Another Thanksgiving is upon us, and once again I would like to thank you, my readers, for your continued support of About.com and the Cars site. I am one of those lucky people who gets to do what he loves for a living, and without you, the folks who read this web site, that simply wouldn't be possible. Please accept my most gracious thanks and my sincere wishes for a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.
I've taken to posing car-related questions on Thanksgiving. In past years, we've discussed influential cars and bad cars. So this year, I have a simple question: What do you think was -- or is -- the best car ever made, and why? Click the comments link below. I can't wait to see your responses! -- Aaron Gold
Best in what regard? Ford Model T for making driving affordable for everyman? Or the Ferrari GTO for the most beautiful? Or the Beetle for the most produced? Or the Honda civic for longevity and reliability? The best car would be one that meets all these criteria: affordable, reliable, beautiful, fun to drive and a world car with high sales figures: The 1974-2010 Nissan 240-370Z.
In my opinion, the BMW M3 is/was the best car ever made.
The GMC Terrain for being an American car and being built in Canada (yes, I live in Canada). I love how it packs so many luxuries, is well-priced, the great gas mileage, and cargo space. I’m only 15 but I will own one someday. Another is the Pontiac Vibe for being one of GM’s best sellers. Another is the Ford Mustang for being a road legend and being affordable. My dad has vowed to own one someday.
The best car ever made today would have to be the BMW 3 series. Own & luv this car.
The best car I ever had when I was a little “younger” would have to be the 1965 Cheverolet Impala SS …loved that car.
The best looking car I have ever seen of all time would be the Dusenburg.
The only obvious choice must be the Yugo with a built in cell phone
Best car ever made? The Checker Marathon.
Best car ever made…1969 Pontiac GTO “The Judge”
I would have thought, to honor the day, it should have been the best turkey of a car ever made….and the Yugo would definitely qualify!!
Best car for me was the 60’s Pontiac GTO. What a car!
It would have to be a (amc matador )
Porsche 911 series
To date I have to go with the BMW 3 series. It continues to set the Industry standard for a rear wheel drive sports sedan/coupe. No one can touch them, Alot have tried, and make their interpretaion of the 3 series, but it is still just a poser.
The most beautiful car to me is still the Aston Martin DB9/DBS. The car is just Drop Dead Gorgeous.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you Petrol Heads.
The best car I ever owned (and I’ve had plenty) would have to be the AMC Pacer. The 258-6 had plenty of power, Good handling and great visibility not to mention great gas milage. I miss AMC cars.
the mini was the best car. almost all of todays cars are built on the mini format
Hands down it was the Volkswagen Beetle. Reliable, rugged, easy to maintain and cheap to operate, the Beetle was transportation. It was not fast or glamorous or sexy, but it got millions of people where they needed to go for decades. Other cars were sportier, other cars were more comfortable, but the Beetle had everything it needed… and everything we needed in a car.
Checker Marathon. For reliability, ease of service, and a design reminscent of a mid-50s chevy, this car would be hard to beat. Close second, the venerable london taxi. And finally, for its every man affordability and ease of service, along with it’s central european iconoclasm, the Trabant.
Believe it or not I would add the ’80’s Caprice Classic to that list. Bulletproof, affordable, reliable, and not bad looking for the time.
1966 Jaguar XKE…to me it is truly the most distictive design ever, it drives like nothing else, superb power, and definitely has all the cache any other brand would ever hope to have…even Ferrari.
’60s Volvos were reliable, economical, reasonably quick and quite handsome. The Amazon and the P1800 Coupe are quickly becoming hard to find classics!
Jag XKE
Combines the function, the exhilaration, and artistic possibilities of of an automobile.
Worthy of Smithsonian Art
And one hell of a ride
The Mercedes E-Class. Each iteration of this car is solid, comfortable, reliable, and safe. This has especially been true of the diesel versions of this car.
For me it’s the 68-70 Dodge Charger. If I could say that I have a dream car, that is it. I have a 66, and love it to death, but the 68-70 models are still my absolute favorite.
The checker cab.
The best car ever is kind of like the best airplane ever.
It isn’t the fastest or prettiest but the one that is the most useful IMHO.
I have to say that I can think of three that are icons.
1. The Jeep. They are still making Jeep Wranglers that look a heck of a lot like the Jeeps of WWII.
2. The Land Rover? Is it a car or a truck? Don’t know but they have been around the world and still going.
3. The VW Beetle. What can you say about that beast that hasn’t already been said.
Honorable mentions.
Ford Model T
Austin 7
2CV
BTW the worlds best airplane is… DC-3/C-47 with the Piper cub, 747, and the Cessna 172 as runners up.
The GM A body cars of the late 80’s -early 90’s. With 3.3L V-6 version of the bulletproof 3.8L V-6, they ran forever.
My parents bought a new one in 1989 and it was ran so good for them they searched for and bought a low milage 1990 when the first one got over 150k miles.
They drove the first one for 160k then gave it to me to use as a commuter car ( I commuted 50miles each way) I drove it til it had 280k , still ran like a top . Had no major work ever done on it. Had original engine and trans.
I gave it away, everything still worked on it. And they gave me the 1990 when it had 180k on it. I still drive that one as a second car and it currently has 230k miles on it. No major repairs have ever been done to it, and everything works.
Amazing cars. Boring but rock solid reliable, and get decent fuel milage.
I agree with the comments about the late ’60s GTO, but the Pontiac Le Mans shouldn’t be overlooked. It was a classier (albeit less macho) version of the Goat. My cousin had a ‘67 Le Mans convertible, and I still get chills when I think about riding in it. Medium blue with off-white interior and an off-white top. Absolutely gorgeous.
HOw about the Chevy/GMC Suburban/ Cadillac Escalade ESV?
I’ve had BMWs (7’s, 5’s 3’s and MCoupes), Volvos (S80), other Cadillacs (STS, SRX), VWs (TDI Jetta), Dodges (Durango), Fords (Mustangs) but always have a ‘Burb ready to do the real driving. Winter? Hah. Towing? Youbetcha. Hauling? Bring it on! Touring? Lets go!
The other pretty cars sit in the garage when its family time, trip time or fun time.
I have no doubt that the best car ever was the Ford Model T. My father was the designer. He brought to Ford the latest designs of the advanced German models and created a vehicle which the average person could afford. Combined with durability and ease of handling the Model T set a standard which exists to this day.
‘56 Citroen DS
Original Datsun 240Z. Wish I still had mine.
The first car I loved was my 1976 Monte Carlo. I recently drove a 2005 Audi S4 Avant and so far in my experience it’s the best car ever made. What a sweet engine, but I’ll probably drive something else next week that will be the best car ever made.
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
Bentley Continental GTC
Built to outlive a Checker marathon while doing 196 while in permanent AWD, and its a convertible!
How about the Fiat 600D? I had two of them in the 60’s. It was good for 72 mph. Great gearbox. Unreal mileage. Scary handling (I was 16-19 yrs old…maybe I didn’t know what the car could do…). Suicide doors!
My favorite of all time: ‘54 300SL Gullwing.
In today’s world: BMW 3 series
I vote for the BMW 3-series. Consistently top-teir in every comparison test since its introduction. No car can come close to making this claim.
Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth Minivans. They created a whole new market and are versatile and economical vehicles. Even today, the cubic-foot/dollar ratio is among the best of any vehicle on the road.
The later 240 Volvo series from 1988 to 1993. Great handling, braking, durability, safety and utility. Not overly computer controlled and good road feel. A true classic that’s easy to keep running.
e36 M3. This generation of the BMW M3 could do it all: haul the family (particularly with the 4-door) and groceries, yet still be a formidable track weapon on weekends, all while getting decent gas mileage. Later BMW’s have lost their way (no dipsticks and Bangle-styling), but this one will go down in history as one of the automobile worlds best.
The best car ever made Has to be something by Rolls Royce. Every other marque is simply in a lesser league ergo not the “BEST”.
The WRX hatchback (not the STI): fast, agile, AWD, reliable, affordable, reasonably comfortable, reasonably efficient, reasonably useful. As a day-to-day, do-everything car, it’s the best.
The best car ever made is any one that
a) Carries more than one person more often than not and
b) the owner held on to and avoided more needless waste.
This cult of cars is just not sustainable. Anything that is utilitarian and efficient (IMHO) is the best.
Lars
For looks, performance and handling, and dependability, I have been most impressed with the Toyota MR2, 1985-1995.
There are the industry-changers: The first Fords, the small, post WWII cars (Beetle, Fiat 500), and even the Chrysler minivans. Of the cars I’ve owned, the one I wish I could have back is the 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC VR6. Quick, great gearbox, sounded great, and could seat four adults.
Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang. Masterpiece
Love reading your colum; the best car made in-term of quality, reliability, and longivity? According to Consumer Reports that title goes to Honda and Toyota, and the Camry and Accord are their bread and butter. I owned a Camry with over 250K, but would love a 3 series (335d).
Sheesh. A pile of old musclecars, some German sedans, and some family haulers?
Let’s get serious here. No one has yet mentioned what is really, IMHO, the greatest car ever built, and probably will be the greatest car (in its current form) ever built: The McLaren F1. You can keep your Enzos and your Bugattis and Lambos – the F1 is the king.
i think the mustang 1965 gt500 eleanor is the best car ever made