Most improved cars

[balders118]

Right, so I thought this might be a nice think to have a chat about (i'm pretty bored at the moment)

I don't think this has been done before, I did a search and couldn't see anything.. please ignore if i'm repeating an idea.

So what do you think is a car that has been greatly improved when the next mark, or successor (Mk1 - mk2 golf, or pug 206-207 for example). The improvement can be on looks, performance, anything really as long as its a greatly improved car.

I'll kick it off with a car I think got much better looking when they brought out the new one... The renault megane. The first one.. well i was too young to be interested, when the second one came out i really didn't like it... however it is now growing on me for some reason,and i am begninng to like them, but the newest edition i think is simply gorgeous!! A huge improvement in the looks department. agree or disagree?

any thoughts on other improvements? I've got a few more but I want to give other a chance to comment.

Also, if a car got considerably worse I think that is worth mentioning, maybe the mk2 to mk3 golf is a good example of that. In looks and excitement.

If this is a rubbish idea, also please ignore me..

Here are some photos of the meganes'....

[dougc]

I hated the big arse one when it came out but its grown on me and in R26R form I think it looks better than the new one.

The problem you'll come across with almost (?) all new cars is the size. They're just bloody huge.

Nicked this from the Herts 'show off your cars' thread but it illustrates a point. The Cerbera is a 2+2 and pretty big in the flesh

Look how delicate it looks next to a MINI

[balders118]

Just because new cars are bigger doesnt mean that dont get better looking... look at the new gold compared to the mark 3 - a very bland car.

[jimmy156]

The Peugeot 20x series is a classic example of cars getting worse in every respect.

205gti, great looking, probably the best hot hatch ever


206gti, okay looking, reportadly average to drive.



207gti, bloated an ugly (IMO), no idea what its like to drive but i'd bet mybottom dollar its worse then the 205!

[MX7]

As a manufacturer, Skoda. They used to be woefully bad.

[mat205125]

to

[matt21]

cars getting better.

Suzuki Swift
Jaguar XJ (compared to S-Type)
Latest Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Insignia (vs Vectra)
Citroen C5
Mk1 Focus vs Escort



cars getting worse.

BMW E60 compared to E39 (imo - Im bias)
New Civic Type R & Leon Cupra R
All Peugeots
996 vs 993
E36 M3 vs E30 M3
BMW Mini R53 vs R56

Most others just seem to evolve....

[mat205125]

doogz said:

911, or course.

It was a bad idea from the start. Engine in the boot, in a performance car?

But instead of giving up, they've just been refining it for years and years

Why was it a bad idea?

It makes excellent sense for packaging relatively large passenger compartment into a compact car.

It provides excellent mechanical grip and drive out of bends.

It makes the engine relatively easy to work on and access.

There are good and bad points about all engine / drive configurations.

[fathomfive]

Purely from how they drove - the Mk3 to Mk4 Fiesta.

[balders118]

MX7 said:

As a manufacturer, Skoda. They used to be woefully bad.

+1, Very much agreed

[balders118]

+1 to the peugeot comments... modern pugs aren't very nice at all and I do really like some of the older ones.. like the 205. However, things may be looking good for peugeots in the future.

[dylan0451]

mat205125 said:

to

i know i know, it's terrible what they did to such a plucky little classic

[mat205125]

dylan0451 said:

i know i know, it's terrible what they did to such a plucky little classic

I must admit that I have always fancied the idea of an Uno Turbo powered junior Intergrale

[matchmaker]

MX7 said:

As a manufacturer, Skoda. They used to be woefully bad.

They weren't, actually. Better than many non-Eastern bloc cars of the period!