What cars have aged the best?

"AM" (ap18961) 04/03/2015 at 21:29 • Filed to: None

8

86

I nominate the E39 M5. Over 10 years since the last E39 rolled off the assembly line and in my eyes its never looked better.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:41

3

'58 Task Force

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:43

5

2004:

It such a classy design, and Bentley made almost no major changes.

epidemike > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:46

5

I nominate the E46 M3

Hellrot FTW

 V8 Rustler > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:47

1

2007 Mustang GT500. Just keeps getting better and better with the pass of time.

TopSirloin > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:47

0

In for follow up question, what cars have aged the worst?

carcrasher88 > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:48

1

6th gen US-spec Honda Accord sedan. Pre-facelift (above) from 1998 to 2000, facelift 2001 and 2002.

Probably one of the best looking everyday cars of the late 90's and early '00s, and one of the best looking Accords ever built, especially in EX trim level. Simple, clean, and handsome, without looking bland.

I also think the coupe from the same period aged pretty decently, but not as well as the sedan.

2001-05 Volkswagen Passat [B5.5]. The pre-facelifted B5 Passat certainly hasn't aged quite like this has.

It looks sleeker, with an almost Audi-like appearance in the front.

It's successor, the B6, also has aged pretty well, and is the last great Passat the US market has received (unless you count the CC).

AM > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 04/03/2015 at 21:48

0

I agree, here's a brand new model for comparison:

Just a few minor styling tweaks here and there but essentially unchanged.

Brickman > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:49

5

Acura NSX. sexy curves, sharp lines, LEDs across the back like the new chargers, etc. Always new ;D

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:51

4

I mean yeah, it's obviously a product of the 80s, but lots of 80s cars look dated. The IROC still looks great to me though, it doesn't have any weird shapes or angles...it's just a really clean, uncluttered design.

carcrasher88 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 04/03/2015 at 21:51

1

I personally think the '57 aged a lot better than the '58.

Plus, the 1960-66 first generation C/Ks have aged very well.

AM > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 21:52

0

Those have all aged pretty well, especially that B6 Passat. The current Passat is actually very bland in comparison to its predecessor. I do love the CC though.

AM > epidemike 04/03/2015 at 21:53

3

E46 was in production at the same time as the E39, a truly great time period for BMW.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:53

2

You'd think that this thing came out in the early 90s from a Japanese company with looks like that!

carcrasher88 > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:53

1

Hey, it's like they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it

And that's exactly what Bentley did, they didn't make major changes, they just polished up a bit more, allowing the older Continental GTs to still age very well.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 21:54

0

They both have aged pretty well, I just prefer the quad headlight looks.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:55

3

I might have a vested interest, but I think the 944 has aged amazingly well

epidemike > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:55

2

Yup, bonus points because it was pre bangle.

AM > TopSirloin 04/03/2015 at 21:56

2

This piece of shit right here:

Also its successor:

SlickMcRick > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:57

6

E38 Sport Package

carcrasher88 > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:57

2

With one exception, perhaps.

carcrasher88 > epidemike 04/03/2015 at 21:58

0

Question is, what aged better: pre-facelift E46 or post-facelift E46?

dogisbadob > AM 04/03/2015 at 21:58

3

The Mk1 Focus still looks fresh.

Also, Maximas and I30s still in good condition after well over 200k miles. Their interiors seem to hold up well.

AM >  V8 Rustler 04/03/2015 at 21:59

1

And it didn't change much over the years, which was for the best.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:01

0

I'm seeing some LED's, new wheels, and some new grill inserts. Other than that, exactly the same.

carcrasher88 > McChiken116 - Patrick H. 04/03/2015 at 22:02

0

Agreed, but I think the Turbo aged even better.

AM > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 22:03

0

You're correct. Very minimal changes and it still looks fantastic.

AM > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 04/03/2015 at 22:03

0

Yup that's about it, theres really no need for a new design it looks just stunning.

AM > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 04/03/2015 at 22:04

0

Ah the Lotus Elan Sprint, I love it.

TheHondaBro > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 22:05

0

Speaking of Accord,

Second-gen Odysseys also aged well.

AM > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 22:06

0

Oh dear lord, burn that mess to the ground.

carcrasher88 > dogisbadob 04/03/2015 at 22:06

1

All first gen and Euro second gen Focus models have aged very well.

I agree on Maximas, especially the 1997-99 A32 facelift.

A32 I30s didn't age as well to the same level as the Maxima of that generation, I think the A33 I30/I35 is the one that aged best.

AM > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/03/2015 at 22:06

1

I'll always have a spot in my heart for those IROCs.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:07

4

It hasn't changed at all!

AM > TheHondaBro 04/03/2015 at 22:09

0

Well it's certainly aged much better than its successor:

bob and john > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:10

1

the E38 7 series also became dam fine cars

TheHondaBro > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:10

0

Oh yeah.

AM > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 04/03/2015 at 22:10

0

I guess you don't fix what's not broken haha!

scoob > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:12

6

TL Type-S. Especially when compared to more recent Acuras.

carcrasher88 > TheHondaBro 04/03/2015 at 22:12

0

Definitely agree. Such a good looking minivan that has aged very well. Not many other minivans can say that.

Of course, that also counts for it's Japanese market counterpart, the LaGreat...

...which was literally just a RHD version of the US-spec Odyssey, built on the same assembly line in either Alliston. Ontario or Lincoln, Alabama, and sold along side the JDM Odyssey.

carcrasher88 > scoob 04/03/2015 at 22:13

0

Most certainly. That, the TSX, and the CL have all aged pretty decently, though modern day Acura is improving.

scoob > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 22:15

0

Yup, the new TLX is much better than the most recent TL, though I'd still pick older models.

Tiny picture to save our eyesights.

carcrasher88 > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:16

1

Indeed, third gen was a rather dark period for the Odyssey in the looks department. Both the previous second gen and the current fourth gen are much better looking models.

PG; the scalpel wielder > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:18

2

I am mega biased. But this was a re-fresh 10 years ago on a car designed in the late 90's. Still clean and crisp. plus the front end has a pointy nose unlike most modern safety flat rounds bumpers

carcrasher88 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/03/2015 at 22:18

2

I think the facelifted 80's Trans Am also aged well, but not as well as the IROC-Z, that's for sure.

AM > scoob 04/03/2015 at 22:18

0

I've always had a thing for the TL Type-S. Hard to believe they replaced such a beautiful car with this:

AM > bob and john 04/03/2015 at 22:19

0

Indeed they did sir, indeed they did.

scoob > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:20

0

It was so plain that it somehow looked amazing. Then they tried harder and somehow made it look like crap. Lol.

carcrasher88 > PG; the scalpel wielder 04/03/2015 at 22:20

0

Oh, yeah. The DC5 Integra/RSX was a great looking piece of machinery in general, but the '05 refresh was simply awesome.

Manuél Ferrari > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:20

1

Stahp making me want E39 M5

AM > scoob 04/03/2015 at 22:24

0

Well the Toucan Sam beak certainly didn't help it any.

carcrasher88 > scoob 04/03/2015 at 22:25

1

Oh, that TLX is really nice. But in my honest opinion, I think the best use of Acura's new styling, aside from the NSX, is on the ILX.

It just seems to hit all the right notes, especially in that lovely shade of blue. I think the ILX's 2016 facelift is gonna age very well over the years.

AM > Manuél Ferrari 04/03/2015 at 22:27

1

It's hard not to want one, they were a truly beautiful work of art.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 22:28

0

Admittedly, I actually prefer the Trans Am here, but the IROC has aged better. My brother had an '87 the same color as the one in that picture. Sold it for a Caprice station wagon with an LT1...great cars, both of them.

AM > PG; the scalpel wielder 04/03/2015 at 22:28

0

I've always loved the Integra DC5/RSX, a very good car indeed.

Manuél Ferrari > AM 04/03/2015 at 22:39

0

It's painful for me because I bought an e46 M3 in 2013

Should have got e39 M5

AM > Manuél Ferrari 04/03/2015 at 22:43

1

Well it's not like the E46 is a downgrade, I'd be very happy to own either one. The M5 does have that nice V8 roar though.

thatguy1 > TopSirloin 04/03/2015 at 23:01

0

Some may disagree, but the 350z hasn't exactly aged well, with it's really slab-sided look it's not exactly graceful. However, I think it will be remembered as a period piece of the 2000's. Once you think about it all the Nissan Z's are period pieces. (However, the Nismo Z will always look fantastic!)

Manuél Ferrari > AM 04/03/2015 at 23:11

1

Yes the e46 is a great car. It was just redundant for me. I have too many small cars. The E39 is bigger and going up in value. My SMG M3 is never going to be worth crap.

Vicente Esteve > Manuél Ferrari 04/03/2015 at 23:15

1

So, it will be auto or auto? ;)

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 04/03/2015 at 23:22

1

No cause they never made it with paddles :)

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 04/03/2015 at 23:23

1

Also I want to trade an auto M3 for one so I am more true to Manuél

Jalopinator > carcrasher88 04/03/2015 at 23:24

1

I prefer my Acura TL on the same platform, but much better styling that still looks sharp:

Jalopinator > AM 04/03/2015 at 23:28

2

I think that the 3rd Gen was the BEST design that aura came out with.
Still timeless and lines look modern.

AM > Jalopinator 04/03/2015 at 23:30

0

And it handled pretty well for a FWD V6 with some pretty good power.

Destructive Tester > AM 04/03/2015 at 23:52

2

I've always considered the third gen RX-7 to be an ageless design.

marshknute > AM 04/04/2015 at 00:41

0

Seriously?

Every single aesthetic feature of that car is a complete 180 from the trends of today: Small grille's are out, simple lines have been replaced by flame surfacing, and modern performance cars all have 27 vents/scoops.

The E39 is still a handsome car, but it has not aged well.

Vicente Esteve > Manuél Ferrari 04/04/2015 at 01:13

1

Hey man, I'm just joking here. If you enjoy your M3, keep it!

Jalopinator > carcrasher88 04/04/2015 at 01:40

0

Yep.
Best face lift ever really.

Would make for another top 10 post: "What was the 10 best facelift/refresh in a car?"

Aero > AM 04/04/2015 at 01:44

0

I'm partial to the Saab 9-5 Aero.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > AM 04/04/2015 at 01:58

0

I will admit, I'm prejudiced. But the Cadillac XLR is timeless. My car is almost 10 years old and people still ask me if its a new model.

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 04/04/2015 at 02:34

1

Thank you for not being disappoint :D

But I am serious. I want Manuél M car bad, haha

Justin T. Westbrook > AM 04/04/2015 at 03:54

0

I'm loving all the BMW on this this. My e46 is still pretty new looking too, considering it is now 12 years old. I put on the 1-series 19"s and to me it looks like it is no more than maybe 5 years old.

AM > Jalopinator 04/04/2015 at 07:32

1

I'll make that post and use the ILX as the example.

AM > Justin T. Westbrook 04/04/2015 at 07:38

0

The e38/e46/e39 all have a timeless design. They still look modern yet they're already over 10 years old.

The new BMWs are easily forgotten but not these ones.

AM > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 04/04/2015 at 07:39

1

The XLR has aged well and it's such a rare care to begin with so it makes sense that people think it's newer.

AM > marshknute 04/04/2015 at 07:44

0

You just proved my point. Look at how cars are designed now. They all have lots of curves, creases, lines, big grilles, etc. Thats why they're so easy to forget about these days, but you see an old BMW and how simple yet elegant it looks, it's instantly recognizable. You can't tell me that E39/E46 don't still look good today.

AM > Destructive Tester 04/04/2015 at 07:45

1

Seeing as this is my favourite Mazda ever built I'm inclined to agree with you. That car you posted is beautiful.

Alex B > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 04/04/2015 at 08:53

0

One the early ones there is also a bumper gap (?) that runs through the headlights.

Destructive Tester > AM 04/04/2015 at 10:37

1

I wish I cod say it was mine, but it was just the result of an image search... It amazes me that you can look at a car of that age and it still looks contemporary.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > AM 04/04/2015 at 15:28

0

The later years of the 4th gen Corvette and 3rd gen Camaro. The Corvette still has respectable performance too. And the 90s Silverado. And the 90s Mercedes SL.

Jalopinator > AM 04/04/2015 at 18:07

0

lol I saw that post!

No H/T tho..... :,(

epidemike > carcrasher88 04/05/2015 at 10:55

1

theres always that ONE family member... that is red headed step child

Nauraushaun > Brickman 04/07/2015 at 09:41

0

Those are lights on the back, not LEDs. Very 90s

Brickman > Nauraushaun 04/07/2015 at 09:43

0

The wing has LEDs :)

Canajun_eh > AM 04/09/2015 at 02:25

0

I think thats an excellent choice. Not only has the design stood up, but in a lot of ways the 5 series specifically and BMWs generally really changed. The sportiness feeling of the 5 decreased markedly. That is just a damn good car there.

AM > Canajun_eh 04/09/2015 at 09:22

0

I agree completely, I don't find BMW to be as exciting as they used to be. Other than the M5, the 5 series lineup seriously lacks any sportiness which is a shame because their cars always had that sporty powerful side.