Cars which grew on you

[V8mate]

Which cars, despite the marketing men's best efforts, failed to stir any kind of appeal for you at launch but, whether months or even years later, now really appeal?

One from me to start...

MINI Countryman - didn't like it in the pre-launch pics; didn't like it in the flesh at the Geneva Motor Show. Think it's a proper funky little thing now I've seen a few barrelling around.

[Meridius]

No marketing launch rubbish because its 20 years old but the Fiat Uno Turbo. A mate bought one a few years ago and when he said it I thought 'what, one of those eastern bloc pieces of trash?'.

Only had to go out in it a few times and now I bloody love them, even the looks grew on me.

[U T]

Agree on the Countryman. Saw one today in bright red with black trim. And for the first time since launch I thought "that looks really good".

[Stu R]

I like the Countryman too, was in two minds about it, didn't like it, then did, and still do. I do think the lower end models are a bit cheap and nasty looking, but the top spec jobs look great to me.

Same goes for the MINI Coopers, I was always a bit 'meh', but I've loved them for the last few years.

350 and 370Z too, and the GTR.

[Audi 525i]

The Bangle 6 series. Did not appreciate it back in 2003, but time is a healer. It's an acquired taste:

[V8mate]

Audi 525i said:

The Bangle 6 series...

Which reminds me... the 1 Series too.

WHen I first saw one - on the concourse at Liverpool St Station - all I could see was a car which looked like the middle had sagged.

Thee's one on the drive now

[Garlick]

Didn't like the Alfa SZ. No I really want one.

[Baryonyx]

The mk2 MR2. At first, I used to look at them (when I knew nothing about cars) and scorn them, saying they looked like a cheap Ferrari etc etc. Now that I have a few years of appreciation for the art of car design under my belt, I can look at them and enjoy them what they are, superbly styled Japanese sports cars.

[B3njamin]

Nissan Juke - quite a funky looking car and I like it far more now than when it was first released.

[War Pig]

Z4 and last gen 5 Series.

[EDLT]

The Toyota GT86, going by all the threads nobody wants to buy a new one!

[martin84]

I dont know why, but im beginning to like it.

[TazR6]

WARTburg 311.

[Muntu]

I have never liked Porsches. I went to Birmingham NEC Motor Show when this was released and I hated it with a vengance. I felt very offended that Porsche could produce such a monstrosity.

As it stands at the moment, it would be one of the first five in my lottery millionaire garage:

[robsco]

Like many on here, a lot of Bangle's designs for BMW have grown on me a lot since their launch, particularly the E60 5-Series. They even look good on the smaller wheels, which can't be said for many cars these days.

Also the Porsche 911. About 5 years ago I started to like them, and I find them more attractive and easier to appreciate every day. People may whinge about the safe styling, but why mess about with what is already an interesting shape?

[Steamer]

Looking better now than it ever did!

Seriously pondering taking the plunge.

[williredale]

Jag XJ-S. Used to think they were horrible looking things but now when I see one it takes some restraint to keep myself trawling the classifieds to find one!

[pwrc]

MK1 Audi TT. Really like it suddenly, don't know why

[Negative Creep]

Meridius said:

No marketing launch rubbish because its 20 years old but the Fiat Uno Turbo. A mate bought one a few years ago and when he said it I thought 'what, one of those eastern bloc pieces of trash?'.

Only had to go out in it a few times and now I bloody love them, even the looks grew on me.

I still think it looks crap. There's one near my work car park, in BRG with steel wheels that looks comically bad

[mollytherocker]

martin84 said:

I dont know why, but im beginning to like it.

I dont know why either! Its totally hideous! e.g; Look at the arch design on the front wings.

You cant be serious surely?

MTR