My Top 10 Dream Cars

For me, cars have never just been what gets you from Point A to B. They’re time machines, therapy sessions, and occasionally, expensive daydreams I can’t afford. Some of these I loved as a kid because they let me escape into Hot Wheels and LEGO worlds; others I discovered later and immediately thought, “Yeah, if I owned this, people would definitely think I’m cooler than I actually am.”

This list is a mix of all of that: cars I raced endlessly in Gran Turismo, cars I fantasized about stealing in my sleep as a seven-year-old (legally, of course), and cars I still picture in my driveway even though I’d probably scratch them backing out. It’s about speed, style, and that perfect moment when you see a car and think, “Yes. This is exactly how I want my midlife crisis to look.”

From the practical-but-classy 90s BMW 3 Series to the completely unhinged Lamborghini Countach — which I’ve never actually driven, touched, or probably will ever own — these are the cars that have fueled my obsession for decades. They’re fast, they’re flashy, and they’re a little ridiculous. Much like me.

Buckle up. Here’s my Top 10 dream cars — ranked, cherished, and celebrated for reasons that only a true car nerd will fully understand (and laugh at).

10. 90s BMW 3 Series

Where I grew up in a rural place known as Ford F-150 land, BMWs were a rare sight—something you might catch a glimpse of once in a while and immediately do a double take. There was just something about the 90s-era 3 Series that oozed sophistication yet sportiness: the clean lines, the understated confidence, the perfect mix of sport and class. Then I went on a big trip to Germany and was stunned to see them everywhere—BMWs as police cars, taxis, daily drivers, like their version of America’s Ford Taurus. But instead of making them seem ordinary, it made them even cooler. They weren’t just luxury cars; they were workhorses built to last and perform. Ever since, my Gran Turismo garage has been full of BMWs, and nothing hits quite like taking one out for a spirited lap around the Nürburgring, hearing that straight-six sing through every corner.

9. 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

This one’s for my 16 year old self. The most attainable car on my dream list, I see these pop up on Facebook Marketplace a lot currently — anywhere from a $700 rust bucket (usually not the GTP model) to a $4,500 survivor with 200,000 miles. When they were new, I was a freshly licensed driver and a diehard stock car racing fan cheering for Team Pontiac. Everything about these cars hooked me — especially that slick “We Are Driving Excitement” marketing. It worked.

They were genuinely exciting machines: bold, red-hot (literally, red or black were the most seen in ads), and built with Pontiac’s signature “Wide Track” stance — a wider wheelbase meant for better cornering and race-inspired handling. It’s a shame the late-’90s era doesn’t get much love from restorers; few people took great care of them, and fewer still seem interested in bringing them back. But I think these cars have aged surprisingly well. Their sharp, aggressive styling stood out in a decade obsessed with soft, bubbly curves — and that’s exactly why they still turn my head today. The only real downside is Pontiac interiors of that time were incredibly cheap and tacky, and of course GM wasn’t building the most reliable cars then either.

But the exterior styling was great. Just look at the Grand Prix design the late 90s – early 2000s models replaced. It was such a smooth, sleek departure that with a low roofline and squinty front end that just looked so modern and cool at the time. But then in 2004 they messed it up with a super cheap looking facelift that made it look bulky, slow, and boring. Then the recession hit, the auto industry needed a bailout, and they had to scrap Pontiac forever to save GM. Years later, domestic auto makers have eliminated most sedan models entirely and GM has been trying to advertise Buicks to young people.

8. Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road

Yeah, I know this one might not excite everyone, but I’ve really come around to Toyota trucks in recent years—especially after being burned one too many times by the domestic automakers. My current Tacoma that’s now around 10 years old has treated me incredibly well, and I’d love to upgrade to a new one decked out with all the top-tier accessories for off-roading, overlanding, and camping. It feels like the perfect bridge between my lifelong love of cars and my newer appreciation for nature and wide-open, remote places.

Why not the bigger, more powerful Tundra? I just can’t shake my loyalty to the Taco—sorry, it’s personal. Plus, the new models come in a wild bright orange that’s fun to look at, even if I’d probably stick with that sleek metallic blue they do so well.

7. Four-Way Tie — Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV / Ford Escort RS Cosworth / Subaru Impreza WRX / Nissan GT-R

Yeah, I know — this is supposed to be a Top 10, not a Top 13, but what can I say? I can’t pick just one. These four cars all hit that sweet spot for me and fit one big category, and trying to choose between them for that category no matter where I place it in this list feels like picking a favorite song off the best greatest hits album of all time. Realistically, price would probably decide it for me in the real world, but if money were no object, I’d need all four parked in the dream garage. These were my go-to rides in nearly every version of Gran Turismo — which, alongside SimCity, Command & Conquer, and Age of Empires, probably consumed a solid chunk of my youth and 20s.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV was my workhorse back in the early Gran Turismo days. I grinded endless races with that thing in a beautiful red color and fell in love with its all-wheel-drive precision and aggressive styling. Honestly, I swear some car designers took notes from it — I see shades of the Evo in mid-2000s Impalas, the “Car of Tomorrow” NASCARs, and even the early 2010s Ford Focus facelift. It was enough to make me forgive Ford for the tragic blob-shaped Focus of the 2000s… at least until the VVT transmission issues came along and reminded me why I won’t ever buy a Ford ever again. Except maybe the Cosworth version.

The Ford Escort RS Cosworth is pure forbidden fruit. I’m not even sure a single one exists in the U.S., since they were built for Europe — and the American Escort was… let’s just say, not the same league. The RS Cosworth was basically a road-legal rally car, a close cousin to Ford’s World Rally Championship beast. That massive rear wing alone could probably double as a picnic table. I had an American 88 Escort GT when I was 18 and of course I dressed it up to try to make it more like a Cosworth RS but looking back I cringe at the thought.

The Subaru Impreza WRX was the car I wanted most once I moved on from my Pontiac Grand Prix phase. Even those early models with the bug-eye headlights — which haven’t aged particularly well — still had undeniable charm. Like the Evo, the WRX offered that blend of performance, practicality, and rally attitude that made every drive feel like a stage in Monte Carlo. They just looked so cool in blue.

And then there’s the Nissan GT-R. I’ve rented some truly awful Nissans on work trips — the kind that make you question life choices — but the GT-R is the glorious exception that redeems the entire brand. I was never wild about the Skyline’s look compared to the Evo or WRX, but once the GT-R evolved into its modern form, it became an absolute dream. It’s like Nissan took all their pent-up potential and just said, “Fine. You want a potentially attainable supercar? Here.”

6. 1967 Shelby GT 500 Mustang

I’ve got a soft spot for just about any muscle car from the ’60s — that decade was an absolute high point for American automotive design. But the Mustang has always been my favorite, and at the top of that family tree sits the 1967 Shelby GT500. This thing is the definition of cool — aggressive lines, a big-block heart, and the kind of presence that makes even modern sports cars look shy.

I’ll admit, my love for the GT500 was definitely influenced by Gone in 60 Seconds — the early-2000s Nic Cage version lit the spark, but I later went back and watched the original, where “Eleanor” was a Mach 1 Mustang that was every bit as scrappy and iconic in its own way. The Bullitt Mustang from Steve McQueen’s legendary car chase movie only deepened the obsession — that car cemented the fastback Mustang as the ultimate movie hero on wheels.

But the ’67 GT500, in its purest Carroll Shelby form — before the Hollywood mods and chrome overload — is the one I’d want. Not because it’s the fastest or most technically refined (it’s really not), but because it looks like speed and American muscle personified. It’s muscle car art — all swagger, attitude, and prestige.

I just want to get in one and drive around Laguna Seca until I can’t stand to drive anymore.

5. Shelby Cobra

If the ’67 GT500 is my favorite Shelby Mustang, then the Shelby Cobra 427 is the wild, untamed beast that started it all. Carroll Shelby basically looked at a small, lightweight British roadster — the AC Ace — and thought, “You know what this needs? A massive American V8.” And just like that, he created one of the most brutal, iconic sports cars ever built.

The Cobra was pure insanity in the best possible way. It wasn’t just fast; it was borderline unhinged. Lightweight frame, huge engine, almost no safety features, and handling that could punish the overconfident — but when driven right, it was poetry in motion. The 427 version in particular was a monster: over 400 horsepower in a car that barely weighed more than a go-kart. It didn’t just compete with Ferraris and Corvettes — it humiliated them on the track.

Design-wise, it’s still one of the most beautiful shapes ever put on four wheels. Those curvy fenders and impossibly wide haunches give it that perfect balance of elegance and menace — like a coiled muscle ready to strike. Every car enthusiast dreams of hearing that deep, raw exhaust note echoing down an empty road.

For me, the Cobra represents everything thrilling (and slightly reckless) about classic performance cars — a mix of American audacity and European finesse that has never quite been replicated since.

4. 1983 Ferrari F512 Testarossa (in red)

The Ferrari F512 Testarossa is one of those cars that just defines an era. It’s pure 1980s excess — wide, low, dramatic, and completely unapologetic about it. The side strakes, the wedge shape, the pop-up headlights… it looked like it belonged on a neon-lit Miami street, soundtrack by synthwave and Phil Collins.

But for me, the love started long before I understood any of that. The Testarossa was one of my favorite Hot Wheels cars as a kid — one I’d pull out of the box again and again. That bright red paint and sleek silhouette were everything a supercar should be in a kid’s imagination. My older sister’s boyfriend instantly became my hero when he showed up one day with a whole box of Hot Wheels he didn’t need anymore and just gave them to me. Among them was a Testarossa, and I swear it never left my side for months.

As much as I appreciate its fame from Miami Vice, I never really cared for the Testarossa in white — it just felt too sterile for such a passionate, aggressive car. For me, it has to be red or black. Red is classic Ferrari fire, while black gives it that stealthy, mysterious edge that feels even more dangerous.

Even today, the Testarossa isn’t the most refined Ferrari ever made, but it had presence. It looked fast even when parked — the poster car for a generation, and the dream ride that made every kid in the ’80s and ’90s believe anything was possible if they just kept playing with their Hot Wheels long enough. I like a lot of the other Ferrari models, I’m particularly pretty fond of the 512 BB, F12 Berlinetta, 308 GTB, and the 488 GTB. All the old school 70s Ferraris are super cool, too.

3. 2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (in metallic gray)

There’s just something about an Aston Martin that oozes class, confidence, and danger — like it’s wearing a tuxedo but ready for a street fight. This is the car I’d take up to a fancy restaurant downtown. I’ve always loved the classic Astons from the Bond films I grew up with, but the V12 Vanquish took that timeless British elegance and cranked it up with modern muscle. It’s the perfect mix of sophistication and raw power — a car that can whisper or roar depending on your mood.

My fondness for the Vanquish really cemented itself during my countless hours playing Gran Turismo. It became one of my go-to cars — sleek, balanced, and surprisingly forgiving for something with that much horsepower under the hood. On the virtual track, it wasn’t just fast, it felt refined, like even in a sea of Japanese rally legends and Italian exotics, the Aston carried itself with quiet authority.

I also just feel like if I were ever in the position to buy a car purely to show off class, wealth, and a genuine love of cars — this would be the one. You almost never see an Aston Martin around my neck of the woods, not even in the city. That rarity makes it feel even more special — it’s understated luxury that doesn’t need to shout to turn heads.

The Vanquish hits that sweet spot visually, too — that long hood, muscular haunches, and sculpted curves give it a look that’s equal parts luxury and menace. It’s the kind of car you can picture idling outside a Monte Carlo casino or tearing through the countryside in a tux with the tie undone.

The classic DB5 will always have its place in Bond lore, but the V12 Vanquish is the one that speaks to me. It’s a car that feels equal parts grand tourer and secret agent getaway vehicle — modern refinement with just enough old-school swagger to make your inner kid feel like 007 again.

2. 1989 Batmobile

The ultimate convergence of everything great about Batman happened in 1989—the best Batmobile, the best Batman movie, the best soundtrack, and, without question, the best Batman himself. Tim Burton’s gothic vision, Danny Elfman’s booming, unforgettable score along with Prince’s catchy tunes, and Michael Keaton’s perfectly brooding performance combined into something that felt larger than life. To my childhood self, it was perfection and it still is. That’s right, I said it, Keaton is the best Batman.

The 1989 Batmobile, clearly inspired by both the original Adam West Batmobile and Harley Earl’s legendary concept car design wasn’t just a movie prop—it was a full-blown automotive fantasy come to life. Sleek, jet-black, impossibly long, and armed to the teeth with gadgets, it looked like something that could outrun a missile and still make a dramatic entrance at a Gotham gala. I mean there was fire coming out the back for crying out loud. So cool. To this day, no other Batmobile has matched its perfect blend of menace and style.

I’ll have to rank the batmobiles sometime. This one would be #1 obviously. And this car is probably partly why I liked the #1 car on this list so much and why it had to be in black.

1. 1988 Lamborghini Countach (black w/ spoiler)

This one’s for my seven-year-old self — and, honestly, my current self too. I’ve never actually seen a real one in person. The closest I’ve come was spotting one ended up being a kit car version of a Countach parked at a gas station. But even that felt like running into a myth. I just stood there staring, half-expecting smoke and synth music to start pouring out of it.

As a kid who lived for Hot Wheels and LEGO sets, the Countach was the car. I had this slick black 1/64 Hot Wheels version that I treated like the crown jewel of my collection — the one that only came out for the most serious imaginary races. It looked fast even standing still, all sharp angles and impossible proportions. It had this unmistakable Batmobile energy — dark, exotic, and impossibly cool.

I used to daydream about owning one, and even had real overnight dreams where I’d be behind the wheel, driving my own Countach through city streets, even though I was just a kid and nowhere near old enough to drive. In those dreams, I was living the high life — the kind of life where a car like this wasn’t just transportation, it was a statement. It was freedom.

The Countach wasn’t just a car; it was a spaceship on wheels. It defied every convention of what a car was supposed to look like, and that made it legendary. Bold, impractical, loud, and absolutely perfect.

For me, it represents the pure fantasy of cars — that childhood wonder that never really fades. Some cars make me appreciate engineering, or luxury, or history. The Countach just makes me stop, grin, and remember what it felt like to dream big.

Honorable mentions:

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. My mom had one growing up, and I inherited it in recent years and it has quite a bit of restoration work ahead of it. It’s definitely a car with a lot of sentimental value. Smokey & The Bandit sure gave the car its fame but I think these Trans Ams were some of the last of the muscle car era.

Dishonorable mention:

The MINI Cooper. It would have been on this list at one time, then I owned one. Loved it for about a week. Then it became the automotive equivalent of dating someone “quirky” who turns out to be exhausting. Absolute garbage. A money pit full of electrical gremlins, weird noises, and repair bills that made me question all my life choices.

It’s like BMW took all their engineering “lessons learned,” threw them out the window, and said, “Let’s make something adorable that ruins people financially.” From what I hear, the parent company’s own cars aren’t much different — just more expensive ways to suffer.

Now, to be fair, the Shelby GT500, Aston Martin, or Ferrari on my list would definitely cost more to maintain. But here’s the difference: I expect those to be finicky, high-maintenance divas. The Mini was supposed to be a reliable daily driver — a zippy little commuter that made you smile every time you saw it. Instead, it was a charming disaster that constantly needed therapy and money.

Fun design? Sure. But as a practical car? Never again.