Seven days and I’ll be back in the United States, having bid my farewell to the Middle East (but knowing I will return). As the countdown commences, I eagerly anticipate driving something without a Toyota badge on it, and possibly buying something interesting with all the money I have saved eating government food (and some sand). These past many months I have pored over eBay, Autotrader, and mobile.de (German used car site, check it out, forbidden gems!). After looking at the multitudes of steel out there, I wondered something… what could I get that would have oodles of character, the shades of a future classic, and not cost too much. So I present, Seven Future Classics for the Depressed Economy:
2001 – 2005 Pontiac Aztek – You might not like it, but you know what it is. For that reason alone, the Aztec will become a future classic in the same vein as the Edsel. It stands out everywhere it goes, especially in the orange and yellow shades GM slathered over its plastic cladded ass. It was hideous, poorly marketed, yet reasonably well built and comfortable. Bonus! The Aztek even came with a portable cooler/arm rest, an integrated back pack, and a tent that attached to the rear tail-gate, so you can create your own hideous children in a hideous car away from civilization thanks to an AWD system.
1994 – 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS – If Darth Vader were to drive cross-country to plead for a Death Star bailout, he would drive a black SS. Powered by the Corvette’s LT1 V8, the Impala would rocket away from a stoplight in smoking glory yet glide over the interstate in classic American fashion. Sleek and beautifully big in true Detroit fashion, especially without the chrome grill of the normal model, the SS commanded respect. It continues to do so for not much more than the price of a used Hyundai.
1993-1997 Land Rover Defender – Land Rover meant for the Defender to compete with the Wrangler, but at nearly twice the price, and the same reliability. It failed. The then-Ford subsidiary withdrew the model from the North American market due to slow sales and its inability to accommodate airbags. Available only in V8 guise, the Defender started to gain a reputation as a “trendy,” more capable alternative to the Jeep Wrangler, with just as an extensive military/explorer reputation. The Defender has now become an out-door lifestyle statement that could take you where no BMW ever could, as evidenced by quickly escalating prices.
1993-1998 Porsche 911 (993) – The last true 911 represents the pinnacle of the breed before profit sustainability and government regulations doomed Ferdinand’s original idea to the history books. Scary oversteer, funky floor hinged pedals and an interior as austere as the original one from 1964 all confirm that you’re piloting a sports car built for drivers, not a focus group. The last and most beautiful of the air-cooled 911’s now sells for more than a more recent water-cooled version, and for good reason: the legend died in 1998 giving birth to a smarter but not as quite exciting daughter.
1984-1988 Pontiac Fiero – The only domestic built mid-engined car continues to fascinate people as an oddity. It started out as mediocre machine, yet lived on to become something of a driver’s car at the end of its life. Once fitted with a powerful V6, the Fiero became a performance bargain, exhibiting chassis dynamics familiar to owners of Italian exotica. The biggest problem: reliability that matched the Italians, to the point where faulty electrics earned it the name “Fire-o” (many self-immolated themselves on the highway). Find an untorched V6 version, and you can start prepping for Pebble Beach 2030.
1999-2004 Ford Lightning – You gotta love Ford’s thinking when they shoved a supercharged V8 into the lightest F-150 body. With 380bhp on tap, the Lightning was the fastest vehicle capable of hauling a quad-bike on the planet. Ask it to turn, however, and it washed out into understeer so scary it prompted rednecks to proclaim “hold my beer and watch this.” It also carried over the horrible plastics and rock solid reliability from the regular F-150. Legendary in its own right, yet purchased by a select few, the Lighting remains rare, yet attainable– until the yuppies from California discover it at the next Barrett-Jackson auction.
1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX – 18 years later, and the original design still looks fresh, clean and futuristic (complete with weird dashboard “pods”). The Z’s looks are also backed by a rip-snorting 300bhp twin-turbo V6 (officially claimed at 276bhp). Even better: a sophisticated suspension rivaling some of the highest priced European metal. Capable of rivaling not only its Supra and RX-7 competitors, but some true exotics, the 300ZX showcases how great design never fades, and true style will last decades.
Mike,
Welcome back and Thank You for your work and sacrifice!
Nice list…but you missed the Subaru SVX. It was power, style (in buckets) and good old Subaru go anywhere capabilities (once you had the tranny seals re-built).
http://www.dragtimes.com/1994-Subaru-SVX-Pictures-9100.html
hell YES on the 94-96 Impala, but you should include the Caprice (with the 5.7 LT1), the Buick Roadmaster and the Cadillac Fleetwood in that list, all of which are the same car but are much cheaper to find. I owned a ’94 previously, and currently run the ’94 Roadmaster Wagon, basically an Impala SS with a big ass.
The Impala SS still demands a fair bit of coin for low mileage examples, being “collector’s items.”
The picture shows a Discovery, not a Defender, but that’s possibly an error in the right direction. Defenders are very overpriced, while first generation Discoveries can be had dirt cheap, and the rare (in the US) cloth seat / 5-speed manual version represents everything an SUV should be (except for the British quality).
Year is very important for the Fiero; the early ones had flawed designs and fire issues, but the 1988 versions were completely perfected.
For the B platform I would probably choose the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon or Cadillac Fleetwood over the Impala SS. 1996 is the best year since GM did all the work to make them OBD-II compliant right before killing them.
Another very big value is the last generation F-body Camaros and Firebird Formulas/Trans-Ams.
Also, in five years I predict that there will only be one manual transmission, non-riced to hell, non-totaled Nissan 240SX left from the ’95-’96 model year when they actually looked good, so it will probably be worth something. And with the pickup truck drivetrain they are bullet proof.
Nice list, although the Aztek is questionable. I guess it did spawn the CUV market and Honda is still ripping off design (if you call it that) cues from it so we’ll count it.
I would include the RX-7 and Supra in addition to the 300ZX since they’re both timeless as well. Finding an unmolested one of any of these three is impossible now, let alone the future.
1997 to 2001 Acura Integra.
Can we add the 1st gen Mazda 6 to that list?
It was probably the last true mid-size car in this land of Camcords the size of triceratops.
no_slushbox
Doh! I have a near-pathological aversion to all Land Rovers.
Picture amended.
Get an old Range Rover.
Where’s the Marauder? Or a late 90’s Crown Vic or Grand Marquis with the HPP option?
I agree with the Defender being collectable. However you have a picture of a Discovery, the Rover Equivalent of the Jeep Cherokee.
As a 14 yr old the first vehicle I ever drove was a series IIA with a shot clutch on my grandparents acreage.
The merits of the D90 Defender vs. the Wrangler are another story.
The picture of a “993” 911 looks like a 964 to me.
john.fritz :
January 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Where’s the Marauder? Or a late 90’s Crown Vic or Grand Marquis with the HPP option?
10 car lengths behind the older, cheaper, easier-to-repair Impala SS, coughing tire smoke…
1984-1988 Pontiac Fiero – The only domestic built mid-engined car…
Untrue! I’m pretty sure the Ford GT was built in Troy, Michigan.
Yo Tig, I think you meant to post your comment here:
“http://www.impalassforum.com/”
That is where all the kids go to brag about their fifteen year old Impalas, right?
sean362880:
Also Consulier/Mosler, Vector, Saleen, SSC and I’m sure others – “mass-market” should have probably been included.
I think you should compare the Aztek to the Pacer or the Gremlin. That is how it will be remembered.
The Defender is the last of the real Off Road trucks. Too bad it’s a Rover. Can you even get these in America?
You can’t go wrong with the Pickup – the only one on the list that can haul a dirtbike.
The Fiero was a dream car until GM built it and the bean counters nutered it.
Impala, Porsche, and Nissan are all about taste, just like ice cream. What flavor do you want?
Rugged, minimalist “jeep” for the depressed economy:
Defender Wrangler Samurai
That era of defenders is certainly not the best ones. Earlier ones equipped with diesels can still be seen all around the world, and are patched together with 2×4, medicinal gauze, and some bubble-gum. Indestructible, simple, roomy, and fantastic off-roaders.
God yes, I love the Defender, flaws and all. It’s understated machismo, the Hummer for people who aren’t poseurs. I also lust after a clean Disco II, one of the most beautiful cinder blocks every made. Right up there with a G-Wagen for rugged luxury styled like a barn with windows.
If only they were as reliable as they were capable (G-Wagen is probably a “better” bet for actually starting when needed and not falling apart at the first sign of duress).
Decent List. Particularly agree on the 300ZX. Must be in original unmolested condition though!
Regarding the Fiero. Yep, only the Indy pace car replica of the early years should be worthy in addition to the 1988 last year V6 models with the 5-speed in Formula or GT were and will be the most desireable. Remember now…these models rec’d the revised suspension and the sound of that V6 behind your ears was rather nice. There are some neat Fiero’s out there to still be found! V8 conversions on older models are kinda interesting to see too.
Celicas, Integras, Preludes, Supras, 300ZXs, 240SXs, SVXs … oh and some non-Japanese cars too.
Brilliant. I’d nominate this article for the “Best of TTAC,” if such a thing existed.
OK, I re-thought the whole Defender thing, and I think I’d go with one, too. It would have to be a 110, though.
One more car I think should be added to the list: Porsche 928.
For over a decade, my wife has insisted I buy her a Defender.
For over a decade, I have prevailed on the strenght of “but the thing does not have airbags”.
I’ve also seen the damn things increase in value as they get older. How ’bout that?
Aztek! Brings to mind the old Churchill line “in the morning, madam, you will still be ugly.” Be worth about as much as an early 50’s Nash which you could also sleep in. Ugly is more than skin deep.
Vette C-4’s are pretty cheep right now and just need a few more years.
Good list. I’d personally throw in the 4th-gen F-bodies and the ’03-’04 Mustang Cobra.
@ john.fritz – Marauders are anything but “affordable”. I looked at getting one to replace the wife’s nearly-worn-out ’96 Roadmaster, but $18-20K was the price of entry as of 3-4 months ago.
The late 90s Crown Vics are dog slow, even with the HPP. I’ve got a ’97 Grand Marquis, and it’s god-awful slow. None of the Panther cars have the presence of the Impala SS, either. The RWD FoMoCo cars are built much better than any GM B-body that I’ve ever owned, however. My Merc has 153,000 miles and still looks and feels like a much younger car. My ’96 Impala SS has only 97,000 miles and the interior looks (and sounds) downright shabby. Don’t even ask about the Roadmaster with 190,000 miles – it’s falling apart and rusting away around the still-strong powertrain.
I’d favor the Rx-7 over the 300ZX myself. The 300ZXs seemed a bit porky and had a larger number equipped with automatics.
The only Fiero to make it will be the 1988 model year Formula. Maybe the ’88 GT too. Otherwise a Toyota MR2 is miles better.
I’d say the Miata will be a classic in the same way a MG B or TR6 is today – not huge money but with a good following.
A last year Cadillac Atlante with the Northstar engine might make the list too.
The Dodge SRT4 seems likely as well.
Agreed – that’s not a pic of a 993…
Love the Impala SS, one of the very few beautiful cars GM has made in the last 30 years, but you can include all the Caprices in that style, and probably the brand-management mates
The 94-96 Impala SS is already considered a classic. Along with just about anything else built on that platform except maybe the beached whale looking wagons.
Porsche picture replaced.
RF
Here’s to the Lightning Pickup. I owned one for awhile when I needed a truck amongst my vehicles and it was sensationally entertaining while being useful. The understeer is easily taken care of. The OEM Goodyear tires are a peculiar size and difficult to substitute, so I put 20″ wheels with Nitto 404s. The Goodyears are tragically slick in the wet; the Nittos were bear claws under all circumstances and the understeer was easily tuned out by using different tire inflation pressures front to rear, softer in front.
As rockin’ as the Impala SS was, the 2003/4 Mercury Marauder equally deserves a place and trumps the SS in many ways, owing to its being newer and incorporating some later tech. The Marauder’s hydroformed front frame gave it a much more rigid structure than the older Impala, and good as the LT1 remains, the Marauder’s 4 cam V8 was smoother at speed, though it sacrificed some of the LT1’s low-end grunt. The Marauder’s SLA front suspension, Koni dampers, Watts link, and high-stall torque converter gave it composure and immediacy that make the SS feel old. It’s also available at steeply depreciated prices.
I’d add any of the SVT Mustangs, particularly the delightfully tossable 1993 5.0L original, and 1996 with the 32 valve mill.
Phil
If you want abject failure go with something more in-line with the esdel.
Lincoln Blackwood. Heck you may even find a matched set with the Mercury Cougars some dealers were giving away in a 2 for 1 deal.
As for performance cars, I’d stuff an RX7 in a barn, They’re much more affordable than Supras and arguably much prettier.
as for an off-roader maybe a TJ wrangler Rubicon.
+1 on the SVT Mustangs.
What about that GMC Syclone (I believe that was the GM Mis-spelling). The one that was faster from 0-100 than a Ferrari (though I am sure it dropped plenty of parts along the way).
Also on the Defender…I had a friend with one. It drove much nicer than the Discovery with the big sport wheels my then-wife was driving at the time.
Welcome home, Mike.
Of your list, I like the Impala SS. The Porsche also sounds like a good choice.
However, I’m biased because I am an original owner of, and still have, a 1985 Fiero that was one of the first built with a V6. I didn’t have any electrical issues until after it passed 20 years old of near daily driving, and really, the engine fire issue was blown way out of proportion. Being in contact with other Fiero owners, I don’t know of any Fiero owner who has had an engine fire….except me. My Fiero had a fire because the dealer installed a faulty part (cracked new fuel injector) during a routine service. If you can find one that hasn’t been Frankensteined and in good shape, go ahead. Just a word of warning, pre-1988, be aware that there are some suspension idiosyncrasies you might need to get used to.
The 300ZX is a nice car too, but it didn’t appeal to me on an emotional level.
Cheers!
What? No AMC Pacer?
Y’know, the other day I stumbled onto a fascinating article asserting that a 993 engine fits almost perfectly into the engine bay of a Karmann Ghia. A German tuner had done a drivetrain swap, combined with upgraded suspension and brakes, to make the world’s meanest Karmann Ghia. I’d be all over that.
Interesting. I would never had used the word classic and Aztek in the same sentence before.
@john.fritz
http://www.crownvic.net
Don’t miss the photos of “Dan The Vic Man’s 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor” on the front page.
I’d disagree on the 993
check out the price tracking in Porsche Market Letter or Excellence
993 prices are going nowhere but up – definitely not a good buy in this depressed market
You can get a far more capable 996 for less money (though arguably with less character and without the bulletproof air cooling).
radimus :
January 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
The 94-96 Impala SS is already considered a classic. Along with just about anything else built on that platform except maybe the beached whale looking wagons.
I wouldn’t say mine’s “beached”…
Agreed cretinx…
993s are not only holding their value in this depressed economy, a little research will prove that they’re appreciating rather nicely (if you are already lucky enough to own one).
For the Porsche models I see for today’s economic times…
1. Porsche 911, 996. The first of the sacriligious water-cooled 911s have reached the bottom of the depreciation well. 99s and 01s can be found under 20k (non-turbos), and for that kind of money, you’ve got a modern, comfortable 911 that delivers an enormous amount of performance. Find anything else for 17-20k that even comes close.
2. Porsche Boxters, 986. The mid-engined cousin of the rear-engined 996 is going in the low teens for 01 and older Boxsters (retail). Again, they’re not going to go too much lower than that, so if you’re not buying at the bottom of the depreciation curve, you’re near-as-makes-no-difference close. Closest thing you can drive to a road-going go-kart. Telepathic handling.
3. Porsche 911, 964. The model immediatly preceeding the 993 delivers a similar approach to air-cooled, rear-engined motoring. It performs within a whisker of the 993 but at almost half the price. However, you must proove to yourself you like the Olde Skool air-cooled 911 experience as 964s are going for about the same as a 996, with the 996 offering a vastly more civilized and modern package.
You know, I have a feeling you might be right about the Aztek. I’ve felt a strange attraction to them for the past 6 years or so. Kind of the “so ugly it’s cute” thing.
Oh and if you actually decide to pick up a 300zx, contact me. I can give a lot of pointers on what to look for when buying. Also budget $2k over the purchase price on fixing everything that may need to be fixed on the car. They are expensive to maintain, but reliable once you get everything taken care of.
I agree with Domestic Hearse. The 993 is amazing, but there are alternatives that are at least as exciting. Of course, I am biased…
I say, go with the SS, Fiero, or maybe a G8 (unless you need to sell it when you go back again) for a regular ride, and then get a Series II or III for a project car (a 110 if you can find it). The Defender is overvalued unless you can pick one up on the cheap. Or, get a Porsche project if the right Landy isn’t coming up.
edit: The older, better looking MR2’s are a good option if you like the fiero.
If you think orange or yellow is bad on an Aztek, I once saw a lime green Aztek parked on a street once.
My brother still has his ’91 300ZX, red, and completely unmolested except for an aftermarket exhaust and a Nakamichi sound system.
Yes, I hate him for it.
Just to be a bit picky, mid-engine merely means between the front and rear axle.
Common parlance is to call rear-mids mid-engine.
Just don’t forget there’s another mid-engine car made in the US. But it’s a front-mid config.
It’s called a Corvette.
As to the 911, I leave that those of you who seem to like them. I will only remind you of this one minor little tidbit…
The 911 was not originally designed to have the engine hanging off the ass-end.
BTW- Mr. Solowiow, thank you for your service. I didn’t recall your rank or I would address you properly.
Forgive me if this is heresy, but my recollection of the Pontiac Fiero is of a room-mate’s while we were both in Houston. It was always in the shop, and I mean always. Overheating I’m sure was the problem.
Did they fix that? Or is it a car for the Northern States/Canada.
He ended up with a nice used Ferrari 348, but he didn’t eat or pay rent to do it…..or drive it.
Any Porsche enthusiast knows that this is a 98 C-2S or C-4S 993. The S is a turbo body with a normally aspirated engine, turbo brakes, and 18 inch turbo twist wheels and some other goodies. 964? Not hardly.
My 95 Impala SS was one of my all time favorites, despite the:
– mismatched interior colors
– cocked rear axle making one wheel appear further forward than the other
– 2 misc equipment failures costing about a grand
Loved the power, room, ride, and yes the digital dash and column shift. And loved how it made me sit up and pay attention, going through 4 Boston winters without snows.
But to have it share a list with an Aztek?
may I also suggest the 82-88 BMW 5er, the the E 28? My pair of DD 88 528es are very reliable and cheap to maintain.
Defender and Wrangler have similar reliability? The only thing a Jeep Wrangler owner should envy is a D90’s resale value.
Also, in five years I predict that there will only be one manual transmission, non-riced to hell, non-totaled Nissan 240SX left from the ‘95-’96 model year when they actually looked good, so it will probably be worth something. And with the pickup truck drivetrain they are bullet proof.
Hey, I had a 1992 240SX SE and there was nothing wrong with the way it looked, but I fully undersand what you are saying. I will say that the 92 looked sporty and got comments at gas stations, but it had a serious body roll problem particularly compared to the RX7 I had before it.
Of the cars listed, I would pick the 300ZX based on a combination of current price and potential. The Porsches are overpirced, and I definitely don’t need an expensive paper weight like a 90’s Land Rover decorating my driveway. The Impala is interesting as is the Fiero, though I don’t think I could bring myself to trust the Fiero. How about an MR2 instead? If nothing else, the inclusion of the Aztec made me laugh. Fine, compare it to an Edsel, but how does an Edsel compaare to other classic cars of its generation? I don’t think you will find it at the top. Finally, the Ford F150 Lightning; sorry, I don’t need to burn rubber in a truck. If I did, I would take a 40’s or 50’s Chevy Truck and drop a 350 in it with a Mustang II front clip and disc brakes. That would look good and go like stink.
I’d toss in the e30 m3 only 5000 imported, if you hunt for a beat up one you can get in for 8k. Although many go for 15k+
Re Fiero “pre-1988, be aware that there are some suspension idiosyncrasies you might need to get used to. ” Yeah, for those who are too young or have forgotten, GM used the front end of an X-body Citation for the back end of the Fiero (and just hooked up the tie rod ends to the engine mounts so the wheels wouldn’t turn!) and a Chevette (remember those charming things!) front end for the Fiero front end. Total POS. When they finally fixed it for ’88 it was too late. Don’t think they ever fixed the crummy cramped foot well.
And no, the Aztek will never be a “classic”.