Guilty pleasures...

[homeforsummer]

We all have them. Or at least, I hope we do, otherwise I'm going to look very silly here.

What cars do you really like but probably shouldn't? Something embarassing, something silly, something that's simply just awful... maybe you even own your guilty pleasure already.

Mine is...

The Skoda Felicia

I really like them. Here's why. It's an "honest" car - no pretention, no pretending to be a hot hatch when it's not, nor a luxury car, it's handsome in an inoffensive way, it's ridiculously reliable, they're available for pennies these days, they have rally heritage (no really, Felicias were used competitively for years and gained several victories), nobody will hate you for owning one (even if some may look down on you), and it's practical. They're even supposed to drive pretty well.

For ultimate guilt, I'd have one in Skoda green:

Or if you want ultimate embarassment (or alternatively really don't give a damn what people think of you) then the Fun pickup is the ultimate Felicia:

So over to you all... which cars do you really like but probably shouldn't? And why?...

 

[Jim Prower]

I think everybody know why, too. and, yes, I have embarrassed myself...several times.

It's a Corolla, without the resale value. All the good, for less money.

 

[Philly]

I think we can figure out why... There are probably a few other cars that suit this thread too.

 

[Jondot]

I give you, the 1995 Ford Mondeo! (Verona)

Why? Because... because I like the interior... it's comfy...

And yes I'm insane.





Next on the list, the rather overpriced Smart ForFour:

Because it's like a Mini with more room. And less estate agent owners.




And after that...

Yes, I'm afraid that's a Rover 75. Not entirely sure why, though.

But it gets worse!






Finally...

Yeah. I'll get my coat.

 

[YSSMAN]

Hmmm, it seems like I'm normally pretty forthcoming with my admittedly odd car loves, but these are a few that may deserve a spotlight...

1985 Cadillac El Dorado
The last of the "big-pimpin'" models, one of several cars I nearly had for my first car, its rolling awesome. A big-ass underpowered V8, front wheel drive, and a suspension soft enough to run over a small child and never realize it. Unless of course you've got those curb feelers...

2005-2009 Mercury Milan
Everyone knows about my outrageous love for the Ford Fusion, but it is not widely known that I'm just as much in love with its lesser-known Mercury sibling, the Milan. Lets admit some things ahead of time: Its not nearly as sporty, costs more, and makes you look like an old person (or a woman) at first glance. Thing is, I think that in this generation, outside of the tail-lights, the Milan looked better inside and out. Plus, the thought of a Milan with a stick - its awesome.

2005 Subaru Forrester XT
Not only is it the best Forrester, I think its the best Subaru that they built. Ever. Shoving the WRX powerplant in an incredibly practical wagon was genius - which is why I prefer it over the WRX and its siblings, as well as the Legacy, and all that jazz. Its a sports car for nerds, through and through.

 

[Revheadnz]

Citroen BX 16V
It's got a healthy dose of Citroen madness, inside, outside and underneath combined with a lively engine, wonderful ride and good handling. And look at it. Isn't it awesome?

 

[Northstar]

1st gen Chevrolet S-10

I want to buy one and make it into a small block project.

 

[Delirious]

Guilty or innocent?

But to delve deeper...

1986 Ford Taurus (I owned a 95 Taurus from December 2002 til October 2008)

(This I actually saw at the Henry Ford Museum)
Love the origins...and speaking of origins...

The first Honda Civics...love it.

My friend owned a Probe and they just seem rather interesting yet trashy at the same time

And I love the shape of these, especially the Audi which may not be too guilty...

 

[slowman]

The Lotus Europa is one ugly bugger from the back, but the front is just gorgeous. Cornered at .9 g in 1967! Thought I'd put up this vintage photo of one. Looks like it's being pushed, LOL.

Porsche 914. I've always been a fan, particularly of the rare 914-6 as this one is.

Fiat X1/9. Somewhat unreliable, pretty slow, but a very good handler.

Are you guys starting to notice a theme here?

 

[Northstar]

Porsche 914. I've always been a fan, particularly of the rare 914-6 as this one is.

That is one of my favorite Porsche's of all time.

 

[Jonn 79]

I've always loved this car, not really for the shape but rather because it was the first Honda to have a V-tec engine. B16A small "v" V-tec. 150bhp if i'm not mistaken. Little pocket rocket!

 

[Thatman]

I have no idea why, just when I saw a nice clean looking one, I was all like "this cars saying Hey. heres my dash, oh and heres my shifter, oh look I gots some seats too. And my bumpers are away from me so If they get hit thats all you have to replace ect,ect....."
I am going to look for one right now....

 

[homeforsummer]

Some great choices here, and worryingly quite a few I agree on, especially Jondot's choices. Though I don't feel guilty liking the ForFour, I like all smarts and make no secret of it.

The Citroen BX and Lotus Europa are interesting choices too. The Europa is one of my favourite Lotus, and I even love how it looks at the back...

 

[Jim Prower]

Meh, some of the more exotic sporting cars seem like cheating...

 

[Joey D]

Datsun 510, I love everything about this car. There is one for sale near me without an engine or transmission in it and I'm half tempted to go and buy it. The guy only wants $500 for it. Although my limited knowledge of how to actually work on a car might be the reason why I haven't.

 

[Worst_Driver]

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I just love the Dodge magnum. The SRT8 version is awesome. For me it's the ultimate station wagon, it's the only one that looks good to me.

I like old man cars from the 80's too

 

[slowman]

Meh, some of the more exotic sporting cars seem like cheating...

I see what you're saying, but both the X1/9 and 914 are very affordable. The Lotus is a bit more out of reach but I chose it because it is generally considered ugly.

I don't like anything about every day commuter cars and I'm not going to pretend to.

 

[Dougboy]

I've always wanted one. Many will disagree but i cannot get the "girls car" image out of my head. Would be especially wrong if i happen to be driving one with a male passenger

 

[Leonidae]

Volvo 360 2.0 GLT

VW Beetle 1.7

Subaru Leone Coupe Turbo

Ford Sierra 2.0iS, preferably with the facelift front

okay, now I don't feel so guilty anymore. I seriously have considered all these cars in one point or another.

 

[TofuStoreDrift]

I was going to mention the Milan, but YSSMAN beat me to it. I was following a black one on my way home yesterday after visiting my grandparents in Michigan. I probably followed it for 150 miles though Ohio and Kentucky. I could of went around it, but I didn't want to. Man did I ever fall in love.

 

[Boffin]

Volvo 850R estate. Half tempted to trade my 850SE in for one when I get it.

A quick car in anyone's books.

And the real bad thing? I think it looks good - there I said it.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Nah I doubt you're guilty for liking that. It's a great car methinks.

 

[Revheadnz]

Datsun 510, I love everything about this car. There is one for sale near me without an engine or transmission in it and I'm half tempted to go and buy it. The guy only wants $500 for it. Although my limited knowledge of how to actually work on a car might be the reason why I haven't.

They're so much fun to drive, do it . Then buy a Haynes manual or the American equivalent. Then learn and have fun, they're not a complicated vehicle. It's even better if some of your mates are knowledgable or you know someone who has some skills.

 

[EA11R]

Wow, most of these are not anywhere approaching guilty at all. I'll show you one of my awesome pleasures, since that's the theme we're establishing:

A couple of my guilty pleasures include:

Having ridden in both, I can verify that both are certifiably kickass in totally opposite ways. One is a magic carpet. The other is terrifyingly epic, and not just because my sister owns it. Which one is which?

Now THAT is guilty, sirs.

 

[bergauk]

EA11R: I have ridden in the beetle. That is horrific. I hated the back seat.

 

[EA11R]

Ouch, the backseat isn't a good place to be. All the better, in my opinion. The car is so loud, so obnoxious, so AWESOME!

At least, my sister's car is loud. Hooray nonstock exhausts!

 

[bergauk]

Its still front wheel drive.

 

[Peterram430]

Old Fiat Panda

 

[Turbo Lag]

Lancia Y.

 

[EA11R]

"Brings smirks to pedestrians' faces"