By now you prob’ly know that I am a car-lover. Like to read as many magazines I can get hands on, like to drive as many cars/bikes as dealers & friends allow me to. The worst part for MS members is that I write reviews on them too!:)
Here is a list of 20 cars in no particular order that I think are significant, are part of history or just simply put personal favorites. The impact they had on the world, on the industry or civilization as such is mind-boggling.
In USA/North America almost every outdoor memory is tied to some car they own. I couldn’t include some legend like say Lambhorgini Diablo, Rolls Royce, Maybach, Nissan Z car or Porsche 911 but I think we can’t doubt the cars in this list.
If I had a million dollars(& more) I might buy one of each!
Enjoy!
Dodge Viper
Brut American HP. Viper is a 500hp BEAST in the latest avataar. The first one was a brain-child of Bob Lutz who is currently with GM. The car didn’t have even the AC & also a soft-op only. The engine could boil eggs at idle. It created a raucous inside the cabin & also made matters very hot for the driver but nobody complained. The old one looked much meaner. The new one is designed/lead by a Japanese person & has some resemblance with both the Corvette & S2000 too. Cost:$80K
Chevrolet Corvette
American Icon. More than 50 years of history. The best value for money sports car in the world. Gives more than 350 hp in various trims & starts as low as mid$40K making it an absolute steal.
Porsche Boxter
The handling messiah. This Porsche is most affordable of them all.(Affordable & Porsche are not supposed to be in the same statement though!). Recently redesigned its appeal had increased further.
Ford Mustang
History of 40 years. Various engines, rear wheel drive, various configurations but the soul of the orginal Mustang always carries on. It has outlasted & outsmarted Camero & Firebird from GM stable. The new avatar is a bulls eye that uses 1967 Mustang’s styling as the starting point. The chassis also has been updated comprehensively from the late 70s for the first time.
Ferrari Enzo Ferrari
Looks like a cartoon character. They had built only 350, built 49 more due to immense public demand & their loyal customers. 6.6. liter V12 engine that produced 660 hp. A flat plastic underbody for better aerodynamics. Special design elements to generate tremendous down-force in order to keep this car from flying! It is named after the founder of Ferrari.
Many journos still remember meeting him at the age of 85+ still getting information on exhaust temperatures of their latest test mules for racing! Inspiring Car for Inspirational personality. You need just$600K to buy one. I says it a change for such a fantastic hardware, anyone ready to share? I got some 5000Rs in my pocket right now! Tell me!?:)
Ferrari Modena 360
One more precision tool from Ferrari, feedback of high orders, high speed stability like nothing on the roads. The looks that defy the logic that good looking objects don’t provide excellent aerodynamics. Modena is a sweet dream for enthusiats. Dream bacause you need to shell out$130K for one(if you are allowed to buy one by the morons-read delers):)
Maruti 800
For two decades this car is selling in large numbers in India. A tiny 800cc engine, front wheel drive, room for 4 average size Indians. It provides a frugal transportation & also fulfils the dream of middleclass Indians to own a car. The road conditions in India & overall traffic also the reason why such a small car sells in large numbers.
Indians will continue to have emotional attachment to this little car long after it is gone.
BMW M Series(M3, M5)
These cars deserve a special mention due to their handling, high revving yet torque-monster engines. At the same time they keep the utility of the original platform intact. These machines often command premium of 10-15K$ due to high demand. The best part is that they use their racing experience to extract high hp & not super charging like Mercese-Benz.
Lexus LS400/LS430
The first car from Toyota’s luxury division did the unthinkable. It challenged Benz & BMW single-handedly. It provided all the virtues of those brands but at at least$15, 000 less when it was launched. The increased prices gradually. Toyota reduced noise, increased aerodynamics, increased power, interior space, all this while giving a great styling too. Recently read a complete chapter on how things were driven inside Toyota for this car right from design.(The Toyota Way).
This was a rear drive car powered with a 4.0 & now 4.3 Liter V8 engine that gives close to 300hp but its feel can’t described with mere words. The feel of it is more important. The original ones are still around such is the durability & reliability.
Honda Accord / Toyota Camry
Detailed review on Accord is here: https://mouthshut.com/readreview.php?rid=54205.
These are the so called boring, mainstream cars that do not excite even the most hyper person in this world. What these have provided from past 20 years is however a no-nonsense, reliable, economical transportation to millions of the owners. Every year 400, 000+ Accords & also same # of Camrys are sold in USA. These two cars provide quintessential’family car’ values every family cares for.
Honda S2000
You can read my detailed review here: https://mouthshut.com/readreview/66028-1.html
BMW 5 Series
Now this range has been voted by many magazines the best car in the world when all factors considered! It had been rated by Consumer Reports as the best car ever tested. The facts that it is available in 2.5, 3.0, 4.4 liter engines increase its appeal by many folds. In UK, diesel engines also add up to the list of engine options.
The special M(Motorsports) version previously 4.9 V8 & now a V10 provides the buyer with a sports-car of Ferrari levels that can handle 5 passengers & their stuff. Simply superb!.
Volkswagen Beetle
It puts smile on your face every time you see one passing by. Millions bought it when it was rear engine & rear drive & still thousands are buying it in Front Wheel Front Drive format that VW has on sale. The last rear drive rear engine was produced in 2003 in Mexico.
(BMW) Mini
Like Beetle enjoys cult status. It was an icon even before its launch. Cute little car but with serious h/w by BMW in its newest avatar. The Italian Job in 70s had a old one & the re-make had 3 new ones. The old one also figured out in the Bourne Supremacy.
Acura Integra Type-R
No AC, No Automatic X’mission. Hand built Engine for ultra-low tolerances that allow stratospherically high rpms. 195 hp from a 1.8 liter engine in an affordable package. Available in Racing White, Yellow & Red. Make mine in White!
Mercedes-Benz E Class(AMG version too)
Similar in profile to Bimmer 5 Series, this car is about prestige, grace & cruising at auto-bahn speeds effortlessly.
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