Not sure if this was passed around... nice to see the Crossfire among the future classics of 2000-2010 among the Viper. Usually when I see the list of classics I say "NEVER".... they usually have hybrids and Japanese junk cars. But this list actually makes sense. The T-Bird, Viper, Cayman, NSX... etc all seem believable in my eyes! Read the full article....
Are these the future classic cars of 2000-2010?


Even though most cars are styled as generic jelly beans, a few stand out as potential classics. And they deserve mention for going it alone in a bland world of auto-sameness. As cars have developed to be pragmatic, wind-cheating safety mobiles, they've lost a bit of soul and a whole lot of emotion. This list celebrates those who pulled against their times to deliver some sex appeal to a buttoned-down world.
Here are my eleven picks in no particular order.

11. Chrysler Crossfire: It was tiny. Cramped inside. And rode on last generation's Mercedes SLK chassis. It was over-styled, over-tired, and soon it was just. . . over. But the Crossfire had guilty pleasure styling that was like enjoying a song by Lady Ga Ga--you think you shouldn't but you can't help yourself.

 

can you post the link for this list you speak of...thanks.

EDIT: See it now, thanks.

 

The link is there... had trouble pasting the article.

 

I have to agree with the article. Not all classics were great market leaders, or sellers, but all have a certain uniqueness that make them desirable later.

 

There is no way to tell what will truly become a classic or collectible. I have seen a lot of lists... but this list seems more likely to be true than the others I have seen. Usually it is 2 seater sports cars with small production numbers (even 70K units can be considered small by today's standards). But you never can tell what the future would hold.

I thought I read that +60,000 of the new model Camaros were made in the first year and that wasn't even a full 12 months (expect them to make a ton more during the production run). Compare that to 78K units on the Crossfire during the entire life of the car.

 

I agree with most on the list, the TBird one of my favorite picks, along with the Viper. The cross, had it just had a bit longer of a back end would have been the Cayman. Just a tad too early. But the Cross will be high on the classics list someday. and just think. we all got to drive it and appreciate it it the entire time! No lose proposition. love that when that happens.

BTW, did you notice that 3 of the 11 were Chryslers? How in the heck did they let the wheels fall off at that place???? As Warren Buffett would say, "I want companies that can be run by a ham sandwich, because sooner or later a leader about as talented as that will take over." LOL!

 

Great article. For once I agree with the list. (although the xB is a bit of a stretch) As I have always said, (in regards to the XF) a classic is detirmined by more than ho much (or how little) a vehicle sold. I think the prowler and a few other notables should have made it on there, though.

 

Maybe they consider the Prowlers to be a late 90's car (because that is when they first came out). But I agree, the Prowler will be a classic. Very few of them around.

 

I don't like Lady Gaga

 

You gotta be kidding. She's Hot !! Squirrel Crusher

 

Yeah, I wonder how they categorize something like that, considering production stopped in '02 but began in the '90s.

 

Both she and her music are disgusting.

 

Every crossfire on the road seems to grab my eye. Not sure if it is because I am looking for them or if they are so different than most cars on the road. Not sure why they stand out. But it makes me wonder if they will still get that "wow" reaction 15 years from now.

 

I'm kinda surprised at some of models on the list.

I agree the xB may have been trendy and quirky but they are all too common to be something that someone in the future needs to seek out.

And if the NSX made the list, why not the Prowler. Both had starts in the 90's.

Glad to see 2 of the 3 of my 'holy triumvirate of vehicles' made the list.
-Ford's retro Thunderbird
-Our Chrysler Crossfire

but no mention of the breathtaking Chevy SSR pickup, my 3rd fav.


To add to the list I would have included the following:

Isuzu Vehicross- the little SUV with Viper-esque styling. The look alone has outlived many little SUVs that came after it and remains 'timeless'.

Pontiac Aztek- the whipping boy of the automotive world. Still I see a lot of Crossfire details in the Aztek and with the right paint and logos could have made a decent Chrysler. Also an interior designed by NASA is a pretty cool feature. And like the Edsel, people will look for these, and for interest-sake I hope some survive.

 

Funny you said that yesterday, as I have the same radar issue. Late yesterday afternoon, driving on the freeway in heavy traffic at about 50, full median barrier that i can just barely see the opposing traffic whiz by, spot a blaze coupe going 60 the other way. Out of all the cars at a combined speed of 110 I pick this one out immediately.

 

I was actually looking at the T-Bird before I got the Crossfire. Looks like I have a thing for losers. If I had been able to find a T-Bird for less than 60K I might not have ever gotten the Crossfire.

 

60K+ for a Tbird? I never heard that before.

 

Every one that I looked at was a "special" edition of some sort. I kept asking sales guys where the 47K ones were. They said they didn't have any of those. Might be one of the reasons why they flopped.

 

The lowest I've seen on a lot for the T-bird was $30k for a 35k miles basic black model.

When I worked in the Prudential Center in Boston I used to find reasons to go to the depths of the garage to take a peak of a robin's egg blue Thunderbird that was parked there by some executive.

Its a shame they were pretty rare since they did pretty well in the winter w/ the hardtop. A commuter at a neighboring town's train station used to own a red T-bird and had no problem traversing the snowy roads.

Oddly enough, the model of which it shares many components, the Lincoln LS can now be had for $4k-6k. Spare parts car anyone?

 

Today, you can find a special edition T-Bird in like-new condition in the $25K range.