So, there have been many cars out there that everyone was highly anticipating. Some people even put down deposits before the car was approved for production (like the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler Imperial a couple of years back).

Then the backlash: the quirky questionable design, the use of cheap materials, the lack of performance and handling, the unexpected costs (high price tag, poor gas mileage, pricey options), the feeling of being so underwhelmed, and ultimately, buyer's remorse.


Did anticipation and expectation supercede the actual product?

Was the idea better than the execution?

Have you been disappointed by the final result?


(And please try to reserve your views on cars that are available NOW, instead of current concepts and debuts that you have yet to touch and test drive...)



DISCUSS.

 

OK, two quickies for me

1) The current gen (3)GS. New design language from Lexus hype and it totally let me down. The interior was cramped and it didn't really eclipse the 2GS.

2) A bit older but the 2nd gen Taurus. Jelly Bean galore inside and out. Lost the majority of the momentum they had built with the first gen.

 

I would say 2005 Acura RL. At that point they had a lot of momentum from the successful redesign of the TL, and a successful launch of the TSX. But the RL was just a dud in comparison, saleswise and imagewise.

 

There are many to choose from. I think number 1, is the Chevorlet SSR, alot of people loved the design, but when it came out witha low power V8, that can't even beat a v6 honda accord in a drag race, the sales tanked, chevy then put in a proper 427 V8, but the damage was done, and who wanted a two seat pickup anyway?
I think number 2 is the plymouth prowler, great design, but again same mistake, low power, only came with a v6 instead of a V8, was not pratical at all, it didn't even have a trunk, so this car bombed.
Number 3 is another pickup, the Lincoln Blackwood, everyone thought luxury pickups were going to be the next big thing, but they forgot that truck, even expensive ones have to be used as trucks, you could not haul anything in the bed or tow at all.
Number 4 is the Chrsyler Crossfire, another great design, but again not pratical, a strict two seater, and not that fast, this was supposed to compete with the 350z, but was no where close.
Number 5 is the Mercury Marauder, a bad *** looking car, but did not have enough power to back up it's mencing looks, only running 7 secound 0-60 times, a ten year old Chevorlet Impalla SS could beat it in a stright line. again great concept, but it never got the powerful mustang cobra engine it deserved, so it died.
Notice how all these cars and trucks are American.

 

That's easy. The 2008 Impreza WRX. We saw so many great concepts and what we got was hideous. A more powerful engine wasn't made available until 2009 and its still connected to the dated 5 speed manual transmission. Dissapointing for a performance vehicle.

 

Forgot Acura TL.. enough to earn the first place in this one.

 

I was a little bit disappointed with the production version of the second generation Infiniti G coupe, because the conceptual car was so good looking.

 

second gen infiniti G is a good one
however, the porsche panamera wins this award imo.. like really, what a whale.. so much potential and then it just went BOOM

 

I'd have to say the 2008 Accord, a car which I patiently waited for for two years. After seeing the huge architectual and structual changes Honda made for the 7th gen 2003 Accord from the 6th generation 98-02, I was ready for another leap with the 8th gen model, more new features to the segment. I had a 2002 and when the 03 came out, it brought many segment firsts. A magnificent navigation dvd voice activated nav system, dual zone climate, terrific 244HPP engines. Instead, the 8th generation rolled around with bizzare styling, a cheaply appointed interior, larger dimensions all around, and worse MPG numbers. Honda made no generational changes in their powerplants...the same high-reving 2.4 I4 and a new VCM system for the V6 which serves little purpose beyond making the powertrain harsh. I'm not sure if Honda was content on letting VW introduce new features to the class and simply save them for the next generation (electronic parking brake, turbo engine, Xenon lighting, etc.), but it didn't fly with me at all. I've noticed a lot of manufactures downgrading their material quality and fit/finish in their new cars. Honda and Toyota are strikingly the largest culprits, and it's sad becuase they had some of the best build quality for some time. VW even did it with the new for 06 Jetta/Passat, which just killed me. At least they've admitted their mistake and have said they will improve. Honda is passing off thier new TSX, Pilot, and Accord interiors off as something out of this world when in fact they are cheaper than the previous cars. Sad.

 

Pontiac GTO flopped too.

 

-IS-F (wasn't the hardcore car i was hoping for)
-last 2 Eclipse generations
-new STi (hatch only )
-Ferrari (everything. remember the good old days of the F40...)