Great Looking Cars That Are Rubbish
Great Looking Cars That Are Rubbish
Author
Discussion

Baldchap

Original Poster:

9,629 posts

122 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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This week Mrs Baldchap and I are on holiday in Florida and hired a car that I've always wanted a go in: A Dodge Challenger.

It's a 3.6 v6, not a V8, sadly, but even if it were the fast one I'm pretty sure it'd still be absolutely crap to live with. It's not at all comfortable, the trim falls off and (not the car's fault) has been smoked in and stinks.

It just looks spectacular to my eye and I couldn't be happier!

What great looking cars that are awful have PHers driven?




LuS1fer

43,543 posts

275 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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The Americans build down to a price so it's hard to compare a base model with the far more expensive V8.

At one time, the V6 Mustangs came without a rear sway bar, small brakes and speed limited tyres and a pretty shonky interior. However, the price was more akin to a base Ford Escort.

rotarygoth

188 posts

135 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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I hired a Dodge Challenger SRT Hemi for a road trip across Colorado, Arizona and Utah. Whilst the interior was a bit cheap, that engine! Did nearly 4000 miles in 14 days twas a comfortable place to be for 6:hours at a time.


I think the lower spec US cars do tend to be lacking in quality.


CG2020UK

3,012 posts

70 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Range Rover Evoque


finlo

4,453 posts

233 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Vauxhall Calibra!

Mikebentley

8,681 posts

170 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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finlo said:
Vauxhall Calibra!
See I liked the 4x4 Turbo and thought even the base car was a nice steer in it’s day.

georgejoshington

423 posts

192 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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E46 M3

luckystrike

536 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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I'm also a little surprised at the OP example but again I've only driven a 5.7 R/T Classic rather than a V6 or any faster/stiffer variant. The interior was a little American but not that unpleasant, however I found it supremely comfortable when we took it on a cross-state road trip from Kansas City to Chicago and back in a weekend. Amazing fuel economy for the engine, box and weight too!

The standout example of something like this to me is the Alfa GT - looked lovely, but drove 'OK' at best.

Aventador 700

2,903 posts

51 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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georgejoshington said:
E46 M3
+1 even the csl, induction noise was good tho.

Current bmw 8 series

jhonn

1,704 posts

179 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Lexus SC430 - I loved most things about the car, even the way it looked. But as a package it was a bit rubbish - the chassis had the torsional rigidity of a wet potato crisp, with the inevitable effect on the handling. Clarkson was right about it.

The Dodge's above are great looking cars, I've never driven one and only ever seen one on the road.

I may as well be the first to say it - the previous generation Defender; great looking, practical(ish), characterful and charming, but to a lot of people that have driven them say they can be a bit rubbish. My BIL has owned several and loves his current one, wouldn't part with it - but even he admits that overall it's a bit rubbish.

Paul_M3

2,533 posts

215 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Mikebentley said:
finlo said:
Vauxhall Calibra!
See I liked the 4x4 Turbo and thought even the base car was a nice steer in it’s day.
I agree. I had the standard 2 litre version first, and then replaced it with a 4x4 Turbo which was tuned to 260Bhp. I thought it was a great car for its time.

AndrewCrown

2,501 posts

144 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Yes as a foregone conclusion I pressed the Mustang convertible button at Avis on a trip to California.

At a distance, looks fabulous.. sounds great... just rather disappointed by the fit & finish.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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CG2020UK said:
Range Rover Evoque
What?!

lel

399 posts

153 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Krikkit said:
CG2020UK said:
Range Rover Evoque
What?!
Came here to say the same laugh

MikeM6

6,069 posts

132 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Krikkit said:
CG2020UK said:
Range Rover Evoque
What?!
Agreed, the question asked was about GREAT looking cars, not naff looking cars.

I would probably go with the Maserati GranTourismo, I've not experienced it myself, but from what I have seen and read, it is the very epitome of beauty being only skin deep. I really hope that is wrong though!

anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Surely the DMC-12 is the poster child for amazing looking cars that drive like total st. Well, amazing from 10 metres away where you can't see how utterly shonky it is.

cherryowen

12,580 posts

234 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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I'm actually unsure about this nomination :-



Without a doubt, it is pant-wettingly stunning with a jewel-like 2.0 litre V8.

But....

I'd imagine the build quality was that of a Jey Cloth, long weekends away would be out of the question without anywhere to stow any luggage, and would it make it to any given destination without exploding in a shower of cogs and springs.

Pretty, though


rotarygoth

188 posts

135 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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I might get flamed here, but new shape Toyota Supra GR 2.0 the thing looks awesome, but it's not the fire breathing replacement for the mighty 2JZ twin turbo in the MK4. Yes the 3.0 GR is no slouch, but I don't think a 2l 4pot really belongs in a car with the Supra badge. IMHO

toasty

8,414 posts

250 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Aventador 700 said:
georgejoshington said:
E46 M3
+1 even the csl, induction noise was good tho.

Current bmw 8 series
Que? The E46 M3 rubbish?

Some may not like the gearbox options but it was almost peerless as an all rounder in its day.


belleair302

7,015 posts

237 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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BMW Z8 has always left me cold. With that engine it should scream drive me, but it doesn’t. Lame handling, unusual interior and just not remotely special. Why they cost so much is beyond me. A Continental GT leaves it for dead on the road.