Jalopnik
In today's DOTS we had a 1983 BMW 633 CSI, a copy of which currently exists in one of our garages (more on that later). Like many, we've always loved the strong lines and relatively inexpensive cost of these Bimmers. This led to an interesting observation by Number_Six: what cars from 2000 or after are instant classics? Personally, we think the Chrysler Crossfire and the 02' to 05' retro T-Birds both have unique looks and interesting histories. Cars like the Maserati Gran Turismo S look so good that they're classics before they come out. But that's easy.
This isn't a trick question, we'd like to hear what you think are the obvious classics like the Enzo and what is a sleeper classic. What are we going to be talking about in DOTS 2030?
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The Pontiac Solstice. Trust me on this one.
Also, the Pontiac Aztek, in the same vein that Pacers and Gremlins are making a resurgance. Someday a freakishly low-miles preserved Aztek with the Rally option will go for millions at Barrett-Jackson, and we'll lament the soon-to-explode market on FutureOpnik.
Atom
E39 540i 6 speed. Good proportions/performance/broad appeal.
anything with a gas enginge
Any spyker, pontiac gto, original Toyota scion xb, the crazy john cooper works mini, pagani zonda, and then i guess the honda insight and toyota prius, for being the first hybrids.
Coming in to reiterate what I said earlier: the 99-03 BMW M Coupe.
Update: since I posted that, I just found out my boss sold his MINI autocrosser and picked up a mint 1999 M Coupe with ALL the Dinan goodies (exhaust, CAI, strut brace) and some aftermarket suspension bits. Cherry red. He's driving to Charlotte to trailer it home this weekend!
Can't wait to get behind the wheel.
a non-special-edition or "shelby something" mustang? That seems like pure rarity
gto/monaro
Dippin into the 90's here, but.
-Chrysler 300C.
-90's Impalas.
-BMW M Hatchback. (Or whatever they called it).
-Those full-size Chevy Blazers made for a while in the 90's.
---> 2008 CTS!
2005 Impreza WRX STI
@AshWipe: Trailer?
I honestly can't come up with a single car from the noughties that hasn't been utterly forgettable. I would say the only one that really comes to mind that would be a good DOTS candidate in 2030 would be a last-generation (2007, right?) NSX.
The high horsepower vette's that GM is churning out... The prius for being the first popular hybrid... that's all for now, back to work.
In 20-30 years we'll be oohing and ahing at the hyper-powerful German sedans. I would guess that very, very soon we will see regulations in place that make things like the most recent M5 difficult to sell, if not outright illegal. Seeing one on the street will take us back to the good old days of booming growth and cheap oil in the same way that American muscle does today.
I maintain my answer from the DOTS post.
Alfa Romeo Brera.
If you live on the right continent there is no other attainable modern automobile that a glance at will hasten heartbeats, buckle knees, and rip your eyes out (sorry to steal your eupimism Feds).
2009 Cadillac CTS-V
@Red AuerБЯд╒╒: He's going solo to pick the car up (sight unseen and has never driven it), so he's taking his truck and trailer to be on the safe side.
Oh, trust me, it won't be a trailer queen, knowing him.
2008 Lancer Evo X
Infiniti FX45
Volkswagen Phaeton, particularly the W12 model.
Not only is it very rare, but it's got to be the most unique luxury cars to come out in the past decade.
@bzr - Pinko Commie Bastard Edition: The Saturn Sky Redline will be the hotter ticket than the Solstice GXP due to production numbers and freakishness of a Saturn roadster.
The original question was sans-exotics... so most of these don't count.
Good call on the Prius as the first popular hybrid. They'll be really quaint and odd when that technology is left in the dust.
I would say the Alfa Brera, Mazda RX-8 and the Chrysler 300.
@TheTooth: no it wasn't.
is the 300C looked fondly upon today?
that's like answering with "Escalade"
The Naughties Chevy Camaro ('cause there was/will be only two built)
Aston Martins, all (zenith would be the Vanquish)
Saturn Skye (definitely over the Pontiac Soltice)
Second the motions on the JCW* MINIs, Spyker, Zonda, and Maserati GS**
* Not J.C. Whitney
**Is it just me or does Maserati alternately design the ugliest and and best looking cars?
The last of the hi-po lightweight (relatively) F-bodies. Especially the Camaro SS and WS-6 Trans-Ams. at the top would be a 6 speed convertible version of these.
I have to second (or third?) the 99-03 BMW M Coupe for instant classic!
That car captured my attention when I was in high school, and is still holding it today as I work up to a point when I might actually be able to purchase one. I don't even know why that particular car is my favourite... maybe it's 'x' factor, or perhaps it's the shooting brake part of the equation.
Prius was the first popular hybrid, but the Honda Insight was more of a dedicated exercise in engineering. The Prius represented a step toward powertrain changes; the Insight was a no-holds barred, purpose-built machine. It will be most memorable for strongly making the case that consumers want fuel economy but not at the expense of shifting the car culture paradigm.
2030 we will stil be talking about when the General will come out with the Camero.
I'll go optimistic, with the pair of Hyundai Genesises (both coupe and sedan).
Obviously, anything fast has classic potential, although I see the Neon SRT-4 as a standout.
And, on account of their potential endangerment, any of the new-age land yachts, Suburbans, Expeditions, etc.
@Unregular: You can't dis the 300. It is a classic 'Merican RWD near luxury sedan, the SRT-8 even more so.
I know originally the question was non-exotic, but I have to throw this out there anyway: Alfa 8C, and frankly I am surprised nobody has already mentioned it. It is by far the most gorgeous car in production currently.
GTO, Because poor styling killed a pretty good car.
Neon SRT-4, because ugly little shit boxes with sick modding potential always seem to make a comeback and most of those are being killed early.
00-02 SS/WS6 F-bodies.
If you can find one, near stock "Terminator" Mustangs.
@Lounatic: i'm just not a fan... it started the low-visibility-as-design disease.
@Red AuerБЯд╒╒: Last of the good looking Impreza. I will have to argue that the Ero Turbo 2000 Impreza STi was the best of them all though.
@Hot_Carl: Once again, last of the best, the 1996 Impala SS is a classic in-waiting.
GT-R.
@Mjolnir427: In that case I nominate my Mazdaspeed Protege.
I'd say the DB9 and the Tesla roadster.
@Unregular: I don't know if it's looked on so fondly right now, although that's mostly familiarity. Depending on how the next 20 years turn out, it may well be remembered as the car that kickstarted RWD in the US, or one of the last great Chryslers.
Supercars:
Almost all of the C6 Vettes.
Viper GTS Coupe
Ford GT
Veyron
Lotus Elise
Konigsegg
Sport Compacts:
WRX
Evo
GTI
Pre-Bangle BMWs
Toyota MR-Spyder
Mini Cooper S
V8, RWD Touring:
Chrysler LX cars
GTO and G8
CTS-V
E39 M5
Alterna-classics:
Tesla
Prius (1st-gens will be super rare)
Honorable Mention:
Cummins-powered Dodge trucks
(basically a list of cars I'd be happy to own)
Back to work...
Sorry, but any WRX or EVO would not qualify, as they've been around since the 90's
@kungfo: COTD
Even though I'm no longer a card carrying BMW fan, I'd have to agree with the first M coupe.
I also suspect in the future, we'll be marvelling at the excess of the current M5. It's power level specified before oil became impossibly expensive. The technology a harbinger of the sophistication (and diminishing driver control) to come.
@Unregular: I always thought that designers did that on purpose to cut down on weight (glass vs. cheap thin steel). On that same vibe, the Charger police package will be a classic. Meanest Police Car Ever!
@Unregular: Yeah... it was. The original question was from Number_Six in the DOTS thread:
"My QOTD is: have the oughts produced any timeless classics like this? Exotics don't count."
If Malaise 2.0 is indeed around the corner, anything mid- to full-size with 0-60 times under 8 s will be fetch big bucks on at 2040 BJ auctions. This even means V8 Buick Lucernes that started life as rental cars.
Maxichamp a while back had an an excellent idea for a similar QOTD:
“Which 2007 or 2008 model cars would qualify for PCH 30 years from now?”
I want to add the 330Ci ZHP to my list.
The ZHP 330 coupe is a better, and rarer, car than the E46 M3.
The BMW Z4 M Coupe - It's everything a sports car should be and it's pretty rare.
VW R32, 337 & 20th Anniversary edition GTI
Nismo 350Z - Rare and Funky
Lotus Elise (all)
Jeep SRT8
Magnum
I agree with the Crossfire but I think that the T-bird is a turd.
Any M3
135i - Amazing.
Mini JR edition
Cayenne Turbo - There is nothing else like it.
Ford GT
Gran Tourismo - Ciao Bella.
There are a lot it turn out. It has been a goot decade for car lovers.
Volvo C30. It's like the oughts' version of the Bertone 780. Good looks. Only not as Malaise-y. And it's a hatchback.
Okay, so it's more like the oughts' P1800 hatch.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of sleepers, so here's what I'm hoping will stand the test of time:
First-Generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid (same engine as the current model, but a lighter body; enough torque to outrun a V6 Mustang. Maybe that's not phenomenal, but it'll put up a good fight against the four-bangers of the future)
Current-Generation Lexus GS Hybrid (0-60 in mid to low 5s, if I'm not mistaken; this is NOT what one would expect from a full-size Japanese luxury car)
Pontiac GTO (after the new Camaros become mainstream, nobody's gonna remember, let alone be able to distinguish, these jellybeans from old Grand Ams and the like)
Dodge Ram SRT10 (what will amaze us more in the double-digit-per-gallon-gas-prices future, being beaten off the line by a supercar-powered pickup or the fact that there was once a market for these things?)
I'm sure there are more that just aren't coming to mind at the moment.