OT- Classic Cars

'95 Geo Prizm, manual transmission, great investment. Drives like a dream.

My first new car ever was a Geo Storm.  To see a 6'3" 250lbs man climb out of that thing was a sight to behold.

80s or 90s I'm not sure about for me, but give me a '69 Charger R/T with the HEMI or a '70 Challenger R/T (obviously with a Hemi) and I will be one happy person.

Any Viper at any time will also suffice, I can't wait to see what the new one looks like then it's announced/launched next year...too bad they had to put wuss control - I mean TCS - into it.  Damn government.

EDIT: When I was in high school (not in the 80s or 90s, mind you) I wanted a Dodge Stealth.  Dunno if that helps you out at all.

Are you looking at just American or are imports acceptable as well?

They fit the "classic" mold, but aren't what you're looking for (If you can find a CJ-8, those things are really desireable).

Unfortunately the 1980s had a bunch of awful cars. The Camaro/Firebirds and Mustangs were hit by the gas crisis, boxy, and slow.

Chrysler's multiple buyings killed off their muscle. Porsche came out with the 924 and 968 - front engined things that were NOT Porsche-esque and almost killed the company. VW and Audi were fledgelings... Beemers weren't what they are today...

I'd say go for either an early 1980s Porsche 911, an MG-B Roadster, Or a "Graduate" Alfa Romeo Spyder. I'm not as familiar, but a Datsun Z might be worth looking into as well

I'm putting the finishing touches on a Ford Taurus station wagon for the Dream Cruise this year.

To get back on point, the Regal Grand National is a classic from that era

Outside of your usual Camaro/Firebird/Trams Am, Corvette and Mustangs, the Buick Grand National is quite possible the best "Muscle Car" of the 80's.

Total sleeper by looks but it's one helluva beast I can promise you that.

http://buickturboregal.com/

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=833&q=buick+grand+nation...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1985-1987-buick-grand-national-gnx.htm

I've got a 1984 Oldsmobile Omega with 40k miles I bought from an old lady for $1500...she has poor vision and gave up driving, haha. It's in great shape but in the end it's still an Omega.

I owned one once upon a time. It was really fun. I bought in California before I got out of the service. Drove it back to Michigan when I got out. Fun drive across the country. I had to sell it as I just couldn't maintain it, as I didn't use it as an every day car. Sold it to a guy that was going to finish the restoration. Hmmm still miss it some days.

After having owned/restored a slew of Mustangs (including two '66 GT-350s), I cannot think of anything I would consider 'classic' from the 80's or 90's.  If you're looking at the car from a "toy" and "investment" standpoint, you'll need to ask yourself if, once you're 'done' with it, will it be worth more than what you purchased it for?  If there's a market for anything from the 80s/90s, then the answer may be "yes".  If not, look at something that you'll enjoy and be able to sell.  Those old 60s muscle cars certainly fit the bill.  However, they're getting expense and with gas getting stupid again may or may not hold their value.  It really depends on the vehicle and that vehicle's following.  IMO, you can't go wrong with 60s-era Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes.

Depends on what you like, 5.0 mustangs from the era are still popular, and you could put many parts on it. Also Mustang Cobras came out in the early 90's, and those cars are real cool and fast. Also you could check out camaros like the IROC-Z and Z28. You could also go for one of the high performance tuner's, they might be Japense but their fast, cars like Mistubishi 3000gt vr-4, and also Nissan 300ZX. That's all I could think of now.

In my opinion, my favorite of the Z model by Nissan; drove it all through high school and it packs a punch, especially if you get the twin turbo model. Bonus if you get it in blue (which my dad told me they discontinued after only a few years of production, which is the color my dad has it in).

That was my first and second car. It's a great little two seater (getting you out of driving all your friends around when you were too poor to afford gas) and it's very alive in the kit-car and tweaking community.

I've seen everything from kit cars to look like anything to dropping in a 32V Northstar to all electric...

My first car was an '84 Z28. I still can't believe my parents let me buy it, especially considering that I totalled it a month after I got my license. But that generation of Camaro (up to '92, I believe) can be a really nice "muscle" car, 

But if done wrong, can look like some of the trashiest beaters on the road.

 The 80's were certainly not the glory days for car design and performance.

This is largely due to the new emission standards that began in the 70's that effectively ended the muscle car era.

It took the manufacturers a long time to figure out how to generate horse power without high levels of pollution and poor fuel economy.  They started figuring this out in the 90's and are exceptional at it now.

Personally, I think of the 60s for classic cars.  I own a 65 Chevelle convertible which I love.

If I had to pick an american car from the 80s:

1. Buick Grand National
2. Chevy IROC Z-28
3. Chevy Monte Carlo SS

I thought the 3rd and 4th gen Camaro's fit your criteria. The IROC versions graced my suburban town's driveways while I was in high school in the early '00s. I think the Datsun/Nissan Z's of the era, and even things like their 240SX should fit the bill as fun cars that were inexpensive and had styling unique to that era.

Also agree with other posters on the Grand National, and would add Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais and Ciera. While the Ford Taurus Wagon was probably the most popular car of the era, the Grand National was a beaut that I think still looks amazing - and yet so late '80s/early '90s.

No car says "Eighties" any better.

was a 1991 Dodge Daytona.  Its paint was fading and the previous owner's girlfriend had ruined first gear -- she had no idea how to drive a stick -- so I had to start in second gear, which led to a few stalls before I got used to it.  But it ran well for a good four years with no major problems.  I really liked that car.  A lot.

Unfortunately, a moment of inattention sent me sailing through a stop sign in Ann Arbor, and a brand-new fresh-off-the-lot (still with temporary plates!) Buick Rendezvous hit me square in the drivers door.  I was fine, but that was the end of my Daytona.

So...yeah, I know it's not really a classic or anything, so it's not what you're looking for.  But were I to go back and buy a car from the 80s or 90s, I'd probably find myself a Daytona, just because of the fond memories I have from that old 1991 Daytona.

Sorry for wasting your time, OP...but thanks for letting me reminisce!

If you want the bitties then the Ford Aerostar Sport is the car for you. I can get you one with gum holding the ford logo up.

...Triumph TR7?

this was my first car. 

love it. since the new ones came out a few years ago there has been a lot more love for these lately. 

check out a 1980's BMW M6. 

Honestly, as far as icon cars from the 80s go you have only two choices: the Porsche 911 or the Ferrari 308 GTS.

Now as for American icons, you have to go with the Camaro IROC, a Grand National, or a Monte Carlo.

$.02

edit: the 308 GTS should be familiar.

90's car has quite a following

If you were to go more recently, I'd consider a mercury marauder.

...and some laughs.

I guess maybe the poor designs had something to do with the US car makers not doing well, but that's another discussion that I have no intention to be involved with.

I was asking because I wondered if I was just not thinking of them, but other than the rockin' Geo Storm it seems they don't exist.  The Grand Nationals were nice.  A friend of mine had one with T-Tops, but they aren't my cup of tea.

Right now my list is in no particular order:

64-67 Chevelle/GTO

69/70 Mustang (My first car I bought)

77/78 Trans Am (The car I sold in college)

Late 60's Dodge Products are also appealing

As you can see, they are already collectable.

you could do a nice kit car.  Factory 5 has some amazing AC Cobra body kits that fit onto a lot of 80's 5.0 mustangs. Again, this will depend on your level of work and money you want to put in.

I second Beavis on the Supra.  Mitsubishi 3000GT is possibly another classic.  It's main flaw was that it was a Mitsu, and when it wasn't, it was a Dodge.

Really just pick any Lotus, but the Elise SE or Sport 300 should be good fun to drive.

http://www.theresearchsource.net/fun-games.htm

Before 1980 but I'm ready to sell the '67 SL...  Not required, but it helps to own one that will appreciate.

The 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Indy Pace Car packed the Grand National Turbo V6.  This and the 1992 Corvette ZR1 are really the only memorable American cars I can think of from this era.