Weird Childhood Car Obsessions: The Cars Readers Loved as Kids

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.

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.

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