembered as a kid, these were considered classics, as were a lot of others from the 60's. That's about a 20 year difference from me to that car. Which started me thinking: "What 20 year old car from today could be considered a classic?" I really couldn't think of one. Hell, I couldn't think of a car built after 1980 that I consider a classic. Are there no more "classic" cars?

This wouldn't included any exotic cars, because the old 60's cars were affordable, to an extent. Can anyone name a car that was made between 1980 and 2000 that, if you restored and drove around, people would turn their heads and think, "Sweet car!"

I can't.

 

[squidrope]

BMW M3 e30

http://www.bmwblog.com/2013/06/12/video-there-are-no-substitutes-for-a-bmw-e30-m3/

 

[Otis]

Those early 80s Trams Ams with the bird on the hood.

 

[Apple Jack]

The best country singers die in the back of classic cars

 

[kevzilla]

DeLorean

 

[Mr. Ected]

Little older, but my head always turns for the BMW 2002.

Always thought they would have brought it back for the year of 2002 for great advertising.

 

[eoMMan]

Pontiac Fiero

 

[Parrothead]

the other day I saw an old beat up VW Rabbit with a Classic Car license plate

 

[matttyl]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

 

[matttyl]

Little older, but my head always turns for the BMW 2002.

Always thought they would have brought it back for the year of 2002 for great advertising.

My father almost got me one of these for a college graduation gift. He graduated in 1976, and I did in 2002 - so he wanted to get me a 1976 BMW 2002.....but it didn't happen. A friend of mine has one, the thing handles like it's on rails! Great call.

 

[matttyl]

the other day I saw an old beat up VW Rabbit with a Classic Car license plate

The car only has to be 25 years old I think to get one of those plates. My first car was an old Volvo 240 and I joked that it was only a few years away from being eligible for one of those.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Those early 80s Trams Ams with the bird on the hood.

This is an excellent call. I forgot about those. This is a great example.

 

[MikeIke]

Buick Grand National

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

I am sure I can think of a bunch more, but here is a handful:

Audi Quattro (B2) Coupe, produced 1980-1988

Toyota Land Cruiser (J40 series), produced through 1984

1987 Buick GNX (more collectible than "classic" IMO)

BMW 735i (E38)

This one may be controversial and I am not in love with the styling at all, but I think it will fit the definition because of its significance:

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO (early models to about 2006, if you can find one without a ton of aftermarket crap added to it)

 

[TheIronSheik]

Pontiac Fiero

I loved this car as a kid. I know it's kind of silly, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

 

[Fat Nick]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

 

[Fat Nick]

Pontiac Fiero

I loved this car as a kid. I know it's kind of silly, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

Ditto. Have no clue what I was thinking looking at them now, but they were like a mini-Testarossa. My middle-school band teacher drove one, along with his wife who taught chorus. They were both pushing 300 lbs. It was quite a spectacle to see them arrive to school in it.

 

[sbonomo]

I like the bronco, blazer and el Camino.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Links are a pain on my on my phone so I only linked those two below but....

Ford Bronco 2 door

Toyota Supra

IROC Z http://msclassiccarsllc.com/VehicleDetails.aspx?vid=86

1997 Chevy Tahoe <a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/user/pabdanyell/media/100_1352.jpg.html"target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e159/pabdanyell/100_1352.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 100_1352.jpg"/></a>

 

[TheIronSheik]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

This is true and it may be just how I worded it, but my original thought was a 20 year old car from now. But when I couldn't think of a car from the 90's, I expanded my search through 1980 to 2000. I was still having trouble.

But you're right, a car from the 90's would really fit the bill ideally. One car I thought of was the BMW 850i, but that would probably be on the high end side of what I was really looking for. I would think that the car should be no more than $60k, at the time it was being sold. I think the 850i was around $85k, so a no go for that.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

Guy I play basketball with has one of these. It's got < 30k miles.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'll add the dautsun 280z but they've been classics for awhile

The 90 300 z twins are nice too

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

I almost put the 850i on my list. I think it fits, as there are reasonably priced ones out there. (I also almost put the BMW Z8 roadster on my list.)

 

[Parrothead]

the original Saturn

 

[TheIronSheik]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

My brother owns a couple that he races.

 

[joffer]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

those were awful

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

My brother owns a couple that he races.

I suspect he does not let you drive them.

 

[matuski]

76 Bronco Ranger/Sport please.

 

[Jaysus]

Vanilla Ice era Mustang 5.0??

 

[TheIronSheik]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

My brother owns a couple that he races.

I suspect he does not let you drive them.

He does not.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

those were awful

People say that all of the time, but I think, even to this day, that car is beautiful.

 

[Fat Nick]

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

Guy I play basketball with has one of these. It's got < 30k miles.

Dang. If I had one of those with that kind of mileage, I'd just store it for 10 years and then sell it for $$$. I bet you'll start seeing them on those auto auction shows soon.

Good call on the 300ZX TT too...

 

[matttyl]

I've always liked the looks of the mid to late 1980s Mercedes E series. The earlier Mazda RX-7s were pretty cool.

My mom had an '89 RX-7. Loved that thing. Had my license for about 6 months before I wrecked it. About 20 seconds before the accident I said, "Watch how well this thing handles!"

In general, in this thread, we're all losing track of time. 20 years ago would put the cut-off around 1995...I was going to agree with the Grand National one, but they stopped making those almost 30 years ago. :( Time flies. I feel old.

FWIW, timelines aside, I think the RX-7 is a good example. Cool car, innovative engine, and it'll be very rare to find one in good condition because those rotary engines really didn't last very long before needing a rebuild. They'll become very rare in working condition.

I'd also add STOCK Twin-Turbo Toyota Supras to the list. You'll pay $30K+ for them now, and most of what gets bought is heavily modified due to the JZ engine block and the strength in stock form. Finding one somebody chose NOT to modify will be tough.

Yeah, I made the call for the rotary engine, but didn't want to get too technical about stuff.

How about a Land Rover 90, 110 or 127 (the prelude to the Land Rover Defender)?

 

[Fat Nick]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

those were awful

People say that all of the time, but I think, even to this day, that car is beautiful.

Sadly, I agree. The base model ones look like Mr. Hankey, but the GT's with the body kit actually looked pretty sweet. If only they ever put a decent engine in them. There are a few cars from that era with styling that just seems to still work today. I think the Probes are one of them...The Mitsu Eclipse being another obvious one.

 

[KCitons]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

Brown Probe

 

[sbonomo]

Vanilla Ice era Mustang 5.0??

came back to post this - fox body 5.0.

 

[Dickies]

My list would be:

Early 90's Supra

Nissan 300ZX

Ford Lightning

Buick Grand National

Ford Bronco

That said, it's still not like the 60's cars. I think they were instantly collectibles because the way the 70's cars were such a dramatic departure both in styling and performance that it instantly created nostalgia. For the most part 80's cars are just an extension of the 70's cars (drab styling and poor performance)

 

[Wooderson]

Pontiac Fiero

I loved this car as a kid. I know it's kind of silly, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

So did I. I think many people around my age have a special memory of this car. A buddy of mine got one senior year. Looked great everything else about the car was piece of crap.

This was the first car I thought of for a classic.

 

[Dickies]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

those were awful

People say that all of the time, but I think, even to this day, that car is beautiful.

You have to admit that it probably has the worst name in automobile history.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

BMW M Coupe

 

[Wooderson]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

I used to push the 89 in high school. ?

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1989-Ford-Probe-Pictures-c11952?picturesTabFilter=OTHER#pictureId:9404727

Still have it in the trees at my dads. I should restore it. Good memories in that car.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Long after the full size Bronco and the Blazer were gone, Chevy was still making a full-size, two door SUV, the Tahoe Sport 2DR

 

[Fat Nick]

My list would be:

Early 90's Supra

Nissan 300ZX

Ford Lightning

Buick Grand National

Ford Bronco

That said, it's still not like the 60's cars. I think they were instantly collectibles because the way the 70's cars were such a dramatic departure both in styling and performance that it instantly created nostalgia. For the most part 80's cars are just an extension of the 70's cars (drab styling and poor performance)

I think this was also driven by the heavy relationship between motorsports and the automakers. Many of the top racing series rules could be altered by the automakers by building limited-run high-performance cars that could then race in "stock" car races. These drove a lot of really limited, special edition cars that were instantly collectable.

The modern equivalent would be if, in order to race in the Daytona 500, Ford had to build a Fusion with a 1,000 HP engine.

 

[Fat Nick]

I actually loved the 1997 Ford Probe GT.

I used to push the 89 in high school.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1989-Ford-Probe-Pictures-c11952?picturesTabFilter=OTHER#pictureId:9404727

Still have it in the trees at my dads. I should restore it. Good memories in that car.

 

[Fat Nick]

Long after the full size Bronco and the Blazer were gone, Chevy was still making a full-size, two door SUV, the Tahoe Sport 2DR

It blows my mind why anyone would make a 2-door SUV...Land Rover is still doing it with the Evoque.

It's almost as bad as these dumb Murano Convetibles Nissan made.

 

[Rayderr]

Plymouth Prowler. Sure it was a piece of #### mechanically, but it looked damn nice. And surprisingly, not even 20 years old yet.

 

[Wooderson]

Long after the full size Bronco and the Blazer were gone, Chevy was still making a full-size, two door SUV, the Tahoe Sport 2DR

It blows my mind why anyone would make a 2-door SUV...Land Rover is still doing it with the Evoque.

It's almost as bad as these dumb Murano Convetibles Nissan made.

That convertible has to be high on the list of worse cars being made. And that comes from a guy that has a hard top murano and loves it.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Plymouth Prowler. Sure it was a piece of #### mechanically, but it looked damn nice. And surprisingly, not even 20 years old yet.

I think that one is out of the price range. Cool looking car, but I put it in the class of a NSX or a Viper.