A Guide to 1999 Cars
From superminis to outsized SUVs, these are the best 1999 cars.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
The Chrysler 300M might have been the best car of 1999, but it had stiff competition from the Honda Accord and Lexus RX 300.
At the close of the millennium, automakers were focused on marrying new technologies with tried-and-true performance to create cars that have stood the test of time.
To help you find the used car of your dreams—or just guide you down memory lane—we've compiled a guide to cars from 1999. Whether it's a reliable vehicle that rarely needed
car repairs
or a hyper cute, uber-cheap supermini, we'll share the good, the bad, and the millenial from this iconic year.
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The best car of 1999: Chrysler 300M
KBB fair market range: $1,523 to $3,046
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 engine w/four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Strong, silent, and stunning, the
Chrysler 300M
might just be the best car to hit the road in 1999. Luxury sedan styling and outsized comfort combined with the V6 engine’s 253 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque for a car built for long, peaceful road trips. The 300M also stood out for its excellent handling and impressive speed, with a 7.8-second zero to 60 time and a 15.9-second quarter mile. The 300M might be a rockstar, but it’s no diva: stellar build quality means low maintenance costs and excellent dependability. If you’re in the market for a used 1999 Chrysler 300M, you’ll find it’s a solid investment.
The best luxury car of 1999: BMW 3 Series
KBB fair market range: $2,812 to $4,125
Powertrain: 2.5 or 3.0-liter inline-six w/five-speed automatic or manual transmission
What makes it special:
The BMW 3 Series has been a classic since the German automaker first introduced the E21 generation in 1975. Sturdy engines, timeless styling, and irrepressibly fun driving dynamics make the 3 Series one of 1999’s best cars. The
323i
and 328i
sedans got a major redesign for 1999, but the 3 Series also came in coupe, hatchback, and convertible form—a wealth of options compared to today’s 3 Series! The best SUV of 1999: Ford Expedition
KBB fair market range: $2,460 to $3,979
Powertrain: 4.6- and 5.4-liter V8 engines w/four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
In 1999, as the
Bronco
rode into the sunset, Ford put its best SUV foot forward with the Expedition
. This full-size ute took everything great about the uber-popular F-150
truck and bundled it into a burly three-row package capable of towing up to 8,000 pounds and rolling neatly into the average suburban garage. Dual airbags and anti-lock brakes added to the Expedition’s safety specs, while a new front grille and updated dashboard dialed up the style factor. It’s hard to imagine a more sturdy workhorse of an SUV coming out of the year 1999. The best luxury SUV of 1999: Lexus RX 300
KBB fair market range: $2,878 to $5,137
Powertrain: 3.0-liter V6 engine w/four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Crossovers may be all the rage now, but in 1999 nobody was doing it like
Lexus
. The 1999 RX 300
was built on a car platform, but the V6 engine’s 220 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque, along with the option for four-wheel drive, guided this mini-ute confidently out of sedan territory. Add on rich leather upholstery, a central LCD display, a seven-speaker Pioneer sound system, and efficiency-boosting Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVTi), and the 1999 RX 300 stands up to the best luxury SUVs. The best family car of 1999: Honda Accord
KBB fair market range: $1,960 to $3,139
Powertrain: 2.3-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6 engine w/four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
Timeless might be the best word to describe the
Honda Accord
, which has been among America’s best-selling cars since 1989. And in 1999, it was the best family car available, hands down. What made the 1999 Accord so good for families makes it an excellent choice for a used car. The Accord’s sixth generation, like all Accords, emphasized value and safety, making for a sturdy car with great resale value. A spacious cabin, solid build quality, and quick, responsive driving all add up to one of 1999’s best cars.
The best sports car of 1999: C5 Corvette
KBB fair market range: $13,868 to $16,113
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V8 engine w/four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
An all-new hydroformed box frame set the ever-popular
Chevrolet Corvette’s
fifth-generation apart from those that came before. With a zero to 60 time of just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph, the C5 Corvette was the best sports car of 1999. A powerful engine capable of generating 345 hp was just the beginning. As the new millennium approached, Chevrolet dialed up the tech in the new Corvette with an optional heads-up display (HUD), Active Handling System, and ahead-of-its-time anti-lock brakes. If you’re looking for the best used sports car from 1999, look no further.
The best truck of 1999: GMC Sierra 1500
KBB fair market range: $4,778 to $7,617
Powertrain: 4.3-liter V6 or three V8 engines w/four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
When it comes to trucks, the
Chevy Silverado
and Ford F-150 tend to get all the applause. But in 1999, GMC quietly redesigned its full-size Sierra 1500
pickup—with stupendous results. The Sierra’s new three-piece frame fared better in crashes than previous versions, while the three optional V8 engines generated up to 300 hp for a towing capacity between 4,000 and 8,000 pounds. Why such a big range? From the choice between the regular cab and the roomy extended cab to three trim levels, short or long bed options, and multiple drivetrains, the Sierra 1500 boasted nearly endless opportunities to customize. Snag one of these super-pickups, and you’ll be benefitting from that driver-focused smorgasbord of options.
What cars came out in 1999?
The end of the millennium brought lots of new things to the automotive industry, from BMW’s first SUV to two of the cheapest, pluckiest subcompact cars ever sold in the US. Check out the table below to see some of the best cars that came out in 1999.
Model | Vehicle type | Engine | Fair market range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SUV | 3.0- to 4.8-L inline-6 or V8 | $2,525 to $4,302 | BMW’s first SUV | |
Ferrari 360 | Sports car | 3.6-L V8 | $87,000 to $200,000 | Replaced by Ferrari F430 in 2004 |
Full-size SUV | 5.4-L V8, 6.8-L V10, or 7.3-L V8 turbodiesel | $6,934 to $10,199 | Longest and heaviest SUV ever in mass production | |
Hybrid electric hatchback | 1.0-L inline-three w/10kW electric motor | $1,548 to $2,893 | One of the first best-selling hybrids | |
Subcompact car | 1.3-, 1.5-, or 1.6-L inline-four | $1,583 to $2,670 | Cheapest car on the US market when released | |
Truck-based compact SUV | 2.4- or 3.3-L inline-four or 3.3-L V6 | $2,527 to $4,434 | Renowned for no-frills practicality | |
Porsche 911 GT3 | Sports car | 3.6-L flat-six | $5,106 to $21,014 | Zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds |
Full-size pickup truck | 3.4- or 4.0-L V6 or 4.7-L V8 | $4,509 to $9,253 | *Motor Trend’s* Truck of the Year in 2000 and 2008 | |
Subcompact car | 1.5-L four-cylinder | $1,354 to $2,795 |
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Good news: it typically costs less to insure a used car than a new one. That’s because the cost to replace or repair the car is generally lower, so insurance companies won’t have to pay out as much for claims.
Your insurance costs could also be lower if you drop full coverage on an older car. Because collision and comprehensive coverage aren’t mandatory in any state, you’re not obligated to carry them unless your car loan requires it.
Whether you’re considering new coverage options for your beloved ‘99 daily driver or eyeing a new-to-you used car purchase, you can review your cheapest
car insurance
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Although the Honda Accord got better reviews from experts, the ever-popular
Toyota Camry
was the best-selling car of 1999.What was the fastest car in 1999?
With a top speed of 202 mph and 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds, the
Lamborghini Diablo GT
was the fastest car of 1999.Are you overpaying for car insurance?
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