Stylin' in '88!

[Payman]

[Cookie Monster]

Great thread. I went with the MR-2, mainly because I've always loved that car, but looks-wise I think the Conquest/Starion and Fiero are also fantastic looking cars.

[Payman]

I'd love to find a Conquest/Starion in cherry condition.

[Cookie Monster]

I'd love to find a Conquest/Starion in cherry condition.

Same. Part of the reason I love them is because they look so much like one of my favorite looking Porsches - the 944.

[Laconian]

I would take the Dodge if we could call it a Starion.

HUNG LIKE A STARION


But given that this is year was the swan song of the Fiero GT, that probably snags the honors. It was a good looking car for the entire run, though. It almost looks better than the 2nd gen MR2!

[CALL_911]

Out of all of them, I want the MR-2 the most, but the Starion looks the best.

[Payman]

The XT6 was batshit crazy, but with AWD and 2600 lbs, it was quite the track car.

[Cookie Monster]

Did the XT6 come with a manual or was it lame like the SVX?

[Payman]

Did the XT6 come with a manual or was it lame like the SVX?

IIRC, a 5-speed was available.

[Laconian]

That asymmetrical wheel just kills me. Centering the wheel must be really confusing - looks like I'd move it 45 degrees CW just to keep the bottom spokes centered.

[Cookie Monster]

That asymmetrical wheel just kills me. Centering the wheel must be really confusing - looks like I'd move it 45 degrees CW just to keep the bottom spokes centered.

The one thumb grip on the left side of the wheel is irritating the shit out of me.

[Laconian]

What a crazy car.

gota-qik-something had an XT of his own.

[Speed_Racer]

MR2! '88 was the year they started making the Supercharged version.

[SVT666]

Fiero.

[Onslaught]

MR-2. I wouldn't take the rest if you gave me one.

[hotrodalex]

Fiero because of the looks, but I'd take an MR2 as well.

[Speed_Racer]

Man, the 80s sure were an awkward time as far as Japanese car design goes.

[Onslaught]

Man, the 80s sure were an awkward time as far as Japanese car design goes.

No more then any other country. US cars looked (and ran) like shit then.

[Madman]

Merkur XR4Ti for me.  I had one and would love to have another.

[MX793]

88 was the year GM finally figured the Fiero out.  Lotus-tuned suspension, good looks (I'm particularly fond of the "fastback" like the one shown).  The engine could have been better, but for the time the 2.8 V6 wasn't completely awful.  If I had time, space, money, tools, and know-how (I know, I'm asking for too much), I'd love to take an '88 Fiero and swap the original 2.8 for a newer 3.4L DOHC (same block design).

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The XT6 was batshit crazy, but with AWD and 2600 lbs, it was quite the track car.

I spent 7 years in that interior (85-91 it was my moms till she sold it to me) and that why it gets my vote! I also owned a '85 MR2 but while it was the better driver it didn't have the "wow" factor of my XT.

[cawimmer430]

I voted for the Ford Sierra Cosworth (Merkur XR4Ti) because I always liked the design as a kid. It's still a good-looking car today.

In second place is the Mitsubishi Starion. My neighbor in the Philippines had a red one and I remember drooling over it. In the '80s that kind of styling was "cool" but these days it looks terrible. Still - sentimental value to me.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The one thumb grip on the left side of the wheel is irritating the shit out of me.

It wasn't bad at all! Much better than the steering wheel in the 1980 Buick I had before it!

[Payman]

I voted for the Ford Sierra Cosworth (Merkur XR4Ti) because I always liked the design as a kid. It's still a good-looking car today.

In second place is the Mitsubishi Starion. My neighbor in the Philippines had a red one and I remember drooling over it. In the '80s that kind of styling was "cool" but these days it looks terrible. Still - sentimental value to me.

I think it still looks great today. In many ways it's comparable to the BRZ/FR-S... 188hp, RWD, light, and easy to dorifto around corners.

[AutobahnSHO]

that Subie looks like garbage on the outside. My least liked design of theirs----   Ever.

[2o6]

Wasnt the XT slow as ever, though? I thought it obly had like 130 HP.

[Payman]

Wasnt the XT slow as ever, though? I thought it obly had like 130 HP.

7-8 seconds in the '80's was as acceptable as 5-6 seconds today for a sporty car. The GM F-bodies (Camaro/Firebird) ran 0-60 in 7.4 secs in top level (IROC-Z/Trans Am) trim.

The XT6's combination of light weight, AWD, and electric assist hydraulic steering added up to an excellent track car for the day.

[68_427]

The Starion/Conquest are badass looking.  Always wanted one.

[Speed_Racer]

No more then any other country. US cars looked (and ran) like shit then.

Agreed. Though US cars were straight ugly/tacky. Japanese cars were ugly but also weird for the sake of being weird.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Wasnt the XT slow as ever, though? I thought it obly had like 130 HP.

Tha base model was peppy but far from fast. IIRC the Turbo had 110hp while the XT6 had 145HP. I don't think the base made more than 100hp.