What cars have you changed your opinion of?
Discussion
I always used to dislike Porsche for no reason really other than not being a Ferrari. I've never driven or been in one but recently I've been thinking I'd quite like a 996 turbo, I'm not sure why though, maybe I've just matured.
So I was wondering what cars have you changed your opinion of in a positive or negative way and why?
So I was wondering what cars have you changed your opinion of in a positive or negative way and why?
A cayman 3 4S.
When they came out people were saying "poor mans 911" or "he can't afford a 911"
Had a go in one and loved it. 2006 car.
Not just the noise at high revs, the build quality, the leather everywhere (specced).
It was the quickest want for any car once I'd been in one.
Before trying one I was in the opinion of all the others I must admit.
Another one, UP Gti.
Wasn't convinced until I drove one. Simplistic fun.
When they came out people were saying "poor mans 911" or "he can't afford a 911"
Had a go in one and loved it. 2006 car.
Not just the noise at high revs, the build quality, the leather everywhere (specced).
It was the quickest want for any car once I'd been in one.
Before trying one I was in the opinion of all the others I must admit.
Another one, UP Gti.
Wasn't convinced until I drove one. Simplistic fun.
Positively - as above, Porsche Boxster/Cayman. A friend has had a series of Porsches, and I preferred driving his Boxster S to his 997 Turbo. In my untrained hands it felt more nimble and connected, and IMO it sounded better. I'd love a manual Cayman GT4.
Negatively - the current LR Defender. I've loved Land Rovers my entire life, and when I saw what the new Defender was going to look like I was sure I had to have one at some point. However, they now seem to be EVERYWHERE, mostly in horrible triple black colour schemes with comically big wheels, and any desire to have one is totally gone.
Negatively - the current LR Defender. I've loved Land Rovers my entire life, and when I saw what the new Defender was going to look like I was sure I had to have one at some point. However, they now seem to be EVERYWHERE, mostly in horrible triple black colour schemes with comically big wheels, and any desire to have one is totally gone.
I'll give a shout out to the Cayman as well, I always lusted after a 911 but seeing a two seater mid engined Porsche that was it.
Some years later I got one, a 2009 Cayman S it wasn't three years old at the time and had covered just over 3000 miles...I still have it and love it to bits.
Do I regret never owning a 911...not at all.
Some years later I got one, a 2009 Cayman S it wasn't three years old at the time and had covered just over 3000 miles...I still have it and love it to bits.
Do I regret never owning a 911...not at all.
A couple.
Another one who didn't really admire Porsche, and I still don't have much time for German cars in general, but I've owned a 2005 3.2S Boxster for a decade, and although I don't love it like I do my Japanese cars, I've come to admire it as a generally very reliable and pleasant thing to own and spend time in.
I used to look down on MR2 Roadsters, the Mk3. I thought it was aesthetically challenged, and they weren't on the radar on any level, but having bought and owned one briefly to use as transport for a blast around Scotland a couple of years ago, I came away thinking how hard it would be to buy something so entertaining and reliable for such comparably little money. I loved it, and would have another. I look at those on sale regularly.
On a negative note, having passengered in a 3.8 911 C4S all over Europe for a week, the owner having thrown it down the San Bernardino pass like he was trying to commit suicide and take me with him (ex rally driver, so wasn't worried ), I was given the chance to have a go, something I was hugely anticipating. Hated it, for no other reason than the steering, but it was never going to be an enjoyable steer for me, and I was glad to give it back.
Another one who didn't really admire Porsche, and I still don't have much time for German cars in general, but I've owned a 2005 3.2S Boxster for a decade, and although I don't love it like I do my Japanese cars, I've come to admire it as a generally very reliable and pleasant thing to own and spend time in.
I used to look down on MR2 Roadsters, the Mk3. I thought it was aesthetically challenged, and they weren't on the radar on any level, but having bought and owned one briefly to use as transport for a blast around Scotland a couple of years ago, I came away thinking how hard it would be to buy something so entertaining and reliable for such comparably little money. I loved it, and would have another. I look at those on sale regularly.
On a negative note, having passengered in a 3.8 911 C4S all over Europe for a week, the owner having thrown it down the San Bernardino pass like he was trying to commit suicide and take me with him (ex rally driver, so wasn't worried ), I was given the chance to have a go, something I was hugely anticipating. Hated it, for no other reason than the steering, but it was never going to be an enjoyable steer for me, and I was glad to give it back.
Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 16th September 19:37
_Rodders_ said:
Toyota Camry. They're really quite fancy these days. All the car most people would ever need.
Never liked them, but I had a 2.4 litre Auto for a weekend during a business trip to Australia in 2010 and it was as boring as I expected. 
After reading about the GT86 for a couple of years I had high hopes for them. Got to drive one at the launch event at the Goodwood FOS and was underwhelmed, but I put that down to it being an Auto. So I arranged a test drive in a manual one and although it seemed to handle well, the power delivery was hopeless and never felt like it had 200bhp. Maybe the GR86 addressed that?
For years I wanted a Mercedes Benz and bought my first of three in 1991. Never liked BMWs but I haven't been without one since 2005!
Josemartinez said:
I always used to dislike Porsche for no reason really other than not being a Ferrari. I've never driven or been in one but recently I've been thinking I'd quite like a 996 turbo, I'm not sure why though, maybe I've just matured.
Some years ago I did an 'experience day' and drove a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Nissan GTR.I've always been a big Lambo fan so I loved that.
The GTR was a giggle for the first lap due to its incredible speed but soon left me a bit cold.
I'd seen a 996 Turbo going around, and after driving the GTR the instructor told me he thought my driving style might suit a 911, and maybe I'd like to give it a try (I know, he might have been up-selling, but I paid a bit extra and did it anyway).
And it blew me away, I thought it was utterly fantastic.
Very fast, and very easy to drive very fast, as a non-professional racing driver.
Amazing car.
Heaveho said:
A couple.
I used to look down on MR2 Roadsters, the Mk3. I thought it was aesthetically challenged, and they weren't on the radar on any level, but having bought and owned one briefly to use as transport for a blast around Scotland a couple of years ago, I came away thinking how hard it would be to buy something so entertaining and reliable for such comparably little money. I loved it, and would have another. I look at those on sale regularly.
Some years ago my ex-girlfriend was looking for a car to replace her Yaris, and she suggested an MR2 Roadster.I used to look down on MR2 Roadsters, the Mk3. I thought it was aesthetically challenged, and they weren't on the radar on any level, but having bought and owned one briefly to use as transport for a blast around Scotland a couple of years ago, I came away thinking how hard it would be to buy something so entertaining and reliable for such comparably little money. I loved it, and would have another. I look at those on sale regularly.
I'd never given them any attention at all and had never driven one.
We went to look at one and, as I know a bit about cars, she asked me to test drive it.
Within about a mile I was in love with it!
We tried several more before she bought one very nice one which she owned for several years.
After she sold it I missed driving it so much I went and bought one myself, which I had for about five years.
I sold it, and I've never repeated car ownership, I like to try something different each time.
But, I missed that thing so much, I bought another one last year.
I now can't imagine life without an MR2 Roadster, I adore them!
Mr Tidy said:
After reading about the GT86 for a couple of years I had high hopes for them. Got to drive one at the launch event at the Goodwood FOS and was underwhelmed, but I put that down to it being an Auto.
I got a manual, and really liked it, but I caught up with a Volvo half way up the hill going like it was on a Sunday drive and that was that. My wife took one out from the Toyota dealer for a test drive and liked it, but ultimately said it was just too slow for her. So that was that.Nickp82 said:
BRZ / GT86. Should have been right up my street - small, light, rear drive , but I drove one of each and thought they were rubbish. Perhaps I just got two bad ones .
You guys are really picking ones I've had experience with!When my ex-girlfriend (in my post above) sold her MR2 Roadster, she bought a Toyota GT86.
I thought it would be right up my street as well.
However, and I know power wasn't the point of those cars, and I guess on track if you're up over 5,500 - 7,000 rpm all the time it's fine.
But on the road, if you change up a gear at, say, 4,500 rpm the engine falls flat on its face and there's nothing there, it sort of dips into a massive hole in the torque curve.
Very frustrating and a bit of a shame because other than that I thought it was a very nice car to drive.
Edited by Martin350 on Thursday 17th September 00:34
[quote] You guys are really picking ones I've had experience with!
When my ex-girlfriend (in my post above) sold her MR2 Roadster, she bought a Toyota GT86.
I thought it would be right up my street as well.
However, and I know power wasn't the point of those cars, and I guess on track if you're up over 5,500 - 6,000 rpm all the time it's fine.
But on the road, if you change up a gear at, say, 4,500 rpm the engine falls flat on its face and there's nothing there, it sort of dips into a massive hole in the torque curve.
Very frustrating and a bit of a shame because other than that I thought it was a very nice car to drive. [quote]
That was exactly how I felt about it too. At the time I had a BMW 123d with similar power at just 4,500 rpm but less than a year later I bought a BMW 325ti Compact as a daily that performed far better than either of them.
OK it didn't have an LSD, but the GT86 didn't really need one with that engine!
When my ex-girlfriend (in my post above) sold her MR2 Roadster, she bought a Toyota GT86.
I thought it would be right up my street as well.
However, and I know power wasn't the point of those cars, and I guess on track if you're up over 5,500 - 6,000 rpm all the time it's fine.
But on the road, if you change up a gear at, say, 4,500 rpm the engine falls flat on its face and there's nothing there, it sort of dips into a massive hole in the torque curve.
Very frustrating and a bit of a shame because other than that I thought it was a very nice car to drive. [quote]
That was exactly how I felt about it too. At the time I had a BMW 123d with similar power at just 4,500 rpm but less than a year later I bought a BMW 325ti Compact as a daily that performed far better than either of them.
OK it didn't have an LSD, but the GT86 didn't really need one with that engine!
Funny enough I was going to mention the BRZ/GT86 from the opposite perspective.
After reading a bunch of internet whinging about the power delivery and lack of torque I expected to be disappointed by the engine when I finally drove one, but was pleasantly surprised and now find the internet exaggeration of its weakness a bit comical.
Of course its a quite linear 2.0 NA that relies on revs to make it's power, its never going to have a lump of low/mid range torque like a turbo engine (which people seem to be comparing it to). But the nature of the engine suits the character of the car well, I was happy enough with it to end up buying one. If I feel the urge in future it's only a header and a tune away from some extra mid-range grunt anyway.
Dropping a couple of gears and winding the revs up is a positive for me not a negative, it's a sportscar not an autobahn bruiser.
After reading a bunch of internet whinging about the power delivery and lack of torque I expected to be disappointed by the engine when I finally drove one, but was pleasantly surprised and now find the internet exaggeration of its weakness a bit comical.
Of course its a quite linear 2.0 NA that relies on revs to make it's power, its never going to have a lump of low/mid range torque like a turbo engine (which people seem to be comparing it to). But the nature of the engine suits the character of the car well, I was happy enough with it to end up buying one. If I feel the urge in future it's only a header and a tune away from some extra mid-range grunt anyway.
Dropping a couple of gears and winding the revs up is a positive for me not a negative, it's a sportscar not an autobahn bruiser.
Same about the GT86 and I have a GR86 now. The torque dip was blown out of proportion by those used to turbos and were lazy when it came to making progress. Brother still has one and the aftermarket for both is good. My GR86 is quite a step on from the GT86. It's still fun but better everywhere.
Subaru Impreza's - Back in the day I was always Evo over Impreza but as I've got older I prefer the Subaru
Peugeot 306 GTI6 - Always hated Peugeot's until I drove a GTI6 and found it suited my driving style and I really liked it
VAG Group cars - For years they seemed to be the most reliable and bomb proof car to have and were almost aspirational as when we were younger, my parents could never afford one so we always had Vauxhalls (which I did like back then). But after having various Skoda's for 9yrs and friends who've run all sorts of VAG group cars, I'd probably never have another one. The perception of reliability is nonsense and is just as bad if not worse than anything else.
GR Yaris - Drove one in anger for an hour unaccompanied and was a contender for Skoda replacement. Great when pushing on, witchcraft in the wet but anything less than flat out and it felt like a normal Yaris. I get people do like them but isn't for me unless I tuned it. Perhaps the Mk2 is better.
Subaru Impreza's - Back in the day I was always Evo over Impreza but as I've got older I prefer the Subaru
Peugeot 306 GTI6 - Always hated Peugeot's until I drove a GTI6 and found it suited my driving style and I really liked it
VAG Group cars - For years they seemed to be the most reliable and bomb proof car to have and were almost aspirational as when we were younger, my parents could never afford one so we always had Vauxhalls (which I did like back then). But after having various Skoda's for 9yrs and friends who've run all sorts of VAG group cars, I'd probably never have another one. The perception of reliability is nonsense and is just as bad if not worse than anything else.
GR Yaris - Drove one in anger for an hour unaccompanied and was a contender for Skoda replacement. Great when pushing on, witchcraft in the wet but anything less than flat out and it felt like a normal Yaris. I get people do like them but isn't for me unless I tuned it. Perhaps the Mk2 is better.
KobayashiMaru86 said:
Same about the GT86 and I have a GR86 now. The torque dip was blown out of proportion by those used to turbos and were lazy when it came to making progress. Brother still has one and the aftermarket for both is good. My GR86 is quite a step on from the GT86. It's still fun but better everywhere.
Subaru Impreza's - Back in the day I was always Evo over Impreza but as I've got older I prefer the Subaru
Peugeot 306 GTI6 - Always hated Peugeot's until I drove a GTI6 and found it suited my driving style and I really liked it
VAG Group cars - For years they seemed to be the most reliable and bomb proof car to have and were almost aspirational as when we were younger, my parents could never afford one so we always had Vauxhalls (which I did like back then). But after having various Skoda's for 9yrs and friends who've run all sorts of VAG group cars, I'd probably never have another one. The perception of reliability is nonsense and is just as bad if not worse than anything else.
GR Yaris - Drove one in anger for an hour unaccompanied and was a contender for Skoda replacement. Great when pushing on, witchcraft in the wet but anything less than flat out and it felt like a normal Yaris. I get people do like them but isn't for me unless I tuned it. Perhaps the Mk2 is better.
It wasn't just the torque dip that put me off the GT86, the mid-range felt like it had a misfire and sounded terrible. I don't mind revving an N/A engine but it felt like you had to in the GT86 to avoid the flat spot. Subaru Impreza's - Back in the day I was always Evo over Impreza but as I've got older I prefer the Subaru
Peugeot 306 GTI6 - Always hated Peugeot's until I drove a GTI6 and found it suited my driving style and I really liked it
VAG Group cars - For years they seemed to be the most reliable and bomb proof car to have and were almost aspirational as when we were younger, my parents could never afford one so we always had Vauxhalls (which I did like back then). But after having various Skoda's for 9yrs and friends who've run all sorts of VAG group cars, I'd probably never have another one. The perception of reliability is nonsense and is just as bad if not worse than anything else.
GR Yaris - Drove one in anger for an hour unaccompanied and was a contender for Skoda replacement. Great when pushing on, witchcraft in the wet but anything less than flat out and it felt like a normal Yaris. I get people do like them but isn't for me unless I tuned it. Perhaps the Mk2 is better.
I never liked Evos or Imprezas - I'd take a Supra every time!
Early VAG cars were great - well my MK1 GTi and MK2 16V GTi were. 2000 Leon Cupra was pretty good too.
GR Yaris does nothing for me - I'd still rather have a Supra!
I've thought of a couple more.
SUV's, I always thought they were unnecessary as they are slower, less economical, don't drive as well as a saloon and in some cases have less space than an estate. However my wife has got an Evoque, it's a nice place to be, comfortable on long journeys although the boot is rubbish. I've also done some long journeys in friends of families F-Pace and Cayenne and I don't mind them. Although it might be because they are the most expensive cars I've been in on the road. I wouldn't buy one though as I want something enjoyable to drive.
Ferrari Roma, I didn't like the looks originally and thought it looked more like an Aston, but it's grown on me and I like it.
SUV's, I always thought they were unnecessary as they are slower, less economical, don't drive as well as a saloon and in some cases have less space than an estate. However my wife has got an Evoque, it's a nice place to be, comfortable on long journeys although the boot is rubbish. I've also done some long journeys in friends of families F-Pace and Cayenne and I don't mind them. Although it might be because they are the most expensive cars I've been in on the road. I wouldn't buy one though as I want something enjoyable to drive.
Ferrari Roma, I didn't like the looks originally and thought it looked more like an Aston, but it's grown on me and I like it.
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