Americans can thank General Motors for the new Corvette. It's superb. Also Chrysler for the Viper, keeping the spirit alive. Or Ford for making a 662 hp pony car. Why the hell not? It's 'Merica! But here are ten other cars worth your appreciation before the turkey feast.
10.) Ford GT
The Ford GT40 was the car that made the brand cool again, and the brilliant modern GT is the car that should really make a comeback. Ford doesn't have anything against the Viper and the Corvette.
Jess:
I couldn't agree more. I bought mine in 2005 and I will never get tired of it. Others will come and go, but she is The One!
Suggested By: $kaycog, Photo Credit: marco_ely
9.) Volkswagen Phaeton
The biggest bargain since Black Friday. Volkswagen and the Phaeton's first buyers might have lost money on Wolfsburg building a Bentley, but used ones will make you (and your mechanic) a really happy gearhead.
And eat your shoes.
Suggested By: Jagvar, Photo Credit: mic_000
8.) Audi RS2
The Bethlehem of fast wagons. Five cylinders, Porsche know-how, Audi quality. It was an instant classic back in 1994, and way cooler than anything BMW or Mercedes-Benz could offer.
Suggested By: Automatch- the Avanthusiast, Photo Credit: initialdave
7.) Honda S2000
The S2000 is a Miata on acid. Affordable, well built and stupidly fast. Honda should reconsider making a new one, because there's a huge market for it.
W00D:
The Honda S2000. I have never had more fun in a car with my clothes on. My rents liked mine so much they got one. My first year autocrossing has been a BLAST. That is the car I am thankful for.
Suggested By: W00D, Photo Credit: brainiac37
6.) BMW M Coupe
Nobody expected BMW to let loose their engineers, but that's exactly what happened during the Z3's development. They gave us a very fast clown shoe in exchange.
Suggested By: DSC Off, Photo Credit: lmnop88a
5.) Saab 900 Turbo
Saab has changed the meaning of a word. Since the 900, turbo means better instead of simply turbocharged. That's how awesome they were.
Suggested By: Highball!, Photo Credit: totally pixalated
4.) Ford Ranger
Nothing is more honest than an old pickup truck.
rent thanks the Ranger and his dad:
Every time something dumb breaks on the Focus or I have to do some sort of work on it, my dad would throw me the keys to his Ranger and tell me "You can keep it as long as you need it"
I had driven this truck through high school and never appreciated its simple brilliance and reliability. Earlier this year, my dad had no desire to keep the Ranger around and threw me the keys once again. This time, all he said was "It's yours".
I'll always be thankful for this truck (and of course, my awesome dad!).
Suggested By: rent, Photo Credit: rent
3.) The Old Toyota Camry
Hate modern Camrys as much as you like, but there's no denying that they used to be great daily drivers.
All Camrys from 1986-1996 are incredible cars. Both generations of Camrys in that span easily make my top-10 best-looking Toyotas ever. Plus V6 + manual makes them a candidate for then funnest vanilla car ever.
Suggested By: dogisbadob, Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
2.) Volkswagen Golf GTI
Thank you for every fun and affordable car!
AMEN!
Suggested By: GeneralAkbar, Photo Credit: Tim in Sydney
1.) Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ
I saw a GT86 yesterday evening, and I can't tell you how much respect I have for the Japanese for developing something like that.
The size and the proportions are perfect, and if 200 horses won't do the job, you can push that clever boxer engine further, it will take more than double the stock figures.
Low-cost RWD Manual sports car. Thank you thank you thank you.
Suggested By: RazoE, Photo Credit: Aurimas Adomavicius
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: GM