Cars that you disliked the styling of when new but like now?
Discussion
What are the cars that you disliked the styling of when they were released but have come to like the look of in subsequent years?
The two that most immediately spring to mind are two humble family cars from the early 2000s, namely the mk1 Ford Focus and Renault Megane II. At the time I thought what were they thinking, as they were both very "out there" in terms of styling compared to more conservative competitors like the Astra/Golf/A3 and more conventionally good-looking cars like the Peugeot 306/Alfa Romeo 147. I was always aware that the mk1 Focus was a vastly superior car to the Escort that it replaced but I never loved the looks and it probably took a good few years until the comparatively dull mk2 Focus came out for me to learn to like its looks and the styling still looks very crisp to me now. In hindsight, these two cars have probably dated less in terms of styling than all their contemporary competition and still look quite modern today.
In terms of a single manufacturer though, it has to be the Bangle-era BMWs. Growing up in the 80s/90s, BMWs were always desirable to me for their straight six engines and RWD but above all else, their sporty and elegant styling. After the very classically styled E46 3-Series, E39 5-Series and Z3 (all still very handsome cars but very much of their time), I understand why there was such a backlash against the E9x 3-Series/E6x 5-Series and first gen Z4 but those cars all look fantastic, still crisp and modern to me now, with the proviso that they sit on the larger M Sport wheels as the base models with their "cotton reel" alloys just looked rather odd. It also doesn't hurt that this was the last generation of BMWs still widely available with RWD, manual gearboxes and NA straight six engines. I also like the styling of the original 1-Series in all its guises but the 6-Series, with the exception of the M6 coupe and E65 7-Series were still a step too far for me.
Other cars that I didn't care for much when they were new but look quite good to me now are mostly German:
W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Original Audi Q7
Bentley Continental GT/Bentayga in facelifted form (I think I like the facelifted 1st gen Continental GT better than the current model)
Porsche Panamera doesn't count, as it's the 2nd generation car that I really like (the original Panamera is still hideous)
Land Rover Discovery 3 - original Discovery was an instant design classic and the Discovery 2 was clearly based on the original, so the 3 was quite a departure but not well-liked at the time but now I would regard it as one of the best-looking Land Rovers ever made.
Is this just a sad reflection on what came afterwards or are these actually good-looking cars? I don't really know. The current BMW styling language for example, is equally controversial but I don't see me ever liking the styling of a modern 3/4/5/7-Series even in 20 years time. So what cars for you did you hate/strongly dislike the styling of when they were new but have come to appreciate over time?
The two that most immediately spring to mind are two humble family cars from the early 2000s, namely the mk1 Ford Focus and Renault Megane II. At the time I thought what were they thinking, as they were both very "out there" in terms of styling compared to more conservative competitors like the Astra/Golf/A3 and more conventionally good-looking cars like the Peugeot 306/Alfa Romeo 147. I was always aware that the mk1 Focus was a vastly superior car to the Escort that it replaced but I never loved the looks and it probably took a good few years until the comparatively dull mk2 Focus came out for me to learn to like its looks and the styling still looks very crisp to me now. In hindsight, these two cars have probably dated less in terms of styling than all their contemporary competition and still look quite modern today.
In terms of a single manufacturer though, it has to be the Bangle-era BMWs. Growing up in the 80s/90s, BMWs were always desirable to me for their straight six engines and RWD but above all else, their sporty and elegant styling. After the very classically styled E46 3-Series, E39 5-Series and Z3 (all still very handsome cars but very much of their time), I understand why there was such a backlash against the E9x 3-Series/E6x 5-Series and first gen Z4 but those cars all look fantastic, still crisp and modern to me now, with the proviso that they sit on the larger M Sport wheels as the base models with their "cotton reel" alloys just looked rather odd. It also doesn't hurt that this was the last generation of BMWs still widely available with RWD, manual gearboxes and NA straight six engines. I also like the styling of the original 1-Series in all its guises but the 6-Series, with the exception of the M6 coupe and E65 7-Series were still a step too far for me.
Other cars that I didn't care for much when they were new but look quite good to me now are mostly German:
W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Original Audi Q7
Bentley Continental GT/Bentayga in facelifted form (I think I like the facelifted 1st gen Continental GT better than the current model)
Porsche Panamera doesn't count, as it's the 2nd generation car that I really like (the original Panamera is still hideous)
Land Rover Discovery 3 - original Discovery was an instant design classic and the Discovery 2 was clearly based on the original, so the 3 was quite a departure but not well-liked at the time but now I would regard it as one of the best-looking Land Rovers ever made.
Is this just a sad reflection on what came afterwards or are these actually good-looking cars? I don't really know. The current BMW styling language for example, is equally controversial but I don't see me ever liking the styling of a modern 3/4/5/7-Series even in 20 years time. So what cars for you did you hate/strongly dislike the styling of when they were new but have come to appreciate over time?
Many cars that looked like a dogs breakfast 20 years ago look really great now because everything is such a mess.
I also find that as my appreciation for detail , proportion, and some of the more technical aspects of design has gone from non existent to Ladybird Book of Car Design level I find a lot to appreciate in what I thought were very bland designs when I was younger.
Stuff like the W124 E Class Mercedes, which I used to think of a a dull block, now absolutely woos me with it's fabulous attention to detail and design rigour.
I also find that as my appreciation for detail , proportion, and some of the more technical aspects of design has gone from non existent to Ladybird Book of Car Design level I find a lot to appreciate in what I thought were very bland designs when I was younger.
Stuff like the W124 E Class Mercedes, which I used to think of a a dull block, now absolutely woos me with it's fabulous attention to detail and design rigour.
Gad-Westy said:
Audi A2, BMW i3 are two that leap out immediately. Found them both a bit gawky when new, now see both as really clever designs.
E61 5-sereis. Still don't like the rear end of the saloon version though and the bangle era 6 and 7 series still look awkward to me.
An E61 on decent wheels and in good order looks absolutely superb now I think.E61 5-sereis. Still don't like the rear end of the saloon version though and the bangle era 6 and 7 series still look awkward to me.
Gad-Westy said:
Audi A2, BMW i3 are two that leap out immediately. Found them both a bit gawky when new, now see both as really clever designs.
E61 5-sereis. Still don't like the rear end of the saloon version though and the bangle era 6 and 7 series still look awkward to me.
Conversely with the E9x 3-Series, I find the styling of the saloon version the most appealing, as the rear lights don't quite line up on the coupe/convertible and the Touring is less good-looking than the E46/F31 Touring that preceded/succeeded it.E61 5-sereis. Still don't like the rear end of the saloon version though and the bangle era 6 and 7 series still look awkward to me.
Should have mentioned the Porsche 911 (996) and Ferrari 360 Modena. I hated both when new as they came directly after the 993/355, two of my all-time favourite cars but they both look quite simple, well-proportioned and elegant to me now. I think that a decent 996 is on a par price-wise with a 997 now, which is on balance a better car but I don't think that the 996 looks worse any more and I prefer it to the rather bloated-looking 991/992. I'm still not convinced by the front of the 360 but the rear 3/4 view is stunning and it was the first non-limited production run mid-engined Ferrari with the glass engine cover, which is a nice design feature. I have never cared for the styling of the F430 though.
The BMW E60 and E63 are the main ones for me.
I can remember being utterly appalled when they first broke cover, literally laughing at the awful design direction.
Now though... think they both look really good! In fact I own an E60 (on 19 inch spiders) and think it looks fantastic.
Fashion, eh?!?
I can remember being utterly appalled when they first broke cover, literally laughing at the awful design direction.
Now though... think they both look really good! In fact I own an E60 (on 19 inch spiders) and think it looks fantastic.
Fashion, eh?!?
craigjm said:
GeniusOfLove said:
Many cars that looked like a dogs breakfast 20 years ago look really great now because everything is such a mess.
Which is probably exactly what people will say in 20 years time looking back on the Ferrari Luce and othersNobody is going to be looking back at a Toyota C-HR or one of the 100 identical VAG Kumkwatch crossovers and thinking it's aged beautifully though.
GeniusOfLove said:
The Luce is actually an example of a pivot away from the loud and overwrought designs of the last decade or so towards a much calmer approach, so of all the cars around this year that one probably will still be of interest in 20 years.
Ferrari had already done that with the 12C compared to the 812, it's much more classically styled and almost looks like a 60s GT car. Apart from the weird moustache thing I really like the 12CGeniusOfLove said:
Nobody is going to be looking back at a Toyota C-HR or one of the 100 identical VAG Kumkwatch crossovers and thinking it's aged beautifully though.
Dont be so sure, There are people walking amongst us that now appreciate the Allegro and similar. Something else to consider here is that in 2046 we will have a very different car scene with electrics and self driving and all that and people born ten years ago will be in their early 30s. The ICE powered car i likely to be viewed in the way that we view pre-war cars and we may find that no matter what they look like people wont want them. The "classic" car market faces a real possibility of collapse by 2046. The question they will ask is can you have a car that looks great but with an aga under the bonnet?
My first thought when I saw the thread title without reading any of the posts was the E60 5 series! Very wheel/colour dependent though.
I still find the interior on the early poverty spec ones offensive though, with the rotary HVAC controls and anemic grey colour scheme. Later ones are much nicer.
I still find the interior on the early poverty spec ones offensive though, with the rotary HVAC controls and anemic grey colour scheme. Later ones are much nicer.
I'm a BMW nut but most models from E90 onwards were a bit like this for me! After a couple of years and seeing a few with some tweaks they grow on me and before you know it I love them. The E90 M3 become a bit of a realistic dream car for me and I now own one, I still remember not being keen on them when new but I sit and admire it for ages after washing it now. 
GappySmeg said:
Now though... think they both look really good! In fact I own an E60 (on 19 inch spiders) and think it looks fantastic.
Best wheels for the E6x, they look great on them! 
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