Think about the Porsche 911, or the Jeep Wrangler, even some Ford Mustang models. Timeless designs, right? Well, some cars have managed to pass the test of time gracefully. In most cases, all is needed is some clean yet straightforward lines, and the design can look fresh out of the oven, even after so many years, just like wine - the older, the better.
Nonetheless, some manufacturers try too hard to impress their current customers, creating something that won't age well. People compare those cars to forgotten bruised bananas, but actually, they are dinosaurs. They are weird looking. You rarely see them on any roads. And they only exist in the collective mind of a few individuals, who can't get over them. So please don't waste your time, but check our list and find out what category some very famous cars belong to.
10 Fine Wine: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)
The Mercedes E-Class has been here for decades. It appeared in the early 1990s, and it was one of the most over-engineered cars in the world. The W211 doesn't disappoint either. Mercedes' attention to detail and their obsession with luxury is highly noticeable. You'll hear the sounds from the outside only when the engine is redlined. Not to mention the handling and the smooth suspension.
But what's so special about it? Do you know that back in time, it was advertised as the most beautiful Mercedes? And they weren't wrong. Although today it has a lot of competition, the W211 still manages to look elegant and timeless.
9 Fine Wine: BMW M5 E39
Twenty-five years after its debut and the BMW M5 E39 still looks so handsome! It's probably BMW's finest hour in contemporary automotive design. It aged remarkably well that lives on even after all the technological advancements we have experienced. It is perhaps one of the few BMW cars that managed to have a soul, after so many years.
The build quality is outstanding. Everything you touch in the cabin is made from some of the highest quality materials. Depending on the year it was built, you'll find the brushed aluminum, wood grain, and almighty leather. And the 4.9l S62 V8 engine, which will go in history as one of BMW's best powerplants, leaves you genuinely breathless.
8 Fine Wine: Audi R8
The first-generation Audi R8 is a supercar that's a celebrity in the sheets, but an errand-runner in the streets. When it came out 12 years ago, with its 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V8 engine, it was blisteringly quick. And of course, the design of the R8 is so unique and sleek that even after 20 years, it will be appreciated. The Audi R8 feels spacious inside, and according to Motor Trend, driving it feels effortless. And considering it only costs around $50,000 on the used market, it should be a priority since the value of this beauty might be going up.
7 Fine Wine: Jaguar XK
"What a beauty!" is, hopefully, what you said the second you saw the picture above. Well, the Jaguar XK got its name from the iconic 1948 XK120. The XK120 was a celebration of speed and beauty. The last generation of the XK is just as stylish, sporty, classy, and very capable of high speeds as its great-grandfather. Its long hood, flowing, curvaceous fenders, and overall design make the XK historic while achieving a modern look. It's amongst Jaguar's most sophisticated cars, and it won't go down the time's labyrinth, for that we are sure.
6 Fine Wine: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Let's face the facts here: no matter how jaw-dropping the 599 GTB may seem to you, the pictures alone don't convey how stunning it is. It's not only a real Ferrari (V12 engine in the front) but also one of the most potent cars Ferrari has ever built. The front wheel arches and the Loren cat eyes alongside some mesmerizing proportions give us the ultimate Ferrari sense of luxury and style. And if you're ever lucky enough to give it some gas, your senses will scream in excitement, and at that moment it will hit you: the Ferrari 599 show isn't over, it has just started.
5 Dinosaur: Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z might be an affordable sports car, but does will its price matter when it's long gone and forgotten? And don't blame the customers. The 370Z forgot to check what's happening with the automotive industry and got lost in it. Only cars with timeless styling and fascinating history can survive without offering modern technology.
Unfortunately, the Nissan 370Z offers none of that. Luckily, the 370Z successor is already on its way! We can only hope that with it, Nissan will bring back the spirit of affordable performance that the original Z cars were known for.
4 Dinosaur: Maserati Quattroporte
If you're a car enthusiast, you may know well the discourse around the Maserati Quattroporte. It sounds exotic and Italian, but that's all. Although the sedan appeared in movies like Dope or Intouchables, it hasn't aged well. It wasn't pretty, to begin with, and time hasn't been kind to it either. What before was a celebrity car, today costs less than a quarter of the original price. And it isn't a bargain.
The interior is bizarre and has a bunch of quirky features. You can't change gears without pressing a button, cruise control is activated using a hidden button behind the steering wheel. It supposed to have a TV, although it doesn't. And it's far away from performing like a sports car. The gearbox is unforgivable.
3 Dinosaur: Porsche 928
The Porsche 928 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show back in 1977. It had 17 numbers more than the 911, but it wasn't any better. At least people thought so. The 928, although forgotten, it is a highly misunderstood and underappreciated car.
First of all, the 928 was supposed to be better and replace the 911, which put it in a challenging and unfair position from the beginning. Purists hated it because of the water-cooled engine upfront. And other people believed it wasn't worth it. Road and Track put it so well, saying that the 928's fate was inevitable. It had to die for Porsche to live.
2 Dinosaur: Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire was based on the Mercedes SLK. But while the SLK is still alive and well, even after twenty years, the Crossfire is nowhere to be seen. Although the production numbers of the Crossfire were way lower than those of the SLK, it just shows that even when it went out, there was barely any demand.
It was outdated before it came out—nothing special about its styling (quite ugly, if you ask us) performance or interior. Seems like even the Mercedes underpinnings couldn't save the Crossfire from its ultimate demise.
1 Dinosaur: Fisker Karma
Fisker once threatened the Detroit manufacturers, with their sleek, eco-minded, amazing sports car. Just like the Chevy Volt, the Karma had a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, powered by electricity. Plus, it used a gas engine generator, so it never failed to move. And for a while, Fisker was the "next Detroit." It made it to Time's 50 Best Inventions, Top Gear's Luxury Car, DiCaprio bought it, Usher gave it to Justin Bieber. It was everywhere in Hollywood.
Unfortunately, Fiskers' dreams caught with reality. The company was new and couldn't manage to keep cash flowing. Plus, the Karma was released too early. It featured many problems, a cramped interior, a noisy engine, and a performance that leaves you wanting more. Today is a dinosaur, we're glad it existed, but we don't want it to come back.