- 9,232
- Valongo
- Hcclipper
Oooo, that's nice. Reminds me of yet another one of my guilty pleasures, the Lancia Gamma.
What is is about 70s/80s Italian wedges that I love so much?
And speaking of wedges, that talk reminded me of my favorite:
Automotive Guilty Pleasures
- Thread starter Turtle
- 1,415 comments
- 133,208 views
And speaking of wedges, that talk reminded me of my favorite:
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
While we're posting shonky Italian stuff from the 1980s, I'll throw this in the ring as another guilty pleasure:
Lancia Beta HPE. Because shooting brake. The Beta may well have been the car that ruined Lancia's image but I still like them. I like the Reliant Scimitar for similar reasons:
...but I'm not sure I should really feel guilty about that. I mean, it's legitimately a fairly decent car and as 1960s/70s British stuff goes, relatively problem free. Simple engine (Ford Cologne, I think?), bodywork that doesn't rust, few earthing issues here and there due to the fibreglass but they seem to have a decent survival rate.
Lancia Beta HPE. Because shooting brake. The Beta may well have been the car that ruined Lancia's image but I still like them. I like the Reliant Scimitar for similar reasons:
...but I'm not sure I should really feel guilty about that. I mean, it's legitimately a fairly decent car and as 1960s/70s British stuff goes, relatively problem free. Simple engine (Ford Cologne, I think?), bodywork that doesn't rust, few earthing issues here and there due to the fibreglass but they seem to have a decent survival rate.
- 9,232
- Valongo
- Hcclipper
While we're posting shonky Italian stuff from the 1980s, I'll throw this in the ring as another guilty pleasure:
Lancia Beta HPE. Because shooting brake. The Beta may well have been the car that ruined Lancia's image but I still like them. I like the Reliant Scimitar for similar reasons:
...but I'm not sure I should really feel guilty about that. I mean, it's legitimately a fairly decent car and as 1960s/70s British stuff goes, relatively problem free. Simple engine (Ford Cologne, I think?), bodywork that doesn't rust, few earthing issues here and there due to the fibreglass but they seem to have a decent survival rate.
To be fair, I think that the whole Lancia Beta family is underrated. Sure, they may have had rust issues, but they were victims of ridiculous media exaggeration. Once the British media was done with the Beta, its image was ruined. And they're not bad cars either if they are in good hands. Sure, much like many Italian cars of its time, it is a volatile product, that could implode on your face at any given moment, but I don't think that their reputation of being a bad car is right for it. My own five cents.
As for Scimitar, yes it is hard to describe that as a "guilty" pleasure. As you said, they are decent cars, strong (and nice looking) bodywork, the engines are simple but powerful enough and the whole car handles decently enough. Not to mention the well-known fact that Princess Anne owned many of them...
And speaking of guilty Lancia Beta derivates, here's mine:
The Beta Montecarlo. Sure, it may have been a bastard Fiat project that materialised as a Lancia, and it may have had one or two issues with braking, but I just like it.
- 9,232
- Valongo
- Hcclipper
- 19,013
- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
May dad had a dark brown one of these, but I remember his 131 Supermirafiori and 132 more fondly...
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- 13,178
- Seattle-ish
No because I feel the same way. I keep looking at the cars people are putting up and thinking "Am I supposed to feel guilty for liking this? Because I don't."
- 4,763
- Houston, TX
Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.
- 13,818
- Alabama
Most of my guilty pleasures have already been mentioned in this thread but I will go ahead and post them again explaining WHY they are my guilty pleasures.
The latest gen Mitsubishi Eclipse. Not a very good car, but I think the styling is very nice.
Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is a competent offroader, especially with some mods but its my guilty pleasure because it has THREE windshield wipers. THREE. How cool is that?
Toyota Previa. I honestly think it was a good looking vehicle in its day. Plus mid engine rwd etc...
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. I think it's a fairly good looking car, and possibly a better looking alternative to the other GM W body at the time, the Grand Prix (except for in GTP trim. That one looks badass) Plus, my brother had one when I was growing up so bonus points for idolization.
Oldsmobile Aurora. Mostly because I think the front air dam resembles a Ferrari 360.
Cadillac STS. This is just a handsome car hands down. Chiseled chin, great proportions, and comfy AF on the inside.
The latest gen Mitsubishi Eclipse. Not a very good car, but I think the styling is very nice.
Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is a competent offroader, especially with some mods but its my guilty pleasure because it has THREE windshield wipers. THREE. How cool is that?
Toyota Previa. I honestly think it was a good looking vehicle in its day. Plus mid engine rwd etc...
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. I think it's a fairly good looking car, and possibly a better looking alternative to the other GM W body at the time, the Grand Prix (except for in GTP trim. That one looks badass) Plus, my brother had one when I was growing up so bonus points for idolization.
Oldsmobile Aurora. Mostly because I think the front air dam resembles a Ferrari 360.
Cadillac STS. This is just a handsome car hands down. Chiseled chin, great proportions, and comfy AF on the inside.
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Always quite liked those too. They don't have quite the atrocious image in Europe that they seem to in the U.S. Was considering one a few years back before I bought the Honda as a comfy, quiet, but not-too-large daily driver.
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
- 13,178
- Seattle-ish
I have a soft spot for Japanese coupes from the 1970s. Sure, they're like 4/5ths scale Japanese Monte Carlos and Thunderbirds, but for some reason, I just love their Barcalounger interiors and personal luxury aesthetic.
1972 Toyota Crown (MS75)
1975 Mazda RX-5 (Cosmo in the U.S.)
1979 Datsun 810 (Nissan Maxima)
1972 Toyota Crown (MS75)
1975 Mazda RX-5 (Cosmo in the U.S.)
1979 Datsun 810 (Nissan Maxima)
- 7,369
- Houston, TX
- ryandude2448
I I absolutely hate those. but yes, the w203/cl203 is surprisngly easy to find a manual.Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.
- 10,848
- Plymouth, UK
- motorforum
Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.
Interesting tidbit about these for those who collect die cast models - the Maisto 1/18 is personally one of their best models. The interior looks on-point, the wheels are well resolved and it had an overall proper look to it. Great stuff for its price point back in 2002.
Mine got a damaged windscreen during a burglary. There were so many others I wouldn't have been as fussed about, but this poor fella got it.
Sage Ages
(Banned)
- 12,817
- Antarctica
It reminds me of Donald Trump.Cadillac STS. This is just a handsome car hands down. Chiseled chin, great proportions, and comfy AF on the inside.
I need this in my life now. In white.Mercedes SEC. There's something I find hugely desirable about a large powerful car with only two doors.
- 16,511
- Melbourne
- ScottPuss20
- CheetahsMeow
My dad really wants to own one of theseI have a soft spot for Japanese coupes from the 1970s. Sure, they're like 4/5ths scale Japanese Monte Carlos and Thunderbirds, but for some reason, I just love their Barcalounger interiors and personal luxury aesthetic.
1972 Toyota Crown (MS75)
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