Automotive Guilty Pleasures

[Niku Driver HC]

Oooo, that's nice. Reminds me of yet another one of my guilty pleasures, the Lancia Gamma.

What is is about 70s/80s Italian wedges that I love so much?

And speaking of wedges, that talk reminded me of my favorite:

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Ah, the Fiat 130 Coupe, a great car created from a dull one, gotta love Pininfarina's work. And after I found the Wagons thread here on GTP, guess what I discovered:

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Yes, if you may. I'd buy three of these; one to drive, one to show and one to drool over...

 

[homeforsummer]

While we're posting shonky Italian stuff from the 1980s, I'll throw this in the ring as another guilty pleasure:

Lancia Beta HPE. Because shooting brake. The Beta may well have been the car that ruined Lancia's image but I still like them. I like the Reliant Scimitar for similar reasons:

...but I'm not sure I should really feel guilty about that. I mean, it's legitimately a fairly decent car and as 1960s/70s British stuff goes, relatively problem free. Simple engine (Ford Cologne, I think?), bodywork that doesn't rust, few earthing issues here and there due to the fibreglass but they seem to have a decent survival rate.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

While we're posting shonky Italian stuff from the 1980s, I'll throw this in the ring as another guilty pleasure:

Lancia Beta HPE. Because shooting brake. The Beta may well have been the car that ruined Lancia's image but I still like them. I like the Reliant Scimitar for similar reasons:

...but I'm not sure I should really feel guilty about that. I mean, it's legitimately a fairly decent car and as 1960s/70s British stuff goes, relatively problem free. Simple engine (Ford Cologne, I think?), bodywork that doesn't rust, few earthing issues here and there due to the fibreglass but they seem to have a decent survival rate.

To be fair, I think that the whole Lancia Beta family is underrated. Sure, they may have had rust issues, but they were victims of ridiculous media exaggeration. Once the British media was done with the Beta, its image was ruined. And they're not bad cars either if they are in good hands. Sure, much like many Italian cars of its time, it is a volatile product, that could implode on your face at any given moment, but I don't think that their reputation of being a bad car is right for it. My own five cents.

As for Scimitar, yes it is hard to describe that as a "guilty" pleasure. As you said, they are decent cars, strong (and nice looking) bodywork, the engines are simple but powerful enough and the whole car handles decently enough. Not to mention the well-known fact that Princess Anne owned many of them...

And speaking of guilty Lancia Beta derivates, here's mine:

The Beta Montecarlo. Sure, it may have been a bastard Fiat project that materialised as a Lancia, and it may have had one or two issues with braking, but I just like it.

 

[CSMDuty11]

And there is also this Beta.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

And there is also this Beta.

Ah yes, the rare African-spec Beta, with a weight reduction and a special decoration made for the African market. How could I forget?

 

[axletramp]

May dad had a dark brown one of these, but I remember his 131 Supermirafiori and 132 more fondly...

 

[Nessy]

My granddad still has a Scimitar (dark green). Lovely cars.

 

[Moglet]

This is entire page so far is full of cars I absolutely love the look of. If I could have one I probably would. Even the really really bad ones.

 

[R5]

This is entire page so far is full of cars I absolutely love the look of. If I could have one I probably would. Even the really really bad ones.

Same. Same as the whole damn thread

Should I feel bad?

 

[Populuxe]

Same. Same as the whole damn thread

Should I feel bad?

No because I feel the same way. I keep looking at the cars people are putting up and thinking "Am I supposed to feel guilty for liking this? Because I don't."

 

[Sage Ages]

Could be considered guilty by some. It's not AWD, not turbocharged, and not a VR-4.

 

[TexRex]

Could be considered guilty by some. It's not AWD, not turbocharged, and not a VR-4.

I've certainly heard of it but I'm not that familiar--what was AMG's contribution if it was such a lackluster model to begin with?

 

[Sage Ages]

I've certainly heard of it but I'm not that familiar--what was AMG's contribution if it was such a lackluster model to begin with?

It had a modified NA engine and I think some suspension and exterior bits. I believe that's it.

 

[TexRex]

It had a modified NA engine and I think some suspension and exterior bits. I believe that's it.

I guess that's not too far off from AMG's work with the average Merc, just an odd choice as a starting point.

 

[CSMDuty11]

 

[SVX]

 

[Heldenzeit]

Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.

 

[84SSccc]

I love the over the top crap cans Detroit built from the late 70's to the early 80's. If you can't make it fast add more graphics and flares

 

[CDailey]

Most of my guilty pleasures have already been mentioned in this thread but I will go ahead and post them again explaining WHY they are my guilty pleasures.

The latest gen Mitsubishi Eclipse. Not a very good car, but I think the styling is very nice.

Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is a competent offroader, especially with some mods but its my guilty pleasure because it has THREE windshield wipers. THREE. How cool is that?

Toyota Previa. I honestly think it was a good looking vehicle in its day. Plus mid engine rwd etc...

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. I think it's a fairly good looking car, and possibly a better looking alternative to the other GM W body at the time, the Grand Prix (except for in GTP trim. That one looks badass) Plus, my brother had one when I was growing up so bonus points for idolization.

Oldsmobile Aurora. Mostly because I think the front air dam resembles a Ferrari 360.

Cadillac STS. This is just a handsome car hands down. Chiseled chin, great proportions, and comfy AF on the inside.

 

[homeforsummer]

Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.

Always quite liked those too. They don't have quite the atrocious image in Europe that they seem to in the U.S. Was considering one a few years back before I bought the Honda as a comfy, quiet, but not-too-large daily driver.

 

[axletramp]

Mercedes SEC. There's something I find hugely desirable about a large powerful car with only two doors.

 

[homeforsummer]

Mercedes SEC. There's something I find hugely desirable about a large powerful car with only two doors.

These cars seem to be following me around at the moment. I saw one the other day, and completely unrelated about three people have mentioned them since.

 

[niky]

Mercedes SEC. There's something I find hugely desirable about a large powerful car with only two doors.

A soft, porky, oversized car with two doors.

So much want.

 

[JTB10000]

It's so strange looking but I like it.

 

[Populuxe]

I have a soft spot for Japanese coupes from the 1970s. Sure, they're like 4/5ths scale Japanese Monte Carlos and Thunderbirds, but for some reason, I just love their Barcalounger interiors and personal luxury aesthetic.


1972 Toyota Crown (MS75)


1975 Mazda RX-5 (Cosmo in the U.S.)


1979 Datsun 810 (Nissan Maxima)

 

[ildd]

Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.

I I absolutely hate those. but yes, the w203/cl203 is surprisngly easy to find a manual.

 

[VXR]

Mercedes C-class compact. Easiest Mercedes to find a 6-speed installed in the US. Never driven one though.

Interesting tidbit about these for those who collect die cast models - the Maisto 1/18 is personally one of their best models. The interior looks on-point, the wheels are well resolved and it had an overall proper look to it. Great stuff for its price point back in 2002.

Mine got a damaged windscreen during a burglary. There were so many others I wouldn't have been as fussed about, but this poor fella got it.

 

[Sage Ages]

Cadillac STS. This is just a handsome car hands down. Chiseled chin, great proportions, and comfy AF on the inside.

It reminds me of Donald Trump.

Mercedes SEC. There's something I find hugely desirable about a large powerful car with only two doors.

I need this in my life now. In white.

 

[Slash]

I love the over the top crap cans Detroit built from the late 70's to the early 80's. If you can't make it fast add more graphics and flares
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I am a huge huge huge fan of those era cars.

 

[ScottPuss20]

I have a soft spot for Japanese coupes from the 1970s. Sure, they're like 4/5ths scale Japanese Monte Carlos and Thunderbirds, but for some reason, I just love their Barcalounger interiors and personal luxury aesthetic.


1972 Toyota Crown (MS75)

My dad really wants to own one of these