The best and the worst of trim levels.

Worst? We've hit upon some good ones already, but I'll add generally ANYTHING named after an arbitrary and completely un-car-related brand (I.e. LL Bean edition Subies). Regardless of actual package content, this just bugs me for whatever reason.

On the plus side, I'll say most of the TRD Off-road packages are pretty decent. The Tacoma, iirc, includes a rear locker, Bilsteins, bigger a/t or m/t tires (forget which), and maybe some skid plates and other miscellaneous stuff. Bet you nearly make your money back at resale too.

I don't think the worst has come out yet, judging by some ads I caught on YouTube today. Jose Cuervo and Ford are advertising together about making plastic from used Agave plants so I'm just waiting for the Explorer Cuervo edition, complete with urine yellow paint, and lime scented puke air fresheners.

The Jetta Weber, both the best and worst at the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcaCA-d9v34

oilstain wrote: The Jetta Weber, both the best and worst at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcaCA-d9v34

Bikes are lame.... More tires equals more fun.

the 3800 perfomace pkg (Y87) on the 96-02 Camaro/Firebird was a good deal. For around $400 you got LSD, Z28 suspenion and rack, bigger tires, rear disc brakes and a dual outlet muffler. The rear discs were standard starting in 98, but the rest of the pkg remained.

The 1969 corvette zr1 package cost as much as the car did, but it was a hell of a motor thats now a really rare car. I think it would be the worst best package. Everyone would think your crazy because you could have bought two corvette but now you can buy 100 corvettes with your one.

Worst i can think of might be the platinum edition fords. More money for shiney E36 M3 and a chrome exhaust tip. Or the oz rally lancers

Dont forget the corolla s got not only a spoiler, ground effects kit, and wheels but also 1in taller springs to not scrape the rad new body kit! They may not be that way now but that gen from 08ish was like that

The best SVT Focus package was the Saleen trim. Technically it was sold at dealerships so I'm going to say it counts. All sorts of goodies, plus they plumbed it for nitrous oxide and then gave you a wink-wink nudge-nudge sheet about where to plug your tank in. As far as I know it's the only OEM nitrous oxide setup for a street car I've ever heard of.

I can't imagine any of those have survived to the modern day, or at least not their original owners.

Best: 1988 LX stripped base model 5.0, 5-speed with factory 3.73 limited slip, barely 2900 lbs. high 13s in the 1/4 showroom stock.

Worst: 1988 100% loaded GT with automatic, 2.73 differential, 3300 lbs. mid 15s in the 1/4 showroom stock.

What car am I?

In reply to WildScotsRacing:

Mustang

For "Cool name and logos, seriously bad joke of a performance package," I nominate the Toyota Tercel Blackhawk. I'm not sure it included any performance options.

92dxman wrote: King Ranch on The F150. Best trim line is base with minimal options. Less to go wrong.

I've never been in a KingRanch F150, but the saddle leather interior on the original F250 K-R is awesome. I'd furnish my house with those seats. If I were a rich guy I wouldn't hesitate to buy that package.

Sadly, it seems from what I've seen at the auto show last year they've been skimping on the quality of the leather on the most recent K-R Fords

Trackmouse wrote: Bikes are lame.... More tires equals more fun.

Disagree:

Challenger Scat Pack. $10k cheaper than a 392 SRT, and comes with most of the same performance goodies (engine, trans, rear gears, etc.). 485 horses for $39k? Sign me up!

For best maybe I'll say the new ZL1 - 6-something horsepower and sub 4-second 0-60 for less than a Hellcat? Has anybody said the RS for the new Focus?

Worst - would you consider the Murano Cross-Cabriolet a trim level? Also all the GT appearance packages they used to put on the V6 Mustangs, Camaros and Trans Ams back in the 90's-2000's.

Camping Package in the Pontiac Aztek. For $195 you get a custom 2-person tent that includes an air mattress and built-in pump.

Not sure if best because of the value, or worst because it comes with an Aztek.

HappyAndy wrote:

92dxman wrote: King Ranch on The F150. Best trim line is base with minimal options. Less to go wrong.

I've never been in a KingRanch F150, but the saddle leather interior on the original F250 K-R is awesome. I'd furnish my house with those seats. If I were a rich guy I wouldn't hesitate to buy that package.

Same here. A farmer drove me around his property one day in his K-R and I was impressed.

A good candidate for the hardest trim level name to take seriously would be the Ford Pinto Stallion.

Best and worst in the same car. Plymouth Belvedere: total stripper, slant 6, 3 on the tree.

Plymouth GTX: Hemi, a/c, am/fm stereo, leather, automatic.

oilstain wrote: The Jetta Weber, both the best and worst at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcaCA-d9v34

Don't forget about the VW Fender edition:

http://www.beetle.com/hk/en/home/Models/Lifestyle/Fender.html

In reply to aircooled:

Reminds me of the Jetta Trek in the late 90's

WildScotsRacing wrote: Best: 1988 LX stripped base model 5.0, 5-speed with factory 3.73 limited slip, barely 2900 lbs. high 13s in the 1/4 showroom stock.

I recall the editor of a a NJ-based dragracer magazine in '87 bought a stripper 5.0 and turned a 13.75 on the stock Gatorbacks. It seemed soooo fast at the time. :)

I usually don't care too much about trim packages on cheap cars unless i'm avoiding something trouble prone that i never want to have to fix, but when i'm looking at cars i actually have to spend money on, i tend to prefer an older/higher-miles car of a higher class versus a newer/lower miles cheap/basic car.

I'd say the Ram Limited and Rebel packages are strong contenders for worst exterior styling.

In reply to MadScientistMatt:

I saw one of those just a day or two ago.

a couple of UK examples are the Brabham Vauxhall Viva which had a fake dual pipe and someone needs to research the Jordan grand prix Civic Type R from the late 90s which I believe could be bought in tandem with a matching Fireblade.