The early 2000s represents a moment of truth not just for the automotive sectors but also for America’s technological and cultural spaces. It brought a more mature digital age that was born with the iconic Windows 95 in the early 1990s, as well as massive shifts in entertainment, fashion, and world politics. The groundbreaking social media started its journey with the birth of platforms like MySpace and Friendster in the early 2000s, while Google and other search engines revolutionized web access.
This period cultivated the idea of MP3 players which ultimately birthed the iPod in 2001. Laptops became a thing, reality TV captured massive audiences with hit shows like Survivor, and blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Harry Potter wrote their names in the eternal sands of time. In short, the early 2000s set the tone for the 21st century.
The automobile industry witnessed its fair share of “big shifts” as automakers dared again to experiment with new technologies and designs. This was the shining moment for the Ferrari Enzo, Bugatti Veyron, Porsche Carrera GT, and even the Toyota Prius. We remember the top 10 coolest cars from the early 2000s, including a mix of supercars, sports cars, and performance vehicles that best captured the spirit of that era.
2002 Ferrari Enzo
The Ferrari Enzo is the undisputed coolest car to come from Italy and Europe in the early 2000s. It flaunted a Formula 1-inspired design, rocked a mighty longitudinally mounted V12 in its mid-rear, and answered the name of the company’s founder — Enzo Ferrari himself.
The 6.0-liter V12 hauled it from rest to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of around 218 mph. It produced 651-hp and 485 lb-ft of torque. This car was built from the ground up to showcase the Prancing Horse’s F1 expertise and readiness for the sport in the new millennium. Only 400 examples were built.
2005 Ford GT
What we said about the Ferrari Enzo above also applies to the 2005 Ford GT for North America. There was no cooler car stateside in the early 2000s. Known simply as the Ford GT, it represented a modern interpretation of the iconic GT40, offered in a blockbusting package of stunning looks and true-to-form racing performance.
Ford built it to keep our memories fresh with Ferrari’s humiliation at the 24H Le Mans in the 1960s, where the GT’s ancestor (GT40) won the race four times. How can we forget? The modern GT made sure we didn’t with its lively 5.4-liter supercharged V8 producing 550-hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, propelling the car to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. The shifter was a 6-speed manual.
2001 BMW M3 (E46)
The E46 M3 is inarguably one of the best-handling sports cars ever made thanks to its balanced chassis and potent inline-six engine. It’s also one of the coolest cars from the early 2000s, a performance-oriented member of the 3rd-gen M3 that quickly became a benchmark for enthusiasts.
Its 3.2-liter inline-six delivered 333-hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, but the highlight is its high-revving character, redlining at a glorious 8,000 rpm while producing a memorable soundtrack. This engine, known as the S54, is one of the most revered in BMW’s history. The 2001 M3 was a formidable character even with the top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
It’s going on three decades since its birth in 1999 and the R34 continues to be revered as one of the most iconic and desirable sports cars of all time. The 2002 model represents the final version before Nissan scooted over to the standalone R35 GT-R of 2007.
The R34, however, remains a prince in the Skyline bloodline, worshipped for its impressive deployment of cutting-edge technology, performance, and iconic Skyline design. Its twin-turbo RB26 engine and ATTESA E-TS Pro all-wheel-drive system are a legend in the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) community.
A 6-speed Getrag manual transmission delivered power to all four wheels. You’ve seen the R34 Skyline GT-R celebrated in video games and blockbuster films like Fast & Furious.
2004 Porsche Carrera GT
Definitely among the most celebrated supercars from the early 2000s, the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT stood for a raw, no-compromise performance, mostly thanks to its free-breathing 5.7-liter V10. The car offered such undiluted driving dynamics and breathtaking speed that even seasoned drivers handled it with utmost caution.
No electronic driver aids to help. The V10 made a pounding 605-hp at a glorious 8,400 rpm and 435 lb-ft of torque. It was a mill originally developed for the German marque’s motorsport program, inadvertently imbuing the Carrera GT with racing character.
It raced to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, leaving an unforgettable exhaust note in its wake. A top speed of 205 mph made it a conqueror on the track and regular roads. Few supercars in the Carrera GT’s caliber featured a 6-speed manual shifter.
2003 Lamborghini Gallardo
The Gallardo is a pivotal model in Lambo’s history, as it was the company’s first offering following its acquisition by the Audi brand in 1998. It showcased a V10 engine, a sharp design, and conventional doors instead of its signature scissor doors seen on the Murciélago.
It highlighted the Gallardo as a more practical supercar that is on par with the model’s market positioning as a “baby Lamborghini.” As a more accessible Lambo, the Gallardo became the bestselling Lambo of all time. Its 5.0-liter V10 made 493-hp and 376lb-ft of torque with no forced induction, redlining at 8,000 rpm. It raced to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 192 mph.
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The rally-bred Impreza WRX STI won hearts and wallets by mixing everyday practicality with serious performance capabilities. Its highly-tunable 2.5-liter turbocharged (EJ257) flat-four, famous for its “boxer” rumble, made 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, delivering quick acceleration and strong mid-range power.
Perhaps no car in Subaru’s history contributed more to its motorsport heritage. Short for Subaru Tecnica International, the STI celebrated the Japanese manufacturer’s World Rally Championship (WRC) exploits.
It wasn’t just practical and powerful but also durable and affordable. Enthusiasts could not have asked for a better sports car in the early 2000s. It played a huge role in introducing mainstream America to the thrill of high-performance AWD.
2005 Lotus Elise
Many Lotus Elise cars are still on the road today. Lightweight and agile, the Elise represented the epitome of a pure driver’s car, eschewing gadgetries in favor of exceptional go-kart handling. Few cars could match its driving experience at a cheaper price point.
The heart was a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter straight-4 producing 190-hp and 138 lb-ft of torque without forced induction. The modest output figures only fooled those who missed Elise’s incredibly lightweight, weighing a paltry 1,984 pounds.
That helps explain how a 190-hp car raced to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. The 6-speed manual shifter helped chair the driver’s connection to the car.
2001 Acura NSX (NA2)
The NA1 1st-gen NSX (1990–1996) yoked a 3.0-liter V6 to a 5-speed manual shifter. The NA2 (1997–2005) isn’t the second generation but the second and updated iteration of the 1st-gen, featuring a larger (3.2-liter) version of the V6 mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Note that some automatic versions of the NA2 retained the original 3.0-liter.
That said, the 2001 NA2 is a refined NSX supercar noted for its remarkable blend of exotic performance with everyday usability. It’s one of the coolest cars of the era, and that’s not just for its mid-engine layout, aluminum construction, and driver-friendly nature. Its free-breathing V6 revved to 8,000 rpm, and the car was notably more reliable than its more temperamental supercar rivals.
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the fruit of a timely collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren Automotive, encroached the supercar territory with its lively nature, though traditionally a grand tourer designed for comfort and speed. The heart was an M113-derived 5.4-liter supercharged V8 producing 617-hp and 575 lb-ft of torque.
The Mercedes-Benz M113 engine family is noted for its punch and responsiveness. It catapulted the car to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of around 207 mph. Mercedes and McLaren used this car to celebrate technology and the German marque’s classic design. Only 2,157 units were built between 2003 and 2009.