Are the 90's the best decade for new cars? Car history overview | OVERTAKE

Are the 1990's the best decade of new cars? Perhaps in the history of the automobile? Can they really and truly be the decade in which the best cars were built? Of course they can't, but for driving enthusiast, they just might be...
The 90's certainly contains some of the best cars in history, including the legendary Mclaren F1, the great Ferrari's such as the 355 and the 550 Maranello, not forgetting the great European hot hatches like the Ford Escort Cosworth, the VW Golf GTI, the Peugeot 205 GTi and the 306 GTI 6. The era of JDM magic including the likes of the Nissan Skyline GTR machines (R32, R33 and R34), the mk4 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, Toyota MR2, ST 185 and ST205 Celica GT4, the FD Mazda RX7, as well as the launch of the Type R brand for Honda with the NSX.
We try (honest) to put our nostalgia aside and provide a light-hearted, but still objective argument that this might just be the case for enthusiasts of driving.
In terms of driving, the cars from the 90's were still largely analog in nature, with manual gearboxes and plenty of naturally aspirated engines to choose from, but cars were also growing up and offering more and more in terms of everyday usability and safety features we now take for granted.
Car manufacturers were now able to offer the kind of build quality that daily driving demands, whilst at the same time offer enjoyable driving experiences that were usable on the public roads.
We are talking about an ethos here, sports and performance driving was accessible and aspirational, the world hadn't yet been hit by niche models and the continued rise of SUV's. The decades since have seen a continued tightening of legislation and the future is looking more and more electric, therefore I do believe that the 90's are in with a genuine shout of being the best decade for enthusiasts of driving, in the history of the automobile.
Of course today's roads are full of faster, safer and more economical cars that ultimately have moved the game on, but for enthusiasts that love that crisp feel from an accelerator cable, the slick change from a manual gearbox and who aren't worried about lap times or 0-60 times, the 90's certainly contained a lot of fun!
let us know how you feel in the comments down below,
Thank you very much for watching and we will see you next time.
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Music:
Song 1 : Chris Zabriskie - It's always too late to start over
Song 2 : Chris Zabriskie - Rewound
Song 3 : Chris Zabriskie - Is that you or are you you?
#carhistory #90s #bestcarever
Finally, Thanks to all the historical archives for making this video possible, it allowed me to produce something fun during a period of lockdown, when as a channel we were not able to get out and film for ourselves.

[@sr400boi]

The 90s was the best. Period. I miss everything about it.

[@coreydoody1806]

Cannot agree more. I genuinely adore my 99 NB MX 5!! 😃😃

[@smilepermile8165]

Such an underrated channel, always beautifully presented. You guys deserve much more subscribers. As a half japanese, I really appreciate the BestMotoring reference👌 Perhaps it was also the honest feedback from those japanese racingdrivers involved in that programme that motivated Japanese car companies to one-up-the-others. Whilst its great that their sister programme HotVersion exists to this day, its a pity that the BestMotoring episodes are now over.

[@OvertakeFilms]

Wow, thank you! I wish I could understand Japanese so that I could binge watch the entire Best Motoring back catalog and understand what's being said! What a show that was!

[@diegomahishmaha9024]

Spot on

[@aevans148]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your production values alone deserve way more subscribers. I'd say it's almost comparable to Gears & Gasoline. From what I understand, KZbin algorithms reward regular uploads. I know it's probably difficult to put out regular content with such good production values but I'm sure we'd all like to see more videos off you guys. You're definitely good enough to be doing this full time. I'm sure you will continue to grow and really take off some day!

[@OvertakeFilms]

Thanks, it means a lot. It's a passion project at present, but maybe with a bit more commitment it can grow into something more!

[@Birmingham_racing]

When it comes to jdm 90s was 100% it's best era

[@OvertakeFilms]

Definitely! Thanks for watching

[@Lockguard]

Great film yet again! Completely agree with your statement too - the build quality and reliability improved, whilst the driving still was done by the driver. Many different engine configurations to choose from too, and powernumbers weren't as stupid high as they are today. Best period - period!

[@OvertakeFilms]

Thanks a lot! For drivers, it certainly contained a lot of fun!

[@tunanocrust2642]

Great Video! Huge 80s/90s car guy here. Thanks! Also You forgot my personal favorite for the 60s beautiful cars. Toyota 2000GT. Ill never sell my MKIV TT 6 speed supra ever

[@OvertakeFilms]

Thanks! I wouldn't sell a MKIV supra either, amazing car!

[@samyates2049]

What a brilliantly well filmed and produced video! Thanks from a huge jdm fan

[@OvertakeFilms]

Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it, it was such an epic era for JDM cars!

[@samyates2049]

@@OvertakeFilms being an aw11 owner for 25 years and an st205 owner for 16 I agree for sure although it all started in the 80s 😉 do love the style of your videos as very professionally shot and edited! Didn’t disagree with a single thing you said and nothing will surpass the mclaren as it truly was the original hypercar!

[@OvertakeFilms]

That's a nice little set of Toyota's, I came close to getting an ST185 years ago but didn't quite have the budget for it at the time. Crazy, because it was a Carlos Sainz for under 3 grand, don't want to look at how much a similar car would be nowadays! And you're right, it did begin in the 80's!

[@samyates2049]

@@OvertakeFilms yeah I wouldn’t be checking that price currently lol! It’s ok I missed out on a low mileage evo 3 that a Japanese colleague brought over with him that he wanted just a grand for and it was pristine but didn’t have the space or funds at the time 😞

[@ironingbored]

You've hit the nail on the head. Born in the mid-80's, the cars I hanker for are mid-90s to mid-00s, somewhat due to rose tinted specs. But they also represent an era when drivers cars were more focused and purist by-nature. Back then, you could spec a Honda Prelude and delete electric windows, or add an LSD! Anything manufactured nowadays which is truly focused, seems almost like a deliberate (albeit slightly cynical) marketing strategy by modern manufacturers to appeal to a subset of drivers/enthusiasts rather than building it because its needed (the Yaris GR and Alpine are two exceptions). It's admission that modern motors, whilst so superior in many other respects (reliability, safety, ownership and running costs), have digitised and engineered everything to such a degree that they have dialed-out a lot of the feel that driving enthusiasts deliberately seek out - and can readily find in something built in the 90s/early 00s.

[@OvertakeFilms]

Glad to hear there are others thinking the same and I really appreciate the feedback! It was a good excuse to produce a bit of a love letter to the cars from this era and I'm sure my rose tinted specs were on during the edit, but there's certainly some epic driver's cars from the 90's!

[@ironingbored]

@@OvertakeFilms I always look forward to your videos, they are right up my street! Thanks for making such enjoyable films.

[@OvertakeFilms]

Thanks again, a lot of time and effort goes in, so it's great to see it's appreciated.

[@LAXCustoms]

Came across your channel with your e39 videos, but have to say your videos are very engaging! Love the content, so relatable and almost relaxing to watch 😂keep up the good work👌🏼

[@OvertakeFilms]

Awesome, thank you! We've more coming soon!

[@LAXCustoms]

@@OvertakeFilms can’t wait!