Can we come up with ten vehicles that every enthusiast should drive in their lifetime?

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
07/29/2018 at 18:38 • Filed to: None

E30 M3 for your time.

NA Miata, mañuel . E30 3 series (what model?) . Wrangler (what gen?). Mustang (what gen?). Ford F aptor..? Maybe? A 911? A Camry to put everything else in perspective? Model S? R35 Gt-r? A stock, EG civic hatch? An Evo? Or Sti? E90 M3? R8? Grand N ational? Crown Vic? A Volvo should probably be part of this list too, right? Oh, but what about a first gen MR2? Or one of the British roadsters that came before the Miata?

Ten cars seems like a lot, until you try to make a list.

DISCUSSION (92)

Nibby > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:44

1992-1996 Toyota Camry
Ford Tempo, any year
1995 Nissan Sentra
Ford Excursion, any year
Maruti Suzuki 800, any year. Worth traveling to India
Mercedes Benz R class, any year
Subaru GL, any year
1986-2006 Ford Taurus
Hyundai Excel, any year
Chevy Celebrity, any year

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:45

Every Volvo box owner needs to drive something more exciting, like a Camry. That way the praises will stop being sung.

Also, I think most enthusiasts need to drive a fullsize truck at least once, so they’ll stop running with the myth that they are hard to drive and scary to see out of.

Nauraushaun > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:46

I’d recommend second gen MR2 over first gen ;)

Gosh. So hard to make a confined list. Maybe a Beetle? Though the significance of the Beetle was more how well it fitted the needs of the time, rather than driveability.

I’d like to put something real 80s in there. Supra? Trans Am or something? You’ve missed the whole 60s/70s muscle era man!

A stock, EG civic hatch?

Do imaginary cars really belong on this list? Lets keep it at least somewhat grounded in reality...

AestheticsInMotion > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 18:47

Agreed on trucks. For the brick Volvos... No sir. Rwd, fairly powerful for their time and a manual makes for a hell of a good time! Haven't driven any of the awd bricks

WilliamsSW > Nibby
07/29/2018 at 18:48

You forgot the Geo Metro - any year, auto trans.

For Sweden > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:49

Kinja'd!!!

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Nauraushaun
07/29/2018 at 18:49

https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/d/civic-hatch-stock/6642589528.html

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:49

It was the most dull thing I’ve ever driven, besides an Aveo. RWD doesn’t matter when the driving experience was designed around safety. When you are sideways in the air in a field, and you feel nothing, it’s a boring car. And that’s the last trip our 240 made before it met the crusher.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:50

So I feel that car enthusiasts should drive the absolute worst cars so that they appreciate all good cars more, regardless of brand, time period, etc.

So my list would go something like this

Yugo, Trabant, Isetta, and then just normal cars from the 50s and 60s so they realize what a performer a 4 cylinder Camry is.

Just Jeepin' > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:51

If you want a CJ/ Wrangler on the list, I’d suggest one of three:

CJ-2A, CJ-5, or a TJ with the straight 6.

Probably the CJ-5 since they’re easier to find than the 2A, but still close enough to the flat fender roots of the brand to be relatively primitive (with a windshield that’s easy to drop, that should be part of the experience ).

bob and john > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:51

a miata agressivly.
an old school dacia
a big ass 3500 pick up. bonus points for trailer behind it
something loud, italian, and mid engined
a super fast wagon. E63, Caddi CTS-V, something like that
a G-wagon
a basic corolla
a old school muscle car with a big-ass V8
a dirt bike
a cruiser
some small/nimble sport bike. not a full 600, but a 400 or a 300 are more then fun.

11, but su e me.

AestheticsInMotion > Nibby
07/29/2018 at 18:51

Mercury Sable

Nissan Versa Note

Jeep Patriot

Dodge Avenger

Chrysler Town & Country

Subaru Crosstrek

Mitsubishi Lancer, base model

Toyota Solara

Chrysler 300, mid 2000's model

Lincoln anything from the 90's to 2015ish

How’ s that? I tried really hard to avoid an entire lineup of FCA vehicles

Spanfeller is a twat > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:53

My list is very experimental.

1. 993, possibly a 4S, but a Turbo would be better

2. GTR, R34

3. E46, M3

4. Camaro with an LS3.

5. Ferrari 458

6. Civic Si (or early Type R in Europe)

7. Golf GTI (rabbit?)

8. A high power light duty truck, a single cab, V8 F150 would suffice.

9. Tesla Model S

10. v12 Toyota.

AestheticsInMotion > Nauraushaun
07/29/2018 at 18:54

One of these days I’m going to have an Oppo challenge where everyone looks up “eg hatch” and whoever can find the closest to stock, best maintained example wins.

I know! Muscle needs some representation, but I was thinking maybe classic Mustang? Trans am is a good one. I contemplated beetle as well...

Do you know much about 3rd gen MR2's? I've been considering them as a fun, but more comfortable daily while I build my Miata. They're uncommon enough to be fairly interesting

Echo51 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 18:55

*before the crusher met it’s fate against the volvo 240

AestheticsInMotion > For Sweden
07/29/2018 at 18:56

No pegs, no care

WilliamsSW > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 18:59

Hmmm, tough, but off the top of my head - and all should be manuals :

Porsche 911

Boxster/Cayman

Miata (NA)

E39 M5

Mazda RX-7 (1st or 3rd gen)

Any British sports car (Triumph TR, MG, Austin-Healey, Elan etc)

Jeep

A Ferrari with a gated manual

Skyline GT-R (R34 or earlier)

Big block Corvette

I’m sure I’m missing something really obvious, but this is a pretty good list, and I’ve only driven 4 of the 10.

RTeeJay > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:01

This list probably won’t be the most Oppo centric/specific , more of a overall scope:

1. Any pre war car

2. Any 60s Cadillac

3. Any air cooled Porsche 911

4. Any drag car from the late 50s/ 60s (specifically a gasser)

5. Any late 80s/mid 90s Japanese import

6. An Italian car with a V12

7. A small English roadster

8. Any Miata

9. Any cheap Swedish car (preferably with a turbo)

10. A shitbox you have no responsibility for

WilliamsSW > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:01

Wow a week at Hertz Dollar and you could kill this bucket list.

TheRealBicycleBuck > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:01

Cobra
Sand Rail (or Baja B ug)
Viper
1st gen Mustang
WRX
A ‘70s-era kit car (anything where the bodywork is primarily fiberglass sitting on top of a shortened Bug pan )
Something Convertible, Something with T-tops
A motorcycle
A Tesla

WilliamsSW > RTeeJay
07/29/2018 at 19:03

I like this list - I’d make #5 more specific, there are some really fun cars that fit that description, and some duds.

Mike Manly > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:03

Hey, what are you saying here

fhrblig > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:04

A base pickup truck, with a manual and preferably a six cylinder. Whether it’s rear or four-wheel-drive is unimportant. I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun flinging these things around dirt roads.

AestheticsInMotion > WilliamsSW
07/29/2018 at 19:06

Along with your enthusiasm

AestheticsInMotion > RTeeJay
07/29/2018 at 19:08

10 is a really good one I didn't think about. I'd love to drive 1 & 2 as well

AestheticsInMotion > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/29/2018 at 19:08

Remind me not to sign up for your driving experience school

Montalvo > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:09

I may be biased but..

The 3rd gen Mustang; like the miata was instrumental in offering a cheap platform that could be modified to punch above its weight class. Its also the car that helped wake up muscle cars from their malaise stupor thanks to electronic fuel injection . They are widely available and are present in nearly every branch of the automotive world whether its racing or as a show car.

Kinja'd!!!

MultiplaOrgasms > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:10

Kinja'd!!!

No other car has ever combined performance, practicality, comfort, economy, sex appeal and reliability this well, and I am very certain nothing ever will again. It is also french, diesel and has a manual transmission .

AestheticsInMotion > bob and john
07/29/2018 at 19:10

I’ll be contacting my legal team to begin the litigation process shortly.

Good list. And since you mentioned bikes, I think I'm going to go down the street and chat with the guys at the Ducati dealership...

AestheticsInMotion > fhrblig
07/29/2018 at 19:12

My experience with base rwd manual pickups was being completely unable to even get off the road. Damn Rangers would get stuck on flat grass....

MultiplaOrgasms > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:13

Not all Volvos were Turbos, and few Turbo Volvos were actually fast.

WilliamsSW > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:17

“I used to love cars but now they just bore me to death"

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Echo51
07/29/2018 at 19:22

Nah, we crushed 2 of them. They didn’t put up too much of a fight.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:23

The people complaining about having to drive the slow, dull cars don’t get to drive the fast ones.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:25

Hahahaha. One day my friend got stuck in my back yard in his Ranger Edge. It was awful in anything that wasn’t solid.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Montalvo
07/29/2018 at 19:27

And also like the NA Miata, had a the chassis rigidity of a wet, overboiled noodle.

NKato > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:27

A Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Mostly because the driving experience on those is rather unique compared to most other cars on the road. For a model with a reputation as a land yacht, it doesn’t feel floaty at all to me. Also, super easy to spin your wheels if you try.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > bob and john
07/29/2018 at 19:29

Even more bonus points if big truck is manual. One of the coolest automotive experiences I’ve had was driving a manual 5.9 Ram 3500

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:29

Do you be Pegasus wheels?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 19:31

Stanley steamer, Stutz Bearcat, Ford Model T, Austin 7, BMW Isetta, the Dymaxion, the Delorean, Mercedes B200, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV AAAAND... the Eagle Summit sedan.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nibby
07/29/2018 at 19:31

I haven’t driven a Celebrity but my brothers first Car was an 86 and I spent a lot of time in it. It was my first exposure to a lack of shoulder belts. Actually that’s not true all my my family’s station wagons had rear facing seats and those only had lap belts.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Nibby
07/29/2018 at 19:32

The Chevrolet Celebrity does not deserve to be on the list!!!

Pontiac 6000LE FTW!!!

For Sweden > fhrblig
07/29/2018 at 19:35

preferably a six cylinder

delete this

For Sweden > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 19:35

-_-

WilliamsSW > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/29/2018 at 19:36

Either of those with the Iron Duke would suffice.

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 19:38

I took this advice and would probably not choose to drive a full size truck again. It was naturally harder to drive but I didn’t have any visibility problems.

AestheticsInMotion > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
07/29/2018 at 19:50

I do be

AestheticsInMotion > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 19:52

I think I shared before how my work Ranger got stuck on the shoulder of a rural road. Completely flat, slightly wet grass. Zero traction. Some dude in a back hoe drove by and pulled me out...

AestheticsInMotion > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/29/2018 at 19:53

That is the strangest list.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 20:14

shifter cart to make everything else feel slow and as Daily Drives a Dragon said, a slow ass car to make everything else feel fast.

Captain of the Enterprise > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 20:14

I vote YJ Wrangler. This was the first car I wanted when I was really small and I learned to drive stick on one in high school.

Kinja'd!!!

Not too modern and not too old

fhrblig > For Sweden
07/29/2018 at 20:19

delete urself

AestheticsInMotion > Captain of the Enterprise
07/29/2018 at 20:24

God those are so cool. I would have to agree with you, perfect blend of simple/old and modern/relatable

gmctavish needs more space > MultiplaOrgasms
07/29/2018 at 20:30

You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like

Captain of the Enterprise > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 20:32

Driving one especially in manual just felt so mechanical and simple. It’s lack of any amenities was cool and felt right in it. Just like shifting it felt right for that vehicle. I would like on eventually for fun but they rust out bad and are expensive because they’re still a Wrangler.

fhrblig > MultiplaOrgasms
07/29/2018 at 20:50

I don’t know that these exhibit sex appeal, but if you’ve produced enough children that you need one of these then sex appeal is probably something you're not short of.

Amoore100 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 21:01

I’ ve driven two Camrys— l ack of AWD and a turbo blow off valve were kind of downers, and the seats were pretty goddamn awful ; I think I’ll stick to the mediocrity of the P3 platform car I daily.

Kiltedpadre > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 21:01

I don’t think you could really get a good list by choosing only 10. Your string of ideas is almost 20, and the only thing not relatively recent are the Grand National and a British roadster.

I think it would either need to be broken down into eras or categories of cars to really work. Maybe decide on 10 eras and within those eras try to choose three representative cars. Perhaps a car that would’ve been driven by the masses, a sporty car, and a luxury car from each era. Then you drive all 10 from each category.

You could start the day driving something like a Stutz Bearcat and finish by driving a modern hyper car.

The next day you could do luxury cars; this one you could cover just by choosing a Rolls Royce from each era. Though, I’d want to throw in either a Marmon V-16 or Dusenberg for the era between WW1 and WW2.

For your common man car you’d start with a Model T and end out in a modern Camry or Elantra.

The last one might not be the most exciting, but it would give real perspective on just how good even boring commuter cars are now when compared to the past.

I might even toss in a fourth day to drive cars representing alternative fuels. You could drive early electric and steam vehicles, go through the late 70’s and early 80’s electric cars, and end with a modern Tesla.

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/29/2018 at 21:04

How dare you! Celebrity Eurosport VR or GTFO

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Amoore100
07/29/2018 at 21:08

That’s not a box Volvo, now is it?

AestheticsInMotion > Kiltedpadre
07/29/2018 at 21:11

Where do I sign up for this?

Kiltedpadre > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 21:20

As soon as I find a Marmon and Stutz owner that’ll let me borrow their car for the day to let a bunch of strangers drive I’ll let you know. You can be second after me on the list

Kinja'd!!!

https://goo.gl/images/5VseQZ

Mmmmm Marmon V-16......

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 21:27

I’d say you need to try the various configurations.

Rear engine - 911
Mid Engine - Elise
Front drive - GTI
Front engine, Rear Drive - Corvette
AWD - WRX/EVO
Jeep
Pickup - F150
Luxury - S-Class
Amphicar
Yamaha R1

Montalvo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/29/2018 at 22:08

And you can fix that with $ 40 worth of steel from any hardware store.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Captain of the Enterprise
07/29/2018 at 22:30

I love the square headlights...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 22:33

That's what I was aiming for.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig
07/29/2018 at 22:36

That car doesn't have the Luxurious Elegance of the Pontiac 6000LE!!!

AestheticsInMotion > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/29/2018 at 22:43

Was the eagle summit sedan the one that's kinda-sorta lifted?

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/29/2018 at 22:43

Luxurious elegance is irrelevant in the face of Eurosportiness!! SURRENDER!!!

Nauraushaun > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 23:15

I know they have virtually no storage space whatsoever. I’d probably never own one, but I do like them. Can’t imagine having one as a second car, yet being unable to use it for road trips due to storage.

The trade-off is they’re very light.

Nauraushaun > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
07/29/2018 at 23:16

OMG

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AestheticsInMotion
07/29/2018 at 23:49

Nah... it’s this:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Summit

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig
07/29/2018 at 23:52

EUROSPORTINESS IS THE SODOM OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY!

REPENT!!!!!

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/30/2018 at 00:02

NEVER!!! LONG LIVE SODOM!!!!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig
07/30/2018 at 00:05

HEATHEN!!!!

A POX ON THEE!!!

If you come down with a case of spotted dick, DON’T COME CRYING TO ME!

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
07/30/2018 at 00:10

REACTIONARY!!!!

I’M NOT AFRAID OF A LITTLE SPOTTED DICK!!!

Derpwagon > AestheticsInMotion
07/30/2018 at 01:56

Counterpoint to all the goddamn Miata answers: they suck.

“Oh but they’re fun, and it’s ok that they’re slow because you can drive them so aggressively”

No. You can drive any slow car aggressively and not be at felony speed, and have plenty of fun.

“Oh but they handle perfectly amazingly stupendously”

So do approximately seven billion other cheap cars.

And before everyone tells me to try it so I’ll see the light, I have driven one. It was awful. Handling does not make up for abysmal acceleration.

New 185 hp one may redeem it slightly , and the targa roof doodad is a nice looking thing, but I still envision zero scenarios involving me owning one.

Amoore100 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/30/2018 at 03:01

Shhhhh ALL Volvo’s are boxes

AestheticsInMotion > Amoore100
07/30/2018 at 03:36

P2 wagon plz

Echo51 > Amoore100
07/30/2018 at 03:49

Some just got more seam-sealer to smoothen out the edgyness!

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > AestheticsInMotion
07/30/2018 at 05:18

Here’s my crack based on personal experience. I haven’t driven any wild Ferrari models or anything so this is just based on me.

(In no certain order)

1) E9X BMW M3 - no explanation needed.

2) E46 BMW M3 - S54 and amazing steering.

3) 1987-1989 Maserati Biturbo - ahhh controversy. The fuel injected years. The good years. The fairly reliable years. Precise steering, aggressive turbocharger behavior, beautiful noise and a supremely comfortable interior. Add the dogleg manual transmission like mine had and to this day no car made me smile and feel the way that car did.

4) FC turbo 2 RX7 - there’s a special feeling to turbocharged rotary power in a beautiful body.

5) Audi R8 V10 - screaming V10 in a more luxurious lambo shell - winning.

6) Ford GT350R - the most insane experience I’ve ever had. As Gordon Ramsay would say... IT’S RAW!!!

7) E60 M5 - I can’t explain why, but when it’s working correctly this car has a feeling unlike anything else.

8) 1G DSM turbo AWD - tack it up to 6000 rpm and drop the clutch. You’ll understand. Plus they have a seating position that is amazing, and the legend tells the story. They’re fun and they’re like a drug.

9) Mazda Miata NA - of course, Miata is always the answer.

10) Porsche 997 Carrera S - the 6 speed manual. Yes, I’m in the minority because I prefer the NA model over the more raunchy turbo AWD monster. The RWD 997 with the sport chrono package is magic. The best all arounder ever in my book. Supercar sound, supercar feel and handling all with DD usability. Head turner, thrilling and engaging are all words I use for this car. It truly is the king of the budget baller car. I’ve never loved a “affordable” exotic more. It’s the best in my opinion.

DutchieDC2R > AestheticsInMotion
07/30/2018 at 06:20

Start off with a Ford Model A and work your way down the list of 'landmark' vehicles like the 911 and whatnot, sort of like a 'evolution through cars' type of thing..