![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:56 • Filed to: Outright Greatest Car, OppositeLock | ![]() | ![]() |
Yes, that broad of a question. All of us have different preferences on what make a car inherently good, so there will be no correct answer, save for your own. Answers could range from what car most changed the world in light of a problem, what car redefined the idea of 'speed' for a generation, or just a car that brings tears to your eyes.
Please explain below why you think a particular car is worthy of the title of 'Outright Greatest Car', and hopefully we'll be able to crown a winner.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:58 |
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According to James May, the Citroën DS.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:58 |
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McLaren F1
No explanation necessary.
/thread
![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:59 |
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Obviously. Next question please!
![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:59 |
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It is all I ever need, good on all fronts, and an icon
![]() 10/29/2013 at 16:59 |
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OVER 30 MILLION PEOPLE CANNOT BE WRONG
I kid, I kid. Actually, good question... hard to single out one car to be the greatest. It's all perception... I'll start with the typical Jalopnik answer: Miata.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:08 |
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Chevrolet Aveo.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:09 |
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Mercedes-Benz 600
Because pure class.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:12 |
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The P1 without a doubt is the greatest car I have ever seen in my life and therefore is the greatest car ever. It is, for lack of a better word, Perfect. If I were to ever sit in one I would weep like a baby, as I type this my eyes are welling up from the overwhelming emotion that car brings to me. I have that photo as my mobile background too :)
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:13 |
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The problem with most super cars, is they offer a performance level that is virtually unusable on the road which they are supposed to live on. As such, I decline the traditional thought that the fastest/quickest equates to the greatest.
The other problem with most expensive/high end cars, is that they are extremely expensive to maintain. As an analogy, the space shuttle can make it to space does that make it the greatest plane? HECK NO! Those maintenance/disposable costs of operating it throw it out of the running.
Then there are cars with great looking designs. Yes they look good now, but how will they look in 10+ years? To me, the greatest designs have already withstood the test of time. Perhaps in 20 years my opinions will sway to these new cars, but for now, the greatest designs are already decades old.
The problem with choosing a great car of old however comes with the issues of reliability and again that cost to maintain/repair. Modern drive trains offer many advantages outside power/fuel economy gains. Reliability and the ability to easily source new components are two huge benefits for newer cars.
So where does that leave me? Kit cars? Hmmm... no, we can do better then kit cars... let me introduce to you a car that raced in the 1950's lemans and recieved a Podium finish. That is produced today continuing the original vin numbers (i.e. not a kit car). Has your choice of modern power plants. Has enough performance to be immensely enjoyed on the street but not enough that you can only truly measure its worth on a track. Also, it just pushes into the 6 figure territory so albeit not a corolla... it remains a reasonably Acquirable vehicle.
I give you, the Allard J2x MKii
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:16 |
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Yes. Very true! The McLaren F1 has broken so many records, and the body style of the car makes it look like it was made just 5 years ago! The front is absolutely stunning, and is panoramic in every angle. Also, even though the car is 21 years old and has some 10,000 miles on it, you can sell it for $3,000,000 U.S
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:16 |
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Simple. The Singer 911.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:19 |
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Ford GT/GT40.........because......
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:21 |
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The P1 is pretty great, but it has some pretty insurmountable drawbacks. Namely, there is no way in hell I will ever own one unless I win the lottery.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:23 |
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But... but my wienermobile picture! it disappeared!
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:23 |
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My car. Because I can drive it whenever I want, can't get much greater for me than that.
Car is too broad a definition, different cars are great at different tasks, but does that make the best compromise the greatest? No, not really. If you were to ask for the greatest car in differing sectors then I would come up with different vehicles, but the greatest at being a car for me has to be the one I own.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:23 |
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EVO - "arguably the greatest car ever produced"
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:24 |
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Bring in the W123 240D.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:25 |
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I assume you've watched EVO's Analogue Supercars video - if not, I just posted it above.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:27 |
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This is definitely more opinion based than fact based. Nearly everyone will have a different answer because everyone has their own ideas of what perfection is. In my case, it is either the Stratos or the 037.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:28 |
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I agree
Amazing car
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:34 |
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Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, because Blondude bate... er, bait...
Or both.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:35 |
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yup thats the biggest drawback for sure. If i was close enough to one in real life i would lick it. I bet it tastes as sweeeeeeeeeet as it looks.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:37 |
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Whatever I own at the time of the question.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:43 |
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I would take my sweaty hand out of my coat pocket and leave a greasy streak across the door panel as I "gauge" the surface finish of the paint.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:43 |
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Cheap, fun to drive, decent reliability, economical, practical, good-looking. It's not some exotic two-seater, just a car that's really good at being a car.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:54 |
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because stingrays and prancing stallions fear the cobra's bite!
MURICA!
![]() 10/29/2013 at 17:58 |
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....because...you! But as a child of th 80's, I unfortunately disagree:
![]() 10/29/2013 at 18:00 |
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Extreme performance or influence?
Domestic:
Mustang. The full range from 4-cylinder wheezer to OMGlightspeed under one nameplate.
And hidden in carports and tarps and yards,
another kid's education on how cars are made and how they break.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 18:00 |
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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Because STABILITY CONTROL - Doesn't really matter what you drive if you crash into a ditch
![]() 10/29/2013 at 18:01 |
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Then i would take my knife out of my pocket and "Gauge" your face.
![]() 10/29/2013 at 18:06 |
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Lamborghini Miura, first mid-engine car, And oh that design
![]() 10/29/2013 at 18:28 |
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I think this is closer to the right answer than any super car.
It's a car for the masses. It's a car that enables millions of people to get to work, and does so in a way that isn't offensive (even if it's boring). There's probably a better example, but this is the direction I think you need to look.
Take the Douglas DC-3 for example. I consider it to be the greatest airplane of all time. It's not exciting, it's performance isn't really that spectacular, but it made aviation practical for the first time. If it wasn't for the DC-3, we likely wouldn't have modern air travel. There must be a car that we'd have nothing if it wasn't for its existence.
![]() 11/07/2013 at 18:45 |
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E39 M5
I win