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10 Damn-Near Perfect Cars

wired.com/autopia -- There are some 1 billion cars on the planet, and when you get right down to it, they’re all essentially the same — a box on wheels propelled, more often than not, by an internal combustion engine. Get past the marketing and one’s as good as another.

There are a couple of sound designs that would last for ages. No car is perfect, but here are 10 that are damn close. They are designs that have stood the test of time, and if these 10 cars were the only 10 cars ever built, there would still be something for just about everyone.

We know you’re eager to get to the list and start flaming us. Before you do, bear this in mind: We aren’t saying these are the 10 damn-near perfect cars. You almost certainly have your suggestions that didn’t make the list.


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Submitted Mar 15, 2010 By: fordmexico
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Author Topic: 10 Damn-Near Perfect Cars Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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Blue48
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 4:38:37 PM

COOL LIST!
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jeepster4
Champion Author Kansas City

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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:15:57 PM

I'm not sure, but I bet that buying clapped out cook book versions of these cars when they are over 20 years old, was maybe not quite the same experience as buying a new high performance model. I'm thinking particularly of a 1965 fast back Mustang with 4 on the floor, a factory 279 C.I engine with 300 hp and a high performance suspension. If you ever had the fun of driving one of these across the South Western states, you might think twice about your comparisons to a mid '70's v6 with 100,000+ miles on the clock when you had it in high school. Yeah, I drive a nice conservative small SUV crossover now, but, then again, I'm no longer in my 20's.
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OHMS
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:04:06 PM

profanity always helps enhance the popularity of a gasbuddy article KNAUGHT
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 9:02:45 PM

I can think of several cars that could have made it but didn't. It's one writer's list. Not mine...
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 8:57:23 PM

jeskibuff: not TODAY's sized families..
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OriginalBudman
Champion Author Barrie

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:49:10 PM

My father had one that made the list: the 1974 Mercedes 240D. They're right, it was bulletproof. One car that should have made the list was the Checker Marathon. Those cars were durable. Dad had one of those as well, a 1980 model, the civilian edition, not the taxi version.
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jeskibuff
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:12:20 PM

Pete12 said: "I wouldn't buy any of these. You can't fit a family into any of them."

Not true.

I once saw about 20 circus clowns get out of a scaled-down VW bug, so a family of 4 should have NO problem!

;)

You might have difficulty with the Ferrari or Porsche, though. I don't recall EVER seeing circus clowns getting out of either!
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Sneakers55
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 2:02:05 PM

I had a Mustang, and the term "damn-near perfect" doesn't come to mind.

It was thirsty enough on fuel that, unlike the last four cars I've had, getting off the road wasn't because I needed a restroom stop.
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Pete12
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 12:46:55 PM

I wouldn't buy any of these. You can't fit a family into any of them.
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Jarod13
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 12:18:02 PM

DeepInOhio -- your absolutely correct, it's all subjective. Depending on the consumer's requirements and financial resources, just about any automobile is capable of making onto the "10 damn-near perfect" list. If and when the "perfect" vehicle is built that meets my criteria of dependability, reliability, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency and meets every other of my desires, then I will have found my "perfect" automobile.
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bcb_albany
Rookie Author Albany

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 8:49:36 AM

Have to agree with @JimL1; there's a lot of cars on there that aren't fit for long-legged folks! I must say, though, the author did a fair job in compiling the list. I had almost forgotten about the EV1 and it's weird UFO shape!
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LocalSpyGuy
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 7:33:41 AM

Not sure if the criteria is which cars have been on the market the longest?
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RdHogg
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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 7:22:26 AM

Good Morning !!!
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DerHahn
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 7:01:53 AM

bring back the bug. affordable and easy to work on.
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FuelOilOH
All-Star Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:59:39 AM

Everybody has their list. It's fun to see other peoples opinions.
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rvn4me
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:52:01 AM

I will keep my diesel truck, thanks.
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jeskibuff
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:50:17 AM

coughlin said: "I never liked Mustangs"

It's one of the most over-rated cars out there. My sister and brother-in-law have a 1968 which was a restoration project done primarily by a neighbor. They take it to car shows regularly...pay $25 to $40 for an entry fee and win a cheap plastic $3 trophy that assures them they have one of the best cars on the planet. The last show nearly EVERY car entered won a trophy...20 car classes...5 trophies per class and a bit over 100 cars entered! EVERYONE'S A WINNER! WHEEE!

They hang around with fellow MustStink owners who all help each other to maintain the myth that their cars are the best in the world and that Ford is the best car manufacturer EVER. I've driven that 1968 and it's just about as "fun" as driving a 1973 Pinto. It reminds me of a 1973 Gran Torino I bought just to tow a boat with: it has a wishy-washy suspension, crappy steering...overall, a HUNK OF JUNK! It's downright scary to take it over 60 MPH, plus it's a gamble that you're going to be able to complete a short round-trip before it breaks down again. It sounds mean with it's loud exhaust and looks relatively good, but as a pleasureable driving machine, it's WAY off the mark!
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murushi
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:48:31 AM

Hm... Honda Accord sounds like it might be my next "small" car.
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REKEY
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:46:13 AM

What about the present day?
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Skipper52
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:44:52 AM

My list would have been a little different. But everyone has a right to an opinion.
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JCUBE
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:44:14 AM

Some of those listed are mighty expensive pieces of machinery, but I gues you get what you pay for, too bad there aren't more that would qualify like the '57 Chevy Bel Aire
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arinkrat17
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:43:33 AM

thanks for the info
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TomT2Lee
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:43:22 AM

The wide variation of human likes.
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clement007
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:43:06 AM

Damn there is Ford in there.
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ifallsguy
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:42:10 AM

Add Ford Ranger, and Subarus
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:41:41 AM

There were only one or two cars of that group I would ever consider as a vehicle to own. Ok, maybe three then.
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JimL1
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:41:29 AM

The author has to be a little guy. I am too tall so I did not fit in a Honda Accord. I did fit in a Toyota Camry. So we purchased a Camry in 1993 and still own and drive it daily.
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turbodog
Champion Author Mississippi

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:40:41 AM

Why all 10 not Volvos?
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:40:31 AM

I have found that the majority of vehicles on the road, if treated regularly with preventive maintenance will last for years on end.
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LetItSnow
All-Star Author Hartford

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:38:55 AM

Interesting list and read - thanks fordmexico for posting it.
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TheSnowstorm
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:34:12 AM

Something for everyone. Read the article, this is only any opinion of "near" perfect cars, not the end-all and be-all list. An interesting read.
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Rick01
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:33:01 AM

With regular service most cars made today will run to 300K. Buy what you need.
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jimraehl
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:31:22 AM

Any car now is very expensive to buy new.
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Don1222
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:29:58 AM

Buy American MADE IN THE UNITED STATES. I had a Chrysler, 1990, that I drove over 400,000 miles with only normal maintenance.
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billy44bo
Champion Author Mobile

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:29:37 AM

you get what you pay for
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Lukus
Champion Author Halifax

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:27:45 AM

If you had done this list last Fall you probably would have shown Toyota among the Near Perfect. How they have fallen.
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fcdriver
Champion Author Tennessee

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:27:31 AM

pefect? i dont know
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turbosaab
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:26:34 AM

I only agree with one. The list is clearly subjective.
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rocket_ron
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:26:24 AM

I'll stick with what I have.
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danny999
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:26:18 AM

CONSUMER REPORTS comes about as close as you can get to sorting them out.1 Ford in top ten,and it's made in MEXICO.
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USNChief
Veteran Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:23:55 AM

Slow cars, fast cars good list.
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dhawk24
Champion Author Maine

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:20:52 AM

Take care of your car and you will be fine. It may not be perfect, but if like it, who cares...
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Masercal
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:16:12 AM

Most cars will last if they are maintained properly.
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moody4u
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:15:54 AM

What no F-150's
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jppezz
Champion Author New Mexico

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:15:29 AM

If you like the car or truck than you buy it. That simple.
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DeepInOhio
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:15:11 AM

It's all subjective.
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cathevan
Champion Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:14:44 AM

subjective call
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danno27
All-Star Author Miami

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:10:59 AM

Nothing in the group I realy care for. I'll stick with my bicycle.
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Dale Jr.
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:10:04 AM

There are boatloads of VW beetles in Idaho.
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:09:57 AM

when we made them luxury couches for the 400 lb Joneses we've lost sight of the quality and the safety measures that we should have pursued the whole time. Instead, we added more and more gadgets so we don't have to do anything, can watch TV and text in the vehicle while not paying any heed to what we're supposed to do... DRIVE which is defined as moving from one place to another by using a self-propelled vehicle of some sorts.
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