The 10 best and worst looking cars??

What's the 10 best and worst looking cars under 200,000 Australian dollars (roughly US$100K) on sale at the moment, in your opinion:

Best looking:
1. BMW 330Ci Cabriolet/Coupé
2. Holden Monaro CV8
3. Alfa Romeo 166 (what a beautiful 4 door saloon!! )
4. Maserati 3200GT (what a stunning luxury 4 seater coupé, just love those distinctive led tail lights!!)
5. Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 Selespeed 3 door
6. Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 (stunning style, and the V6 is to die for!)
7. Lotus Exige (outrageous little machine, looks wild, sounds wild, is WILD)
8. Porsche Boxster (classic Porsche shape, very elegant)
9. Audi TT
10. Mercedes Benz CLK55 AMG (looks truly mean, especially in black)

Worst looking:
1. BMW 745i (Just awful, look at the back, YUK, and too big..)
2. new Lexus ES300 (not nice at all)
3. BMW 318Ti Compact (the new one)
4. Chrysler PT Cruiser (I still don't get the styling)
5. Citroën C5 (ungainly exterior, nice interior and technology)
6. Toyota Echo/Yaris 4 door (sad styling)
7. VW New Beetle (silly styling)
8. Rover 75 (awful exterior, terrible interior, just plain stupid)
9 Lexus LS430 (arrogant bulky looking box)
10. Peugeot 607

[(AR)Göran]

Hi Chris :wave:

Thats a nice topic, but it needs some consideration. I'll be back later on with my list.
/Göran8)~

[Justin Martin]

Chris, you forgot the Pontiac Asstek and the Isuzu Vehicross. In the worst looking category, of course. ;)

Without much consideration, this would be my list of best/worst new cars, in no particular order

best looking....

TVR Chimeara
TVR Cerbera
Panoz Esperante
Panoz AIV
Mosler MT900 (okay, it's a bit out of the price range, but just barely)
Jaguar XKR


worst looking....

Pontiac Aztek
Isuzu Vehicross
BMW 745i
Ford Thunderbird

[Commander]

Best:

2002 Pontiac Trans Am
2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2002 Ford Thunderbird
any Plymouth Prowler
any Dodge Viper


Worst:

1993 - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
New VW Beetle
Honda S 2000
That dumb Mercedes SUV that looks like a box
Any mundane family sedan that looks like all the others.

[monaro]

good topic

ive got two for each group:

Best Looking:
HSV VX GTS
http://hsvclub.com/car-gallery/VX-gts/vx-gts.jpg

2002 Chevrolet silverado 3500
http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/images/gallery/gallery_major05.jpg

worst looking:
Ford Australia Falcon AUI-III
http://www.ford.com.au/images/falcon/gallery/large1.jpg

Ford Australia KA
http://www.ford.com.au/images/ka/gal_9_big.jpg

ugliest thing on the road ever is the KA!!
:Puke:

[Aw614]

All the new BMWs designed my Chris Bangle, Ponatic Azetc and its twin, most of the new Lexus since all they do is copy designs, those are my worst.
I can't think of any of the best

[Remko]

Always a nice topic, this. 200.000 Aus$ = about 105.000 US $, or roughly 120.000 Euro. So that means no Aston martins of Ferrari 456gt. Leaves me with 3 more spaces to fill. :)

Best looking:

1. Fiat Stilo 3door - best looking hatchback, together with the
2. Seat Leon - especially the sporty versions.
3. Alfa Romeo 156 - IMO one of the 10 best looking sedans of the past decade. Timeless.
4. Volvo S60 - A Volvo that actually looks sexy. :eek:
5. Jaguar S-Type R - without all the fussy chrome of the standard S.
6. BMW M5 - I still think the current 3 and 5 series look very good, and I like the M5's subtle presence, not too loud.
7. Corvette Z06 - nothing else like it.
8. Opel Speedster - a future classic; years from now ppl will be kicking themselves that they didn't buy one when they had the opportunity to.
9. Audi TT Coupe - the roadster doesn't have the same presence IMO.
10. Peugeot 406 Coupe - shame it isn't more successfull
runner up: Hyundai Coupe - Yes, a Hyundai that actually looks sexy :eek: :eek: :eek:

Worst looking (this one's a lot easier, funny that.):

1. Pontiac Aztec - looks like it was designed by 3 different men who were each not allowed to know what the other was doing.
2. Pontiac Firebird with Ram air hood - over the top, to say the least.
3. Lexus LS430 - Overweight, and over-sized headlights.
4. Porsche Cayenne - Of course eveybody needs to get used to the idea of a 4 door Porsche stationwagon, but I still can't believe this is the best the Stuttgarters could come up with.
5. Morgan Aero - aka Clarence the cross-eyed lion.
6. Honda Civic hatchback 2001 - we all know hatchbacks are getting bigger and taller, but this design just looks clumsy.
7. Fiat Multipla and Fiat Doblo - "ahh, screw it, let's just produce it like this and hope no one'll notice."
8. Daewoo Tacuma - this one stands for all the ugly Daewoos, Kias, SSang Youngs et al, as the worst of the bunch. Which says something.
9. Lotus Elise 2001 - Good example of fixing an unbroken thing.
10. TVR Tamora - Thankfully restyled a bit, but still a disappontment after all the spectacular TVRs of the 90s.

Special Class: Mitsubishi Carisma, and all the nondescript looking sedans that seem designed for buyers that actually don't like cars (the same way Celine Dion fans actually don't care much for music at all, if you ask me. Hope I'm not getting myself into trouble here. :look: ) Releasing this car and then label it "Carisma" is the equivalent of putting a "Kick me" sign on its back. Or as an EVO journalist put it: like a computer geek wearing a T-shirt that says Porn Star on it.

Whew, I love getting opinionated. :) Let me know if I have to show some pictures of lesser known cars...

Remko: OUCH! A few auto manufacturers will be crying over those stinging criticisms.. But, some worthwhile criticisms though.

I for one never liked that Pontiac Firebird, and, they make it look even worse by smashing a great big hole in the front of it, and calling it Ram-air.. I call it, well, never mind about that, it's not suitable for this board..

I might also add the entire HSV range of cars to the crook looking list too! It has something to do with the tacky tupperware bodykits that they put on the cars, and those ugly looking 19inch GTS wheels seen above..

Look at the HSV versions of the Holden Monaro (The HSV GTO, and the HSV GTS)! Talk about making a good car look damned ugly.. The lower front air intake looks very unhappy (especially on lighter coloured cars, where the body panels contrast), and the wing at the back is the worst I've seen in ages!!

A pleasant suprise though is the new Renault Laguna V6, finally on sale in Australia. :beer: It looks great (especially the estate), goes nicely, and the V6 is quite refined, and the interior is a work of art.

Justin: I only listed cars on sale in Australia at the moment..

[(AR)Göran]

I have allways said if ppl asked me that my dream car would be a Porsche Stationwagoon, so i guess i have to revise that now=((
/Göran:slap:

[Radical-Al]

Best:

(not in any particular order)

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (hemi)
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda (hemi)
1970 Dodge Challenger (hemi)
1954 Mercedes 300 sl
1967 Ford Gt-40 MK. II
1966 Shebly Gt-350
1967 Ford Cobra 427
1970 Boss 302 and 429 Mustangs
1970 Chevy Chevelle 454
1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe

Worst:

Pontiac Aztec
Pontiac Grand-Am
Pontiac Grand-Prix
New Beetle
Hondic Civic
Mitshibishi Eclipse
new Toyota Celica
Yugo (every model)

[Radical-Al]

Best:

(not in any particular order)

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona (hemi)
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda (hemi)
1970 Dodge Challenger (hemi)
1954 Mercedes 300 sl
1967 Ford Gt-40 MK. II
1966 Shebly Gt-350
1967 Ford Cobra 427
1970 Boss 302 and 429 Mustangs
1970 Chevy Chevelle 454
1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe

Worst:

Pontiac Aztec
Pontiac Grand-Am
Pontiac Grand-Prix
New Beetle
Hondic Civic
Mitshibishi Eclipse
new Toyota Celica
Yugo (every model)
Volkswagon Jetta
Mercedes C230

[NameX]

The cars I think look the nicest are:

Lamborghini Diablo, Dodge Viper RT/10, 70 Ford Mustang, Mercedes SL600, Ferrari F40 and the 59 Chevy Corvette.



There is no particular car I dislike. I just don't like it when people
put Massive wings ( higher than the roof of the car)and Air intakes ( which could have their own postal code). Overly large exhaust (puts a Tanks cannon to shame in size). and wire mesh on the front and back which just looks stupid (good bug catcher though).

[NFSracer]

Best looking cars!

Ferrari 360 Modena
Ferrari F50
Ferrari F40
2002 Mini Couper S (sweet litle buggers)
2002 Dodge Neon RT
Pontiac Aztec (Why is it so ugly! I like it!)
Ford Autralia KA (Why do you hate the cars i like?)
Chevy Silverado 3500
VW Beetle (With a spoiler)
2002 Toyota Celica
Hyandai Tiberon
Mitsubishi Eclipse
VW Jetta
VW Golf
Honda Civic
Chevy Avalanche
2002 Ford Thunderbird
Honda S 2000
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Porshe 911 Carrera
Pontiac Trans AM
VW Passat
Anything riced!:D

Why does everyone hate the cars i like??? Is it cause your from a different country or sumthin and you don't like these? WHY WHY WHY! I love thses cars and as i think i'm making this list of cool cars longer. And i hate all BMWs. Don't know why i just hate them with a passion! lol

[caipiranha]

Well, in this country nobody younger than 50 would ever admit he liked the VW Jetta. It's a typical daddy-with-no-money-and-no-style car. But I know that's just an image thing, and it's pretty popular among kids in the US an other countries. And it is actually not a bad car, because it's brother, the VW Golf has been among the 3 best sold cars here for over 20 years or so.

...best looking cars from my perspective are: (mostly below 25k USD)
any Beamer before '88, especially the e30 3 series
'89 Mercedes 560 SEL
'87 Porsche 911
2002 Mercedes 500 SL (€€€!!)
Alfa 156 Wagon
Audi A6
'59 Citroen DS
Mercedes G-500 Jeep (€€€!!)
Ferrari Testarossa (or the 512M respectively)

...and the worst:
the 90s Mercedes S-Class (how could everybody forget? It's probably a good automobile tho)
the new Porsche 911, Boxter and Cayenne (sp?)
most american cars between 1974 and now (that's a real shame, those used to be great)
'96 Ford Scorpio (especially from the front)
pretty much 98% off all recent cars as those are mostly totally emotionless, style-free, boring, and fat-and-ugly-looking.

I know that's just my taste, which will most likely differ from most peoples'. But I guess that's OK, so carry on :HB:

Cya

caipiranha: I agree fully with you about the 90's W140 Mercedes S-Class, but, you forgot the Benz CL from the same period... A big fat ugly tank of a car.. It was too big and bulky..

They did have a nice V8 engine, that quad-cam 5.0 litre 32 valve engine, with 245kW. That thing purred like a contented cat when cruising along easily, and, then, if pushed, had the most serious sounding V8 roar I've ever heard. At least from inside, you couldn't see what it looked like from the outside.


If you like the new SL500, the you'd like the Carlsson version of the SL55 AMG.. It makes an awesome sound, that thing.. Pity about the extreme price however..

The new Porsche 911 I can live with, I guess, since I've come to accept the new headlight style.. Hell, I'll have one soon anyhow.. (Just a Carrera, not a 4S or a Turbo, or any of the more expensive ones)..

[DCsplash]

caipiranha,,, never thought i'd see a Merc G-wagon in anyone list of best looking cars,,, but i got to agree with you.. I love it's "no nonsense" approach... One of the most under rated 4x4 by far... None of the latest models can touch it in the rough... Although personally i'd go for the G400CDI:)

[caipiranha]

Of course I know that the Mercedes G-Class is not exactly a mainstream car, everbody wants smoothly designed SUVs these days. Please don't call me oldfashioned (I'm still young )=) ) but I really like cars better with edges and corners and chrome and a distinctive character.

Chris, I forgot to mention the Merc CL. It makes me sad thinking of its great properties packaged in that ugly looking body whenever I see one.

And you're one lucky bastard if you get yourself a new 911, but I think, whoever gets one has probably earned it. Myself I would fancy one of the late 80s 911 Carerra, not only for value, but especially because I think that's when their design reached it's peak. Shame on EA for forgetting this one in the game! Only the wider Turbo body is included. And what about the '98 Carerra RS? They sure forgot enough great niche-models to make NFS.PU2! (there was a longer thread the other day about forgotten cars in NFS.PU)
Anyway the old 911 is not exactly easy to drive, but it sounds awsome, and if I respect it, I'll survive.

Great thread BTW

caipiranha: Yes, and it is the last car I'm going to buy as well. So, it will have to go for 45 years or so. But, given my record, it will last for that long, or maybe further. I look after my cars, when they do get sold, they always go in perfect condition, since, it helps the resale value greatly. :)

And the flat-6 Porsche engines are renowned for being reliable, and trouble free..

But, I figure, that, during the period of time, I'd probably spend equal to the price of a 911 Carrera 3.6 on other cars anyhow, so, why not just buy one that's going to last for a long time.. I figure that this equals good value for money.

[NFSracer]

hey... thats rite.... you could by a average car and maybe it would last 10-15 years or you could by your dream sports car and have it last a life time! my dream car is a ferrari 360 modena or a ferrari f50. And if i were to buy just a ordinary car i wouldn't get alot of life time out of it compared to a ferrari, porshe, lambo or any other sports car or luxary car. And plus you also get some heads turning when speeding by in a expenisive car.

[VQ]

Originally posted by Radic-AL
Worst:
Volkswagon Jetta
Mercedes C230 [/B]
jetta? which one in particular? they all do look good so how can hey even be ugly? and the merc? Mercs are not ugly except for the a class.

Vqcapricedude: I'm guessing you haven't seen the images of what the next all new MB S-Class will look like.. From the sounds of it, you probably won't want to see what it looks like.. =((

It's terrible.. Gone the same way as the BMW 7 Series in terms of rear end styling, only worse..

And I take back the praise I'd offered previously in a post here for the Mercedes Benz Vaneo (the long, tall, wagon version of the A-Class). After discovering more about it, it seems to be an expensive, nastily built, poor handling ship of horrors. And the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cuts in so rudely and abruptly that you can actually see from outside the car the effect it has..

I put the Mercedes Benz Vaneo now in the same category as the Daewoo Matiz and the Alfa Romeo 33 Quadrifoglio Permanent 4. All three are truly nasty cars which people should avoid, at all costs..

[Aw614]

Can understand why a Jetta/Bora can be ugly. They do look kindof plain now compared to their predesscors which had a boxy distincated look. I pefer to rather have an MKI/II Jetta over a new one considering that they are the best selling VW in the USA. Plus an older Jetta has a very big trunk :D

[VQ]

In reality the mk2 and 3 jettas were realy golfs with a boot cos they had the same front ends. but the new mk4 "Bora" in aus has a different front and rear and engines.

[Aw614]

Yeah they are, but there are some differences, but from MKII to MKIV Jetta/Golfs they all have swapable front ends. I've seen it done before

[[XR]Bug]

I think alot of the personality of the jetta is that it is easily and affordably upgraded. For a few thousand you can really make a jetta haul! I feel it is only a matter of time before the new beetle is the same way. I used to look at the ford focus and think what a piece of trash, but since seeing what can be done with them I have changed my mind. First compare the prices of the cars you are talking about. I mean really comparing a jetta to any mercedes is a bit undermatched. but think if you werre to take that cash difference and invest it into the jetta. what you would have now is a supreme handling machine with the horsepower to produce a 11 second 1/4 mile run. At least that is how i look at comparing cars.

As for the Aztek I believe it was car craft that came up with the neew level of uglyness in a car. It is called "Aztec Ugly"


Bug

[Wazza]

best?

McLaren F1.. 3 seater :D :love:

Ford GT-90...

Holden Monaro






worst:

new Australian Fords

OK, ill say the Aztec despite not kknowing what it is really like ^_^

[butcher]

best looking cars (in the order I think of them):

Holden Monaro
HSV GTO Coupe
HQ GTS 350
VL Walkinshaw
60s Camaro
60s Mustang
Porsche GT3
Porsche Carrera GT
Lambo Murcielago
BMW m3
Aston Martin Vanquish
Ferrari 360 Modena

Fugly cars
new subaru impreza
ford au falcon
any volvo that is not really new

Dream car
Heavily Modded Cv8 monaro
trouble is i'm not old enough to hold a license yet but i know a heap about v8 commodores hell I only got $3000 to my name anyway a new monaro is $57 000 plus mods about $100 000 so it will proabbly be a dream for a loooooooong time yet

[butcher]

vqcapricedude that is one phat lookin car on the side there - she yours? where abouts you from Chris, you an aussie? Just wanderin' seeing as I am an Aussie and my name is Chris.

When I said Holden Monaro I meant the new one but all are incredibly good looking cars despite the primitive engine and suspension in the new ones. Rumour is Holden are building a new IRS based off that found in the Cadillac CTS and a multi cam v6 engine for the next commo in 2003-4ish.

Forgot some more cars

Good:
Ferrai 550M
New Mini

Bad:
New Beetle

METALLICA rock!!!!!!!!!!:HB:

Me, I'm in Sydney, mostly.

I also note with interest, Holdens new V6 engine (well, not really a new engine, since it is based off a 5 or 6 year old Isuzu engine). I don't like to say it, but, Holden really should investigate fitting variable valve timing to that engine, and really try to optimise the efficiency of it.

When you look at the "BA" model Ford Falcon's 4.0 litre DOHC inline six, with 190kW, and 390-400Nm of torque, you begin to see why Holden should be worrying. Holden's planned power and torque outputs for their new V6 engine are a relatively conservative 160kW, and 320Nm..

Plus their is the other problem, that Holden needs the new engine to be on the market, now, rather than later. The current V6 engine is an awful old, rough, and unrefined thing that is surely long past its used by date.. And the automatic gearboxes that Holden uses are also no good. They shift very roughly, unlike the best Daimler 5 speed automatics (used in Maybach, Mercedes Benz, and some Jaguar cars, to name a few).

Few gearboxes can match the brilliantly smooth, crisp, and effortless upshifts of the best Daimler 5 speed automatics.

[CookeMJ]

Not to brag, just to compare -

I drive a 15-year-old BMW 750iL. It's my third car, but I have worked in car yards and still remain close to the automotive industry even though my main job is now in a different direction.

The horrible old pushrod and rocker V6 Commodore, rough, brittle, noisy, whiney, and coupled with that damn tranny. I swear, that damn delay sh*ts me every time. You know, when you reverse out, shift to D, and carefully accelerate away - not in a Commodore. You have to wait for it to select the damn gear. Commodore drivers wouldn't notice it. But seeing as I don't drive them often, I forget. I get it in D, squeeze the gas, and by the time I realise why I'm not moving, it crunches into gear, slams your head into the seat, and if you're trying to take off on a busy road you'll often have enough gas on by now to make a serious bang in the drivetrain and maybe even some wheelspin.

And every single shift is a wallop in the back.

In my 15-year-old BMW, if I want a kick in the pants I select Manual and give it some stick with my right foot. But even in Sports the shifts are no harsher than the Ford's effortless smooth shifting. And of course in Economy my BMW shifts seamlessly.

And as for the delay before the Holden figures out what it's going to do - my first car, a Valiant, is instant (and smoother shifts too - seriously; I still own it!). And don't just say it's the computers, because the Ford's don't delay - and neither does my XF/VL-aged BMW.

You just can't compare names like BMW, Daimler, Mercedes, etc. with the likes of Holden. Fortunately the Ford product is comparable - it'd want to be seeing as they share the Daimler/Jaguar parts bin. Obviously the Falcon doesn't have the same trans as the Daimler one Chris is talking about, and it's not just the trans, having driven and worked on thousands of Fords AND Holdens to make a fair unbiassed comparison, I come to the conclusion the Ford product is simply superior to anything Holden can throw at it.

If you don't like the styling, then that's fine. That's your opinion. But one drive and you will see the AU is a better built and better designed car than the VX by far. And don't talk about fractions of a second on a drag strip either - we're talking about the smoothness and ride quality of the local product.

It's well time Holden pulled it's head out and made something decent. Maybe they do have the market lead. But what's the good of that of the product's not up to speed?

[Paco]

I dont know about the Alfas'. Dont get me wrong I love Alfas, but i think you shoudl switch up the 7 series BMW with the 3 door Alfa. The grille is awful looking!

10 best:
Holden Monaro
Mercedes Benz Clk AMG 55
Lexus SC430
Lotus Exige
Ferrari F50 GTR
Toyota Altezza
Aston Martin Db7 Vantage
Subura WRX (02)
Honda Integra Type R (02)
Mistubishi Eclipse Spyder (02)

[VQ]

Originally posted by butcher
vqcapricedude that is one phat lookin car on the side there - she yours? where abouts you from Chris, you an aussie? Just wanderin' seeing as I am an Aussie and my name is Chris.

Wat the vq? that ain't mine mine gonna have more class in the kit but that car is parker performance's demo car. Well I never listed my fav cars did i? well here my list:
1. VQ caprice (well duh)
2. Every commodore
3. HQ-WB kingswood/statesman
4. 69 pontiac firebird (If U see it in street rod U'll understand)
5. most VW's
6. Most porche's mainly the 80's models
7. Monaro's
8. All corvettes
9. early 90's saabs (don't bag me about that they have turbos and look ok)
worst:
All japenese cars:
all suburus
all toyota's
all honda's
all Lexus's
all Nissan's (to many r imported get them out of Aus get them out!!!!!)
and the new 7 and the next 5 series
And All fords especally the Flacons and the latest one Yuk.
that's it for me

[Aw614]

Most if not all Lexuses look just like Mercedes. The only ones I like are the Orgininal GS series(Italdesign baby!), the SC300/400, and the IS300 minus the taillights.

[Wazza]

All HSV's look beautiful.

[Radical-Al]

My 1st best and favorite car is the one you see on my signature picture.

[Sepecat]

2002 Bmw 325i is the best worst 2002 bmw 740 il, Landrover freelander^_^

[[MC]HMD]

Best cars?
http://members.aol.com:/mopar1985/images/lmali.jpg http://members.aol.com:/mopar1985/images/lm-2-2.jpg

Mine, of course :D:D:D

Worst? Toyota Echo, Corolla, and Ferrari Enzo?(the new sucessor to the F50)

[VQ]

NIccce where and when can we get it from?

[[MC]HMD]

You can't, yet. I designed that car. It's called 'LM-2', and the one with Ali Landry is the turbine variant, LM-T. You should see the V-12 I made for this car...

[XY_Futura]

heres and aussie point of view!!

best looking:
1: 1970 XY GTHO Phase 3(the fastes 4 door production car for its year
2: 1972 XA GTHO Phase 4( never came out but its sweet only 4 were made 3 still live)
3: 67 Shelby GT 500(one from Gone in 60 sec's)
5: 1977 XC Cobra( the best lookin Faclon ever made i think

Worst:
1: Holden berina(small, very small, has no grunt either)
2: VN-VR commodor( the weakes car i have ever soon!! i mean it u crash ya dead)
3: toyota eco
4: HK monaro( 2 squer lookin)
5: all cars from the years 1908-1950

[Radical-Al]

all cars from the years: 1908-1950?

Those were some of the nicest cars ever, especially from the 30s. ;) Dusenburgs, Packards, Pierce-Arrows, Studebaker, Auburn... those are the American, then you have the French, Delahaye's, then you have the Italy's Bugatti's, Fiat's, and Alfa Romeros, then you have Germany's Mercedes-Benz's. There were at one time way back then, that over 100 individual automobile manufactures were around in America, now 3.