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GTP Ten Best Cars of the Decade
Okay, list-mania is pretty much done on the internets, but I still think this is one of the most-interesting lists that can be compiled at the moment. Given the radical differences in all of our tastes, opinions, and even regions - any Ten Best list from any GTP member is likely to be radically different from that of another. Generally speaking, the idea is pretty simple; What do you believe are the ten best vehicles produced from 2000 to 2009? Include a photo, perhaps some reasoning behind your decision, share an experience, or however else you want to push for your favorite.
#10 - 2000 BMW Z8
Okay, hear me out I know the car was too expensive. I know the car was apparently terrible to drive (thanks Clarkson). But in person, to touch, to see Its an amazing car to behold. In my mind, the Z8 is one of those hyper-rare, and yet not particularly special cars that knock you off your feet. I cant fault the design inside or out, and of all the retro-futuristic designs of the 2000s, this was by far one of the best. It slides in at #10 only because it did exist, and because I liked it. Nothing else.
#9 - 2004 Subaru Forester XT
Like one of my other picks, this is one that doesnt mean much in the context of the decade, but means a lot to me. Take what is arguably the most-sensible of the Subaru products, toss in the power plant from the WRX, tighten up the suspension, and throw a T on the trunk lid and call it a day. No one knew the difference, and yet, the car sold quite well. Problem is, Subaru destroyed everything that was good with the XT with the 2006 restyling, which made it a horrible, Samurai armor-looking thing. Capable performance machine, sure. But not when youre that ugly. What amazes me still about the car is the fact that it was able to do so well while carrying so much mass, in such an awkwardly shaped package. Its one of the ultimate sleepers, and is still one of many cars I'd love to own at some point.
#8 - 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10
We needed at least one B-S Crazy choice on the list, and this is it. A 500 BHP pickup truck that can not only haul 2X4s to work, but haul ass at the same time. Dodge was so awesome when doing this, they included the six-speed manual gearbox. With a gear lever the length of a baseball bat. And they expected you to make the tires squawk on the 1-2 every time. I mean, were talking about a pickup truck that can outrun a pretty wide variety of dedicated sports cars to 60 MPH, and beyond that, can out handle a fair number as well. Its about as American as apple pie, that is, if you figured out a way to stuff it with fake boobs, M4 assault riffles, Michael Bay-style explosions, and the smell of fresh cut grass. Awesome.
#7 - 2009 Saab 9-3 TurboX
Given the news of today, the TurboX really has become the last hurrah for the Saab brand on the global market. It is a dark and sinister car, most-certainly the Dr. Jekyl to the rest of the Mr. Hyde lineup from Sweden. The formula is pretty simple: Crank up the boost on the cracking-good 2.8L Turbo V6, add on a trick Haldex 4.0 XWD (Cross Wheel Drive) system, and only make enough for the hardcore Saab fans. Sure, its not the fastest car in its segment. Sure, its not the cheapest either. But, Ill be damned if it isnt the coolest In the thick black frames, listening to progressive rock, burning down the wet country road well over the speed limit while drinking Starbucks sort of way. Its really disappointing how quickly the car showed up and then entirely disappeared. Then again, I suppose that is the Saab way.
#6 - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
While it does sit toward the bottom of the list, this was an important car for the 2000s. Again, like the Z8, not because it was actually a good car, but more or less because it existed. As Bob Lutzs first pet project at GM, the Solstice was a design exercise turned product prototype that was green light and put into production at a pace that Ive never seen before in the industry. In little more than two years, the car was ready to go, using off-the-shelf bits and pieces to create a sports car that was capable, if not willing, and certainly competitive in the class as the little add-ons came along. The GXP model was a pretty awesome roadster for not much money, and its a shame that GM axed both an incredibly capable chassis as well as a brand that could have seen the car evolve and get much, much better with time.
#5 - 2006 Ford Fusion
Despite a few bright spots in recent memory, up until this point, Ford was not doing well. The Focus was getting on in age, but the Taurus was on its way out, the Fivehundred was floppy in all the wrong places, fuel prices were going sky high, and the Fusion had just launched. What a fresh breath of air this car was when things were beginning to look really grim for Americas oldest automaker. So the kids in Dearborn took something that was already on the shelf (Mazda6), made it more American, increased the quality and reliability ten-fold, and ended up making one of the most important cars of the decade. Not just because it was actually a rather excellent sedan, but rather, the beginning of the end for the terrible Ford, and the start of the totally awesome Ford that we see today.
#4 - 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica
As the sole Italian on this list, arguably, I could have chosen better. It is certainly true that the F430 meant far more for Ferrari in this decade than anything else. It is certainly true that the Enzo is perhaps the biggest flagship theyve had since the F40. And most certainly, the 599 is leaps and bounds better than the 575M, which was only an upgrade on the 550 that came before it. But, this is about as good as it gets for me. The car has the right layout, the right engine, the right transmission (this was back when you could row your own gears), and a look at is absolutely classic. I still say that the 575M Superamerica is one of the best-looking Ferraris ever made, without a doubt the best looking of the decade in my mind. Its rare, its beautiful, and its perfect. Absolutely perfect.
#3 - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette C6 2.0
#2 - 2000 Honda S2000
#1 - 2005 Ford GT
This is my car of the decade. I dont even know how I can wrap up all of my feelings into a single paragraph. The performance standards are still impressive even to this day, and thats saying a lot given how comparably old the technology in the car actually was. Sticking a big ass pickup truck engine in the back, building a custom chassis, and using a classic nameplate was priceless. The look, feel, and sense of it all was perfect for the time.
So, ultimately not the most practical of lists. Certainly without any solid train of thought either. But with a decade as terrible as the one we just went through, yeah, it probably wouldn't be any better.
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Nice van Omnis. I will say they look better than a Ford or Chevy equivalent. 
atonthebackford: Even being an Autobox, this thing is too much fun. And the chicks dig it. 
