2000

It’s not yet been 20 years since Y2K, and we’re already reaching for the rose-colored glasses when talking about the 2000s. It was a decade of rapid technological advancements, one where flip phones turned into smartphones and laptops were finally making some gains on desktop computers. It was, arguably, the decade of the Fast And Furious franchise, for the movie-going car guys, that went from glamorizing the tuner culture to being just another action franchise that happened to feature some exotics.

Above all, though, it was the decade of the electronic uprising in our sporty cars. The first flappy paddles found their way into up-market supercars, and even the more mundane machinery came with a host of electronic aids to keep them level and straight on the road. Some enjoyed having their skills behind the wheel complimented by the electronic suspension, self-leveling dampers, four-wheeled steering, and other clever robotics that made driving fast a bit easier. The purists, however, did not like the rise of electronic aids and kept searching for those cars that kept true to the old school setup of three pedals, a stick, and no help other than that given by your senses.

We’ve put together a list of 8 sports cars from the 2000s that you should still consider today. They offer the perfect blend between rawness and electronic advancement from a time when we didn’t hear doomsday preachers announcing the end of the manual transmission.

It may no longer be true that a TV commercial or, indeed, any sort of ad can actually coax a consumer to at least try if not purchase the product it showcases but, once in a while, there are ads that become instant classics and BMW can pride itself with some of the finest ads amongst all automakers. This classic commercial from the dawn of the 21st century may just be the cream of the crop and that’s in no small part due to its ingenuity, although its star is also important: the E39-generation M5.

Back in the mid-1990s, Cadillac wanted to flaunt an entry-level competitor which would take on counterparts from BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. Initially introduced as a concept named LSE, the Catera made it to the market in 1996 and stayed there until 2001. The car in question here is from the 2001MY, but it’s been… well, tweaked. And not by Cadillac.

It was ugly. It was hated upon for its looks but at the same time people appreciated its practicality and in a different market context, the Pontiac Aztek could have been GM’s Cybertruck back in the day.

No, we’re not here to write the Aztek’s obituary but to bring to your attention a particular couple of renders that might make the SUV’s haters reconsider their position.

Look. We’d take a wagon over a high-riding SUV any day of the week. Perhaps that’s why the undersigned loved the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo so much that he pledged to buy one someday.

The thing is, however, Porsche and station wagons don’t exactly go hand in hand. People went out of their minds when the carmaker introduced the Cayenne, so we doubt that an out-and-out family hauler built by Porsche would get the fans jumping for joy. That said, what about a Boxster-based shooting brake? Is that something you’d take out for a spin to the hypermarket and back?

The Toyota Tacoma is a classic example of ’looks don’t matter’. This pickup truck is one of the most plain-looking models to have graced the industry, but even today, people swear by its durability and reliability. Despite the invasion of modern trucks, the craze for the Tacoma is still pretty high and it doesn’t seem like it will die anytime soon. Because of this, the Tacoma enjoys a high resale value. Tacomas that have clocked five-, or six-digit miles still manage to sell in the used market without any effort. The latest example of the same was a mint-condition 2000 Tacoma that had just 7,000-odd miles on the odo. Despite being a 19-year old model, the owner demanded $14,000 for it, and I’m guessing it was sold pretty soon because the original poster has already deleted the ad.

Ebay is full of interesting vehicles, but few trucks are as attention grabbing as this 16-year-old Ford F-250. This Island Blue pickup is a one-owner ride with just over 18,000 miles on the clock. It might be 16 years old, but it looks showroom fresh with nary a sign of wear or abuse.

Making the truck even more special, this 2000 model F-250 is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission backing the legendary 7.3-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel. It’s basically the Holy Grail powertrain of heavy duty Fords. Oh, and it’s 4WD.

Aftermarket mud flaps and just a hint of surface rust on the trailer hitch receiver are the only tarnish on the truck’s mint, showroom condition. Beyond that, the truck still wears its original Firestone Steeltex A/T tires and five-spoke wheels, two-tone paint, side steps, spray-on bedliner, and the extendable trailer mirrors.

Inside, the tan interior is immaculate, complete with carpeted floor mats, leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood trim, and the original AM/FM/CD/Cassette radio. This rig came from the Ford factory with the Lariat trim, making it a range-topping model in its day. Its Extended Cab and front bench seat configuration means it has room for six in a pinch or four comfortably. The rear bench seat folds upwards, creating a flat load space for cargo. Access to the rear is given via the rear-hinged “suicide” doors.

Of course, there’s that 7.3-liter Power Stroke. It generates 235 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque while making the most distinctive diesel clatter known to man. The four-speed manual transmission with overdrive gives the truest sensation of diving a big-rig this side of a Peterbilt. The only thing that could make this powertrain better is an old-school, dog-leg transfer case for the 4WD. Then again, the electronic switch gives the dash a new-school feel.

Bidding is currently at $8,200 with 16 people vying for ownership. There’s four days left on the auction, so the price will surely rise a considerable amount. A quick search on KBB.com shows the truck’s private party value at $14,448, so expect bidding to hit at least $15,000 before time runs out. Be sure to check out the original Ebay listing here.

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