What car(s) didn't you "get" until you owned one?
Discussion
I've owned plenty of cars that I had always wanted/liked (205 GTi, MX5, 325i, Corrado VR6, Golf) but actually some of the best cars that I have owned I didn't really "get"/like until I actually owned them.
1. Subaru Impreza WRX (blobeye)
Always thought these were ugly with a cheap and nasty interior. I first drove one (an STI) in 2005 on the launch of the then new mkV Golf R32. I didn't like the gearchange or clutch (very heavy), the ride was very jiggly and the power delivery too all or nothing (I didn't really get to give it the beans because we were driving in convoy) but needless to say I was very disappointed and much preferred the smooth power delivery and noise made by the R32 and BMW 130i.
Fast forward to 2010 and I found myself trading in my 2008 Polo TDI for a 2004 "blobeye" WRX. My friend had just bought a new Focus ST and I was trying to "oneup" him on one third of the budget! I considered a mk4 Golf R32 but the WRXs were just too good value to ignore, so I test drove one (just a standard WRX wagon). This time I loved the power delivery and the noises the turbo made, the traction, the handling and the seats, driving position and steering felt just right. It turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable long distance companion too and actually the ride was pretty supple compared to some "sporty" German offerings. Probably the best car that I have owned and the one that I kept the longest (2.5 years).
2. Mercedes-Benz
I thought that Mercedes-Benzes were nice cars but always more suitable for older people (50+). I was after a stopgap car after I sold my Subaru and didn't want to spend more than a thousand pounds. Didn't really mind what it was, as long as it had a decent amount of MOT and tax in order to make it easy to sell on in a few weeks time. A Fiesta would have been fine but a 1999 C250TD Estate just happened to pop up for sale locally with 12 months MOT and 6 months tax for 700 pounds and I thought why not! It was very much like this one:
but mine was an Elegance, so had alloy wheels!
Well, it was extremely comfortable and relaxing to drive, felt very stable on the motorway, not an excess of power but ample power for overtaking, which worked very nicely with a smooth, 5-speed automatic gearbox and delivered 40mpg. It handled well enough with the bonus of a very smooth ride. Very spacious all round too and after the Subaru (which was a Wagon), the boot seemed massive (ideal because I was in the process of moving house at the time).
Prior to owning this car (by pure accident), I wouldn't have considered a Mercedes and would probably be more inclined towards a BMW (did consider a 330i Sport prior to buying the Subaru) but on reflection, I think I prefer the feel of the Mercedes and would love to own another nicer one at some point. This one had done 218k and was pretty rusty! Sadly though it sounds like Mercedes have tried to go "sporty" and compete directly with BMW with their current models and lost that nice comfort-biased ride/handling compromise (from what I have read on PH), so perhaps a late model W203 or W211 is the sweetspot between modernity, comfort and efficiency?
3. SUV/4x4
Prior to owning one of these:
I had driven some small SUVs (Freelanders, Grand Vitaras etc) and appreciated their advantages: high driving position, space, off-road ability and towing ability etc but none of these things ever seemed applicable to me (I don't off-road or tow). I didn't understand why in the UK, you would want to own something that was thirsty but not fast, too big to park and too big and compromised in handling to make decent progress on narrow B-roads.
However, having recently traded my 4.0 Grand Cherokee (like the one above) in for a new Golf/Focus-sized car due to escalating repair bills, I really miss it and can't wait until we can afford to buy another SUV. The Jeep wasn't very quick (190bhp from a 4.0), the handling wasn't great (lots of body roll) and I only got about 18mpg but it was so suited to the (straight) roads where I live now in Canada. Now I don't have it, I miss the space, the comfort, the soft ride, the large boot and the feeling that I could just jump in and drive for hours and get out the other end still feeling fresh. The new car just feels very cramped and hard riding in comparison (why do most modern cars have a crap ride), the seats are too narrow and my kids miss being able to see out properly. The Jeep was great in snowy conditions too and on gravel roads, you still felt like you were driving on tarmac!
What cars didn't you "get"/fully appreciate until you had lived with them?
1. Subaru Impreza WRX (blobeye)
Always thought these were ugly with a cheap and nasty interior. I first drove one (an STI) in 2005 on the launch of the then new mkV Golf R32. I didn't like the gearchange or clutch (very heavy), the ride was very jiggly and the power delivery too all or nothing (I didn't really get to give it the beans because we were driving in convoy) but needless to say I was very disappointed and much preferred the smooth power delivery and noise made by the R32 and BMW 130i.
Fast forward to 2010 and I found myself trading in my 2008 Polo TDI for a 2004 "blobeye" WRX. My friend had just bought a new Focus ST and I was trying to "oneup" him on one third of the budget! I considered a mk4 Golf R32 but the WRXs were just too good value to ignore, so I test drove one (just a standard WRX wagon). This time I loved the power delivery and the noises the turbo made, the traction, the handling and the seats, driving position and steering felt just right. It turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable long distance companion too and actually the ride was pretty supple compared to some "sporty" German offerings. Probably the best car that I have owned and the one that I kept the longest (2.5 years).
2. Mercedes-Benz
I thought that Mercedes-Benzes were nice cars but always more suitable for older people (50+). I was after a stopgap car after I sold my Subaru and didn't want to spend more than a thousand pounds. Didn't really mind what it was, as long as it had a decent amount of MOT and tax in order to make it easy to sell on in a few weeks time. A Fiesta would have been fine but a 1999 C250TD Estate just happened to pop up for sale locally with 12 months MOT and 6 months tax for 700 pounds and I thought why not! It was very much like this one:
but mine was an Elegance, so had alloy wheels!
Well, it was extremely comfortable and relaxing to drive, felt very stable on the motorway, not an excess of power but ample power for overtaking, which worked very nicely with a smooth, 5-speed automatic gearbox and delivered 40mpg. It handled well enough with the bonus of a very smooth ride. Very spacious all round too and after the Subaru (which was a Wagon), the boot seemed massive (ideal because I was in the process of moving house at the time).
Prior to owning this car (by pure accident), I wouldn't have considered a Mercedes and would probably be more inclined towards a BMW (did consider a 330i Sport prior to buying the Subaru) but on reflection, I think I prefer the feel of the Mercedes and would love to own another nicer one at some point. This one had done 218k and was pretty rusty! Sadly though it sounds like Mercedes have tried to go "sporty" and compete directly with BMW with their current models and lost that nice comfort-biased ride/handling compromise (from what I have read on PH), so perhaps a late model W203 or W211 is the sweetspot between modernity, comfort and efficiency?
3. SUV/4x4
Prior to owning one of these:
I had driven some small SUVs (Freelanders, Grand Vitaras etc) and appreciated their advantages: high driving position, space, off-road ability and towing ability etc but none of these things ever seemed applicable to me (I don't off-road or tow). I didn't understand why in the UK, you would want to own something that was thirsty but not fast, too big to park and too big and compromised in handling to make decent progress on narrow B-roads.
However, having recently traded my 4.0 Grand Cherokee (like the one above) in for a new Golf/Focus-sized car due to escalating repair bills, I really miss it and can't wait until we can afford to buy another SUV. The Jeep wasn't very quick (190bhp from a 4.0), the handling wasn't great (lots of body roll) and I only got about 18mpg but it was so suited to the (straight) roads where I live now in Canada. Now I don't have it, I miss the space, the comfort, the soft ride, the large boot and the feeling that I could just jump in and drive for hours and get out the other end still feeling fresh. The new car just feels very cramped and hard riding in comparison (why do most modern cars have a crap ride), the seats are too narrow and my kids miss being able to see out properly. The Jeep was great in snowy conditions too and on gravel roads, you still felt like you were driving on tarmac!
What cars didn't you "get"/fully appreciate until you had lived with them?
k out of your way and criminals can't help but look the other way when you cruise past. large 4x4's as the OP stated.
Before I moved to the USA, they were just farm vehicles to me and I could not get my head around why my teenage cousin would rather drive his mum's Chevrolet Tahoe over his dad's pontiac sports car.
Because apparently the girls love SUV's, not sports cars.
After having been transported and drove in it myself, it all became clear.
Before I moved to the USA, they were just farm vehicles to me and I could not get my head around why my teenage cousin would rather drive his mum's Chevrolet Tahoe over his dad's pontiac sports car.
Because apparently the girls love SUV's, not sports cars.
After having been transported and drove in it myself, it all became clear.
jamieduff1981 said:
I can't say I've ever experience this. I simply can't imagine buying a car I didn't at least think I'd really like first.
There have been cars I haven't liked so much once I'd lived with them for a while, but never the other way around. I simply wouldn't get that far
I can see Jamie's viewpoint here. I buy my own cars ( rather than company ones/hand me downs ) so would be unlikely to buy something I didn't have at least some interest in, There have been cars I haven't liked so much once I'd lived with them for a while, but never the other way around. I simply wouldn't get that far
Had quite a few French hot hatches but always wanted to try the Mk2 Astra GTE 16v after a passenger ride in a TOCA mechanic's car.
I got one and it was way better than I expected, especially the handling which some mags liked but others didn't. The engine was a stormer compared to the French stuff. Was going to have it 6 months ....ended up keeping it nearly 4 years. Lack of aircon with young kids in the back was the reason I moved it on for a Primera GT
Fiat Panda 4x4 (The old kind) Circumstances forced one on me a long time ago, but it was an absolute hoot. Great off road, if only it had a diff lock it would have been amazing. Thames Valley Police had a couple for patrolling the Ridgeway, as they could get to places the Landrovers couldn't.
Justayellowbadge said:
I was very dismissive of the modern Mini until I started using a Cooper S on a regular basis.
There's a reason they've sold so many. Great little car.
Still enjoy mine although it's the old R53 supercharged one. Better with non run flats on by some factor as wellThere's a reason they've sold so many. Great little car.
PaulD86 said:
Old Volvo. Slagged them off, got offered one for silly little money (actually bid them up on price), kept it for almost 4 years and loved it. Not very PH, though I guess it was a good 'shed'. I can now see the old Volvo appeal...just don't ask me to explain it!
Like an old pair of slippers aren't they?You wouldn't run in them, they are cracked and shabby and everyone around you tells you to throw them away. But you won't because they are "just right" to come home to.
jamieduff1981 said:
I can't say I've ever experience this. I simply can't imagine buying a car I didn't at least think I'd really like first.
There have been cars I haven't liked so much once I'd lived with them for a while, but never the other way around. I simply wouldn't get that far
Same here, I can't imagine buying a car I didn't get. Be different if I drove something I didn't get, but I wouldn't get as far as buying one.There have been cars I haven't liked so much once I'd lived with them for a while, but never the other way around. I simply wouldn't get that far
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