Hooniverse Asks: What's the Car That you Love That No One else Does?

renault_le-car_79
Much like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree, there are certain cars that garner the love and yearning of fans despite a general distaste by the greater enthusiast crowd.
Take for example the Renault Le Car, also known as the 5. I have loved these cars ever since driving one equipped with a massive sunroof on a perfect sunny day. Slow? Sure. Finicky? I guess, I’ve never actually had to live with one long-term. Still, whenever I see one – which is a rare occurrence these days – it never fails to put a smile on my face.
Do you have your own shameful white whale – a car that is generally considered to be less than desirable but about which you are secretly smitten? What is the car that you love that no one else does?
Image: hatchheaven

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170 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What's the Car That you Love That No One else Does?”

    1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      Maybe not no one else, since I happen to like Vegas, but it is certainly widely panned in both enthusiast and non-enthusiast circles.

      1. dukeisduke Avatar
        dukeisduke

        They are good handling cars, especially with the Sport suspension option. The car above is supposedly a GT, but it’s missing the blacked-out headlight bezels, and the GT emblems. They’re held on from the back with self-tapping nuts on posts, so if the emblem were simply gone there would be two holes in the fender

    2. Car_Door Avatar
      Car_Door

      I definitely prefer the 1970’s vega styling over the 1970’s camaro styling. Those side view mirrors are quite attractive

  1. david42 Avatar
    david42

    Eagle Premier. If it weren’t such a piece of junk, it would have been one of the greatest family sedans of its time.

    1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
      The Rusty Hub
      1. dukeisduke Avatar
        dukeisduke

        I liked them when they were new.

      2. HDS Avatar
        HDS

        I was like 16 when these car came out and I loved them! I live in central america so it wasn’t until I made a trip to the US that I got to see them in person and somehow did not looked as cool as they seemed in the magazines and tv ads that I had seen.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Same here. I grew up in Germany and used to buy the “all the cars in the worl”-catalogue every year. I especially liked the Pontiac Bonneville with its plasticky gloriousness. When we got online in ca 1997, new knowledge made me disappointed.

          1. quattrovalvole Avatar
            quattrovalvole

            I’m pretty sure I bought such catalogue back in the early 2000s. If I’m not mistaken, it was by auto motor und sport. This was a few years before Oldsmobile went away and my young self was pretty impressed by the Intrigue and Aurora. Many years later I saw one in real life and was disappointed.

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Oh, yes, the Aurora – I still like it, never having seen one. Pretty sure it was AMS that was behind the publication, yes. 1500-1800 cars available all around the world every year; lovely read. I gave away about 250kg of newspapers and magazines, collected after the “Volvo in it”-principle between 1993-2000, when I moved to Norway. What I should have done would have been to keep some highlights.

          3. quattrovalvole Avatar
            quattrovalvole

            First gen Auroras are handsome just like in the pictures, except I never found one that’s mint. Almost always seen with mismatched wheels, rusty wheel arches, etc.

    1. GTXcellent Avatar
      GTXcellent

      I knew this would be your pick. I gave you a thumbs up for staying true to yourself, but not the car – yuck

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Fair enough. I couldn’t ask for more than that.

  2. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    I’m always a bit troubled by love/hate-questions, as I think these are very strong feelings a bit on the extreme side for unanimate objects. But anyway…boring, super standard design, Korean baroque, is a thing I adore. Here’s a Kia Magentis for illustrational purposes – great proportions, clear division of motor-greenhouse-luggage-compartment and great visibility:
    http://carsorder.com/images250_/kia-magentis-6438.jpg
    The Hyundai XG30, some Chinese cars, classics like the GAZ 24 or Volvo 140, also more popular cars like the Lincoln Continental of the early and mid-60s fit my taste for cubism, organic proportions and chrome highlights very well.

    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      My mother-in-law had one of these Magentises, and she just loved it. A little too Korean for my tastes, but I support the basic boxy layout of the thing.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        How did it perform? Any issues? The 2002 model can be had for around 8-900€ in okay shape in Germany…I’d probably have one now if I was living there. But, beware, not the four eyed one. It should be the straight, serious model:
        http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI4MFg5NjA=/z/Q8gAAOSwgQ9VmrB-/$_1.JPG

        1. Maymar Avatar
          Maymar

          They had an ’04, but it held up pretty well for them, basic maintenance mostly (I remember it needing a new gas cap), until they traded it in with 250k kms or so. That said, they owned it from new, and were pretty decent about taking care of it.
          I drove it a couple times – I remember it being slightly nautical, although it was older and probably needed new shocks at that point. Also, very Korean plastic inside.

    2. quattrovalvole Avatar
      quattrovalvole

      I have this irrational love for the XG30 since it looks like a JDM four door hardtop from the 90s (which I also love). Frameless doors FTW!
      http://www.wallpapersweb.com/data/media/150/Hyundai%20XG30%203.jpg

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I think it is gorgeous, trying so hard to be serious! The chromed front is just lovely:
        http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/oGkAAOSw8cNUTCrR/$_1.JPG

        1. Michael Wells Avatar
          Michael Wells

          I had one just like this. Was a good car, too. Owned it for six years, until it was rear ended at a stop light. It had 106,000 miles on the clock and was looking and running well.

          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Neat! Did you ever have trouble with a jumpy motor and the check engine light?

          2. Michael Wells Avatar
            Michael Wells

            No, the engine never gave me any trouble or check engine light issues. It did have a major transmission failure that was fixed under warranty, however.

      2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
        Fuhrman16

        That shouldn’t be all that surprising, since the early generations of the Hyundai Grandeur XG were just rebadged Mitsubishi Debonairs. Though by the time the XG came to the states (3rd Gen), it was an Korean developed car.

      3. tonyola Avatar
        tonyola

        Squint real, real hard and an XG looks like a Maybach.

    3. smokyburnout Avatar
      smokyburnout

      The Magentis is superb
      http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue020.html

  3. marcramsey Avatar
    marcramsey

    I bought a new grey sunroof equipped Le Car in 1978 to provide wheels while contemplating an engine/clutch rebuild on a 73 Alfa GTV (which never ran again as salty New England roads had taken their toll). The car was an absolute blast to drive, with a smooth ride, tossable handling, and room for 6 in a pinch (been there, done that). I put 100,000 miles on it, with no servicing (almost literally, I think I changed the oil once or twice), and after I sold it I continued to see it on the road for a number of years.

  4. dmdukejr Avatar
    dmdukejr

    The man-without-a-face shovel-nose 1973 Pontiac Grand Am. I would love one of these.
    http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5128819182.html

  5. LEROOOY Avatar
    LEROOOY

    http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/CC-63-044-800.jpg
    They are…not great. But I get excited when I see a surviving first-gen Caravan. That K-car platform was an engineering triumph.

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      I’ve heard the turbo ones are very tunable.

      I wouldn’t be opposed to owning one of those.

  6. The Rusty Hub Avatar
    The Rusty Hub

    Well, I just bought one of these (story soon, I hope), which most people were unaware existed. I’m not sure if I like it yet, since there’s very little left of it.

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      “Treat yourself to America’s new road car — Magnum XE!” How could I not want to do that? The Magnum has traditionally occupied my thoughts as simply the less attractive older sister to the slightly smaller, lighter, sharper-lined Mirada that replaced the it. But that warble-y promo film just made me love the Magnum, too.

      1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
        The Rusty Hub

        Ironically, this car came from Kansas City. It could have been yours for the princely sum of $200.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          So…how much is left of it?

          1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
            The Rusty Hub

            This was the driver’s side floor pan (Banana for scale).
            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e6aced12c4e3c4ba9ddb68c97d05b1bb1a96ae9e84018a647a4136e86f6b97bd.jpg

    2. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Oh man. Is this for LeMons?

      1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
        The Rusty Hub

        Ostensibly, yes.

    3. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Muscular mallaise…looks great. But the red interior shown in the film should have come with a label. I hope your model sounds healthier than the film shown above?

  7. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    Down sized third generation (but only ’78 or ’79 with single headlights) Monte Carlo. I believe they came pre-rusted from the factory, but there’s something there I like. I should add that I only like the Monte – I do not care for the Buick/Olds/Pontiac stablemates.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Wiki79.jpg
    On another note, I had a Matchbox Le Car identical to that top pic – I HATED IT! it was far and away my least favorite, and it’s play was strictly limited to horrific accident scenes.
    http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mnHN2SbyU3_tscAKarKZL6w.jpg

    1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
      The Rusty Hub

      Damn. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed one of those if I’ve ever seenone. It probably says something about my (utter lack of) aesthetical leanings that I love the way those curves are completely offset by the super-boxy nose and roofline. It’s so incredibly that-period GM (and/or all American marques, really) in a “Let’s compromise it all” approach.

      1. dukeisduke Avatar
        dukeisduke

        They tried to transfer the lines from the longer ’73-’77 to the shorter ’78 model. It didn’t work.

      2. David Avatar
        David

        My parents had one of these for a while. The only thing I remember about it was that it was a sort of metallic biege color and was the first car I had seen with (IIRC) a column shift AND a center console. Conpromise it all, indeed.

    2. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      I got to drive a couple of them when they were new – one with the 305, and another with the 3.3l Chevy V6. The bright strips on the bumpers were a joke, since they tended to fall off after awhile.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Supposedly not the only thing falling off of these? Did you work at a dealer back then?

    3. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      My dad had a 79 as a company car. He got hit turning left across an intersection by a drunk driver who blew a red light. sheered everything in front of the wheel-wells clean off. My mom was sitting passenger seat ad the accident was ~2′ in front of her. They all walked away unhurt.
      I was born a little over a year later.
      I won’t say that car saved them, because honestly, it didn’t do anything. But it’s all I know about that era of the Monte Carlos.

    4. dmdukejr Avatar
      dmdukejr

      I had a similar Le Car matchbox car (in silver, without the opening hatch) that was my favorite – simply because my dad stepped on it one day, sliding across our brick patio and nearly killing himself, and therefore it had fairly realistic crash damage.

  8. onrails Avatar
    onrails

    In life there are many loves, but you’ll always remember your first. 1976 Buick SkyHawk, RWD 3.8 2 barrel with 105 (on a good day) thundering horses, a dog-leg 1st Borg-Warner 5 speed, and a frighteningly low 2.56 rear end for blistering acceleration off the line. What a steaming pile… and I loved every minute of it.

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      The Borg-Warner 77mm 5-speed wasn’t very robust, so it wasn’t hard to bend shift forks or otherwise damage the linkage (all internal) if abused.

      1. onrails Avatar
        onrails

        She made it to 230k miles without a shifting/trans problem. I changed the clutch at 100k (bought at 85k… learned to drive a stick on this car). I can’t say it wasn’t abused, but more abuse with mechanical sympathy. And with hardly any motor and a tall rear end, attempting speed shifts was pretty pointless.

        1. dukeisduke Avatar
          dukeisduke

          My’76 Vega GT had the 5-speed. It was finicky going into reverse (sometimes you had the left the clutch out, then push it in again to get reverse). Some guy at 4Day Tire didn’t want to do that, and instead forced it into reverse, and managed to fuck up the linkage and chip some teeth on the cluster gear (I took it to a dealer, where they tore down the tranny and found the damage). So, no more reverse gear. Since it already had 105k on it, I couldn’t get anywhere with a claim. I ended up having a junkyard transmission put in, and the total for the teardown and replacement came to $500 (I kept the old disassembled tranny, in a box). The replacement worked okay, except that it tended to jump out of second gear if you let off of the gas. I lived with it like that for another nine years and 113k.

          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            The reverse gear issue is something I still experience with Japanes cars – even my ’02 Honda has trouble with that. Clutch down, in reverse, and the gearing ends up somewhere in Valhalla – no movement and a very slight grinding sound, but it turns almost freely. Do it again and it works. I’ve never understood what it is that goes wrong, as this is an all-mechanical link.

    2. salguod Avatar

      I’m partial to the Monza, particularly the facelifted later 2+2s or Mirages. I always wanted one with a Grand National Turbo V6.
      I had an 80 with the Iron Duke and a 4 speed. Horrible car, but good looking and fun to drive.

  9. Tanshanomi Avatar

    I recently saw a 1st Gen Mazda MX-6, and realized that that shape has aged spectacularly well. It seems to perfectly bridge the sharp wedge-y lines of the ’70s and ’80s with the bar-of-soap roundness of the ’90s.
    https://www.partrequest.com/images/mazda/mazda-mx-6-gt.jpg

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      Wait, I thought the 1st gen Aurora was one of those cars that everybody loves.

    2. GTXcellent Avatar
      GTXcellent

      Co-worker drives a first year Aurora in “light antelope” – very pretty other than the hail damage and rust

    3. HDS Avatar
      HDS

      I really think that the Aurora will be a future classic – if I lived in the US I would buy the best kept model I could find. I still think it looks better than the 2 gen.

      1. hubba Avatar
        hubba

        The second gen wasn’t intended to be an Aurora. The first gen actually had been designed as a Cadillac Seville–complete with Cadillac’s Northstar drivetrain–then transferred to Olds as a last ditch effort to boost the Olds brand. The second gen Aurora was intended to be a lesser Eighty Eight (like a Buick LeSabre); when GM started cutting the Olds product lines, they decided that Aurora was a more prestigious name than the veteran Eighty Eight, so the new Eighty Eight was rebadged Aurora.

        1. Tomsk Avatar
          Tomsk

          IIRC, the car that ended up being the second gen Aurora was originally going to be called the Antares, while the Aurora was going to move up in size and price.

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      My neighbor had the Olds Silhouette with the 3.8L In silver with the black stripes. It was great, unless your sunglasses slid down the dash.

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        It’s the Cadillac of minivans! (Although I’d have to go with the gold and black graphcs.)
        Hey, look at me, I’m Chili Palmer!
        http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3443/1401/33605700002_large.jpg

        1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
          PotbellyJoe★★★★★

          I actually almost put that phrase in my post.

          1. Tanshanomi Avatar

            I chose that photo because I thought the whitewalls added that little extra sump’n-sump’n.

  10. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Does Dr. Harrell have to limit himself to only one?

    1. GTXcellent Avatar
      GTXcellent

      In his case, the question is reveresed – “Is there a common, well-regarded, non-French/Briggs and Stratton powered car, that you like?”

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Does the 1967-70 Volvo 140 Series count?

  11. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Mercedes-Benz/Mercedes-Benz-R_Class-2009_Image-02-1024.jpg
    The only trouble I have is deciding between the diesel or the AMG R63 as my favorite of the pack…
    Also, I am looking forward to the Metris…

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Can anything compete with the R63? Great choice!

  12. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Do 1995+ Rivieras get any love these days? I think they’re neat-looking cars.

    1. LEROOOY Avatar
      LEROOOY

      I think these probably made the best lemonade out of GM’s FWD-proportions-lemons.

    2. Age_of_Aerostar Avatar
      Age_of_Aerostar

      That is one good lookin car! I miss 2-door personal coupes.

    3. jim Avatar
      jim

      Sad car is sad.

    4. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I keep finding myself stopping at this image every time I look for new comments…it’s such a wonderful design – I struggle to understand that this is an unloved car. Are the mechanics too GM-icky to work?

      1. tonyola Avatar
        tonyola

        The Riviera’s engineering and mechanicals were actually pretty good for the time. The problem was that sales of American-built luxury coupes fell off a cliff in favor of SUVs during the 1990s.

      2. Tanshanomi Avatar

        The Riviera was built on one of GM’s best platforms. The 3.8 liter V6 was devilishly hard to kill, and the later Rivs paired the 240 HP supercharged Series II version with the upgraded 4T65E-HD transmission. The trim and switchgear might cause problems on an old car, but the chassis is solid and there is nothing flimsy about its powertrain.

  13. Tiberiuswise Avatar

    I wouldn’t say I really LOVE the 1982 T-Bird but considering how much hate they get, I think it’s my best bet.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/1982_Ford_Thunderbird.jpg

  14. DavidCulberson Avatar
    DavidCulberson

    Does a car that “car guys” usually deride count? I love the Lexus LS, and am sad I don’t own one any more. Car guys like to call it the car for people that hate cars, but it’s like driving an old Buick that had actual engineering skill and manufacturing knowledge applied to it.

  15. Frank T. Cat Avatar
    Frank T. Cat

    It might just be among the SAAB community, where ‘classic’ SAAB owners regularly tell me my car ‘isn’t a real SAAB,’ but nobody but me seems to give the NG900 any love:

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      And yet, it’s less of an Opel Vectra as a the original Lada was a Fiat 124 – a truly great article on the latter topic:
      http://m.totalcarmagazine.com/classicandbeloved/2014/04/29/fiat_124_vs_lada_shiguli_1200/?rnd=270
      I remember how Top Gear made fun of GM’s control of SAAB, when an American executive arrived in Trollhättan and realized the car had no standard GM navigation system…among many other things.

      1. Frank T. Cat Avatar
        Frank T. Cat

        Yup, a real sore point for all the 9000 owners that dare tell me that. They don’t seem to like being told their car is more of a Fiat Chroma/Lancia Delta than my car is an Opel Vectra.

        1. jim Avatar
          jim

          I hate to be that guy, but it’s Croma, not Chroma, and it’s platform mate was the Thema, not the Delta…

          1. Frank T. Cat Avatar
            Frank T. Cat

            herp derp, I know that and still brain farted. usually my excuse is ‘I just woke up’ but that’s not the case this time. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            The Croma was known to self-incinerate. Never an issue with the SAAB afaik?

        2. nanoop Avatar
          nanoop

          Don’t forget the 9000 is an Alfa Romeo 164, too!
          http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/alfa-romeo-164-type-four-cars/

          1. Frank T. Cat Avatar
            Frank T. Cat

            Oh I know, it’s just that the 164 is a lot different to its Tipo Quattro brethren. You can literally swap doors and bumpers between the Croma/Thema/9000.

    2. CraigSu Avatar
      CraigSu

      Well, I still have my OG 9-3 so I’m right there with you. I couldn’t bear those Klingon wheels, though. I’ll stick with the 5-spokes that were stock on my SE.

      1. Frank T. Cat Avatar
        Frank T. Cat

        I’m not a fan of the Klingon wheels either. I only really like the Aero/Super Aero variants, plus the Gary Fisher’s on 9-5’s.

        1. CraigSu Avatar
          CraigSu

          Well. having talked about sticking with my stock 5-spokes only a day ago, I’ve ordered a set of Voxx MG-3s from Discount Tire. When I got the 2 new Continentals installed a little while back I was told that both right side wheels were bent. One of the left side wheels is also slightly out of round enough to cause some wheel hop but it hasn’t been terribly aggravating. The right front (was right rear before the new tires) has thrown its weight twice now in less than 2 weeks so I have to do something. After being quoted $120 each to straighten the wheels I decided I’d just put fresh ones on. I have 17″ MG-3s on my Volvo and I absolutely love them. I’ll keep the Saab on 16-inchers, though. I seem to be fully committed to keeping the Saab now. Next will be paint or maybe Plasti-Dip. I’ll get an estimate from my body shop and cross my fingers.
          http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/wheels/voxmg3.large.jpg

          1. Frank T. Cat Avatar
            Frank T. Cat

            which 5-spokes you have?

          2. CraigSu Avatar
            CraigSu

            I never have found out the specific name for them.
            http://www.finishlinewheels.com/prodimg/ALY68222U.jpg

  16. Citric Avatar
    Citric

    I have to say, every time I see a Lincoln Blackwood on the road it makes me happy.
    http://www.pickuptrucks.com/IMAGES/2002/lincoln/blackwood/first_drive/rearshot.jpg

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      They really missed a marketing opportunity by not calling it ‘The Town Truck’

  17. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    On Mopar forums I seem to be one of the few that liked the ’05-’11 Dakota.
    http://i2.wp.com/farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4560097792_7754ef5d4b_b.jpg?w=650

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Is this going to be one of those well-kept rare trucks being published on BaT anno 2045? “Corwin” – your name?

      1. ptschett Avatar
        ptschett

        2045 might be a bit much. I can see myself owning it till about 2020 (unless my needs change) though.
        Corwin is the local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram/Fiat/etc. dealership.

  18. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    That Craigslist Find from last week just fueled my fire for the Mustang II Notchback. Motor Trend’s 1974 Car Of The Year; it’s popularity has been on a downward curve ever since.
    http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/51/1974-mustang-ii-inline-photo-518982-s-original.jpg

    1. jeepjeff Avatar
      jeepjeff

      The ’74 notch is the one to go for for this question. The ’75-’78 hatches get a decent amount of love on this forum, particularly under Tim’s rubric of: a RWD American V8 can only be so bad… But not the ’74.

    1. Car_Door Avatar
      Car_Door

      I have an odd fantasy of taking a short wheelbase RWD aerostar with a manual transmission, stripping the interior, and turning it into a rally machine.

      1. Guest Avatar
        Guest

        I like your idea, but I’d add my patented Improvement Formula (®)*.

        https://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/mump_1002_04_o+ford_mustang_svo+engine.jpg

        *Ingredient: full SVO engine, with both turbocharger and intercooler.

  19. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    http://www.autoviva.com/img/photos/744/smart_fortwo_sharpred_adds_gloss_black_and_red_inside_and_ou_big_85744.jpg
    I know it’s a little different around here, but the smart fortwo gets all kinds of hate. I love the little things – they’re aggressively weird and small, and I’m down with a Franco-German rear-engined car that I could actually afford.

  20. Jofes2 Avatar
    Jofes2

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Lancia_Thesis_Kappa_20071211.jpg
    Even if it isn’t exactly pretty it’s still quirky and very Italian.

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      And designed by an American.

  21. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    This is the internet, so there is a plenum for even the weirdest… cars.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      This is.
      http://www.hooniverse.info

      1. nanoop Avatar
        nanoop

        That’s why I am here – to spice up my… garage.
        Honestly I believe that most of the cars listed here have some form of owner’s forum, so “no one else does” wouldn’t apply – but who cares? Even “Weird Cars” have their haven at Banovsky’s.

  22. Tanshanomi Avatar

    I am missing FordTempoFan so much right now.

    1. The Rusty Hub Avatar
      The Rusty Hub

      It has been insinuated that I am/was FTF. I am not, but I took those suggestions as a compliment.
      http://hooniverse.info/2013/08/12/which-ford-tempo-is-right-for-you/

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Nah, FTF’s first name is Conor.

    2. hubba Avatar
      hubba

      FTF’s nomination for this list would be the Mercury Topaz, because, hey, everyone knows the Tempo is a great car, but the world needs more Topaz love.

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        “Topaz Love” – for some reason that sounds like it should be the name of a ’90s Euro-club hit by Rozalla.

  23. Hatchtopia Avatar

    Standard answer

  24. David Avatar
    David

    It was 1979 during the first oil crisis. My first real job out of college involved a 63 mile round trip commute and my 72 Gran Torino (just the boring family car version) got around 11-12 mpg in LA traffic. Picked up a fully loaded (except 4 speed instead of automatic) little brown Chevette on a model year closeout for $4900. I loved that little thing. Sure, things started to go south at about 60k miles and the engine blew at 92k, but it got me through those early post-college years. I replaced it with a 1984 Honda CRX and never looked back, but I really loved that little ‘Shoveit’ at the time.

    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      A lightweight, gutless, disposable RWD car in the snow is a fantastic way for a budding hoon to play around with car control, so I have a bit of affection for the ‘vettes.

  25. Jaap Avatar
    Jaap

    In every Top 3 on Ugliest Car Ever. I think it’s smart

    1. jim Avatar
      jim

      There’s a surprising amount of peoples who like the Multipla, if only for the fact that it dared to be different (on the outside, on the inside, and even in the way it was built: did you know that the Multipla had a space frame chassis ?). The facelifted one however, that’s a car that nobody seems to like.
      http://www.auto-news.de/webcore/data/content/Auto_ClickTrick_STD/13153_1093522147130.jpg

  26. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    I love the concept of personal luxury coupes in general and these specifically. I’d only act on that if someone else picked up my fuel tab…http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Lincoln/71-Lincoln-Continental-MK3-DV-09-PVGP-01.jpg

  27. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    This was my first car, and this is a pic of it!
    1986-89 Acura Integra, first gen. The only reason I think it goes in the “no one else loves it” category is its relative unpopularity compared to the second and third gen.

  28. Jfalcon Avatar
    Jfalcon

    Always been a sucker for the Izuzu VehiCross…

    1. Tanshanomi Avatar

      It’s a shame they never made a Talbot Tagora Targa.
      Because alliteration.

      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        Given Talbot’s Rootes Group heritage, they could have squeezed a V8 into it and called it the
        Talbot Tagora Targa Tiger.

        1. Monkey10is Avatar
          Monkey10is

          Wait, wait:
          Set it up as a drift monster; Talbot Tagora Targa Tiger Touge
          Build a wagon version; Talbot Tagora Targa Tiger Touge Touring.

          1. Vairship Avatar
            Vairship

            And then they add a Turbo…

          2. Vairship Avatar
            Vairship

            …with T-Tops…

          3. Jaap Avatar
            Jaap

            Build by Tickford

          4. Monkey10is Avatar
            Monkey10is

            But I’d still like it to have Italian coachbuilt superleggera bodywork, so that it can be the TTTTTTTT Touring ‘Touring’.

  29. stigshift Avatar
    stigshift

    The 1992-only P75 Ford Crown Victoria Touring Sedan. One of the best looking American sedans ever produced, in it’s rarest, and best, form.

    1. hubba Avatar
      hubba

      A Touring Sedan with whitewalls and mud flaps rather misses the point, no?
      It’s a great looking car, but the later LX Sport is a better drive.

      1. stigshift Avatar
        stigshift

        The Touring Sedan came sans whitewalls or mudflaps. And it is the spiritual ancestor of the LX Sport.

  30. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I love kit cars, and conversions, the best and worst of them.

    http://www.kitcar.com/KitCarsForSale/duke-chimpoulis-fl-BIG.jpg

    Electric conversions, Ferrarieros, Neo-classics… All of them bring smiles to my face, and I probably would try owning a few of them, if I had the means, of course.

  31. Jeffery Stillwell Avatar
    Jeffery Stillwell

    PT Cruiser GT, it’s your time to shine!

  32. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    The “slantback” 1978-’80 Oldsmobile Cutlass and Buick Century were ostracized even when new, but I have a thing for them. I’d love to build a pro touring 2-door Cutlass with a late Cutlass Supreme nose (i.e. the one with the composite headlights and amber corner lamps) swapped on.
    http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/CC-59-020-800-crop-vert.jpg
    http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/08/184218.jpg

    1. rovingardener Avatar
      rovingardener

      These had a modicum of popularity among the short track racers of Midwest, contemporaneously.
      For instance this is a model of Don Gregory’s 1979 winner of the Dri-Powr 400 at Winchester, IN. There were several others of these run with varying levels of success. I always found the lines to be better filled out than the Camaro/Firebirds of the day, and definitely smoother than the other Cutlass’ and Monte Carlos.
      http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh70/jhehl/DSCF0002_zps86nqb9fm.jpg
      http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh70/jhehl/DSCF9998_zpsh22rib0q.jpg
      GM seemed to agree as the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix got their own particular treatments for NASCAR with mailslot trunk openings.

  33. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    The new TC doesn’t quite do it for me the same way.

    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      These are on my short list of eventual replacements for my PT Cruiser.

  34. smokyburnout Avatar
    smokyburnout

    Still see drive-bys online from Insight haters
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dbee3a529c7c2a3950b898b051e1f1b233a712ac28cc88f19856c18b895c72b4.png
    I’ve heard someone out there likes the CR-Z, too

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      So much Insight, you figure they’d be…
      http://www.topcarpicture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/picture-of-a-smart-car.jpg
      …by now.
      Couldn’t resist, but I’d definitely like to have the Honda, couldn’t care less for the Mercedes.

      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        Some people just don’t

  35. hubba Avatar
    hubba

    Buick LeSabre. The best car you’ll ever inherit from your grandmother’s estate because no one else wants to be seen in it.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I like the looks of it – but how does it drive?

      1. hubba Avatar
        hubba

        Comfortably, is how. Lounge on the big leather sofa, drop the column shift into Drive, and roll down the right lane at 64mph.

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Sounds like a good cross country road trip machine. It also looks like there’s ample space for all people inside to wear hats.

          1. Tanshanomi Avatar

            My wife and I once drove her ’96 LeSabre (a generation earlier than the one pictured) 975 miles straight, stopping only for gas and food. It was supremely comfortable the entire time. Oh, and the last 200 miles or so was in a blizzard with 6’–12″ of snow on the road.

        2. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          With the indicator blinker on.

          1. hubba Avatar
            hubba

            That’s a myth. Buick puts a timer on the turn signal. If it’s left on for more than a minute, there’s a reminder bell to turn it off. So if you’re following a Buick with the turn signal on, you can assume that the driver has gone deaf.

          2. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            So if the driver is old and deaf, it’s not a myth?
            I once followed an indicating Buick on I-95 for thirty miles.

          3. Vairship Avatar
            Vairship

            Or the driver is completely unaware what the bell indicates.
            “What’s that bell sound?”
            “I don’t know, it’s always there. Darn mechanic claims he’s never been able to replicate the problem”.

          4. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            What marked it out for me was that was the only time I’ve driven on that road as I don’t live in ‘the states’ and the people I was in the car with were saying ‘Look, it has to be a Buick -with an old guy driving.’And it was. He was wearing a hat too. 🙂

    2. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      I inherited a very low-mileage 1994 LeSabre from my Mom in 2008 and it has been a daily driver ever since. Initial disdain for a granny-mobile has turned into a sort of love. It cruises like a silent cloud on the Interstate, gets 30 mpg highway, had big cloth bench seats, and has that wonderful GM HVAC. It can even corner hard to a degree, though with some lean and protesting tires. Any mechanic can repair the 3800 drivetrain and parts are no problem. You’d be surprised how many positive comments I get from young males here in Miami, The pictured car looks identical to mine.

      1. theskitter Avatar

        ‘Postive comments from young males in Miami’ is damning with faint praise useful demographic information.

        1. Vairship Avatar
          Vairship

          ‘Positive comments from young males in Miami’ is damning with faint praise useful demographic information an indication that five minutes after you sell it, it’ll be wearing 33 inch wheels and painted in the colors of a popular breakfast cereal.

      2. hubba Avatar
        hubba

        If you’re enjoying it, you should start looking for one of the last of the line before they’re all worn out or gone to the worst part of town. Stiffer shell, better seats, 205hp Series II engine. Yummy. My favorite is the candy apple red with light two-tone interior and chrome wheels, but the silver cars are nice. I think the 15″ wheels look bad on these, tho. I’d get 16″ wheels from a Park Avenue if it came with 15″ wheels.

  36. William Robinson Avatar
    William Robinson

    Right now for me it would have to be the chrysler 2015 200 limited v-6. Ya see we just replaced our 08 pontiac g5 (the pig) with a white rental spec 200. I have to say that it seems everywhere you look there is someone ragging on these or the Cherokee for their transmission issues. So far our has had a few jerky starts because we’re used to dropping into drive and hammer down. This car takes just a split second to decide which gear to start in. Once used to this it seems to work great. Heck it’s got near 300 hp 9 forward gears and I’m averaging 36.5 mpg in mixed driving. Another bonus is its miles more comfortable than the pig.

    1. theskitter Avatar

      That’s impressive mileage. The true rentals still only have four speeds and get correspondingly lower mileage, so I’ve been very interested to sample a 9-speed.

      1. William Robinson Avatar
        William Robinson

        I’d recommend that anyone take one for a test drive.. we drove 3 and ended up in a white 200 limited V6. The first was a black one that on the 90 minute test drive seemed to get even better mileage at 38mpg. And anot her white one that got 35.5 on the 90 minute drive. All where identical spec within 3000 km of each mileage wise.

  37. karonetwentyc Avatar
    karonetwentyc

    A Renault Encore. Specifically, a 1.7-litre, 2-door, 5-speed model with A/C and the ‘Electronic’ package. I’d be quite happy using it as something to just run around in, and I have absolutely no idea why this specific set of options on that car holds as much appeal for me as it does. The bubbleback hatch probably has something to do with it, though. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f27d56edd21e0a95db23a14a7bda5f12d737da7dadf4e4a559d70f440d82f897.jpg

    1. karonetwentyc Avatar
      karonetwentyc

      Oooh… I should’ve paid more attention to the image search results. This is what I’d go for: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a4124736a559a08555d725c3b357751fa4094c1f8f47aa69c0410b2efceb1c59.jpg

    2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      The basic layout and design of these things are really fantastic. It was the lack luster build quality and cheap materials that let them down.I have a bog-standard base model (1.4L, 4 speed, and manual steering, etc.) that I drove to Chicago and back (1350 miles) a couple weeks back and it didn’t have any issues. It’s comfortable on the highway, easy to maneuver around town, gets good mileage (averages low-mid 30’s), and has loads of space fir it’s size.

      1. karonetwentyc Avatar
        karonetwentyc

        It’s funny – I’ve driven a number of Alliances, Encores, and GTAs over the years with the intention of buying, but have never actually pulled the trigger. I liked the way the cars drove (though the automatics were slower than I’d prefer), but none of them was ever quite the right one to take home.

  38. Richard M. Nixon Avatar
    Richard M. Nixon

    Just in case anyone thought I was dead.