Ugly Cars... and those who love them.
- Thread starter Talon Lardner
- 108 comments
- 4,079 views
It's funny how people's perceptions of style change so quickly. Look at the PT Cruiser for instance - it was one of the first new cars to use obviously retro styling. But these days it's maybe only more retro than, oh, 60 or 70% of the new cars on the road. There are certainly others that are more retro. The New Beetle is another example of how it used to be a really wild and radical design, but it's so commonplace these days. Then you see cars like the Mini that's much more obviously inspired by the old one, or the Chevrolet SSR.
Go about 12 years back to 1994, and the introduction of the radically new Ford Taurus (same generation as used in GT4 for the Taurus SHO). At the time it was heavily criticized for having wacky styling, looking like a "space-pod," but if you see one now it doesn't look that weird.
Now I'm going even further back, to about 1990. My parents were looking for a new car, and one of the brochures we picked up was for a Hyundai (don't worry, we ended up getting a Corolla instead that lasted us until about two years ago!). Looking over the brochure, there were constant references to the Hyundai's "sleek" and "rounded" shape, even though by today's standards it was a very boxy car. The 1991 Corolla we ended up buying was pretty sleek looking at the time, but of course these days it'd look hopelessly boxy next to anything short of a Hummer.
So yeah, boxy cars in the 80s were just reflections of the standard styling cues of the time. These days they look bad and older cars (from the 50s and 60s) look better, since we're used to curvy (and now, retro) designs.
That doesn't stop me from having an opinion that most of those boxy 80s cars are ugly! Not all of them, of course, but some! The '87 Skyline R31 from the game is probably the worst offender. On the other hand, I do kind of like the Buick GNX.
Go about 12 years back to 1994, and the introduction of the radically new Ford Taurus (same generation as used in GT4 for the Taurus SHO). At the time it was heavily criticized for having wacky styling, looking like a "space-pod," but if you see one now it doesn't look that weird.
Now I'm going even further back, to about 1990. My parents were looking for a new car, and one of the brochures we picked up was for a Hyundai (don't worry, we ended up getting a Corolla instead that lasted us until about two years ago!). Looking over the brochure, there were constant references to the Hyundai's "sleek" and "rounded" shape, even though by today's standards it was a very boxy car. The 1991 Corolla we ended up buying was pretty sleek looking at the time, but of course these days it'd look hopelessly boxy next to anything short of a Hummer.
So yeah, boxy cars in the 80s were just reflections of the standard styling cues of the time. These days they look bad and older cars (from the 50s and 60s) look better, since we're used to curvy (and now, retro) designs.
That doesn't stop me from having an opinion that most of those boxy 80s cars are ugly! Not all of them, of course, but some! The '87 Skyline R31 from the game is probably the worst offender. On the other hand, I do kind of like the Buick GNX.
- 82
I wonder if in 2022 the Nike Soapbox car will look as futuristic as 1930's Flash Gorden Films?
- 56
Luca
I think that by far, the cars that did look good in the 80s were the ones that retained the styling cues of its predessor. Hence why most European cars (like the aforementioned Audis and BMWs [although i think, personally, that the first "good" looking car that Audi made after 1950 was the TT
]) looked good... or shall i say decent, in the 80s. On the other hand American cars tended to make more of a "jump" in design around that time... which is why they are hideous (except the aforementioned Trans Am and Monte Carlo). The 1980s Mustangs are the perfect example.Edit: As a side note: It is important to note the difference between cars that look good and cars that may provoke a feeling of nostaliga, such as "my dad once had an Austin Montego, so i think they look good". Because no matter how much that car may have meant to you... its still ugly as butt.
- 7,719
Slagged? What's that?
Fiat 500s were rightfully chosen as the sexiest car ever. The are small, beautifull and round, have an RR engine (also, it's easily modificable, as discovered by the 20 or so companies which only tuned 500s). They were involved in every motorsport there is: Drag-racing (well, different engine), rallying, circuit, endurance (Mille Miglia, the real-word equivalent of the GT4 1000 Miles!)
Fiat 500s were rightfully chosen as the sexiest car ever. The are small, beautifull and round, have an RR engine (also, it's easily modificable, as discovered by the 20 or so companies which only tuned 500s). They were involved in every motorsport there is: Drag-racing (well, different engine), rallying, circuit, endurance (Mille Miglia, the real-word equivalent of the GT4 1000 Miles!)
Pink_the_Floyd
(Banned)
- 4,041
I don't know but some people find the Toyota RSC very ugly,
Well I got something for yah, I love it!
I do, great car 👍
Well I got something for yah, I love it!
I do, great car 👍
Pink_the_Floyd
(Banned)
- 4,041
100?!
Man, can't believe I haven't tried it out yet
Man, can't believe I haven't tried it out yet
Hehehe I had something like 20 grand and I was in search of a used mini to go for the Japanese mini cup. I hit the second hand lot. I saw this Merc Cougar for 19-something and I grabbed it instead of anything else. I had to run a special conditions race to get the money for mini just because I bought the yummy golden cougar instead.
As an old saying goes:
Youth has a beautiful face but age has a beautiful soul...
Laters
As an old saying goes:
Youth has a beautiful face but age has a beautiful soul...
Laters
- 724
- TheBigMan045
- TheBigMan045
todays cars have no character and are way too generic, but the cars from the past have style and they have so much class
=V8 Power=
(Banned)
- 368
Cars these days can be made into literally any shape the designers wish. It seems as every new model comes out, it is more sleek and curvy than the last one. Although I do love some of the shapes of exotic cars, I don't like how every new car these days is getting more and more streamlined. I'm a huge fan of the muscle car era. I just love the unique look they have. That is probably why one of my favorite cars I see on the road these days are 2006-7 Mustangs.
=V8 Power=
I will have to partially disagree... Nowadays computers and CAD software decide what the cars will look like based upon aerodynamics etc rules. Since the rules for aerodynamics do not change inevitably the cars are becoming more and more alike.
In addition to this, a few major names are taking over all the brands. Therefore a Daewoo is becoming the same with a Chevy (both GM) a KIA is the same with a Hyundai (same company after KIA's merge with Hyundai) a Citroen is almost the same with a Peugeot (PSA) Even weirder, Renault and Opel vans are lookalikes eventhough one is GM and the other Renault...
On top of this, Hyundai has the tendency to get the license of tired Mitsubishi and even Toyota models and revamp / remake them into a new brand... Thus the astronomic costs to build a brand new platform and body from scratch is avoided... (EVer noticed how closely Hyundai Tiburon and Toyota Supra bear resemblence ?)
So this story should be helpful to understand why on earth cars lost their characters...
these are my personal opinions... Maybe someone out there knows better...
Pink_the_Floyd
(Banned)
- 4,041
Gingiba
Interesting...
=V8 Power=
(Banned)
- 368
Although it is true about aerodynamic changes, car desighners still have the final say in what a car will look like. This is emphasized in big SUVs where aerodynamics are not as important as overall looks. What you said about big car companies is also correct, but I'm not sure you realize how big it really is. An example is with Ford Motor Company. They own all of the following brands: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin. Many of those brands have models that are if not the exact same car, very closly related to one of those other brands. The same thing can also be seen in GM.
Edit: By the way as I say all this, I am only referring to the US car market because that is where I live. I have no idea if this is applicable in Europe.
=V8 Power=
You are right. I intended to keep it short and all you have said are applicable. However correct me if I'm wrong but Jaguar, Bentley, Rover and Land Rover should belong to BMW in Europe. In addition to that, a Ford' s exact replica is smartly branded Kia. (Ford Festiva and Kia Pride) A Mazda 323 is a weird thing from South Africa named Sao Penza, an old Mitsubishi model is a Malaysian Proton and so on.
I agree on the SUV models but compare a Porsche Cayenne with a VW Touareg. Don't they give you a feel of close resemblance?
Well I go for the most outstanding looks when I buy a new car. I don't care at all for its popularity or second hand value whatsoever. For example a Tiburon is the poorest seller here in Turkiye in its segment (maybe a maximum of 2,000 sales planned each year, maybe even less ??) but I want one because I like some features of it which appeal to me like the shark gills it has on the fenders, the Supra-like front end design etc...
Trends have altogether changed here due to the Iraq and Israel crisises. Gas has reached ~hold on to your seat tight~ $1.5 a liter. Yes; for one liter, almost exactly one third of a gallon !
Now you see a beautiful Chrysler C300 you admire to be shocked when you hear it rattle like a truck when the proud owner hits the gas !
The gas prices pushed the enthusiast to buy a diesel version of that wonderful car !!
Well whatever... I have a pocket rocket which I found cheap to buy, drive and maintain and also tune up a bit: a Hyundai Getz ("Click" as called in the far east) It has the uncanny looks of a Peugeot 206 though...
Pheeww been a long one but good for some information to you folks...
=V8 Power=
(Banned)
- 368
Yep I agree with what you mean about the SUVs looking the same.
Also, I am always amazed at how many diesel cars are sold in other countries. The only diesels we have in the United States are Ford Powerstroke's, Chevy Duramax's, and Dodge Cummin's. Are any of those sold in Turkey?
Also, I am always amazed at how many diesel cars are sold in other countries. The only diesels we have in the United States are Ford Powerstroke's, Chevy Duramax's, and Dodge Cummin's. Are any of those sold in Turkey?
Similar threads
