What do you view as the best cars of the decade? After reading Jalopnik's 10 Best I started thinking about it.

Here's their list:
BMW M Coupe
Corvette C6
Audi R8 (V8 model)
Honda S2000
Mini Cooper
911 GT3 (996)
Ferrari F430
Lancer Evolution VIII/IX
Pontiac G8 GXP
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

As for my personal top 10, I dunno I'll have to think about it.

12/17/2009 1:55:55 PM

lists like these are useless w/o the criteria they are based upon

12/17/2009 2:14:41 PM

Well this is obviously a driving enthusiast's list

12/17/2009 2:56:48 PM

Definitely depends on criteria...

For me, "best" means "most popular". You can't be the best and not have demand. So I would list (in no specific order):

Prius - Hottest (no pun intended) global warming trend since Al Gore started it all.
Redesigned Stang - Can't turn a corner without seeing one of these (mostly non-GT ones with intimidating racing stripes)
Redesigned Accord - It's a Honda. It's the best.
Redesigned Camry - It's a Toyota. It's the best too.
Redesigned Altima/Maxima - It wants to be like a Honda or a Toyota. So it's kind of like the best.
Mazda 3 - Popular sporty hatch that popped up one year and stole the show.
Mazda 6 - Another Mazda heart throb that came out of nowhere one year.
Civic - Still has yet to be dethroned as King of the compact car kingdom.
Acura TL - The middle class, who'd like to think they're rich, "best" car of the decade.
Escalade - I think it came out right at the end of last decade, but with the help of BET and the Hip Hop industry it blossomed into a serious blinging ride for a lot of people this decade.

... there a few more, but those are most notable to me.

[Edited on December 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM. Reason : meh]

12/17/2009 3:10:05 PM

I would go on significance: vehicles unique to this decade that had a big impact on the marketplace.

1. Ford Mustang (5th Gen)
2. Infiniti G35
3. Nissan 350Z
4. C6 Vette
5. Chrysler LX Platform (300, Magnum, etc)
6. Ford CD3 Platform (Fusion, Mazda 6, etc)
7. Nissan Altima (3rd Gen)
8. '04+ Toyota Prius
9. Scion xB
10. Toyota Tundra


[Edited on December 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM. Reason : .]

12/17/2009 3:28:14 PM

Quote :

"You can't be the best and not have demand"

I'd have to disagree. You can be the best and charge so much money that most people can't afford it (read Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Maserati, etc etc).

12/17/2009 3:29:03 PM

I think the GTR, Evo, and STi (or even the WRX) should definitely be on the list. I mean, they were the fanboy dreamcars of the Gran Turismo (original PS1) era. I'd like to think that the game was a big part in the decision to bring the cars over to the US.

12/17/2009 3:30:35 PM

Quote :

"Ford F-150 SVT Raptor"

um okay a truck thats been out 6 months before the end of 2009.


they could have just said lightening

12/17/2009 8:00:19 PM

One of my friends just bought one of those Raptors. He is so pumped about it. I'm just , but I do look forward to getting a first hand look at it. I'm glad he is happy though.

12/17/2009 9:41:28 PM

the Mini Cooper doesn't belong.

I'd say that there's a case to be made for C5 over C6 (not that it's better--just that it was more of a quantum leap forward in the world of heavy metal sports cars)

Cayman S over Z4M? I don't know, I love them both. Really, the E46 M3 should probably be the choice.

the GT-R might should be in place of the R8.

Not sure what I think about the G8 GXP and Raptor. The only thing I have major heartburn with is the Mini Cooper. What the fuck? Totally pointless car.

12/17/2009 11:28:55 PM

Agreed, the Mini Cooper is a total chick car. You didnt even try to recognise it properly and put Mini Cooper S , but even so it is not a "best" car in any year, much less ten years.

Pontiac G8 GXP ?

I am a born and bred GM fan and all, but this is not an important car if there is only ten slots on the list.
CTS-V maybe, but not the Poncho.

Speaking of ten slots, where the fuck is the E60 M5? Or ANY mention of the S85 BMWs?

[Edited on December 17, 2009 at 11:58 PM. Reason : ??]

12/17/2009 11:57:03 PM

yeah, i was also thinking CTS-V instead of the Pontiac, but to be perfectly honest, i don't know about about the G8 GXP to really comment on it.

12/18/2009 12:20:55 AM

The G8 GXP is basically the last gen BMW M5 for half price. If that's not significant for an American automaker to put out, what is?

I also think the Porsche Cayman was deserving of a spot.

[Edited on December 18, 2009 at 8:29 AM. Reason : not that i'm biased ]

12/18/2009 8:27:50 AM

fairly certain that list is prolly the Z3M not the Z4M

12/18/2009 11:13:22 AM

Porsche Cayman

12/18/2009 12:26:36 PM

^^yeah it's the Z3 based M coupe. Shouldn't require much thinking to figure that out, since the Z4 M coupe was basically a nonexistant car.

12/18/2009 1:33:41 PM

the z4m coupe is an awesome looking car. i always liked it. i like the z3m just because its hideous......like a pug or a bulldog.

12/18/2009 1:45:08 PM

lol, i wasn't saying I don't prefer the Z4M (aesthetically speaking) though I haven't driven either.

12/18/2009 1:50:53 PM

the Z3M is mah baby though she still needs a new rear axle carrier

12/18/2009 2:12:57 PM

nah man, that E30 rear suspension is what makes it fun

12/21/2009 11:44:21 AM

Nothing Nissan belongs on this list

12/27/2009 12:10:24 AM

so has anyone owned more than 2 of the cars on the list?

I've had 2 S2000s and an Evo IX. They both absolutely belong on the list...especially the Evo, holy shit.

I've made offers on some M-Coupes (and M-Roadsters), and some C5 'Vettes (don't think I've made any real serious offers on a C6, yet) and 996 Porsches (though no GT3s, haha). So far, none of these has followed me home, though.

12/27/2009 12:33:40 AM

I've driven an S2k... does that count?

12/27/2009 12:35:14 AM

Only 1 of my cars is even from this decade, but I'd be willing to bet it should be on that list from a drivability / ownership standpoint over at least half the cars listed.

12/27/2009 1:00:00 AM

what, the NSX?

I would agree, from everything I've ever read about them. My problem with them is the initial cost of admission.

12/27/2009 1:08:33 AM

i would say it's well worth it

12/27/2009 11:09:34 AM

i'm assuming the nsx is like every other honda. great chassis, excellent build quality , high reliability but *facepalm* everytime you floor it.

Weak powerplants in every car they have ever made

12/27/2009 12:35:59 PM

nope

it does ok for just a little 6 cylinder

~4.9 to 60

12/27/2009 3:12:25 PM

nothing wrong with having the mini on there. my wife loves hers

12/27/2009 3:23:03 PM

That's like saying "there's nothing wrong with having the Jetta on there...my wife loves hers."

Come on, Top 10 cars of the decade? You can't be serious. Top 100, maybe.



^^ I have no beef with the NSX other than the price. No, it isn't really that powerful, but like the S2000, Miata, Evo (to an extent), Boxster, or even 911 (compared to some of its competition, anyway), the appeal it has as a sports/high performance car isn't really tied to godzilla-level acceleration and power.

My problem with the NSX is the stupid prices that they command, even at 15+ years old. There's whole lot of stuff I'd personally rather have for what an NSX would cost me. They're sweet cars, and I see the appeal of them as much as anyone--it's right down my line--but I'll be damned if I could bring myself to pay for one. The bang for the buck just isn't there, in my eyes.

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 4:06 PM. Reason : ]

12/27/2009 4:01:49 PM

I never understood why they cost $80-90K when new in the first place.

The 4 other Japanese 'supercars' of the era (Supra TT, 3000 GT VR-4, 300 ZX TT, RX-7), which were similarly powered and offered similar performance cost half of what the NSX was priced at. Never understood why.

12/27/2009 4:07:50 PM

the NSX, while not more powerful, is more "exotic". In the mid-90s, I certainly would've rather had one than any of those other 4, and probably would say the same now. I can see it costing a little more, but not THAT much more.

12/27/2009 4:39:13 PM

I know that, but there was nothing inherently exotic about it. It is only because Honda said so... hey we gonna produce a much smaller volume and charge double of the others.

(and also because it was sold under the "Acura" badge, I guess)

12/27/2009 4:43:32 PM

^the nsx looked as exotic as any ferrari/lamborghini and could run circles around all those cars you mentioned

http://www.motortrend.com/features/editorial/112_0603_the_asphalt_jungle_ayrton_senna/index.html

12/27/2009 4:45:35 PM

I would submit that the Veyron should be on this list simply because of its landmark significance in the history of car design.

12/27/2009 4:50:00 PM

i will give you the looks part, but "run circles" around the other 4? any tests you can link to? in straight line, the supra and rx-7 were just as fast, and i can't see them being slouches compared to the nsx on a track.

12/27/2009 4:50:47 PM

I don't think they're as exotic looking as a Ferrari/Lamborghini, but they make a 300zx or 3000GT look downright homely, and a Supra TT or RX-7 look fairly pedestrian.


I take back a little of what I've said about the NSX...it looks like the prices have come down a little. It still doesn't represent a ton of bang for the buck in my view, but it makes a little more sense than it did a couple of years ago when a ragged out, high-mileage early-90s example went for 35k. I guess it's to the point now that if, for whatever reason, you have a real boner specifically for an NSX (which isn't completley out of the question--it is somewhat of a unique car, like a 911 or Elise, for example. No really direct competitors.), it isn't completely retarded to buy one.

12/27/2009 5:23:30 PM

^I think it looks better than a 355 (of course, the 355 sounds waaay nicer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBRRiR5LJAY
all those cars.. plus an STi

http://www.fastestlaps.com/track3.html
pretty good huh (around #24 and down)

some drag videos if you're wondering about straight line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqWJNQmtVsA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEr1RPzoBHU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV_M9pxPKxg

I wouldn't dismiss an NSX from even a drag race vs any of its jap contemporaries

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 5:37 PM. Reason : ]

12/27/2009 5:35:54 PM

My opinions:

Only the Z3 M coupe belongs on the list, and only the C6 z06. R8 and the F150 (especially the latter, WTF?) does not belong. 996 GT3 all the way, but really the 997 MK2 GT3 is a serious contender as well, guess too new at this point...

Anyway, I'd agree with the rest. I don't think the NSX belongs on there, though I'll admit I haven't (and would like to) driven one. Sliding calipers sourced from an Acura TL along with a worked over Accord engine just doesn't get my blood going, aside from that, I'm mad at Honda for letting it die a slow painful death just like they did to the S2k. There IS one other car that belongs on the list from Honda though, hint: they have red Hype-R badges, and the model name starts with an "I" and ends with "ntegra".

12/27/2009 6:35:14 PM

aren't NSX's hand built? i remember reading that honda lost money on every one they sold. ii still think it was underpowered, especially in the later years. cool cars though.

12/27/2009 7:34:25 PM

^^ The RSX type s?

[Edited on December 27, 2009 at 7:39 PM. Reason : .]

12/27/2009 7:39:33 PM

^^^ I have way more patience for TL brake calipers and a ho-hum engine than I do for wrong-wheel drive.

12/27/2009 8:28:17 PM

The execution of the Type R is amazing. I am NOT a fan of FWD, but that is one car that just goes against the grain, and only on track. You can't make me drive one on the street but I' love them on track, it is an ///M-azing drive. I won't try to defend it anymore, I can't, w/out giving you a ride or drive. I know, I was there.

The Cooper is another contender, but as a daily-able vehicle, not at all at the same plane, on or off track, IMO.

And my friends, this, THIS:


I lack the superlatives to describe how one of those feels... If you consider yourself a car enthusiast, go grab a ride in one on track from somebody that can drive, it will change your perspective, permanently.

12/28/2009 12:26:11 AM

I know, I know, I'm going to get one eventually. Hold tight, there's some more stuff I want first. I mean, I might grab myself a plain-jane 996 when I get back from Afghanistan, but I'll probably wait until I can buy what I want (and not feel completely irresponsible by doing it).

I was behind a 997 C4S today. It made me happy just to look at it and listen to it.

12/28/2009 12:57:33 AM

^The flat six sound is intoxicating. I LOVE it.

Quote :

"I know that, but there was nothing inherently exotic about it. It is only because Honda said so... hey we gonna produce a much smaller volume and charge double of the others. "

Yeah, nevermind the fact that when introduced in 1990 it had a full aluminum body. That's cheap right? Or that its performance beat most any car in its price range at the time. However I'd agree that over time its price increased while its performance really didn't.

But that's besides the point, you guys are getting way OT. The NSX came out in 1990, so doesn't meet the requirement for the cars of the decade. Same with the Integra Type R, it came out in the 90s.

Do I really have to explain that?

12/28/2009 8:42:29 AM

I was just defending it in general, not arguing about the list

12/28/2009 1:23:06 PM

oh yeah I wasn't referring to you

12/28/2009 5:12:26 PM

the 997 GT3 should be there in place of the 996. the 997 has been out long enough to prove itself as a superior auto.

12/28/2009 6:00:14 PM

No sir, completely different driving experience. The 996 is more raw, and has absolutely no driving aids what so ever -ABS. No on the fly anything, no electro dampers, etc.

12/28/2009 8:31:26 PM

Yeah, too bad it doesn't look like the 997 though.

12/29/2009 12:15:41 AM