The Best Car of the 2000's?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 03/02/2014 at 11:47 • Filed to: Opinion, $Kaybait, Ford GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Oppositelock

1

62

The 2000's were quite a historical decade. We once again landed on Mars, the world entered a massive recession, gas prices skyrocketed, and September 11th 2001 will be a day that is taught in history class for hundreds of years to come. In the car world things were a lot more exciting. The finest and fastest cars ever emerged, the muscle car war reignited, hybrids came to save the world, and luxury took on a whole new meaning with electronics. The Bugatti Veyron, the Porsche Carrera GT, the Pagani Zonda, and the Ferrari Enzo were all products of the decade.

With so many wonderful cars the question emerges, Which will be remembered as the one? The 80's had the Countach and the 90's had the F1. But what about the 2000's. What car is going to stand the test of time and forever be remembered as the greatest. The easy answer would be the Bugatti Veyron. The immense speed and the refinement will forever be a triumph of engineering. But that is not the best answer.

The 2000's was a decade of change, refinement in super cars became common place. No more was Chuck Yeager the only person capable of taking a Lamborghini to the ragged edge. Suddenly electronics wanted to help. Crashing into a tree became a thing of the past. Having three pedals in a car was outdated. It seems fitting then for the car of the decade to be the exact opposite of the Bugatti Veyron. A car that memorialized the last pursuit of craziness. A manual super car with a simple traction control button on or off. Two cars come to mind. The Porsche Carrera GT and the Ford GT. But which one is better?

It is a tough decision to make. One has possibly the best sounding V10 of all time, the other a blue collar working class hero with a engine block from an F150. One has a beechwood shifter in the ultimate pursuit of lightness and purity, the other an interior straight out of the 1960's. One has the joys of open top motoring, the other a subtly reminder that the company has 100 years of innovation under its belt. But there is only one that has appreciated in value since the day it was released.

The Ford GT. This car is going to be a legend for years to come. Especially in the United States. The Porsche Carrera GT is a wonderful car, but Ford did something right when they made the GT. The shape of the car tugs at the heart strings. The loud pedal is actually a warp speed button straight out of Star Trek. It signifies all that is great about the old guard of super cars. It has a personality that seems to be somewhat missing from super cars of today. The biggest and most important reason this car should be the car of the decade is everyone loves it. It is fast, it is beautiful, and it was a fitting end to a dying era. The Ford GT, my pick for the best car of the 21st century.

TLDR: What is the best car of the 2000's.

Photo Credits:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/

http://www.thelingenfeltercollection.com

http://www.carautoportal.com

http://farm6.staticflickr.com

Brian Silvestro > JR1 03/02/2014 at 11:49

3

I'm pretty sure the One-77 debuted in '09.

JR1 > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 11:51

0

Beautiful car, has a lot more personality and prestige than a Veyron if you ask me

Brian Silvestro > JR1 03/02/2014 at 11:52

2

All that comment right there.

Sex on wheels is an accurate definition.

Axial > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:03

0

We landed probes on Mars in the 80s. What we still haven't done yet is landed people on Mars.

As for the best car of the '00s, that's a tough one. The '00s are roughly my least favourite period in automotive history. Perhaps it's too recent, or it's that a good many of the automobiles are refinements of the 90s jellybean trend, but it doesn't do much for me. That said, I'm going to go with the Gallardo:

I think this is the Lamborghini the newer generations now see as the face of the company. It came in manual, it came in both RWD and AWD, and it served as Lamborghini's first real "bread and butter" car since the Jalpa in the 80s. I would actually rather have one of these than the new Huracan.

kanadanmajava > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:04

1

How about '00 Diablo GT-R? It was the most radical Diablo offered by the factory and they were mostly used for racing. Still some ended up on the street.

JR1 > kanadanmajava 03/02/2014 at 12:06

1

I just feel like the Diablo is more of a 1990's car.

JR1 > Axial 03/02/2014 at 12:08

0

I do love the Gallardo, I was happy they offered it in RWD drive. It just seems more pure that AWD. I had no idea we also landed on Mars in the 1980s though. Exciting stuff!

Axial > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:10

2

Viking I and II. They couldn't move around, but they landed and they took samples and pretty pictures!

Victorious Secret > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:15

2

The Ford GT IS America's supercar. Not the Venom, not the SSC; nothing else. Its the Ford GT.

The Ford GT is worth more now than it was when it launched. Its already at "collector" grade status in its appreciation. Hell, you could put 20k miles on it and still sell it for above 200k if not more.

Another thing, the CGT has been replaced. The prices will now start dropping. The GT?

Well...it took them 50 years to bring out a GT40 successor, I think we can rest easy that Ford has no genuine desire to bring out a successor.

Also, Gulf colors. You can't argue with sexiness of that magnitude. I'm also biased because of my experience with them. Of course I'd pick the GT.

Victorious Secret > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 12:16

0

Most sexy design in decades? Check.

Most powerful naturally aspirated V12? Check.

It comes in black? Check.

Batman would approve.

Brian Silvestro > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 12:19

0

Knew you'd show up eventually.

Victorious Secret > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 12:20

1

I was already here, fapping.

One must fap before talking. Its only polite.

Brian Silvestro > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 12:22

0

What do you think I was doing before I posted this picture?!

Victorious Secret > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 12:22

1

Eating pie.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:23

0

Hmmm
This is a tough question.

Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 3rd Gen JDM Oddysey, V10 RS6, V10 M5, SLR McLaren, CLK AMG Black, all those car is badass.

But i think CLK AMG Black and SLR McLaren will be a true classic.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:24

1

The Pagani Zonda. Yes, I know it debuted in 1999 but please, let me explain. The Zonda was mainly produced throughout the 2000s. There were so many versions that we remember it because it refused to go away. We remember it for being such a kick in the backside for big companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini. And perhaps most of all, we remember it for its looks.

Oh yes, the looks. As wild as a helicopter gunship attack on Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it was a stunner. Nothing looks like it now, and certainly nothing looked it then. It was one of those defining, memorable supercars that, like the Countach, would become a poster. Except instead of a poster, it became the desktop wallpaper.

davedave1111 > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:24

1

Easy enough, given it's probably the greatest car of any era:

No, I'm not joking. There's nothing else that has so successfully combined practicality, economy, style, and fun - although others have got reasonably close. A shame the cutesy 500 took away the attention it deserved, because the Panda was basically the real new Beetle/Mini - a genuinely egalitarian people's car.

Milky > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:24

0

An argument could be made for this car.

Just all depends on what you qualify as "best".

Brian Silvestro > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 12:25

1

That's fairly accurate actually, pizza pie.

Victorious Secret > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 12:27

1

I am omniscient.

Brian Silvestro > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 12:29

0

Clearly.

*bows down*

JR1 > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 03/02/2014 at 12:30

0

The SLR Mclaren is one of the true greats, always loved the classic GT styling.

Victorious Secret > Brian Silvestro 03/02/2014 at 12:31

0

Yet I can't win fantasy hockey.

No one wins that.

JR1 > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 03/02/2014 at 12:32

0

The Zonda embodies what every super car should be unique, wild, and crazy. But none ever sold in the US as far as I am aware so an entire country missed out on the craziness.

JR1 > davedave1111 03/02/2014 at 12:33

0

James May is that you?

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:33

1

The Tata Nano. It gave millions the gift of mobility, affordability, but most importantly, the gift of driving.

Brian Silvestro > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 12:34

0

From what I've heard, it's impossible, even for a Canadian.

Fantasy F1 will probably be more fun.

GhostZ > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:35

0

In terms of pure technological achievement, nothing else comes even close . The Veyron was a study in comfort, luxury, stability, etc. but the CCX that came after, was a study in raw manufacturing and technological advancement. From the complete carbon fiber chassis with a removable roof to the pure-ethanol engine in a sports car to the in-house carbon fiber wheels to the in-house electronics, Koenigsegg, in my mind, has done more for 3D printing, manufacturing, and bespoke design in industry than any car company has in decades. Arguably, the ability to completely build a car under one roof using only raw materials and computing equipment is the biggest industrial leap forward since the invention of the assembly line: one that we have, unfortunately, only just begun to realize.

The CCR before it was "technically" the fastest car in the world, but it was the CCX in my mind that really solidified them as a paradigm-shifter in terms of "how to build a car".

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:36

0

omfgwtfbbq are you srs?

Good lord, what has the US been missing out on...

Even China managed to get their hands on at least one Zonda Cinque!

JR1 > GhostZ 03/02/2014 at 12:37

0

Like the Pagani though I do not think they sold many of these in the United States, so essentially a large market missed out on the wackiness that was the CCR/CCX. So will it be remembered outside of the car loving world?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:38

0

Yeah.
Plus i think that turbine wheels is just beautiful.

And oh, you forgot the Alfa 8C. Mid-engined Alfa that really pretty.

JR1 > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 03/02/2014 at 12:38

0

No the regulations made it impossible to be sold in the US I believe. Now the Huayra on the other had is sold in the US.

6cyl > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:39

0

It will likely remain mostly forgotten for a long time until one day one sets a new record on the auction block. If not the best car of the 2000's easily in the top 5.

JR1 > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 03/02/2014 at 12:40

0

The wheel is one of the best parts of the car from a styling aspect. And was the Alfa 8c a front mid engine layout?

JR1 > 6cyl 03/02/2014 at 12:41

1

I always preferred this to the Enzo, far prettier and I think it is faster as well. True craziness in a car. Still looks modern as well

AM3R > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:42

2

E39 M5

E46 M3

E60 M5 (and E61 M5)

E9x M3

-BMW fanboy

GhostZ > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:43

0

If/When Carbon Fiber and 3D printing become ubiquitous, and when manufacturing is completely changed by these technologies a they develop, THAT is the car they will point to and say "That is the car and company that started it all."

They may have only made a few of them (only 14 CCR and 34 CCX I think) but the way in which they were built was nothing short of revolutionary for an automaker. No robots, no panel forming, and each individual part could be tested and redesigned in house. Unlike other cars, where they build them and then have to test them and then redesign them, the CCR and CCX were able to test any single part to the fullest extent as the car was being built as opposed to after they all came together. Their manufacturing process removed the whole concept of "concessions" due to design or compatibility constraints. That's something that no other car has done.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > kanadanmajava 03/02/2014 at 12:44

0

Came out in 1999.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:45

0

Oh yeah, i forgot that.

I always forgotten that the 8C is Front engined.

TyFc3s-A car hating millennial > JR1 03/02/2014 at 12:54

0

Im sorry to say i disagree with you, it is the veyron, and simply cannot be the carrera GT or GT40

you go on to talk about and praise a time of innovation (for better or for worse) so the car at the top has to be the most advanced car when it came out and still holds its own today, the Bugatti Veyron.

The Gt wasnt much more advanced than the car it emulates, and the Carrera GT, other than the monocoque isnt worlds better, and though they are fantastic, and i prefer them over the veyron, theyre not the poster cars for the decade

But i suppose the fact here is that your asking 2 different questions, what is the best (your favorite) and what will the decade be remembered for. The decade that killed the manual gearbox, cant be remembered by a car with one.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > JR1 03/02/2014 at 13:04

2

lorem ipsum > JR1 03/02/2014 at 13:12

0

If you're saying that the noughties were a decade of change, refinement, electrics, technology, etc, then why would you pick a car that doesn't represent any of those? I love the Ford GT, don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorites, but wouldn't the Enzo or something better represent the 2000s?

Eazy-O > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) 03/02/2014 at 13:23

0

Did it? I like the idea of it, but reports were coming in of poor sales and some engineering/maufacturing faults...

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) 03/02/2014 at 13:24

0

I would have to dissagree based on sales.

revrseat70 > JR1 03/02/2014 at 13:38

1

I think if you are looking for the car of the 2000's you have to look for the car that revolutionized cars during that decade. The GTO brought us the muscle cars in the 60's. The Buik GNX or the Countach could be said brought us the Turbo, tuning, craziness, and horsepower in the 80's. But the Nissan GTR was the game changer of the 2000's because it brought the fight against Ferrari, Porsche, and the like with a car sold for quarters on the dollar. Nissan proved performance could be brought down to a science, and technology could provide us with more than age-old techniques could. Most importantly, however. It showed us the error of our ways. Along with the Bugatti (which I could almost argue the same points for), Nissan proved to us that cars were about more than numbers in a magazine, and proved to us that we want a human-soul level connection with our cars. Those two cars brought us to the limit of engineering to prove to us that we wanted art and imperfection after-all. Or, at least reminded us why we fell in love with cars in the first place. It's the car of the 2000's for what it accomplished as both the climax of engineering, and the repentance of our numbers obsessed culture.

Soloburrito > JR1 03/02/2014 at 13:40

1

My vote goes to the Ford GT.

For those suggesting the Veyron, the fact that VW has yet to sell them all isn't helping your case.

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > Eazy-O 03/02/2014 at 13:50

0

Nothing's perfect......

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 03/02/2014 at 13:51

0

Gave millions the Thought of mobility

JR1 > lorem ipsum 03/02/2014 at 14:22

0

I guess I am more nostalgic to the old guard of super cars which is why I prefer the Ford GT

JR1 > davedave1111 03/02/2014 at 14:25

2

James May?

JR1 > revrseat70 03/02/2014 at 14:30

0

Isn' t the GTR just a numbers in the magazine kinda car though? It wasn't built for art or passion like say a Pagani or (some) Ferrari's. It was built with one purpose to be better for less. And while it did achieve that one of it's biggest criticisms is it's video game like performance. Although I will say it was a game changer other cars did it better. Such as the Porsche 911 Turbo. Better gearbox, more of a triumph over physics, and essentially just as quick

JR1 > TyFc3s-A car hating millennial 03/02/2014 at 14:31

0

I guess one of my biggest problems with the Veyron is that no one seems to be buying them. The P1, LaFerrari, and 918 had a similar low number run of cars and they sold out quick. The Veyron has yet to sell out and it has been in production for a lot longer of a time.

TyFc3s-A car hating millennial > JR1 03/02/2014 at 14:46

1

yea, but i was never under the impression that the veyron had such a limited production. Theyre not selling now because people have moved on, the car got played out, THERE ARE POP SONGS ABOUT THEM lol, so i think the car will always be the car of the 2000s regardless, or because of that

revrseat70 > JR1 03/02/2014 at 15:58

0

Re-read my statement. That's exactly what I said. Not only did it achieve what it set out to by pushing the envelope, but it also showed us how far we sank into this numbers-obsessed culture. I'm convinced that without the GTR we wouldn't have the FRS. Once the GTR and the Bugatti more or less ruined it for everyone else, using technology, it opened the door for all other companies to engineer their vehicles for drama and by injecting their company's character into their cars, resulting in performance. (Rather than seeking performance at the cost of the former)

JR1 > revrseat70 03/02/2014 at 16:13

0

Ok I guess I didn't understand, there are more to cars than numbers and that is why I never personally liked the GTR.

TinFoil Knight > Victorious Secret 03/02/2014 at 16:48

0

$kaybait.....

TinFoil Knight > revrseat70 03/02/2014 at 16:49

0

GODZILLA!!!!!!!!!!!!

revrseat70 > JR1 03/02/2014 at 17:59

1

I actually agree with you on that. I never said I liked the GTR. I just think it deserves this title. I think we have already been too far removed to remember the impact cars like the GTR, Veyron, and Enzo had on the last decade because we don't continue to lust after them.

ptak appreciates old racecars > JR1 03/02/2014 at 19:37

1

kanadanmajava > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 03/03/2014 at 05:40

0

It was presented in 1999 but they were sold as '00 models. Doesn't still qualify?

Barath > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) 08/03/2014 at 01:23

0

Average of 40000 Nanos sold per year so far (and trending down), forget millions. Pre-owned cars have been around for 100+ years, so affordability/gift of driving isn't a thing.

Tata screwed it up by cheaping out on marketing and interiors and not jumping right on safety concern.

wkiernan > davedave1111 08/03/2014 at 09:03

0

Since as an Americano I am not allowed to have that car or even look at it on the street, I'm going with this splendid thing:

Toyota had it perfect on the first go-round, and then in response to American buying habits ( i.e. lust for bloat) they ruined it. It was like giving the model for the Mona Lisa silicone implants to make her "sexier."