Class on wheels: 9 Cars used in Bond movies that can seriously give you life goals

James Bond cars have never been just cars. Each one always felt like a character. They jump into action. They pull off stunts. They've saved Bond’s life more than once. Some even drive into the ocean and come out fine. These machines do more than just look good. They come packed with gadgets that make you want to rip apart your own dashboard and find something hidden inside.

Over the years the Bond franchise has picked cars that do more than just fit the scene. These vehicles leave an impact. Some fly through the air while others shoot missiles or drop spikes on the road. A few models were built just for the movies and still ended up becoming dream cars for thousands of fans.

This list takes a look at the ones that truly stood out. They are not just fast or stylish. They make a statement. You look at them and you want to be that guy in the driver’s seat. Maybe your car does not have rocket launchers or remote control steering, but after seeing these picks, you might wish it did. These Bond cars are not just cool rides. They are serious life goals on four wheels.

---

9 Cars used in Bond movies that can seriously give you life goals

1. Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger (1964)

The Aston Martin DB5 changed everything when it showed up in Goldfinger. It was more than just a stylish car on screen. Bond used its ejector seat to take out a threat inside the vehicle. He relied on front-facing machine guns and a smokescreen to escape gunfire. It even had oil slicks and tire slashers for chase scenes.

The rotating number plates helped Bond stay undercover while moving between countries. The car was a tool and a weapon. Its design fit Sean Connery’s version of Bond perfectly. It gave the film a tech-savvy edge and helped define what a spy car should be.

---

2. Lotus Esprit S1 – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

The Lotus Esprit S1 became unforgettable the moment it drove off a pier and turned into a submarine. Before that moment the car already looked sharp with its wedge shape and bright white paint. But the transformation changed how audiences saw Bond’s tools.

The car fired underwater missiles and kept Bond safe from depth charges. Every feature had a clear use in the escape. Roger Moore’s Bond needed something bold. The Esprit fit that tone without feeling like a gimmick. It made the chase scene one of the most original in the series.

---

3. Aston Martin V8 Vantage – The Living Daylights (1987)

The V8 Vantage in The Living Daylights didn’t try to look futuristic. It looked like it belonged in the real world. That worked well with Timothy Dalton’s colder and more grounded Bond. The car came with missiles in the front grille and lasers in the wheel hubs.

It had retractable skis and a rocket booster built into the rear. Bond used it all during a high-speed chase on icy terrain. The car didn’t just add flair. It helped him escape the Soviet army and made that chase feel urgent and believable. The V8 made Bond look tactical rather than flashy.

---

4. BMW Z8 – The World Is Not Enough (1999)

The BMW Z8 had limited screen time in The World Is Not Enough but still pulled off something memorable. Its design was sleek and modern. Bond controlled it using a remote on his phone. That made it feel ahead of its time.

The Z8 also had surface-to-air missiles on the sides. Bond used them to shoot down an attack helicopter. It was destroyed not long after when a buzzsaw helicopter sliced it in half. That moment came out of nowhere and stuck with viewers. It showed that even Bond’s tech was not safe in this version of the story.

---

5. Aston Martin DBS V12 – Casino Royale (2006)

The Aston Martin DBS in Casino Royale fit Daniel Craig’s version of Bond like nothing else could. The car had no gadgets. It was raw power on wheels with a sharp and simple design. It showed up right before one of the film’s most intense moments.

Bond swerved to avoid Vesper and crashed the DBS in a brutal wreck that set a world record for barrel rolls. That crash wasn’t just for shock. It helped change the tone of the movie. The car’s stripped-down look backed up the film’s darker approach. It matched Bond’s new direction from the ground up.

---

6. BMW 750iL – Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

The BMW 750iL in Tomorrow Never Dies looked like a regular executive sedan but turned into a fully loaded defense unit. Bond used his Ericsson phone to drive it remotely from the backseat while pinned down in a multi-level garage. The car released tear gas, electrified its door handles to stop intruders, and fired missiles through the sunroof during a nonstop chase.

Its tires reinflated automatically after being shot and it jumped off the parking garage roof to finish the escape. Pierce Brosnan’s Bond leaned into high-tech gear and this car made that direction work. It showed that modern style could still handle danger with zero hesitation.

---

7. Aston Martin DB10 – Spectre (2015)

The Aston Martin DB10 was made just for Spectre. It had a minimal design with smooth lines and no flashy trims. Bond took it through Rome during a night chase that included a flamethrower blast and rear-mounted guns that fired at Hinx’s Jaguar.

Inside the car Bond found a hidden ejector seat and launched himself out just before crashing it into the river. The DB10 did not feel overloaded. It felt direct and sharp. That suited Daniel Craig’s Bond who used it as a focused tool rather than a showpiece. The restraint in design made its impact stronger on screen.

---

8. Ford Mustang Mach 1 – Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Bond drove the red Ford Mustang Mach 1 during a hectic Las Vegas police chase. The scene began with him behind the wheel and Tiffany Case panicking in the passenger seat. Bond steered it through crowded streets and casino traffic while outrunning patrol cars.

The car leaned onto two wheels to squeeze through a narrow alley in one of the film’s most famous stunts. Its engine roared through every turn. The Mustang gave Bond muscle and noise in a film that usually leaned toward comedy. It gave the sequence weight and gave the character a tougher presence on American soil.

---

9. Citroën 2CV – For Your Eyes Only (1981)

The Citroën 2CV looked out of place next to Bond’s usual rides. That changed fast when Bond and Melina escaped in it after their Lotus exploded. They drove it down hills and through trees while being chased by heavily armed hitmen in faster cars.

The 2CV flipped over during the chase and kept going. It looked silly but it worked under pressure. Bond used the car’s size to slide through tight spaces and avoid gunfire. The whole scene felt chaotic in a way that made sense. The 2CV became a symbol of Bond’s ability to adapt to whatever came next.

---

Follow for more updates.