Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda was the muscle car that looked mean and sounded even meaner. With its aggressive styling and big block engine options, it was built to rule the streets. Unfortunately, today it costs more than most college tuition bills, making it strictly a dream car for high schoolers.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Wood paneling will never not be cool. The icon known as the Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured leather seats, a wide open interior, and wood accents running down the doors. It screamed luxury with a rugged, outdoorsy vibe. Unfortunately, it came with a luxurious price tag as well.
Mitsubishi Lancer
The Mitsubishi Lancer was the poster child for fast-paced teenage dreams. With rally cred, modern styling, and an intercooled turbo inline four-cylinder engine, it was built to go fast. The only issue? Most insurance companies and parents said the same thing: Absolutely not.
Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang GT in the 1970s was the ultimate symbol of American muscle. With bold styling, a powerful V8 engine, and a roar that could be heard a mile away, it was every high schooler’s dream car. Sure, gas prices were rising, but who cared when you had this much horsepower?
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro, especially in the late 60s and early 70s, was the ultimate muscle car with aggressive styling, big V8 engines, and that iconic rumble. Thanks to Transformers, and Megan Fox, it became even cooler. It's too bad most of us couldn’t afford the gas or the insurance.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger was the muscle car that demanded you live life in the fast lane. With a powerful engine, bold look, and rebellious attitude, it became a symbol of 1970s freedom. While it was perfect for burning rubber, it was also perfect for burning a high school budget.
Ford Bronco
The original Ford Bronco was the ultimate off-roading beast of the 1960s and 70s. It had the perfect mix of rugged toughness and style, built for weekend adventures. But with its high price tag, it was more of a dream than a reality for most high schoolers.
Ford Thunderbird
The Ford Thunderbird was the epitome of 1950s and 60s luxury, with its sleek, stylish design and impressive V8 engine. Unfortunately, its tendency to spend more time in the shop than on the road kept it out of reach for most high schoolers, no matter how cool it looked in the driveway.
Nissan 350z
The Nissan 350Z was the ultimate sports car for anyone who wanted to feel like a race car driver without the actual racing experience. With its sleek design and zippy engine, it had all the looks and performance, until you saw the insurance bill.
Pontiac Firebird
Who wouldn’t want to drive like Smokey and the Bandit? The iconic Pontiac Firebird was built for cruising, with its legendary design and powerful engine. Burt Reynolds made it cool, but like any Hollywood star, the Firebird’s fame came with a high price tag.
Dodge Neon SRT-4
The Dodge Neon SRT-4 was the car you dreamed of in high school if you wanted to go fast but didn’t want to deal with the outrageous price tag of a sports car. It had a turbocharged engine, front-wheel drive, and enough pep to make you feel like a street racer, until it inevitably broke down.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler was and is every high schooler’s dream. Rough and rugged enough for off-roading adventures while stylish and sleek enough to pull up to the big game. The only issue? The American-made icon came with a price tag that wasn’t exactly high school budget-friendly.
Chevy Chevelle
Alright, Alright, Alright. The Chevy Chevelle was an icon of the 1970s and cemented its legacy in the cult classic Dazed and Confused. With a beastly V8 engine and a design that could turn heads at any high school parking lot, it was the perfect mix of muscle and style, if you could manage the gas guzzling and the inevitable repair bills.
Modena Spyder
The Modena Spyder, aka the Ferrari 360, was the car everyone wanted to cut class in. The sleek set of wheels stole the show in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and inspired teenagers all across the country to call in sick. Too bad most of us could only dream of having one in the garage, or taking it for a joyride through downtown Chicago.
Toyota Forerunner
The Toyota 4Runner was the perfect ride for anyone who wanted to feel like they were ready to take on the great outdoors, while still looking good in the school parking lot. Built to handle whatever you throw at it, it was also built to be way out of your high school budget.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma was the dream truck for anyone who wanted to look tough without actually doing the heavy lifting. With a surprising reputation for reliability and decent off-road capability, it was begging for a weekend adventure. Too bad the versatility came with an elevated price tag.
Ford F250
The Ford F-250 carried both an intimidating presence and an intimidating price tag. It had the size, power, and towing capacity that turned it into a true workhorse. Unfortunately, it also guzzled gas faster than most high schoolers could keep up with.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser burst onto the scene in the late 2000s with a bold look that was revolutionary for Toyota. Its boxy shape, bright colors, and serious off-road chops made it feel like a life-sized Hot Wheels car. The price tag, though, was anything but kid-friendly.
Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 was the ultimate statement car for any high school parking lot. The loud, oversized beast on wheels was impossible to miss and almost impossible to park. It looked ready for battle, could handle off-roading with ease, and crushed wallets at both the dealership and the gas pump.
Subaru WRX STI
The Subaru WRX STI was the dream car for teenage gamers who spent a little too much time playing Need for Speed. With a turbocharged engine and a giant spoiler, it was perfect for wannabe street racers. Too bad it wasn’t nearly as popular with parents or insurance companies.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning was the dream truck for high schoolers who wanted to look tough without actually doing the heavy lifting. With a surprising reputation for reliability and decent off-road capability, it was begging for a weekend adventure. Too bad the versatility came with an elevated price tag.
Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 was a legendary rotary sports car that coined the phrase “front mid-engined.” A gearhead’s dream, it was built for speed and style and even made a legendary appearance in the Fast and Furious franchise. The only problem? Rotary engines were notoriously needy, and most high schoolers were notoriously broke.
Audi S4
The Audi S4 was the quiet kid in class who turned out to be an undercover beast. With all-wheel drive, a turbocharged engine, and subtle styling, it was fast without shouting about it. Unfortunately, maintenance costs were anything but subtle, especially for high schoolers on a limited budget.
Chevy Impala
The Chevy Impala was the definition of cool across multiple generations. Whether it was a '60s lowrider or the SS from the '90s, it had street cred to spare. It was big, bold, and smooth, but between the size, gas mileage, and rising prices, it stayed a dream for most teens.
DeLorean DMC-12
The car that brought Marty McFly Back to the Future was also the time machine every high schooler wanted. The DeLorean DMC-12 featured gullwing doors and a stainless steel body, looking like pure sci-fi on wheels. Too bad it was slow, unreliable, and cost more than a flux capacitor could fix.
Buick Grand National
Don’t let the name deter you. The Buick Grand National packed enough turbocharged power to smoke most sports cars of its era. It was a true sleeper, understated on the outside yet wild on the inside. Unfortunately, the price tag was anything but understated.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV (Gwagon)
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, better known as the G-Wagon, has come a long way from its military roots. It became the ultimate flex in any high school parking lot with a bold exterior, a luxurious interior, and an even more luxurious price tag.
Infiniti G35 Coupe
The Infiniti G35 Coupe was the affordable-luxury dream for every high schooler who wanted speed and style without a European badge. With rear-wheel drive and a V6 that actually sounded mean, it felt like a grown-up car for someone still doing homework. The problem? It was still priced like a grown-up car.
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 was the overachiever of sporty two-seaters. With a high-revving engine and razor-sharp handling, it was basically a go-kart with a college degree. Every high schooler wanted one, but between the price, the stick shift, and the temptation to redline it daily, it was probably better left as a poster on the wall.
Mini Cooper S
The Mini Cooper S was the car for high schoolers who wanted to be quirky and fast at the same time. It looked like a toy but packed a surprising punch under the hood. Fun to drive and easy to park, it only had one downside: it was priced like it was six feet taller.
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle was the go-to choice for anyone who wanted to stand out without needing horsepower. Made famous by Herbie the Love Bug, it had charm, character, and just enough engine to get you from the school parking lot to the drive-thru. Despite its size, a clean one could still carry a surprisingly hefty price tag.
Toyota Supra (Mk4)
The Toyota Supra Mk4 was every high schooler's holy grail, especially after Fast and Furious made it a legend. With its curvy body, turbocharged engine, and endless tuning potential, it was built to impress. The only catch? Its price skyrocketed faster than its speedometer.
Lexus Is300
The Lexus IS300 was the quiet, cool kid of the early 2000s. It had rear-wheel drive, a smooth inline-six, and just enough attitude to make it a sleeper hit. It looked like a sensible sedan but drove like a rebellious cousin. Too bad the price was a little too grown-up.
Acura NSX
The Acura NSX was the supercar that proved Japan could hang with the Italians. With exotic looks, mid-engine balance, and daily drivability, it was basically a Ferrari with better manners. Every high schooler wanted one, but the price tag was pure fantasy even back then.
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2 was the official vehicle of hippies, cross-country road trips, and questionable life decisions. It was slow, loud, and handled like a breadbox, but it had charm for days. Many high schoolers with dreams of freedom wanted one, until they saw the price of a restored one.
