American culture is a cyclical and cannibalistic beast, often times feasting on that which was popular in what many would call their “recent memory.” An example of this is the looming fact that the 1990’s---the decade of M.C Hammer pants, Grunge and Beverly Hills 90210---are making a comeback.
Evidence of this comeback can be seen in a number of arenas from the resurgence of flannel in the latest clothing lines of New York fashionistas to the chilly economic outlook for the auto industry. Sales this February for some manufacturers were down as much as 25% compared to last year.
Back in 1990, the economy was also skidding into a recession and car sales plummeted by similar amounts mainly amongst the Big Three and German manufacturers. This recession didn’t really lift until the dot.com boom of the late nineties when everyone and their mother-in-law got into buying the latest gas guzzling SUV’s.
The best part about this 90’s comeback, though, is that it hasn’t yet hit some of the soon to be classic cars from that era. While certain vehicles from the 1980’s like the Audi Quattro and some Mercedes models have seen their values skyrocket in recent years, nothing like that has really hit anything sold between 1990 and 1999.
As with pop culture, the nineties brought us many seminal cars and trucks that gave us the niche laden automotive landscape we live in today. Without the original Miata, would there be the Z4, Boxster, Mercedes SLK or Pontiac Solstice? I think not.
So for the budget minded classic car enthusiast, which cars or trucks from the 1990’s are eventually going to become future classics? We all know bands like Nirvana changed the cultural landscape in the nineties, but which cars from the nineties did as well?
Here is a list of ten vehicles in no particular order that at least altered the way we look at transportation and hopefully will become the classic cars and trucks of tomorrow. One of the last things Kurt Cobain, lead singer of Nirvana, ever said was that “it is better to burn out than fade away.” Let’s hope these vehicles never do either.
1990 Mazda Miata – This little wonder has been the template for the modern fun to drive roadster. Since its launch it has been often imitated but never bettered unless you spend nearly twice as much.
1991 Toyota Celica GT-S – A wide track, four wheel drive and a 250 hp turbocharged four cylinder belied its roots in Rally Car Racing. But this Celica was a Japanese innovator in the genre that Mitsubishi and Subaru now dominate.
1997 BMW M3 E36 – This vehicle was one of the first shots in the horsepower war among German manufacturers. This coupe shows the current overweight and overcomplicated M3 where BMW got its performance reputation.
1992 Dodge Viper – Crude, rude and the stylistic equivalent of a very Freudian issue. But this American exotic has a loyal cult following and shouldn’t lose much value on the used market.
1994 VW Corrado VR6 – The last truly stylish sport coupe from VW and it introduced the revolutionary for the time narrow angle V6. Especially desirable as we are not getting the new Scirocco.
1990 Acura NSX – A classic. A piece of design art that Honda Motor Company has yet to better.
1991 Jeep Cherokee – This design has been imitated many times since by Jeep with vehicles like the Patriot but has never been bettered. Solid, simple, square and the right size for most people’s needs.
1996 Nissan 300ZX – The last year this stylish and fast coupe was available. All Z models have a huge following and this iteration is one of the best.
1997 Plymouth Prowler – Ultra rare and demonstrates Chrysler’s design prowess as the time.
1994 Ford Mustang – Never likely to be collectible due to its ubiquity but it was a return to form for the famous Ford. Any late nineties Mustang is a great option for an enthusiast on a budget. Especially since the ancient platform and live rear axle afford you zero traction on wet pavement. But that is fun if you are expecting it!
via guest blogger James Hamel