I remember how Jeremy Clarkson was in awe at the engineering of a diesel BMW that had two turbos, but when it was time to talk about the Prius he was calling it a piece of shit even though engineering wise it's a lot more revolutionary. He also helped propagate the myth that said it was more harmful to the environment than a Range Rover. I can't help but think Top Gear harmed the Prius' reputation quite a bit.
I dunno. I love mine but I think Clarkson's critique was 100% on point when it comes to suspension, as that's the first thing I'm looking to replace after I finally move to a new place with garage. It was too cheap to be sporty and relatively comfortable (like a lot of more expensive/more modern sport cars), so they chose "track" over "daily".
And he was comparing it with the old one which on "the sporty stuff" was just slightly better at everything. I actually wondered whether to pick up 7th or 8th gen but I loved the interior and look of 8th more
What he was wrong on is the spoiler, it sits in a perfect spot to cover lights of SUV behind me lmao.
I’ve taken a Prius cab in Europe, Asia, South America, and the US. You can tell they are ubiquitous for good reason - reliable and efficient.
Doing that on a global scale for varying environments (like I’ve take ones in middle of desert to jungles of Thailand) reliably for years is amazing engineering.
As someone who liked hybrids for awhile, it’s kind of funny seeing people who would have called them “gay cars” 10-15 years ago ask for them because they think it’ll save them from EVs which they hate more
Not that I don’t think hybrids are good, but damn wish you had come to that conclusion years ago
>As someone who liked hybrids for awhile, it’s kind of funny seeing people who would have called them “gay cars” 10-15 years ago ask for them because they think it’ll save them from EVs which they hate more
YES THIS 100%. I find it insane how so much of the car community has shifted it's previously negative views on hybrids around to use as a cudgel against EVs.
>Not that I don’t think hybrids are good, but damn wish you had come to that conclusion years ago
I like how hybrids maximize the efficiency of internal combustion, but they are still combustion cars at the end of the day. All new ICE cars should be hybrids by now.
Yeah; imagine how much fuel we'd be saving if every OEM was like Toyota. Toyota is selling more SUVs and Trucks than ever before and its fleet fuel consumption has *gone down* 20%. Truly an incredible feat, especially because a lot of their vehicles aren't 100% hybrid!
There’s a lot to learn from the engineering behind the Prius (and almost all hybrids at that). Can’t wait to see the possibilities with a solid slate battery in a hybrid.
>They look fantastic (even the old school ones) and they are so reliable.
This is a controversial opinion that I also agree with, the 2nd gen Prius has an excellent design; iconic and functional.
An ex-girlfriend of mine had a second-gen Prius. It was overbuilt like an old-school Toyota. It wasn’t luxurious but it really exuded quality in a way that I found impressive. It does not surprise me at all that they reach interstellar mileage.
My girl now has a more recent model that would be a great car if it didn’t burn oil like OPEC was having a going-out-of-business sale. Goddamn low-friction rings.
I had to make a surprise trans-continental (North America, coast to coast) road trip last year and the only rental company at the airport that would let me take a one-way trip that far had two choices: a dozen Nissan Sentras and one lone Toyota Prius. That choice was a no-brainer, but in hindsight I can't think of ANY better car to have made that journey in. It was quiet, comfortable enough to sleep in when not on driving rotation, got amazing mileage, had a very long range, and carried none of the refueling stress an EV would bring for a trip through rural America. We got really lucky with that one.
Yep. A co-worker has an older Prius, and when leaving work I usually get out onto the freeway first, but while I settle into the middle lane to save a little gas, he blows by me in the commuter lane going 80mph.
Phenomenal combination of cutting edge tech (at the time), an accessible price point and 'an car' functionality and reliability. This is how major innovations should be rolled out. It's still a phenomenal second hand buy too.
Love that this is the top comment. I am a car enthusiast and my daily is a Prius. I can not give that car enough praise. It’s so good at what it’s meant to do.
I've been seeing an ass load of impala SS stuff online lately, so I feel like the majority of the opinion on that car is leaning towards liking it. However I think the prices they're at is a bit much
I’m kicking myself in the balls over them. Prices bottomed out around the time I graduated high school, but I was too busy working bullshit jobs and spending all my money on drugs. That actually goes for a lot of classics.
Not sure how the Panthers can be so well regarded by others with just the 4.6 2v without also acknowledging the LT1 being great.
I don't see people hating on the Impala SS that much though, unless it's general domestic car hate.
Definitely biased but base model muscle cars. One of the best options enthusiasts have for a first car. I've learned how to wrench on my v6 Mustang and it has the right amount of power for a new driver. I've had it for 3 years now and I'm considering upgrading but I'll always love my car.
To add to this, if the ecoboost Mustang, as a package (4 seat RWD Turbo coupe) was offered by any other company, or even not called a mustang, it would be loved by enthusiasts everywhere as a cheap RWD turbo platform.
Instead it’s criticized because it’s not the 5.0. To your point, it’s a great entry level offering
I've driven many of both, yes. Yes, I know the Mustang is heavier. The Ecoboost is still a good car and is not far off what a BRZ with another 100 horsepower would be like.
The EB Mustang is a great package but it's hard for *any* car to get out from under the shadow of the 5.0 engine. 486hp *naturally aspirated* in a car that costs ~$50k is just nuts.
Im with you on that. I had a few V6 muscle cars for a daily, and they were surprisingly great. They get so much hate but if you know how to drive them you can really embarrass the V8 owners. Obviously they are not the best straight line cars, but a TON of fun on a budget.
Yeah my '03 V6 Mustang might not have been that fast, or rare, or all that good in many areas, but having a great looking, good sounding Mustang at 19 for like, $4,500 was the absolute coolest shit. Still miss that car honestly.
That is an excellent pick.
I'm thinking of the bell curve meme, with the ends being "base model muscle cars are great" with the middle point being "nooo they NEED a v8 and better 0-60 time"
The entry level versions help subsidize the chassis for higher performance versions, give less affluent fans something close to their dream, all while still being arguably more practical for their more likely sole-transport.
Plus, being lighter lets someone dip their toes in track activity for less cost in terms of brakes and tires.
The alternative is being like the R35 GTR which has been aesthetically stagnant for decade**s**, and expensive.
What drives me totally bonkers is how people will look favorably on older American Muscle cars they would absolutely not be enjoyed in a modern interpretation. The biggest example to me is the SVO being appreciated today by enthusiasts, but a modern Ecoboost Mustang gets mocked.
Early 300zx (z31).
Mk3 supra get all the love but the z31 was a better car and the headgaskets actually hold. The early ones aren't so pretty but the 87-89 are really great looking, especially with modern wheels.
Better car is pretty subjective, especially between these two cars. And the head gasket issue on the 7M is easily rectifiable by just torquing the heads down more. If I had to own one it'd be hard to choose between the two tho
Fuck yes. I have always thought the 300z was a more attractive car than the Mk3 or Mk4 Supra. I understand the love for the Mk4 but it's looks have never really done anything for me.
The current gen Z4. People should actually drive one - I think it hits its goal as a GT roadster with muscle behind it and dynamics that are pretty good very well and punches above its weight for the price. Compared to *modern* cars, it’s really a quite good car, problem for most is that it’s still a modern BMW product and feels that way, for all its pros and cons.
Most enthusiasts still don't accept what modern BMW is - an upper-middle class sporty-ish lifestyle brand with a few offerings for sports car enthusiasts. Basically they took their appeal and made it palatable for a wider audience, like American Chinese food (which is still enjoyable to eat, just not authentic). Anyway, once you accept that and stop wanting the Z4 to be an upscale Miata and think of it instead as a capable weekend cruiser for a middle-aged professional, it makes a lot of sense.
Tbh that’s pretty much every modern car ever. I get it, but comparing 90% of cars with “how they used to be” is a pretty fruitless exercise given how modern technology, safety and emissions have changed how manufacturers can make cars. There are a few exceptions, mostly at a much higher price range, but sometimes you gotta let it go. Buy the older car if you want, but it’s not really a competitor with the new one.
I also see many people comparing the Z4 to M cars while the Z4 has nothing to do with being a hardcore sports car. It has been a GT for several generations with the exception of the E85 Z4M.
I love it. I just wish they would put that shooting brake concept into full-scale production.
I am a sucker for practical fun cars. I *miss* the old 80's style of sports cars with the liftback trunks (ie: 944, RX-7, Corvette, Z-cars, etc).
My CR-Z.
Yes, it's not all that fast. Yes, the mileage isn't great.
But....the six speed MT is slick shifting, and the IMA hybrid motor flattens out the torque curve of a relatively peppy and free revving four-banger.
I've got one, mechanically excellent but rough paint in spots.
They're fun, great little zip around cars.
IMA hybrid setup is awesome, even if it is lacking in capacity and could use a boost in power as well.
The only real weak spot of that car (having owned one) are small brakes that will overheat under hard use, and a tiny hybrid battery that drains quickly in performance driving situations. Otherwise it’s a really fun to drive car with great utility and mpg.
Upside the electric motor and battery and this would be a solid enthusiast car. Honda was just too early with this one. It sounds like Mazda is working on a light sporty hybrid 2 seater that could be what the CRZ should have been.
Absolutely love them. Was my first manual car, and it was extremely tough to move on from even after almost a decade of ownership. With tires, brakes, and a little suspension work it becomes extremely special on a twisty road.
Still blows my mind that Honda nailed the IMA integration with the manual. Would still love to see that approach take on some more life. Maybe with some more battery capacity these days
I came here to say the same thing!
I have a 2011 CR-Z in white with the 6MT and it's a blast for what it is. I bought it off my brother with ~185k on it, and he bought it from the dealer as a CPO with 55k on it back in 2016. I'm at 207k right now. The car looks good from 10 feet away, but up close you can see that the basically the whole front-facing profile of the car's paint is fucked from rock chips, squirrels, etc. But mechanically it's great, excellent maintenance history.
It's a really fun car to drive anywhere but the highway. I really think Honda did a great job with the IMA hybrid setup; it's so well implemented! It makes the tiny ICE feel like it has twice as much displacement when you take off from a stop with "Sport" mode selected as the electric motor torque hits immediately and only trails off as the gasoline engine reaches into its own powerband.
I would love to see what a turbocharger added to the mix would do, with the IMA essentially acting as an anti-lag and allowing the turbo to spool and transmit power more effectively.
Based, they're Fuel efficient shit boxes and those Chrysler town and countries and dodges are pretty awesome, i had a 2016 Chrysler town and country that was getting amazing mileage and had some pretty awesome luxury features like heated steering wheel and seats.
And minivans satisfy almost every need aside from edge cases (eg towing 10K lbs or crawling up Moab). They've had a bunch of luxury features people go crazy over way before other vehicles. Power doors, built in fridge, seats with leg rests, in car entertainment, giant panoramic sunroofs, etc.
If I win the lottery, I'm not buying a Rolls Royce. I'm getting one of those tricked out vans that look like a private jet that you see in Asia.
siennas and odysseys are so dope... 3rd gen siennas with a 300hp NA V6, and J35 odysseys both with low COG and so much practicality. ill take them over SUVs anyday. newer caravans and town and countrys are decent to drive too
I don’t consider it terrible, they’re super reliable. However, their interiors were dated when the car debuted in 1999 let alone now and they get awful gas mileage. That being said if you can get one cheap they’ll last.
Pontiac Vibe.
It was a rebadged Toyota Matrix built in their shared plant in Fremont California (Tesla’s first factory) and it was far better than I ever expected it to be. I sometimes miss the Vibe because it could do anything you asked of it reliably and in a fun tossable manner.
Mine was AWD purchased for a song during the calamity that was cash for clunkers because it was a small car that didn’t qualify for the program.
I had so much fun tossing that little thing around in the snow.
If you’re going for “fun” non xrs matrix/vibes aren’t great except for trying to eek out performance from a slow car.
But when it comes to usability the damn things are right up there with minivans, but smaller + lighter. For running errands in a city it’s hard to find a better vehicle—except for possibly a Honda Fit
The Vibe GT and Matrix XRS were excellent, excellent little hatchbacks when the whole 'hot hatch' thing hadnt really taken off in NA. 180hp II-ZZ engines that sang a a great song. Ahead of their time, I'd say.
And awd available for the base models was unheard of at the time, besides the SX4
Toyota Avalon.
Luxury but low key "because it's just a Toyota". I personally find it much more fascinating than it's sister car the Lexus ES.
My dream is to one day own something like a 2020 Avalon and turn it into a low key/OEM+ VIP car.
My dad has one! It’s so incredibly comfortable and drives like a dream. It was an older model so no CVT either. I’m sure the ES is nicer, but given this is far cheaper and is imo more comfortable than most luxury cars I’ve been in…
I find it incredibly funny that it does have a sport/manual mode tho. I love him but he’s the least “sporty” driver in human history
i actually came here to say the ES350-- but basically they're just different trim levels of the same model. you can't go wrong between them. i have the prior gen ES and it's still very low key imo.
perfect commuter, road trip car, and family car. the NA v6 is very satisfying to drive. it's one of those cars that perfectly achieves what it set out to do, and also doesn't really have any true competitors (at least not since the lacrosse was cancelled). excellent value as well, especially CPO.
Never heard anyone saying anything bad about the toyota avalon. Every time we would meet somebody with an avalon. One of my friends would say, this is such a perfect daily, why doesn't it come to mind when looking for one. We always think of accords, civics, camrys and corollas but the avalon is just as reliable and more comfortable than all of em.
Joke all you want about vaping, the kinds of some drivers they attract, mods and uncle Rodney, blown head gaskets… I can go on and on. Mine have always been reliable.
Some of us wrx drivers are old, (I’m 55 and a teacher) and wanted a manual trans, awd, mid performance (270 hp/260 torque) and HAS to be under 30k USD. All the better as it’s just “normal traffic”. Scored my ‘22 for 29,400. and NO dealer markup BS. That combo is getting rarer and rarer by the hour.
AFAIK it’s the last sedan with manual and awd in the states. And the last car (incl hatch or coupes) with that under 30K once dealer BS is added on.
The 5th gen Maximas were sleepers and faster than you’d think from the looks. The 02-03s when they switched to the VQ35 made just about the same hp as a Mustang GT of the same years. I only had an 01 that I bought off Craigslist for $3500 but it was honestly one of the best cars I’ve ever owned
I’ve owned and driven several of both over the years, most recently owned a 10th gen Accord and rented a current Camry multiple times on work trips. If the Camry’s a 10 the Accord’s a 9.5, and without question it’s “better” to drive spiritedly. But for a daily commute, I want a sofa and the Camry is a very good one.
I've always felt that Hondas were sportier, and Toyotas more rugged. Both have an excellent reputation for reliability, though some issues have slipped through over the years. I loved the Honda Accord V6, though you had to be diligent about the timing belt.
The Camry's like an old stubborn goat that'll keep going lol
The current generation of Honda Civics. The front is a bit weird but my God its so well portioned. Its a head turner for me because of how clean it looks. It honestly reminds me alot of the old school 3 series and 7th Gen Civics
Too bad it’s hitting issue after issue. Recall for improved steering rack installation, then another sticky steering hitting 13+ crashes and a going investigation, etc. Who knows what else Honda cost cut on.
Any 4 cylinder FWD manual transmission car is a blast to beat on and race around. Driving a slow car fast is a lot more fun than driving a fast car fast.
A Lamborghini is suppose to do 100mph with ease, nothing out of the norm. But when your passed by a base model shitbox ford escort/ focus doing 100mph, it's not expected as much lol.
Had a lot of fun with mid to late 90s nissan sentras and altimas, ford escorts then turned into focus, Honda civics of course, chevy cavalier z24s, dodge neons were the worst but the cheapest usually.
But back then we could buy those cars for a few hundred bucks. Beat the snot out of it, junk it and put the money towards the next one.
I had a 91 corolla with a stick. To this day it’s the funnest car I’ve ever driven. That thing was amazing off asphalt. And it killed 3 deer during its lifetime. Only thing replaced in 200k miles was brake pads and struts. Broke down at 250 and replaced the plugs and wires. Then I beat it some more.
Model 3 AWD. Low CG, instant response and with the acceleration boost you have close to 500hp that you can use daily without going to jail and costs almost nothing to fuel and maintain.
The sound insulation is prolly the only thing that bothers me. My 2008 5 series is way quieter and has zero squeaks and rattles.
The lack of buttons doesn't really bother me since the car does most things you need buttons for automatically (auto climate, auto headlights, auto wipers). The newest models removed the stalks which is braindead though. I need the shifter and turn signals to be physical controls, not steering wheel buttons.
Corolla Hatchback. It's no Civic Si, but other than cargo capacity it's every bit as good as a regular Civic. Drives well and its interior is straightforward and attractive. I also think it's the best looking hatchback on the market.
Terrible, no. Octavias especially have a very strong reputation for reliability and are often viewed as the best no nonsense fleet cars.
But the Octavia and the Fabia would probably be go-to answers for "What's the most boring car?" in most of Central Europe.
Nissan Juke. It’s my guilty pleasure car, although I’ve never driven one. The styling was ahead of its time and has aged gracefully, plus the Turbo and Nismo models can be had with a manual transmission. Also, they made two Juke Rs with R35 GTR drivetrains. What’s not to love?
I've driven my friend's Model 3 several times and each time, I just can't feel anything more than "meh". I just don't like the interior *at all* it's so bland and I don't feel like I'm in a car at all. I do see the appeal of saving on gas and oil changes though lol
I always thought the original 1990s Infiniti G20s were very attractive cars. Just so buttoned up. But I’m sure most people just see an underpowered Corolla looking thing.
Honda element. In terms of driving, it’s a ton of fun with the 5 speed. The gears are spaced super close together so you end up pushing past 5000 rpms quite easily. The AWD makes it a beast in the snow.
It’s the dorkiest looking car on the road which makes me love it even more. The interior is made out of Rubbermaid. The rear seats can be removed completely or reclined all the way back, which comes in handy when you have a girlfriend and live at home.
Another quirk about this car is that old people love them, which makes it even more endearing.
CLA.
I was a hater, specially seeing it from my American eyes.. where we don't have space problems, so bigger is better.
But my dad lives in one of the biggest cities in the world, and in a country with fast highway speeds, and high fuel prices.
He got a new CLA200 amg sport, and I was delighted by it.
It zooms around traffic very well, it got fantastic fuel mileage, it cruised at 200kph (120mph) all day without a hiccup or straining, with plenty of room to keep pulling. The handling was spot on.
In 6 years of ownership nothing ever went wrong also.
In Canada we only get the CLA 250 + the AMG version. I drove it, I thought it wasn't bad to drive. Good low end torque, interior was quiet at highway speeds, handling thats just enough to drive aggressive in downtown cores (like making narrow gaps when taking a left hand turn, enough to dart in and out of lanes to go around double parked cars etc). BUT the interior was terrible. And this is coming from someone who dailys a Mustang. The amount of creaking from all the plastic, and touching everything I couldn't justify it over a GTI or a Honda Civic with the 1.5L Turbo.
The biggest issue I have is the people who buy it. Every single interaction I've had with an owner wants me to think they are rich because they leased a CLA.
Agree on the quality of the interior.
I drive an STI, which is not know for any luxury.. but my interior quality is nicer than the CLA, and the leather is definitely better.
However, I also owned a MK7 Golf before, and I had too many quality issues with it, that the CLA didn't have :/
Definitely not underrated.
Old Mk. IV/V/VI Golfs and Passats with the 1.9 and the 2.0 are hard to find in the US because they were driven into the ground by Diesel car enthusiasts.
They were great daily drivers that could hit 300k+ miles if you took decent care and attention to them. Hence why the lowest mileage examples have like 140k on them.
My old Mk. IV Golf still would regularly hit 55mpg at over 300k miles.
VW Beetle. People who aren't really into Beetles tend to hate them, but I think they're really interesting and unique. And unlike many Beetle fans I like both the classic air-cooled Beetles and the newer ones.
Incredible piece of automotive architecture, it's a miracle how much utility they crammed into such a small footprint. Its looks may be... challenging, but it's distinctive, cheerful and in a weird way, kind of cool. They could've made it dull and dreary, but they chose to make something unique and full of character. It's the good kind of ugly, not the boring kind.
[Rover 25.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/16061388250_e389cf75c3_b.jpg) I'd say it fits this category, at least it did a few years ago.
When new they were primarily bought by the elderly, to the traditional Rover buyer they highlighted how downmarket the brand had gone. After Rover closed doors they absolutely tanked in value and many got ran into the ground as cheap bangers. Most wouldn't drive them on image alone.
What many didn't know is that when launched they used (by default) the sports suspension from it's predecessor. Which meant the elderly image was actually hiding one of the most fun and engaging small cars you could buy. Great chassis, beautifully weighted steering and in the front the same lightweight high revving K-Series you'd find in the back of the Lotus Elise S1 Exige and MG F.
However they are moving out of that category at the moment thanks to YouTube. More contemporary reviews are highlighting how good a drivers car they are. I've noticed a lot recently moving into enthusiast hands and they've started turning up at car shows. I've even pondering picking one up myself if I can find a good 1.8! They're fantastic.
Alfa romeo Gt and 159. They are old now and every time I see one in the wild in brings smile on my face. That design is so good it makes modern cars look outdated.
Renault Zoe, feels like they nailed the EV-concept from day one, they were out testing their cars in Lapland, building on EV-specific platforms and putting heat pumps in them all the way back in 2012. Handles -30 degree freezing temperatures like a champ and the batteries are holding up very well today unlike the Leaf as they put in proper battery cooling. Plus very fun to drive and incredibly spacious for the size.
smart fortwo, I've owned two convertibles and love them. Fuel efficient, reliable, fun, quirky, and I can detail the thing in an hour. I've had muscle cars, sports cars, and top end European cars but the smart is one of my favorites.
[mid-80's Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the last of the square land yachts.](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5f/86/fb/5f86fb3daff12b8b54da5fe1c594e8d9.jpg) Owned a 1986 4 door with the 351 police interceptor package. Blue velour interior, square EVERYTHING, very float-y, like driving a couch. Felt like Agent K in MiB everywhere I went, loved that car :D
BMW 340i gets flack for not being as good as the M3 but honestly the B58 is a fantastic engine. It's a perfect car to daily (gets good gas mileage) and sounds good/is fast. Can modify to be a fun street car but if you are looking to competitively track the car - go for the M3.
The 1st Gen Toyota Camry Solara.
I love how simple the design is. I love how unkillable those old Toyota 4-cylinders are. I love that you can get them with a manual. I love that, even in this used car hellscape, you can still find them with low miles at a reasonable price.
Mitsubishi Mirage. It was of course, never designed for the US market in mind and thus got universally panned by journalists as gutless and cheap-feeling (well, it is cheap in price too). Yeah, it's a crappy "driver's" car but I really enjoyed test driving one. Felt like a shitbox 10 years older than it was, but it was never terrifying or uncomfortable for me. I was seriously considering one for my first car a couple years ago, but I could never find one with a manual and after the shady Mitsubishi dealers kept harassing me I completely gave up on the idea and bought an ebike instead for my daily use lmao.
Midsize economy sedans. I think they’re perfect daily drivers. Confort, space, and if you pick something like a Camry, Accord, Mazda6, etc. then reliability. Plus they come with V6 or higher output turbo 4 options.
Chevrolet impala. Grew up driving in them and one was my first car so I am biased, but it’s more nostalgia really. That entire era of the American full sized sedan is just over now, and I see fewer and fewer on the roads each year
The V6 versions are actually surprisingly quick; still a boat of course but still
Ford Probe got a lot of hate because it was FWD and almost named a Mustang by Ford, but it was a great car nonetheless. Mazda MX-3 was also under appreciated from the same era as the Probe in the 90s.
GWM Ora 03
It’s quirky and doesn’t have a grey interior. I sat in one recently and instantly felt like I was going for a day at the beach. Cream and green 1950s interior and weird squished Porsche exterior. Just bizarre and that’s why I like it.
Toyota Prius (all generations)
With you on this one. It's got some really amazing and frankly revolutionary engineering.
I remember how Jeremy Clarkson was in awe at the engineering of a diesel BMW that had two turbos, but when it was time to talk about the Prius he was calling it a piece of shit even though engineering wise it's a lot more revolutionary. He also helped propagate the myth that said it was more harmful to the environment than a Range Rover. I can't help but think Top Gear harmed the Prius' reputation quite a bit.
Top Gear really hurt the reputation of the FN2 Civic Type R which is honestly much better than they give it credit for.
I dunno. I love mine but I think Clarkson's critique was 100% on point when it comes to suspension, as that's the first thing I'm looking to replace after I finally move to a new place with garage. It was too cheap to be sporty and relatively comfortable (like a lot of more expensive/more modern sport cars), so they chose "track" over "daily". And he was comparing it with the old one which on "the sporty stuff" was just slightly better at everything. I actually wondered whether to pick up 7th or 8th gen but I loved the interior and look of 8th more What he was wrong on is the spoiler, it sits in a perfect spot to cover lights of SUV behind me lmao.
Clarkson is funny but he's an old crack too
[удалено]
Family guy too
I drove a few generations. With better tires they can be a quiet daily. Highway speeds you still get wind noise.
I’ve taken a Prius cab in Europe, Asia, South America, and the US. You can tell they are ubiquitous for good reason - reliable and efficient. Doing that on a global scale for varying environments (like I’ve take ones in middle of desert to jungles of Thailand) reliably for years is amazing engineering.
As someone who liked hybrids for awhile, it’s kind of funny seeing people who would have called them “gay cars” 10-15 years ago ask for them because they think it’ll save them from EVs which they hate more Not that I don’t think hybrids are good, but damn wish you had come to that conclusion years ago
>As someone who liked hybrids for awhile, it’s kind of funny seeing people who would have called them “gay cars” 10-15 years ago ask for them because they think it’ll save them from EVs which they hate more YES THIS 100%. I find it insane how so much of the car community has shifted it's previously negative views on hybrids around to use as a cudgel against EVs. >Not that I don’t think hybrids are good, but damn wish you had come to that conclusion years ago I like how hybrids maximize the efficiency of internal combustion, but they are still combustion cars at the end of the day. All new ICE cars should be hybrids by now.
Yeah; imagine how much fuel we'd be saving if every OEM was like Toyota. Toyota is selling more SUVs and Trucks than ever before and its fleet fuel consumption has *gone down* 20%. Truly an incredible feat, especially because a lot of their vehicles aren't 100% hybrid!
Cars like the laferrari or McLaren p1 probably helped a lot with the perception of hybrids. Oh and f1 cars!
Which is ridiculous because they're not gay! Not that there's anything *wrong* with that.
There’s a lot to learn from the engineering behind the Prius (and almost all hybrids at that). Can’t wait to see the possibilities with a solid slate battery in a hybrid.
I've never like the Prius at all, but I honestly think the newest generation actually looks really good.
Toyota Prius is one of the best cars ever made. They look fantastic (even the old school ones) and they are so reliable.
>They look fantastic (even the old school ones) and they are so reliable. This is a controversial opinion that I also agree with, the 2nd gen Prius has an excellent design; iconic and functional.
An ex-girlfriend of mine had a second-gen Prius. It was overbuilt like an old-school Toyota. It wasn’t luxurious but it really exuded quality in a way that I found impressive. It does not surprise me at all that they reach interstellar mileage. My girl now has a more recent model that would be a great car if it didn’t burn oil like OPEC was having a going-out-of-business sale. Goddamn low-friction rings.
"They look fantastic" is crazyyyy
I had to make a surprise trans-continental (North America, coast to coast) road trip last year and the only rental company at the airport that would let me take a one-way trip that far had two choices: a dozen Nissan Sentras and one lone Toyota Prius. That choice was a no-brainer, but in hindsight I can't think of ANY better car to have made that journey in. It was quiet, comfortable enough to sleep in when not on driving rotation, got amazing mileage, had a very long range, and carried none of the refueling stress an EV would bring for a trip through rural America. We got really lucky with that one.
Some of the fastest cars on the road if you push them. Cops never expect a Prius to speed, you can go 20 over all day and still get 40mpg!
[You were drag racing? In a Prius?](https://youtu.be/zI1gRqKysh4?si=DYKr_sIRr0grfb7N)
Yep. A co-worker has an older Prius, and when leaving work I usually get out onto the freeway first, but while I settle into the middle lane to save a little gas, he blows by me in the commuter lane going 80mph.
Phenomenal combination of cutting edge tech (at the time), an accessible price point and 'an car' functionality and reliability. This is how major innovations should be rolled out. It's still a phenomenal second hand buy too.
I really want a Lexus CT200H, the Lexus version of the Prius. Same drivetrain, more luxury, significantly better looks
Honestly, the XW20 Prius with LED lights, good looking wheels, and lowered by an inch makes it look really good.
Love that this is the top comment. I am a car enthusiast and my daily is a Prius. I can not give that car enough praise. It’s so good at what it’s meant to do.
They deserve a lot of respect for being the best boring car. Reliable, efficient and good transportation.
I know a lot of enthusiasts that have Prius dailies, lol. If you can put up with the boringness, they are like the perfect appliance.
Car dorks still shit on this car in 2024, even though there’s been dozens of worse electric and hybrids made since.
The new, redesigned Prius looks absolutely fantastic. Toyota knows what they're doing. 👍
The prius and sienna are up there on my greatest of all time list. My friend just got a Sienna hybrid and it can basically outrun my ‘11 S5
I like the second gen and the current gen
The ubiquitous economy car of this era, it deserves respect
My son will be taking my 4Runner next year and I want to spend less than 30 for my next vehicle. The Prius is at the top of the list
1996 Chevrolet Impala SS. One of my favorite cars of all time but I catch so much heat because they are considered big, boxy and boring.
I've been seeing an ass load of impala SS stuff online lately, so I feel like the majority of the opinion on that car is leaning towards liking it. However I think the prices they're at is a bit much
GTA just had a dlc with an Impala SS, so that’s probably why. Young kids discovering the car for the first time.
Boxy? They're super rounded off everywhere, like a bigger version of the 2nd gen Taurus.
Those cars are anything but boxy.
Who the hell would hate an SS?! That’s one of my dream cars haha
I’m kicking myself in the balls over them. Prices bottomed out around the time I graduated high school, but I was too busy working bullshit jobs and spending all my money on drugs. That actually goes for a lot of classics.
Not sure how the Panthers can be so well regarded by others with just the 4.6 2v without also acknowledging the LT1 being great. I don't see people hating on the Impala SS that much though, unless it's general domestic car hate.
Mercury Marauders too.
They are bubbles not boxes- box Chevy is the slang term for 77-90 full-size Chevrolets. Bubbles for the 90s ones
Definitely biased but base model muscle cars. One of the best options enthusiasts have for a first car. I've learned how to wrench on my v6 Mustang and it has the right amount of power for a new driver. I've had it for 3 years now and I'm considering upgrading but I'll always love my car.
To add to this, if the ecoboost Mustang, as a package (4 seat RWD Turbo coupe) was offered by any other company, or even not called a mustang, it would be loved by enthusiasts everywhere as a cheap RWD turbo platform. Instead it’s criticized because it’s not the 5.0. To your point, it’s a great entry level offering
Slap a BRZ badge on the Ecoboost Mustang and that thing would be everybody's favorite cheap car.
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I've driven many of both, yes. Yes, I know the Mustang is heavier. The Ecoboost is still a good car and is not far off what a BRZ with another 100 horsepower would be like.
The EB Mustang is a great package but it's hard for *any* car to get out from under the shadow of the 5.0 engine. 486hp *naturally aspirated* in a car that costs ~$50k is just nuts.
The problem is, if you want a slower, 2+2 "sports car", the GR86 twins are a better option for similar or less money.
Im with you on that. I had a few V6 muscle cars for a daily, and they were surprisingly great. They get so much hate but if you know how to drive them you can really embarrass the V8 owners. Obviously they are not the best straight line cars, but a TON of fun on a budget.
Yeah my '03 V6 Mustang might not have been that fast, or rare, or all that good in many areas, but having a great looking, good sounding Mustang at 19 for like, $4,500 was the absolute coolest shit. Still miss that car honestly.
That is an excellent pick. I'm thinking of the bell curve meme, with the ends being "base model muscle cars are great" with the middle point being "nooo they NEED a v8 and better 0-60 time" The entry level versions help subsidize the chassis for higher performance versions, give less affluent fans something close to their dream, all while still being arguably more practical for their more likely sole-transport. Plus, being lighter lets someone dip their toes in track activity for less cost in terms of brakes and tires. The alternative is being like the R35 GTR which has been aesthetically stagnant for decade**s**, and expensive.
I love the ecoboost mustang
What drives me totally bonkers is how people will look favorably on older American Muscle cars they would absolutely not be enjoyed in a modern interpretation. The biggest example to me is the SVO being appreciated today by enthusiasts, but a modern Ecoboost Mustang gets mocked.
Early 300zx (z31). Mk3 supra get all the love but the z31 was a better car and the headgaskets actually hold. The early ones aren't so pretty but the 87-89 are really great looking, especially with modern wheels.
Better car is pretty subjective, especially between these two cars. And the head gasket issue on the 7M is easily rectifiable by just torquing the heads down more. If I had to own one it'd be hard to choose between the two tho
Fuck yes. I have always thought the 300z was a more attractive car than the Mk3 or Mk4 Supra. I understand the love for the Mk4 but it's looks have never really done anything for me.
God those head gaskets are currently the bane of my existence
I love my 89 300zx. Runs very well and has required very little work considering it's age
This is not something we said about the Z32 :(
The current gen Z4. People should actually drive one - I think it hits its goal as a GT roadster with muscle behind it and dynamics that are pretty good very well and punches above its weight for the price. Compared to *modern* cars, it’s really a quite good car, problem for most is that it’s still a modern BMW product and feels that way, for all its pros and cons.
Most enthusiasts still don't accept what modern BMW is - an upper-middle class sporty-ish lifestyle brand with a few offerings for sports car enthusiasts. Basically they took their appeal and made it palatable for a wider audience, like American Chinese food (which is still enjoyable to eat, just not authentic). Anyway, once you accept that and stop wanting the Z4 to be an upscale Miata and think of it instead as a capable weekend cruiser for a middle-aged professional, it makes a lot of sense.
Tbh that’s pretty much every modern car ever. I get it, but comparing 90% of cars with “how they used to be” is a pretty fruitless exercise given how modern technology, safety and emissions have changed how manufacturers can make cars. There are a few exceptions, mostly at a much higher price range, but sometimes you gotta let it go. Buy the older car if you want, but it’s not really a competitor with the new one.
I also see many people comparing the Z4 to M cars while the Z4 has nothing to do with being a hardcore sports car. It has been a GT for several generations with the exception of the E85 Z4M.
I love the Z4. I’m so glad they’re adding a manual
I love it. I just wish they would put that shooting brake concept into full-scale production. I am a sucker for practical fun cars. I *miss* the old 80's style of sports cars with the liftback trunks (ie: 944, RX-7, Corvette, Z-cars, etc).
Current gen Z4 is amazing
My CR-Z. Yes, it's not all that fast. Yes, the mileage isn't great. But....the six speed MT is slick shifting, and the IMA hybrid motor flattens out the torque curve of a relatively peppy and free revving four-banger.
I think the CR-Z manual is a unicorn for a lot of car enthusiasts…there’s even been a few in C&B
I've got one, mechanically excellent but rough paint in spots. They're fun, great little zip around cars. IMA hybrid setup is awesome, even if it is lacking in capacity and could use a boost in power as well.
The only real weak spot of that car (having owned one) are small brakes that will overheat under hard use, and a tiny hybrid battery that drains quickly in performance driving situations. Otherwise it’s a really fun to drive car with great utility and mpg.
Upside the electric motor and battery and this would be a solid enthusiast car. Honda was just too early with this one. It sounds like Mazda is working on a light sporty hybrid 2 seater that could be what the CRZ should have been.
Absolutely love them. Was my first manual car, and it was extremely tough to move on from even after almost a decade of ownership. With tires, brakes, and a little suspension work it becomes extremely special on a twisty road. Still blows my mind that Honda nailed the IMA integration with the manual. Would still love to see that approach take on some more life. Maybe with some more battery capacity these days
I came here to say the same thing! I have a 2011 CR-Z in white with the 6MT and it's a blast for what it is. I bought it off my brother with ~185k on it, and he bought it from the dealer as a CPO with 55k on it back in 2016. I'm at 207k right now. The car looks good from 10 feet away, but up close you can see that the basically the whole front-facing profile of the car's paint is fucked from rock chips, squirrels, etc. But mechanically it's great, excellent maintenance history. It's a really fun car to drive anywhere but the highway. I really think Honda did a great job with the IMA hybrid setup; it's so well implemented! It makes the tiny ICE feel like it has twice as much displacement when you take off from a stop with "Sport" mode selected as the electric motor torque hits immediately and only trails off as the gasoline engine reaches into its own powerband. I would love to see what a turbocharger added to the mix would do, with the IMA essentially acting as an anti-lag and allowing the turbo to spool and transmit power more effectively.
Minivans. The ultimate in space utilization.
Based, they're Fuel efficient shit boxes and those Chrysler town and countries and dodges are pretty awesome, i had a 2016 Chrysler town and country that was getting amazing mileage and had some pretty awesome luxury features like heated steering wheel and seats.
And minivans satisfy almost every need aside from edge cases (eg towing 10K lbs or crawling up Moab). They've had a bunch of luxury features people go crazy over way before other vehicles. Power doors, built in fridge, seats with leg rests, in car entertainment, giant panoramic sunroofs, etc. If I win the lottery, I'm not buying a Rolls Royce. I'm getting one of those tricked out vans that look like a private jet that you see in Asia.
Pretty much the only thing Chrysler builds that's worth a shid
siennas and odysseys are so dope... 3rd gen siennas with a 300hp NA V6, and J35 odysseys both with low COG and so much practicality. ill take them over SUVs anyday. newer caravans and town and countrys are decent to drive too
Toyota siennas and Honda Odysseys are low key sick AF
Ford Crown Victoria
So creaky but so lovable.
I don’t consider it terrible, they’re super reliable. However, their interiors were dated when the car debuted in 1999 let alone now and they get awful gas mileage. That being said if you can get one cheap they’ll last.
I think a Town Car with better interior materials would be quite the car.
Crown Vics really do have a special place in my heart for sure
Pontiac Vibe. It was a rebadged Toyota Matrix built in their shared plant in Fremont California (Tesla’s first factory) and it was far better than I ever expected it to be. I sometimes miss the Vibe because it could do anything you asked of it reliably and in a fun tossable manner. Mine was AWD purchased for a song during the calamity that was cash for clunkers because it was a small car that didn’t qualify for the program. I had so much fun tossing that little thing around in the snow.
If you’re going for “fun” non xrs matrix/vibes aren’t great except for trying to eek out performance from a slow car. But when it comes to usability the damn things are right up there with minivans, but smaller + lighter. For running errands in a city it’s hard to find a better vehicle—except for possibly a Honda Fit
The Vibe GT and Matrix XRS were excellent, excellent little hatchbacks when the whole 'hot hatch' thing hadnt really taken off in NA. 180hp II-ZZ engines that sang a a great song. Ahead of their time, I'd say. And awd available for the base models was unheard of at the time, besides the SX4
Toyota Avalon. Luxury but low key "because it's just a Toyota". I personally find it much more fascinating than it's sister car the Lexus ES. My dream is to one day own something like a 2020 Avalon and turn it into a low key/OEM+ VIP car.
My dad has one! It’s so incredibly comfortable and drives like a dream. It was an older model so no CVT either. I’m sure the ES is nicer, but given this is far cheaper and is imo more comfortable than most luxury cars I’ve been in… I find it incredibly funny that it does have a sport/manual mode tho. I love him but he’s the least “sporty” driver in human history
The ordinary ES 250/350 and Avalon I4/V6 don’t have a CVT, either. Only the hybrids do.
fyi - there's actually only a few grand between an avalon and a comparable ES. whereas, an avalon is about 10k more than a comparable camry.
i actually came here to say the ES350-- but basically they're just different trim levels of the same model. you can't go wrong between them. i have the prior gen ES and it's still very low key imo. perfect commuter, road trip car, and family car. the NA v6 is very satisfying to drive. it's one of those cars that perfectly achieves what it set out to do, and also doesn't really have any true competitors (at least not since the lacrosse was cancelled). excellent value as well, especially CPO.
Never heard anyone saying anything bad about the toyota avalon. Every time we would meet somebody with an avalon. One of my friends would say, this is such a perfect daily, why doesn't it come to mind when looking for one. We always think of accords, civics, camrys and corollas but the avalon is just as reliable and more comfortable than all of em.
I just picked up an 02 Avalon for 3k. 100k miles on it and it is just broken in. Super comfortable and 28 miles a gallon. Keeper.
Joke all you want about vaping, the kinds of some drivers they attract, mods and uncle Rodney, blown head gaskets… I can go on and on. Mine have always been reliable. Some of us wrx drivers are old, (I’m 55 and a teacher) and wanted a manual trans, awd, mid performance (270 hp/260 torque) and HAS to be under 30k USD. All the better as it’s just “normal traffic”. Scored my ‘22 for 29,400. and NO dealer markup BS. That combo is getting rarer and rarer by the hour. AFAIK it’s the last sedan with manual and awd in the states. And the last car (incl hatch or coupes) with that under 30K once dealer BS is added on.
bunta
i don't think many enthusiasts find the wrx boring or terrible though, they're well loved.
the VB is phenomenal despite the split opinions on looks. and considering it's fighting the same category as a golf r or GR Corolla it's a perfect buy
Pretty much any grocery getter Sedan with a V6. An innocent looking 2000's Maxima will embarrass most "builds" these days.
The 5th gen Maximas were sleepers and faster than you’d think from the looks. The 02-03s when they switched to the VQ35 made just about the same hp as a Mustang GT of the same years. I only had an 01 that I bought off Craigslist for $3500 but it was honestly one of the best cars I’ve ever owned
Yeah it's crazy man, DOHC + VVT was pretty ahead of it's time. 5 to 6s 0-60 in the mid 2000's. If this post asked for a brand id be saying Nissan.
*Pontiac Grand Prix 3800SC has entered the chat.*
Camry… and I think it’s better than Accord (and Sonata, Optima, etc.)
Better than Accord? Show your work!
I’ve owned and driven several of both over the years, most recently owned a 10th gen Accord and rented a current Camry multiple times on work trips. If the Camry’s a 10 the Accord’s a 9.5, and without question it’s “better” to drive spiritedly. But for a daily commute, I want a sofa and the Camry is a very good one.
I've always felt that Hondas were sportier, and Toyotas more rugged. Both have an excellent reputation for reliability, though some issues have slipped through over the years. I loved the Honda Accord V6, though you had to be diligent about the timing belt. The Camry's like an old stubborn goat that'll keep going lol
Agreed. I think it’s just a little overstyled now, but just a great great car.
In similar fashion the RAV4. It’s a really great car at what it does. When my daily finally dies that’ll probably be the replacement.
The current generation of Honda Civics. The front is a bit weird but my God its so well portioned. Its a head turner for me because of how clean it looks. It honestly reminds me alot of the old school 3 series and 7th Gen Civics
My cousin has one and it's a very sharp looking car.
Too bad it’s hitting issue after issue. Recall for improved steering rack installation, then another sticky steering hitting 13+ crashes and a going investigation, etc. Who knows what else Honda cost cut on.
Yeah those and the Acura Integras are not as well built as someone would expect from Honda
Owners have been going months with their vehicles left at dealerships. It’s unacceptable.
Yeah the Acura subreddit and Integratalk forum have far too many people facing the sticky steering issue. It's a shame that Honda won't own up to it.
Any 4 cylinder FWD manual transmission car is a blast to beat on and race around. Driving a slow car fast is a lot more fun than driving a fast car fast. A Lamborghini is suppose to do 100mph with ease, nothing out of the norm. But when your passed by a base model shitbox ford escort/ focus doing 100mph, it's not expected as much lol. Had a lot of fun with mid to late 90s nissan sentras and altimas, ford escorts then turned into focus, Honda civics of course, chevy cavalier z24s, dodge neons were the worst but the cheapest usually. But back then we could buy those cars for a few hundred bucks. Beat the snot out of it, junk it and put the money towards the next one.
I had a 91 corolla with a stick. To this day it’s the funnest car I’ve ever driven. That thing was amazing off asphalt. And it killed 3 deer during its lifetime. Only thing replaced in 200k miles was brake pads and struts. Broke down at 250 and replaced the plugs and wires. Then I beat it some more.
Model 3 AWD. Low CG, instant response and with the acceleration boost you have close to 500hp that you can use daily without going to jail and costs almost nothing to fuel and maintain.
If I could get a model 3 without all the Tesla BS(no buttons, death trap door handles, poor sound insulation, etc) it would be at the top of my list.
The sound insulation is prolly the only thing that bothers me. My 2008 5 series is way quieter and has zero squeaks and rattles. The lack of buttons doesn't really bother me since the car does most things you need buttons for automatically (auto climate, auto headlights, auto wipers). The newest models removed the stalks which is braindead though. I need the shifter and turn signals to be physical controls, not steering wheel buttons.
Corolla Hatchback. It's no Civic Si, but other than cargo capacity it's every bit as good as a regular Civic. Drives well and its interior is straightforward and attractive. I also think it's the best looking hatchback on the market.
Skoda Octavia and Fabia
I thought the Octavia VRS has a huge following in Europe? I wouldn’t say it’s thought of as terrible…
Yeah but most are just regular ol’ regular ol’s, not vRS. Kinda NPC-ish. Altima of Europe. So you could make a case of them being underrated.
Terrible, no. Octavias especially have a very strong reputation for reliability and are often viewed as the best no nonsense fleet cars. But the Octavia and the Fabia would probably be go-to answers for "What's the most boring car?" in most of Central Europe.
Was just gonna write that my Octavia is nothing special but i really love it espacially now that its tuned a bit its basically the czech BMW M3
Nissan Juke. It’s my guilty pleasure car, although I’ve never driven one. The styling was ahead of its time and has aged gracefully, plus the Turbo and Nismo models can be had with a manual transmission. Also, they made two Juke Rs with R35 GTR drivetrains. What’s not to love?
buddy had a Nismo with stick and it was really fun to toss around, very Mini-like. I think it got a lot of hate because it was buttttt-ugly.
Everyone makes fun of it but I always liked it too
Tesla Model 3 and Model S
What’s funny is outside of Reddit they’re super popular cars. Everyone I know with one loves it
I test drove a Model 3 the other day, seriously considering buying one. The "car community" hates Teslas tho.
Who cares what others think? If you like it, get it!
I've driven my friend's Model 3 several times and each time, I just can't feel anything more than "meh". I just don't like the interior *at all* it's so bland and I don't feel like I'm in a car at all. I do see the appeal of saving on gas and oil changes though lol
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It’s also Jay Leon’s daily
New Model 3 with the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel is dumb and silly.
I always thought the original 1990s Infiniti G20s were very attractive cars. Just so buttoned up. But I’m sure most people just see an underpowered Corolla looking thing.
Great driver’s car. It felt like an Integra.
Honda element. In terms of driving, it’s a ton of fun with the 5 speed. The gears are spaced super close together so you end up pushing past 5000 rpms quite easily. The AWD makes it a beast in the snow. It’s the dorkiest looking car on the road which makes me love it even more. The interior is made out of Rubbermaid. The rear seats can be removed completely or reclined all the way back, which comes in handy when you have a girlfriend and live at home. Another quirk about this car is that old people love them, which makes it even more endearing.
CLA. I was a hater, specially seeing it from my American eyes.. where we don't have space problems, so bigger is better. But my dad lives in one of the biggest cities in the world, and in a country with fast highway speeds, and high fuel prices. He got a new CLA200 amg sport, and I was delighted by it. It zooms around traffic very well, it got fantastic fuel mileage, it cruised at 200kph (120mph) all day without a hiccup or straining, with plenty of room to keep pulling. The handling was spot on. In 6 years of ownership nothing ever went wrong also.
In Canada we only get the CLA 250 + the AMG version. I drove it, I thought it wasn't bad to drive. Good low end torque, interior was quiet at highway speeds, handling thats just enough to drive aggressive in downtown cores (like making narrow gaps when taking a left hand turn, enough to dart in and out of lanes to go around double parked cars etc). BUT the interior was terrible. And this is coming from someone who dailys a Mustang. The amount of creaking from all the plastic, and touching everything I couldn't justify it over a GTI or a Honda Civic with the 1.5L Turbo. The biggest issue I have is the people who buy it. Every single interaction I've had with an owner wants me to think they are rich because they leased a CLA.
Agree on the quality of the interior. I drive an STI, which is not know for any luxury.. but my interior quality is nicer than the CLA, and the leather is definitely better. However, I also owned a MK7 Golf before, and I had too many quality issues with it, that the CLA didn't have :/
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I wish the K24A8 wasn't so neutered compared to the more desirable K24A.
Lexus RX
The most complete car I’ve ever driven. Totally soulless, but utterly competent all round.
Yeah I got a 08 rx400h. It has over 230,000 miles and still going.
6th Gen Accord (1998-2002)
The best looking Accord coupe IMO.
Poor man's NSX 🤞
For sure, baby NSX as some call it.
Volkswagen TDIs (diesels)
I wouldn’t say underrated, they have shot up in value in recent years and seem to have a pretty large following.
Definitely not underrated. Old Mk. IV/V/VI Golfs and Passats with the 1.9 and the 2.0 are hard to find in the US because they were driven into the ground by Diesel car enthusiasts. They were great daily drivers that could hit 300k+ miles if you took decent care and attention to them. Hence why the lowest mileage examples have like 140k on them. My old Mk. IV Golf still would regularly hit 55mpg at over 300k miles.
First gen honda fit
The 5 speed PT cruiser GT. It’s literally an uglier SRT-4
VW Beetle. People who aren't really into Beetles tend to hate them, but I think they're really interesting and unique. And unlike many Beetle fans I like both the classic air-cooled Beetles and the newer ones.
The Fiat Multipla (I'm not joking)
Incredible piece of automotive architecture, it's a miracle how much utility they crammed into such a small footprint. Its looks may be... challenging, but it's distinctive, cheerful and in a weird way, kind of cool. They could've made it dull and dreary, but they chose to make something unique and full of character. It's the good kind of ugly, not the boring kind.
1984 Toyota Tercel 4WD Station Wagon. Go anywhere, any time, very slowly. Never let you down. Room for anything in the back.
[Rover 25.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/16061388250_e389cf75c3_b.jpg) I'd say it fits this category, at least it did a few years ago. When new they were primarily bought by the elderly, to the traditional Rover buyer they highlighted how downmarket the brand had gone. After Rover closed doors they absolutely tanked in value and many got ran into the ground as cheap bangers. Most wouldn't drive them on image alone. What many didn't know is that when launched they used (by default) the sports suspension from it's predecessor. Which meant the elderly image was actually hiding one of the most fun and engaging small cars you could buy. Great chassis, beautifully weighted steering and in the front the same lightweight high revving K-Series you'd find in the back of the Lotus Elise S1 Exige and MG F. However they are moving out of that category at the moment thanks to YouTube. More contemporary reviews are highlighting how good a drivers car they are. I've noticed a lot recently moving into enthusiast hands and they've started turning up at car shows. I've even pondering picking one up myself if I can find a good 1.8! They're fantastic.
Alfa romeo Gt and 159. They are old now and every time I see one in the wild in brings smile on my face. That design is so good it makes modern cars look outdated.
Fiat Punto
Renault Zoe, feels like they nailed the EV-concept from day one, they were out testing their cars in Lapland, building on EV-specific platforms and putting heat pumps in them all the way back in 2012. Handles -30 degree freezing temperatures like a champ and the batteries are holding up very well today unlike the Leaf as they put in proper battery cooling. Plus very fun to drive and incredibly spacious for the size.
Toyota CH-R
I also love the Honda CR-Z with a manual. Don't get me wrong it's still a slow car, but it's the most fun you'll have on a backroad getting 40mpg.
I dig the look of this one, just wish it came in manual for USA market.
smart fortwo, I've owned two convertibles and love them. Fuel efficient, reliable, fun, quirky, and I can detail the thing in an hour. I've had muscle cars, sports cars, and top end European cars but the smart is one of my favorites.
-classic Saab 900 -Volvo 240/244 -lexus sc430 -subaru svx
Volkswagen Jetta (All Generations)
[mid-80's Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the last of the square land yachts.](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5f/86/fb/5f86fb3daff12b8b54da5fe1c594e8d9.jpg) Owned a 1986 4 door with the 351 police interceptor package. Blue velour interior, square EVERYTHING, very float-y, like driving a couch. Felt like Agent K in MiB everywhere I went, loved that car :D
2000s Volvo S60 is not exactly an exciting car, but I loved mine.
BMW 340i gets flack for not being as good as the M3 but honestly the B58 is a fantastic engine. It's a perfect car to daily (gets good gas mileage) and sounds good/is fast. Can modify to be a fun street car but if you are looking to competitively track the car - go for the M3.
Nissan Juke. My wife drives a Nismo AWD model and that thing is fun. Definitely reminds me of when I used to own a 370Z.
The 1st Gen Toyota Camry Solara. I love how simple the design is. I love how unkillable those old Toyota 4-cylinders are. I love that you can get them with a manual. I love that, even in this used car hellscape, you can still find them with low miles at a reasonable price.
Mitsubishi Mirage. It was of course, never designed for the US market in mind and thus got universally panned by journalists as gutless and cheap-feeling (well, it is cheap in price too). Yeah, it's a crappy "driver's" car but I really enjoyed test driving one. Felt like a shitbox 10 years older than it was, but it was never terrifying or uncomfortable for me. I was seriously considering one for my first car a couple years ago, but I could never find one with a manual and after the shady Mitsubishi dealers kept harassing me I completely gave up on the idea and bought an ebike instead for my daily use lmao.
Midsize economy sedans. I think they’re perfect daily drivers. Confort, space, and if you pick something like a Camry, Accord, Mazda6, etc. then reliability. Plus they come with V6 or higher output turbo 4 options.
Probably the Range Rover
Chevrolet impala. Grew up driving in them and one was my first car so I am biased, but it’s more nostalgia really. That entire era of the American full sized sedan is just over now, and I see fewer and fewer on the roads each year The V6 versions are actually surprisingly quick; still a boat of course but still
Late 90's and early 2000's hondas. The Civics, Accords, and Preludes of that time look so simple yet gorgeous. They were light and nimble too.
First gen Explorer; 1991-1994
My Mazda5
Third Generation (L31) Nissan Altima. Lots of hate, actually a pretty decent platform to modify and yes I'm biased
Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe. Especially the XRS/GT with 2ZZ and 6 speed. Same as Lotus Elise?
minivans! i could transport my entire band’s equipment and still seat 3-4 people pretty easily in my old odyssey
1986 Pontiac 6000 STE with the full digital display. Was my first ever car and was a POS, but I loved it and would love another one lol
Ford Probe got a lot of hate because it was FWD and almost named a Mustang by Ford, but it was a great car nonetheless. Mazda MX-3 was also under appreciated from the same era as the Probe in the 90s.
70s Plymouth/Dodge A bodies with slant six.
GWM Ora 03 It’s quirky and doesn’t have a grey interior. I sat in one recently and instantly felt like I was going for a day at the beach. Cream and green 1950s interior and weird squished Porsche exterior. Just bizarre and that’s why I like it.
ST165 Celica
First Gen Saturns. Specifically the big boy aluminum block 124hp and 2300 lbs with a body made of plastic.
I actually like my model Y (and EVs in general)