>Chances are high, anyone, someplace, someday this 12 months, was cruising down the boulevard of their 2003 Pontiac Vibe when “Unwell” by Matchbox Twenty got here on the traditional rock radio station, and it triggered an existential panic assault. The sudden realization that such an terrible music is 20 years outdated and such an terrible automobile is now thought of a traditional is sufficient to make anybody really feel outdated.

Traditional rock is meant to be jams like Led Zeppelin and traditional automobiles are ’53 Chevy Corvette C1s, however the precise definition for a traditional car is something that’s 20 years or older. Talking of constructing of us really feel outdated, in keeping with American Collectors any automobile that was manufactured 45 years in the past is taken into account to be vintage, so a 1978 Dodge Aspen is a treasured heirloom. Weirdly sufficient, automobiles made previous to 1930 are referred to as “classic,” which does not sound almost as outdated as an vintage.

This being 2023, meaning automobiles made in 2003 are actually thought of classics. California really requires a automobile to be 25 years outdated to be a traditional, however 20 years is a basic classification. 20 years does not seem to be that way back and the early 2000s do not instantly conjure up ideas of iconic traditional automobiles, however guidelines are guidelines. With that, listed below are 10 shocking newly-crowned traditional automobiles, ranked from goofiest to coolest.

Because the time period traditional, on the planet of automobiles, is usually synonymous with collectible, these rides might be ranked by their resale worth, which was decided from sources equivalent to Kelley Blue E book and Hagerty.

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10 2003 Dodge Intrepid SXT

Collector Worth: $2,243

Actually, the Dodge Intrepid really wasn’t that dangerous of a automobile, and it is onerous to imagine it has the least quantity of collector worth on this checklist. The cab-forward design was fairly slick and if that they had thrown some respectable wheels on it and possibly some cool graphics, it might have been fairly badass. It additionally got here with some respectable efficiency choices that saved it from being super-lame.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

The 2003 Intrepid SXT got here with a 250-horsepower V-6 engine and was a favourite of freeway patrols. It was most likely slept on as a result of it was wedged between two historic eras. It was made within the outdated AMC plant that cranked out killer muscle automobiles and was changed in 2005 by the rebooted Dodge Charger. Mainly, the Intrepid was the Jan Brady of efficiency sedans, and the center baby at all times will get ignored.

9 2003 Saturn Ion

Collector Worth: $2,823

Saturn was a GM imprint that was speculated to compete with Japanese imports however was actually identified for making a number of the worst subcompacts ever. The Saturn Ion actually fell into that class. Famous for its unappealing design, poor dealing with, and terrible high quality, it was additionally a dying lure. With a whopping 12 recollects, together with a defective ignition change that precipitated the deaths of 13 folks, it was a killer experience within the worst potential manner.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

Edmunds listed the 2003 Ion as #6 on their 50 Worst Automobiles of All Time checklist, 9 spots above the exploding 1971 Ford Pinto. They commented that it was, “Shockingly incompetent to drive and with an inside to match. Kick it and your foot may get caught within the gaps between the plastic physique panels.” Collector worth is low on this one aside from the small masochist market.

8 2003 Mercury Sable LS

Collector Worth: $2,973

A 2003 Mercury Sable is just about a Fourth-gen Taurus, however was in some way marketed as an up-scale model. A budget plastic inside and shoddy craftsmanship referred to as into query its standing as a luxurious car, however apparently, it was barely nicer than its Ford cousin. It shared the identical mechanical elements because the Taurus, however had a singular physique type that was no much less uninspired and forgettable.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

The 2003 Sable LS did have a good V-6 engine that generated 200 horsepower, however Shopper Reviews stated it, “is not as clean or responsive as comparable powerplants from Honda, Nissan, or Toyota.” Additionally, the 2003 mannequin was recalled a number of instances for main points like defective brakes and spontaneous engine fires. Once more, how are folks prepared to pay extra for a used one among these than a Dodge Intrepid?

RELATED: The Worst American Automobiles Ever Made

7 2003 Jaguar X-Sort Sportswagon

Collector Worth: $3,051

Launched in 2001, the Jagaur X-Sort is broadly considered one of many worst automobiles ever made. It was primarily a down-scale Jag, which is one thing no one ever requested for, nevertheless it was additionally fairly costly. It was primarily based on the Ford Mondeo, a automobile so lame that the Blue Oval by no means even tried promoting it in the US.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

Automobile and Driver named The Jaguar X-Sort one of many 20 Largest Automotive Flops of the Previous 30 Years. The auto magazine pulled no punches of their evaluation, saying, “It was obnoxiously underbuilt, remarkably overpriced, and about as charming as a hernia.” Regardless of being a whole flop, Jaguar saved making these automobiles for nearly a decade, together with the 2003 Sportswagon which had the added indignation of being a station wagon.

6 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS Sport Wagon

Collector Worth: $4,179

The favored sci-fi Matrix franchise was in full power in 2003, with each The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions being launched that 12 months. Additionally in 2003, Toyota got here out with their Matrix compact hatchback, which might have been like if there had been a 1980 Datsun Star Wars subcompact. Truly, there actually must be a Datsun Star Wars, like possibly a 280ZX with twin ion engines or laser cannons.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

The Matrix was a three way partnership between Toyota and GM that additionally resulted within the aforementioned Pontiac Vibe. No matter it was referred to as, it had completely nothing to do with action-packed Matrix movies, as its styling walked a high quality line between dorky and boring. The 2003 Matrix XRS Sport Wagon was billed as being zippy, nevertheless it was underpowered and positively not quick sufficient to dodge bullets.

5 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata SE

Collector Worth: $8,404

When you concentrate on two-seat convertible sports activities automobiles, Alfa Romeo, Triumph, and Fiat most likely come to thoughts, however the Mazda MX-5 has outsold all of them by a large margin. Launched in 1989, the MX-5 was marketed because the Miata in the US and was a direct success. On the time, tiny sports activities automobiles weren’t in type, however People purchased them up in droves.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

The light-weight import had an ideal 50/50 entrance/rear stability, making them a dream to drive which explains why novice racers embraced it. The MX-5 bought a facelift within the second-gen in addition to extra highly effective engines, making these automobiles even quicker and sportier. In 2002, the highest trim for the Miata was SE, which did not include any further energy or efficiency however did embrace a backpack and a few baseball hats.

RELATED: 10 Worst Automobiles That Toyota Ever Made

4 2003 Nissan 350Z Monitor Coupe

Collector Worth: $9,642

The 2003 Nissan 350Z not solely counts as a traditional within the technical definition, however within the spirit of the time period. Launched in 2002 for the 2003 mannequin 12 months, this legendary two-seat sports activities automobile grew to become a favourite of road racers and drifters alike. It hit superstardom by gracing the film poster for The Quick and the Livid: Tokyo Drift, and was the principle experience for movie antagonist Takasi (DK). Truly, it was a Fairlady Z, nevertheless it’s the identical automobile.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

When the 350Z hit the scene it was a critical sports activities automobile that did not stretch the price range an excessive amount of. It was Porsche energy for Miata cash, and that resonated with fanatics. It was additionally useful in that it had almost excellent steering, braking, and acceleration. MotorTrend beloved it after an preliminary take a look at drive and stated, “It is fast once you need it to be, but clean as silk on events that require discretion.”

3 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra

Collector Worth: $19,066

The fourth-generation Mustangs are tied with the second-gen for everybody’s least favourite, however not like the Pinto-esque Mustang IIs, the Fox Physique successors got here with some critical ponies underneath the hood. Essentially the most juice you may get in a ’74 ‘Stang was a detuned 171cu-in V-6, however a 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra had a piston-pumpin’ supercharged 4.6-liter V-8, that made it one of many quickest muscle automobiles of the last decade.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

It was nicknamed the “Terminator” Mustang and there are numerous totally different tales as to why, however principally, it was designed to kick the Chevrolet Camaro’s ass, which it did, type of. Chevy Discontinued the Camaro a 12 months earlier than in 2002, so possibly it was pure coincidence, or maybe the SVT Cobra really did terminate it, or a minimum of scare it into hiding for just a few years.

2 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Collector Worth: $22,402

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports activities automobile folks take into consideration when the time period “traditional” is thrown out, however there was an entire lot of actually blah ‘Vettes made since its introduction in 1953. The underpowered C3s of the late Seventies and just about all the C4 era come to thoughts as uninspired examples. The C5 was from a transitional interval, between the design malaise of the C3 and the novel supercar styling of the more moderen gens.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

It is also a reasonably underrated period as a result of the 2003 Corvette Z06 was a hell of a sports activities automobile. As a alternative for the Z1, the Z06 was a tribute to the efficiency of Sting Rays of the early ’60s. It did fairly a superb job honoring that heritage with a strong 405 horsepower engine in addition to superior suspension and dealing with. Those that are good with math and dates might discover that 2003 is 50 years after 1953, so this half-century anniversary automobile has some potential collector worth.

RELATED: The Greatest Corvettes Ever Made

1 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10

Collector Worth: $60,063

A Dodge Viper from any era or 12 months is a traditional for the easy truth that it is the most superior American sports activities automobile ever constructed. With the 20-year rule in place, nonetheless, the 2003 Viper SRT-10 simply formally grew to become a traditional and those to observe must wait. 2003 is the primary 12 months of the third era, and it is when Dodge bumped the legendary V-10 as much as 8.3 liters, so this one’s a keeper.

Energy, Efficiency, and Worth

The common used worth is lower than the unique MSRP, however not by a lot, and the reality is {that a} pristine instance will fetch prime greenback. In contrast to numerous “traditional” automobiles on this checklist, the 2003 Viper will solely enhance in worth within the coming years. It is extremely unlikely that there’ll ever be a 100-point Saturn Ion on the Pebble Seaside Concours d’Class, however Vipers will at all times be fender-to-fender with the highest exotics and classic automobiles at one of the best reveals for eternity.