I was thinking about the Oldsmobile Aurora the other day and while it's no classic to me, surely someone will bring one to a car show someday. But it hit me: other than as a novelty piece, could a sedan really be desirable?
And if not, why? What's really so different about another set of doors? Speaking of which, I know it can happen (Cadillac CTS?), but how often is one more desirable than a coupe version of the same, if one exists?
Of course! Sports sedans are such a special part of the automotive landscape. They're much more approachable to most of the audience than coupes. There's a reason we fondly remember the golden days of sports sedans.
They feel less special imo than a 2 door, but I don't think they're undesirable at all
Give me an E90 M3 over an E92 and an E36 M3 Sedan over its coupe counterpart, and with the exception of the E24, I'd take a 5 series any day of the week over it's contemporary 6 series. I'd also take an S4 of any generation over a same generation S5.
Of course, if a wagon version exists, then that's the choice.
EDIT: I just noticed all of my examples are German. Maybe there's something to that lol
buzzboy
UltraDork
1/31/24 11:28 a.m.
Aesthetically I prefer sedans 9 times out of 10. The 10th time I prefer the hatchback.
I'll echo Turbine in the statement that the Germans make a hell of a sedan. Love my W116 but really all of the 20th century S classes.
I always thought the 8th gen Civic Si looked better as a sedan than as a coupe.
CTS-V.
M5.
500E.
Hell, what about wagons? The Audi RS6 Avant causes me to drool.
In reply to Duke :
The V8 in those make glorious noises.
I'd also take an E28 M5.
Mndsm
MegaDork
1/31/24 11:50 a.m.
Four doors for more .....folks of fine upstanding constitution.
Depends on the sedan. A Galant VR4 is a nice example. I wouldn't bet on that Oldsmobile ever being worth anything though. Look at a classic example: A 1965 Chevy II Nova....the 2 door is worth nearly 3x what the 4 door is(though I think both are technically considered sedans). That being said, I bet you can find enthusiasts for any make and model of car that exists...but the groups of enthusiasts shrink as the cars go out of production...and oddball cars have very small enthusiast communities indeed. It get to the point 20 years after production ends that NOS parts start to run out and restoring an obscure car becomes nearly impossible short of fabricating everything yourself.
xeonoex
New Reader
1/31/24 12:22 p.m.
Personally, I love sedans that straddle the line between subtle and sporty. I own an 8Y RS3. A fender flair and big brakes can really change the look of a Jetta.
I hate 2 door cars that are on the same platform as 4 door cars.
Just take 50% of the utility away so that you can worry about smashing your huge door into the car beside you.
No thanks. Give me a 4 door over a 2 door any day and twice on Sunday.
All of the above goes out the window when talking about a bespoke chassis that is for a low slung sporty car (rwd).
Cts V in sedan or wagon form please!
M5
Various jaguars
Etc.
Absolutely! There are some good ones mentioned above.
As far as new metal, that Cadillac CTS V Series Blackwing LMNOP (whatever) sure looks and sounds nice ... for a price.
ShawnG
MegaDork
1/31/24 12:38 p.m.
2 door sedan, yes.
4 door anything no.
Anything with 4 doors looks better with two doors.
Yes:
No:
I'll take a 4 door sedan over a 2 door anything 95% of the time.
Not to be controversial, but IMHO I find these pretty desirable:
Love sedans! (but not as much as wagons)
ShawnG said:
OT: my family had a 72 maverick sprint way back in the day. i drove it to HS in 1983. i always thought it was neat, but boy was it slow. 200 screaming cubes of i6 power. automatic.
In reply to Toyman! :
Was not a fan of 4 drs in the falcons in my formative years. Wouldn't turn one down today.
My moms mom bought a '64 Falcon (2dr sedan "post") with zero options, new - year after I was born, and my dad's mom had a 65 comet, as far back as my memory's go! Was setting' behind the wheel of them, daydreaming, for many years before I was driving (well, with a license)
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
Don't remember the sprint package. Kinda liked the grabber, but not enough to want one of those "new" malaise cars (gadiated '81, but was into old school)
Definitely. I prefer 2 doors and wagons but some cars that are spectacular only come in sedan form.
iansane said:
Definitely. I prefer 2 doors and wagons but some cars that are spectacular only come in sedan form.
Well thats pretty much this whole thing, isnt it?
Whats the 2 door eqivalent of an Impala SS? Galant VR-4? Chevy SS? Taycan? Heck, even the Aurora only came in 3 box/4 door flavor.
When the real rubber hits the road, the Maverick example pretty much makes the discussion. Here are a few more less than stellar examples of the 4 door variant....
ddavidv
UltimaDork
1/31/24 4:32 p.m.
Australians didn't get a choice. They only had 4 doors until the XB Mad Max car. I wouldn't hate having one.