Least desirable cars of today

[Mr Lobster]

I love all this judge jury executioner stuff with cars, especially as half the time people are probably just quoting Clarkson, Brewer, their dad or some other codpiece without even realising it.

Very true, so many people consider themselves knowledgeable without ever driving many cars themselves and get their motoring knowledge from the media. And what Clarkson et al think of a car might be interesting to a degree, their perception of a car will be wildly different to most of us.I mentioned it elsewhere I think but for the last week or so I have been running around in a new Kia Rio. To an awful lot of people this will be exactly what they would consider undesirable rubbish that won't be missed. But I'm actually rather impressed tbh. Ok it's not GR8 for throwing around country lanes but other than that it's quite a likeable thing and does everything you could ask of it.

[Rocket88]

Anything that Citreon have built since they became "alive with technology". The French don't do technology, they do comfy seats and half decent diesels. Anything involving electricity, they're as bad as the Italians.

[Negative Creep]

Surely it must be

 

 

or possibly (which I didn't even know was on sale here until recently)

 

 

Yes I have had the misfortune of driving one. Another one would be the Matiz, which has the style and cornering ability of a filing cabinet on castors. The Smart car is another truly hateful thing but it's 'cool' so doesn't count.[/img]

[Guest]

Soz, I would have a Grandeur any day, they look ace and have a great big quadcam V6.

[gtd2000]

If we are looking at new cars the local Kia dealer had the Soul on display-at a local show. I would rather blow my twelve and a half grand on a crack whore than one of those. Really really vile looking car-bet its a misrable thing to drive too.

Why would it be miserable to drive - because it's a Korean built KIA?

 

I've actually been very impressed with the later offerings from KIA, starting with a long term rental in the shape of a KIA Sportage with the 2.7L V6 engine - very impressive and capable little SUV - only gripe was road noise at 80mph plus speeds on the highway.

 

I bought my mother a KIA Picanto as a run around back in November and it's really impressed me - I'm not saying it is the last world in automotive engineering but it has far surpassed any expectations I had before I drove it.

[gtd2000]

I mentioned it elsewhere I think but for the last week or so I have been running around in a new Kia Rio. To an awful lot of people this will be exactly what they would consider undesirable rubbish that won't be missed. But I'm actually rather impressed tbh. Ok it's not GR8 for throwing around country lanes but other than that it's quite a likeable thing and does everything you could ask of it.

I've been eyeing the 2003 onwards models for cheap n cheerful load carrying ability.Recommended or not?

[gtd2000]

Soz, I would have a Grandeur any day, they look ace and have a great big quadcam V6.

Is that the same as the US model called the Azera?

[Guest]

Apparently so!

[gtd2000]

Apparently so!

Your statement x2 then What's not to like?I used to tool around Washington DC area in the 3.XL V6 Sonata and this is the upmarket model - I'd take one any day of the week - loads of power when you floor them too!

[Negative Creep]

Also I know Escorts were mentioned a few pages back. Whilst they are undoubtedly in banger territory right now, not to mention being pretty grim all round (especially in dark red) they will be worth something as they are a Ford. Mk3 and 4s are getting sought after now and whilst I doubt they will reach mk.1 and 2 levels, they will still become fairly valuable. The later ones will go the same route.Having said that, the mk.5 must be a candidate for the worst car ever made and I wouldn't be sad to see them all go to the crusher

[Mr Lobster]

I've been eyeing the 2003 onwards models for cheap n cheerful load carrying ability.

 

Recommended or not?

I take it that the same as the current model then which is this one -

 

 

If so, then yes. Diesel probably over petrol though, I've been in a 1.3i and whilst its ok it feels like the extra weight of the diesel engine would make it feel a touch more 'planted' on corners. Comfy enough, reasonable amount of kit, nice enough to drive and everything.

 

So, yeh, quite impressed really.

[gtd2000]

 

I've been eyeing the 2003 onwards models for cheap n cheerful load carrying ability.

 

Recommended or not?

I take it that the same as the current model then which is this one -

 

 

If so, then yes. Diesel probably over petrol though, I've been in a 1.3i and whilst its ok it feels like the extra weight of the diesel engine would make it feel a touch more 'planted' on corners. Comfy enough, reasonable amount of kit, nice enough to drive and everything.

 

So, yeh, quite impressed really.

No, the one I'm thinking of was the facelift version of the earlier Rio - it's supposedly vastly improved for 2003 although it looks very similar. Bigger lights/grill at the front are the biggest giveaway

 

This is the original face:

 

 

And the facelift:

 

[r.welfare]

A mate of mine bought one of those original Rios in 2003 to replace an aged 205 diesel. He's still got it and really rates it as a reliable piece of kit; he's not a car buff so I suspect he's not bothered about the fact that it's dynamically off the pace and the interior trim isn't great. It's the most ridiculous car I've ever seen (base model with skinny steels in that metallic purple that was popular on them) but it does seem very roomy. Last time I saw him he was transporting about half a ton of gravel in the back of it at the local DIY store...

[Pete-M]

Back when I was running a car hire firm we were lumbered with a load of Kias. Shumas, Sportages, all that shit. They were fucking awful.I doubt Kia would still be going if they haven't improved, but if the 'Chevy' Tacoma thing I drove not long ago is anything to go by they're still likely to be shit.Then again, the High'n'dry Coupé proves that it is possible for the Koreans to make a half decent car, so there's hope.

[ashmicro]

Kia Soul (and I hate the stupid advert too)All current Peugeots. Dunno why, but they annoy me to fuckery.Zafiras. Twattish IMHO.Current Pajero thing gets me irate.Regarding the Ka - I used to have one and I loved how it looked and drove. I converted it to a Weber and stuck in a big lumpy cam. I was clerk of the course at a rallycross and had to drive like a maniac round the track after every heat/race to check for debris. It was enormous fun, the little car "lapped" it up (geddit?). Even the spectators were cheering the dickhead in the Ka!

[gtd2000]

Back when I was running a car hire firm we were lumbered with a load of Kias. Shumas, Sportages, all that shit. They were fucking awful.

 

I doubt Kia would still be going if they haven't improved, but if the 'Chevy' Tacoma thing I drove not long ago is anything to go by they're still likely to be shit.

 

Then again, the High'n'dry Coupé proves that it is possible for the Koreans to make a half decent car, so there's hope.

I knwo that when I picked up the Sportage (2007 model) my first reaction was something along the lines of "for fucks sake..." but it really was a very pleasant little SUV.

 

KIA doesn't have anything to do with Chevy products (that I'm aware of) - you're getting confused with Daewoo perhaps?

 

KIA have made reliable cars for years (based on Mazda designs) and sold under the Ford badge in other markets.

 

Hyundai built the Cortina under license for years so they've certainly improved drastically when you think about it

[gtd2000]

Regarding the Ka - I used to have one and I loved how it looked and drove.

They always remind me of a cockroach for some reason.

[Volksy]

Regarding the Ka - I used to have one and I loved how it looked and drove.

They always remind me of a cockroach for some reason.

They remind me of a teapot.

[Negative Creep]

They look like they're wearing a nappy! Still, good to drive and kudos for Ford for having the balls to put it into production. I think it will be a classic in due time

[r.welfare]

The 1st-gen Ka is far more distinctive than the new one, which looks like a Fiesta that's been squashed in a vice. How the hell they make it look so narrow - when the Fiat 500 that's on the same platform doesn't - is beyond me.

[55bloke]

They look like they're wearing a nappy!

Ha ha, that was EXACTLY what I thought when I 1st saw them, without the colour-coded bumpers!

[Guest]

The 1st-gen Ka is far more distinctive than the new one, which looks like a Fiesta that's been squashed in a vice. How the hell they make it look so narrow - when the Fiat 500 that's on the same platform doesn't - is beyond me.

I was examining one the other day and I reckon the biggest design flaw is the way they've made everything lean up dramatically towards the back at a quite severe angle.

 

 

Not something that really works well on a small hatch I feel, because it means the back end looks really awkward - looks like it all wants moving down a bit.

[55bloke]

Bloody hell, that's hideous!! Time was, Ford were trend setters in car design, that just looks like all the other bloody horrid "little" hatches out there! Fiat 500 is a vastly better looking device. To my eyes, anyway. And that's largely coz it's a very clever pastiche of an ancient design!

[vicsmith]

That picture actually flatters the rear end of the new Ka, seen dead on from the back it does to me look quite alarmingly wrong, however it works from most other angles and it`s not putting anyone off buying one, seemingly. Also begs the question of the new Fiesta`s purpose, would it`s buyers not be easily swayed into either the Ka or the cheapest Focus, perhaps, saving Ford all the expense of making it?

[Guest]

I read quite an interesting article at some point about some of the design features of the old Ka, how the bumpers wrapped around in such a way and weren't colourcoded to prevent damage to paintwork etc. Obviously that's all been knocked on the head now, doesn't even have rubbing strips - what's that all about? No new cars seem to have them. They're going to look terrific after 10 years of visits to Morrisons aren't they?

[martc]

BMW's are hateful. There's something of the Emperors new clothes about their current range. The 1 series is just awful from any angle. And what about the X6? If any other manufacturer had made as many styling gaffs as them they would be bust today (Ssang Yong). But they are not, there is a legion of terminally brain dim sheep who buy them because everyone else in their sales team/on the junior executive floor/at the golf club/dealing in drugs has one. Oh yes and Jeremy Clarkson told them to do it.

[Spottedlaurel]

I was examining one the other day and I reckon the biggest design flaw is the way they've made everything lean up dramatically towards the back at a quite severe angle.

 

 

Not something that really works well on a small hatch I feel, because it means the back end looks really awkward - looks like it all wants moving down a bit.

A lot of modern stuff seems to suffer this, I suppose the designers think it makes cars look very dynamic. Must be rubbish for rear visibility though, especially with the rear headrests - when following anything like that I wonder how much the driver can possibly see of me.

 

Also, it must make the back seat of these cars a pretty grim place to be, sitting in the gloom with teeny windows.

[trigger]

I agree, Body shops must be rubbing there hands in glee at the prospect of all the damaged bumpers and rear 1/4 that will be coming there way from reversing accidents.I looked at one of them Fiat Bravos a while back, I think they are a nice looking car now, Really stepped up the game but again i couldn't see jack out of the rear window, You need them wanky parking sensors now just so you can park.

[dollywobbler]

The last Mondeo was bad enough. Reversing one is like reversing a Lamborghini. People crash, so they fit more safety stuff and chunkier pillars, people crash more because they can't see, so more safety stuff is needed. We'll end up in armoured personnel carriers at this rate!

[Spottedlaurel]

People think the Laurel is a big car, but I think that's just an illusion due to its square-ness. With good steering lock and corners that can be seen it's probably more manouevreable than a modern supermini.I say bring back Acclaims, Bluebird saloons etc and all those perpendicular 3-box cars that were perfectly adequate, before the tyranny of the wedge took over.