Chrysler Pete E-Cruiser

Even before the original Lightning, Ford was experimenting with quicker Rangers, by dropping in the SHO V6. Shame nothing came of any of it.

Oh no, I agree the SP2 is much slower, it’s the other two I’m objecting to (and yeah, 9 seconds or so is about right). But 11ish seconds is a fair bit closer to NA, and if not blazing, at least acceptable performance for the times.

Why?

You’ve probably got a point with the SP2, but I’m not sure you can cite the other two without including the barely faster ‘90 Miata, and I don’t think anyone in good conscience is going to include a Miata on this list.

I think the original Thunderbird is the only one that had any real intention of being a sports car*, being meant to offer an American alternative to the Jags and such that were starting to be imported, and pretty much right off the back, Ford started adding weight to make room for golf clubs (Continental spare in ‘56,…

By all accounts, the 280ZX had devolved to a soft disco cruiser (admittedly a quick one at the time), and yet Datsun still advertised it as a sports car, even invoking Paul Newman’s race success. They should’ve stuck to everything captured in the Black Gold ad, which was far more in tune with the car’s ethos.

Yes to Fiero, no to the ‘88 you used a picture of (by that time, they sorted out the suspension, and it could be had with the 2.8 which was quick enough for the 80's).

This is 100% the answer - even VW knew it.

Are there also no gas stations within 250 miles of your home?

It’s a minivan. It has sliding doors. It’s van-shaped. Save it for the “what’s the best van of all time” QOTD.

I’m not sure this is common knowledge, but any self-check I’ve used recognizes produce codes, which are showing on quite a few items (especially apples, and anything wrapped in a bundle) - punching in a 4-digit (or 5 if you’ve got something organic, so it’s got the 9 tacked on front) number is quicker than looking…

I love that one of the best known defects on that era Corolla/Matrix/Vibe is that the odometer gets stuck at 299,999.

Something old people-friendly and generally sturdy (think 3800-powered Buick LaCrosse). It might be a little scraped or dented, but they’ll largely have kept up on maintenance and not really abused it. But, if it’s perilously unfashionable, it also won’t be worth much, which works in your favour.

Basic Mavericks, if you could just find one.

So, Ayer’s just going to overlook the article that inspired the whole thing (the one about genuine street racers, none of which had any Brian Earl Spilner, serial killer-sounding names), even though Ken Li (the original writer) is also credited on the movie?

While it’s undergone plenty of changes, two different companies, and an enormous number of copies, the Seven has managed to survive 66 years as recognizably the same car, which is a pretty solid testament to its greatness.

The Impala SS absolutely doesn’t belong on this list unless we’re ready to include a bunch of 90's sports sedans. Not that the Impala was brilliant exactly, but at least on paper it’s got similar performance to a contemporary 540i at half the price (yes, feel, whatever, it’s half the price and pretty impressive…

Fair enough - I’m mentally applying the performance figures of the higher-spec turbos (Shelby CSX and such) and applying that to all Mopar turbos (where, like you say, the V6 was marginally quicker than the lower pressure turbo it actually replaced).

My parents had a ‘93 (albeit a base model) - disposable isn’t the same as lacking durability/reliability. Simple, sturdy enough little cars for the time, but so worthless filling up the tank might cost more than the car.