Destined to be a classic...

For 2004 and 2005 model cars, based on styling alone, which would you predict as a classic 20 years from now? Not much is coming to mind for me...

MINI (well, maybe not)
Enzo
S2000

I do think the E46 is drop-dead sexy in the right color and trim, but I don't think it will ever be considered a classic.

Originally Posted by ff

I do think the E46 is drop-dead sexy in the right color and trim, but I don't think it will ever be considered a classic.

Bite your tongue.

Originally Posted by AJAX

Bite your tongue.

ZERO chance.

And, short of exotics, the only solid candidate I can think of is the S2000. Possible additional candidates include the C6 Corvette and the Scooby WRX STi. But that's about it, IMO.

Originally Posted by TD

ZERO chance.

And, short of exotics, the only solid candidate I can think of is the S2000. Possible additional candidates include the C6 Corvette and the Scooby WRX STi. But that's about it, IMO.

A WRX? Over this?

Originally Posted by AJAX

A WRX? Over this?

[PIC REMOVED]

Yes.

Because of what it takes for something to become a classic. Limited numbers and a cult-like following are two components. Being a bit outside the mainstream helps too.

No one is going to take one option package of a model that sells as many copies as Honda does Accords and treat it as a classic. Not even the E46 M3 will ever be seen as a classic, IMO (the E36 M3 isn't either but the E30 M3 definitely is).

Sure, your car is a pretty car. But it'll never be a classic. Guaranteed.

As always most of the exotics will become classics, the only car that the average person could afford would be the MINI and the Vette because of the large enthusiast/collector base.

Originally Posted by TD

Scooby WRX STi.

Yeesh. Personally, I find all the Subarus heinously ugly. I mean really, super-fugly.

Perhaps that doesn't disqualify from "classic" though... are AMC Pacers "classics?"

Lotus Elise

I'm wondering what it will mean to restore one of today's cars 20-30 years from now. Bodies are much less likely to rust now, but there are many more electronic and electro-mechanical parts that may be very difficult to find or re-create. Its probably hard enough trying to find parts for a 5 year odl computer, let alone a 30 year old car.

Originally Posted by atyclb

Lotus Elise

It was the first car which came to mind...

Maybe the TT as well. But it's so hard to predict - impossible as a matter of fact.

Originally Posted by atyclb

Lotus Elise

Trendy things usually don't end up being considered "classic". Ever.

The Elise will end up in the same dustbin as Members Only jackets.

Originally Posted by TD

Trendy things usually don't end up being considered "classic". Ever.

The Elise will end up in the same dustbin as Members Only jackets.

Because of what it takes for something to become a classic. Limited numbers and a cult-like following are two components. Being a bit outside the mainstream helps too.

check. check. check.

Oh, I was just giving you the "trendy" hazing.

Originally Posted by TD

Trendy things usually don't end up being considered "classic". Ever.

The Elise will end up in the same dustbin as Members Only jackets.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...89&postcount=4

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...14&postcount=5

Originally Posted by atyclb

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...89&postcount=4

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...14&postcount=5

I was just messing with you aty. You can stop with the archive retrieval.

Originally Posted by atyclb

Lotus Elise

What took you so long?

Originally Posted by TD

Because of what it takes for something to become a classic. Limited numbers and a cult-like following are two components. Being a bit outside the mainstream helps too.

If that's the case, a US-spec Golf should be a classic.

Originally Posted by LeucX3

If that's the case, a US-spec Golf should be a classic.

I thought about nominating the R32.

In 20-30 years, I think anything that is in decent shape and running would be considered a classic at any car show.

Now... about today's cars... I think anything has the potential to become a classic. If we could decide now what would be a classic in 25 years, then it wouldn't become a classic, because everyone would get one and keep it in a garage. (Think baseball cards, comics, etc.)

Look back on some cars that we call classics now. Most of the Mustangs were cheap economy cars... "secretary cars". Yet they are classics. The Belle Aire was also a cheap car at the time, akin to a Cavalier now! Yet that's a classic too.

Who knows. It's too hard to predict the future.

Originally Posted by Plaz

Yeesh. Personally, I find all the Subarus heinously ugly. I mean really, super-fugly.

Perhaps that doesn't disqualify from "classic" though... are AMC Pacers "classics?"

Yes, and Yes. I think the new Saabaru 9-2x improves the overall look tremendously.

The Pacer is definitely a classic - classically BAD, but a classic nonetheless.

Originally Posted by OBS3SSION

Who knows. It's too hard to predict the future.

Yeah. Ask me in 20 years.

I'm not going to buy a car based on classic potential. I'm going to buy one because I enjoy it.

Originally Posted by The Roadstergal

Yeah. Ask me in 20 years.

I'm not going to buy a car based on classic potential. I'm going to buy one because I enjoy it.

Ditto!

As for current models as possible "classics" maybe the Mustang Cobra-R or last year Camaro SS?

Anti-classic is easy - Aztek!

Originally Posted by hockeynut

Anti-classic is easy - Aztek!

Not so fast...remember the Edsel?

At the time it was considered one of the ugliest cars on the road. Today there is quite a cult following. Maybe the Azteck will be the next Edsel? Even if it is, I will still think it is one the ugliest cars ever made.

Originally Posted by TD

Because of what it takes for something to become a classic. Limited numbers and a cult-like following are two components. Being a bit outside the mainstream helps too.

There are plenty of classic cars that were mainstream and mass-produced back in the day. Although the rarer ones are more sought after today, that doesn't make the more common ones less "classic." I do understand what you mean by "cult-like following," but that's almost like using a word to define itself.

In alphabetical order, cars of today that I think will be classics in the future (assuming we make it that far):

BMW 645Ci
Cadillac CTS (maybe?)
Honda S2000
Mazda RX-8
Mazda Miata
Nissan 350Z
Any of the exotics: Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, (and yes, Lotus) etc.

As for the E46 or E36, I wouldn't completely rule them out. Yes, they are extremely common cars, but they are also some of the greatest cars produced during the last 10 years and have developed quite a following. Who knows?