Cars which aren't as bad as they're made out to be...
Discussion
Just wondering what cars are out there that always seem to get overlooked or written off as rubbish despite the fact they aren't really all that bad.
For example, I've always wondered if the MGF / TF deserved its bad press?
Also, on PH I'd probably get told to wash my mouth out, but was the Vectra (early shape) as bad as they were made out to be, because I actually quite like the look of them, the SRIs and GSIs anyway. What about the Calibra?
I've noticed there doesn't seem to be much love for the VXR brand either, most people either go for STs, CTRs or the MPS.
On that note, a lot of people think Micras (K11) are rubbish but I had a couple and they were surprisingly fun to drive little things with a 1.3 under the bonnet.
I also thought the original 1.2 16v Punto Sporting was an utter riot to drive, yet everyone went for Saxos instead.
For example, I've always wondered if the MGF / TF deserved its bad press?
Also, on PH I'd probably get told to wash my mouth out, but was the Vectra (early shape) as bad as they were made out to be, because I actually quite like the look of them, the SRIs and GSIs anyway. What about the Calibra?
I've noticed there doesn't seem to be much love for the VXR brand either, most people either go for STs, CTRs or the MPS.
On that note, a lot of people think Micras (K11) are rubbish but I had a couple and they were surprisingly fun to drive little things with a 1.3 under the bonnet.
I also thought the original 1.2 16v Punto Sporting was an utter riot to drive, yet everyone went for Saxos instead.
My bro had an MGF VVC, very good fun car to drive and very robust considering the utter lack of servicing it received, it had a water leak (damaged heater hose) for three years, did eventually have a hgf, which I repaired with a land rover part (not the difficult job everyone assured me it would be). I especially enjoyed driving it sideways on icy roads.
My Calibra Turbo was very quick, economical (6 speed) completely robust and even very competent off road (4x4). I regret selling it, it was still on its original turbo, clutch and transmission at 205000 miles when I offloaded it.
My Calibra Turbo was very quick, economical (6 speed) completely robust and even very competent off road (4x4). I regret selling it, it was still on its original turbo, clutch and transmission at 205000 miles when I offloaded it.
TameRacingDriver said:
Also, on PH I'd probably get told to wash my mouth out, but was the Vectra (early shape) as bad as they were made out to be, because I actually quite like the look of them, the SRIs and GSIs anyway. What about the Calibra?
Early vectra was just released too early, a late cavalier was a better car imho. The stupid siemens engine management they used was pap on the 2 litre cars. The V6 was heavy and not all that impressive. The suspension/subframe was quite a bit more complicated than the cavalier, vectra knocks and rattles all over the place after a few years.The later cars were far better. The VXR is a vastly underrated car imho.
Calibra had s
te visibility and didn't drive as well as a cavalier gsi/turbo.I've always thought the MG TF was okay, in the right colour. Though the interior is disastrously cheap and the MX5's at the price range were better to drive. Still, it does provide that mid-engined experience, which is nice, though done much better by an MR2 at a similar price.
As for the old Vectra GSi models, they were pretty dire in my eyes. Heavy front end, poor handling and fairly crap performance. The Cavalier 4x4 Turbo was a better bet at the time, shame that fairly adventurous car was never taken any further. And a shame there are very, very few of them left these days, especially in half decent condition.
As for the old Vectra GSi models, they were pretty dire in my eyes. Heavy front end, poor handling and fairly crap performance. The Cavalier 4x4 Turbo was a better bet at the time, shame that fairly adventurous car was never taken any further. And a shame there are very, very few of them left these days, especially in half decent condition.
Have to mention my Rover. The car has proven reliable with only silly things going wrong, Saxoproof, 50+mpg, keeps up with traffic with ease, even though the car is a proper five seater saloon it handles as well as (if not better than) any similar sized hatch back, the boot is big enough for two six foot tall corpses and the car qualifies for classic insurance so I don't need a re-mortgague every twelve months.
Another criminally under rated car is the Alfa 155. Easilly one of the best saloon cars ever made and a Swan Song for Alfa before "Health and Safety" ruined car design.
essexplumber said:
Peugeot 207 GTi, had mine for two years with no major faults.
Decent economy and performance, best seats in any car I have been in, loads of kit.
The looks are an aquired taste but all in all a very good car. Still want a BMW 330i Touring though.
Quite a good shout I reckon, I had heard that the chassis was much better than the 206 and with a remap it would be plenty pokey I should think. I had one trying to keep up when I had my MR2 Turbo and he seemed to be having no difficulty keeping up. Decent economy and performance, best seats in any car I have been in, loads of kit.
The looks are an aquired taste but all in all a very good car. Still want a BMW 330i Touring though.
daveparry said:
I don't care.....someone has to say it T V R deffinately not as bad as people seem to believe!
Never really had much to do with them, yet today I mot tested one and I have to say I thought it was a massive pile of poo, so horrid, I now understand why they are no longer available, nice to look at but terrible design and build quality.Carl
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