Today’s “new” 1991 Saturn for sale just begs the question: What car from 1993 would you buy now in factory-new condition to be your daily driver for the next ten years or so? It’s not about making money off some exotic that might have appreciated. It’s your money, although like the Saturn, you get it for 50% off the inflation adjusted price. And then you get—and have to—make it your daily driver.
1993 Maxima SE with every option
My answer too. Easy choice. ’92 on had the upgraded 190 hp engine and of course that timeless shape which lasted one more year. Last good looking Maxima IMHO and the moniker “4DSC” fit.
One has to keep in mind that finding parts and service on some nice cars from ’93 would be an issue. I come up with several candidates:
From the heart: ALFA 164, forget the parts and service problems today, I had a ’91 and it was a true gentleman’s express.
More practical: Lexus SC 300. I’ve long been in love with the styling of the first gen SC and, from everything I’ve seen the 6 was more balanced than the V8.
Most practical: Honda Civic SI Hatch. I’m a sucker for small hatches and this was back when Honda was still hitting them out of the park.
So many good choices from that era, but I’d have to go with a 911.
If I were buying in 1993, it would have been either the Taurus, or the Chrysler Concorde – which I actually bought new in 1995. I shopped it against the new ovoid 1996 Taurus, which just didn’t do it for me. .
Buying today, I’d prioritize likely reliability and serviceability in a 30 year old car. The Lincoln Town Car and Lexus LS come to mind quickly.
While I would have bought the Lincoln handily in 1993, I’d probably give the Lexus the nod today – gotta drive it for 10 years!
A Mercedes W124 E320 would tick the largest amount of boxes for me.
But a Toyota Supra Turbo would be hard to resist as well
So many choices in every automotive genre. My shortlist would be
– Chrysler New Yorker. Last year to buy a traditional American plushmobile, and for ’93 (its last year in this form) you could finally get the over-the-top Landau/5th Ave. interior without a vinyl roof.
– Chrysler NYer 5th Avenue. Same as above with longer wheelbase, but alas these still had to have vinyl roofs, which I obviously don’t like. A Buick Park Avenue is a reasonable substitute, and I’d choose it if it were a ’95 or ’96 with the Series II 3800.
– Saab 9000 CS Turbo hatchback. Incredibly practical and roomy car, both sporty and luxurious. ’92-93 were the sweet spot for these, after key mechanical upgrades like the 2.3L engine, but before the available models shrunk down and it just starting seeming behind the times.
– Saab 900 Turbo hatchback. Last chance to get Saab’s greatest hit. The 9000 was a better car in most ways but less distinctive.
– Honda Accord EX or SE coupe. I always liked this generation and the attention to details, and the roomy back seat and trunk despite being a coupe.
– The Audi A6 from this generation were very, very nice, and the related Allroad was what the AMC Eagle wanted to be when it grew up.
– Chrysler Town & Country, as I like road trips with friends and often want/need to carry lots of stuff.
Time to choose; I’ll go with the Audi Allroad and hope it doesn’t break too often, but would be happy with either of the New Yorkers too.
Audi during 1993 was still firmly in 100-series C4 territory; the Allroad more than half a decade away.
Yikes, my mind wandered into the wrong decade for that one…
Much less of a fan of Audis of that era, they were expensive, unreliable, and the interiors weren’t as good as they’d later become.
Being as how the operative phrase here is “daily driver” and not “that would be a fun car to have” I would need a car good for daily activities. Can be easy to get in and out, quick and pretty nimble, good mileage, reliability, and a 5 speed. That puts Accord, Camry. last of the Volvo 240 series, last of the Saab 900 series, Protege, The fun car list is a lot longer but using if for supermarket runs, commuting every morning, dropping the kid off at school, and other mundane tasks could wear their fun off. A Porsche 911 on one hand and a Fleetwood Brougham on the other are those fun cars that aren’t the best for my daily tasks.
RX-7 FD Type R or Touring, it doesn’t matter.
So tempting, but they’re thirsty, fragile, finicky, and demand care in the wet. It’s up there with the better Alfas in the “Yeah, but want it anyway” category, though.
1993 Acura NSX in red and black with the 5 speed
+1 on this one – daily drivable like a 911 and the pleasure you would get from it would make every day the best day of your life!
Olds 98.
If it wasn’t for rust, I might still have the ’96 I had 5 years ago.
Mustang LX 5.0. 1993 was the last year for the Fox Body. Bulletproof, readily available parts and reasonable repair costs. The only disadvantage is that it is not good in the snow.
This is easy. Lincoln Town Car. Luxury, comfort and room galore, eats up the miles, parts easily available, dealers are probably still servicing many of them, the 4.6 with the all-metal intake will run forever, gas mileage is not too shabby for a big car.
Since I still own a 1993, I suppose I’d buy this same car again. 1993 Nissan 240SX Convertible. It now has 36,000 miles and is garage kept.
Mmm, I’d choose a Range Rover Vogue LSE. Elegant styling and go-anywhere ability.
The E36 3-Series would be tempting, but as a daily driver, the high cost of parts and service would be a downer ($25 oil filters in early ’90s dollars, ouch). I love the Z30 Lexus SC, but it’s a little bulky and more thirsty than I would like. Likewise the Acura Legend coupe.
A 1993 Honda Prelude Si would be a more practical alternative (the VTEC is fun, but its franticness would get old in daily use), although the interior design is a step down from the third-generation cars and I’m not sure how much the dashboard would vex me.
So, I would probably also go for the Honda Accord EX sedan with five-speed, last of the CB generation and finally free of the awful mouse belts. Decent to drive, high-quality materials, generally reliable, and its weak spots are at least known quantities for me.
Hey, they still made the full-size Bronco then, didn’t they?
I’ll take a loaded one with a 351 and alloys in that dark red color, please.
And let’s go all the way and install those real glass headlamps that Daniel Stern mentioned the other day.
This will do…
Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, but I also love the Chrysler AA bodies (Spirit/Acclaim) and C body (Dynasty/New Yorker) and GM A bodies (Century/Cutlass Ciera). I hate these kind of cars aren’t available today.
As 1993 was more than both 15 (Canada) and 25 (USA) model years ago, I’m summarily deciding the question is not constrained by original sales market. So, here’s my list:
• Chrysler Saratoga, Euro version of the AA-body Mopar with higher specs and better equipment inside and out. Since we’re already in dreamy-dream land, skip the 3.0/ProbleMatic and make it a Mexican-spec 2.5 Turbo II. 5-speed or 3-speed auto, depending on my mood at the moment.
• Mazda Millenia, 2.5/5-speed (Euro market again).
• Volvo 240, because this car’s presence on the list is mandatory under local, federal, and international law as well as my sincerely-held religious beefs.
• Saab 900 turbo/stick/4-door because I kinda wish I hadn’t missed out.
Order of the list depends on who’s paying for repairs and whether the time-capsule car also comes with time-portal access to parts.
Your 3rd choice is the obvious and correct answer.
Daniel, I agree with your choice of the Chrysler Saratoga. Outside of the Duster, that would be my other choice for 1993.
I’d take a top of the line Buick Roadmaster, or a Dodge Dakota 4×4 V8.
Dodge Intrepid. Only because there wasn’t a Plymouth version
E34 M5 Touring
I would pick the only car that I’ve really regretted not buying, a ’93 Acura Legend coupe with a six speed manual transmission. I waited too long and now they’re mostly just beat up junk. Where did they all go? Second choice would be a Honda Prelude.
If it’s a DD for me that means there are going to be kids in it, which means I’m picking the safest car I can. By my reckoning that’s gotta be a Volvo 850 wagon, on only its second model year and with (I believe) the only available side impact airbag system at that time. Shame the prompt wasn’t 1994 so I could get the turbo…
Edit: just looked again and side airbags weren’t offered in ‘93. Still picking the 850 though.
Dodge Intrepid. That may seem an odd choice in reality but a 1995 Dodge Intrepid (two years newer but the same car, actually) shares my daily driving duties. I drove it to and from work today! It has the base 3.3L OHV engine which has proven to be durable and reliable, but it won’t pin you back in your seat past its torquey tip-in.
Easy, a 93 Buick Century Wagon with the 4 cylinder engine. Perfect ratio of interior volume, fuel economy, seatbelts, and parkability. I’ve already been daily driving a 94 wagon for the last ten years and hope to keep daily driving it for the next 10 years. Recently added some wire wheels to mine.
Back in 1993, I would have picked a 1993 Camaro Z/28 six speed. If funds were not limited, maybe a 1993 Mustang Cobra. Either would have to be red. Today, I’d need something more practical. I’d consider a 1993 Caprice LTZ. It was a nice driver’s car and a bit of rare and unusual machine which makes it more appealing to me.
However, I am not sure a car would fill my use. I actually owned a 1993 vehicle and it was one of my best ever. My 1993 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 was an awesome vehicle, practical, durable and comfortable. I would probably slightly prefer the pickup variant today. So my pick will be a 1993 K1500 Ext-Cab 6.5′ box with the 350 TBI.
This is great, Vince. I know we have some things in common, but this is my response above:
It depends on if I’m in a Ford or Chevy mood, but I’d take a Camaro Z28 with a six speed, and I might choose that purple pearl color. On the other hand, a Fox Body Mustang Cobra in teal might be a cool daily driver.
I guess great minds think alike! Other than the color, we were pretty much identical in our answer on pony cars.
1993 Ford Mustang Hatchback, now worth a WHOLE lot more money.
I had a 1993 Corolla that was just about perfect as a daily commuter. I often thought a Camry would have been better since a I had a toddler and a newborn in the house at the time and I knew they would be growing up quickly (did they ever!) but the Corolla was totally reliable and economical too.
It is amazing that we were able to transport two young children and their accoutrements in the Corolla sedan and a 1996 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) instead of one of the current behemoths. I guess we just suffered and didn’t know it. [grin]
Mercedes W124 500E
Make mine a Mustang LX coupe with 5.0 and five speed stick. Also the nice aluminum wheels all the cop cars had, only not painted black. All the State Police units here in Indiana miraculously seemed to lose that coating pretty quickly.
Cost no object – Acura NSX or Lexus SC400.
Cost an object – Acura Integra, or can I wait for the 1994 Accord Coupe to come out?
Corvette.
1993 Taurus (or Sable) wagon for utility, smooth cruiser, decent mileage, parts availability–rather than taking the “fun car” approach (resale/collector value in 2023 not a factor for me, either):
Bought a ’92 Lumina Euro 3.4, best car I’d ever owned to that point. When a 15-year-old kid pulled out in front of me, I bought a 100K mile ’93 Lumina Euro 3.4 to use as a parts-car for the ’92. Same paint codes.
Swapped front fenders, grille, bumper covers, and hood. Had the subframe pulled back to position by the Dealership service department. SWMBO drove the ’92 as her daily for years thereafter.
The ’93 “Parts car” ran so well, that I flipped the crumpled ’92 fenders and hood upside-down on my lawn, and jumped on them to push the dents out. Got a bumper cover from the Treasure Yard, along with a steering column. Put something more than 50K miles on the “parts car” before the head gasket failed. Repaired the head gasket issues by rebuilding the top of the engine…but while the engine ran perfectly, the transmission was damaged by the tow home from where the head gasket had failed. It’s still sitting in my back-yard waiting on transmission overhaul. The ’92 is also back there, waiting on it’s turn for the top-end overhaul with head gaskets and valve-job.
So this is really easy: If I were buying a daily-driver ’93, it’d either be another Lumina Euro 3.4; or–this time around–the Lumina Z34 two-door version of the Euro 3.4. With CD player instead of Cassette.
Fabulous cars. Power, handling, comfort, and–up to about 150K miles–reasonable if not perfect reliability. But shave the head and slap a couple of head-gaskets on it, and it should be good to go.
Strictly car? Caprice wagon, solid color(maroon) with 350, posi, tow package, and top of the line interior. Loaded. I’d slap a set of cream steelies on it with dog dish and beauty rings. Done and done.
If suvs count as ‘cars’ fullsize Blazer it is for me, 350 again, 5speed. Posi. 4×4. Silverado package with that lovely red interior and all one color maroon, silver mirrored tint windows.
If trucks were allowed it would be a coin toss between the blazer and a centurion conversion extended cab long bed F250 with the turbo IDI 7.3l
I had a 1994 BMW 325is when they were new. It drove very nicely, although driving BMWs lost its luster once I drove a car that didn’t have its steering column installed at an angle which drove just as well. I wouldn’t want another BMW that I was planning on keep though. The 1994 aged like milk, eating transmissions as the sun caused its interior panels to warp and fall off. Sold it with 92K miles, as its third transmission was on schedule to fail. I also drove an SC400 during that era. I didn’t care for the packaging, but I think I would have been quite happy with a Lexus LS400. A Land Cruiser would be nice, although they weren’t quick back then.
I was a fan of the Chrysler P-bodies when they first came out. I really would like a Turbo 2.2L/5 speed 1986 Dodge Shadow ES (with the crab wheels), but by 1993 those were long gone from the line up…
Instead I would go with the 1993 Plymouth Sundance Duster with the 3.0L/V6 and autobox. It must be in the green they all came in along with the gray interior and the gold painted lace wheels on the top spec.
I can deal with the issues of the Mitsu motor and the trans, but something that small with a lot of punch is a lot of fun.
The pic I forgot to load.
Full size GM pickup, GMT-400 series, like I did buy new in 1993. Regular cab, long bed, 4×4, V-6, automatic.
It could also be a na diesel with 5 speed tree shift
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1993-chevrolet-cavalier-rs-wagon-ordinary-has-become-interesting/
Cavalier wagon with 3.1 MPFI V6. Those engines will run forever. Nice small wagon, can haul things when needed. I had one, I fit in that car better than anything else I’ve had.
To me this is the golden age of cars. Reliability of fuel injection, but without the complexity of OBD2 systems and everything being controlled by a computer module. And with the clean lined 80s styling, before everything started looking like a jellybean.
Mustang LX 5.0 2dr sedan. Black on Black with the 5 spoke rims.
The legendary Acura Legend LS Coupe
SUV is already posted: XJ Cherokee. Base (SE) model with 2.5, 5-speed, 4WD, 15×7 wheels, 4.11 gears, rear limited slip, A/C, cruise, AM/FM/cassette, tinted glass, and gauge package (I want a tachometer). No other options.
Truck: Dakota. It’s the second year (and last for the hot engine) for the Magnum engines, and I want a hot rod. So…2WD Dakota Sport (can’t get the 318 in base trim) with the 5.2 Magnum, 5-speed manual, 3.55 limited slip, rear ABS, A/C, tilt/cruise, and probably buckets and console. Swap stock skinny wheels for 15×8 NASCAR steel wheels painted either black or to match the truck.
Car…this is tough. New F-bodies are nice, but very impractical, not well built, and I barely fit. So…Mustang. LX 5.0 hatch, 5-speed. Base model with crank windows, solid roof, no options except limited slip, A/C and cruise control.
This one… oh wait, I already own it 😉
Hy’s 1993 Honda Accord SE Celebrates 30 Years and 132,000 Miles