Cars from today that will be "iconic" in 30 years? Are there even any?!
 

After seeing an Mk1 Golf GTI I've been doing quite a lot of reading on the Internet about various other old cars such as the Peugeot 205 GTI, Renault 5 Turbo, Saxo VTS etc which all seen to have an "iconic" status because they were very fast, had good handling and most importantly they were affordable and fun to drive. I'm pretty sure the same can't be said for today's modern equilivants as they are definitely not cheap and probably not as fun either. Will there be any cars from now that people will look back on in 20-30 years time? I think the Mazda MX5 will be one.

1 thats missing from that list is the astra gte 16v

as of todays cars,hhhmmm cant really think of any

Anything ford seem too do well further down the line, the older they get the more they end up worth

MK1 GTi isnt a today car, its an 80s (think its 80s) car... ;)

my choices are (maybe slightly biased):-
Ford Escort MK1 2 door
Datsun 240z
Nissan R32 GTR & the R34 GTR
Subaru type R (and ofcourse 22B)
Honda NSX
Most old porsches
Quite a few of the old mercs
Most of the old Ferraris

Graham, I'm referring to cars of today, I.e within the last 5 years that could be looked back on in 20-30 years time with people referring to it as an iconic car/great important/something that the manufactures got just right.

The cars that I mentioned in my first post are cars that are now 20-30 odd years old that we look back on now.

You must of read a completely different 1st post to me :lol1:

And me. :cuckoo:

Try 1970's... ;)

Sorry paid too much attention to the MK1 Golf section ;)

NSX and R34 GTR are of period ;) and maybe 22B

R35 GTR Nismo has potential, but £135k base price, plus track pack and aero packs.... but the standard GTR will be there.

MX5 is good, will it be iconic in 20-30 years, doubtful, most will have rusted to nothing or have been crashed on track.

Nissan Leaf ????

saxo vts, an icon? really? lol

I think the Focus RS500 will probably be a safe bet. Most stuff with an RS Badge always does well even if you aren't necessarily a Ford badge fan. I think the Nissan GTR will stand the test of time. Other than that, not a lot else below old money super car status really "grabs" me. I'd love a new Civic Type R but that's suddenly found itself playing catch up in this new Hyper Hatch market and, although it's reviewed well, you are paying a premium for very fine margins when stacked up against the Golf R, Seat Leon, Renault Megane, etc.

Being more than a bit generalised......given how quickly new models roll out now, anything kept in good nick with low mileage produced now will pop up as some sort of classic in the future. I can remember hating the look of Volvo 340/360s for example. I see one now and find myself Ebaying......

I would say possibly the ep3 type r civic may become iconic in the same way the 205gti/golf gti did.......

(Awaits abuse)

Lotus Elise / Exige
Subaru Impreza Cosworth

Evo Mag/Autocar etc always mention the Pug 106 of the same era and they were fundamentally the same car underneath. As much as the humble Saxo got pegged with the Chav label it was quite a talked about motor when it came out and they'll not make anything quite as small and chuckable again. Definitely one of those "of its time" motors. Prices of Nova GTE/GSi models have shot up of late and they were the Saxos of their day.

I think people just sort of forget about them when the numbers dwindle and one pops up without the body mods, etc and it's a sort of pleasant surprise. I can remember when XR2s and XR3is ruled the council estates with their cherry bomb exhausts and now clean ones are in the hands of proper enthusiasts fetching frankly daft money for what was a £500 banger in 1999.

Can't even remember the last time I saw a MK1 Ford Mondeo on the road. Or a Probe for that matter and there were thousands of them knocked out.

I'd second that. Didn't mention it as I interpreted "today car" as newer stuff. The EP3 stacked up against like for like of its era was definitely a good one. Plus it was the first UK-Developed R car. Prefer the steering on the Clio 172/182 but at least the Honda doesn't break! I've still got a prefacelift on a 53 Plate.

I know people say blah blah no torque blah blah no power etc etc but a hot hatch really isn't about power......its about how it makes you feel. The ep3 type r was the most fun I've had,there is something fun about hooning around @8200rpm whilst people look and shout hooligan at you.

When I can no longer afford the impreza I will be back in a ep3,proper fun car that can hold its own against its turbocharged rivals.....astra vxr/focus st etc

Perhaps the monaro/vxr8 may become iconic,who wouldn't want a 6.0 supercharged v8 driving the back wheels.........

I like that idea

People saying that generally just don't "get" them. I don't find 144lb/ft to be a problem with that 6 speed box and rev range tbh. You are always in the zone unless you are being a gimp trying to go everywhere in 5th. If you want an easier everyday car you go turbo, if you don't mind being "on it" more often than not you stick with n/a.

Incidentally, it's got the same torque output as my GTE 16v and that was never described as lacking torque......it just makes it lower down the rev range than my Civic. The VXR was great in a straight line, but my brand loyalty went well before then tbh and the Honda was a no brainer. It's basically the GTE that Vauxhall should have made but couldn't and didn't......

I think the BMW 1M is difineatly a classic for the future

JDM Honda Integra DC2 for me.

Well the 106 GTI is regarded as such and they were virtually identical. Seems that the badge snobbery that afflicted the VTS in the 90's has crossed the barrier of decades. Sad really :(

Civic EP3


Clio V6 (although at 12-13 years old, it's not exactly a car 'of today')


Focus RS MkII for its sheer vulgarity


Possibly BMW M135i for its brilliance, divisive appearance, and uniqueness in today's hot hatch market, ie. six cylinder and RWD

Good thread!

Golf GTI and MX5 will continue to hold it.Skoda Octavia VRS

Peugot have lost the plot though.....

The ford RS focus especially on green
Great looking car that still turns heads
Merc 45 Amg
BMW 135
But that's about it as anything else us petrol heads would be driving them now as a replacement for subarus

Unfortunely the last batch of subarus from 2009 onwards will generally be forgotten after the chocolate pistons scandle which has virtually finished off a great manufacturer for petrolheads in the uk

Shame really after such fantastic motors from 1997-2007

saxo just a copy of the 106? or were they designed at the same time?

I just don't think cars are made with much passion these days,the cars have no character anymore. There was something special about the 80's and 90's that we will never see again.

I loved nothing more than belting around in my old mk2 cavalier Sri 130 followed by my mate in his 205gti.........great times

Good replies here! I reckon definitely the EP3 Type R although it's not a car of today as such but I'll let you have that one though :thumb:. The Mk2 Focus RS will probably do well too (and the older Mk1 for that matter). A45 AMG perhaps but the higher price could be an issue for most?

BMW Z3M Coupe (not convertible) for me. Nice examples are rare and already commanding good money.

Potentially even Mk1 Audi TT's. Some real bargain low mileage TT's to be had.

Both very iconic shapes that'll hold their value if kept under wraps.

Would people have sat down 30 years ago and said that the MK 1 Golf GTI will be an iconic car....doubt it so even though its fun guessing I bet those of you who are still around in 30 will be surprised what does become Iconic. As for me definitely the Focus RS, Nissan Skyline GTR