And no, the Aztek will never be a “classic”.

Of the cars listed, I would pick the 300ZX based on a combination of current price and potential. The Porsches are overpirced, and I definitely don’t need an expensive paper weight like a 90’s Land Rover decorating my driveway. The Impala is interesting as is the Fiero, though I don’t think I could bring myself to trust the Fiero. How about an MR2 instead? If nothing else, the inclusion of the Aztec made me laugh. Fine, compare it to an Edsel, but how does an Edsel compaare to other classic cars of its generation? I don’t think you will find it at the top. Finally, the Ford F150 Lightning; sorry, I don’t need to burn rubber in a truck. If I did, I would take a 40’s or 50’s Chevy Truck and drop a 350 in it with a Mustang II front clip and disc brakes. That would look good and go like stink.

Loved the power, room, ride, and yes the digital dash and column shift. And loved how it made me sit up and pay attention, going through 4 Boston winters without snows.

But to have it share a list with an Aztek?

Did they fix that? Or is it a car for the Northern States/Canada.

He ended up with a nice used Ferrari 348, but he didn’t eat or pay rent to do it…..or drive it.

Common parlance is to call rear-mids mid-engine.

Just don’t forget there’s another mid-engine car made in the US. But it’s a front-mid config.

It’s called a Corvette.

As to the 911, I leave that those of you who seem to like them. I will only remind you of this one minor little tidbit…

The 911 was not originally designed to have the engine hanging off the ass-end.

Yes, I hate him for it.

edit: The older, better looking MR2’s are a good option if you like the fiero.

Oh and if you actually decide to pick up a 300zx, contact me. I can give a lot of pointers on what to look for when buying. Also budget $2k over the purchase price on fixing everything that may need to be fixed on the car. They are expensive to maintain, but reliable once you get everything taken care of.

993s are not only holding their value in this depressed economy, a little research will prove that they’re appreciating rather nicely (if you are already lucky enough to own one).

For the Porsche models I see for today’s economic times…

1. Porsche 911, 996. The first of the sacriligious water-cooled 911s have reached the bottom of the depreciation well. 99s and 01s can be found under 20k (non-turbos), and for that kind of money, you’ve got a modern, comfortable 911 that delivers an enormous amount of performance. Find anything else for 17-20k that even comes close.

2. Porsche Boxters, 986. The mid-engined cousin of the rear-engined 996 is going in the low teens for 01 and older Boxsters (retail). Again, they’re not going to go too much lower than that, so if you’re not buying at the bottom of the depreciation curve, you’re near-as-makes-no-difference close. Closest thing you can drive to a road-going go-kart. Telepathic handling.

3. Porsche 911, 964. The model immediatly preceeding the 993 delivers a similar approach to air-cooled, rear-engined motoring. It performs within a whisker of the 993 but at almost half the price. However, you must proove to yourself you like the Olde Skool air-cooled 911 experience as 964s are going for about the same as a 996, with the 996 offering a vastly more civilized and modern package.

The 94-96 Impala SS is already considered a classic. Along with just about anything else built on that platform except maybe the beached whale looking wagons.

I wouldn’t say mine’s “beached”…

check out the price tracking in Porsche Market Letter or Excellence

993 prices are going nowhere but up – definitely not a good buy in this depressed market

You can get a far more capable 996 for less money (though arguably with less character and without the bulletproof air cooling).

http://www.crownvic.net

Don’t miss the photos of “Dan The Vic Man’s 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor” on the front page.

Of your list, I like the Impala SS. The Porsche also sounds like a good choice.

However, I’m biased because I am an original owner of, and still have, a 1985 Fiero that was one of the first built with a V6. I didn’t have any electrical issues until after it passed 20 years old of near daily driving, and really, the engine fire issue was blown way out of proportion. Being in contact with other Fiero owners, I don’t know of any Fiero owner who has had an engine fire….except me. My Fiero had a fire because the dealer installed a faulty part (cracked new fuel injector) during a routine service. If you can find one that hasn’t been Frankensteined and in good shape, go ahead. Just a word of warning, pre-1988, be aware that there are some suspension idiosyncrasies you might need to get used to.

The 300ZX is a nice car too, but it didn’t appeal to me on an emotional level.

Cheers!

What about that GMC Syclone (I believe that was the GM Mis-spelling). The one that was faster from 0-100 than a Ferrari (though I am sure it dropped plenty of parts along the way).

Also on the Defender…I had a friend with one. It drove much nicer than the Discovery with the big sport wheels my then-wife was driving at the time.

Lincoln Blackwood. Heck you may even find a matched set with the Mercury Cougars some dealers were giving away in a 2 for 1 deal.

As for performance cars, I’d stuff an RX7 in a barn, They’re much more affordable than Supras and arguably much prettier.

as for an off-roader maybe a TJ wrangler Rubicon.