Your high school reunion is coming up fast and you need something that radiates your success and excellent taste, but doesn’t make you look like you’re trying too hard. These are our ten picks.
10.) Audi A8
Unlike the (still lovely) Mercedes S-Class, an Audi A8 looks expensive but isn’t too ostentatious. Audi is really the master of understated luxury, and isn’t that just what you need at a high school reunion parking lot?
Suggested By: mikewballou, Photo Credit: Robert Basic
9.) Volvo V60 R-Design
The V60 R-Design is the best choice for the one who has kids, but is too cool and stylish to blend in with a boring three-row crossover.
This tells everyone “I have kids but I haven’t given up yet.”
Suggested By: Máté Petrány, Photo Credit: Raphael Orlove/Jalopnik
8.) Mercedes-Benz SL (Pagoda)
Classic roadsters always make a statement, and the W113 “Pagoda” SL is probably the most elegant of them all. No matter who you are, this car will make you and your date (if applicable) look good.
Suggested By: 365Daytonafan, Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz
7.) Alfa Romeo 4C
It’s a crazy Italian sports car, but because it’s an Alfa Romeo no one will know what the hell they’re looking at. Ferraris and Lambos are great, but because of their name recognition people will think you’re trying too hard.
An Alfa is an esoteric connoisseur’s choice. It’s beautiful and attention grabbing, but it won’t make people hate you.
Suggested By: athought123, Photo Credit: Raphael Orlove/Jalopnik
6.) BMW i8
If you want to be the center of attention, show up in a car that looks like it was beamed down from 20 years in the future.
The i8 attracts a crowd and puts smiles on people’s faces wherever it goes, so if that’s your intention, here’s your car.
Suggested By: EternL_Frost, Photo Credit: Raphael Orlove/Jalopnik
5.) Classic Ford Mustang
A Classic ‘Stang will make you look like a refined badass, but doesn’t scream “hey look at me I made lots of money!”
With the right colors and wheels, these things have a presence like nothing else.
Suggested By: bmw325_num99, Photo Credit: Ford
4.) Tesla Model S P85D
Here’s the thing about the P85D: it impresses everyone. Normal people recognize it as a luxurious status symbol, environmentalists love its electric powertrain, tech junkies love its forward thinking approach and elegant design, and gearheads will dig its performance.
Seems like a win, win, win, win to me. Everyone loves the D (sorry, had too).
Suggested By: DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane, Photo Credit: Damon Lavrinc/Jalopnik
3.) Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
You’ll make a hell of an entrance (and exit) with a car that looks as good, and is as loud as an F-Type R Coupe.
More than any other car on sale today, an F-Type coupe says “you’ve arrived.”
Suggested By: Ben C, Photo Credit: Jaguar
2.) Baja Bug
Most of the other cars on this list are luxurious, sporty, and understated. A Baja Bug is none of those things, so why am I including it on the list?
Because a Baja Bug is a wonderful, classless joy-machine that will make everyone happy. Fact: it is impossible to hate a Baja Bug.
Suggested By: Johnnyazz, Photo Credit: zombieite
1.) Citroën SM
If a more elegant, classy, understated car has ever been made I haven’t heard of it. Forget high school reunions — if you need to make a statement anywhere, a Citroën SM is the car to do it in.
With an SM, everyone else looks like they’re trying too hard, no matter what they’re driving. You will arrive in peerless style — just as long as the car actually makes it there.
Suggested By: Alex Roy, Photo Credit: Bit Boy
Welcome back to Answers of the Day - our daily Jalopnik feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day’s Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It’s by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!
Top Photo Credit: Jaguar MENA
Contact the author at chris@jalopnik.com.