90s were the best years

[H3XME]

"1989 was the year, when Japanese cars suddenly changed and became world class, on another level.  I would almost argue that it marked an era when Japanese cars caught up to German and American innovations, and took the lead perhaps for a time.

It was the period of couple of years when the Nissan R32 GT-R redefined racing AWD platform, so that the AWD was not only just a traction enhancement idea, but that of sports handling tuning device. A feature to harness more power to the contact patch in extreme torque applications at high speed on asphalt, but more importantly, to retain certain sets of the more classical handing parameters that was unprecedented, and allowed drivers to really engage without most of the handling quirks of AWD systems to date.  

It was also the time when Lexus LS400 first debuted and reinvented the price structure of a luxury sedan, and broke the ceiling on minimal vibration, noise, reliability, and efficient delivery of power for this class of cars. If the Nissan RB26 and the Toyota 2JZ-GTE defined the upper tiers of classic engines in the stratospheric levels of durability in performance cars during this time, the LS400's 1UZ-FE was certainly a new generation of V8 engines that silently baffled the best engineers of the time, with the sheer lack of noise, and physics-defying efficiency, then unknown to buyers of 3 ton class luxury sedans.

It was also the year when NSX debuted as Japan's first true modern supercar, and it also redefined the nature of these cars from something only intrinsically cool, and delicate, to something reliable, easy, very light and agile, and enhancing the role to more regular use and dependability.
A couple of years later in 1992, the NSX Type R, introduced a whole new generation of performance engine choice of unprecedented racing influence in mundane cars from Honda, and trickled to Integra and Civics that re-wrote the capability ceiling for front drive car performance in true naturally aspirated driver-engagement and not just in numbers. 

Mazda also came in with the MX5 Roadster, commonly referred to as the Miata in this period too, and the old European classics that were disappearing had another life to live, vicariously through this single car that became the most popular sports car of all time."

 

I don't think we'll ever see the birth of iconic cars like this again. 

[Cotswold Pete]

My first experience of a Jap car was the 4th Gen Datsun Cherry in 1983 (only had it for a week while my Ford Escort was being repaired), I hated it.  My next experience of a Jap car was 1994 in an LS400.  Blown away (though took me until 2008 to actually own an LS).

Totally agree with the sentiments of this post, and even though I now own a Merc I still advise most people who ask that if you want a car that is relaible it has to be a Jap car.  Not sure when the other Far East manufacturers will catch up.

I would add (though) I used to have Honda as a client and visiting their (now gone) Swindon site felt a bit like being in a movie where no one could step out of line, a little creepy if you ask me.

On  the supercar front been in quite a few, always a thrill whethe and Evo or NSX or even a Chimera, but never wanted to own one.

[Linas.P]

That was the best decade not even from Japanese car perspective, but arguably overall in terms of quality of live. 

Sadly, I have not really lived in the time to benefit from it.... 😞 

[Malc1]

Each and every decade seemed pretty good to me …… it’s only quite recently …… this past decade or two, that Japanese quality cars have manifestly outshone the rest …… but it’s all personal opinion …… Toyota / Lexus   Honda. Mazda. Mitsubishi have climbed that credibility ladder throwing the rest of car production reliability asunder imho

i think Kia is now amazingly good, even great too …… 7 yr warranties that rarely need to be used ! 

Malc 

[Mr Vlad]

Sorry Lucas you're one decade out lol. The 80's were the best by far. Much less traffic on the road which meant we could ride our motorbikes like we stole them and not have to worry about the knobheads in their jam jars knocking us off. 

Plus Metal came of age. The Best music by far.

It was in the 90's that I started to have accidents and that's thanks to the increase of cars on the road and the decade I unfortunately lost a few best friends coz of those knobheads.

As for cars. Rover was the best bang fir buck. Also the incomparable Audi UR Quattro and yes I had one for 7 years.

[Malc1]

Oh my. On that basis the ‘60s were best by far 😂

Less cars than ever on the roads and I felt “ rich” and free being a teen all thru that decade AND having a car, my own car 👍

Oh and a job and INCOME to spare ( but not a lot 🤣) and huge enthusiasm for the wonderful life ahead 🤞👌👍🤞

Ford Cortina age …… marvellous for sure 

Malc 

[Boomer54]

15 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Oh my. On that basis the ‘60s were best by far 😂

Less cars than ever on the roads and I felt “ rich” and free being a teen all thru that decade AND having a car, my own car 👍

Oh and a job and INCOME to spare ( but not a lot 🤣) and huge enthusiasm for the wonderful life ahead 🤞👌👍🤞

Ford Cortina age …… marvellous for sure 

Malc 

Being way younger (and better looking) the 70's were just great. Did have a car. Austin 1100 for awhile, but soon found it more convenient to ask girls at the outset 'do you have a car?'.

[Malc1]

2 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Being way younger (and better looking) the 70's were just great. Did have a car. Austin 1100 for awhile, but soon found it more convenient to ask girls at the outset 'do you have a car?'.

Not so much vanity in the 60s …… “ mirror mirror on the wall “ and all that 🤣

Malc 

[Mr Vlad]

Being born in 62 I can't comment on the 60's really but I love watching television from the 60's. Miniskirts oh yes lol.

Loved the 70's as a growing kid.

[Boomer54]

2 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Not so much vanity in the 60s …… “ mirror mirror on the wall “ and all that 🤣

Malc 

As the saying goes 'I've never seen a mirror I didn't like'.

[Mr Vlad]

Oh Stephen you're so vain lol. 

Crickey that should be a song title 😁

[PCM]

15 hours ago, Mr Vlad said:

Being born in 62 I can't comment on the 60's really but I love watching television from the 60's. Miniskirts oh yes lol.

Loved the 70's as a growing kid.

+1 ! 

[Malc1]

The 70’s quite amazing too ….. growing up in all sorts of ways ……. and again Ford Cortinas aplenty …… the Mk1V 2.3 Ghia WOT a car 👍 …… no wonder I grew into my Lexus Ls400s V8 4ltr limos quite comfortably 😂

Malc 

[Alan305]

90’s ok for me.

Started with a Citroen XM, then Renault Espace, then LS400 and finished the decade with a new Chevrolet Camaro Z28. (Almost 17mpg from the lovely V8)

For a few years Chevy sold them through Vauxhall dealers (who knew nothing about them at all)

Vauxhall dealer in Bristol did say my Camaro was the only one bought using an LS in part exchange.

[Malc1]

Don’t s’pose you recall your Ls400 regn no.  ? 
Malc 

[Linas.P]

2 hours ago, Alan305 said:

90’s ok for me.

Started with a Citroen XM, then Renault Espace, then LS400 and finished the decade with a new Chevrolet Camaro Z28. (Almost 17mpg from the lovely V8)

For a few years Chevy sold them through Vauxhall dealers (who knew nothing about them at all)

Vauxhall dealer in Bristol did say my Camaro was the only one bought using an LS in part exchange.

I do understand why 😄 

[LenT]

Very entertaining to read the reminiscences of all you young folk!

My best motoring years were my first motoring years.  Back in the early 60s I acquired my first car - a Ford Anglia 100E -  which transformed our family life.

It didn’t just give me a freedom and mobility that many of my contemporaries lacked, but being the only family member who could drive at that time, it enabled us to visit family members who I had managed to avoid up to that point!  😊

[Alan305]

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Don’t s’pose you recall your Ls400 regn no.  ? 
Malc 

A18 NSB

[dutchie01]

 

[Malc1]

11 minutes ago, Alan305 said:

A18 NSB

Seems to be on a probably scrapped BMW 525 now ! 

Malc 

[dutchie01]

For car designers and engineers those were the days. No safety standards, no crash regulations, no emissions and fuel consumption, who cares? They could litelarally design their dream car, and that is what happened. Below you will find a clip from an italian automotive journalist that interviewed all the old timers ruling the industry in those days and they way the iconic cars of the days came to light is mind boggling. In todays world that is absolutely impossible. If you have the time have a look switch on undertitles its in english as well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Linas.P]

25 minutes ago, LenT said:

family members who I had managed to avoid up to that point!  😊

That certainly not being mother in law 😄 

I still think that 90s where objectively the best times, for example I can't imagine myself living without PC, digital music, compact discs at least, some mp3 and similar stuff. I mean sure - internet was still slow, but it was there, digital media was still scarce, but it existed. I would say in terms of cars 80s probably were the best, but 80s are automatically eliminated by lack of modern technology for me... also in my particular case I would have been still occupied by ruzzian orks. On top of that I think having ABS and even basic stability control is criteria for me still being a alive. I would not be alive driving cars from 70s. So not 70s, because too dangerous, not 80s because of lack of technology and not 2000s, because from like 1999 things started going to shaite... with increasing speed no less. 2000s-2010s was step down in quality of life, 2010-2020s on top of falling quality of life extra restrictions to freedoms were added, and since 2020s we can also add increasingly radicalised society, so no only we losing rights, not only we have to pay more for basic things, not only freedoms were reduced, but nowadays we have hysterical agitation all around promoting ideas of further cutting freedoms and rights and making everything even more expensive. Also people are just becoming less logical and less resistant for that, whereas in 2000 somebody would have said "no way" to current plans, nowadays people are fine with it...

 

[LenT]

4 hours ago, Linas.P said:

That certainly not being mother in law 😄 

😄😄😄

Quite right, Linas.  That was still a decade ahead - and contrary to common stereotype, we got on very well!

I see you’ve expanded your analysis into the ‘best decade’ by including societal changes as well as automotive - and rightly so.  But it does complicate matters!

After all, why not then also consider the many medical advances that have improved the quality of life?  On the other hand, are these counterpointed by the apparent increase in the number of people who appear not to accept personal responsibility for their lifestyle or actions?  Or believe their actions are justified by a Higher Being?

And how much do the obvious benefits of the Internet contrast with the invidious rise - and so often the negative effects - of ‘Social Media’?

Apart from which, I’ve always thought dividing Life into neat decades to be suspiciously convenient!  Frankly, it’s all a bit too introspective for me!  

[Linas.P]

57 minutes ago, LenT said:

After all, why not then also consider the many medical advances that have improved the quality of life?  On the other hand, are these counterpointed by the apparent increase in the number of people who appear not to accept personal responsibility for their lifestyle or actions?  Or believe their actions are justified by a Higher Being?

And how much do the obvious benefits of the Internet contrast with the invidious rise - and so often the negative effects - of ‘Social Media’?

Apart from which, I’ve always thought dividing Life into neat decades to be suspiciously convenient!  Frankly, it’s all a bit too introspective for me!  

Agree, but I think by the end of 90s all key improvements in healthcare were already achieved. Yes in practice it took another decade for the hospitals to be retrofitted, doctors trained etc. But hypothetically speaking if all medical achievements would have ended at the year 2000 we still would be in very very good place. Even today I think most of procedures would be possible with 90s technology and we really moved very little beyond that. As I said - in practice it may have looked like it only happened in 2010s, but technology was already available in 90s.

I don't see social media as inherently negative effect, there are negative effects related to addiction of social media, issues related with parenting that leads into bad influences etc. but social media itself is also a good thing if used correctly e.g. I have used social media in 2000s and 2010s and it only made my life better and furthered my social life and career.

Obviously, you can't neatly divide life in decades, but now we can look into the past retrospectively and on balance of pros and cons decide what decade was best and worst. It is like looking at historic stock price - my view is that it was going up from 1950s to ~2002-2005 maybe, then stagnated for maybe 10 years and now are noticeably going down.

Hence, based on observations above it would be possible to conclude that 90s "up to now" was the pinnacle of of humanity. That is not to say that we can't, maybe in 20 years, miraculously reverse the course and achieve another pinnacle (perhaps that how it would have looked for people in 1930s), but to be honest I am pessimistic about that. 

[Malc1]

Wot a load of Bol—ock s …….. bring it back to cars please ……. No one’s going to agree on the magnificent health changes. Societal changes,  Sadie khan and TFL let alone politics 

Cars we might know a little about though 🤔🤣

Malc