Most disappointing redesigns?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 3
From: Alberta
Interesting thread!
Definitely shows how subjective looks can be. There have been a few comments about the new M3. While I chose the F over the M3, it was only a comparison of the sedans. Imho, the new gen M3 coupe and convertible are way nicer than the E46 versions.
As well, while the looks of the '10 RX are debatable, it is difficult to argue that the new version is not head and shoulders about the previous gen in every other area.
Definitely shows how subjective looks can be. There have been a few comments about the new M3. While I chose the F over the M3, it was only a comparison of the sedans. Imho, the new gen M3 coupe and convertible are way nicer than the E46 versions.
As well, while the looks of the '10 RX are debatable, it is difficult to argue that the new version is not head and shoulders about the previous gen in every other area.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 1
From: Richmond
AE92 and up compared to 86, why go FF?
Evo 7... E6 was so nice, 7 became a fast lancer...
Ferrari 355 > 360 > 430
EK Civic > anything newer, other than the K20 engine...
Galant VR4, in NA, they dropped it while it's the best version in Japan imo... Mitsu at that time (mid 90s) could've had a amazing line up in North America with 3000GT VR4, Eclipse GSX, Evolution 4, 5 and 6, IF they bothered to bring it over, but they didn't and dropped the 3kgt, fleeted the Galant, cruised the 3G eclipse, and a few years later did they start the Evo.
Evo 7... E6 was so nice, 7 became a fast lancer...
Ferrari 355 > 360 > 430
EK Civic > anything newer, other than the K20 engine...
Galant VR4, in NA, they dropped it while it's the best version in Japan imo... Mitsu at that time (mid 90s) could've had a amazing line up in North America with 3000GT VR4, Eclipse GSX, Evolution 4, 5 and 6, IF they bothered to bring it over, but they didn't and dropped the 3kgt, fleeted the Galant, cruised the 3G eclipse, and a few years later did they start the Evo.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,994
Likes: 248
From: California
1) The egg-shaped Taurus.
2) All Cadillac CTS's.
3) Current Chevy Impala
4) Current Mazda 3, 5, 6, RX-8, and Miata (fender hoods do not belong on modern cars).
5) Last gen Maxima.
6) Current Honda Pilot and CRV.
7) Current Acura TL and RL.
8) Current Passat (decent, but VW took away the sportiness).
9) Current Jetta (see #8).
10) Current Caddy Escalade (too much bling and upright styling).
11) Current Lincoln Navigator (rap star grilles and polarizing taillights).
2) All Cadillac CTS's.
3) Current Chevy Impala
4) Current Mazda 3, 5, 6, RX-8, and Miata (fender hoods do not belong on modern cars).
5) Last gen Maxima.
6) Current Honda Pilot and CRV.
7) Current Acura TL and RL.
8) Current Passat (decent, but VW took away the sportiness).
9) Current Jetta (see #8).
10) Current Caddy Escalade (too much bling and upright styling).
11) Current Lincoln Navigator (rap star grilles and polarizing taillights).
Most horribly disappointing redesign has to be the new Subaru Legacy! Followed closely by the 3rd Gen Eclipse, then the current gen TL/TSX/okay, Acura in general has scrooched the proverbial pooch with their corporate beak design. I'm VERY impressed with the new Taurus and Mazda6 though!
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
Likes: 354
From: Canada
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
For me, I'd vote for the :
1. '10RX as well as one car that was not redesigned for the better. The interior as others have mentioned is "better" in terms of upscaleness, from the flush buttons, smoother headliners, and more unique styling. But it's the unique styling that makes it too polarized and becomes a "love it or hate it" deal.
The look may be more upscale, but material is not. I recently had a loaner for a day and the soft touch plastics are still soft, but you can feel they are not as thick and padded as before. The interior door panels are under-designed relative to the other interior designs.
The plastic handles and the eye glass holder plastic are lightweight plastic straight from the $1 stores. I was almost afraid to pull the rear handle to fold the rear seats down too hard because I might have snapped it.
2. '10 Mercedes E-class. I can only comment on exterior as I've only seen two thus far on the road and exterior looks very un-European. Both times I approached it thinking it was an Infiniti or something from Hyundai.
3. Chrysler T&C/Caravan. Went from boxey, to smooth, to smoother, then back to boxey. Interior the biggest turd bomb of any generation Caravan.
4. RAV4, basically no change and carryover with very limited exterior style changes, but interior went from bad to worse. Can't find soft touch plastic anywhere except on armrest. Don't hit your head on the panel accidentally, you might get a concussion.
5. '09 Pilot. The first Pilot wasn't that great looking to begin with, but Honda decided to go from bland to even more bland. Interior got hit by the same hard-plastic devil that hit the RAV4.
1. '10RX as well as one car that was not redesigned for the better. The interior as others have mentioned is "better" in terms of upscaleness, from the flush buttons, smoother headliners, and more unique styling. But it's the unique styling that makes it too polarized and becomes a "love it or hate it" deal.
The look may be more upscale, but material is not. I recently had a loaner for a day and the soft touch plastics are still soft, but you can feel they are not as thick and padded as before. The interior door panels are under-designed relative to the other interior designs.
The plastic handles and the eye glass holder plastic are lightweight plastic straight from the $1 stores. I was almost afraid to pull the rear handle to fold the rear seats down too hard because I might have snapped it.
2. '10 Mercedes E-class. I can only comment on exterior as I've only seen two thus far on the road and exterior looks very un-European. Both times I approached it thinking it was an Infiniti or something from Hyundai.
3. Chrysler T&C/Caravan. Went from boxey, to smooth, to smoother, then back to boxey. Interior the biggest turd bomb of any generation Caravan.
4. RAV4, basically no change and carryover with very limited exterior style changes, but interior went from bad to worse. Can't find soft touch plastic anywhere except on armrest. Don't hit your head on the panel accidentally, you might get a concussion.
5. '09 Pilot. The first Pilot wasn't that great looking to begin with, but Honda decided to go from bland to even more bland. Interior got hit by the same hard-plastic devil that hit the RAV4.
1973 Pontiac TransAm is fastest new car,last musclecar,& best looking IMO.
GM introduces EGR valves to cut smog. Pontiac was 3rd in sales volume around this time behind only Chevy & Ford. Firebird sales increase every year peaking in 1979,also Pontiac's peak sales year. 1979 is also last year for the traditional Pontiac V-8 engine. 1980 TransAm comes with the new 301 Turbo V-8 it was designed for light weight & gas mileage. Acceleration slows about 1.5 seconds in 1/4 mile. Now we are in the 1980's when all domestic cars start downhill in a bad way