Cars you didn't get when they were new but love now?

[highway]

Citroen C6 way cooler than a 5 series or jag. Poor economy but they look great.

Renault avantime

[dave stew]

Nailed it with the first one. Love the ur quattro - I remember when I saw my first one in the early 80's and then watched them in the forests. Always wanted one but could never afford one!

[Darkslider]

MK1 Focus, styling was way ahead of its time and led the way for all other manufacturers to follow. But when it first came out I thought the shape was awful, far too much like a shrunken people carrier's dimensions than a proper hatchback. Though back in '98 cars were still being made in the 'three box' method to a certain extent, and the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency craze hadn't kicked off yet.

Fast forward a few years, and I now realise it's an iconic design that set the benchmark for others to replicate.

[WheresMyCar]

Darkslider said:

MK1 Focus, styling was way ahead of its time and led the way for all other manufacturers to follow. But when it first came out I thought the shape was awful, far too much like a shrunken people carrier's dimensions than a proper hatchback. Though back in '98 cars were still being made in the 'three box' method to a certain extent, and the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency craze hadn't kicked off yet.

Fast forward a few years, and I now realise it's an iconic design that set the benchmark for others to replicate.

I saw an RS yesterday on the way to work and it looked absolutely fantastic. I'm not sure I share the same nostalgic opinion about the run of the mill models, however groundbreaking they were.

[jimbobsimmonds]

The entire range of BMWs outgoing models... Thought they looked ste in comparison to the E39s and E46s they were replacing; now I think (with proper wheels) they look positively delightful...

However they are now being replaced by some very ugly machines indeed...

(ROll on PH 2018 when I will be saying a similar thing about the new models vs the current ones...)

[Pints]

jimbobsimmonds said:

The entire range of BMWs outgoing models... Thought they looked ste in comparison to the E39s and E46s they were replacing; now I think (with proper wheels) they look positively delightful...

However they are now being replaced by some very ugly machines indeed...

(ROll on PH 2018 when I will be saying a similar thing about the new models vs the current ones...)

That can be said about almost all BMWs. They certainly do take a while to grow on you.

[Megaflow]

Another for the McLaren F1, it came out at a similar time to the XJ220, and I too thought it was a bit cold and clinical next to the XJ.

Another was the Zonda, when it first came out as the C12, it did nothing for me, looked a bit like a kit car trying to be a fighter plane.

I now realise that both of these were massive errors of judgement on my part and they both reflect two of the ultimate supercar greats, the first for being one mans dream of chasing perfection and getting damn close to acheiving it, and the second for doing what every supercar should do, which make a man feel like a 12 year again and want to put a poster of it on the wall.

[Negative Creep]

Pints said:

jimbobsimmonds said:

The entire range of BMWs outgoing models... Thought they looked ste in comparison to the E39s and E46s they were replacing; now I think (with proper wheels) they look positively delightful...

However they are now being replaced by some very ugly machines indeed...

(ROll on PH 2018 when I will be saying a similar thing about the new models vs the current ones...)

That can be said about almost all BMWs. They certainly do take a while to grow on you.

I rather like the current 3 5 and 7 Series, as well as the Z4, which are far nicer than their previous iterations. The 1 Series however is now almost comically ugly

[jimbobsimmonds]

Negative Creep said:

Pints said:

jimbobsimmonds said:

The entire range of BMWs outgoing models... Thought they looked ste in comparison to the E39s and E46s they were replacing; now I think (with proper wheels) they look positively delightful...

However they are now being replaced by some very ugly machines indeed...

(ROll on PH 2018 when I will be saying a similar thing about the new models vs the current ones...)

That can be said about almost all BMWs. They certainly do take a while to grow on you.

I rather like the current 3 5 and 7 Series, as well as the Z4, which are far nicer than their previous iterations. The 1 Series however is now almost comically ugly

Maybe it says something about BMW's market influence that it is actually what is setting the styling trends for others to follow? And that what is appealing to the eye is often what is familiar to us at the time...

[m8rky]

When the new Mini Clubman first came out,someone I knew had a Red and Black and I hated it with a passion.Lately have found myself quite liking them,there is a lovely copper and silver one near me and would actually fit very well as my workaday/bit of fun car.

[vixen1700]

Never really got Morgans, and always associated them with beardy ale drinkers with WI wives, which is always how they seemed on foreign classic car tours. Put me right off the cars.

Now I love the lines of them, longingly stare at them when I see one and would love one so much.

Maybe it's an age thing with me coming up to 46 soon.

[DrTre]

DS. Hated, hated, hated it when I was a kid. Now, it's just sublime, really is one of the very best shapes in design full stop, let alone cars.

Less extreme but the cx had the same effect.

[Deluded]

Fiat Multipla.

Always thought they were terrible looking things but I am actually quite fond of them now. Shame the majority seem total sheds these days...

MK1 Ford KA.

Still look new today (especially the SportKA varients). Much better looking than the new ones IMO.

[white_goodman]

jimbobsimmonds said:

The entire range of BMWs outgoing models... Thought they looked ste in comparison to the E39s and E46s they were replacing; now I think (with proper wheels) they look positively delightful...

However they are now being replaced by some very ugly machines indeed...

(ROll on PH 2018 when I will be saying a similar thing about the new models vs the current ones...)

+1

An E60 5-Series (although a shock after the handsome E39), looks great now IMHO in the right colour with the right wheels.

[richard300]

I know this is me misenterpreting the question but:

I wished I’d been wealthy and at an age where i could drive, back in 1989.
I'd loved to have had (then new)

Macau Blue BMW 635CSI Motorsport Edition
Rosso Corsa Ferrari Testarossa
Cypress Green Range Rover Vogue SE
Gran Prix white Porsche 944 Turbo SE

Sitting on my driveway...... Wonder if all those cars seemed as cool back then, as they do now.

I know that having (if i had the opportunity) the modern equivalents of:

BMW 650i sport Individual
Ferrari 599GTB
Range Rover bling machine
Porsche Boxster S

Sitting on my driveway wouldn’t seem anywhere near as appealing (well maybe I’d covet the 599GTB)

[vixen1700]

richard300 said:

Macau Blue BMW 635CSI Motorsport Edition
Rosso Corsa Ferrari Testarossa
Cypress Green Range Rover Vogue SE
Gran Prix white Porsche 944 Turbo SE

Wonder if all those cars seemed as cool back then, as they do now.

Well I was 23 in 1989 and they were indeed cool modern cars, although I've never been into Range Rovers. At that time I was driving an MGBGT and my girlfriend's MGBGT V8 with a Holley 390 carb and a sportier cam.

[Hoygo]

All Porsches,just didn't like them in general,appearance,looks etc.
Had a drive in a 996 years ago and all changed.

All RenaultSports,i always liked hot hatches but R.S never got my interest,i was more into VW's and other brands.Just had a drive in one and than bought a 172 a week later,almost driven all of its models till now.

The same can be said for M\\\ Bmw's,never got my interest,lately i like them a lot.

[John Galt]

dave stew said:

Nailed it with the first one. Love the ur quattro - I remember when I saw my first one in the early 80's and then watched them in the forests. Always wanted one but could never afford one!

I think you may have missed the point of this thread...

[GestapoWatch]

white_goodman said:

+1

An E60 5-Series (although a shock after the handsome E39), looks great now IMHO in the right colour with the right wheels.

Do you not think they look great in nearly all colours providing the car is an M Sport with privacy glass? Not seen an E60/E61 like this that doesn't look right yet!

Also for the list - Z4.

[Fittster]

Pints said:

That can be said about almost all BMWs. They certainly do take a while to grow on you.

I still wince when I see any Bangle design.