Most Significant Vehicles Since 1966-2006

What are the Most Significant Vehicles of the past four decades? Our choices will cover years 1966 to 99, after which will be taking another look at some of the Most Significant Vehicles we have already chosen for model years 2000 – 2006.

2006 Pontiac Solstice

With value oriented price, strong performance and gorgeous styling, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is a very attractive package. However, those who are an enthusiast seeking the most driving thrills for your car-buying dollar, check out the MX-5 Miata before signing on dotted line. It offers gorgeous styling, grippy tires, plenty of legroom, strong brakes, low base price and agile handling.

The first thing people notice about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is the shapely body. Hyrdroformed body panels provide it seductive compound curves and flowing lines. Some of the true sportscar features include four-wheel independent suspension, rear-wheel drive, near 50-to-50 weight balance and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Motivation for the 2006 Solstice come from a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, which is good for pulsating 177 horsepower with 166 pound feet of torque. The engine is mated to five-speed close-ratio manual transmission.

The 2006 Pontiac Solstice is available in one single trim level and comes with standard features, which include manually operated top with glass rear window and defogger, 18 inch wheels, six-speaker stereo system with in-dash CD player and tilt-adjustable steering wheel. Available options include power windows and doors, air conditioning, leather seats, remote keyless entry, cruise control, couple of upgraded sound systems with MP3 playback, satellite radio and OnStar telematics. Overall, it is a car for teenage girls with love of cosmetics or midlife crisis guys happy to get the budget boy-racer image without performance to back it up.

2005 Chrysler 300

Proving that upscale sedans don’t have to be stale looking and slow, the 2005 Chrysler 300 series provides unique styling along with V8 power in affordable and practical package. It also offers masculine and chiseled good looks, potent V8 engine, plethora of standard features and plenty of performance and luxury for the price. standard safety features on Chrysler 300 include Steel wheels, Chrome grille, Steel spare wheel, 17 inch wheels, Temporary spare tire, Full wheel covers, Rear defogger, Variable intermittent wipers, Multi-link rear suspension, Short and long arm front suspension, Child seat anchors, Four-wheel independent suspension, Rear door child safety locks, Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes, 2 front headrests, Engine immobilizer, Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation, 2 rear headrests, Front seatbelt pretensioners, Rear center 3-point belt, Front height adjustable headrests and Emergency interior trunk release.

Also standard on 2005 Chrysler 300 are 8-way power driver seat, Rear integrated headrests, Driver seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, Passenger seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, Premium cloth, Height adjustable driver seat, Split folding rear seatback, Bucket front seats, Rear ventilation ducts, Folding center armrest, Power mirrors, Remote power door locks, Cruise control, 1 one-touch power windows, Front and rear cupholders, Front console with storage, Overhead console with storage, Front and rear door pockets, Retained accessory power, Remote trunk release, Power steering, Front seatback storage, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 12V front power outlets, Trunk light, Air conditioning, Front and rear floor mats, Front and rear reading lights, Clock, Dual illuminating vanity mirrors, Low fuel level warning, Tachometer, 4 total speakers, Element antenna, CD-controller stereo, AM/FM in-dash single CD player and Radio data system.

2004 Nissan Titan

With powerful V8 engine, plenty of useful and ground-breaking features and voluptuous interior, the 2004 Nissan Titan is a competitive full size, which every truck buyer should consider. Besides these, it offers potent V8 engine, smooth riding suspension, roomy interior with top notch quality materials, pioneering design features, side airbags and offered stability control.

Powering the 2004 Titan is an Endurance 5.6 liter V8 engine, which is good for cranking out 379 pound feet of torque and 305 horsepower. Blistered cargo-box sides and wide front fenders help convey the sensation of bigness. At 224.2 inches long overall and sporting 6.5-foot cargo bed, the Titan is 3.8 inches shorter as compared to the extended cab 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck featuring bed of same length.

2003 Nissan 350Z

The 350Z is the crown jewel of Nissan with powerful V6 engine, lot of bang for the money and impressive handling. It is built on the new FM platform of the company, which stands for front midship and refers to positioning of engine. Unlike most front engine vehicles in which considerable amount of engine weight is placed over front wheels, its engine is situated further rearward behind front wheels.

For now, only two-seater coupe is available, though roadster will be offered by February 2003. Five trim levels include Enthusiast, base, Touring, Track and Performance. Base models feature 17-inch wheels; automatic climate control system with air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; antilock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); remote keyless entry and CD player.

Stepping up to Enthusiast trim level gets cruise control, high-intensity discharge headlights, auto dimming rearview mirror, limited slip rear differential and traction control. Performance models get tire pressure monitor, 18 inch wheels and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). For more performance, the Track model gets 18 inch lightweight wheels, upgraded brakes and front and rear spoilers. The Touring model comes with power and heated seats, leather trim and upgraded audio system with six-CD changer. The optional features available on 350Z are DVD based navigation system and side airbags. Standard safety features on 350Z include seatbelts with pre tensioners and load limiters and front airbags.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled small vehicle manufactured and introduced by Chrysler as five-door hatchback in early 2000 and as two-door convertible in early 2005. Formerly conceived as Plymouth model, the PT Cruiser gained Chrysler nameplate on introduction in anticipation of 2001 discontinuation of Plymouth marque. Bryan Nesbitt was the one who designed the PT Cruiser. The name PT Cruiser includes initialism PT, standing for “Personal Transport” and designating car’s platform and production code.

The four-seater convertible model was added for 2005. It is the two-door with incorporated “sport bar” for extra rigidity and rollover protection. In the year 2009, after reorganization into “New Chrysler”, it changed plans for discontinuing the model by specifying that it will do so for Mexican and Canadian markets only.

1999 Lexus RX 300

The Lexus RX 300 was heavily based on Toyota Camry and Lexus ES 300 platform and was powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine that generated 220-horsepower. The engine was mated to four-speed automatic transmission with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system. The RX 300 was supposed to provide buyers with rough and tumble image and spacious cabin of sport utility vehicle, while maintaining comfortable ride qualities and confident handling of sedan. The RX 300 single handedly turned Lexus into the top selling luxury division of America. The term “crossover” didn’t exist in 1999, but RX 300 first defined the concept, and then legitimized it as “the next big thing” in the automotive market.

1989 BMW 5 Series – The Ultimate Performance/Luxury Sedan

The 1989 5 Series is considered the car’s third generation; it was really the first all-new model to arrive since nameplate’s introduction in 1972. Unlike 1982 redesign, which retained much of the original 5′s components, the 1989 5 Series was fully redesigned and tremendously enhanced. The all-new structure rode on independent, multilink rear suspension and new MacPherson strut front suspension, which offered unparalleled combination of refinement and agility. The 5 Series was powered by either 2.5-liter inline six 168-horsepower or 3.5 liter inline six 204-horsepower engine. In the year 1991, BMW added 310 horsepower M5 to the lineup, completing 5 Series’ role as ultimate performance/luxury sedan of the era.

1966 Dodge Charger

The 1966 Dodge Charger answered the call by borrowing Coronet’s unibody structure and bolting on fastback, swoopy body, 2+2 seating with full-length center console and fold-away headlights. This was the first year you could buy Chrysler’s famed 426 Hemi, 425-horsepower conservatively rated pure race motor thinly disguised as production car powerplant.

Popularity: 1% [?]