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1976 Datsun 240z. I would want to give it all modern internals, but that body design is perfection in my eyes.
If I had unlimited money I would basically pull the engine and drivetrain out of a 5th Gen supra and cram it in there.
All I need is like 200k in cars, parts and labor then my dream can be a reality lol
'59 peugeot 403 convertible 
1930 Deusenberg Model J
Lotus Elise in attention whore yellow
except I can actually fit in it. total dream.
There are so many cars I want.
There are sooooo many more...they are ALL my dream car. All of them, in some special way.
Jaguar XJ220 in the OG silver or British Racing Green
If we're dreaming, how about a TWR XJ220s ? Gorgeous.
Pretty stoked about Aptera.
As far as cars that are currently available go, maybe the Audi R8.
The R8 is so cool. Understated awesome.
Used to lust after the R34 Skyline as a kid. Interests have shifted a little, but still remains JDM at heart with a strong desire for a nice kei-car/van; something like an Autozam AZ-1 or something like a Suzuki Every.
Having driven a Geo Metro for a couple hundred thousand miles (350k on the odometer when I sold it for what I paid for it after having having driven it for 250k~ of those miles myself) I have a strong like for Suzuki products.
I have a few different categories of dream car:
Realistic daily: GR86/BRZ
Realistic sports/weekend car: C6 Corvette
Unrealistic: a brand new Porsche 911 GT3
A car with open schematics, simple mechanic, no computerized bs other than basic engine control and good blind spot cameras. And good room inside. That's all
The right answer! Cars are filled so much computer bull shit it's unbelievable. It is to feel "luxurious" but all people need is mechanical tuned cars that will just work. Not a disposable, which ironically isn't good for the environment, which the entire point of electrifying is saving the environment. 🫠
Pagani Huayra. Whoever thought of putting active aero flaps on the hood so the driver can see them is a GOD.
From my youth: 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1
From my 20's: I started autocrossing at age 19 with a 1985 Corolla GT-S. Which for those that know Toyotas, know that the Corolla GT-S was the North American version of the AE86. Which is ONE of the greatest platforms Toyota has made. It ended up being my favorite car that I've ever owned. Adjustable struts/shocks, sway bars that would look at home on a semi truck and Hoosier tires. Plus some minor mods on the engine, which was also used in the MR2 of that era (4A-GE). It was a ferocious little car and I won a lot of autocross events with it. I was even keeping up with some of the MR2's, which at that time (late 80's) were the greatest autocrossing cars on the track.
Now that I'm in my 50's, having participated in multiple forms of auto sports, then left that for skydiving... My opinion about cars is this:
A "fast" car is just less slow that its competitors.
Given that I've been north of 225mph with NOTHING around me except for a parachute. Cars are booooooring.
I'm currently on the lookout for a 90's Subaru Domingo with the right specs. I might need to bite the bullet and partner up with an importer, though.
Maybe one day an R32 skyline.
If money was no object, a Lancia Stratos would be it. It looks so sick.
One that got away was the FD RX7. 1993-1995 in the US.
I mostly own my current dream car even though I've had it 8 years now
Realistically, Mazda MX5 (Miata). But I want the hard top trim. I don’t really care much about the convertible aspect, I just like how the car looks.
El Camino SS. I'm flexible on the year, I don't mind the boxy look of the 80s models I just want that sweet ute style.
There was a very good condition one for sale near me a while back for $4,500, but it seemed too good to be true so I passed on inquiring about it. Plus I don't really have the place to put it or the spare cash to spend, but once I get a place with a garage you bet your ass I'm buying one.
Eventually when I retire to Brazil or decide to just abandon the US I'll get one of those Fiat Strada's and put a better motor in it. There's tons down there.
80s, 90s, and early 2000s cars peaked in styling! 😎
I've always dug the Renault r5 turbo
Apparently they're making a new one but electric (so not actually turbo but whatever) which looks pretty bonkers
Nissan 300ZX, only car I've ever thought looked stunningly beautiful
The 300zx is one of Nissan's coolest sport cars, besides the silvia ofc ;) . It's a shame that the latest Z is almost corvette territory prices because of those damn dealer markups!
The twins are so beautiful! I have a 2017 BRZ in blue and always enjoy it when someone appreciates them.
Yoooo 🫡🫡🫡 brz gang les goo!!
Kudos to Mazda, Toyota, and Subaru for making fun, cheap, rwd sport cars. Don't forget to check your oil! ;)
1995 Toyota Hilux
Bro i wish Toyota was allowed to produce the Hilux here. Such a reliable truck, so many Americans would benefit from it. It pisses me more and more that us Americans won't get the toyota hilux champ.
The Toyota pickup is a damn good second, always has been, since it was the same vehicle without diesel. Even today a Taco is a great vehicle (though a diesel would make it so much better).
Though I'd love a current HiLux diesel. What a slow and steady beast.
I’m going to pick mine up from the mechanic right now: A manual VW GTI
She’s only got a 2.0L but with a custom intake and exhaust she’s quick and fun but still functional.
A cherry version of my first car, a 76 cutlass supreme.
Barring that, a 57 bel air. It's essentially the most beautiful car ever designed for my tastes.
RIP oldsmobile 🙏
An imaginary version of the old Wrangler that gets good mpg. I loved driving my '93 Wrangler to anywhere but the gas station
Toyota 2000gt resto mod.
LS swapped Jeep Wrangler limited (TJ). With lots of other modifications.
Audi RS6 avant.
Family wagon that can also hunt supercars with a few mods.
I used to own a 2014 Ford Flex (Titanium trim). It started to wear down and eventually would have cost more to fix than it was worth.
If I could get an updated version of that vehicle, ideally with an EV conversion, I would be so happy. I ended up getting a 2024 Ford Edge, which is fine and came with a 0% interest promo, but is comparatively very disappointing. I tried to get an Explorer, which does appear to be a modernized Flex, but I live in a rural area and there were none realistically nearby given that it was a somewhat urgent situation.
Geez do I miss the Flex every time I leave my house.
Also, I suspect that this answer doesn't fit the general vibe of this thread, but I'm answering the question literally so I'm sticking with it.
edit: I do also own and enjoy a '79 Corvette, in case that helps with the last part! It used to be my dream car, but also it serves a very different purpose from what my Flex did.
The pink one.
I've wanted a pickup truck since I was a little kid. Specifically all black murdered out one. Now I have it - 2007 Nissan Navara King Cab with a camper shell and I love everything about it (except that it's rusting faster than I can keep up fixing it)
What's surprising to me is how much attention and compliments it gets from other people. I don't live in the US but pickups aint that rare here either - granted most of them are more or less stock while mine is slighly modded. I have people coming up to me at parking lots asking about it, kids are giving me thumbs up when I drive by and my customers are constantly commenting on it. I didn't want a big american truck as I prefer to keep low profile and not draw too much attention but apparently I just as well could have.
Toyota Alphard van, ideally the Vellfire version because it looks even cooler.
Minivans are seen as lame and boring in the US/CA markets, because that’s all we had for a generation. Dodge caravans, windstars, uplanders, siennas, ugh. All boring, blob-like, uninspiring, uncomfy, and profoundly uncool. Luxury was only for Mercedes sedans and hulking Escalade SUVs.
But JDM vans absolutely rule. Doilies on the headrests. Pop-out footrests. Recliners. Curtains. More speakers than you can count. Cool body lines. Leather and wood absolutely everywhere. It’s like a limo you can park anywhere but still shag in.
But alas they’re exceptionally rare in North America, and difficult to import unless you go for a very old one. Maybe someday I’ll import one if I have the time and money for a silly van…
A Renault Master MWB van. Tall enough to stand up inside of, wide enough to fit a 3 seat sofa or 2 pallets, and short enough that it fits in any regular parking spot. Ultimate practicality. I'm lucky enough to already own and daily drive my dream car.
Only thing that would make it better is if it was electric.
[USA] To mirror your TC goal, I'd say my "buy it now" car was probably the Mercury Marauder. Simply speaking, a Mustang Cobra engine stuck into a Crown Vic pursuit. If you're under 25 and/or non-American, you probably didn't experience the Panther body being THE police car for a decade. However, I never bought one. I inherited a Lincoln LS and have had it over 10 years. An American take on the European look, less power, and superb handling make it lovable to me.
My version of your FeBReZeS dream is probably a Pontiac G8//Chevy Caprice pursuit/Chevy SS. Again, simply speaking, a corvette engine stuck in an Australian family sedan, but with decent handling. While less enticing this far past production, I'd throw Mercedes E55 or early E63 into this cohort.
Unobtainable dream: Anything from Pagani (engineered art) or Koenigsegg (artistic engineering). Jaguar XJ220 is in there as well.
Under, say, $200k USD currently? 99ish Viper GTS, obviously in blue with white stripes. The 2016 Viper is in there too as what I consider an acceptable homage to the original shape. I've also come around on the Gallardo. I just love the sound of a V10, especially one that's odd-firing such as the Viper or half the Gallardos.
Honorable mentions: Jaguar F-type. While the V8 sounds amazing, I'd probably choose a V6 manual since the cars on this list are meant to maximize enjoyment, not necessarily practical or the fastest around a track. Powerful cars haven't been as enticing since I picked up a few motorcycles. 1969 Mustang is easily my favorite year ever. 1967 Ford Galaxie has some excellent body lines IMO. Lotus Elise. Probably Amy Porsche 911, assuming the 2006 I drove was representative of the excellent driver dynamics present in all 911s.
I’d like to do an electric conversion on a first or second Gen Cadillac Series 62 or Buick Super. It would be an incredibly expensive mortal sin, but I can dream.
