Weird Childhood Car Obsessions: The Cars Readers Loved as Kids
Bottom line up front: Jalopnik surveyed its readers and found a surprising list of cars that captured kids’ imaginations—even cars most adults would never choose today.
Weird Childhood Car Obsessions: The Cars Readers Loved as Kids
Image: Weird Childhood Car Obsessions: The Cars Readers Loved as Kids – Performance Comparison and Specifications
Design & Looks
Kids are visual creatures. Bright colors, sharp lines, and movie‑star status made these rides unforgettable.
- 1990 Honda Civic – The low‑rider look and cheap‑look paint jobs made it the perfect “street racer” in the backyard.
- 1999 Nissan Skyline GT‑R – Its twin‑turbo silhouette looked like a superhero car straight out of an arcade game.
- 2005 Mini Cooper – Small, cute, and instantly recognizable, the Mini felt like a toy you could actually drive.
- 1997 Chevrolet Camaro – Muscular, aggressive, and famous from movies, the Camaro was pure teenage fantasy.
- 1998 Toyota Supra – The sleek, rounded body and its fame in video games gave it cult status among kids.
Performance & Mileage
Even if the engines never saw the track, the idea of speed mattered. Kids imagined turbo whines and drag‑strip wins.
- Honda Civic – modest 4‑cylinder, but kids pictured it as a drift machine.
- Nissan Skyline – real twin‑turbo R‑34, actually capable of 200+ mph in the right hands.
- Mini Cooper – peppy 1.6 L engine, perfect for zip‑around city fun.
- Chevy Camaro – V8 power, the sound alone was enough to fuel day‑dreams.
- Toyota Supra – 3.0 L twin‑turbo, legendary for its rapid acceleration.
Price & Rivals
When kids thought about buying, price was a vague concept. They just knew some cars were “expensive” and others were “cheap.”
- Honda Civic – affordable, making it the go‑to for first‑time teen drivers.
- Nissan Skyline – pricey and rare, a rival to the Supra in the imagination.
- Mini Cooper – boutique pricing, seen as a stylish alternative to the Civic.
- Chevy Camaro – mid‑range muscle, often compared to the Mustang.
- Toyota Supra – high‑end sports car, the ultimate rival to the Skyline.
| Model | Engine | Mileage (mpg) | Price (USD) | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Honda Civic | 1.5 L I4 | 30 | $5,000 (used) |
|
| 1999 Nissan Skyline GT‑R | 2.6 L Twin‑Turbo I6 | 18 | $25,000 (collector) |
|
| 2005 Mini Cooper | 1.6 L I4 | 28 | $7,500 (used) |
|
| 1997 Chevrolet Camaro | 5.7 L V8 | 16 | $12,000 (used) |
|
| 1998 Toyota Supra | 3.0 L Twin‑Turbo I6 | 20 | $30,000 (collector) |
|
FAQ
- What is the mileage of the 1999 Nissan Skyline GT‑R? About 18 mpg combined, reflecting its performance‑focused tuning.
- Is the 1997 Chevrolet Camaro worth buying today? For everyday driving it may feel dated, but collectors love its classic muscle vibe.
- Which car from the list has the highest top speed? The Nissan Skyline GT‑R and Toyota Supra both exceed 200 mph in capable hands.
Did you love a different car as a kid? Share your memories in the comments below!
Source: Read Official News
