Cars that started off "cool" but became "uncool" over time..
Discussion
Enjoyed J4CKO's cars that became cool over time thread, so being lazy and just flipping that on its head, which cars started off as being cool but then fell from grace quickly or over time (or do most "cool" cars do this to some extent, it's just that some will eventually come back up)?
Just thinking of a few fashionable phases in my lifetime.
80s hot hatches: Fiesta XR2/Escort XR3/XR3i were pretty cool/desirable cars on release but fell into disrepute in the early 90s.
90s coupes: a little ashamed that the Ford Probe V6 24v was a favourite of mine when new, Vauxhall Calibra was a cool and good-looking car when it was first released, Rover 200 "Tomcat" coupe too and the Ford Cougar and Vauxhall Tigra. The Capri/Manta suffered the same fate before the Probe/Calibra but have possibly become cool again, whereas I don't think the Probe/Calibra will ever get there. Other 90s coupes (Fiat Coupe, VW Corrado, Alfa GTV) seem to have managed to maintain their "cool" status.
Not a coupe but the MGF was very trendy when new but quickly lost its shine due to 90s Rover build quality.
90s 4x4s: Vauxhall Frontera, Ford Maverick, Suzuki Vitara.
Misc: Impreza Turbo/WRX (maybe these are on the up again?), controversially the Range Rover (I still find them quite cool in a tasteful spec but there are so many tastelessly specced Range Rovers out there, could the new Defender now usurp the Range Rover as the Land Rover to have?)
"Fashion" cars: Not sure if any of these were actually ever cool but certainly quite popular for a short period of time.
"New" Beetle
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler 300
What cars in your opinion were cool when new but lost their shine after time?
Just thinking of a few fashionable phases in my lifetime.
80s hot hatches: Fiesta XR2/Escort XR3/XR3i were pretty cool/desirable cars on release but fell into disrepute in the early 90s.
90s coupes: a little ashamed that the Ford Probe V6 24v was a favourite of mine when new, Vauxhall Calibra was a cool and good-looking car when it was first released, Rover 200 "Tomcat" coupe too and the Ford Cougar and Vauxhall Tigra. The Capri/Manta suffered the same fate before the Probe/Calibra but have possibly become cool again, whereas I don't think the Probe/Calibra will ever get there. Other 90s coupes (Fiat Coupe, VW Corrado, Alfa GTV) seem to have managed to maintain their "cool" status.
Not a coupe but the MGF was very trendy when new but quickly lost its shine due to 90s Rover build quality.
90s 4x4s: Vauxhall Frontera, Ford Maverick, Suzuki Vitara.
Misc: Impreza Turbo/WRX (maybe these are on the up again?), controversially the Range Rover (I still find them quite cool in a tasteful spec but there are so many tastelessly specced Range Rovers out there, could the new Defender now usurp the Range Rover as the Land Rover to have?)
"Fashion" cars: Not sure if any of these were actually ever cool but certainly quite popular for a short period of time.
"New" Beetle
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler 300
What cars in your opinion were cool when new but lost their shine after time?
Kiwi79 said:
C63 AMG. Now prices have fallen these are often driven like complete idiots by your usual bro, creotine types. You know the sort of thing: 3d numberplates, questionable tints. Shame really as stonking engine. Of course the estate is exempt from this and remains class.
Yep. A friend says that the type who would drove a Sierra/Escort Cosworth in the 90s, drive C63s now. I would love a C63 Wagon too though, especially now that it appears that the new C63 will have 4 cylinders! I need to have a word with myself though because I'm starting to like the look of the A45 S without the aero kit (I couldn't stand the old A45/CLA45 though). 
white_goodman said:
Kiwi79 said:
C63 AMG. Now prices have fallen these are often driven like complete idiots by your usual bro, creotine types. You know the sort of thing: 3d numberplates, questionable tints. Shame really as stonking engine. Of course the estate is exempt from this and remains class.
Yep. A friend says that the type who would drove a Sierra/Escort Cosworth in the 90s, drive C63s now. I would love a C63 Wagon too though, especially now that it appears that the new C63 will have 4 cylinders! I need to have a word with myself though because I'm starting to like the look of the A45 S without the aero kit (I couldn't stand the old A45/CLA45 though). I think there is a pattern, the C63 has descended into that demographic, but they started out as a pretty desirable car, still are but prob best to wait until those owners have moved on. See a few at the gym, R8, GTR, Golf R etc, certain mods are a clue.
The E46 M3 has had a similar trajectory, now the sketchy characters have moved on to bigger and faster, the E46 is now the enthusiasts choice and its image has mellowed.
They move on as old isnt regarded as cool and there is more commitment required to own an older performance car.
RS3's are off the menu for a lot, saw a programme earlier where some dodgy car dealers were trying to avoid paying the bailiffs and scooted off in one, launching a drink can at the Sherriff. So you get dodgy owners like that and perhaps some more genteel ones that don't realise the risk and those are the ones that get a visit for the keys at 3 am.
The fast Fords had a lot of utter gibbons owning them in the 80s and 90s, but its so long ago, now they are generally middle aged or older and probably not doing handbrake turns, actually I was one of those doing skids in a Mk1 Capri, then a couple of MK3's, a Manta GTE and a MK1 Golf GTI, after thirty years but they are probably safe now.
The E46 M3 has had a similar trajectory, now the sketchy characters have moved on to bigger and faster, the E46 is now the enthusiasts choice and its image has mellowed.
They move on as old isnt regarded as cool and there is more commitment required to own an older performance car.
RS3's are off the menu for a lot, saw a programme earlier where some dodgy car dealers were trying to avoid paying the bailiffs and scooted off in one, launching a drink can at the Sherriff. So you get dodgy owners like that and perhaps some more genteel ones that don't realise the risk and those are the ones that get a visit for the keys at 3 am.
The fast Fords had a lot of utter gibbons owning them in the 80s and 90s, but its so long ago, now they are generally middle aged or older and probably not doing handbrake turns, actually I was one of those doing skids in a Mk1 Capri, then a couple of MK3's, a Manta GTE and a MK1 Golf GTI, after thirty years but they are probably safe now.
J4CKO said:
The fast Fords had a lot of utter gibbons owning them in the 80s and 90s, but its so long ago, now they are generally middle aged or older and probably not doing handbrake turns, actually I was one of those doing skids in a Mk1 Capri, then a couple of MK3's, a Manta GTE and a MK1 Golf GTI, after thirty years but they are probably safe now.
Thanks for the belated welcome to the gibbon club! 
I bought a MK2 Escort RS2000 in 1983 and replaced it with a Capri 2.8i in 1984 that I had to sell for a house deposit.
And ended up with a 2.0 GLS Cavalier Sportshatch (so a Luton Manta)!
But in 1987 I bought another Capri 2.8i, and some years later I had a 1.6 MK1 Golf GTi and a MK2 16V GTi.
It looks like I've got most boxes ticked.
This thread seems like another of those where people seem to bang on about what they think are facts but are barely stereotypes based on a handful of people.
Many of the cars listed are all the top of the range models which when new only a relatively small % could afford so the cars remained an aspirational / cool car for the first few years. As soon as they are more readily available and more people experience them they tend to realise at 5-10 years old these "halo" cars are good but maybe not as special as they were perceived to be plus running costs/maintenance start to have in impact on owners "pleasure" and potential buyers start developing concerns about buying one.
Eventually they get cheaper again and another lower end buyer can afford to buy one at which point the car is 15+ years old, technology/style has moved on which in my opinion then encourages owners to insist that is part of the reason why their old car is so "cool" in order to justify why they have a 10-15 year old car to people who don't have a clue.
Personally, I think you're bloody stupid if for example you have the means & desire to run a Mercedes C63 but opt not to because you were told a bloke in his 30s who goes to a gym owns one
Many of the cars listed are all the top of the range models which when new only a relatively small % could afford so the cars remained an aspirational / cool car for the first few years. As soon as they are more readily available and more people experience them they tend to realise at 5-10 years old these "halo" cars are good but maybe not as special as they were perceived to be plus running costs/maintenance start to have in impact on owners "pleasure" and potential buyers start developing concerns about buying one.
Eventually they get cheaper again and another lower end buyer can afford to buy one at which point the car is 15+ years old, technology/style has moved on which in my opinion then encourages owners to insist that is part of the reason why their old car is so "cool" in order to justify why they have a 10-15 year old car to people who don't have a clue.
Personally, I think you're bloody stupid if for example you have the means & desire to run a Mercedes C63 but opt not to because you were told a bloke in his 30s who goes to a gym owns one
Kiwi79 said:
C63 AMG. Now prices have fallen these are often driven like complete idiots by your usual bro, creotine types. You know the sort of thing: 3d numberplates, questionable tints. Shame really as stonking engine. Of course the estate is exempt from this and remains class.
Rangerovers apart from the Vogue seem to have suffered the same fate too..aka_kerrly said:
Eventually they get cheaper again and another lower end buyer can afford to buy one at which point the car is 15+ years old, technology/style has moved on which in my opinion then encourages owners to insist that is part of the reason why their old car is so "cool" in order to justify why they have a 10-15 year old car to people who don't have a clue.
You missed the part at the end when they do get cool again, there are less good examples available, prices go up and the cycle starts again. white_goodman said:
90s coupes: a little ashamed that the Ford Probe V6 24v was a favourite of mine when new, Vauxhall Calibra was a cool and good-looking car when it was first released, Rover 200 "Tomcat" coupe too and the Ford Cougar and Vauxhall Tigra. The Capri/Manta suffered the same fate before the Probe/Calibra but have possibly become cool again, whereas I don't think the Probe/Calibra will ever get there. Other 90s coupes (Fiat Coupe, VW Corrado, Alfa GTV) seem to have managed to maintain their "cool" status.
I don't recall the probe or calibra ever being cool. Things had moved on when they were launched. They started uncool & remained so!!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff