Are We Caught In A Generation Of Forgettables? Tell Us What Are The New "Classics"

Are We Caught In A Generation Of Forgettables? Tell Us What Are The New
What does it take to be a classic?

How about a design that spawns a generation of cars, or even creates a new class all unto itself?  Some true classics come to mind over the years:  The BMW 2002 launched the brand to stardom, or the Volkswagen Rabbit GTI that spawned a whole generation of hot hatch cars that still proliferate to this day.  How about the original Mazda Miata, that took the small two seat convertible to the masses with reliability and style.  If you go back a bit further you see the Datsun 240Z which still lives on as the Nissan 370Z.  Even Toyota has a few with the 2000GT and the Turbo Supra.

These are the cars that make you stop and look when you see them on the street. When was the last time you saw an original Lotus Esprit, or even a super clean 70’s vintage RX7? To the knowledgeable enthusiast these cars simply stand out in the crowd and quietly command the attention of those who know truly how monumental they are.  We aren’t talking of a Pebble Beach Edition here, we are talking about a pivotal element in the evolution of the automobile.

But you know if I look now, I can still see the stalwarts of a generation gone by with the Miata and 370Z carrying on the torch.  But I also see very few successors in the pipeline, everybody is going generic, plain forgettable is in and many of you don’t care.  After all can you really remember what a 2001 Corolla looks like? So tell me I am wrong, look out there and tell me what the future classics are going to be.  And let’s be specific, I only want to hear about cars released in the last few years, lets gives 2005 as a starting point, for our modern day classics.

What will you buy 20 years from now and tell your child this was the coolest car of the time, and that you begged, borrowed, and saved to have it in your garage.


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KZ258KZ258 - 9/13/2009 1:06:14 PM
-1 Boost
370Z


dannyjeffersdannyjeffers - 9/11/2009 4:24:17 PM
-1 Boost
Pontiac G8 GXP


B7FANB7FAN - 9/11/2009 4:37:26 PM
-4 Boost
i agree


veyron1001veyron1001 - 9/12/2009 10:28:33 AM
0 Boost
Its not a classic. Its being sold in Australia as a Holden.


SVXXXSVXXX - 9/11/2009 4:25:11 PM
+4 Boost
Original G35Coupe <--- Brought Sports coupes back to fashion
- Still the sexiest looking sportscoupe on the streets


bigTYMEbigTYME - 9/11/2009 8:11:02 PM
+1 Boost
Man I miss mine. I wish I bought it out instead of leasing it. That's one car I would not get tired of. The design still looks fresh today.


pennfootballpennfootball - 9/11/2009 4:26:35 PM
-19 Boost
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari F430
Ferrari 360 Modena
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari 599 GTB
Ferrari 575 Marenello

I only care about the Ferrari's


B7FANB7FAN - 9/11/2009 4:38:20 PM
+1 Boost
thats fine for italy


009load009load - 9/11/2009 6:09:30 PM
+7 Boost
Too bad you can't afford one...ever!


B7FANB7FAN - 9/14/2009 12:33:19 PM
0 Boost
no need too afford it....my joint is big enough dont need an expensive car to EXTEND it..........all i need is a toyota and some magnums.....lolololol


PerformanceGuyPerformanceGuy - 9/11/2009 4:33:58 PM
-6 Boost
370Z


THESCOOTERTHESCOOTER - 9/11/2009 4:44:45 PM
-5 Boost
Great vehicle design:

Ford GT
Shelby Mustang
(original) Scion xB
BMW M3 E46
BMW 850i
MB CLS
Carrera GT


B7FANB7FAN - 9/11/2009 4:45:14 PM
0 Boost
Pontiac G8_GXP
Challenger SRT8 w/o navigation
Charger SRT8
Nissan GTR (I think will be a collectible)
Acura NSX
BMW 8 Series (will always a classic/modern car in my book)
VW GTI.....there are more but I cant think of them all


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/11/2009 4:51:09 PM
+1 Boost
Range Rover Sport
BMW 7 series(2002-2008)
CLS
Gallardo
GT-R
R8
Bentley Continental GT

I don't about Classics, but these will be remembered for at least some 15-20 years.

JUGNU


downtoearthdowntoearth - 9/11/2009 5:37:30 PM
+1 Boost
— JUGNU:

> BMW 7 series(2002-2008)

Oh, come on.

The true BMW to remember from the olden days...
well, there is more than one, for sure
but not as good as this one:

http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:BMW_635_CSi-1.jpg&filetimestamp=20070615150456

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1985_BMW_M635CSi.JPG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BMW_6-Series_E24-1.jpg


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 9/11/2009 5:57:48 PM
+2 Boost
downtoearth

I can't believe the 8 Series is showing up so much. Obviously the authors haven't driven It. I have. in every iteration. The 8er was the world most expensive Camaro, huge on the outside and teeny on the inside. The 850CSI was the best of the lot, the 8er was a decent GT car, but everywhere else it was mediocre at best. The car was heavy, didn't really handle at a level it should have and was far less than reliable, not to mention it really didn’t look like a BMW and was ghastly expensive. The truly God-awful 840i was a joke, SLOW with disappointing handling and SLOW, I remember after my first drive of this Bavarian Edsel, I commented “wow, you really need the V12”, how many cars can you say that about.


MBCLS07MBCLS07 - 9/11/2009 4:54:55 PM
-3 Boost
350z
Mini Cooper S
1st generation Audi tt
Mercedes CLS
Prius
Bentley Continental GT




theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 9/11/2009 5:03:24 PM
-8 Boost
Honda Cross tourer
BMW x6
BMW 5 GT
Every Acura



Yonder7Yonder7 - 9/11/2009 5:05:17 PM
-2 Boost
New clasics: Viper, MB SL65, F458, Nissan 370, Murcielago, XJ220, MClaren F1, Acura NSX, BMW M3, MB CLS, BMW 135, Audi A5 Hatchback, Fiorano, 911 Turbo, Carrera, ZR1, RR 200EX, MB S65, Nissan GTR, RX8, Enzo, MB SLR, CTS V, XJ new, BMW M5, Camry (a lot of those in the market), Audi R8, last but not least: Honda Accord.


Yonder7Yonder7 - 9/11/2009 5:06:04 PM
-2 Boost
I miss the 850CSI


STJ88STJ88 - 9/11/2009 5:32:07 PM
0 Boost
Nissan silvia S15.


PlanBPlanB - 9/11/2009 5:57:39 PM
+8 Boost
These are just cars I think will be considered collectibles 15-20 years from now, off the otp of my head. btw, I did not include any Lambos, Porsches, Ferraris or Bugattis because they will all be collectibles regardless:

Pontiac G8 & Solstice GXP (so long Pontiac)
Dodge Magnum SRT8 (pretty badass wagon and only made for 4yrs?)
Dodge Viper (any year, any model)
Nissan 300Z
Nissan GT-R
Audi R8
BMW Z8
Mustang GT500 KR
Ford GT40
Corvette ZR-1
Mercedes SL65 AMG Black series

I could think of more but I gotta go now.



bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 9/11/2009 6:23:41 PM
+2 Boost
SRT Chrysler300C, GT500 Mustang,ACR Viper,ZR1 Corvette,SRT10 Ram 1500 Truck,SRT8 Magnum/Challenger/Charger,GT40.



Yonder7Yonder7 - 9/11/2009 6:31:43 PM
0 Boost
Well Z8 do not belong to that list, Gogle the problems of that car and you'll understand why you do not see that car on the streets. It was so pourly designed that the front suspension will be spread as a horny hooker and the rear suspension trend to damage the weak chasis. Is the worst BMW of all times


thstonethstone - 9/11/2009 6:46:14 PM
-2 Boost
None. Except for high value sports cars (Viper, GT40, Ferrari's, ZR1, etc) the design of this generation of cars are pretty pathetic.

The most original design to come along in 10 years is the xB and its a friggin' BOX! Everything else is highly derivative or worse, an outright copy of a past classic (new Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, Mini).


MSP6MSP6 - 9/11/2009 6:50:23 PM
+3 Boost
I don't see how remakes of past "Classics" can be called classics again. That includes the 370Z, Porsche 911, all new muscle cars, the new mini, etc. I think we have to look at cars that where born in that new era and that will later be a reference to this era. Although I'm not a fan, the Prius is a classic, the MB CLS is another one and even the Hummer on that list.



MBCLS07MBCLS07 - 9/11/2009 8:04:24 PM
+1 Boost
I agree with the point of your comment, though the 370z can hardly be described as a remake of the old 240z in the same way the mustang, camaro, and challenger are.


stonestone - 9/11/2009 7:13:39 PM
+1 Boost
Ferarri F430
Audi R8
Bentley Continental GT
Rolls Royce Phantom
McLaren F1 (I know its a little older, but a classic nonetheless)
Audi TT


WillisWillis - 9/11/2009 7:45:36 PM
-1 Boost
Toyota Landcruiser (current)
Chevrolet Corvette (current)
Chevrolet Camaro (current)
Dodge Challenger (current)
Cadillac CTS-V
BMW 135i coupe
Nissan GT-R
Mercedes SLK (original)
Mercedes CLK (original)
Mercedes CLS
Porsche Panamera
Porsche Carrera GT
Audi A5
Audi R8
VW Passat CC
VW Golf GTI (current)
Ford Taurus (current)


Agent001Agent001 - 9/11/2009 8:34:50 PM
+1 Boost
Audi R8, GT-R, 335 coupe and conv., Panamera, S5 coupe, X6m, M3 coupe/conv., GL55, SL Black Series, Original CLK55 Conv./Coupe, 335d, Range Rover AutoBiography, Defender, FJ Cruiser, Infiniti G35 Coupe, Lexus GS450h, LX570...those are just a few that I think people will always lust for on the used market.

001


EL34EL34 - 9/11/2009 9:09:08 PM
0 Boost
Mazda 6
Mercedes Benz E-Klasse
Porsche Panamera
Audi R8
Ferrari 458 Italia
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Lamborghini Reventon


MSP6MSP6 - 9/11/2009 9:37:24 PM
+1 Boost
Mazda 6 ?

ah.. I guess you own one


kornholiokornholio - 9/11/2009 10:04:43 PM
+3 Boost
Did anyone mention the Chrysler 300 yet? It is worth mentioning here more so than its offspring- Charger and Challenger.



bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 9/12/2009 7:29:01 PM
+2 Boost
I did


MSP6MSP6 - 9/12/2009 10:21:46 AM
+3 Boost
Yep, and the ford T was even slower than a Hyundai(crap)car.
This did not prevent the Ford T to make history, for other reasons than stupid 0-60 times. Only dumb people are judging cars solely on the 0-60 sprint time, Especially whe they say that a car that goes from 0 to 60 in half a second slower than an other is a MUCH slower car.

Is your husband a Hyundai salesman ?


aaspiridisaaspiridis - 9/11/2009 11:28:44 PM
+2 Boost
Jag XF/XJ - 1st of the non-retro Jags
Merc CLS - Deeply original
Audi TT - Distinctive
Pontiac G8 - V8s will take us back in time!
Prius - So quirky, and first car successfully marketed to environmental concerns
BMW 840/850 - Classic 80's design, and rare


inspirion7inspirion7 - 9/11/2009 11:52:28 PM
+2 Boost
Classics like anything else takes time. Our new classics.

Ford GT Ford Freestyle

Mc Laren F1

Mazda Miata

Saturn SKY (some will laugh I know)

BMW Z07 BMW M Coupe BMW M3 CSL BMW Z4 M Roadster

Aston Martin Rapid Aston Martin One-77 Aston Martin DB AR1 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Zagato Aston Martin DBS N400

Cadillac Escalade Platinum Cadillac XLR -V Cadillac CTS -V

Honda NSX

Pontiac Solstice GT

Nissan GT-R

Porsche Cayman Porsche GT Porsche GT2 -R/RS Porsche Panamera

MINI John Cooper Works coupe/convertible

Chrysler Viper SRT models (Love GTS-R) Chrysler 300

Dodge Challenger Dodge Charger Daytona RT

Corvette ZR1/Zo6 Chevy SSR Chevy HHR

Just too many to name...






synxsynx - 9/12/2009 12:09:58 AM
+1 Boost
Dumb question. We will know in 20 years and cannot predict how cars now will impact on future cars.


sdcarguysdcarguy - 9/12/2009 1:41:12 AM
-2 Boost
9 1 1


tangotango - 9/12/2009 2:23:06 AM
+1 Boost
Read people, READ! 009 distinctly said "And let’s be specific, I only want to hear about cars released in the last few years, lets gives 2005 as a starting point, for our modern day classics." 2005 as the starting point. 2005 and younger. How do the likes of the 1989 XJ220 fit? Sheesh. Come on people. I nominate the following based, not only on what they are doing now, but what they will be worth to collectors or enthusiasts in the future. In no particular order:

Pontiac Solstice GXP
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Ford GT
Ford Taurus SHO
Dodge Magnum SRT8
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Honda S2000
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Mazda RX8
Nissan 350Z
Acura RSX





rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 9/12/2009 2:51:48 AM
0 Boost
BMW 135
BMW E46 M3/E36
Nissan 350Z/370Z
Mazda RX8
Honda S2000
Mitsubishi Evo
Subaru WRX STI
Acura NSX
Nissan R35 GTR
Mclaren SLR
Carrera GT
Ford GT
SRT8 Jeep
Vette ZR1

list goes on and on and on.




M53RM53R - 9/12/2009 3:11:59 AM
-2 Boost
Since the current line-up of M cars is the last line-up to ever have naturally aspirated engines, I think I should mention both the:

- BMW E92 M3
- BMW E60 M5

Since it's their 1st try at the game, I think the IS-F will also be remembered.. so here:

- Lexus IS-F

Audi's 1st supercar.. and it's hot.. how can anyone not mention that one in the future?

- Audi R8

Mercedes changed the game with the CLS.. the 1st 4 door coupe as Merc likes to call it.. so it deserves to be added to the list.. Although I'm not a fan:

- Mercedes CLS

Aston Martin.. just comes out of nowhere with the DB9 and makes the most beautiful cars list in no time.. it has to be mentioned:

- Aston Martin DB9

Maserati.. they have the best looking car out there imo.. a car anyone would think is super sexy.. definitely worth mentioning:

- Maserati Gran Turismo

Lamborghini.. I can't think of anyone who would remember the Reventon..

- Lamborghini Reventon


Other cars worth mentioning:

- Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
- Chrysler 300C
- Bentley Continental GT
- Range Rover
- Bugatti Veyron

I can add more, but that's all I can think of for now.


528i528i - 9/12/2009 7:24:54 AM
-1 Boost
BMW E60 5er classic of uglyness.

Audi TT
BMW E46 M3
Lexus SC400
Lexus IS300
G35
NSX
S2000
350Z

and the classest of all time is..................W210 E klass.



vman1013vman1013 - 9/12/2009 2:34:12 PM
0 Boost
E46 M3 CSL
2009 SL65
SLR McLaren
1994 Camry
2008 RS4
Challenger SRT8
Z4 M

I could go on but that was without really thinking about it...
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