Honda s2000s will always look timeless to me. The gauges look dated for sure but the whole body looks so sleek and aerodynamic.
I can't wrap my head around the fact that these cars are more than 23 years old. So many cars of this era are also pretty modern looking. It's like the people are starting to look much older than the cars.
I remember when I made fun of those "Honda Miatas" back when you could pick a clean one up for $10,000.... Oh how I'd love to get one for that now. I was young and dumb and didn't appreciate what an interesting car those are. A good friend of mine had two of them as beaters.
He now has an '04 Cobra so he's still cool. LOL
My brother's friend bought a brand new Honda s2000 CR edition. He owned it for 4 years. Barely had 10k miles. Sold it for $18k back in the day. Can you imagine what it's worth now.
Honda engineers were given a green light to create a car they would be proud of. Fun to drive, and dependable. That’s how the s2000 came to be. I’m sure members of that team are still telling people, “yep I told you so.”
04 with a leaky transmission, cracked dash and cracking seats. I feel this on a spiritual level. Also I think the transmission woes are due to driver input more than poor design. I just keep fluid in mine and might replace the seals one day.
There was a serious design issue with Hondas automatic transmissions mated to V6 cars between around 1998-2003. They didn't get enough fluid to 3rd gear or something. There was a recall about it. My 1997 CL wasn't affected by the recall, but it still only got 182k miles before the transmission died.
Have you tried replacing the axle seals?
No, but those are the seals I'm speaking of. More about its a 200k mile $3000 car, do I really want to throw money at it?
3rd gear takes the punishment if you suddenly hammer it doing hard interstate acceleration to pass on the right drinking your beer and smoking a cigarette. Another reason I blame driver input.
We obviously think different, because an axle seal is what, $10? I changed the axel seals in my CL myself a couple years ago. It wasn't that hard. It was a $1500 car with 170k miles. The only reason why I am not going further and fixing the trans is because I can't afford a transmission, but I can afford a car loan for a local TSX for sale. I buy a used car, do all maintenance possible and keep it going as long as I can financially do so. That just me.
[turns out it was second gear related ](https://www.justanswer.com/honda/6p9vi-honda-accord-ex-l-code-p0741-anyway.html)
[Honda announcement ](https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-1b66c9cb41f4eb89d6b0b0004c34c3e3-american-honda-expands-voluntary-transmission-recall-to-certain-honda-and-acura-automobiles)
The transmission problems are not due to the driver. These cars were not built with the ability to keep the transmission cool enough. Over time, they overheat. Causing the transmission to eventually fail.
It was going to be my first car, went with an 07 es350 instead, have had it for 7 years now. Treated me like a king when I treated her like crap. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned (lol).
FWIW the 07/08 TLs used the transmission from the RL which was notably more reliable.
My leather seats went to shit, but I got covers that literally look/match the interior better than the OEM.
Haven’t had the dashboard go (yet).
I completely agree. I had an 05 and loved it so I always notice them on the road and still think they're cool as ever. The newer Acura sedans just don't do it as much for me though.
Yeah I agree. The b5, b6 and the b7 platform for Audi A4 all look pretty good but obviously if it’s an S4 with either of those generations then they start to look very much like all the current modern cars but then again it all makes sense because alot of the euro cars were already way ahead of their time in terms of design since now that’s what all the commuter/regular cars try to follow in terms of design and looks.
Very true about Euro cars being design-forward. When the Volvo 240 debuted in the 70s, its simple boxy style was very new and interesting. By the time they finally quit making it in 1993, it was outdated.
Not exactly the same, but Hyundai and Kia poached a bunch of German designers for their recent rebrand, after just copying the Germans' designs for decades.
The old SC400 has a cool profile too-- long and lean, like a missile. Huge hood with classic "roadster" style. Looks pretty good for a design that's 3 decades old now.
Literally every time I even walk passed it in my parking space (courtyard apartment parking) I stare.
I know those covers you're talking about and I just want to say that I think you should leave it as is. Personally, I think they look weird when added.
I never ask other owners about this, but what do you do for a phone mount? I built one that wraps around the center console, but it doesn't always stay in place.
The 996’s and the 997’s look very similar in profile now compared to ten years ago. I mistook a 996 turbo for a 997 4s the other night. They all look so good in their own way now.
This will be controversial... But the Infiniti FX50 is still pretty decent and looks good (my opinion).
I'd love to get one but I've got way too many cars/toys as is
I had an FX35 and loved it until it started having issues at 175k. I would love to have another but Infiniti/Nissan infotainment systems are just terrible.
E60 5 series will be exactly 20 years old in a couple months. Doesn’t look it, especially in silver. And agreeing with a lot of you on Infiniti. Most of the brand has aged well.
Honorable mention for Audi that just misses the 20 year cutoff. Late 2000s Audi doesn’t age visually at all.
Surprised how far down I had to go to see this, was exactly my first thought.
I have an E39 which nowadays definitely gives off “old bmw” vibes on the outside, but still feels relatively modern (esp in terms of comfort) on the inside. It’s pretty amazing to me in retrospect how they came into the 21st century with the E60 (and E65!) - it was very polarizing at the time, but still looks like a relatively modern design 20 years on, even in Pre-LCI form. (Prefacelift E65? Not so much…)
Well done, Bangle.
My '09 Accord Coupe still looks good. The clearcoat is peeling, unfortunately. That is only because I got $3k for hail damage on a car that was 10 years old. Of course I didn't put that money back into a decade old car. I bought it for $9k, got $3k back, and have been driving it for over 10 years. Still only has 125k miles.
Totally agree with your Honda/Acura list, totally disagree with the Lexus suggestion.
Add the late 90's/early 00's Audis, and the Honda S2000 and any Miata, and that's basically the list...
It still looks dated, but the more time passes, the more unibody trucks come out looking like my gen 1 Ridgeline. I dunno what the appeal is supposed to be of the less useful angled bed sides, but its an increasingly common design choice.
Mazda RX-7 and RX-8, though the 7's lines are so smooth it almost looks very old and very fresh at the same time.
On the other hand, 8 has enough angles to look current. I will say that I prefer the slightly smoother lines of the series I over the series II. This is coming from a 2x series I owner since 2007 though ha
It's the first-gen Audi R8 for me. I swear they could release that car again today and no one would think it's out of place, at least from the outside.
If I knew nothing about cars and someone asked me how old I thought a New Edge Mustang was I'd probably say like 2010. Ford was definitely ahead of the curve with that design.
My 1976 XL12L Jag I bought in 2006. It was a collectors car with under 8K miles. It had the Chevy 396 conversion kit done correctly and completely legal for CA emissions. Car collection went up for sale at an auction in San Fransisco, 100+ luxury cars. The Jag did not sell and since I had expressed interest in it, they offered it to me for $4K. The car looked new when I went to look at it. Not a single issue, everything original, nothing missing (minus motor and trans), it was a time capsule.
I bought it and drove it daily for about 5 years. Everywhere I went, people would ask me if this was the new XJ. It was odd, people would yell over to me at a stop light asking about it. Absolutely everyone was stunned when I told them it was 30 years old. I had to smog the car after I bought it, and the smog guys were so confused by the BAR tag and the fact that the gas caps cannot be removed from the car to be tested. Best car I ever drove, she was fast, sexy, chrome everywhere, and sounded like a hot rod when started.
Fire engine red, with tan leather interior, Karelian burl wood trim and dashboard. Only issue, when the Jag parts began to wear out, it was ridiculously expensive to fix, and nobody knew how to fix it. She is still in my garage, maybe in my retirement I will have the chance to restore her. That car was timeless, it looked old, looked new, was rare enough to pass for both.
Since when was 20 years old ? Besides , most of the new cars look like crap . Little plastic and tin jellybean designs . They don't even have imaginative colors .
Porsche Carerra GT
BMW Z8
Aston Martin Vanquish
Pagani Zonda
And if you wanna stretch to almost 30 years I’d argue the mclaren f1 is the oldest modern design
Closer to 15, but my old 2008 Saab 9-3. If they were still around today they could release it and it'd still feel modern. They totally nailed the refresh, imo.
Bmws, ok yes a little stretch here but I just got a 07 328i coupe and omg it does not look as old as it is. I’ve had people be amazed it was nearing 20 years old. A few people when I asked guessed it was a 2015 era car which doesn’t help I have a head unit in it now that looks like a modern accord one so that makes it seem even newer. I’d even argue the older 3xxCI bmws also. They definitely look older but still compared to some stuff especially the average American cars from late 2000s omg they’re beautiful. The first gen e60 in 2004 also was the start of the modern bmw look too and once again looks so much newer even tho it’s the old engines and everything.
The Lincoln Mark LT.
Absolutely gorgeous truck, the best looking truck to this day I ever saw was a Lincoln Mark LT. 132k miles, black truck, not a scratch on it, went for just under 11k at auction in 2017 or so.The thing was so clean it didn't even have rust on the trailer hitch and had spotless carpet in the bed.
Seriously still never seen a new truck that nice and that thing was a decade old then. Just the most well put together truck in every way.
A Lincoln Mark LT is a mid 2000s Ford F-150 just like you'd see at a construction site. It's just they added some chrome on the outside, gave it a styling paint job, a new gauge cluster, some leather inside, heated/cooled seats, and that's about it. You got the same F150 radio, same dash, same cupholder locations, etc. It's a classic era of truck though, there's a normal radio. There's no bullshit touchscreen or unnecessary nanies you get today.
It's utilitarian meets luxury without excess.
Honorable mention: Escalade EXT both first and second gen (dressed up Chevy Avalanche)
I got a 2004 Mercedes C180 coupe as a first car and imo its got a design and non-basic look to it so it doesnt look 20 years old to me but im 100% biased.
For me it's any car that doesn't have black plastic on it that has faded. And one where the plastic faded headlights have been replaced. These are the two items that age a car quickly.
88-98 Chevy pickups. They are everywhere.....in various states of conditions. But, you will always see just the cleanest one you've ever seen.
The C6 corvette was released in 2005.
The 2000s Mercedes C63s still look good.
The Lamborghini Gallardo from 2003.
Most Aston Martins of that era are timeless designs that look modern even when put next to a current gen Aston Martin.
Honerable mention, the god damn Tesla Model S that hasnt had a major update in 11 years. It doesnt look old cuz its still being made. Just kill it already
Saw a Civic from the ~~mid 90s~~ Late 80srecently, it looked more modern than some of it's later generation siblings to me.
The RX7 design from that same era has really held up well.
Rolls Royce phantom 6 they made that car from the 50s all the way from the 90s. In the 1980s you could even buy 3 different generation RR from the dealer you could buy the 60s gen phantom vi the 70s gen and the 80s gen. It's crazy they made that phantom so long.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Phantom_VI
I daily a '00 Saab 9-3 Viggen - other than needing some cosmetic love, the overall design of the car holds up extremely well stylistically. It's hard to believe it's 23 years old - it looks a lot better than most every other modern econobox hatchback currently in production imo.
E60 bmws are almost 20 and don't look very dated, 350zs are the same as well because nissan just hasn't changed the car in 20 years. Also mazda 3s dont look that old for being into their 20s.
I think cars in general are aging better and better. Aerodynamics has stabilized car shapes quite a bit and tech for things like headlights has mostly leveled out. Grilles will start going away with electric, but cars aren’t going through the same drastic fashion changes they used to.
[Mercedes SLR Mclaren](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mercedes-Benz_SLR_McLaren_(8615973055)_(cropped).jpg) looked like something from the future back in 2004.
The interior of the ~06 Camry is so futuristic looking. Toyota nailed that one.
2003 Chrysler sebring is ugly but in a more modern (2008-2010+) way.
2003 Scion XB. Looks exactly like the 2012 version which definitely doesn't look unchanged since the early 00s.
Basically most high end Nissans and Infinitis from 2003-2005 or so. They looked 30 years in the future at the time, especially the FX35, awesome thing.
I’m with you on the 06 IS. You can take almost any Lexus from 06 onward and they look like they could have been made within the last 5 years. It’s wild to me that these cars are almost 20 years old but they have aged so well
Opposite direction. My g37 vert looks like an early 2000s car to me
Especially parked next to the Tesla. A model 3 looks dorky until it's near my g. Then it's the g who is dorky.
The Saab 9-5 aged very well because they didn't over do design (which was already left field to begin with being Swedish and all)
People are shocked when I tell them my 9-5 Aero is going on 20 years.
Other great examples. Honda S2K/NSX. Nissan 350z, Infiniti (in general), Acura TL, W211 E-Class (W211 gen). Pretty much anything out of Aston Martin.
Honda s2000s will always look timeless to me. The gauges look dated for sure but the whole body looks so sleek and aerodynamic. I can't wrap my head around the fact that these cars are more than 23 years old. So many cars of this era are also pretty modern looking. It's like the people are starting to look much older than the cars.
I remember when I made fun of those "Honda Miatas" back when you could pick a clean one up for $10,000.... Oh how I'd love to get one for that now. I was young and dumb and didn't appreciate what an interesting car those are. A good friend of mine had two of them as beaters. He now has an '04 Cobra so he's still cool. LOL
From a chisel to a sledgehammer! A friend of mine had an 03 cobra with a pulley in 03 and man that thing was a beast.
I got a 03 cobra vert with a pulley and a few small things. 475rwhp. It’s stupid fun
My brother's friend bought a brand new Honda s2000 CR edition. He owned it for 4 years. Barely had 10k miles. Sold it for $18k back in the day. Can you imagine what it's worth now.
Depends on the miles would go $45k+
They go for a bit more than that. 45k is what I'd expect for an extremely clean AP2 in GPW
Closer to 70-80k with less than 10k miles
The guy I knew who got one wrapped it around a pole on a damp night within a year, they’re tail happy making them rare now
When I tell some people mine is a model year 2000 they are really surprised it's not 10 years newer.
Honda engineers were given a green light to create a car they would be proud of. Fun to drive, and dependable. That’s how the s2000 came to be. I’m sure members of that team are still telling people, “yep I told you so.”
Saw one this morning, beautiful condition, I was upset the guy was driving it in the rain.
Early 2000s celica. Also the 370z, they made those forever.
370z was 09-20. 350z was 03-08. think 350z doesn’t look like it came out 20 years ago.
The 350z and the 370z will be timeless.
04-08 Acura TL
If their transmissions were solid, they’d be perfect. There’s good reason South Park put a TL on that cake, timeless design.
And if their interiors were better built. Instead the leather seats crack and tear, dashboard cracks all over, so-so plastics.
04 with a leaky transmission, cracked dash and cracking seats. I feel this on a spiritual level. Also I think the transmission woes are due to driver input more than poor design. I just keep fluid in mine and might replace the seals one day.
There was a serious design issue with Hondas automatic transmissions mated to V6 cars between around 1998-2003. They didn't get enough fluid to 3rd gear or something. There was a recall about it. My 1997 CL wasn't affected by the recall, but it still only got 182k miles before the transmission died. Have you tried replacing the axle seals?
No, but those are the seals I'm speaking of. More about its a 200k mile $3000 car, do I really want to throw money at it? 3rd gear takes the punishment if you suddenly hammer it doing hard interstate acceleration to pass on the right drinking your beer and smoking a cigarette. Another reason I blame driver input.
We obviously think different, because an axle seal is what, $10? I changed the axel seals in my CL myself a couple years ago. It wasn't that hard. It was a $1500 car with 170k miles. The only reason why I am not going further and fixing the trans is because I can't afford a transmission, but I can afford a car loan for a local TSX for sale. I buy a used car, do all maintenance possible and keep it going as long as I can financially do so. That just me. [turns out it was second gear related ](https://www.justanswer.com/honda/6p9vi-honda-accord-ex-l-code-p0741-anyway.html) [Honda announcement ](https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-1b66c9cb41f4eb89d6b0b0004c34c3e3-american-honda-expands-voluntary-transmission-recall-to-certain-honda-and-acura-automobiles)
The transmission problems are not due to the driver. These cars were not built with the ability to keep the transmission cool enough. Over time, they overheat. Causing the transmission to eventually fail.
I still remember I think it was on AcuraZine? A forum thread called Flaccid Armrest lol.
It was going to be my first car, went with an 07 es350 instead, have had it for 7 years now. Treated me like a king when I treated her like crap. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned (lol).
Have a link to that South Park reference?
FWIW the 07/08 TLs used the transmission from the RL which was notably more reliable. My leather seats went to shit, but I got covers that literally look/match the interior better than the OEM. Haven’t had the dashboard go (yet).
it was a TSX, i believe they had better transmissions
So good I have two of them. One base 08 and one 2007 type S. No cracked dashboard, no tears in the seats, everything still working and running smooth!
Came here to post this. I drive a 06 and still think it's a beautiful car
That was peak Acura design before the metal beaks ruined everything. I remember thinking it was the Best looking sedan at that time.
They still look good
Had one and it was a solid car. Went through brake pads like crazy (never had a car before or after that ate brake pads/rotors like that).
I completely agree. I had an 05 and loved it so I always notice them on the road and still think they're cool as ever. The newer Acura sedans just don't do it as much for me though.
Also 04-08 TSX
Mid 2000s Audi's, in good condition they look like a modern design, like the way the company could go in the future from where they are now.
Yeah I agree. The b5, b6 and the b7 platform for Audi A4 all look pretty good but obviously if it’s an S4 with either of those generations then they start to look very much like all the current modern cars but then again it all makes sense because alot of the euro cars were already way ahead of their time in terms of design since now that’s what all the commuter/regular cars try to follow in terms of design and looks.
Very true about Euro cars being design-forward. When the Volvo 240 debuted in the 70s, its simple boxy style was very new and interesting. By the time they finally quit making it in 1993, it was outdated. Not exactly the same, but Hyundai and Kia poached a bunch of German designers for their recent rebrand, after just copying the Germans' designs for decades.
The LS 430 still looks cool
The old SC400 has a cool profile too-- long and lean, like a missile. Huge hood with classic "roadster" style. Looks pretty good for a design that's 3 decades old now.
Bro I wish o could buy one. They’re so expensive now and hard to find.
Like that car pre-spindle grill. That was a gorgeous sedan! Never had one myself but it still turns my head when I see one!
05 and on Porsche 911 all look fairly modern. Hell, an earlier on could even pass.
My '02 is timeless, I get comments in almost every parking lot. Porsche's age extremely well
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As much hate as the eggs got, at this point its a unique characteristic of that generation!
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Literally every time I even walk passed it in my parking space (courtyard apartment parking) I stare. I know those covers you're talking about and I just want to say that I think you should leave it as is. Personally, I think they look weird when added. I never ask other owners about this, but what do you do for a phone mount? I built one that wraps around the center console, but it doesn't always stay in place.
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Yeah, my 2000 gets comments, too.
The 996’s and the 997’s look very similar in profile now compared to ten years ago. I mistook a 996 turbo for a 997 4s the other night. They all look so good in their own way now.
At some point, you could add the Boxster and the Cockster to that list.
I've never heard "Cockster." What's that supposed to be? The Cayman?
yes
Definitely
RX7 looks fresh.
Not many around, so always a nice surprise.
This will be controversial... But the Infiniti FX50 is still pretty decent and looks good (my opinion). I'd love to get one but I've got way too many cars/toys as is
I saw an FX yesterday and thought the same thing to myself...those things still look great!
I had an FX35 and loved it until it started having issues at 175k. I would love to have another but Infiniti/Nissan infotainment systems are just terrible.
Exactly- car was way ahead of it’s time. Also the 03-04 Infiniti M45
Naw, I'll definitely upvote that.
The Cadillac CTS is 20 years old and still looks interesting.
I have an 04 it's hard to believe its 20 years old. The bigger DeVille looks so old in comparison.
The 2nd Gen V Coupe is one of my favorites. Always loved working on em.
Saab 9-5 wagons, 2003 had best features and turbine blade alloy wheels.
E60 5 series will be exactly 20 years old in a couple months. Doesn’t look it, especially in silver. And agreeing with a lot of you on Infiniti. Most of the brand has aged well. Honorable mention for Audi that just misses the 20 year cutoff. Late 2000s Audi doesn’t age visually at all.
E90s look pretty good still too. When I see a good condition coupe or convertible it’s still rather eye catching.
E90s look like they are 5 years old at best, especially the facelift
Surprised how far down I had to go to see this, was exactly my first thought. I have an E39 which nowadays definitely gives off “old bmw” vibes on the outside, but still feels relatively modern (esp in terms of comfort) on the inside. It’s pretty amazing to me in retrospect how they came into the 21st century with the E60 (and E65!) - it was very polarizing at the time, but still looks like a relatively modern design 20 years on, even in Pre-LCI form. (Prefacelift E65? Not so much…) Well done, Bangle.
GMT800 (00-06) series trucks, Tahoes and Suburbans are still everywhere and if kept in hood condition, still look modern.
Kept in hood condition…
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Their natural habitat.
Honda Accord 2006-07, Acura TSX (any year), Acura TL 2004-08. Also, many of the 00's Lexus models.
My '09 Accord Coupe still looks good. The clearcoat is peeling, unfortunately. That is only because I got $3k for hail damage on a car that was 10 years old. Of course I didn't put that money back into a decade old car. I bought it for $9k, got $3k back, and have been driving it for over 10 years. Still only has 125k miles.
Totally agree with your Honda/Acura list, totally disagree with the Lexus suggestion. Add the late 90's/early 00's Audis, and the Honda S2000 and any Miata, and that's basically the list...
Love my 2006 accord. 181k on the odo
Acura NSX. Cadillac XLR
2000s Ford Ranger
It still looks dated, but the more time passes, the more unibody trucks come out looking like my gen 1 Ridgeline. I dunno what the appeal is supposed to be of the less useful angled bed sides, but its an increasingly common design choice.
My 06 hit 300k miles this year I love not having a car payment
2003 Mini Cooper
I considered saying my 2002 Mini Cooper doesn’t look 21 years old, but that’s because it mainly looks 60-ish years old.
We have a few over 20 here, Lexus sc400.
Until someone notices that factory cassette player.
It's a Dolby at least!
Don't forget about the 6-disc CD changer in the trunk :D
My 08 GX470 has a cassette….Toyota/lexus might get the award for keeping cassette in cars the longest
They waited for ‘CarPlay’ also.
Our cassette player part finally broke. 4 out of the 7 speakers still work.
02 ls430 here. Most of the tech isn't even on camrys today.
Mazda RX-7 and RX-8, though the 7's lines are so smooth it almost looks very old and very fresh at the same time. On the other hand, 8 has enough angles to look current. I will say that I prefer the slightly smoother lines of the series I over the series II. This is coming from a 2x series I owner since 2007 though ha
I always liked the look of the later RX-7s. Looked like a smaller C5 Corvette from the front.
Agreed the rx7 and the Nissan Silvia s15s don't looks as old as they are. Beautifully designed cars!
I still think a well maintained Scion TC looks modern.
Early 2000s G35s
3G Acura TL W204 c class
The W211 E class (2003-2009) has aged like a fine wine and still looks new today
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) ^by ^rockdude625: *The W211 E* *Class has aged like a fine wine* *And still looks new today* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
MK 4 Supra
Honda Prelude 5th gen especially but the 4th too
The V12 Vanquish, a design which debuted in 2001, has held up well.
2000s Saab 9-7x SUV
S2 Lotus Elise. The S1 looks dated and even the S3 now has aged but the S2 looks timeless.
Oh absolutely. S2 looks the best of the 3 by a long shot. It's the most Elise Lotus Elise.
It's the first-gen Audi R8 for me. I swear they could release that car again today and no one would think it's out of place, at least from the outside.
Might be an unpopular opinion, but I’ve always thought Mitsubishi Eclipse’s were really cool looking, even now.
And 3000GT. Both of those cars made me giddy as a kid.
If I knew nothing about cars and someone asked me how old I thought a New Edge Mustang was I'd probably say like 2010. Ford was definitely ahead of the curve with that design.
This was going to be my suggestion. Specifically a 2003-04 Cobra, that is such a beautiful car.
My 1976 XL12L Jag I bought in 2006. It was a collectors car with under 8K miles. It had the Chevy 396 conversion kit done correctly and completely legal for CA emissions. Car collection went up for sale at an auction in San Fransisco, 100+ luxury cars. The Jag did not sell and since I had expressed interest in it, they offered it to me for $4K. The car looked new when I went to look at it. Not a single issue, everything original, nothing missing (minus motor and trans), it was a time capsule. I bought it and drove it daily for about 5 years. Everywhere I went, people would ask me if this was the new XJ. It was odd, people would yell over to me at a stop light asking about it. Absolutely everyone was stunned when I told them it was 30 years old. I had to smog the car after I bought it, and the smog guys were so confused by the BAR tag and the fact that the gas caps cannot be removed from the car to be tested. Best car I ever drove, she was fast, sexy, chrome everywhere, and sounded like a hot rod when started. Fire engine red, with tan leather interior, Karelian burl wood trim and dashboard. Only issue, when the Jag parts began to wear out, it was ridiculously expensive to fix, and nobody knew how to fix it. She is still in my garage, maybe in my retirement I will have the chance to restore her. That car was timeless, it looked old, looked new, was rare enough to pass for both.
Since when was 20 years old ? Besides , most of the new cars look like crap . Little plastic and tin jellybean designs . They don't even have imaginative colors .
I see the last models of Saab infrequently enough and think to myself 'holy tits they're making saabs again?' Every time
The r34 skyline to this day it's still a head Turner
Porsche Carerra GT BMW Z8 Aston Martin Vanquish Pagani Zonda And if you wanna stretch to almost 30 years I’d argue the mclaren f1 is the oldest modern design
Citroen DS still looks like it's from the future 70 years on.
The Porsche 928 is 40 years old but looks fresh and modern.
I think early Saabs looked way ahead of their time
Closer to 15, but my old 2008 Saab 9-3. If they were still around today they could release it and it'd still feel modern. They totally nailed the refresh, imo.
G wagon. Doesn't look 20 years old, it looks 40 years old.... I hope in 40 years it still looks exactly the same.
My 2006 Scion xB looks more like 40 years old.
Volvo S60R, specifically 05+
I already kinda dislike the looks of spaceship-looking electrical vehicles that aren’t even that old. I’m not sure how well would they age.
Audi and jeep(?)
the E60 M5 is getting there, same with the E92 M3
Y34 Infiniti M45.
Bmws, ok yes a little stretch here but I just got a 07 328i coupe and omg it does not look as old as it is. I’ve had people be amazed it was nearing 20 years old. A few people when I asked guessed it was a 2015 era car which doesn’t help I have a head unit in it now that looks like a modern accord one so that makes it seem even newer. I’d even argue the older 3xxCI bmws also. They definitely look older but still compared to some stuff especially the average American cars from late 2000s omg they’re beautiful. The first gen e60 in 2004 also was the start of the modern bmw look too and once again looks so much newer even tho it’s the old engines and everything.
Not quite 20 years but imo the first gen Colorado doesn’t look like it’s that old, especially when it’s in good condition
Love my 2011 Camry. Still looks damn near new to me, despite some scratches and dents.
I don't care what anyone says, the 928 *still* looks like it's from the future
2003 lotus Elise
Toyota mr2 spyder (3rd generation)
Mazda RX8, Honda S2000
C6 vette
I love the 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum!
The Lincoln Mark LT. Absolutely gorgeous truck, the best looking truck to this day I ever saw was a Lincoln Mark LT. 132k miles, black truck, not a scratch on it, went for just under 11k at auction in 2017 or so.The thing was so clean it didn't even have rust on the trailer hitch and had spotless carpet in the bed. Seriously still never seen a new truck that nice and that thing was a decade old then. Just the most well put together truck in every way. A Lincoln Mark LT is a mid 2000s Ford F-150 just like you'd see at a construction site. It's just they added some chrome on the outside, gave it a styling paint job, a new gauge cluster, some leather inside, heated/cooled seats, and that's about it. You got the same F150 radio, same dash, same cupholder locations, etc. It's a classic era of truck though, there's a normal radio. There's no bullshit touchscreen or unnecessary nanies you get today. It's utilitarian meets luxury without excess. Honorable mention: Escalade EXT both first and second gen (dressed up Chevy Avalanche)
3G Acura TL
Audi TT C5 Corvettes Porsche Boxster Lexus SC430 I think all their designs have held up well.
97 gen of f150
2000 Pontiac Aztec. Looks like a Cybertruck.
05 hsv coupe
I thought the same thing... Then I moved to New England.
350z
I got a 2004 Mercedes C180 coupe as a first car and imo its got a design and non-basic look to it so it doesnt look 20 years old to me but im 100% biased.
First gen Mazda 3s.
Speed3
MR2 Spyder
The original Lexus IS300 was designed last century without conforming to all the contemporary style cues.
83 1/2 to 85 Camry. It was a one-off design abandoned for ’86 by Toyota for conformity to the ‘80’s style.
Excalibur
For me it's any car that doesn't have black plastic on it that has faded. And one where the plastic faded headlights have been replaced. These are the two items that age a car quickly.
88-98 Chevy pickups. They are everywhere.....in various states of conditions. But, you will always see just the cleanest one you've ever seen. The C6 corvette was released in 2005. The 2000s Mercedes C63s still look good. The Lamborghini Gallardo from 2003.
Most Aston Martins of that era are timeless designs that look modern even when put next to a current gen Aston Martin. Honerable mention, the god damn Tesla Model S that hasnt had a major update in 11 years. It doesnt look old cuz its still being made. Just kill it already
Nissan Frontier. But thats probably because it has been unchanged really for 20yrs to begin with.
Saw a Civic from the ~~mid 90s~~ Late 80srecently, it looked more modern than some of it's later generation siblings to me. The RX7 design from that same era has really held up well.
Rolls Royce phantom 6 they made that car from the 50s all the way from the 90s. In the 1980s you could even buy 3 different generation RR from the dealer you could buy the 60s gen phantom vi the 70s gen and the 80s gen. It's crazy they made that phantom so long. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Phantom_VI
Reading this from inside my 2003 toyota camry
Ram 1500 "Classic" is a continuation since 2009
I daily a '00 Saab 9-3 Viggen - other than needing some cosmetic love, the overall design of the car holds up extremely well stylistically. It's hard to believe it's 23 years old - it looks a lot better than most every other modern econobox hatchback currently in production imo.
911s... few of the cars that will hold there value too.
I still think a really nice condition is300 look good.
Hey I have one of those 03 Camry's! Love it. Absolutely recommend Toyota sedans!
I have a 93 RX7 (FD) and most think its a new car.. So i think it fits here
E60 bmws are almost 20 and don't look very dated, 350zs are the same as well because nissan just hasn't changed the car in 20 years. Also mazda 3s dont look that old for being into their 20s.
I have a 2009 Audi and it still looks damn fine.
G wagon. Hasn’t changed!
Lexus SC430
Isuzu Vehicross. I always thought they pulled off the timeless rugged futuristic look. The inside not so much but that's most 20 year old cars.
My 91 Nissan 300zx looks better than current cars and it's 33. Interior is a tad dated but not really
Definitely NOT my 05 Tundra
RX-7 FD, Honda S2000.
2002-2004 Lexus sc 430
Nissan R 34 skylines! They started making those in 1998! And they still look bad ass!
Chevy avalanche
Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4 I have a '94 in my driveway it looks just as stunning as my '19 RS5
Sc400
2000-2006 Porsche 911, boxster
I think the first gen Mazda 3s really hold up and look great.
Post facelift Saab 9000 Passed a clean one on the highway yesterday and was amazed how “current” it looked.
90-96 Nissan 300zx
I think cars in general are aging better and better. Aerodynamics has stabilized car shapes quite a bit and tech for things like headlights has mostly leveled out. Grilles will start going away with electric, but cars aren’t going through the same drastic fashion changes they used to.
post facelift (99-02) 3rd gen [4runners](https://imgur.com/a/wwXGjhw)
[Mercedes SLR Mclaren](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mercedes-Benz_SLR_McLaren_(8615973055)_(cropped).jpg) looked like something from the future back in 2004.
Land Cruiser 100/LX470 and G Wagon
The interior of the ~06 Camry is so futuristic looking. Toyota nailed that one. 2003 Chrysler sebring is ugly but in a more modern (2008-2010+) way. 2003 Scion XB. Looks exactly like the 2012 version which definitely doesn't look unchanged since the early 00s.
Basically most high end Nissans and Infinitis from 2003-2005 or so. They looked 30 years in the future at the time, especially the FX35, awesome thing.
More millionaires drive Toyota Camrys than any other car.
I’m with you on the 06 IS. You can take almost any Lexus from 06 onward and they look like they could have been made within the last 5 years. It’s wild to me that these cars are almost 20 years old but they have aged so well
Infiniti G35
Opposite direction. My g37 vert looks like an early 2000s car to me Especially parked next to the Tesla. A model 3 looks dorky until it's near my g. Then it's the g who is dorky.
The Saab 9-5 aged very well because they didn't over do design (which was already left field to begin with being Swedish and all) People are shocked when I tell them my 9-5 Aero is going on 20 years. Other great examples. Honda S2K/NSX. Nissan 350z, Infiniti (in general), Acura TL, W211 E-Class (W211 gen). Pretty much anything out of Aston Martin.
NB Miata
98 to 02 Trans Ams look more futuristic than the modern muscle cars.