Coupes Remembered

Missing the Icons

Let’s face it, the world of cars has dramatically shifted over the last two decades. Back in the day, mainstream coupes and convertibles were the go-to vehicles for a slice of affordable style. But, in recent years, these car types have been put on the back burner, overtaken by the ever-growing SUV trend.

Icons of the Past

While the market still has new Mustangs and Chargers to salivate over, gone are the days when almost every major brand had a flashy coupe or convertible sitting on their showroom floors. Remember the Nissan Altima Coupe or the Honda Accord Coupe? Sure, they weren’t burning rubber with their performance, but they still look darn good even a decade later.

Hit or Miss Designs

Looking back, certain models just didn’t quite hit the mark, like the Pontiac G6 Coupe and its convertible sibling with the retractable hard top—interesting concept, but it wasn’t enough to save it. The Toyota Camry Solara? An eyesore for some, but hey, it resonated with enough folks to keep it around for a bit.

Charm of the Scion tC

One can’t forget the allure of the Scion tC. With its sleek design and a price tag that didn’t make anyone wince, the 160 horsepower might have been modest, but it sure didn’t feel like it. It was a car you could easily take out for a joy ride without feeling the financial sting of gas costs.

Unlikely Stars

Even sedans liked to surprise. Take the Oldsmobile Aurora, which oozed cool, or the Swedish flair from the Volvo S40 and Saab 9-3. They were mainstream, affordable, yet packed a punch in the style department that wasn’t easy to ignore.

Buick and Volkswagen’s Convertible Forays

In more recent attempts to recapture the convertible magic, Buick and Volkswagen brought out the Cascada and Eos, respectively. These cars aren’t exactly unforgettable masterpieces, but they do remind one of the simple pleasure of driving with the top down and feeling the breeze.

A Drive to Remember

Driving these mainstream cars was about more than reaching a destination—it was about the feeling. The engine revving under the hood, the wind whipping through an open sunroof or dropping the top—it’s a kind of joy only a convertible or coupe can give. While not breaking speed records, they provided an enjoyable, connected driving experience that SUVs just can’t match.

The Golden Days

Sure, we might be looking at the past with rose-colored glasses, but it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for these pieces of automotive history. Each car had its own charm and personality, offering something that starkly contrasts the more uniform vehicle designs we see today.

The question is, are these memories just rose-tinted, or were those really the good old days of car culture? Perhaps it’s worth pondering what cars actually embody coolness and excitement now—and if there’s a revival on the horizon.