We're lucky to be living in one of the greatest car eras. We know that not everyone will agree with this assessment: Traffic and safety laws are strict, and there are more traffic jams than ever. In addition, environmental preservation is a high priority in most countries. It’s all about the environment and fuel efficiency. Every day, more and more cars are coming with electric engines. Thanks to new technologies, automakers are getting closer to providing us with cars that can reliably drive themselves. It's not hard to see why car enthusiasts feel frustrated.
Updated May 2022: With new car prices through the roof in 2022, now may be the perfect time to invest in a used one. So, we've updated this list with the coolest cars of the 2000s that might be worth a fortune just a few years down the line.
On the other hand, we have the most technologically advanced cars ever. Material quality and reliability are at all-time highs. Thanks to modern technologies, you can feel comfortable and drive more easily than ever. Every car class is full of great cars, and you have multiple choices from many automakers. Supercars and sports cars are usually the most popular, however, it's hard to judge what cars will become classics.
What makes a certain car a classic? We thought a lot about this and even read the opinions of experts and read about cars we consider classics from the past. We've learned that classic cars possess something special that distinguishes them from the other cars in the class, whether that's exceptional power, rarity, great popularity, or everything mentioned. We tried to have a mix of everything on this list — different classes and cars popular for something specific, but every single one is undoubtedly a cool car.
13 BMW M3 CSL
With the arrival of BMW's brand-new M4 CSL, potential buyers' eyes are wandering back in time to see what lead up to such a magnificent Bavarian machine's existence. As most of us know, the main inspiration behind the M4 CSL is the limited-edition version of the E46 M3 called the M3 CSL. Only 1,383 cars were ever made, and every single one contained the same 360 hp naturally-aspirated 3.2-liter straight-six engine, and went on a diet resulting in a curb weight of around 3,000 lbs (CSL is short for Coupe Sport Lightweight after all). All of its power was communicated to the rear wheels, and it was available either with a 6-speed standard transmission or the horrid 6-speed automatic SMG gearbox.
12 Porsche Carrera GT
Not only is the Carrera GT one of the best-sounding cars to listen to, and best to drive, but it's also incredibly dangerous - and of course as this list states, valuable. The Carrera GT was built by Porsche, and it had a mid-mounted naturally-aspirated 5.7-liter V10 that pumped out more than 600 hp to the rear wheels, and it could only be tamed via a 6-speed manual gearbox without the assistance of clever safety features like traction control, stability control, and even ABS. If you'd like to get a sense of how sought-after one of these Porsche supercars is, one low-mileage example sold recently for over $1 million - more than double its original MSRP.
11 Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 has a traditional '90s sports-car look. Only, it appeared in the car market in 1999 and lasted until 2009. The S2000 is a true driver’s car. It has a sporty performance and handling with weight distribution that's almost ideal and a very rev-happy engine. The Honda S2000 also has a timelessly stylish look and an open-top for great summer joy.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower at a fantastic 8,300 rpm. With so much rev, the sound this engine makes is similar to something straight out of the Superbike, the MotoGP, or Formula One. In 2004, an updated version had a 2.2-liter engine and a lowered redline to 8,000 rpm for more enjoyment and less noise. The S2000 also has a fantastically precise six-speed manual gearbox.
10 1997 Dodge Viper
It's hard to find a car enthusiast who wasn't sad when Chrysler announced that they wouldn't make a new generation of the Viper. Since it was first introduced in 1992, it was clear it was a special car. Through the years, it became a muscle car and American icon. The Dodge is famous for its massive front V10 engine, which sends power to its rear wheels through a manual transmission. Also, Chrysler put emphasis on Viper's performance. You won't feel very safe or protected from the sheer power of this muscle-car beast. Chrysler made five generations of the Viper so far, but we think that the second generation was the best in terms of performance and power without too many electronics to interfere.
9 Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 was a successor to the third-generation “FD” RX-7. Many people liked the RX-7; it was aggressive, turbocharged, and just not your everyday car. The RX-8 is more relaxed and natural. It has a two-rotor Wankel engine that develops 238 horsepower, and it might very well be the last Wankel-only-powered car in production. The small size of the engine allows it to fit behind the front axle for much greater weight distribution. Handling is superb, and the RX-8 can't beat many on the straight road, but it'll catch them in the corners. Unlike its predecessor, the RX-8 has rear seats and provides some comfort. Mazda quickly stopped production in 2012, so this gives the RX-8 exclusivity.
8 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
A Ford Mustang with a Shelby heritage always has the potential of becoming a future classic. Usually, Shelby GTs are based on the Mustang for sale at the time, the biggest difference being its beating heart's power output. The biggest difference with the 2007 Shelby GT is the 5.4-liter V8 engine that produces 475 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The GT500 can also speed up from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Ford tried to save as much weight as possible, so don't expect much luxury or many high-tech gadgets. Mustangs drive like the best GT cars in the world, but it's a far cry from the Mustangs of the past. In fact, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 is probably the best sports car Ford has ever made.
7 BMW X6 M
The M-badged X6 is probably one of the most stylish and best-to-drive modern SUVs. The limited off-road capability is compensated by fantastic performance for an SUV vehicle. Under the hood, this X6 M has a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that's capable of delivering 547 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. BMW's xDrive all-wheel system, electrically assisted steering, and six-speed automatic transmission are all standard.
The BMW X6 M can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a fantastic 4.5 seconds. This was faster than many sports cars at the time. Of course, driving a high and robust SUV crossover isn't as great as driving lighter high-performance cars. Since it's BMW, this SUV is also luxurious and comfortable.
6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
Another sure bet for becoming a future classic car is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The Lancer Evo has had numerous generations over the years, and every single one with its own rich racing heritage. Lancer history actually began in the '80s when Mitsubishi finally found its place in the automotive market. They created the Galant VR-4, a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive rally car. They didn't have any success until 1992 when the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was introduced. The Evo has a battle-hardened, iron-block 4G63T 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. It's not hard to find the 500-horsepower RS version of this engine. Rally legend Tommi Mäkinen won four consecutive World Rally Championships (1996-99) driving the Evo III to the Evo VI. Sadly, the days of rally glory are long gone for Mitsubishi. In 2015, Mitsubishi stopped the production of the last Lancer Evolution X.
5 Nissan GT-R
This is a car we're 100% certain will become a future classic. The Nissan GT-R is a star of many video games and movies; the most famous instances being the Gran Turismo game series and the Fast & Furious film franchise. The R35 GT-R from 2008 was the model that started all of the hype. Its looks aren't inspiring, but the Nissan GT-R is incredibly powerful and has the ability to make average drivers look incredible on a racing track.
In 2008, it came out with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivered 485 horsepower, but the latest models produce around 600 hp in stock form.
4 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
When Aston Martin introduced the Vantage, it was an entry-level model. Like in every Aston Martin, the design was superb, and the interior was luxurious and comfortable. The Vantage is a very good sports car. Its 4.3-liter V8 engine provided it with more than enough power. What's most important is that it became extremely popular. This success inspired Aston Martin to try something more with this compact sports car. Therefore, down the line, the Vantage got a mighty V12 engine from a premium DBS model.
This 5.9-liter AM11 V12 engine delivers 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. But despite the big engine, the Vantage has a great weight distribution. The Vantage can reach 62 mph in around 4 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph. Aston Martin put only a manual transmission in the Vantage, first with six and then later with seven speeds. This makes the Vantage one of the last old-school naturally-aspirated sports cars.
3 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
Franz von Holzhausen (later in Mazda and in Tesla) designed this great-looking car. It was presented in both coupe and roadster forms at the Detroit Auto Show in 2002. While the roadster arrived in 2005, the coupe arrived in the car market very late in 2009. This was a problem because GM’s bankruptcy shut the Pontiac division down in the same year. The basic version was equipped with a 2.4-liter I4 engine that produced 177 horsepower. A special GXP version (that will be a collector's jewel) comes with the turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 engine, it has 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Using a five-speed manual gearbox, the Solstice is capable of speeding up from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Its interior is tight with compromised visibility. In addition, every Solstice coupe came with an unpractical Targa top. Still, this is the best-looking Pontiac in decades.
2 Subaru WRX STI Hatchback
The Subaru WRX has a fantastic racing heritage. For this reason, many car enthusiasts will be saddened that Subaru announced they wouldn't make STI models anymore. Probably, the most popular is the third-generation STI, debuting right before the factory team in WRC was killed in 2008. Still, the last generation (fourth) is slightly better, and it presents the last hurrah of the WRX STI. The engine is the same turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. You have famous SI-DRIVE settings and an electronically adjustable center differential at your disposal. However, the Hatchback has a shorter body, has more space in the trunk, and is a bit lighter - it's also faster by 3 mph. The point is that the Subaru WRX STI Hatchback is a fantastic rally car for the road. The WRX STI is wanted for its spectacular performance and all-wheel drive, not its looks or its practicality.
1 Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk4)
It's not every day that you get to say you bought a hot hatch because it will increase in value, as well as it's a ton of fun to drive, but the Volkswagen Golf R32 is just such an exception. IN 2003, the first-ever Golf R would be sold to the public, and they called it the VW R32. Unlike the GTI variants people were used to, the R32 found its power to be sent to all four wheels, and instead of a turbocharged four-banger under its hood, the R32 had a nasty 3.2-liter V6 motor called the VR6 that produced 235 hp, and it was naturally-aspirated! No wonder these things are already starting to climb in value.