Obviously, we all have our favorite cars. But in many if not most cases, those favorites aren’t exactly a single car; if you’re a Mustang person, you know the four-cylinder turbo Boostang and the V8-powered GT are two very different machines, no matter how outwardly identical-ish they may appear, and despite sharing the majority of their components beyond the most important personality- and performance-defining bits.
Few would argue, however, that a turbo Mustang and a proper GT aren’t both fun high-performance coupes and “real Mustangs.” Meanwhile, there are many examples of car models with a vast chasm of desirability between their “best” and “worst” variants. Let’s tall about them!
I’ll let Stephen and The Bish take the reins:
The Bishop
Growing up, we had a Datsun 280Z and a 1990 Nissan 300ZX; loved those cars. But the Z31 sleepy-eye Z? Bluhhh. The very disco 280ZX wasn’t much better. My dad test drove them and declared that they were “great Maxima coupes, but not Z cars”. I think that’s a fair assessment.
Stephen Walter Gossin
I had a thing for first-generation Sebring convertibles for a long time. The 1997 “all Chrysler” model (Chrysler engine and transmission) in base trim was the worst version, and got a four-cylinder engine. All other models got a Mitsubishi engine. The coupes were pretty much all Mitsu-power (except for the base model having the Neon engine), and the Gen 2 and Gen 3 cars were DCX (read: not Chrysler Corp) disasters with the notoriously bad internal-water-pump-equipped 2.7. Fun fact: the 2010 PT Convertible was the last “all Chrysler” (Chrysler brand) 2-door ever sold.
Your turn! What’s the worst version of your favorite car? Or any car you like. Or don’t even like, but you’re impressed by how great the good version is and shocked by how spectacularly low the not-good model goes. We’re not big on rules, is what I’m saying.
To the comments!
The 1978-1983 Dodge Challenger
The 911 has been my favourite car since forever because I’m basic. I think the worst version of it is the 911T (from ’68). Whilst the oft-maligned 912 was also a ‘detuned, entry-level 911’ it also had the benefit of a significantly lighter engine which moved the balance point forward, and so they’re actually a delight to drive. The subsequent 911T, on the other hand, was also detuned, but with all the weight at the back. It was heavy, comparatively slow, and had a crap interior. It’s also too early to be a galvanized body, so they’re prone to rot.
Easy – every version of the Jaguar E-Type that’s not the Series I, because with each update they made it much uglier. Series I is to me the most beautiful car ever made, while by the time we got to Series III it was nothing but a pale imitation.
Golf GTD. Golfs aren’t my favorite cars, but I just hate those on principle.
A GTI or R is a proper performer. A base TSI or TDI is a reasonable and competent daily.
A GTD is for cheapskate wannabes who want to look fast but not pay for the associated fuel costs.
The venerable Hindustan Motors (HM) Ambassador! Absolutely crappy car in total, but still my favourite. Why? Because it was built to tackle the worst roads that the Indian government could through at us, cocooning us with a pliant suspension and living-room spec seats.
Moving on to the model discussion HM could show GM a thing or two about changing trim and launching a new version (or “Mark”, as they chose to call it).
The model order : Marks 1-4, then the Nova, the Classic (which introduced more refined and powerful engines – the 1.8 Litre petrol, and the 2.0 Litre Diesel), the Grand, and the final nail in the coffin – the Avigo.
The Mark 1-4, and even the Ambassador Classic, were all the familiar love-it-or-hate-it design. With the bones of the grand-daddy Morris Oxford Series 3, every model till we hit Mark 4 were familiar on the outside, and, till the Nova, on the inside. The Nova embraced tacky grey plastic like no other, selling its soul while maintaining its shell.
The model I absolutely hate, is the one that killed the car. The Avigo looks like a befuddled, myopic fish asking to be thrown back into the water. Bye, bye Isuzu – the only engine on offer was an emission-controlled 1.5 litre homegrown POS. image
Mark 3 Jaguar E-Type. It was a smidge faster, it did have double the cylinders, but the good pretty much ended there. It handled worse, looked worse, and dropped the coupe, leaving the already heavy 2+2 and convertible saddled with a lump of an engine that only gained about 5-10 horsepower from an extra liter and 6 cylinders but weighed a hell of a lot more.
Fourth–generation Acura TL, and not for the reason you think. The beak grille can be fixed with an aftermarket grille easily enough. It’s the rear end that I absolutely can’t stand. What genius thought putting a beak on the BACK of the car was a good idea?
Lancer Sedan.
I much prefer the Evolution 🙂
Commented on this elsewhere, but even the difference between an 8th-generation Lancer and a Lancer Ralliart was huge. One was a shitbox, the other was a legitimate compact sport sedan.
The 1983 Starion had a fake hood scoop and a properly-angled air dam. Looked great. The car that Richard Kiel drove and Jackie Chan navigated in “The Cannonball Run II.” I had one.
After that, Chrysler got involved and dumped the hood scoop and installed an improperly-angled air dam. Looked shitty.