GTP Worst Car of 2008/2009 (Nominations)

[Omnis]

I've never seen a Jeep Compass on the roads here.

Also, I second the G8 sales fail, but not because the car is fail. It's just a gas guzzler brought to market at the wrong time. I would make some mods to the interior but overall it has a very good ride and certainly can't be called the worst of the (model) year.

 

[homeforsummer]

That said the H3 is pointless because it's dynamically compromised to give the false appearance of being good off-road when it's really not all that great.

Road tests in the UK have been more favourable, they seem to think it's almost as capable in most off-road situations as a Land Rover Defender, which is generally considered to be the best off-roader offiroad.

And I'm still thinking of a nomination, but I need to go to work now...

 

[Jim Prower]

Well, homeforsummer, we're spoiled...we have the Jeep Wrangler...

 

[Prosthetic]

Road tests in the UK have been more favourable, they seem to think it's almost as capable in most off-road situations as a Land Rover Defender, which is generally considered to be the best off-roader offiroad.

And I'm still thinking of a nomination, but I need to go to work now...

I'd take a H1 or a Wrangler over a Defender any day.

 

[buickgnx88]

The Defender is the only awesome Land Rover remaining. Looks cooler than the Wrangler and is a bit more practical than the H1.

 

[boiltheocean]

I have no such qualms.

I'm sick of hearing about you! Go away!


And your gearbox is silly.

Take that, everything-I've-ever-known-about-cars.

This is gonna set off loads of people but I agree so much. Not a great fan of the R8 either. Everytime I look for the PROPER R8, I get given billions of hits about the road car.

 

[mustangGT90210]

2009 Mustang

Ugly, slow, made by Ford, I just don't see why someone would want one.

For one, that's got to be the worst photoshop I've ever seen.

Second, this is the '09 Mustang:

This is the 2010:

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I also consider the BMW X6 the most pointless vehicle in human existance.

- Seats four.
- Cargo space smaller than a Honda Fit.
- Girth comparable to Dodge Durango.
- Gas mileage comparable to Ford Expedition (xDrive50i).
- Price is comparable to the more practical and capable Toyota Land Cruiser.
- "Isn't it the X5 fills that purpose already?"
- Should've stayed as a concept vehicle.

-> Alternative to my nomminations are those stupid four-door coupes. Namely the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class and the VW Passat CC.

MBZ CLS

VW Passat CC

- They have an interior room smaller than a Hyundai Accent.
- They are overpriced.
- They too should stay as concept vehicle.

-> And every year, I gripe this vehicle every year since its inception. I wish this vehicle should be gone ASAP. That vehicle is the Hummer H2 series.

- Three words, "Just plain stupid".

 

[Prosthetic]

The Defender is the only awesome Land Rover remaining. Looks cooler than the Wrangler and is a bit more practical than the H1.

I'm talking about off-road, not on road.

 

[Jondot]

-> I also consider the BMW X6 the most pointless vehicle in human existance.

- Seats four.
- Cargo space smaller than a Honda Fit.
- Girth comparable to Dodge Durango.
- Gas mileage comparable to Ford Expedition (xDrive50i).
- Price is comparable to the more practical and capable Toyota Land Cruiser.
- "Isn't it the X5 fills that purpose already?"
- Should've stayed as a concept vehicle.

I did see one of these parked in Tesco today, right next to a 1990s Nissan Micra. And I have to say, it's the most ridiculous looking thing I've ever seen.

Looked very similar to this, actually:

Apparently it's surprisingly good off road. So are normal-looking 4x4s though.

 

[Tornado]

The Defender is more practical than an H1 off-road.

 

[Patrik]

TATA NANO

India attempts to re-create the VW Beetle with a paper-flimsy city car. I'd feel safer in the Bug.

I'd feel safer in a phone booth.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'd take a H1 or a Wrangler over a Defender any day.

Horses for courses, meat/poison etc. Personally I think Hummers are awful, though with my natural bias towards smaller cars the H3 could be described as my "favourite", and although I quite like the Wrangler, it just doesn't have the same appeal for me as the Defender. The Defender is one of the few larger off-roaders that I actually like, because they aren't driven by school-run mums or poseurs, but by people who actually need the off-road ability. Farmers, the military, people who live in the sticks etc.

In the UK, Wranglers are driven by hairdressers. And judging by magazine reviews, it isn't quite as good as the Landie off-road. Land Rover apparently reckons that over 3/4 Defenders (and series 1, 2 and 3s) are still going.

 

[Tornado]

The Defender is one of the few larger off-roaders that I actually like, because they aren't driven by school-run mums or poseurs, but by people who actually need the off-road ability.

Speaking only for the H1, I highly doubt even the most politically incorrect of late 90s yuppies could have dealt with a pre-H2 Hummer on a daily basis. I've been in one (granted, a military version); and having seen the inside of the civilian models, I can't imagine having everything covered in leather atoning for all of the other ergonomic problems.

 

[Jondot]

In the UK, Wranglers are driven by hairdressers. And judging by magazine reviews, it isn't quite as good as the Landie off-road. Land Rover apparently reckons that over 3/4 Defenders (and series 1, 2 and 3s) are still going.

Yeah, you get the impression that the Defender isn't disposable. Have you ever seen an N reg Wrangler on the roads? Exactly. I can only assume most of them have disintegrated. Same with the H3. It might look tough, but I reckon it's actually just a Colorado with some tacky 'ruggedness' added on top - most of which will probably fall off. In fact I reckon most Colorados will last longer than H3s (ignoring the fact that Colorados will probably be treated a little more harshly).

 

[YSSMAN]

VW Passat CC

- They have an interior room smaller than a Hyundai Accent.
- They are overpriced.
- They too should stay as concept vehicle.

Really?

I think the car is strikingly beautiful, and beyond fairly priced. That much style, and a lot of substance, for $26,000 brand new? I'd say thats a steal.

My only gripe about the car is that its a four-seater. Then I realized that I'm driving a four-seater. So, meh.

 

[niky]

-> I also consider the BMW X6 the most pointless vehicle in human existance.

- Seats four.
- Cargo space smaller than a Honda Fit.
- Girth comparable to Dodge Durango.
- Gas mileage comparable to Ford Expedition (xDrive50i).
- Price is comparable to the more practical and capable Toyota Land Cruiser.
- "Isn't it the X5 fills that purpose already?"
- Should've stayed as a concept vehicle.

-> Alternative to my nomminations are those stupid four-door coupes. Namely the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class and the VW Passat CC.

MBZ CLS

VW Passat CC

- They have an interior room smaller than a Hyundai Accent.
- They are overpriced.
- They too should stay as concept vehicle.

-> And every year, I gripe this vehicle every year since its inception. I wish this vehicle should be gone ASAP. That vehicle is the Hummer H2 series.

- Three words, "Just plain stupid".

Despite being first to nominate the X6, I'd like to point out:

-The Fit only has bigger cargo space if you fold down the rear seats. And that space is floor to ceiling. The X6, with 570 liters of cargo space, can fit four to six golf bags inside the trunk alone.

-Yes, it's not as practical as a Land Cruiser, but that isn't the point. Matter of fact, there are hardly any high-end SUVs as practical as the LC. (Note that no high-end SUV on road tires, both Cayenne and X6 are on Contisports, can actually go very far off-road)

RE: Interior room of the Accent:

-Can't compare a hatchback to a sedan, as the EPA classification takes into account total interior volume, which includes those spaces patently useless in terms of passenger comfort, including the space between the windshield and dash, behind the seats, and, oh, in the hatch. Which is how some ridiculously small cars can classify as midsized under the (flawed) EPA guidelines. If we're talking arm/leg/hip/knee room, I'll concede that you have a point there.

----

Hmmm... it's not new for 08, but it's dead in 09, can we still nominate the R-Class?

 

[homeforsummer]

I also have to disagree with TVB on the CLS and Passat CC. The CLS is probably the best Mercedes available at the moment looks-wise and makes the E-class look pretty irrelevant, and the Passat CC is sooooo much more interesting than a normal Passat. I can't imagine who'd chose a regular Passat over the CC unless you needed the estate version or something, or simply didn't have the money.

 

[Leonidae]

I nominate Corvette ZR1

why?

-interior.. ( same buttons, knobs etc can be seen in a lot cheaper cars)
-tacky hood
-bits and pieces that look like Halford's discount specials, like that little strip on the boot that they call spoiler..
-C6 vette is GM 911. in other words, it's just another vette.
-fanboys going "OMG it's faster around ring than GTR!!!!" Well duh, it has 150bhp more, less weight etc
-not too relaxing to drive despite being the grand tourer of C6 family, judging from reviews.

okay, now that I got that out of my system, I feel better. *flame suit on*

 

[eiriksmil]

-interior.. ( same buttons, knobs etc can be seen in a lot cheaper cars)

But for this exact reason the whole C6 range is a lot cheaper than it should be judging by the car on paper

Worst new car? I don't know, I've only driven one 2009-car properly..
I bet Leonidae here for instance would be the ZR1 fanboy if he got to drive one. But I agree on the X6, it seems very pointless based on BMWs line-up. Cars like that only create new niches.

 

[-ultraflow-]

I choose the new Porsche Diesel Tractor:

Porsche Cayenne Diesel {3.0L V6} '09

Powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, this Cayenne delivers 240hp and 406 pound-feet of torque.

In my oppinion the Cayenne have 2 problems:

1.º is not a Porsche ... is an SUV!

2.º That was the real aberration. Now is going on diesel!!!

I'm a Porsche fan and I think why not now have the cayenne consuming frying oil, water or burning whiskey ... ?

The point is Porsche is a mark of prestige in supercars and motorsport and they are spoiled that in an attempt to reach other markets like Audi, Volkswagens etc...

That only a oppinion!

 

[Leonidae]

But for this exact reason the whole C6 range is a lot cheaper than it should be judging by the car on paper

Worst new car? I don't know, I've only driven one 2009-car properly..
I bet Leonidae here for instance would be the ZR1 fanboy if he got to drive one.

No, I wouldn't. I would be distracted and annoyed to no end by the HUD on windshield. hell, even the GT5P's Z06's HUD annoys the hell out of me and I HATE leather interiors.

 

[homeforsummer]

Porsche Cayenne Diesel {3.0L V6} '09

I don't really mind Porsche going diesel. The Cayenne, which "Porsche purists" seem to hate, has done no end of good for Porsche's pockets, just like the 924, which "Porsche purists" seem to hate did back in the 70s and 80s and the Boxter did in the 90s.

I'm thinking that maybe "Porsche purists" are idiots and are forgetting that without the success of things like the 924, Boxter and Cayenne, they'd have stopped building cars as awesome as the GT3, GT2, Carrera GT and Cayman S long ago. Hell, without the 924 they may have stopped building cars altogether.

If a diesel Cayenne is what it takes to remain as profitable as they are and allow them to keep producing brilliant sports cars, then I've no problem with that at all. Personally I quite like the Cayenne. It's taken all this time but even the styling has grown on me.

 

[Tornado]

I'm thinking that maybe "Porsche purists" are idiots

Air-cooled 4evar!

 

[YSSMAN]

No, I wouldn't. I would be distracted and annoyed to no end by the HUD on windshield. hell, even the GT5P's Z06's HUD annoys the hell out of me and I HATE leather interiors.

I get the feeling you've never been in a Corvette...

1) The HUD isn't that distracting
2) I wouldn't exactly call it "leather" they use

Then again, I haven't been in the upgraded interior version of the MY08+ Vette. I'm told its nice, it definitely looks that way, but otherwise its not too bad of a place to be. My only complaint about the interior right now is that they still have the crappy circa-2005 head unit in there. Switch it out to the new (corporate) one already!

Still, given that you really can't find a faster car for $50K that will function that well as a daily driver and a track car... Its still my favorite car. Well, probably until the Camaro officially shows up.

 

[Leonidae]

I would take the V6 Camaro over base Corvette.

 

[McLaren]

MBZ CLS

VW Passat CC

- They have an interior room smaller than a Hyundai Accent.
- They are overpriced.
- They too should stay as concept vehicle.

This is a joke right? The '09 CLS is an amazing vehicle, very, very far from being one of the worst. In fact, the '09 just received a small update that has really improved it.

The Volkswagen CC is not a bad car, either. Have you been in one yet? Pretty damn amazing for a car shooting for the bigger Germans.

Now, on to your "points".
The interior is not smaller than an Accent. The back may be smaller than the front like the 3 Series sedan, but it isn't that much smaller than my own cars.

Price is a up & down subject. First off, it's a Mercedes. You're already going to be paying a lot for it just like the SL or CL. However, it's also one of the cheaper models if you can believe it. $70K for a Mercedes like this is pretty good considering that it takes an additional $20K for the S-Class.

As for the CC, you have to have no idea what it's worth. $27K is the starting & $40K is the ending. That's a damn good deal in reality.


Your last point isn't really a point. Should stay concepts? I don't think you have any actual liking for 4-door coupes, so you just come up with 2 generic reasons for disliking them and pull the 2 biggest ones as the worst cars, which ironically, couldn't be further from the truth.

 

[gator of kana]

In my oppinion the Cayenne have 2 problems:

1.º is not a Porsche ... is an SUV!

2.º That was the real aberration. Now is going on diesel!!!

I'm a Porsche fan and I think why not now have the cayenne consuming frying oil, water or burning whiskey ... ?

The point is Porsche is a mark of prestige in supercars and motorsport and they are spoiled that in an attempt to reach other markets like Audi, Volkswagens etc...

I think someone has a dislike with SUVs . Although I'm not much of an SUV guy myself, but I do have some exceptions. Even though the Cayenne is not very eco-friendly, It goes as fast as a sports car. I think it has too much potential to be the worst, but that's just me

 

[niky]

I'lll say one thing for the Cayenne. The interior makes the X6's interior look cheap.

Still can't get past the half-melted styling, though...

 

[EA11R]

Mustang? It's got more power, better aero, and a higher quality interior than its predecessor. I just see it as a further step of Lamarckian evolution. I was delighted with it.

That's a catastrophic camera angle, though. And the taillights are questionable.

I've been hating on American cars so prodigiously lately, I'll actually refrain from posting a Challenger or two. Well, slightly at least.