Ten Best Cars to Give as a Gift
Tuesday December 2, 2008
With the economy in such rough shape, the idea of giving a car as a present this holiday season might seem totally ludicrous. But if you ask me, now is probably the best time in years to consider buying a car as a present. Dealers are hungrier than ever, and even a weak negotiator should be able to strike one heck of a bargain. Honestly, this is probably the best time to buy a car in years. Need some suggestions for what to buy? Well, here you go -- check out my freshly-updated list of the Ten Best Cars to Give as a Gift. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
Careful, Aaron, I see you getting lambasted already for a couple of these picks. I can see it now: “The Aveo’s a piece of crap,” “The ZR-1 is too expensive,” etc.
I like the variety. If I’m not mistaken, that means you have the cheapest and most expensive American brand cars on the same list…
While I really admire the Honda S2000, and would probably go catatonic at the sight of a ZR-1 in the driveway, I’ve gotta say the gift I’d love the most would be a Porsche 911 GT3. Or a Lotus Elise for half the price.
*Side note: I recently saw the Challenger at an Auto Show. Absolutely did not like it. Way too big to be a fun car. I like muscle cars as much as the next gear head, but the word ’sporty’ belongs nowhere near this car. It feels like you’re sitting in a cave, and the rear window is too small (can’t see anything). Sad part is, there was a display nearby with a 1970 Challenger, so we could see firsthand how fat, bloated, and disconnected this ‘new’ car is. Nothing more than a massive, two-door Charger, and it’s size shows.
Mick - Getting lambasted is part of my job description.
— Aaron
@Mick: The Challenger does look huge (and it is) but I have to tell you… it is a blast to drive. The 2009 SRT8 with the manual trans is lots and lots of muscle car fun… until you have to hit the brakes of course (yowza).
It is one of the few cars that has caused me to yell out loud as I shifted because I was having so much fun…
Talked to my stock broker today about my 401k and mentioned your 10 best cars to give as a gift. First he said due to economic conditions my 401k is now a 201k soon to become a 101k. These are the cars he suggested:
1. 1971 AMC Pacer
2. 1978 Murcury Monarch
3. 1981 Dodge Omni/ Plymouth Horizon
4. 1972 Plymouth Fury III
5. 1978 Monte Carlo
You get the message!
I can’t believe you don’t have a 335 bimmer in there someplace? Count me in for a Dinan 335 BMW please and for the record, I’ve been a very good little boy this year
C
Sorry Aaron but I have supported the auto industry as much as I can this year…
But if any one in my extended family is listening and wants to do a little “supporting” of their own I could be enticed to receive a Santa gift of the new Lotus Evora. Unfortunately with only 2000 being made a year it might be a few Christmas’s before I get it.
Wow, Lotus has finally mated thier idea of a race car with the comforts of a street car to produce a offspring worthy of all weekend racers. I’m truly impressed with this car.
I’d be happy with a Gallardo…
I’ll start lower and build my way up…
Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT
Nissan 370Z
Infiniti FX50s
Audi S5
VW Touareg V10 TDI
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Wow Aaron, with a gift list like that, you married way better than I did.
More importantly, where do you get those big bows that they put on cars in commercials. I don’t want a car as a gift unless it comes with a giant bow!
@Melissa:
Not sure if you were serious, but you can find the giant bows at www.cbows.com I think they make them in a few different giant sizes.
Melissa, now that you’ve got the bow issue licked, let us all know about what gets put under it!