Sometimes a car’s launch just doesn’t do it for consumers or enthusiast bases. These are the ten cars that are finally getting the appreciation they deserve.
10.) Nissan 240SX
Decent handling, versatility, reliability and value has always made the Nissan 240SX a well-liked car, but it wasn’t until recent times that enthusiasts have been so highly attracted to them. And by enthusiasts, we mean “drifters.”
Reader 8695Beaters can explain:
Drifting turned these from ex-sorrority girls cars to the sports car they always should have been. Unfortunately drifting has also ruined these cars completely. It is impossible to find a good, clean example anymore and what is out there is very, VERY overpriced. I’m glad the drift craze has slowed and the prices have gone down, but I fear that by the time they’re truly collectible, there won’t be any worth collecting.
Yeah it’s a good drift car, but it’s a great daily driver when you don’t gut the interior and lower it half an inch from the pavement. It’s one of the best all-around cars ever made but because they’re old and cheap and can slide sideways, they’re just drift cars now. Really wish Nissan would make a new model...
Suggested By: 8695Beaters, Photo Credit: The pun stops here via Wikipedia
9.) De Tomaso Pantera
Overshadowed by the more popular Italian equivalents of its time, the De Tomaso Pantera wasn’t seeing the love it deserved, until now. Collectors not interested in the cliché have recently looked to the Pantera as a unique alternative to a Ferrari or Shelby as a new addition to their garage.
Suggested By: DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane, Photo Credit: Ed Callow via Wikipedia
8.) Porsche 924
Though the 944 is undoubtedly more popular and usually a better car, the 924 was never a bad deal either. It’s slimmer, lighter and if you opted for the late-model 924S, also more nimble than the 944. Now that prices have come down, these things are getting all kinds of attention.
Suggested By: JayHova, Photo Credit: Whiters via Wikipedia
7.) Chrysler C-Bodies
You know, the car that one of your parents was probably conceived in the back of? Yeah, there are a lot of people that would pay good money for that. Many American and European collectors alike are doing whatever they can to get their hands on a good MOPAR C-Body.
Suggested By: Autojunkie, Photo Credit: CZmarlin via Wikipedia
6.) Porsche 912
The 911’s four-cylinder little brother has seen price jumps of all kinds in recent years. With the 911 bubble continuously blowing up, people are doing whatever they can to get close to that early Porsche styling, ageless design and late ‘60s European performance.
Suggested By: CaptDale, Photo Credit: Curt Smith via Flickr
5.) BMW E36 M3
At it’s debut, many potential buyers felt as if they were given the short end of the stick with the E36 M3. Who could really blame them for feeling that way? This was the car that had to follow in the E30 M3’s footsteps. By making the E36 M3 so great, BMW basically shot future-BMW in the foot.
Suggested By: Justin Hughes, Photo Credit: OSX via Wikipedia
4.) Miata
Track day, bros have enjoyed the Miata since its inception, but for years it was dogged by its reputation as being a “hairdresser’s car.” Only ignorant people see it that way now.
With well over 20 years of production, the Miata has shown it can be more than just your sister’s graduating present or something cute to look at. They’re proven machines and a lot of people have noticed.
Suggested By: Mr-PLP, Photo Credit: Mafmafmaf via Wikipedia
3.) BMW 2002
The 2002 was the car that put BMW on the map, but it wasn’t until recently that they started shooting up in value. If you can find one of these little German tin boxes that isn’t completely rusted to shreds, go and get it. They may look like your normal run of the mill Germany family car, which they pretty much are, but once you get into one, you’ll learn that they’re unreasonably easy to work on and incredibly versatile platforms to build from.
Suggested By: Joe_Sterling_is_Brokedown_Again, Photo Credit: Steve Glover via Flickr
2.) Porsche 996
Following the 993, the Porsche 996 was largely considered a let down due to lower build quality, reliability issues and its unfavorable design. Now, in the 911’s general value bubble expanding, the 996 is one of the best used sports car values of today.
Suggested By: FromCanadaWithLove, Photo Credit: FAEP via Wikipedia
1.) Electric Cars
Throughout the years of the automotive industry, electric cars have been attempted many, many many times, and have never really caught on, until now. Now in New York I can’t go four blocks without spotting a Tesla Model S or some sort of electricity assisted vehicle. The times, they are a-changing.
Suggested By: As Du Volant, Photo Credit: David van der Mark via Wikipedia
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: Flickr/pyntofmyld