The best car ever is … whatever you say it is.
That’s the only correct answer in this instance.
I asked you last month for your picks for the best car ever, and you didn't disappoint.
I gave a few possible examples, including the Mazda Miata and the Ford Model T, but made clear the criteria and selections were up to you (by the way, I didn't see any readers pick those two cars). Asking about the best of anything really invites subjective responses, and cars can have a particularly personal appeal.
It could be some beautiful eye candy or a car that delivers unmatched performance and handling or maybe something that simply outlasts the others (One reader pointed to a car “that keeps me out of the dealers repair shop for defects”).
And of course, most
of us have a soft spot for that very first car or when we hit a big milestone with our rides. One reader picked his “Chrysler that's completely paid off! No more payments.”
So without further ado, here’s a list of your best cars, lightly edited for clarity:
Cathy Fischer, from Brighton:
"My nominee is my 2007 Honda Civic that has 236,000 miles on it and has had no major repairs in almost 20 years of (original) ownership. Had another vehicle that needed some major ones at 225,000, so asked my mechanic what he thought might be ahead for the Civic. He said, 'You’re fine, we take bets on these to see if they make 400K!'"
Bliss all year long
Jon Braman, from Detroit:
"Tesla Roadster 2.0 (2010). This was my favorite car of all time. I drove it daily until I got pushed off the road by a negligent driver and it was totaled. 95,000 miles of bliss year around in MN. Politics aside, without this car we wouldn't have the 10 choices of electric cars that are available to American consumers today. It may not be the best car ever, but it is one of the most influential of the last three decades."
Despite not fully committing to best car ever, Jon's answer more than meets the standard here.
One reader gave his vote for the “1949-‘52 Hudson Hornet. When one includes the two most important attributes, safety and performance, I think it wins. Hudson pioneered the step-down chassis design, where the floor was inside and below the frame, creating greater safety; with 'H power' (two carburetors), which won most races against its main rival, the Oldsmobile, at the Florida sands. ‘Beauty, it’s in the eyes of the beholder’ and the Hudson is straight forward, without all the body line twists and turns characteristic of so many other cars. It’s advertising slogan was ‘this time it’s Hudson,’ and I think it was.”
Christopher, 46, from Canton, says "my vote would go to the VW Golf. I have owned many iterations, including the Base Golf, TDI, GTI and Golf R. They are playful, fun to drive, economical and roomy, (you can even fit a big screen TV in the hatch if need be). Wish we had more hatchback/wagon options here in the US."
Christopher Paul Guido, 57, of Landenberg, Pennsylvania:
"While there are many different choices without a doubt the original Ford Bronco should be on the top of the list. The simple fact that older versions sell for more than some Ferraris along with how often they are leveraged within ads and shows alone speaks volume to how such a simple design can outlast trends. In short, my perfect vehicle would be a 1975 Ford Bronco with a 302 V8."
MAK writes that the "best car ever is my 1973 240Z. Loved it as soon as I saw it on the road and though I had to wait a month and learn how to drive stick shift, I wouldn't have traded how I felt the first time I drove it out of the Datsun dealer."
Still the best
Mike, 75, from Nashville, Tennessee, picks the C3 Corvette. “The first time I saw one was Capitol Chevrolet in Nashville. It was and still is the best. I own a C7.”
Brooks Simpson, 79, of Grand Rapids, Michigan:
"My vote for my favorite car would be the red or gold Mercedes-Benz 540K Special. This is the third most popular car in the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart.
There are two of the 540k's that are periodically on loan to the Gilmore Car Museum. A 'sister' gold vehicle is described as follows: 'Hidden away for nearly 60 years! This stunning 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sports Tourer has a story as rich as its design. Originally hidden during WWII by its owner, buried beneath a rose garden to protect it from both American and Soviet forces, this rare gem was only rediscovered after the fall of the Berlin Wall.' "
Thomas picked “My Honda Element. Yeah, nobody will agree with that. Super reliable, practical, easy driving. As a high schooler, my VW Beetle was great. Once in heavy snow I got stuck, went around back, lifted and pushed, and was out of the drift.”
A reader from New York had two picks. The 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis, “over 400,000 miles. Same engine and transmission.” And the 1977 Dodge B 200, almost 50 years old. Still running strong, with the original 318 engine and 727 transmission.
Another reader picked the Duesenberg. “It was so far ahead of everything else in performance, engineering, luxury and prestige that there simply was no comparison.”
Mikel B. says it’s the 1990 Nissan 300 ZX, “Ahead of its time in appearance as well as performance.”
And finally, Aaron Z., 50, from Kansas City, Missouri, makes a pick that will speak to lots of us:
“The best car ever is your first car. Your first car is the car that introduced you to the freedom to go where you want when you want and not having to rely on someone else (parents or siblings) to take you there. In my case it was a 1989 Pontiac LeMans. The ‘89 LeMans is in no way shape or form the best car, but for me turning 16 and having a car of my own meant freedom for me and my friends. Thus making it the best car ever!”
So that’s one list of potential best cars ever. There are plenty of others. As I said, no judgment from me. Thanks for playing, and take it easy out there.
Eric D. Lawrence is the senior car culture reporter at the Detroit Free Press, and he also writes about recreational vehicles, boats and bikes. Send your tips and suggestions to elawrence@freepress.com. And if you’ve got a topic that seems ripe for readers to weigh in on, let me know. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Here's what you said about the 'best car ever'
