In what year/era did we reach "peak" car?
Discussion
Baldchap said:
SidewaysSi said:
I love old sheds as much as the next man but yep, I don't think you are in a position to comment on this thread with that lineup. Topish new cars alongside s
te old cars 
Once upon a time I had decent, new, old cars, though. te old cars I like old RWD cars so bought a decent E36 328 6 years ago. It has had in my ownership upgraded Bilstein suspension, quick rack, upgraded brakes, Quaife LSD and a short ratio, adjustable ARBs etc. I fancy tweaking the engine next..
As a fun road car, there are very few new cars that will get close and in fact I enjoy it on road as much as I do my modded Elise. I drove it back to back with some new car heroes and whilst it is loads slower, has far greater communication and lower limits. On road in the wet you need to be on your toes..
It's a cheapo"restomod" in some ways but a truly fun old thing that I won't sell as nothing for remotely the same outlay would get close. Of course for those who consider peak car based on the quality of infotainment, it would be sorely lacking...
Jaguar steve said:
Chewbacca NE said:
Can’t believe how many people think infotainment contributes to ‘peak car’
For me, on any trip of less than an hour, I open the windows and listen to the V8
It's a regrettable trend.For me, on any trip of less than an hour, I open the windows and listen to the V8
Cars in the main are increasingly becoming vulgarly over styled throwaway fashion accessories where the only things that matter are the gadget count and having bigger alloys and a more prestigious badge than the neighbours.
For mere family road use I do really value a good system. For fun, it's not needed but thankfully you don't have to choose.
LP670 said:
Late 90s for me. Lots of homologation specials; evo, impreza, celica gt4, 911 gt1 and clk gtr to name a few. Japanese cars at their peak; 200SX, Skyline R33/34 GTR, Supra, MR2 turbo, EK9/DC2 Type R's etc. BMWs still had proper sized grilles. Audi's were understated. Aircooled 911's still available. Peugeot's weren't designed for grannies. Oh and the Elise/Exige S1, best car ive ever driven and probably will ever get to drive.
This is similar to me I reckon. I still had my XR4x4 in 1999 and there seemed to be loads of cars from around that time that I loved. The favourite car I've had was my 2000 model 200SX(closely followed by my current 370Z) that I had back in 2002. A good time to be a car enthusiastic I reckon. Edited by LP670 on Thursday 4th March 15:52
Now we have a choice of either a quiet sounding petrol engine(even the fruitier models), or a part or full electric car. Those don't really get my juices flowing sadly.
I think roughly 2000-2010 probably had the highest number of what I consider excellent cars, by whatever metric you use (apart from solely economical factors I guess) but there are of course many classics and brilliant motors which fall either side of this range, and I still think some brilliant stuff is being made now, and probably will be in the future, electric or otherwise.
Pebbles167 said:
I think roughly 2000-2010 probably had the highest number of what I consider excellent cars, by whatever metric you use (apart from solely economical factors I guess) but there are of course many classics and brilliant motors which fall either side of this range, and I still think some brilliant stuff is being made now, and probably will be in the future, electric or otherwise.
That's encouraging! 
My BMW 330i is on a 55 plate and my Z4 was registered in 2006! I really don't want anything newer - well other than maybe a manual Mustang GT.
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