Cars you used to dislike

[shite_meister]

What cars did you used to dislike but now you find quite appealing?Mine-Austin 1100, used to hate them but now I'd quite like one. BMW 2002, first time I saw one was in that early 1990s program with Nigel Havers and that other fat Nige from Duty-Free and I though they were rank-now love them.Rover P6, always been a Rover fan apart from these but would now give my left nut to own another again.Jap cars-used to find them bland and totally uninteresting then I worked for a Toyota/Lexus garage and now I love their build quality and reliability.

[Guest Kyle]

Mk2 and 3 Escorts, hated the Mk2 for years but found them appealing by the late 80's. Mk3 is just starting to appeal now.I find it takes about 15 years before I find any vehicle acceptable

[Torsten2001]

Really hated Datsuns, think they're great now!Loved Beetles, can't stand them now, unless they're standard!

[j-j]

I used to dislike the Cortina Mk5 for a number of reasons but now when I see one being used, in OK/good nick among all the modern blob crap I get a similar bit of glee as spotting say, a Cit or some such retro coolness. I'll admit that I much prefer the Mk4 though if I had to choose that shape of Cort. Also, I had bad feelings towards the Renault 4 simply because it wasn't a 2CV but now I'd love one.It took me ages to start liking the Maestro - I just couldn't get round its 'dumpiness' as it didn't appear to have the personality to carry it off like the All aggro had. I generally disliked all Vauxhall and Ford stuff when I was younger but now that they're all old and shite they seem to have grown on me no end. I always loved the Mk1 Sierra though. I hate modern Ford/VX (and Citroen for that matter) stuff though but maybe it's while they're current and that's ALL YOU EVER SEE that offends the most (?) dunno - maybe I'll be drooling over a 04 Vectra in 2020..... probably not though..

[Pete-M]

I always despised the Mk3 Escort, but I'm slightly fond of the RS1600i.Still despise 'em.I'm actually having trouble thinking of a car I hated years ago that I like now. Ah. Mercs (Other than the A, C and 190). I was never a fan of Mercedes, always thought they were a bit stodgy and staid. The 450 SEL 6.9 always pressed the right buttons but it's a big V8 so that's normal. I bought a W123 280TE about 7 years ago and initially hated it (it was insanely cheap and very tidy indeed, would have been silly not to buy it) but it grew on me until I really liked it. I've had a few Mercs since then, and they've all been pretty good until I accidentally bought a 190E. That was awful. Seriously crap. Mega nice spec one, with loads of the best options, in a decent colour with a proper history, but it was a 2.0 auto and it was awful. Gutless, noisy, not that good on fuel, not that comfy, cramped, gripped ok but constantly sent messages that said "This is pointless. Slow down".I've driven some crap in my time, but the 190E was the least enjoyable car I've ever owned.The W126 500 SEL more than made up for it though. I do like those. I'd love a mint 560 SEL sometime.

[Guest Kyle]

Oh, 2CV!!!! I hated them, took the piss out of them and wouldn't be seen dead in one.Then I took one in part chop on my Fuego Turbo and I thought all I've gotta do is drive it home without being seen.Still had it as a daily 10 months later, it was great!Used it all over summer, was like having a motorbike for it's fresh air factor!Went on to have several including a lime green lakes style one with a roof chop and moon discs. Great cars.

[trigger]

Reliant Robin's, I used to laugh at them and take the piss like most people until i drove one like this, but in brown, same age though, but not girly pink.

 

 

It was the most fun I've ever had on three wheels, Like a little go cart to drive and very nippy.

 

Would love the chance to drive one again.

[Volksy]

Volvo's and Saabs, Love them now, infact 6 out of last 8 cars have been one of the other.

[FredTransit]

yep warming to the 240 volvo, and didn't like the Mk3 escort when it came out, but glad to have one now....

[reallyloud]

I used to have a dislike of Metro's and while I still wouldn't own one, I have become less annoyed by their presence. I think I would have drive one to decide fully.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Never liked Volvo 340s but now they look refreshing. Liked 343s the least as they were naff but now they're the coolest of the lotUsed to think Citroen Visas were ugly but now they're pleasingly different & worth looking out for especially the early ones.The traditional Fiat Pandas didn't do anything for me but grew to love them when they started dying out a few years ago, so much so that I sought out a 15yr old MkI metal grille Panda for my first car when I could have had something far more substantial!I have to admit I was never keen on Renault 11s (bizarrely always had time for the 9 though hence why I was happy to own one) or MkI Fiat Unos when they were commonplace but now both are interesting.Even early Novas are ok with me as they're usually not being thrashed about by idiots anymore. Was caught offguard by a red J reg Nova coming from behind me to overtake as we joined the dual carriageway the other day, it revved up & shot past at I don't know what speed, huge loud noise coming from the Heinz extra large soup can exhaust - I thought them days had gone! :shock:I didn't really feel anything for MkII Cavs when there were plenty around but now they are nice to see, especially early hatchbacks.For some reason when I was a kid, the cars I always preferred then are the opposite of what I prefer now. Usually when I was young I preferred the newer later cars to the older purer ( and in my eyes more boring) ones, e.g. MkII Scirocco over the MkI, MkV Cortina over the MkIV, today it is very definitely the other way around!

[trigger]

For some reason when I was a kid, the cars I always preferred then are the opposite of what I prefer now. Usually when I was young I preferred the newer later cars to the older purer ( and in my eyes more boring) ones, e.g. MkII Scirocco over the MkI, MkV Cortina over the MkIV, today it is very definitely the other way around!

I think it's age think, I'm just the same!, 10 years ago i wouldn't be seen dead in a Metro/Maestro/Panda etc but now I'd happily be in one, More so the Panda...

[Pete-M]

Volvo's and Saabs, Love them now, infact 6 out of last 8 cars have been one of the other.

I'm probably the only bloke alive who likes Saab 9-5s but can't abide the old 900 Turbos. I tried to change my perception of 'em a few years ago by going to have a look at a few with the thought of buying one to see what the script is with the 'classic' 900. Chap I know off another forum had a mint B reg 900 Turbo 16v so I went to try it. He'd spent a fortune on the thing, done all the little jobs to make them spot on and done a few of the tweaks that are 'approved' by the Saab know-it-alls. Went up in an old Sierra XR4x4 I was running at the time, took the 900 for a spin and it did absolutely nothing for me. Wasn't that quick, didn't handle that well, seats were very comfy but that was about it.Great mid-range torque but very laggy. Once the boost was up it went better than the Sierra (as it bloody well should with 50 odd more BHPs).I do like T5s, and I had a 760 GLE (IRS) years ago that was ace.

[VWPowered]

metro's actually anything AR, age seems to have chilled me a little these cars are actually cool

[Volksy]

Volvo's and Saabs, Love them now, infact 6 out of last 8 cars have been one of the other.

I'm probably the only bloke alive who likes Saab 9-5s but can't abide the old 900 Turbos. I tried to change my perception of 'em a few years ago by going to have a look at a few with the thought of buying one to see what the script is with the 'classic' 900. Chap I know off another forum had a mint B reg 900 Turbo 16v so I went to try it. He'd spent a fortune on the thing, done all the little jobs to make them spot on and done a few of the tweaks that are 'approved' by the Saab know-it-alls. Went up in an old Sierra XR4x4 I was running at the time, took the 900 for a spin and it did absolutely nothing for me. Wasn't that quick, didn't handle that well, seats were very comfy but that was about it.Great mid-range torque but very laggy. Once the boost was up it went better than the Sierra (as it bloody well should with 50 odd more BHPs).I do like T5s, and I had a 760 GLE (IRS) years ago that was ace.

I know what you mean, Mine were 2x9000's an 'i' and an 'S', followed by a GM9-3, a mate had a 99, which he loved, and was bullet proof, but I didn't warm to it.In volvos I had an 850SE - currently in Torstens stable, a 480 Turbo - which I loved, so quirky. And my present S70, which I would love if it stopped munching its turbos.Currently looking for an S70 2.5 cheap if anyone knows of one... :DAlso had loan of an XC90 D5, which was a fantastic piece of long range kit, able to take me, two mates, their three kids (all under 3) and all the crap that goes with sproglings and a day out in complete comfort.

[Station]

Bluebirds, not a lot I didn't like to be honest.

[UltimateJames]

My pet hate was/is anything Vauxhall but im warming to anything pre 16v like the nova and astra but still carnt stand astra mk3+, corsa, vectra etc probably due to once working at a vauxhall specialists and seeing how badly they were put together.

[Rocket88]

Big old Jap saloons, used to think they were just wallowy old barges. Which, of course, they are.....amazing how perceptions change. Do you reckon Autoshite fans are a new breed, who indulge in what should be called "ironic motoring?

[Dukestar25]

Quite a lot of chioce here: All renaults, Escort Mk2, VW Beetle, vauxhall Viva, Austin Metro (til I owned one then liked 'em ) Austin Allegro, Citroen BX (mainly because the ride makes me queasy ) Anything from Fiat.I have had a change of heart on some of the Renaults (5,12,14,19 & 25) the Viva, the Allegroid is just soo cool these days , the Escort mk2 is still a teatray on wheels, as is the beetle. I used to like the Fiesta XR2 until I tried one and hated them since and I like most things Fiat these days too (would have loved to have had a Chroma Turbo )...

[Rusty Pelican]

Anything renault except the R8 although im warming to the 16 partly due to that odd rear wheelbase , never loved capris either especially the 1.3 anything else gets at least a chance of being liked

[garycox]

Hmm, I used to think the Fiat Panda and Peugeot 309 were particularly awful, I wouldn't mind either now though.

[Station]

Hmm, I used to think the Fiat Panda and Peugeot 309 were particularly awful, I wouldn't mind either now though.

Why where they called 309 and then 306 onwards (knowing about the 305)?

[Anglevan]

I've never really hated / disliked any car - I've always been a fan of the underdog. If I was to dislike owt it would be Porsche or Mercedes and still dont like em (or is it the drivers?) so dont suppose that counts either. As for Autoshite I always had a displeasure with owt BL but now I find myself wanting a Austin 1300 or Morris Ital - dont ask why probably just to say I have. I have no issues with the other half as she dont care about what cars I buy. Only this week I said I fancied getting a Subaru MV (Brat) pick up and she just said yes fine (so thats in my favourite searches at the mo) Still resisiting owt BL though .. unless someone can talk me round

[Timewaster]

Why where they called 309 and then 306 onwards (knowing about the 305)?

It was originaly going to be a Talbot, to replace the Horizon but became a Peugeot when the Talbot name was shelved for cars.At the time Peugeot had the 205,305 and 505.The 06 models were a long way off and would have instantly "dated" the 05 models, so 309 was used.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Why where they called 309 and then 306 onwards (knowing about the 305)?

It was originaly going to be a Talbot, to replace the Horizon but became a Peugeot when the Talbot name was shelved for cars.At the time Peugeot had the 205,305 and 505.The 06 models were a long way off and would have instantly "dated" the 05 models, so 309 was used.

Talbot Arizona specifically

[Guest]

I used to hate....

A mate had one-I drove it in 1989 and wasnt really impressed. Now I would love one and the shape has grown on me too

And

Allthogh I really did like the Sierra-this seemed odd! However I am warming to them after all these years

[brammy777]

yay a picture i took Ive always been a ford fan, probably because my first memory is a sierra.Errr, always used to hate the 309 and 405, now i find them the last of the 'good' peugeots.Actually no, the 406 appeals

[Negative Creep]

I hated Micras until I drove one

[scooters]

I thought I didn't like XJ40s but love driving them now although they are not the cheapest to run.I thought I would like the old 900 Turbo 16v after driving an old 900 normal but I didn't like it - didn't feel set up properly and turbo lag was tediousnever liked the Lexus but have bought one an LS400 and it is a jolly good car - very very well built and the reliability inspires serious confidence

[Dukestar25]

I hated Micras until I drove one

I liked Micras til I drove one (at least the K10 anyway).