Research help: 1980s car

[LettersFromTatyana]

I need a car from the mid to late 1980s for a story, and I'm hoping someone here can help me out. I'm pretty clueless about cars from that decade, and I don't know enough about cars in general to make heads or tails of what I'm finding online.

Here are the requirements:

It needs to be from between 1985 and 1990 (roughly; I can go maybe a year or two on either side, but not much more than that).

It needs to have been either sold in the U.S. or approved for import.

It needs to have been speedy, perhaps even a breakthrough for its time. However, it can't be a pure sports car or a convertible, and it must seat four people.

It doesn't need to be a luxury car or flashy, though it can be. Basically, I'd like it to be the type of car that a car person could look back on and think... man, that was a great car.

Any suggestions?


Also, if a car person were rattling off statistics about this spectacular car, what would they say about it?

 

[jomar]

Not a gearhead, but maybe a Taurus SHO?

 

[jomar]

dp...

 

[PennLady]

Well, I know less about cars than you do, but... what about something like a Pontiac Grand Am? I used to rent those in the early 90s, like 1992 or so. Cars from the 80s have always struck me as so much the same, it's hard to think of any that stand out. But I did like driving the Grand Ams.

 

[lovecraft68]

What year did the Beretta come out? that was kind of a flashy car, but turned out to be a clunker.

If the character is Italian you can always breakout the IROC!

 

[Weird Harold]

It needs to be from between 1985 and 1990 (roughly; I can go maybe a year or two on either side, but not much more than that).

It needs to have been either sold in the U.S. or approved for import.

It needs to have been speedy, perhaps even a breakthrough for its time. However, it can't be a pure sports car or a convertible, and it must seat four people.

The first possibility from a quick google was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_626#GD_.281987-1992.29

I remember Mazda fans bragging about their 626 and it was a Motor Trend top ten for a couple of years.

Another possibility would be a Ford Mustang of that vintage -- very good cars that barely seated four, but very comfortable for driver and passenger. A good road trip car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(third_generation)#1983.E2.80.931986

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Called "Darth Vader's car," the 1987 Buick GNX is your vehicle. Produced by McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, Buick underrated the GNX at 276*hp (206*kW) and a very substantial 360*lb·ft (488*N·m) of torque. This was created to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals." Changes made included a special Garrett T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient and significantly larger capacity intercooler with a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific EEPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and unique differential cover/panhard bar included more of the performance modifications. Exterior styling changes include vents located on each front fender, 16*inch black mesh style wheels with VR-speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems. The interior changes of the GNX included a serial number on the dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing analog Stewart-Warner gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge. Performance was measured with a quarter mile time of 13.5 seconds at 102*mph (164*km/h) and a 0-60*mph (97*km/h) time of 4.7 seconds

 

[_Lynn_]

The Monte Carlo SS would seat four. The mid-1983 to 1988 had a high-performance 305 cubic inch V8. I don't know any of the specs though.

 

[Weird Harold]

What year did the Beretta come out? that was kind of a flashy car, but turned out to be a clunker.

If the character is Italian you can always breakout the IROC!

The Chevrolet Beretta is a front wheel drive coupé produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1987–1996 model years. The Beretta was designed in the same design studio as the Camaro and the Corvette,

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Beretta

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

Ooh, all good suggestions, and I'm compiling a list. I also received a suggestion for a BMW E30 M3. They were apparently introduced in the US in the late 1980s.

If anyone else has insight, please feel free to add; the more choices I have, the merrier I'll be.

 

[Flesh_4_Fantasy]

@ jomar - Taurus SHO first gen was 1989-91 so that might work... Definitely faster than it looks.

@ PennLady - Grand Am is in the ballpark but not so fast.

@ Weird Harold - Mazda 6 didn't come out till 2002 and the Mustang is out because Tatyana stated no full out sports cars and must seat 4...

@ soflabbwlvr - the Buick GNX would work... except for instant recognition by most readers...

@ MistressLynn - you took the words right out of my mouth and beat me to the post while I Googled info.

I also recommend the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Super Sport). The 4th gen model ran from 1983-88.

Check it out here: http://www.montecarloss.com/

 

[soflabbwlvr]

@ jomar - Taurus SHO first gen was 1989-91 so that might work... Definitely faster than it looks.

@ PennLady - Grand Am is in the ballpark but not so fast.

@ Weird Harold - Mazda 6 didn't come out till 2002 and the Mustang is out because Tatyana stated no full out sports cars and must seat 4...

@ soflabbwlvr - the Buick GNX would work... except for instant recognition by most readers...

@ MistressLynn - you took the words right out of my mouth and beat me to the post while I Googled info.

I also recommend the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Super Sport). The 4th gen model ran from 1983-88.

Check it out here: http://www.montecarloss.com/

With 100 more horsepower and off the charts torque, the GNX would eat the Monte Carlo for breakfast. The GNX is still highly sought after by enthusiasts, and any car guy will tell you that the GNX was the most feared street racer in its day.

 

[timoren]

Nobody know what a GNX is except for gear heads, just go with Grand National. Any of the little turbo cars of the day would probably work too. Of the top of my head I can think of the Dodge Daytona Turbo Z, Conquest TSI, Toyota MR2... If you want a REAL sleeper, go with a Plymouth Horizon GLH Turbo. Of course you cant go wrong with a 5.0 Mustang GT or LX either.

 

[Flesh_4_Fantasy]

With 100 more horsepower and off the charts torque, the GNX would eat the Monte Carlo for breakfast. The GNX is still highly sought after by enthusiasts, and any car guy will tell you that the GNX was the most feared street racer in its day.

I'm not arguing about fast, dude.

I think it's more about 1) The OP's ability to write it in as a non-gearhead and 2) The reader's immediate recognition of the car...

I was simply trying to help the OP based on her stated criteria.

K?

 

[nakdsub]

My choice

would be an 85/86/or87 T-bird turbo.
It was redesigned in 83, fast, 4 seater, a nice car.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I'm not arguing about fast, dude.

I think it's more about 1) The OP's ability to write it in as a non-gearhead and 2) The reader's immediate recognition of the car...

I was simply trying to help the OP based on her stated criteria.

K?

No problem. I was just thinking of this statement from the OP:

"It doesn't need to be a luxury car or flashy, though it can be. Basically, I'd like it to be the type of car that a car person could look back on and think... man, that was a great car."

 

[Boxlicker101]

How about a Geo Storm? I used to own one, and it was a really neat car and seems to fit the description you are looking for.

http://www.google.com/search?q="geo...&bih=656&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images&tbs=

 

[sr71plt]

@ Weird Harold - Mazda 6 didn't come out till 2002 and the Mustang is out because Tatyana stated no full out sports cars and must seat 4...

WH cited the Mazda 626, not the 6. I had one as my office car overseas in 1992. Had it because of its reputation to be able to bump off an attack car without breaking down and speed away. It seated five.

 

[Melon]

Naturally as gearheads we instantly think to the fastest car of that time period, but just because we recognize it as the bad ass sleeper it was - all the turbo Buicks weren't necessarily black. It wouldn't hurt to just be a well built decent car. Like someone mentioned the Taurus SHO.

Truth is, the late 80s were not good to the automotive industry, lol.

Oh, the Buick thing. Friend of mine had a Buick Regal, baby blue... turbo. Total sleeper. Anyone can recognize a GN or GNX, but not everybody suspected that baby blue Buick with the quiet whine.


So yeah, speedy yet understated... the Buick.

 

[Belegon]

I had a Mazda 626 in the late 80's and really enjoyed driving it. It was comfy and surprisingly quick.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

In the 80s the REAL Hot Wheels were Camaro IROC-Zs and Mercedes and Vettes.

 

[lovecraft68]

I had a Mazda 626 in the late 80's and really enjoyed driving it. It was comfy and surprisingly quick.

I'm currently driving a 2001 Mazda 626, its 10 years old, and I can certainly afford something new, but the thing drives better than anything else I've ever owned.

 

[jomar]

In the 80s the REAL Hot Wheels were Camaro IROC-Zs and Mercedes and Vettes.

Forgot about the IROC... a friend had one with the phoenix decal on the hood.

 

[D_Lynn]

You really need to take into account the economic means of your character. A lot of these cars fit the description of what you're looking for but they vary widely in price. Also, take into account the sex and age of the driver/character.

Conservative:
If the character is male, around mid 20s, I'd put them in a Toyota MR2. If the character is still male, but maybe in his 30s, I'd choose the Monte Carlo SS. I had girlfriend who owned a Mazda 626 (not that there weren't plenty of guys who owned them, too) because they were a little more conservative than some of the other vehicles mentioned. They were more reasonably priced, as well.

More macho:
The 80s was the decade of muscle cars, in my opinion. Take your pick...Firebird, Trans-Am, Camaro, Mustang, Nova. Of that group, I'd take the Chevy Nova, just because it is so, so...80s, and quite a bit less conspicuous than the others.

In the 80s, it was also very common to modify cars, sedans in particular. But if you need a very cheap, fast car, go with something like a modified Gremlin, Pacer or Vega.

If your character is very wealthy, then I would start looking at the BMW line.

Lots to choose from.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Firebird, Trans-Am

Same thing. Trans am is just the optioned to the max Firebird. Camaro is the sister car. Same car for the most part, different name and slightly different body panels.