Unpopular cars you have a soft spot for

Unpopular cars you have a soft spot for

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Discussion

RushDom

Original Poster:

230 posts

93 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Which unloved/unpopular cars do you have a soft spot for?

My dad recently purchased a Mercedes SLC 180. I know the SLK/SLC has been universally unpopular with both enthusiasts and car journos since it was launched, so I was expecting it to be a real dog...but it just isn't. It's a lovely little car and I've really fallen for it. Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I've had a model of a 190SL sitting on my desk for years, and this is closest I'm going to get to one!

It looks fantastic in the metal, has a nicely made interior, is very refined, and above all else is much more fun to drive than I thought it would be. Even the (Renault derived) engine is terrific - something I thought I'd never say about a base model Merc with 156 hp.

I used to think of myself as a proper petrolhead, but now I'm not so sure...perhaps I should start my hairdresser training next week? biggrin

jhonn

1,556 posts

148 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Lexus SC430 (The worst car in the world Evah! according to Top Gear); bought one last year and am thoroughly enjoying it.

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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I'm ok with the Juke. Any car that attempts to make itself standout in an overcrowded, monotonous-looking market is good with me.

Filibuster

3,117 posts

214 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Renault Avantime


Gary29

4,131 posts

98 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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As above, the juke gets a lot of bad press on here, I like them, although I've never driven one so not sure if my opinion is valid or not?


counterofbeans

1,061 posts

138 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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The Lexus IS250C.

It's not a very big soft spot but I'm trying my best.


Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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The name is miss spelt- it's Nissan JOKE rolleyes

jhonn

1,556 posts

148 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Also the Lada Niva - rubbish by any Western measurable standard, but tough, simple and capable. I've seen them takes lots of abuse and they just keep going. They have a certain charm that makes you overlook their overall crappiness.

Would have one as a second...erm... maybe fourth vehicle. biggrin

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Monday 11th September 2017
quotequote all
Who me said:
The name is miss spelt- it's Nissan JOKE rolleyes
Hilarious. Never heard that before. You simply must give up your day job and pursue stand-up comedy. Please, do feel free to make a follow-up using Puke instead of Juke it is just so hill-air and on-trend.

Robmarriott

2,634 posts

157 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Always liked the mk1 Octavia even though the mk4 Golf I had was horrific.

Monkeylegend

26,227 posts

230 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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SL350, going to cost me a fortune and continually break down, maybe soon.

Renault Scenic going to continually break down electrically, maybe soon.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Definitely like the Juke and that new Toyota soft roader thing.

RushDom

Original Poster:

230 posts

93 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Filibuster said:
Renault Avantime

These are awesome. I also have a soft spot for the Vel Satis...similarly weird car.

SlimRick

2,258 posts

164 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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A little behind the times perhaps, but my dream car as a kid was a Talbot Solara paperbag

TwigtheWonderkid

43,248 posts

149 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Lexus SC430, Nissan Juke & Cube, C4 Cactus, Fiat Multipla, Talbot Samba convertible, Micra K11, Micra Convertible. Mitsubishi CZC. Probably loads more I can't think of.

Brinyan

382 posts

92 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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I'm forever browsing, thinking my life would be improved by huge amounts, though it's pretty good as it is, if I got myself a Citroen CX or BX, Skoda Estelle, Lada Riva or Niva, Renault 4, actually this list could go on & on. I have a real soft spot for cars that were rather unloved in their day. So many cars these days are very non-descript. Remove the badges we're left clueless.

boyse7en

6,671 posts

164 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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RushDom said:
Filibuster said:
Renault Avantime

These are awesome. I also have a soft spot for the Vel Satis...similarly weird car.
Me too. Wanted to get one a while back to replace an ageing Citroen XM (my third one of those) but couldn't find one locally so bought a Saab estate instead. The Saab is by any rational argument a better car, but it isn't very interesting.

RushDom

Original Poster:

230 posts

93 months

Monday 11th September 2017
quotequote all
TwigtheWonderkid said:
C4 Cactus
I don't get the hate for the Cactus at all - most non car people I know have voiced a very negative opinion on it. it's something quirky in a very dull, bland crossover market. I would buy one!

I knew a Juke owner who used to slate the Cactus because it looked "weird". Clearly she had never actually seen her own car before then...

Solocle

3,247 posts

83 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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The Peel P50, obviously. Any car you can take in a lift.

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

178 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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Robmarriott said:
Always liked the mk1 Octavia even though the mk4 Golf I had was horrific.
But that was a really popular car. They sold stloads. Same with the Nissan Juke