Monday, April 16, 2012

RA Scion - BEGXBORROWXSTEAL

RA Scion - The Water (prod. by Sabzi)

The Pharcyde - Splattitorium

The Pharcyde - Otha Fish

88 cars I aspire to own (Repost from Amin)

88 cars I aspire to own

Every self-respecting car guy has a mental or written list of Dream cars. Cars that they'd like to test out and drive for themselves, even of just once. But they all know that most of these cars are impractical to own, and wouldn't fit into their daily lives. So they don't consider owning them due to their high maintenance, insurance, initial cost and compromised usability.

But this is my list of cars, that I want to OWN. This will be my sin in this world, my overspending. Estimated total value is 8.5 million dollars for the cars, plus approximately 1.5 million dollars to build a facility to properly store them all in. I'm not gonna have a fancy house, or a yacht, or tons of valuables, but I'm going to spend 10 million dollars on cars. Every single car on this list has been carefully selected, and has strong reason for being on this list. And every car that isn't also has been considered and rejected with strong reasoning. This list is complete. All these cars are legends in their own respect, and they have earned their spot on this list, and in my heart. These cars are the best ambassadors of my passion.

Here's the run down


1- 1993 Acura NSX

This car can be considered the reason that Ferraris and Lamborghini's today are what they are today. It gave them a run for their money in every possible way, and that 3.0 liter 6 revs so gloriously that you need an excuse NOT to get it.



2- 2011 Ariel Atom

The final words in pure driving. Stripped of everything that is not needed, including doors, windscreen, body panels etc, this is just engine, chassis and driver. Amazingly fast too!



3- 2011 Aston Martin DBS

No collection would be complete without an Aston, and the DBS is my favourite one. Typically gorgeous body lines, manual transmission, and sports body package, best Aston in history.



4- 1988 Audi Quattro

The car that brought AWD from the SUV's to the roads. The grandfather of all Evo's and WRX STI's, it is historically significant.




5- 2012 Audi R8 (V10 / Spyder)

Audi's super car for the masses. Drop dead sexy, amazing balance and power, just an all round beauty, and a modern legend.



6- 2011 Audi TT

One of the best looking cars on the road, the TT represents freedom and the joy of driving. Not the fastest, or most luxurious, or most practical, but one of the best all rounders.



7- 1969 BMW 2002 1600i


Arguably the car that started BMW's mission in being the Ultimate driving machine. This car was a joy to handle, and with the 1.6 liter engine, it was also more powerful than many of the cars of that era. A great classis.



8- 2005 BMW M3


My favourite 3 series generation, the E46 M3 is still one of the most sought after sports cars, so much so that new manufacturers still benchmark their cars against it. My love for this may also have been accentuated by Need for Speed Most Wanted..



9- 2010 BMW M3 couple


The first and most likely last 8 cylinder 3 series, this one is a keeper.




















10- 2011 BMW X6M


The sheer absurdity of this car is the reason to own it. 550 horsepower and faster than a Mustang GT500, and its a friggin SUV. It's also a dying breed.



11- 2010 BMW M5


Again, the first and most likely the last 10 cylinder 5 series. Also, I just like the way this one looks way more than the new generation.




















12- 2000 BMW Z8


James Bond had one. Enough said.



13- 1987 Buick Grand National GNX


Turbo-charged 3.8 liter V6 made this car as fast as some of the Ferrari's of the time. One of the very first true "sleepers". Also made an appearance in Fast and Furious 5.




















14- 1941 Cadillac Sixty Special


One of the all time classics, this car marked the shift from carriage style to closed body. Super luxurious too, with electric windows, automatic transmission, sunroof etc.



15- 1975 Chevrolet Blazer Convertible


Its a Blazer. It has such a great, towering presence, amazing off road abilities and the cherry on top is that its convertible. Rare to find too!



















16- 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle


One of the all time classic American Muscle cars, with beautiful lines and several appearances in movies, like Fast and Furious.



17- 1960 Chevrolet Corvette


Just look at it. It's absolutely gorgeous. The beginning of one of the most legendary brands in American sports cars history, this is the car that America sends to comparisons with Ferrari's, and this model is the grandfather of them all.



















18- 1965 Chevrolet Corvette


Everyone wants the Stingray from the 70's, but this one is just more special in my opinion. Very futuristic design for its time, it defined characteristics and design languages that are still seen in Corvettes today.



19- 1977 Chevrolet Camaro SS


The original Bumblebee from Transformers. Also one of the cars I grew up lusting after and admiring in Iran.



















20- 2005 Chevrolet SSR


It's a rear wheel drive pickup truck, with a convertible hard top roof, classic 20's design and a corvette engine. And if that wasn't enough, it was only in production for a couple of years. Absolutely unique!



21- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Bumblebee Special Edition


If you're gonna have the original one, you should also have the second one! This car also marked the return of the Camaro to the market after an 8 year hiatus.

















22- 1975 Citroen 2CV


The iconic classic French car, that is featured in so many movies. Any romantic movie filmed in Paris is likely to include this car.



23- 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T


The original challenger from the amazing movie Vanishing point. Steve McQueen drove this car in one of the most memorable car chases in hollywood.



















24- 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8


The muscle car reborn. This car has such amazing presence, and remains oh so faithful to the original design. It is undeniably already a collectible.



25- 2009 Dodge Viper ACR


8.4 liter V10, with 600 horsepowers. Need I say more?


















26- 2012 Fiat 500


A modern rebirth of the a classic, this car is literally as cute as a baby's shoe. It's about the same size too. It just has the same appeal and charisma as a Mini, and that's why it deserves a place on this list.



28- 1933 Ford Coupe


The iconic image of the pre World War cars, it has a charm and appeal that simply lies in the way they look. Oh those curves...



















28- 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra'


An amazing racing pedigree makes this car another worthwhile addition. Pure driving enjoyment, with no frills or extra equipment started here.



29- 1973 Ford Mustang


The car that the current Mustang generation is designed after, the last of the good mustangs until perhaps the early 2000's. Most people like the 1965 model, but I just think this has its own charms that most people fail to see.



















30- 2005 Ford Thunderbird


Another modern interpretation of a classic car, the Thunderbird name is associated with evening cruises in Los Angeles, with the top down. It was discontinued, making it a rare find as well.



31- 1990 Ferrari F40


It's a Ferrari F40. The last car to be commissioned by Enzo Ferrari himself. The first road legal car to break the 200mph barrier. Need I say more?



32- 1998 Ferrari F50


My first remote control car was a Ferrari F50 that my cousin bought for me from Ukraine. It is also the successor to the F40.



33- 2007 Ferrari F430


No explanations needed. One of the most sublime driving experiences in the world.



34- 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia


Perfection, perfected.



35- 2013 Fisker Karma


Possibly the best looking four door sedan in the world. It's a range extended electric car with solar panels on the roof to recharge the batteries, along with a tiny gas engine to extend the distance you can travel with one charge/tank and not have to worry.



36- 2007 Honda S2000


For a long time, the engine in this car had the highest horsepower output per liter. Making 240 hp out of a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine, it was only recently trumped by the Ferrari 458 Italia.



37- 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan


A practical, 4 door efficient compact car that suddenly transforms into a screaming high revving sports car north of 6000 rpm. Also the last generation of the 4 door civics with this awesome engine.



38- 2006 Hummer H2


These cars just have that cool factor. Tough, Rough and Tank like.



39- 1980 Iran Khodro Peykan


Iran's original national car, this car was the very first car to bring modern transportation to the masses, and remained extremely popular for decades, including a second generation model (see below). It was also the first car I rode in - my grandfathers car taking us back home from the hospital after I was born.



40- 2000 Iran Khodro Peykan


The first new car my family bought. The first car I was in an accident with. The car that I have my oldest memory of . Also possibly the worst car ever =P



41- 2004 Iran Khodro Samand


Iran's pride and joy, the first fully in house developed vehicle to be produced in Iran. My dad had a business creating and painting an interior dash panel for these cars, which I ran for about a year when he went to Canada.


42- 2011 Jaguar XK


Jaguar's XK is their halo car. It's like a bargain version of an Aston Martin, and the technology and styling language introduced on this car finally began to trickle down to their mainstream models, marking the return of Jaguar as a competent player in the luxury vehicles market.



43- 2011 Jaguar XF-R


Let me just describe the start up process in this car. You approach the car and the proximity sensor unlocks the doors. You step inside, and there is a red button on the dash, that is glowing on and off, throbbing like a heart. You press the button, the 5.0 liter V8 engine roars to power. The hidden vents swivel to reveal themselves, and a small knob rises out of the center console; this is your gear selector.



44- 1974 Jeep Cherokee


The original road trip car. This car is all about cross country trips with your buddies in the back, stereo on and windows rolled down, with a cooler full of drinks in the back. There is something so refreshing and cool about it.




45- 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4 door


One of my dream cars ever since I was a boy. This is a car made for the adventurous and just being in it automatically makes you cool. The roof and the doors can be removed to bring you closer to the elements, and its off roading is second to none. It doesnt hurt that it comes with a 6 speed manual and has a new Pentastar V6 either!



46- 2010 Kia Soul


The best looking boxy car on the market today, that actually manages to look good and be practical as well. Really the car that changed Kia's image in the North American market this decade, with features like lit speakers that glow to the beat of your tunes.



47- 2010 Koenigsegg CCX


One of the top performing cars in the world, but also one of the most exclusive. With its own quirks such as the specialty doors and start up sequence, not to mention the name, this Swedish super car is definitely one of the most unique and sought after cars in this collection.



48- 1980 Lamborghini Countach


In 1980, this car was the equivalent of a spaceship, with wedge shape styling that was never seen before. It caused such an uproar, and traces of its design language still live on in current Lamborghinis.



49- 1993 Lamborghini Diablo


As with the 2 Ferrari's, the next 3 cars require no description. This though, was the remote control car my cousin had and I raced against in my F50.



50- 2012 Lamborghini Aventador


The biggest, baddest, most powerful "mainstream" Lamborghini ever made, with styling inspired from the jaw dropping Reventon.



51- 2011 Land Rover Range Rover


One of the most iconic and durable cars in history. Range Rovers have always been an amazing blend of style, amenities, durability and cachet, nearly unmatched by any other SUV manufacturer. They look really badass too.



52- 2013 Land Rover Evoque


Possibly the best looking SUV ever. Menacing, luxurious, visually appealing, powerful and even environmentally friendly. Also has an amazing interior. This really marks Land Rover's transition to the 21st century, and introduces a totally new design language.



53- 1969 Lincoln Continental


The signature Mafia car. Just seeing this car roll up would be enough to bring back every God Father scene that involved a car. Its just so gangster, and the real gangsters at that.



54- 2010 Lotus Exige S


Light. That's the keyword with Lotus, and this car is basically a tiny pocket rocket that handles like a dream. It might not be that fastest thing around, and its also ridiculously tiny, but throw it into the bend and none of that will ever have mattered.


55- 2010 Maserati GranTurismo S


What would a car collection be without a Maserati, the affordable Italian exotic. The GranTurismo S is Maserati's flagship model and it is simply stunning to behold. Drives great too, but the main appeal, is the aural pleasure from the Ferrari inspired V8.



56- 1993 Mazda Miata


The light weight roadster that is the best selling one of its kind in the world. It represents fun driving, in every possible aspect. Tossable, quirky and convertible, its sales are still going strong some 30 years later



57- 1996 McLaren F1


World's fastest car for quite some time, the McLaren F1 was the Veyron of the 90's and early 2000's. The visceral feel and experience of the naturally aspirated engine is something you just can't get with the heavyweight, quad turbo 16 cylinder Veyron.



58- 2010 McLaren MP4-12C


The first car McLaren has made on their own since the F1, it is another marvel of engineering. Carbon Fiber tub, 3.8 liter V8 engine made by McLaren themselves among numerous others, pit this car directly against the Ferrari 458 Italia.



59- 1956 Mercedes Benz 300SL


The inspiration for the new SLS, this car was the pinnacle of it all in 1956. It had things like an fuel injected engine, and a tubular chassis inspired by racing cars, that forced an alternate design for the doors, which were to become the signature of this car in automotive history.



60- 1974 Mercedes Benz 230.4


My dad owned one of these in Iran. There is just so many memories with this car that it is impossible not to include it in my collection. It was large enough that my ten year old frame could lie across the backseat without touching the doors on either side. It could also hit 200km/h, and it was as stable and reassuring at that speed as other cars were at 80, even when it blew a tire.... as we found out first hand.



61- 1979 Mercedes Benz 450SL


This one has a back story. My mom's uncle owns it already, and that's the I want. It's gold, and unlike any other example, has a 5 speed automatic. It was custom made for Iran's queen, and was purchased by my mom's uncle after the revolution over threw the monarchy. As well, it is a true classic, and was the longest running generation of the legendary SL series.



62- 2009 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Stirling


The most exclusive, the most unique and the craziest looking SLR variation. It doesn't even have a windshield! SLR's were Mercedes Benz's halo car until the arrival of the SLS, and well, this is the halo of the halos.



63- 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG


Looks like a bullet flying through the air. The first 4 door coupe to arrive in the market, and still the most beautiful. This car is like a rolling piece of art.



64- 2009 Mercedes Benz G Class


This car, can go from 0 to 100km/h as fast as a Dodge Challenger SRT-8, and yet it is as capable as a Wrangler off road, with the ability to climb an incline at 80 degrees!!! And yet when you look at it, you'd never be able to tell.



65- 2012 Mercedes Benz S Class


This car just screams power and class. Also the pinnacle of automotive technology, it even pioneered features such as night vision. The AMG versions are also extremely fast, able to outpace many dedicated sports cars. An amazing all round car.



66- 2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG


The modern reincarnation of the original 300SL, even maintaining the iconic Gullwing doors. Instant Classic! Just look at it, it's simply gorgeous. Also has the world's most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine. Doesn't get much better than that.



67- 1985 Mini Cooper


Mr. Bean's car. The picture says it all.





68- 1970 Mini Pickup


Every day on my way to school I'd pass this car, parked on the street corner. So tiny, it was the right size for me when I was 10. It is so special, both in its form factor and its availability.



69- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X


Often touted as the baby GT-R, this car is just ridiculously fast. For under 50 grand, this car can keep up with cars almost 10 times its price. It also looks menacing to say the least, and is even practical as a 4 door sedan.



70- 2007 Nissan 350Z


I just don't like the new one, it looks too much like a chicken. The older generation has simple clean lines, amazing customizability and was featured in Fast and Furious Tokyo drift. It's a very good value for a world class sports car.



71- 2012 Nissan Murano CC


A convertible, all wheel drive, 2 door ... SUV? Why not? This car is just weird and unique enough to earn a place on this list.



72- 2012 Nissan GT-R


Under 100 grand and under 3 seconds 0-100km/h acceleration times make this car the average Joe's Veyron. For about 5% of the Veyron's cost, you get 90% of the performance ( and let's face it, the extra 10 percent is unachievable for 99.99% of people). Does praise get any higher than that?



73- 2000 Peugeot 206 1.6


This is the very first car I seriously wanted to own. It looks great when customized and I really like the aggressive looks. As well, the 1.6 liter engine provides more power and makes it faster than most of the cars on the road (in Iran anyway).



74- 2008 Pagani Zonda


This car is up there with SLRs, Murcielagos and other other hyper cars, but takes its own unique approach to the equation by putting a huge focus on the visceral experience. It's astonishing.



75- 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda


Another classic American muscle candidate, the name is almost synonymous with the 70's for gear heads. It's just too cool a car not to have.



76- 2003 Pontiac Aztek


Arguably the world's ugliest car, the Aztek had an identity crisis. It didn't know whether it was a minivan, an SUV, a hatchback or a station wagon. It was something though, and it's uniqueness makes it a worthy candidate for this collection.



77- 2006 Porsche Carrera GT


Porsche's Halo car, it is an absolute masterpiece of engineering, and marked the beginning of a new era for Porsche.



78- 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS


There are a lot of 911 variants, but this one is the purest of them all. No AWD or Turbo or even radio. This is as close to a racing 911 as you can get from the factory. It looks the part too.



79- 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo


A legendary icon of performance cars. It's not like the new versions look much different anyways, so might as well get the original beast, with its famous loose rear end and whale tail spoiler.



80- 1982 Renault 5


The car that brought affordable transportation to the Middle East and Eastern European countries during the oil crisis of the 80's. The spirit of the 5 still lives on in Renault's current lineup.



81- 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom


A Rolls Royce is simply the ultimate indication of status, power, and financial success, and the Phantom is at the top of the Rolls Royce line. Umbrellas in the doors, retracting statue on the grill, never reversing Rolls Royce branding on the wheels are just some of the examples of the extremely high attention to detail.

82- 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet


The smallest mainstream car on sale in this decade by far. It's unique proportions and surprisingly roomy interior, coupled with the fun factor earn it a spot on this list.



83- 2006 Toyota MR2 Turbo


Mid engined and rear wheel drive convertible. No it's not a Boxter, its a Toyota! Really? Toyota is making this? Alas no, it's been discontinued, which makes it even more collectible.



84- 1996 Toyota Supra


One of the favourite cars for tuners, the Supra was the pinnacle of Toyota's performance cars until the recent arrival of the LF-A. It had amazing performance and was one of the cars that really put the term drifting on the map.



85- 2007 TVR Sagaris


A lesser known brand from the UK, their cars are very aggressively designed and very rare as well. Excellent drivers' cars too!



86- 1963 Volkswagen Beetle


The second coming of the people's car after the Ford Model T. This car however was in production for much longer and can be found in every single corner of the world. Also the star of Herbie!



87- 1969 Volkswagen Microbus


One of the most iconic cars of its era, it is absolutely fantastic! A whole generation was defined by this car.



88- 1978 Volkswagen Golf GTI


This is the very first Hot Hatch, a new class of cars that combined driving enjoyment, with affordability and practicality. This is what started it all.


Posted by Amin Sharifi on 11:38 PM

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