These are the Best Cars From the 1980s

“I, of course, have to nominate the Buick GNX, a grandma’s car that can beat the Corvette of the era with 2 fewer cylinders.”

Introduced in 1987, the GNX gave the Buick Regal a turbocharger, updated exhaust systems and a 0 to 60 time of 4.6 seconds. Oh, and it was developed by Buick and a little-known company called McLaren.

Suggested by: 89islander

“Obvious choices have been posted on the Kinja threads (959, F40, Grand National, etc).

“However THE BEST vehicles from the 1980s are tied: The S10/Sonoma and the Ford Ranger.

“Useful beyond their listed specifications. Abused to no end by contractors, delivery drivers, and teenagers. Lifted. Lowered. Engine swapped.

“In my high school days you could ALWAYS count on a $300 Ranger/S10 floating around if you needed wheels. They would be clapped out and have strange – albeit permanent – odors… but they’d do everything asked.”

The Ranger was launched by Ford as a compact pickup truck in 1983. Prior to that, it had been a trim level on the Blue Oval’s much larger trucks.

Suggested by: Scott Pro (Facebook)

“When I think of the ‘best cars’ of the ‘80s, I see the posters on the walls of my childhood bedroom. Now that I’m a middle-aged man, I concede that most of them weren’t very good cars. I think it’s important for the best car to at least be a good car.

“That leaves me with the 959. No other poster car from the ‘80s was as good at being a car as was the 959. You could daily drive one even today (if it weren’t so rare and valuable).”

What started out as a bonkers Group B rally car soon made its way onto the highway as the wonderful Porsche 959. Just 337 examples were produced from 1987.

Suggested by: smalleyxb122

“The one I’m still driving: my late father’s 1988 Mercedes 260E (124).

“Nearly 35 years old and still extremely reliable. It’s got its issues (it is and old car), but nothing on it has ever broken due to anything other than wear/ old age.

“Still runs as well as any other two-three year old car, built like a tank, gas mileage isn’t bad for an old car with a big engine, handles beautifully, and goes like stink on highways.

“Awesome then, awesome now.”

Anything that’s still running after 34 years is surely deserving of a spot on this list?

Suggested by: Alyson Kunack (Facebook)

“Gotta be the Audi Quattro. It is single handedly responsible for every freaking car made today being an FWD based AWD car.

“The progenitor of all modern AWD cars, and especially the 4000 Quattro Sedan normalized AWD in a family car.

“(and yes, I know “but what about Subaru”... at the time Subies were trash rustbuckets that only weirdos from vermont drove).”

What a machine! I love the Quattro with all my heart, great suggestion, toobs-n-stuff.

Suggested by: toobs-n-stuff

“Probably the most underrated fun car. A true classic. Utilitarian design with a touch of cool.”

Utilitarian with a touch of cool is a vibe I can always get behind.

Suggested by: @simongood999 (Twitter)

“I’d put forth the Fox Body Mustangs.

“They had something for everyone, notchback, fastback, or convertible, 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines to suit needs and budgets, the first SVo, the return of the GT350, ‘Special Service Mustangs’ for law enforcement, Saleen’s first steps into Mustang lore, even a couple of turbo models. Plus the styling was peak-80's done right and they are finally starting to be appreciated again.”

Definitely an improvement over the prior generation! The Fox Body Mustang was launched in 1979 and stayed with us until the early ‘90s.

Suggested by: trath

“Looks like a classic car. Drives like a more modern car. Diesel is weird and fun. Amazing build quality.”

Sounds like this old Mercedes-Benz has a lot of good things going for it!

Suggested by: hangovergrenade

“As an owner of an 85 Toyota Celica Supra, I’m a bit partial to the Supra but one of the the two seater (2+2) trio of the Celica Supra, 300ZX, or the RX7. Technology in these three at the time was cutting edge.”

A truly lovely car. If an ‘80s Supra can’t spark some joy in your heart then there must be something wrong with you.

Suggested by: Eric Rains (Facebook)

“As a non-truck guy, I’m going to vote for the trucks as whole, or the first gen S-10 if I have to pick a single model. Maybe their numbers weren’t the best, but they were mostly attractive, simple machines that got the job done. The S-10, B2000, Taco, Ranger, all great little trucks.”

Another nice truck! The ‘80s clearly had some pretty tidy little pickups for Americans to enjoy.

Suggested by: engineerthefuture

“The Jeep XJ started in the 80s and is the best 4x4 ever so there’s that.”

The best 4X4 ever? Is that you, David Tracy?

Suggested by: Blaine Sparling (Facebook)

“The K-car – it was a nice, reliant automobile.

“But more importantly, it saved Chrysler (although you could probably argue saving Chrysler helped kill AMC), it was an early attempt at the sort of modular platforms that are common today, and it proved adept at underpinning sensible economy cars, the minivan that spawned an entire segment (in North America), some fun (if unrefined) turbo hot hatches, and even a limousine worthy of exactly one disgraced former president.”

Why nominate one car when you can suggest an entire platform! Chrysler’s K Platform was premiered in the 1980s and underpinned everything from the Chrysler LeBaron to the Dodge 400.

Suggested by: maymar

“🤔 ... Well using one thru 10 as my ruler, the 1981 thru 1990 964/5 Porsche Turbo.”

The Turbo might not have been added until 1990, but the 964 was on sale in Porsche dealers in the 1980s. So it definitely counts.

Suggested by: @LilToot62 (Twitter)

“You guys already featured it!

“In the late 80's you could get a turbocharged van with a manual transmission that seated 8 and weighed over 3,000 lbs. As long as “crashworthiness” and “reliability” aren’t in your criteria, it’s pretty damn cool.”

Would you look at that, we already tracked down the best car from the 1980s. Good job, Jalopnik.

Suggested by: FistFullofNeutral

“IMHO, the most alluring car to come out of the 80's is the Ferrari 288 GTO. I remember seeing it for the first time in a window of a dealer in Beverly Hills and couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

“But since it is made of unobtanium, I’ll go with the Audi Quattro. Pretty much unobtainable now, but wasn’t at the time. Just something about the dimensions I find very attractive and with all wheel drive, it had sportiness, utility and looks.”

Look at it, just look at it!

Suggested by: oldbulldog22

“I’d put the ‘89 Trans Am Turbo and the ‘87 Buick GNX on the list.

“But, the Fox Body ‘Stangs deserve an honorable mention, since they saved face from the HORRIBLE Mustang II abomination.”

In 1989, Pontiac produced the fastest American production car of the time with the Trans Am Turbo, which could manage 162 mph.

Suggested by: Noah Jacob (Facebook)

“This one is easy for me but it’s very specific. Buick Regals in general but my Mother’s 1980 custom ordered with T-Tops. White with maroon interior, color matched pin striping.

“The Buick Rally wheels and raised white lettered tires (pretty new then). I turned 16 in 1984 and got to drive it occasionally. The only caveat was that I had to keep it washed and waxed.

“That thing got a coat of Mother’s every couple of weeks. She wanted it to shine like a ‘diamond in a goat’s ass.’ It did. I’m pretty sure it didn’t actually get wet in the rain after the first year she owned it.

“I loved it and still think it’s one of the prettiest cars I’ve ever seen. This isn’t it but it’s pretty close.”

This isn’t this poster’s mum’s Buick Regal, but it’s still a pretty damn cool car!

Suggested by: jaderose1300