Here Are My 12 Favorite 1980s Performance Cars

[@jimmy22334]

Gotta love Doug. Makes a video about achieving his lifetime dream and then it’s back to business as usual. One of the few successful KZbinrs to always remain humble.

[@benmolnar1259]

Well, that dream is not particularly cheap to maintain after all 😄 But you gotta love his down-to-earth personality!

[@kenniboii192]

He really is the Keanu Reeves of KZbin

[@felixs7596]

A true Journalist

[@caidee]

@@benmolnar1259 With the recent investment in cars and bids he could have taken a break at least but he doesn't sooo

[@BM-vn2bk]

@@kenniboii192 Idk why this makes sense, but it does

[@m-a-l-3000]

I get that the 959 is not on the list, but the 911 Turbo of the 80s (930 series with the iconic 3.3l Turbo flat-six) is THE ultimate and most iconic Porsche of the 80s and definetly would deserve a spot on this list (and probably a very high ranking spot).

[@streicheldiepelzigewandxd7011]

While we are in Germany might as well take a peek at the bmw M1, also form the late late 80s but this car is brilliant, i love it, for me it makes the top 5 easily, however a countach or a F40 is arguably cooler than the M1.

[@flaccidego4291]

And the 928S series. Dude the 1st 7 cars on this list are my grandmothers top performance cars of the 1980's. This list is a travesty

[@jamesstaggs4160]

Yeah the 959 certainly should have been on the list and in the top 3. It's not my list and even though I do love me a good hot hatch, did we need two slots taken up by them? Also the Z1, just no. I'm actually a BMW fanboy. I've got a 1994 325is and a 2003 330XI sitting outside now, but all the Z1 has going for it really is the odd doors. I can't see picking it over a 959.

[@tedschmitt178]

But as the title says: “My favorite performance cars of the 1980’s”. If it didn’t make the list, it wasn’t one of Doug’s favorites.

[@SlackActionBumble]

Unless you are a big porche-head, 911s don't seem particularly 80s. They are just kind of... continuous... Like, they probably deserve to be on the list of 12 most iconic cars of the last 50 years - but not so much a particular decade.

[@carculture3376]

I always like the Ford Cosworth RS Sierra. Its a super cool 80s performance car that everyone has forgotten about for some reason which is surprising considering that if you wanted to win a touring car championship anywhere in the mid to late 80s, it was the car you had to have.

[@Sumppen]

Was about to suggest this one also

[@ammarisrar2005]

I’m absolutely pissed that ford didn’t sell the Seirra Cosworh in the US or any cool Euro cars like the Renault 5 etc

[@MikeB4pl]

@@ammarisrar2005 You had the Merkur Xr4Ti -- very close to a Cosworth (30 hp less) -- 4 cylinder turbo too. Probably Cosworth would be expensive and not emissions legal.

[@Sevan_UP]

Also the Renault turbo 5

[@mebeitoday]

Owned an 84 Xr4ti and loved it back when I was 25 in early 90’s. Had 2.4 turbo and was a fun two door hatchback with the double wing spoiler. Tons of interior room especially in the back seat despite being a 2door. Remember my dad after borrowing the car telling me how it chirped tires in second and third

[@joshimitsu96]

The Renault 5 Turbo 2 is a awesome 80's car. The Lancia is iconic, great list Doug.

[@hachiroku8677]

Honorable mention to the 1989 Honda Civic CRX SiR, with the legendary B16A engine. That thing produced 100 hp for each liter displaced, an impressive figure for naturally aspirated engines even by today's standards.

[@bonbonjovi4836]

Civics digust me because how people mod them.

[@3spokes]

@@bonbonjovi4836 then its the people who modify them disgust you not the car...

[@Rom3_29]

1984-1986 first generation Honda SRX were cool small two seater. 1984 & 1985 had carburetor (with 100 rubber hoses for emission control) that wore out before engine and car. Only place find one now is west coast that’s somewhat rust free.

[@chriscole9621]

@@Rom3_29 why can you only find them in the northwest?

[@mindovermatter3231]

Waited all video and not crx 😭 as a crz owner I was triggered

[@krawfish2781]

2:05 BMW Z1 3:00 Peugeot 205 GTI 4:27 Audi Quattro 5:34 Nissan Skyline GTR 6:48 E30 BMW M3 8:05 Dodge Omni GLHS 9:40 Buick Grand National 11:07 Lancia Delta Integrale 12:59 Vector W8 14:03 Ferrari 288 GTO 15:35 Lamborghini Countach 16:45 Ferrari F40

[@MrDrProfessorVader]

20:00 How could you forget the Foxbody? #1

[@S58985]

Ruined the whole video the second I go to the comments. Thanks

[@ryanfried8393]

Is that kinda like a spoiler alert?

[@k.r.99]

You should've just written the brand or car 1, car 2, car 3 etc. But thanks for the effort, i guess?

[@tom101177]

AMG Hammer?? 😢

[@StarJoker2]

I’d say the 80’s Toyota MR2 is a great sports car too. Had one for a few years, so underrated and it’s a blast to drive. Lightweight, mid-engine RWD manual (same engine as the original AE86), revs to 7500 rpm, with optional open T-top roof and optional supercharger, tons of fun 😊 The Lancia Delta Integrale is a nice choice on the list too

[@allanguillen4382]

And you can get the AW11 with a supercharger too! The interior is actually quite spacious and comfortable because it has the boxy feel. Feels quick as well

[@decomposingman]

I drove the original MR2 for a while. It wasn’t in great shape and overheated a lot, but it was the most fun car to drive I have ever experienced.

[@mikaeljackz]

The MR2 (AW11) is one of the best cars I have owned. It is a better sports car than the BMW M2 I have now. I miss it sometimes... :)

[@Games_and_Music]

I agree, i always loved the first MR2, now that you mention it, it should've at least gotten a mention.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Helped my buddy get his Mk1 MR2 running after 13 years sitting in his garage. Had to pull the fuel tank to clean out the varnish. That was an adventure in misery, as the tank is in the interior tunnel between the seats. But once the fuel system was flushed with fresh gas it fired right up! Great little car! BTW - As you know, it is a low, LOW car. I was getting mild anxiety attacks driving in rush hour traffic with it. You couldn't see over the hood of a Camry parked next to you in traffic! All you saw in the rear view mirror of a following truck is the bumper. Great car to drive on a twisty road. Not so much for bumper-to-bumper traffic!

[@MatejNovakCreative]

For some reason when I was growing up, the Testarosa captured my imagination way more than the F40 did.

[@ToolkiT73UK]

Miami Vice was probably part of the reason..

[@kanojo1969]

That was true for everyone. I think you had to be a real car nerd to even know what the F40 was. Countach and Testarossa posters were on every 2nd teen boy's bedroom wall, nobody had posters of the F40. It was basically unknown.

[@cueball981]

Captured Sir-Mix-A-Lot's imagination more than the F40 too!

[@danmccarthy4700]

Same here. I was fascinated by those side strakes.

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

I think the F40 has always been expensive, I know when they were released there was something like a 3 year wait list, however, the Testarossa was made in pretty large numbers (over 10,000) for a Ferrari so they were fairly cheap. I recall them being down to $25,000-$30,000 for a long time. Also reviews say they’re quite a bit more comfortable than other cars of the era like Countachs. Apparently they drive closer to a grand tourer than a sports car

[@InterstateRaziTV]

Love the Miami Vice reference on the thumbnail. The 80's ROCK! Great Video Doug!

[@srh5311]

Not exactly in 80s but few of my favorites are VW Corrado VR6, GMC Syclone and Nissan 300ZX. Anway, I love that Lancia and have always loved that design.

[@1991pony]

Thank you so much for calling out the foxbody Mustang as a favorite car of that era. I'm the original owner of my '91 5.0 and I've taken care of it, it's nice. To this day, every time I get in it and fire it up, I half giggle to myself knowing how much fun I'm about to have. The Cobra was a 1993 model year only. I want one.

[@clothestravel]

Maybe Doug would review it.

[@doublestrokeroll]

80's and early 90's mustang GT's were called Cobra in Canada.

[@philberto78]

Awesome! Keep taking care of it!

[@1991pony]

@@clothestravel Probably wouldn't work out. Doug doesn't review modified cars. You know, like a Lincoln Town Car with a Terminator engine in it.

[@borninpragueprivatewalksbi821]

It's great to see the name of my beloved hometown PRAHA (Prague) on Doug's T-shirt ❤️ I've thought he wears just T-shirts with cars 😀 I wish one day Doug will come to Czechia and make a review of Skoda or the supercar Praga.

[@nowthatsurban]

Visited Prague in 2019 and absolutely loved it!

[@mikls6830]

Praha is in my top 10 favorites cities...

[@iskalos]

Many times I was thinking, what car should Doug review in the Czech republic, it would be great if he would come, so this t-shirt surprised me. As far as I know, he doesn't have a video from Czechia, or Europe, with some special cars, or does he?

[@krisztiankovacs7786]

Next video: This a Tatra... 🤗

[@zikarifid8768]

Love those random videos where Doug lectures us on other topics beside the cars reviews. BTW, you better park that Carrera GT behind you in your next videos :D

[@NocturnalPLUR]

I dislike these videos much more

[@richardlehoux]

So he park the Carrera outside when he is filming this? Must be jumpy when he eats a tire screeching outside.

[@separator94]

I liked my '87 Toyota Supra Turbo. Also always liked the '87 Toyota Trueno AE86, which was out in the 80's and way cooler than half the cars on this list.

[@bill2364]

The fact that the AE86 isn't on this list is just sad. That car is absolutely legendary.

[@Kris-bp4td]

@@bill2364 100%. It should be in the Top 5 and is a way cooler, better, and more iconic car than quite a few included in this list. It's seriously confusing. 😕 I get that it's Doug's personal favorites but some of his opinions are so far out in left field they just leave you scratching your head. Like, maybe he really doesn't know as much about cars as it seems?

[@WhoIsSea.]

Didn't even mention the Renault R5 Turbo's. Those cars are legendary.

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

And the mk1 Golf GTI was a great 70s car

[@drunkenhobo8020]

You could probably fill the entire list with European hot hatches.

[@johngmls]

The one everyone forgets is the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton. The legendary Ford Sierra Cosworth had around 200bhp, the Carlton had, I believe, 377bhp.

[@superturtle61177]

Surprised the 959 didn't make this list. I don't think it's obscure to car people, especially when you know about its link to the Show and Display rule.

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Especially as the F40 seemed at the time a get rich quick special edition - most going straight to celeb show rooms.

[@arneklepp4950]

Wanted to just make the same comment... You were faster 😉. For me personally the 959 is THE greatest car of the 80s. Also missing the Mercedes 560 SEC... At least in the honorable mentions

[@ironymatt]

His rationale for skipping it was straight-up uncut bovine excrement. The Ferrari 288 was easily more obscure - heck the GLHS was more obscure! It would've made more sense to not include it because it wasn't available in North America. Still wouldn't have been a legit objection, but better than what he cited

[@johnsizemore7579]

@@ironymatt The Peugeot and Lancia weren't sold in the US, so that's not a valid reason for leaving off the 959.

[@ironymatt]

@@johnsizemore7579 exactly - he was full of it

[@IanHobday]

The Testatossa was really the ultimate 80s car. Wild styling, actually came out in the 80s (unlike the Countach), big V12, great historic name. I love the 288 and the F40, but neither really scream "1980s!" like the Testarossa did.

[@Hyperlink1337]

you're either 4'8 or you never sat in one

[@IanHobday]

@@Hyperlink1337 I have long legs and long arms, which it seems is what the Italians were designing for in the 1980s.

[@SirVicc]

Ferrari Testarossa is iconic and should have been on the list. The Toyota MR2 and Honda CR-X should have been as well. Crazy good fun cars. Not a Porsche fan, but the 959 was the supercar that ushered in what Porsche would later aspire to.

[@Planag7]

Cr-x was a basic car back then...

[@E3T7]

100%. I thought the Testa would be #1, it’s the coolest looking car in history (imo) and he even had the Sonny Crocket photoshop! Really disappointed

[@dindinbre]

@@Planag7 European and Japanese market ones were THE hot hatches with their 1.6 130 horsepower and VTEC 160 horsepower engines. Crazy fast for that time with like 800 kilograms of weight. In Serbia they were literally called coffins, for obvious reasons.

[@SirVicc]

@@E3T7 Yup, along with the Countach it was THE wall poster car of the 80s.

[@Stinger430]

Totally agree! I guess Doug just doesn't like those cars as much as those that made his list.

[@Ryan-fg3pe]

The Lancia 037 is the best 80s designed car imo, such an iconic 80s design. The RS200, Renault 5 Turbo, 944 Turbo are great too.

[@Eddieboote]

Shame you didn’t include the Lotus Turbo Esprit. Thinking that some of the other cars could have easily lost their place for the Turbo Esprit. It was head to head with the Ferrari 308 back then.

[@Vito_Caligiuri]

The Esprit and the Porsche 959 id say are locks for Top 80’s Performance Cars. But I guess Doug like the ugly hatchbacks

[@mikedstringer]

Absolutely, especially the Essex Turbo released in 1980. What a car!

[@c.s.charles2102]

The 80's Esprit was better looking than the latter models too.

[@billystutz55]

This list sucks. Haha.

[@ronaldsmith3259]

What! No Porsche 930 Turbo??? That was one of the most significant and desired '80's performance cars 🤯

[@Orzo-th3tp]

Loved the video. All the childhood dreams in one clip :) Honorable mention of some British cars from the era: Lotus Esprit Turbo and Aston Martin Virage / V8 Vantage Zagato

[@diegogarcia4255]

Yes I was surprised that the Lotus Espirit wasn't mentioned. I LOVE the look of the 1989 Espirit SE, like in Pretty Woman. BEAUTIFUL car IMO. I see Lambos (obviously tremendous cars) every day in Miami, but when I see a prestine Espirit, THAT puts a smile on my face. :-)

[@KaiPonte]

Glad you put the Buick GN on the list. I honestly thought of that first. I'm shocked the Dodge Omni is on this list, as a good friend had one and it was a HORRIBLE beater. I still want a z31 300ZX. I very much was in fear of any black and white Fox Body Mustang, knowing full well they could be behind me with the red lights flashing at any second.

[@jacoballen1380]

Porsche 959 is too low volume and obscure, but Vector makes the list? Come on! I love the Vector, but the 959 and the F40 literally had the best performance the 80’s had to offer! Great video as always, and I enjoyed watching, but snubbing my favorite all time car? I just had to say something.

[@brookead]

Doug: The Integrale is a car I've always been afraid at the cost of maintaining it. Also Doug: THIS, it MY Porsche Carrera GT. :)

[@preppen78]

I would've included Porsche 911 Turbo, and probably Lotus Esprit Turbo, excluding pseudocars like the Vector W8, and some other cars

[@RCSonicjet]

The Esprit suffers from being a bit obscure in the US. I think there is an argument that later models that are vastly better can remove a car from the list. To that end, the 90’s 930 911 likely takes that cake. My shock on the list is the missing 89 Miata.

[@TrangleC]

Who else fell in love with the Countach when watching the "Cannonball Run" movies as a kid?

[@moncler2999]

need a top 10 for each decade!!

[@m-a-l-3000]

YES, agree! I also look forward to a similar video for the best cars of the 90s and also for one about the 2000s.

[@keenanfitzpatrick9104]

Glad to see the 5.0 make it on the list. For me, 1986 was a milestone year that signaled the resurgence of performance for Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes which meant performance was back for the masses and I’m glad to see the Mustang got a spot on the list.

[@benediktd.8072]

AMG Hammer is a cool 80s car

[@onkouth]

For me the 959 has to be top 5, but then I think because of the import restrictions, it was much better known and understood by Europeans. I would also put the Contach at 1. Simply because it kinda defined the eighties, I also prefer the 288 over the F40 which I was never a great fan of. The Hot Hatch thing was great, I had quite a few and all were great fun

[@Ih8GoogleandApple]

The Buick GN is an unbelievable car that I would love to own!

[@chevyalcantara-butman8222]

Great list Doug, but I’m sorry but this is definitely missing the Mercedes AMG Hammer. What a cool and special car. And personally, if I wanted to add a bit of weird in here I’d include the Merkur XR4Ti, even if it’s a rebadged Sierra. It’s a weird forgotten brand attempt by Ford

[@penguinlust6749]

For me, since the 1980s performance by today's standard was meh, I'd go with a Porsche 944 turbo -- due to the handling. Arguably one of the best handling cars in history.

[@johnvender]

Glad you included the 205GTi, I rented the 1.9 version for a weekend in the late 80s and it was the most fun I've ever had driving a car.

[@rockyarchambeau5820]

Great video Doug !!my personal favorite made your number 6 slot Buick Grand National absolutely a beast especially 1986-1987 the last 2 years just looks sinister!! Looks plain evil like it wants to come out ,and fight !! Absolutely loved your review on it !! Kind of though you might pick one up for your garage!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💯💯

[@testube]

The GNX was incredible!

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

One thing that added to its appeal is that we knew it wasn't going to be around long. By '86, the car crowd knew that the RWD 2nd gen Regal was going to be supplanted soon by an FWD successor, and that the GN wasn't likely to reappear on the new platform. Thus, it had an "awesome but doomed" aura about it.

[@timoklap]

Do i remember wrong or could it beat an ferrari f40 on 1/4mile?

[@joshuaanderson8684]

I have an 86 TTYPE

[@SunshineDeluxe]

I remember getting an F40 Hot Wheels car when I was 2 or 3 years old, and 30+ years later it's still the first car that comes to mind when I think of supercars.

[@rotorhead5826]

I share the same fond memory. That was one of my favorite Hot Wheels cars as a young child.

[@TheSportCompact]

Carroll Shelby was involved in creating the GLH too. He wanted to make it faster which led to the GLHS.

[@LMacNeill]

I came here to say this -- you beat me to it.

[@dobledekersoulwrekr]

My dad had a GLH when I was 14 (around 1994) and he would pick us up from basketball practice and rip it

[@Welcometofacsistube]

I've owned over 5 2.2 turbo chrysler's. Used to piss of 5.ooooooo's all day long

[@drobson8004]

@@dobledekersoulwrekr I sold them back in the day. They handled like a go kart as well.

[@drobson8004]

I have to disagree with Doug. The quality, although not world class, was far from trash.

[@bmckee5430]

Glad you mentioned the RX-7. I had the second gen model and loved how it drove, even with manual steering. A very accessible sport coupe in that era, and the accessibility of something that cool made it special.

[@rotorhead5826]

It was nice to see the RX-7 get a little recognition. Seems like Doug has a lot of bias toward european cars.

[@Subiromba]

The 288 GTO is one of the most beautiful cars ever made, it's timeless.

[@richwilliams7920]

Growing up the UK in the '80s I remember it as being a time when the 'performance' cars were often as not warmed up versions of regular cars, which meant that while not necessarily fast etc they were at least accessible. You saw fast Fords, Peugeots, Citroens, Vauxhalls, MG's and the like everywhere. And I loved that. I'd much rather we had fewer exotic hyper cars and 'cheap' fast normal cars again.

[@mbh9566]

Happy to see the Lancia Delta Integrale included on this list. Arguably the greatest rally car of all time. Lancia won six consecutive manufacturer’s championships while they were using The Integrale, a record they may never be beaten.

[@AdamConus]

I know I want one. And will never have one.

[@MrTWICETHEPRESHA]

More than that it is THE greatest hot hatch of all time. It is the quintessential hot hatch. A lot of people don’t realise the level of performance it had at the time also. The Evo 2 was super car fast and is comparable to todays Fiesta ST keeping up with a Ferrari Roma.

[@RedLP5000S]

I prefer the Delta S4.

[@mbh9566]

@@RedLP5000S The car that ended Group B. When Lancia took it a bit too far in an ill-fated attempt to catch the dominant Peugeot 205 T16.

[@mbh9566]

@@MrTWICETHEPRESHA Agreed… the greatest hot hatch ever! And one of my personal favorite cars of all time.

[@w140chris]

My personal favorite is my 1984 corvette with a 383 stroker engine and a stick shift. The 383 really makes that car go. And the later ZR1 C4’s had pretty insane performance for its day too

[@TeIegrqm-Demuro87]

☝️☝️☝️Congratulations, you have been selected among today’s winners,🎉 message me to claim prize,............

[@gregolson5822]

I feel like we’re in for a treat now that Doug has an investment. Love this content

[@nroose]

Doug: There were no good performance cars of the 80s. Also Doug: These 80s performance cars were so awesome!!!

[@John_Hoover]

Great call on the Z1 Doug. Totally more deserving to be on a performance car list than the RUF Yellowbird, Porsche 959, or BMW M1. Those doors are worth at least 125hp…

[@Ocean-blvd.]

It’s his opinion…. It says, “my favorite 1980’s cars.” Not, “the best 1980’s cars.”

[@John_Hoover]

@@Ocean-blvd. It also says “performance”. Then Doug immediately admits the Z1 is not a performance car. I mean, at that point why not include 90s cars? Clearly the title doesn’t mean anything anymore. Why stop at “performance”?

[@Ocean-blvd.]

@@John_Hoover it doesn’t have to mean, “performance car.” It could be that he just like how it performs. Like a Mazda, it’s not technically a performance car, but it has good performance (weight distribution, handling, acceleration, etc.)

[@John_Hoover]

@@Ocean-blvd. And when Doug likes when an SUV performs well with fuel economy, cargo capacity, and ride quality, does that make them “performance” SUVs? Of course not. The traits you mentioned the Miata does well in are some of the predominant qualities drivers look for in a performance car. By Doug’s own admission, the Z1 is not a “performance car”… the exact purpose of this list. If not, let’s start including those SUVs that “performed” so well. How about we throw a Jeep Grand Cherokee on this list? Those performed quite well back in their day.

[@iwrin]

I'm actually surprised there wasn't at least a mention of the DMC DeLorean. Although prob not one of your top 12, I think it was a truly iconic sports car of the 80s

[@mikls6830]

Even if I am French and I appreciate that Doug mention the Peugeot 205 GTI... Frankly, the DeLorean DMC12 was just amazing ! Kids in the 80's, Back to the future's movie had directly putted this car in my top 12 of the 80's !

[@iwrin]

@@mikls6830 agreed, although I really do love the Peugeot

[@MikeEstlick]

As a Testarossa owner, to me the biggest missing car is the Porsche 930! (I love my car, but I'd take a 288 GTO or an F40 any day. I would also love a red 930 to go with my red TR).

[@billystutz55]

His list sucks. 😂

[@ShadowSamurai720]

I know it'll probably never happen but I hope Doug reviews an M1 someday 🙏

[@protectandswerve]

I’ve asked before. Why have you never done a review on a Ferrari 288 GTO? That is the most beautiful most iconic and absolute favorite car ever!

[@86GNBuick]

Kudos for including the Buick GN on your 12 Favorites of the 80's list! Being a teen during that decade wasn't much fun as a car lover, but when the GN came out, I knew I had to have one someday, since I was already in the Buick camp driving a black '69 Skylark...great video!

[@anthonygregg862]

great review as always. The dodge omni. In the uk we had this as a talbot horizon. and the powerful one was the sunbeam lotus.

[@eskamobob8662]

Fwiw the sunbeam lotus is a wildly different car than the GLHS. Very very very different focus (think 60s Italian vs 60s Detroit)

[@danmccarthy4700]

The Sunbeam was based off the Hillman Avenger, wasn't it?

[@jamesengland7461]

Strangely, though they look the same, they share no parts at all.

[@doctorzaius4084]

The Sunbeam looks almost identical at a glance but they're totally different cars - one RWD one FWD. The Horizon/Omni were basically the same car underneath on both sides of the Atlantic, though. They're probably all extinct now, but the base engine in early Omnis was the Simca four. That was the last Simca anything sold in the US. Another weird fact: the optional engine came from VW. It wasn't until a few years later that Chrysler developed their own American four cylinder.

[@anthonygregg862]

@@danmccarthy4700 yes it was based on the avenger.

[@yute-hube779]

Doug, in the intro you included the Ferrari F40 as a 1990's car but it was was on sale from 1987 to 1992. The reason for me why the F40 is special is that Ferrari kept it as a racing car even though it was a production car. They stripped everything out, even down to door handles, where it just had a piece of string you pulled to open the door on the inside and no carpeting because carpet added weight. I'm surprised it's sprayed red, I am sure they could have saved maybe 1KG of weight if they just left the red paint off but yeah, this is definitely one of the most special Ferrari's and one of the most special cars ever made. It's just perfect.

[@johnarias9787]

Surprised he didn't mention the AMG Hammer either. Disappointed the 959 wasn't here but he explained it. Awesome list aside that

[@RobG001]

Hummer, a Performance Car?? :)

[@Lemonssssss]

@@RobG001 Mercedes AMG Hammer. 380hp executive sedan in the mid 80's.

[@zwei94]

yeah the C126 560 SEC AMG is one of my all time favorites. How could he missed that

[@rolandwilliams1228]

I would switch 1 & 2 being that the Countach was the 80's Supercar, it created the definition. It was literally on every poster everywhere. Like the F40 to the 959, The Countach is iconic even there are twice as many around as the F40. It created the Testarossa to out 80s/ Supercar the Lamborghini (Boxster/Testarossa was V12 rear engine because of it)

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

Doug may have been trying to have a not-obvious #1, which might account for the Countach's silver medal. If the criteria were historically significant 80s performance cars, then the Countach would have come in ahead of the F40, in my opinion.

[@jasonknight5863]

Such a great list Doug. You have to follow it up with 10 to 20 list of 1980’s cars. Iconic 80’s cars when you associate the 1980’s to cars also include the Red Ferrari 308 GTS ( Magnum P.I) White Ferrari Testarossa (Miami Vice) Black 1982 Pontiac Trans -Am (Knight Rider) and 1984-1987 White Corvette (The A-Team) all featured in our favorite T.V shows. They all sound great with V8 sounds when they are pushed which is part of the charm in these cars.

[@OzziesRobots]

Countach, Testarossa, 959, ZR1, Callaway, 928s4, IrocZ, Trans Am, Supra, RX-7, AMG Hammer, Buick GNX, Mustang SVO

[@RayoAtra]

First gen GTI was my first car. That and Ozark back/gravel roads were the best education.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Own a Mk1 1984 VW Jetta Gli coupe - basically a trunked version of a GTI. 5 speed close-ratio gearbox, no power steering, no AC (only a hand-cranked sunroof and pop out vent windows) and 90hp. Couldn't imagine driving it in summer rush hour traffic. But you know what? Blast to drive on a twisty road. Agree with Doug - excellent go-kart from the 80s!

[@fbritorufino]

We can kinda see Group B's importance reflected in this list.

[@danmccarthy4700]

I would love to see Doug review a Delta S4 Stradale.

[@TheMaauw]

Can't talk about 80's performance without referencing to group B 😊

[@nowthatsurban]

Pantera GT5? Such a sick car! A little surprised there wasn't a quick honorable mention at the end. Maybe because the original Pantera debuted in the 70s? Who knows.

[@jjchmiel78]

I am glad you recognize the 300zx. I had and unfortunately wrecked my 84 Turbo. Just an amazing car with lots of features ahead of it's time.

[@truthserum5310]

Sweet. I owned an 84 Anniversary 300ZX for a while back in 1987. Would love to find a mint one these days.

[@elitesniper923]

I picked up an 87 for cheap last year and love it!

[@pespesz]

What with 560 SEC AMG, absolute 80s beauty

[@biosfearmag]

Happy to see the MK1 GTI on the list. I doubt I'll ever sell mine. It still puts a big smile on my face every time I drive it even though any modern Kia will probably smoke it off the line.

[@tuukkamard446]

Though it's a 1970's sports car, not a 1980's thing (even though it was also made in 1980's) since it was launched in 1976.

[@biosfearmag]

@@tuukkamard446 Definitely true, but they weren't available in the US, where Doug and I are from, until 1983. Mine is a 1983 US model built in Pennsylvania I changed the fenders, lights, and bumpers to look like a Euro 1976 model.

[@tuukkamard446]

@@biosfearmag Well done! I bet that's an amazing car. It's crazy it took 7 long years for the GTI to get to the States!

[@mat13174]

Would love to see a review on #13-fox body mustang. They were one of the cars that ruled the streets in the 80s and obtainable enough where a generation of young kids wanted one. I was lucky to own 4 of them, starting with my first car as a teenager, and they hold a special place in my memories.

[@jamariiion]

You are one cool dude💯

[@deathstroke7316]

My favorite 1980's car is a 2021 gmc denali

[@1996ChevroletImpalaSS]

LOL

[@lawrencehatch8292]

LAUGH

[@gotham61]

Missing from the list in addition to Doug's "also rans". Lotus Esprit Turbo, Porsche 930 Turbo, Chevy Corvette ZR-1, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

[@lordwalker71]

Would say the vector is way more obscure then the 959.

[@drobson8004]

Way more, maybe not. More obscure? Absolutely.

[@moo-moo74]

Damn I remember my Dodge Omni sittin on Shnitzer rims with 2 15 inch subwoofers in a speaker box in the back with a Zeus Amp with an Alpine pullout radio & gooseneck eq-those were the days... Who also remembers the MERCURY CAPRI?

[@Lemonssssss]

The AMG Hammer not getting even an honorable mention is a crime. 380hp to the rear wheels in a family sedan in the mid 80's absolutely makes it the coolest car out of the 1980's by a WIDE margin.

[@Fly2kill1]

I grew up in 80s Chryslers. My dads 85 Lazer was pretty cool. It was the top spec turbo.

[@antigonos1972]

R5 Turbo...the most iconic 80's car

[@6rimR3ap3r]

If I could choose to have one special supercar from the 80s I'd take a Cizeta V16T. Canepa restored one pretty well and what could be better than quad pop-up headlights and 16 cylinders :-D

[@dallisb1047]

GLHS, Grand National, Delta and the 288 are my favorites from this list. And the SVO. I always thought the F40 looked like a kit car.

[@tech9803]

288GTO > F40

[@chuckmuellerleile8729]

Love the fact you have your dog sitting in the Ford GT 40 in the background at the beginning!

[@bagpusslxv4858]

The Peugeot 1.9 GTi was a beast - amazing to think it only had 130 Bhp. Fantastic handling and throttle response - the Integrale was faster but LHD spoiled it for Uk use 😊

[@wFullSnakeOilHighMileageSynthe]

Doug slipped in a pic of the SVO Mustang, thanks Doug! My fav 80s car I had one!

[@matthewnicholas6365]

The 288 didn't only evolve into the f40, they built a 288 GTO Evolution that was basically a test mule FOR the F40

[@AnythingEvil78]

Doug has gone BEAST MODE, now he has his Carrera GT we will see him run amok!

[@zacharywald]

Can you do this for the 90’s?

[@evanhooper1]

Surprised Doug didn't mention the C4 Corvette, since I know he loves the way that they look.

[@willhelterbrand3785]

I was really hoping to see an AE86 Trueno on this list, it's one of my favorite cars of all time! Super lightweight, naturally aspirated high revving engine, rear wheel drive, its everything you need in a driver's car. I'll be waiting for the day that review comes!

[@WakanaGojo86]

Too bad Doug didn't even talk about it in the ending either 💔.

[@josiahs9559]

MR2 would be more fitting for the list especially with the supercharged version. Ae86 did kind of start drifting tho

[@canespastico]

To understand the lore of the F40 I suggest you all to watch Davide Cironi's videos he made with the chief engineer who basically single-handedly designed and built the car, mr. Materazzi. He died late last year after being celebrated by Ferrari fans also thanks to Cironi's videos. They have english subs, so they're a true must see for everybody.

[@nirmitshukla2034]

No SAAB 900 SPG or Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon? I mean the Volvo ad had a Countach in it with a trailer. Coolest car ad ever!

[@jose7777777777777777]

Countach came out in ‘74 which is crazy when you think about the other cars being made that year

[@Moont706]

I’m sure most of us knew what number 1 was gonna be before we even started the video 😊

[@ribeye-03]

Also mention the 1989 Trans Am 20th Anniversary that also came with the V6 turbo found in the Grand National, Syclone and Typhoon

[@christopherkelly577]

F40 was 80s and will likely remain my favourite car of them all. Prices are now at the silly stage but, not so long ago they were a few hundred thousand. Just the looks, from every angle. What a way for Enzo to sign out.

[@1ybr]

I absolutely agree with you, except when the pop-up headlights are up

[@bobnorton2130]

Doug another great list, the 1981 280ZX turbo was a pretty great performance car and there wasn't much around 1981 that could beat that car it also had these great-looking one-year only Wheels. My best friend's father had one of the first ones produced and shockingly let us 2 eighteen-year-olds take it for a spin.

[@versatile3373]

I made my own list right before watching the video and you mentioned all of them. The only one I thought about that I didn't expect you to mention is the Lotus Espirit Turbo. I just found out that the model I liked was designed by Peter Stevens, who later worked on the Mclaren F1.

[@nowthatsurban]

The Esprit is such a pretty car. Maybe he didn't mention it because it was built in the 70s and produced for 30 years - I think most of the cars on his list were produced mainly in the 80s.

[@Flies2FLL]

1. The Z1 was not a performance car. 2. The Peugeot 205, the R32, and the Lancia HF did not sell in the United States. 3. The Omni GLHS turbo was a GREAT idea! 4. The E30 BMW had 192 hp, or 197 hp ROW. Doug, you are an automotive journalist, and you make a video saying these had 215 hp? 5. The Buick Grand National was similar to the Omni GLHS turbo, a lot of fun, but it could actually put the power to the ground. It wasn't as fast as people thought: It was a solid low 14 second quarter car, but that's about it. 6. When you put the F40 above the Countach? Doug I turned the video OFF!

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

The MR2 Supercharged should have been on the list imo, it hit above it's weight class and could even take on cars like the 944S and was the fastest car to 30mph funny enough in 1988. A rather rare and a bit uncommon so the argument could be made it wasn't super accessible to most but it's not like the lancia delta was either.

[@martingriggs6362]

I wanted the car you are standing in front of so bad back then. I really like sleepers, and the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was a great sleeper back then. I drove my brother's Omni GLH from Salt Lake City to Ohio years ago. It was a fun car, but a lot of turbo lag. I owned a 1988 Ford Mustang GT when I was about 24 years old. After 2 speeding tickets in 6 months, the judge suggested I sell the car. By the time I was in front of him, I already had.

[@Danfunnyman1234]

I see the crypto bots still love Doug for whatever reason...

[@bwofficial1776]

We're here for cars, not crypto scams. The bot handlers are beyond dumb if they think anyone's going to take crypto advice from a random comment on a car channel.

[@AlanCymberknoh]

TESTAROSSA TESTAROSSA TESTAROSSA TESTAROSSA TESTAROSSA Cool 1980s performance cars without the Testarossa is very difficult to accept. Seriously Doug you have to edit your list 😎

[@steventrent7750]

I think most people commenting mentioning all of these other cars may have missed the title. This is a list of Doug's favorite cars, not a best of list. Doug is the best!!!! We all love you Doug!!!

[@TeIegrqm-Demuro87]

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[@DixieHomestead]

Glad you mentioned the Z31. They're definitely an 80s icon in their own right.

[@deepblue2968]

Great list, Doug. Now make more of these videos for every decade after the 80’s. Thanks!

[@ralmeida4549]

The 80's was the Group B era in rallying and several awesome cars came out because of that. The Lancia 037, Ford RS200, Audi Quattro, Porshe 959 and the most beautiful Ferrari of all time, the 288gto. Most of these group B cars represent major engeniering improvements and development. The Countach although impressive was mainly a new wild design concept.