1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo is Chevy's personal-luxury coupe, a rear-drive two-door with a long hood and a traditional body-on-frame chassis. The SS trim gives it a firmer suspension and quicker steering, so it feels more planted than the standard car through corners. The ride is soft and floaty, the way big American coupes were, which makes highway cruising effortless. Inside, the bench seat and column shifter leave room for six, and the dashboard is simple and easy to read. The SS is the performance pick of the Monte Carlo lineup, trading the base car's softer suspension and smaller engine for a firmer, more responsive setup. Under the hood is a 5.0L V8 that makes a satisfying V8 rumble, paired with a four-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive; it returns 18 mpg combined. The SS also gets a quicker steering ratio and stiffer springs, so it corners flatter than the standard Monte Carlo without ruining the boulevard ride.