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(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2429618040_c8e1cbc89e_o.jpg)

(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2010/06/12/04/53/1988_pontiac_fiero_gt-pic-9191428790460728961.jpeg)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aes6NJEh_jo/T2hp-80dw5I/AAAAAAAACAM/0UibZCQtHTM/s1600/Subaru-Alcyone_1985_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg)

(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2009/07/09/18/33/1988-toyota-mr2-pic-19015.jpeg)

(http://clunkbucket.com/wp-content/uploads/merkur-xr4ti-lead.jpg)

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.

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

Quote from: Rockraven on December 27, 2012, 06:07:43 PM
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.

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

HUNG LIKE A STARION
(http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Starion-ad.png)

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!

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

(http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/alcyonedash.jpg)

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

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

Quote from: thecarnut on December 27, 2012, 06:28:12 PM
Did the XT6 come with a manual or was it lame like the SVX?

IIRC, a 5-speed was available.

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.

Quote from: Laconian on December 27, 2012, 06:31:27 PM
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.

What a crazy car. :lol:

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

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

Fiero.

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

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

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

Quote from: Speed_Racer on December 27, 2012, 09:27:51 PM
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.

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

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).

Quote from: Rockraven on December 27, 2012, 06:23:54 PM
(http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/alcyonedash.jpg)

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.

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.

Quote from: thecarnut on December 27, 2012, 06:36:44 PM
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!

Quote from: cawimmer430 on December 28, 2012, 07:04:42 AM
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.

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

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

Quote from: 2o6 on December 28, 2012, 10:04:02 AM
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.

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

Quote from: Onslaught on December 27, 2012, 09:33:33 PM
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.

Quote from: 2o6 on December 28, 2012, 10:04:02 AM
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.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 28, 2012, 09:46:04 AM
that Subie looks like garbage on the outside. My least liked design of theirs----   Ever.

I think it ok. Everyone thought mine was a Prelude.

Fiero and it's not even close.

Quote from: MX793 on December 28, 2012, 06:57:46 AM
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).

A coworker of mine did that (swapped in a 3.4 DOHC V6). His Fiero is easily the nicest I have ever seen.

What was the wow factor in the XT?

Northstar Fieros are the shit.

Quote from: Laconian on December 28, 2012, 01:13:05 PM
What was the wow factor in the XT?

Quote from: Rockraven on December 27, 2012, 06:23:54 PM
(http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/alcyonedash.jpg)

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

Quote from: Laconian on December 28, 2012, 01:13:05 PM
What was the wow factor in the XT?

Along with the interior (especially that sterring wheel and the pods) it had lots of things that were unheard (in an affordable car) of back in '85. The dash and pods moved with the tilt steering column, It only had 1 windshield wiper, AWD (wich was unheard of in a sporty car like the XT) and the fact that is was a Subaru stunned the shit outta people! At the time Subaru made high riding 4X4 sedans and wagons. Not low slung sports coupes like the XT.

Starion, EASY. I knew as soon as I saw the picture

Quote from: thecarnut on December 27, 2012, 06:09:24 PM
Same. Part of the reason I love them is because they look so much like one of my favorite looking Porsches - the 944.

:wub:

MR2, but it's hard not to vote for the StariQuest or the MerWorth. The Subie is really cool, too, and I like the nicer Fieros. This thread does not belong in Jalopies, IMO.

Fiero. My neighbor has one and it's fairly mint condition. Still sounds pretty good too.