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Writer/Teacher
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All-Time Greatest Cars
Inspired by some comments in this thread , I got to thinking about what some of you consider to be the Greatest Cars ever built.
I'm not talking about coolest, or fastest, or most innovative, or most desirable, or most important. I'm talking about quality. Not most fun to drive or look at; not best-handing, best-selling, or most expensive. I'm talking about being so well-built that it boggles the mind. I'll start the nominations: 1) E39 BMW 5-Series, 1995-2003, for reasons listed in the above link. 2) 4- and 5-cyl Volvo sedans and wagons (240, 740, 940, 850) of the 80s and 90s. 3) 1980s Mercedes diesel sedans and wagons 4) Porsche 911SC 3.0 Feel free to debate my above choices, and please feel free to add your own ![]()
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,247
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I'll nominate the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Beginning with the FJ50 in 1967 through the FJ100 in 2007. A slow, heavy, thirsty, aerodynamic brick that goes through brake pads monthly, but otherwise a virtually flawless version of the station wagon/SUV with incredible build quality.
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"Rust never sleeps" |
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Recreational Mechanic
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Ford Model T
Tri-Five Chevys Mini (the original/real one not the BMW) Plymouth/Chrysler minivans - They invented a whole new class of vehicles Volkswagen Beetle all years Porsche 911 1965-1989 Honda Civic early 1980's launched the Japanese car revolution in the USA As far as the most iconic (or at least historically important) cars in history those should be on top of the list. Of course I would have to include the turbocharged Corvairs as historically very important too but I am biased there...
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P Cars: 2022 Macan GTS / One empty garage space ---- Other cars: 2019 Golf R 6MT / 2021 F-250 Diesel / 2024 Toyota GR86 6MT ---- Gone: 1997 Spec Boxster Race Car, 2020 GT4, 2004 GT3, 2003 Carrera, 1982 911SC, 2005 Lotus Elise and lots of other non-Porsches PCA National DE Instructor #202106053 / PCA Club Racing / WRL Endurance Racing Last edited by Nickshu; 06-08-2016 at 08:52 AM.. |
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Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: chula vista ca usa
Posts: 5,695
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Since I have been around cars for a looooong time, I searched back through my memories and have decided on a 1962 Chevy Biscane with the 409 dual carbed engine and the T10 transmission. I saw one on a spring night on a country road in Delaware when the car's owner (Philly area) had stopped on his way to Rehoboth Beach and wanted to race the fastest car we had. That was a mildly hopped up '58 Corvette and I'll never forget the sound of that big block each time the 4 speed was banged! Oh yeah, the 'vette lost.
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 809
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Dawson 510, 240z. 70-73. Copying the European but damn fun cheap transport
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ken 87 targa |
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The first sports sedan, the BMW 2002 followed by the 1977 320i.
I think people forget just what a revelation the 320i was. I would also add the first gen Ford Explorer: Like it or hate it it was a sensation in 1991.
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1996 FJ80. |
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Quote:
-90-94 Accord -90-98 Integra/Civic -80s-90s Toyota P-up/4Runner Cars like Porsches and BMWs live easy lives with owners that maintain and care for them. They are usually garage kept. They are great cars and I own, drive and like cars like these. They have great design and engineering but they are not beacons of reliability. Doors ping when you shut them and that's cool and all but overall, they are actually fairly delicate and require a lot of attention to keep them going. Skip maintenance and leave it outside, Porsches and BMWs will decay. Hondas and Toyotas will keep going.
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The present: 83 944, 77 911S The past: 95 911, 67 912, 76 912E |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: On a beach
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Quote:
I've had E21 320i's since they were new in the 80's. Along with a G50 Carrera, I've pretty much always had one in the fleet, still do and it's one of my favorite cars to drive. I end up driving it more than my 911 because it's in many ways more fun. No power steering, power windows, etc. It's a very basic car. It's not fast (for sure), but the M10 engine is a classic going back to the 60s, the 5 speed is perfect, and the handling is very fun. It makes the right sounds and has the right feel. And even the right smell (old German horsehair). The 77-79 were ok, but they really got it right with the updates in 1980. They cleaned the smog equipment up, 5 speed manual instead of 4 speed, and updated the interior to what I think is one of the best dash and interiors of all time. Then they really hit a home run with the IS sport model. The Recaro seats, M1 style 3 spoke sport steering wheel, BBS style wheels, air dam, LSD make it a terrific car. And, they actually made it lighter than the 77-79 by around 170 lbs. They are a hidden gem, one of the few old BMWs that are still dirt cheap. Very underrated, IMO. Just as much as 2002s are overrated. 2002s are nice cars, esp. the tii which does have some punch, but the carbed 2002s really aren't any quicker than a 320i, and drive very, very similarly. I personally hope they don't get discovered, and prices rise. I'm having fun with them, and am still looking for more. I'd love to have a Euro 323i. |
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Woodlands TX
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volvo 240
and 2.7tt allroad quattro
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84 930 07 Exige S |
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1980s K-5 Blazer with FI and throttle body V-8. I just got ours back on the road. It's like a time capsule.
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You caught me by surprise in a recent thread when you mentioned the virtues of the E21. I always likened them (from afar, no experience) as an E30 with a little more rawness which on paper seems pretty desirable.....to me at least. But to your point they don't get any love; online or even within my family, which used to be fairly BMW-centric.
I'm selling my E30 and have been looking for an E12 to mess around with...but the E21 is always in my peripheries. ![]() |
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(the shotguns)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,582
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Nothing Europe has ever put out compares to the '97 civic and '06 tundra I owned. Interiors in both were solid, quiet and looked like new after over 100k miles. Both drove EXACTLY as they did when new. No bushing or trailing arm nonsense to deal with.
Both were extremely competent on the road (and off for the truck). Based on OP's criteria I can think of no better vehicles. Of course my opinion is only as good as what I've owned or had extended experience with. This would include Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, 911, celica, odyssey, 325 wagon, rabbit, mustang, Tacoma, Miata and who knows what else I've forgotten
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***************************************** Well i had #6 adjusted perfectly but then just before i tightened it a butterfly in Zimbabwe farted and now i have to start all over again! I believe we all make mistakes but I will not validate your poor choices and/or perversions and subsidize the results your actions. Last edited by berettafan; 06-08-2016 at 11:32 AM.. |
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Quote:
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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VW A4 series Jetta, (the TDI engine more than the car).
Flame suit on.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." Last edited by 1990C4S; 06-08-2016 at 11:54 AM.. |
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Cle Elum - Eastern WA.
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My '99 V6 Camry has 231,000 miles on it......Only failure was a wiper motor at about 200,000.....$29 on Ebay......I put on Struts at 154,000......Still drives like new and uses zero oil.......Have never even changed the exhaust....
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Bob S. 73.5 911T 1969 911T Coo' pay (one owner) 1960 Mercedes 190SL 1962 XKE Roadster (sold) - 13 motorcycles |
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Vaccinated and Boosted
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,582
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I would have to add to the list the BMW E30. Such a simple car with eye appeal, drivability and damn near built proof.
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2013 911 Turbo S 2025 Lexus TX350, 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid 1930 Cadillac V8, 1991 Ford F250, 2023 Chevy Colorado And some garage space.... |
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Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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I'll add another vote for the 5cyl Volvos. Everytime I get frustrated or broke because of the Benz, Porsches or whatever other cars I'm driving, I go out and buy a v70 for 2-3k. Then I get bored, but something more "fun", get pissed off at the cost/hassle, then buy a v70 again. I'm on my 3rd... this one is a 5spd, which is pretty rare, so that may help keep it in the fleet a bit longer.
One car that should make the list, but was never very popular except in the NE, is the Toyota Tercel 4x4 wagon. That was a stout, reliable and surprisingly agile car. I'd buy one next week if I could find a decent one ![]()
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Jake Often wrong, but never in doubt. '81 911 euro SC (bits & pieces) '03 Carrera 4s '97 LX450 / '85 LeCar / '88 Iltis + a whole bunch of boats |
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John __________________________________ '79 911SC Targa (Sold), '76 912E (Sold) '98 Jeep TJ Wrangler, '17 Lincoln MKX |
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Jeep Cherokee the 4L ones any Chrysler product with the slant 6. I'm OLD!!
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AlfasRule! 72 Montreal (Da Pumpkin) 75 Alfetta Sedan, 75 Alfetta Coupe Race Car 82 Spider, 84 GTV-6. 84 GTV-6 Verde (GiGi) 87 Milano ( Da Winta Beata) |
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I'm with you. My first car was an E21 320iS, and it was a car I really, really enjoyed. Other than the engine, I miss it. Recaro LXes were the best seats I've ever used. Lots of fun to drive at everyday speeds. Built like a bank vault - ours was still rattle-free at 150k miles. Great IP.
If I didn't have my Sentra SE-R there's a great chance I'd have tracked down a 323i for small-sedan duty. (Though E3s keep calling my name...) Quote:
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'80 SC Targa Avondale, Chicago, IL |
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