10.) Ferrari 400i

The Ferrari 400-series cars are the best example of everything that's wrong with the Italian automaker's Malaise Era attempts at front-engined grand touring cars. Hidden below the stylish, though decidedly un-Ferrari, skin was the first automatic transmission offered in a production Ferrari. The base 400i featured a GM-sourced hydromatic three-speed transmission. Nothing like Italian power being routed through three speeds of American glory! Modern Ferrari tourers, like the 599 GTB FIorano have taken the bad taste out of our mouth, but opening the doors on an original 400i is like cutting through a crisp, buttery pie crust and finding tapioca pudding.

9.)Jaguar X-Type

If you're curious how Jaguar ended up being owned by an Indian company, look no further than the Jaguar X-Type. Designed to appeal to a wider audience than the typical Jag, thereby picking up significant market share, they hoped to sell 100,000 X-Types a year. That didn't happen. People saw through the distinctive Jaguar grille and headlights to the Ford Mondeo platform beneath. The FWD/AWD compact luxury car segment wasn't impressed by the lackluster performance, styling or luxury. Instead of saving the company, the X-Type became a moving example of Ford's mismanagement of the once premium brand. Cranberries out of the can do not an adequate side make.

8.)Datsun 280ZX Turbo

A classic Datsun 240Z, the original Z, is such a fine car that it's almost hard to remember that the 280ZX ever existed... until you see one. The 280ZX essentially takes the beauty of the Z and "modernizes" it to what was modern in the late 1970s. Those smooth lines become crisper (or at least crunchier), the unbroken hood gets oh-so-many ducts, and the once solid roof gets a pair of cheap-looking T-tops. Even better, emissions laws meant a successor that was less powerful than its predecessor until the later Turbo model. It's like when one of your relatives tries to spice up the green bean casserole by adding capers and endive. If you're going to change it, don't make it worse.

7.) Honda Insight

Though the 2010 Honda Insight hopes to win back fame for Honda's hybrid brand, the original Insight still sticks in our minds as a rare misfire for the brand. It wasn't a problem of foresight as, we were soon to learn, hybrids were the next big thing. It wasn't engineering as the Hondas achieved incredible mileage and tend to hold up fairly well. It wasn't even price, though the $20,000 price was a high premium for the two-seater. The Insight's main fault was that it assumed the market for hybrids would be urban and require something that looks radically different and suits only two adults individuals. The original Prius didn't look much different from most compact cars and easily carried as many adults as a Toyota Corolla. Like the first person to offer tofu for Thanksgiving dinner, the Insight was a pioneer. But with the Tofurkey and Prius, it took someone willing to shape it more conventionally to build a proper demand.

6.) "Slant Nose" Porsche

There's nothing hotter than a "slant nose" Porsche 935 racer, yet there's also nothing lamer than a custom- or factory-built Porsche slant nose. Meant to mimic the racer, the slant-nosed Porsches somehow manage to transform the aerodynamic look of the competition cars into an image of a sleazy stock broker rocking the Don Johnson white jacket and pastel fitted t-shirt. Originally offered only by customer companies, Porsche rode the wave in the mid-to-late 1980s by selling a slant nose version for basically every rear-engine car for sale. Despite the factory blessing even the OEM slant noses looked as fake as easy cheese on apple pie. [Photo: PCA.org]

5.) Chevrolet SSR

The retro-styled, hard-top convertible Chevrolet SSR was GM's answer to the retro-styled Plymouth Prowler though, perplexingly, it was designed as a truck. At over $40,000 a piece, the sport pickup wasn't exactly a bargain considering its Chevy TrailBlazer-based platform meant it wasn't quite sporty enough to be a sports car and its small bed large fender flares meant it wasn't quite useful enough to be a pickup. It also wasn't particularly fast. The SSR was simply as ill-timed and ill-designed as a Thanksgiving Day dessert of Easter-egg shaped candy canes.

4.) Volvo 262C Bertone Coupe

Designed to be the Swedish answer to the Lincoln Mark IV, the two-door Volvo 262 C Bertone Coupe instead ended up as an expensive European oddity appreciated more for its strangeness than anything else. Based on the basic 262GL platform, the Volvos were shipped off to Bertone's factory in Turin for the addition of custom body panels, vinyl roof and leather interior. Rather than sporting a special engine, the Volvos carried the same V6 the company shared with Peugeot-Renault. Substituting a 262C for a true European coupe is much akin to showing up with Becherovka when you were asked to bring a bottle of wine. It's unique and memorable though you wouldn't go so far as to describe it as pleasurable. [Photo/Source: Hemmings]

3.) Chrysler Crossfire

The Chrysler Crossfire has the novelty of being one of the few cars so unloved it was sold en masse on Overstock.com. The successor to the Plymouth Prowler, a car that was more quail than turkey, the Crossfire is the only true progeny of the Mercedes-Chrysler marriage. German engineering and American design, what could go wrong? The coupe, and eventually the roadster, were built on a borrowed SLK platform but wrapped in an uninspiring body. The mix of old mechanicals, bland styling and a high price tag made the Crossfire the unofficial pace car for the DaimlerChrysler merger's race to dissolution. Like turkey stuffed with spaetzel, the Crossfire was only good on paper.

2.) BMW Z1

The BMZ Z1 was a car of the future that became part of the past before it went on sale. When it debuted at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show the Z1 received a lot of positive attention and it was set for a production launch in early 1989. Unfortunately, the time that passed between the concept and final car was not good to the design. The strange doors, which dropped into the car, were neat as a concept but strange in a production car. The drivetrain, consisting of a Getrag five-speed matched to the 170 HP inline-6, also didn't provide the zip to match the unique design. The Z stands for Zukunft, the German word for future, and the Z1 holds a special place as vehicle that eventually led to the far more successful Z3 Roadster/Coupe, Z4 and Z8. Like that first Thanksgiving dinner, not everything went right with the original Z but it laid the ground for a future that would be gobble gobbled up.

1.) Chrysler TC by Maserati

Then Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca gets a lot of credit for his role in the creation of the modern minivan, which is why history has been kind enough to forget the Chrysler TC by Maserati. Before Chrysler learned that mixing with the Germans wouldn't work they tried to shake some dollars out of a pairing with another Axis power, with similarly disastrous results. Though the 1989 TC came equipped with a powerful turbocharged version of the 2.2-liter Chrysler engine, few could get past the weird combination of Opera windows and a LeBaron-esque profile on what was a $33,000 car. Aunt Sally may claim that the "special" $12 jar of organic mayo in her spinach dip is worth the price, but like the TC, no one buys it.

10.) Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder Live Unveil

9.) 2009 Porsche Boxster Gets New Transmission

8.) 2010 Nissan Cube Gets Accidental Unveil

7.) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

6.) 2010 Mazda3 Sedan Shows Off New Design Peppy Engine

5.) 2010 Ford Fusion

4.) Honda FC Sport: Hydrogen Sports Car Concept Of The Future

3.) 2009 Nissan 370Z Unveild Live At Secret LA Event

2.) All-Electric MINI E Hits LA Auto Show Floor With Hottest. Deputy Mayor. Ever.

1.) 2010 Ford Mustang GT

10.) Honda Odyssey

Despite the epic name, the Honda Odyssey has never suffered from the sort of pretensions which led unlucky Greeks to fits of eye-gouging. The original model was heralded in the press and among consumers for its car-like handling, attributable to the Honda Accord platform which underpinned it. What it gained in nimbleness it gave up in space and sliding doors, limiting its appeal to a narrow segment of buyers. Successive generations of Odysseys have corrected these problems while still retaining much of the first generation's charm, though we agree with karan1003: the original is still the best.

9.) Toyota Previa S/C All-Trac

In 1991, the Toyota Previa looked like the future driving down the street on its way to soccer practice or a flute recital. Boys were quickly jealous of any flautist carted around in the unique minivan. The novel profile is a result of the Toyota's mid-engine design, which placed the four-cylinder engine practically underneath the driver's feat. While this provided an attractive shape, it limited engine size. The solution? Toyota applied a supercharger with an air-to-air intercooler, pumping power up to 160 horsepower. For wintry climates the All-Trac model was offered, meaning a few lucky souls had a supercharged and intercooled AWD minivan to taunt grzydj with. They're even driftable.

8.) Ford S-Max

We may have envisioned the original minivan, but our hats go off to the Europeans for adapting the model to create gorgeous MPVs like the Ford S-Max. Built on a platform shared with Volvo, the S-Max is one of the best examples of Ford's "kinetic" design language. The stylish MPV comfortably seats five adults and two children in a car with a footprint small enough to weave through narrow Belgian streets. Commenter layabout is happy they're available on his side of the pond and we're looking forward to the possibility of Ford selling them here. Dare to dream.

7.) Toyota Van

Prior to the Previa, Toyota's minivan offered a unique drivetrain configuration, dual sunroofs, digital clock and small refrigerator large enough to hold a six-pack of soda. All it lacked was a proper name. The van, offered between 1984 and 1989, was simply called the "Toyota Van" in the United States. These three-door minivans are still a popular choice for campers, especially the four-wheel drive models produced in the last two years of the five-year model run. The cargo versions, though rarer, still see service. We bet DBD could make a new life in one should the economy continue to tank. [Photo: http://www.toyoland.com/trucks/minivans.html]

6.) Oldsmobile Silhouette

GM was, typically, late to the minivan party. It took until 1989 for them to offer a full-fledged minivan in the form of the U-platform Pontiac Trans Sport/Chevy Lumina and Oldsmobile Silhouette. With its long sloping plastic-roofed greenhouse the Silhouette was always are favorite version. It was like a German expressionist nightmare of the future. The strange minivan offered numerous unique-for-the-time features including reconfigurable seats, air hose kit and the first remote-controlled power sliding door. Chrysler famously made fun of the minivan's appearance in an advertisement, which may have encouraged GM to design the next generation with the least amount of style as possible. Thanks to the plastic body panels and resilient 3800-series engine, there are still a few running versions out there haunting AndyMarkel.

5.) Ford SHOStar

Sadly, some of the best minivans are the ones we'll never be able to drive. The SHOstar was a concept car developed by Ford to test some alternative uses for their Yamaha V6 and, possibly, to test the waters for a performance minivan. Ford engineers directly transplanted the 220 hp V6 and five-speed gearbox out of the 1989 Taurus SHO into a second-generation Ford Windstar. Other touches include a tasteful body kit and what maxforrest32 will likely agree is a not-quite-tasteful backlit blue oval logo. Though it never saw production, the SHOstar is one of the hottest and strangest Ford concepts in recent memory. [Photo: DadyTypes[

4.) Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 is what you'd get if you tried to turn the Mazda3 into a minivan. Literally. Built on the same platform, Mazda3 + two sliding doors = Mazda5. It's a winning equation as the Mazda5 is one of the few minivans available with a manual transmission and the only modern minivan we'd be excited about driving. It not only outruns a Caravan at a stoplight, it bests it at the pump. As with PeterSternCan, our only complaint is we can't buy aMazdaspeed version. Hear that Mazda?

3.) Renault Espace F1

What kind of lunatics drop a formula one engine into a minivan? French lunatics! The Renault Espace F1 was designed to celebrate both the company's ten years of the Espace minivan and the company's participation in formula one. Possibly in order to save money, the two ideas were combined and you suddenly had a V10-powered minivan paired with a six-speed transmission capable of reaching 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 194 mph. With this van Device's kids will never have the desire to ask "are we there yet?" [Photo: F1Fantatic]

2.) Turbo Dodge Caravan

Of all the Chrysler Minivans built, the Dodge Caravan Turbos of the late 1980s are perhaps the most coveted. Designed as a temporary move until V6 engines were available, they're sleepers in the truest form. If you were lucky enough to buy one with a stick shift you'd be sitting on a collector's item. Though the non-intercooled turbochaged vans aren't known for their reliability, with a little tuning they can do a 12-second quarter mile, a feat unrivaled by most vehicles with wood paneling. WheatKing fantasizes about smoking kids in Civics with one of these bad boys. [Photo and info: TurboVan]

1.) Ford Supervan

There have been three generations of the Ford Supervan, each more ridiculous than the last. Though the first generation is only sort of a minivan, the GT40-sourced V8 makes us forget the distinctions. The second generation was upgraded with a Ford-Cosworth F1 engine mounted below the rear cargo floor. The final generation now features a Cosworth V8 crammed into a European Ford Transit package. The retro paint job and commitment to insanity make this van a rolling classic to people like RacerX [Photo: NSVA]

Follow along with the rest of our Maximum Minivan Day coverage!

10.) Mercury Marauder

Hearkening back to the good ol' days, the Mercury Marauder is one of the few modern cars to appeal to the dark side. Based on the same Panther platform that underpins countless Crown Vic police cars, the sight of one of these sends chills down the spine, and when you throw in the blacked-out windows, grille, headlights, taillights and pillars you end up with one spooky sled. There's a reason why the CIA and the Feds ordered up a bunch of Marauders.

9.) Plymouth Satellite

If, like the eponymous movie wants us to believe, cars have personalities, then the Plymouth Satellite is a scary zombie. At the very least, a ghost-white one with a little rust and a missing bumper is the perfect car for a zombie crew to jump in and use to terrorize the locals. Wait? Zombie drivers? We just came up with the best movie idea. Someone call Spielberg.

8.) Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon

In a decade defined by optimism, there was something deeply pessimistic about the nineties-era Buick Roadmaster. Built on the same b-body platform as a number of other GM wagons, the Roadmaster has an angry stature amplified by the long, mean nose and partially-covered rear wheels. Powered by a version of the 5.7-liter LT1 V8 used in the Corvette, a black Roadmaster wagon has the power to chase down lost souls and the room to store them. Paging the Grim Reaper. [Photo: StationWagon.com]

7.) Avanti II SportCoupe

We always thought a Studebaker Avanti coupe would have made a better batmobile than a Futura. With nary a straight line to be found, a tail end that abruptly comes to an end and a chrome bumper that looks like it has a pair of fangs we wonder if this isn't what Dracula drives when he turns into a bat. Combine that with those empty eyes and we doubt this spooky SportCoupe could see its own reflection in its shiny moon wheel covers.

6.) Lincoln Continental Mark III

Few vehicles bring the promise of misadventure and doom than a Lincoln Mark III. Squelch on a bet? A bookie in a Mark III is going to show up at your door and throw you onto the 16 acres of hood real estate. Drop a dime on a gangster? A dude named Tony and his friends Anthony and Anton will be happy to make room for you — in the trunk. Unlike the softer, luxurious luxury cars of the era, the Mark III clearly states that it means business. All black and chrome with those covered headlights, this Lincoln is prepared for stealthy mayhem. [Photo: SeriousWheels.com]

5.) Alfa Romeo Montreal

If Vader tools around in a GNX and the reaper has a Roadmaster wagon then Satan himself drives around in an Alfa Romeo Montreal. Don't let the name fool you: The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he was a Canadian. As Dante will tell you, the Antichrist is clearly an Italian guy and we don't imagine that his unholiness would drive around in a Ferrari. There's no doubt the Montreal's evil-looking grimace, angry NACA duct and 1970s Italian dependability make it the perfect car for lapping the eighth circle of Hell.

4.) Plymouth Valiant V-200

For your classier demon there's not much better than a Plymouth Valiant V200. From its demonically styled grille to the creepy fender chrome, the Valiant V-200 is ghoulishly awesome. The creepiest feature on the car, and on nearly any car, is the trunk, which appears to include the door to the underworld. Though this feature is actually for the spare tire, it looks like a portable gate to Hell.

3.) Porsche 917

Though we think of Porsches as small and sleek sports cars, the Porsche 917 is something of an outlier. Though fast and wonderful, it looks like a giant scary monster come down from the hills to eat the villagers. The sloping wings, huge inlet and bulky styling are more Frankenstein than Frankfurt. The 917/20, a.k.a. the "Pink Pig", is perhaps the most frightening of them all. From most angles it looks like a stitched-together bird-pig-man hybrid. Run, run for your lives from the Trufflehunter of Züffenhausen!

2.) Buick GNX

When the Buick GNX debuted, Car And Driver ran a review of it with the headline "Vader, Your Car is Ready" and that connection has never left the car. Ignore the fact that nearly every part, down to the wheels, is black. Ignore the evil grimace on its face. Ignore even the Buick's blade-sharp lines that scream "I will cut you and not look back" standing still. The thing that makes the GNX truly scary looking is the site of this G-bodied two-door from the late 80s screaming down the street to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and running a quarter-mile in 13.26. Evil incarnate.

1.) Rolls Royce Phantom Jonckheere

The single most frightening looking car in history also has one of the most spine-tingling names of any car. The Rolls Royce Phantom Jonckheere Coupe may be one of the finest automobiles built, but we fear the person who actually drives around in one of these. Built without concern for cost or common sense in the 1920s, the history of the car is somewhat murky but we wouldn't be surprised if it spent some time in Transylvania. From the rear three-quarter view it actually looks like Dracula's cape flowing in the wind. And on the inside? A blood red, entirely made of the finest materials. If you're ever invited inside make sure to bring a wooden stake with you.

10.) Volkswagen Tiguan
9.) Nissan Xterra
8.) Lotus Exige
7.) Hyundai Azera
6.) Chevy Aveo
5.) Saturn Vue
4.) Volkswagen Touareg
3.) Toyota Camry
2.) Toyota Yaris
1.) Toyota Venza

[via Autoblog]

10.) Hood Ornament

Ornamentation on hoods came about as an artistic way of dealing with a technical problem: many older cars had radiator caps on the edge of the hood, requiring a removable seal. Rather than just placing a round cap on the tip, designers began adding mascots. Whether the classic flying lady from a 1930's Caddy or a leaping Jaguar from the British marque, a hood ornament signifies a period when cars were considered more than just transportation. Despite the inherent beauty of a hood ornament, automakers have been doing away with them, making the hood ornament something Cognitive Friction will have to explain to his kids along with the polar ice caps and typewriters.

9.) Corvette Quad Round Taillights

Since that first 1960 Corvette rolled off the assembly line nearly 50 years ago, every Corvette has sported two sets of roundish red taillights. There are many iconic headlight designs, but there's something poignant about crafting such memorable taillights. The designers know that, if the engineers do their job right, you'll spend more time looking at the back of the car than the front. Like glowing red afterburners poking out from a jet, the lights signify you and Rock517 were just smoked, whether by a ZR1 or a C4 Vette-amino.

8.) Tailfins

The tailfin is not only a classic design element, it is also indicative of the way car design reflects the aesthetics and aspirations of a moment in time. It is no coincidence the Tailfin Era occurs during a period in history when we, as a people, first looked confidently to the skies as the next realm of conquest. The world's fascination with rockets and rocket design is mimicked in cars, such as the 1960 Cadillac Sixty-Two Coupe pictured above. In fact, the peak of the Tailfin Era, the 1959 Cadillac Series 62, comes a year after America sent its first satellite into space. The fin isn't entirely limited to American cars of the 1950s and early 1960s; our opponents in the space race, the Russians, also had the Moskvitch 408, which sported some fairly nifty fins. Though JB may want the fins to make a comeback, we think it's something best confined to that era.

7.) The Wedge

While the wedge design may not have historically been used on the most reliable cars, it managed to end up on some of the most aerodynamic and sporty-looking vehicles. A wedge-shaped vehicle is essentially one with a front end that is lower than the rear, as on a Lancia Stratos, a Corvette or a Giugiaro-designed Lotus Esprit. It is impossible to see a wedge-shaped car and not intrinsically understand that it represents speed. SundaySunday has owned two and would be pleased to wedge himself into another one. [Photo: SeriousWheels]

6.) Dagmar Bumpers

Perhaps the most erotic and suggestive design element of all time, the Dagmar bumper refers to a style of ornamentation from the 1950s that appears to be a set of artillery shells poking out from the front of the car. The element appropriately gets its name from a female character from 1950s television endowment with a set of certain impressive physical assets. The design was popular in the post-WWII period, a sign of how the bumper guards reflect the rise of America's military might. Though the style died out in the shift to the rocket age and Tailfin Era, MikeSawyer could tell you it graced such iconic American cars as the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. [Photo: Flickr]

5.) Curved Hip

As with humans, all cars have rears but not all of them have discernible hips (and they're often much better looking when they do). In automotive terms, a hip is created when the rear wheels, and therefore the fenders, extend outside of the line of the greenhouse beyond the car's shoulders. Truly curved hips can be found on coupes and GTs such as the Aston Martin DBS and Ford GT. They indicate a vehicle designed for strength and performance. They're found on the cars that haunt SeanKHotay's dreams.

4.) Quad Round Headlights

Before designers began placing a car's various lights into one piece of sealed plastic they were forced to separate them into distinct elements. This led to various designs, the classiest of which is the quad round headlight. What else links the XJ Jaguar to a Lancia Fulvia? Or a 1968 Fairlane 500 to a 1937 Pierce Arrow? PtMeyer wonders why you would have one pair of headlights when you can have two headlights?

3.) Flying Buttress

The most Gothic of all car design elements, the flying buttress borrows its name from a buttress typically found on religious buildings that carries a design element across towers or other features in need of a support. Similarly, the "flying buttress" on a car is a way of supporting it aerodynamically. A flying buttress is formed when the C-pillars on a car stretch beyond the rear glass, adding stability at high speeds without the need for a large wing or spoiler. Think Jaguar XJS or C3 Corvette. Think Ferrari 308 or the modern and radical 599 GTB Fiorano. We're guessing P161911 would be pleased to put his buttress in any of those fine autos. [Photo: Flickr]

2.) Porsche 911 Silhouette

It is nearly impossible to confuse the silhouette of a Porsche 911 with anything else. Unlike the profiles of most cars, which are the sum of multiple elements, the silhouette of a 911 is formed by a single angled line that extends up from the sharply angled A-pillar that bends up from the edge of the greenhouse and then takes a long curve to the taillights to form the signature sloping roofline. The details of the rest of the car vary by model and year, but that one element remains the most familiar and striking. A product of necessity — there are only so many ways to package a rear-engined sports car, AcaciaGebeh knows that necessity is sometimes the MILF of invention.

1.) Hoffmeister Kink

Though most people will recognize a BMW by its trademark kidney-shaped grille, the true enthusiast will recognize the small wedge at the base of the C-pillar, which highlights the rear wheels of the rear-wheel-driven cars. Though some have argued this element first appeared on the 1960 Dodge Dart, Wilhelm Hoffmeister rightly gets credit for creating such a distinct and memorable element for the Neue Klasse Bimmers of the 1960s and 1970s. This element is present in nearly every BMW you'll ever see, which is why Ash78 and so many others nominated it. It looks great even on a Bangle-ized Bimmer, but we think one of the best examples is the 1965 BMW 2000C/CS coupe.
[Photo: ConceptCarz.com]

The Ten Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles For 2009

We've provided you two lists, one of the top ten vehicles ranked by highest fuel economy in city driving, the other, by highest fuel economy on the highway

Make Model: City or Highway

By City:
1.) Toyota Prius: 48
2.) Honda Civic Hybrid: 40
3.) Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35
4.) Ford Escape/Mariner Hybrid 2WD: 34
5.) Smart Fortwo: 33
Toyota Camry Hybrid: 33
7.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 30
8.) Toyota Yaris: 29
9.) Mini Cooper: 28
Honda FIt: 28

By Highway
1.) Toyota Prius: 45
Honda Civic Hybrid: 45
3.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 41
Smart Fortwo: 41
5.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5 XFE: 37
Mini Cooper: 37
7.) Toyota Yaris: 36
Honda Civic/Civic CNG: 36
9.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5: 35
Toyota Corolla/Honda Fit: 35
Ford Focus: 35

The Most Fuel Efficient Cars By Category

This list covers the most fuel efficient cars by EPA category.

Two-Seater Cars
Smart ForTwo: 33/41

Minicompact Cars
Mini Cooper: 28/37

Compact Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45

Midsize Cars
Toyota Prius Hybrid: 48/45

Small Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Diesel: 30/41

Midsize Station Wagons
Kia Rondo: 20/27

Small Pickup Trucks
Ford Ranger 2WD: 21/26

Standard Pickup Trucks
Chevrolet C15 Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid: 21/22

Cargo Vans
Chevrolet/GMC G1500: 15/20

Minivans
Mazda Mazda5: 22/28

Sport Utility Vehicles
Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD: 34/31

[Source: FuelEconomy.gov]

10.) Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit

9.) Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 may seem like an unconventional choice for a live-in automobile, but it offers a lot for a little. Based on the sporty Mazda3 platform, the Mazda5 has the benefits of a small economy car: good mileage, low cost-of-ownership and affordability. It also offers some of the benefits of a minivan: sliding doors, three-row seating, fold-out table, under-floor storage and fold-flat seats. The possibility of getting one with a manual, no longer a possibility with most vans, makes it the perfect choice for a down-on-their-luck dad who still likes to drive but may have to outrun creditors.
Price New: $18,665 (base)
Price Used: $12,500 and up

8.) Ford Econoline

We imagine people have been jamming Econoline as long as people have been living in vans. They're cheap. They're big. They're available in a privacy-enhancing panel version. When Chris Farley's motivation speaker said he was "living in a van down by the river" he was almost certainly talking about a Ford Econoline. The panel version is the cheapest model and, though it lacks carpeting, has ample room for an air mattress or stolen love seat. A top-of-the-line conversion Econoline from the 1980s can be had with a TV/VCR combo, reclining bed, wood inserts and velour drapes. If it's good enough for Mike Watt, it's good enough for us.
Price New: $23,940 (E-150)
Price Used: $3,000 and up

7.) Honda Element

The Honda Element may be one of the most configurable cars available. The SUV with the soul of a Civic, the Element's seats can be stowed, laid-out or removed as necessary. All of the Honda's seats can be folded backwards to create two long, thin beds. This is the ideal living space for a close couple not willing to face the harsh elements outside of an Element. Additionally, the water resistant interior means that you can hose off the interior after it collects the various liquids of life. Those with a little extra dough can get an ECAMPER conversion for a true camper experience.
Price New: $20,990
Price Used: $8,500 and up

6.) Chevy Suburban

There have been a few large SUV models in America's history, but none of them have lived as long as the Suburban, which holds the record for longest continuous nameplate in production. That's good if you're looking for parts for your new home. An increase in gas prices has caused an increase in availability and a decrease in price (the base model came with a 5.7-liter V8). Now that gas prices have dropped along with the economy, it's now even affordable to drive. At over 18-feet long, the Suburban's interior rivals some small studios. The GMT400 models from the 1990s could have come with the 6.5-liter diesel, which is perfect for long nights of idling to keep the heat running. Older models are tough and cheap while newer models get more expensive but offer more in the way of creature comforts.
Price New: $40,820
Price Used: $2,500 and up (GMT400)

5.) Volvo 740 Wagon

A Volvo station wagon is a great choice for a family looking for a safe place to live and the Volvo 740 is perhaps the best balance of value and space. Nearly 16-feet long, the early 1990s models run cheap and aklthough not fast, they're quite roomy. Most importantly, the build quality and reliability of the last model years of the 740 are among the highest of any vehicle Volvo's ever built. When you get kicked out of your gated community you can also use it to sneak back in as a soccer mom and not as someone who uses a soccer ball for a pillow.
Price New: N/A
Price Used: $2,000 and up

4.) Dodge Caravan

What better way to celebrate your new life in a failing economy than buying a car from afailing automaker? Kids love the Caravan because of the cool features, like the fold-out table, DVD player with A/V hookup for the video games, fold-flat seats, tall roofs and many storage spaces. When the kids ask why they spend all the time at the beach and never go home just tell them it's like that vacation you took to Florida.. except it never ends. A small family could do much worse than life in a Caravan or its ritzy Town & Country brother, though we recommend a third generation if you want all of those features.
Price New: $28,500
Price Used: $14,500 and up (third gen), $2,500 and up (second gen)

3.) Ford Flex

The automotive gypsy lifestyle once meant big vans or SUVs but the era of the crossover is here. Balancing van-like space and amenities with car-like handling, the crossover could be the sleeping place of choice for the next Great Depression. The Ford Flex might be the best choice for those who may soon be evicted but are currently of some means. The long, seven-seater Flex offers space, comfort and luxury in a package that looks like a house. Throw in a fridge in the second row console that can fit a six-pack of beer and you've got quite a home.
Price New: $28,295 (base)
Price Used: $25,000 (or even as low as $7,500 off of a repossession. How meta is that anyway?)

2.) Volkswagen Vanagon/EuroVan Westfalia

The Westfalia VWs were designed for living for, though not necessarily for extended periods of time. Offered through VW, the Westfalias were essentially a Volkswagen Vanagon or EuroVan with a camper top that folds out to create a living space. Many also came equipped with small refrigerators, stovetops, sink and other appliances. The Vanagon pictured above was created by this guy to be an all-season living space. They no longer sell the Westy here in the US new, so you'll have to find one on the used market.
Price New: N/A
Price Used: $6,000 and up (Vanagon) $12,000 and up (EuroVan Weekender)

1.) Dodge Sprinter

There's really nothing like a Dodge Sprinter commercial van if you have to live your life on wheels. Daddy Coppola turned one into a portable studio and we'd be proud to live in one. Based on the Mercedes Sprinter van, this is the Mercedes of commercial vans. At nearly 23-feet long, nine-feet tall and six-feet wide the cargo area of a Sprinter is a cave. Throw in a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, 12-volt power outlet and a hydraulic jack and you're traveling the US in comfort. For real style you can convert your Sprinter into a Mercedes with a few cheap trim pieces. In extended form there's enough room in the back for a bed, small couch, table and desk. High-mileage, used cargo versions can be found at quite a reasonable price. And, we hear it may actually be bigger than Wert's entire place in Manhattan — and for 1/10th the price new!
Price New: $42,170
Price Used: $14,000

10. DeTomaso Bigua (1996 - Present)

In the mid 1990s, DeTomaso developed the Biguà platform as a replacement for its aging Pantera model. The name was eventually changed to Mangusta and the design sold to Qvale, which hoped to produce enough of the models to remain profitable. Eventually, the design and plant were sold to MG Rover Sport, which resurrected the platform to underpin the MG X-Power and its variants. It's basically an Italian car powered by an American Ford V8 and then transplanted to Britain. Wasn't that the plot of Keen Eddie?

9. MG F/TF (1995 - Present)

Not to be confused with the MG company reproducing Qvale Mangustas, the non-sports-car side of MG/Rover was sold to a Chinese company, which has the rights to produce the original last MG two-seater model: the MG F/TF. The MG F/TF platform was developed as part of a reincarnation of the classic MG sports car and was relatively popular in Britain. When the company was sold to the Chinese they took over ownership of the MG F/TF design and are now reproducing them under the same name, including a MG TF police car.

8. Peugeot 405 (1987 - Present)

The Peugeot 405 was a popular sedan in its day, offering a sharp-for-the-era Pininfarina design, good performance and sporty-yet-refined handling. It was also the last Pug officially sold in the United States. The 405 was replaced in 1997 for most of the world, but still carries on in Egypt as the Wagih Abaza/Peugeot 405. Our favorite current variant, however, is the Iran Khodro Samand. It's the sexiest way to drive through an axis of evil.

7. Ford Ranger (1982 - Present)

The Ford Ranger, introduced in the early 1980s to take on rival Japanese compact trucks, has always been a capable compact truck. While the rest of the market moved into larger, mid-sized trucks with "modern designs" and "interiors that don't look 20 years old" the Ranger remained what it always was. Though there have been significant changes in the body style, engines and other key parts through the 25-year life of the Ranger, it is fair to say it is essentially the same platform. We continue to be told of the death of the Ranger but it continues to be produced and, though volume is low, is actually seeing sales declines significantly lower than the F-Series, which is due for replacement.

6. B2 Volkswagen Passat (1981- Present)

The second generation Volkswagen Passat platform, which was launched in 1981, was replaced in 1987 by the third-generation Passat familiar to many of us for its classic boxy design. Shanghai Volkswagen Auto started building B2-based VW Santanas in 1985 and liked the car so much that they've never stopped. Currently, the Santana is one of the most popular cars in China and has been updated numerous times to include MP3/CD radios, ABS brakes and electronic fuel-injection. In addition to being a passenger car, the Santana is like the Crown Vic of China in that it sees significant use in taxi and civil service fleets.
[Photo Credit: Flickr]

5. Ford Panther (1979 - Present)

The Ford Panther has the current record for the oldest platform sold in North America now that Volkswagen has finally stopped making Type-1 Beetles. Originally sold as the Ford LTD way back in 1979, the Panther still underpins the current generation Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. Sure, it may be old, but we also kind of love it. If it ain't broke, right?

4. MK1 Volkswagen Golf (1974 - Present)

Thanks to Volkswagen's flexibility with design exportation, the very popular Mk1 Golf lives on in a perpetual state of hatchback bliss as the South African Volkswagen Citi. Variants of this Citi Golf abound, including versions not too-far-off from the original GTi, but the car is remarkably similar in style and design to that original and classic VW hatchback look.

3. Fiat 124 (1966 - Present)

The Fiat 124 may be the most prostituted car platform in the history of the automobile and, thanks to semi-solid Italian design and Russian thrift, it may never die. First produced in 1966, the 124 was the Turkish Murat 124, the Spanish Seat 124 and continues life, in reduced production, as the Russian Lada/AutoVaz Riva.

2. Morgan Plus 4 (1950 - Present)

While the Morgan Aero 8 may look like a car designed around the mid-century mark, the Morgan Plus 4 was actually designed and produced in the 1950s. This post-war two-seater was produced until 1969 as the company moved onto other models. In the mid 1980s the company needed the Plus 4 to fill a gap between two other Morgans so it continued its reproduction until 2000. Then, in 2005, the company thought "what the hell?" and started re-reproduction of the Plus 4, which now caries a Ford 2.0-liter Duratec fourbanger, as part of their "classic" line. [Photo Credit: AvonHill]

1. Morris Oxford (1948 - Present)

Celebrating 60 years in production, we're sort of curious if the original designers of the original Morris Oxford knew it would live on in-perpituity. The Oxford design was carried, with some major changes, through multiple generations in Europe. The folks at Hindustan Motors in India, however, never thought there was much need to improve over the third generation Oxford and continue to make the Ambassador in a form not too removed from the original. Though not the official car of India, it is one of the most popular cars in he history of the country and one of the oldest continually produced cars in history.
[Photo Credit: Picasa

10.)

Click the photo for more on the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION!

9.)

Click on the photo for more on the Mini Crossover Concept!

8.)

Click on the photo for more on the Peugeot RC HYmotion4!

7.)

Click on the photo above for more on the Pinfinfarina B0!

6.)

Click on the photo for more on the Lamborghini Estoque!

5.)

Click on the photo for more on the Mazda Kiyora!

4.)

Click on the photo for more on the Renault ZE Concept!

3.)

Click on the photo for more on the Nissan Nuvu!

2.)

Click on the photo for more on the Renault Ondelios!

1.)

Click on the photo for more on the GTbyCitroën!

1. King of the assembly line -
Ford: The Model T brought mobility and prosperity on an undreamed of scale through manufacturing efficiencies at a price that anyone could afford. The mass production process perfected the moving assembly line, creating and defining the industrial age and enabling Ford to steadily decrease the price of the Model T. In 1908, the first Model Ts sold for $825. By 1925, it sold for only $260.

Jalopnik: The Model T is largely responsible for the introduction of assembly lines to the manufacturing process, bringing cheap cars to everyone. This fundamentally altered the American manufacturing and employment landscape, but ultimately created the tools with which offshore manufacturing was able to compete with domestic industry. Besides, was giving absolutely everyone in the entire country the ability to own a car a good thing? Only time and melted polar ice caps will tell.

2. Friend of the factory worker –
Ford: The Model T is responsible for establishing a minimum wage and the eight-hour work day. The $5 a day minimum wage brought the best workers to the Ford factories and is often cited as having helped establish the middle-class. The factory work also gave jobs to people who usually could not find work such as immigrants, women, minorities and people with disabilities.

Jalopnik: Anyone but the Jews! The minimum wage is a complicated issue; the American standard of living makes its workers more expensive and less efficient to use for manufacturing jobs, resulting in the sending of those jobs overseas. Would workers rather earn $5 an hour or be unemployed?

3. Personalize it –
Ford: Over the years, thousands of Model T accessories have been sold. Because of this, the car spurred the aftermarket supplier industry, which is now a $38 billion industry annually. Anytime you see a car with anything from a bumper sticker to chrome wheels, know that the Model T started the customization trend.

Jalopnik: So we have the Model T to blame for SEMA and its ilk? Gee, thanks.

4. The Universal Car –
Ford: Model T stands out as the industry's truly the first global car. By 1921, it accounted for almost 57 percent of the world's automobile production. It also was manufactured in several countries and had dealerships in six continents.

Jalopnik: So bring us all your world beating Euro models already! We don't want to wait till 2010 or only get six models.

5. The American Way –
Ford: Before the Model T, early cars might have a steering wheel on the right, left, or in the center of the front seat. The Model T standardized the left-hand steering wheel.

Jalopnik: We actually think the center-mounted steering wheel is a really cool idea and would have reduced manufacturing costs for global cars. Ford also neglects to mention the bizarre pedal arrangement on the Model T and steering-wheel-mounted throttle controls, none of which are still in use.

6. Any Color As Long As It's Black –
Ford: The myth that the Model T only came in black probably comes from the reality that almost 12 million of the 15 million total Model Ts were black. But, in the early and late years of Model T production, the car was produced in many different colors, including blue, red, green and grey. Oddly, many these hues were so dark they were hardly discernable from black, another reason the myth lives on.

Jalopnik: If only it was so easy to impose your will on consumers these days.

7. Built Ford Tough –
Ford: By 1925, Ford was building its first factory-produced domestic pickup truck - the Ford Model T Runabout - with a pickup body. Ford also offered a heavier-duty, one-ton-rated Model TT pickup - akin to today's F-Series Super Duty. The Model T chassis was simple, strong and lightweight, with a unique three-point suspension that isolated the frame and powertrain from road shock that would cause other less sophisticated chassis designs to flex under heavy loads.

Jalopnik: So what happened? Where are our simple, strong, lightweight trucks now? Or simple, strong, lightweight cars for that matter. Instead we get the F-150, a nice luxury truck, but does the working man really need acres of leather, a 4.6-liter V8 and the ability to tow planet earth?

8. Look at that thing go! –
Ford: Tin Lizzie's original engines offered flexibility and boasted 20 hp, with a top speed of 40-45 mph. The front-mounted, 2.9-liter, four-cylinder, flex-fuel engine was the first single block motor with removable cylinder head and today remains the basis for most modern engines. The engine could be matched to one of nine T body styles, all built on the same chassis.

Jalopnik: Ford: early innovators in badge engineering and revisionist history. We seriously doubt Henry ever called anything “flex-fuel," preferring instead the period-appropriate "huge manufacturing tolerances which have the upshot of enabling the use of whatever combustible liquid you happen to come across."

9. Tin Lizzie, a Pop Culture Icon –
Ford: Soon after the Model T appeared in dealer showrooms, it started appearing in movies, songs, and became part of modern language and culture. The Model T was featured in 1920s black-and-white comedies and became the subject of hundreds of jokes and cartoons that captured the experience about life with the Model T, the personality of the car and its creator, Henry Ford. Hundreds of songs and even whole music albums were created as the Model T became part of pop culture, later generating dozens of nicknames for the car. The most common - "Tin Lizzie" - was the moniker that had several possible origins ranging from the popularity of the female name "Lizzie" during that period to a famous Model T racecar named "Old Liz."

Jalopnik: So where’s the resonance of your current models in pop culture? Toby Keith doesn’t count. Does anyone that you don't pay still sing about Fords?

10. The Car of the Century –
Ford: The Model T was the best-selling vehicle ever, until 1972 when the VW bug finally surpassed it. During 19 years of production, more than 15 Million Model Ts had been sold by May 26, 1927, when a ceremony marked the formal end of Model T production. More than 20 years later in 1999, a panel of 126 automotive experts from 32 countries still chose the Model T as the most influential car of the 20th century.

Jalopnik: But which Ford will be the car of the 21st century? The Fusion? No, we know, it’s gotta be the Taurus. Check back with us in 92 years, you’ll see that we were right. But seriously, where's the game-changing, world beating Ford? We don't mean something that's 10% more or 10% less, we mean a vehicle that fundamentally alters people's perceptions of the automobile. Come on Ford, doing that is what made you great; please do it again.
[Ford]

10. Honda Ridgeline

Ideal for your casual tailgater, the 2009 Honda Ridgeline almost perfectly fits the bill. The spacious interior comfortably fits five normal-sized passengers and the bed is just large enough to hold a few seats with the tailgate fully extended. Though the Ridgeline isn't massively powerful, it has a massive storage area below the truck's bed, which is big enough to hold a cooler, beverages, ice and whatever else you need for a good day of tailgating with 80Honda and three of your friends.

9. Barby Ute

One of the few purpose-built tailgating vehicles in existence, Ford of Australia took one of their liquid gas-powered Falcon Utes and added a giant cylinder on the back that looks like an LPG tank to create the Barby Ute. The doors of that cylinder open up to reveal a fully-functioning, gas-powered BBQ pit. Though they may grill shrimp and watch Australian rules football, we tip our hat first to the Aussies for creating such an ideal tailgating vehicle and second to LTDScott for finding it.

8. 18-Wheels Of Meat Justice

You'd have to have a serious stake in steak to build a gigantic grille onto the bed of an 18-wheeler, so it is no surprise that the crew behind the "Big Taste Grill" is employed by Johnsonville Brats. The self-proclaimed World's Largest Grill, the BTG's grill lid alone weighs 6,000 pounds and requires hydraulics to open it. Capable of producing 440,000 BTUs of power, this meat machine is capable of cooking 2,500 brats an hour. If you have the means, and own a meat company, Bpapa9013 highly recommends it. [Photo: Flickr]

7. 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Having been part of the first ever tailgate in the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, we can say for sure that this truck is built for tailgating. The new Ram features the "Ram Box" storage system in each sidewall, which has enough space to hold more than three dozen 12-oz beverages. It's so large that the editor of PickupTrucks.com nearly fits inside of it. Does that mean it holds seven passengers? [Photo: AutoBlog]

6. Recreational Vehicle

This is sort of a no-brainer when it comes to camping outside of the stadium. The recreational vehicle, like UDMAN's ride pictured here, has a number of distinct advantages. The RV typically comes complete with a small kitchen, space is almost unparalleled, it is much easier to setup a television inside and it has a water closet for when you realize you need somewhere to put what's left of all that Coors Light you drank. It also ensures you have a comfortable place to sleep if you want to show up a few days early to get the best grilling location.

5. Jeep Wagoneer

Older SUVs represent a great, relatively inexpensive choice for a single-purpose tailgating vehicle. Though an old Land Cruiser or Suburban is an admirable choice, there's something classic about the Jeep Wagoneer. Maybe it's just the wood paneling, but the Wagoneer feels more like a portable living room than a truck. The most important feature is that the Wagoneer, unlike other SUVs, has a dropping tailgate that significantly extends the cabin space within the Jeep for pres and company to setup an inflatable couch and a portable TV.

4. Pontiac Aztec

While we agree with the conventional wisdom that says the Pontiac Aztec was a Hindenbergesque vehicle that would only appeal to blind drivers, Foo2rama makes a good point about the vehicle's usefulness as a tailgating rig. There's a built-in air compressor for blowing up inflatable chairs, a 10-speaker stereo system with rear controls, a two-piece tailgate with molded cupholders and seating grooves, and a removable cargo tray that holds up to 400 pounds of stuff. It may be ugly, but it is hard worker.

3. Used School Bus

When local school districts auction off their old buses it's time for the serious tailgater to strike. As Cognitive_Friction knows, a school bus is basically a long, covered space in which a true artist can craft their ultimate tailgating ride. Outfitted with tables, chairs, televisions, grilling gear, beanbag toss, refrigerators and other essentials, the school bus has most of the utility of the RV with the novelty of... a giant school bus. Paint it in your team's favorite colors and there will be no mistaking who you support. [Photo: Flickr]

2. Classic Station Wagon

Commenter Slantsick hit the nail on the head with his suggestion of the classic, tailgated station wagon. Before fancy hatches were popular, you couldn't sell a station wagon without a keen tailgate. For those who want to look stylish when not tailgating but have the utility for Saturdays and Sundays, the 1950s-era wagon is hard to top. It's also significantly cheaper than retrofitting an 18-wheeler. Loyter's University of Utah red vintage Chevy II wagon is a classic example of why this may be the ultimate Jalopnik tailgating vehicle.

1. Used Ambulance

Striking the best balance between utility, cost and insane conviction is the ambulance converted into the supreme tailgating vehicle. It has storage. It has power. It has space. They're easy to pick up at auctions. They look cool. They have sirens. They're freaking ambulances! The University of Toledo Jambulence has more features than we can possibly list, but let's just say a super-quiet generator, LCD televisions and touchscreen computers all equal good times. Husker fans have the Big Red Meat Wagon, which comes with a "wiener slinger" and other strange devices that we are sure makes tailgating all that much more fun. We wouldn't be surprised to hear that PeteJayhawk is looking for one pre-painted in KU colors.

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10. G-6155 (Spy Hunter)

What is a "Spy Hunter" exactly and why is everyone trying to run the "Spy Hunter" off the road? It's hard to say, but few people locked into the excitement of playing Spy Hunter bothered to do anything but toss Road Lords off the screen to the hypnotic beat of the "Peter Gunn" theme. It had smokescreens, it had oil slicks and with a trip to the weapon van it was seriously armed. Most of all, it was sexy.

9.) Suzuki Escudo (Gran Turismo Series)

You started out with a Mazda Demio, worked your way up to a Del Sol and struggled your way through to a Mitsubishi 3000GT stacked so high with performance parts you could barely keep it on the road. You did all these things but you weren't anybody in Gran Turismo until you could plop down the insane cash for the even more insane Suzuki Escudo Pike's Peak Racer. How insanely fast was it? As Dr.Danger pointed out, you could achieve unreal speed by setting up a long draft on the oval course. Given the right setup the physics engine would even let you do a somersault with it. [Photo: IGCD.net]

8.) The 4x4 (Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Super Off Road)

7.) Sweet Tooth's Chevy Ice Cream Truck(Twisted Metal)

Twisted Metal has a special place in our hearts for merging the concept of head-to-head destruction with a driving game in such an enjoyable package. Everyone had a favorite vehicle and a belief that their special weapon was the key to success. But no car managed to stir the imagination like Sweet Tooth, the insane clown in a Chevy Ice Cream Truck. It was tough. It was fun to drive. It had a giant clown head on the top of it. It was the ultimate extension of teenage angst in a purely digital form.
[Photo: IGCD.net]

6.) Mario's Kart (Mari Kart Series)

Who knew that a game essentially about go-kart racing could be so much fun? It manages to feature no vehicles or weapons from the real world. The race tracks are often shaped like characters. The physics of the game are completely unlike even kart racing. Yet time-after-time we manage to sit down with our friends and enjoy hours of the game on any console it appears on. As with other games, there is debate as to what kart is truly the best, but Mario's red kart clearly carries with it the best balance of speed, size and acceleration. Be on the lookout for that kart and LamerX with a red shell on your tail.

5.) Infernus (Grand Theft Auto Series)

It takes a lot of effort to stand out in a game that features, amongst other vehicles, an Armored Personal Carrier and an ambulance. What makes the Infernus so special to the Grand Theft Auto series is the durability of its enjoyment (if not its actual, rather poor, durability). Whether it's the Vector-based Infernus of GTA III or the Murcielago of GTA IV, there's little that's as much fun as hopping in the high-speed ride, finding the best ramp and learning how to fly higher than a helicopter. We imagine Msketchler is trolling a virtual world in one now. [Photo: IGCD.net]

4.) The Blue Racer (F-Zero)

The Blue Racer from F-Zero stands out on this list, and not just because it is the only car here without any wheels. When F-Zero debuted on the SNES it blew our minds. With its quasi-3D graphics it felt like a revolution in gameplay. It was as if we had gone from horse-and-buggy to hovercar. Though the differentiation between cars was for the most part completely visual, everyone seemed to want the Blue Racer when it was their turn at the controls. It not only carried the cover and looked the fastest, it felt the fastest. It is the only futuristic racer that Dr. Danger would pilot around Mute City. [Photo: Wikimedia]

3.) Hornet (Daytona USA)

Rather than bothering with the complicated licensing involved in creating a NASCAR-type game, SEGA pushed through a rather detailed racing simulator with made-up names. As the driver in the original version of Daytona USA you raced a Hornet, and only a hornet. Is it a Ford or a Chevy? We don't know. We just know that when anyone is invited to an event at Dave & Buster's the first test of skill is behind the wheel of Hornet. It looks like a stock car but it drives like a dream and takes abuse like Rodney Dangerfield.
[Photo Arcade-History]

2.) Buick Skylark (Driver: You Are The Wheelman)

Before there was a fully 3D Grand Theft Auto there was Driver: You Are The Wheelman. As an undercover cop asked to infiltrate the world or organized crime, you have to dodge the cops and carry out jobs for the villains without becoming one yourself. Rather than throwing the driver into an officially-licensed Dodge Intrepid or something equally as ridiculous, the designers start out the driver in what is essentially a Buick Skylark. The mix of tire-smoking rear-wheel-drive and a growling V8 make for classic and unforgettable enjoyment. It's one big reason to never part with that PS1.
[Photo: IGCD.net]

1.) Ferrari Testarossa (Outrun)

Though Hang On may have been the test-bed for the technology, the original Out Run arcade game was one of the first driving simulators to put the player head first into the action. It was the game that let us dream of actually cruising down familiar roads at high-speeds and it was the Ferrari Testarossa we associate with that dream. It combined the beauty of a classic Italian design with the fun of open-top driving. But the best feature, and the reason why we can't forget the car, was probably the girlfriend in the passenger seat. Any car that comes pre-equipped with a blonde passenger that's easily impressed by beating a checkpoint is the car for Kors and a ride worthy of our endless appreciation. [Photo: IGCD.net]

Land Rover Discovery

No arguing that the Land Rover Discovery is about as timeless as a modern SUV can get, but since most people are born with a natural instinct to avoid buying used British vehicles, prices for a decent used one are cheap. PopMech suggested looking for a '93-'98 model, but we found this clean-looking '99 for just $4795 buy-it-now. The on