The rampant use of CVT transmissions, Automatics in general, and Front Wheel drive.
Modern automatics are way ahead of manuals technologically, especially when you consider the new double-clutch gearboxes. The DCT offer the benefits of a manual, with the convenience of an automatic and shift times that surpass a human's ability.
FWD is better than RWD for a majority of cars out there. Having FWD means the vehicle can have more space in the cabin and makes a vehicle easier to drive in poor weather conditions. They also tend to be cheaper to produce. You have to remember a huge portion of people who buy new cars just don't care which wells are powered, so it makes sense to give them the cheaper, safer option.
I agree a FWD Ferrari probably wouldn't be very good, but small, FWD cars can be very sporty and fun to drive, The Abarth 500 is supposed to be a blast to drive and I can vouch for the fun-factor in a JCW Cooper. The list goes on though.
I used to dislike CVTs as well. After riding in one in the streets though, I changed my mind completely. For a performance car, CVTs are a no-no, but for driving around town, CVTs are great! Ideally, manufactures should have CVTs, autos, and manuals all as options.
I used to be the same way when it came to CVT's but I'm coming around to them now. My mom's Fusion Hybrid has a CVT in it and it's not that bad and works quite well with the hybrid system. Older CVT's though were just awful, I remember I got a 2006 MINI as a loaner car once with a CVT and it sounded like a dying camel.
And manufactures should offer whatever transmission sells. A majority of the people buying new cars want automatics and until these "Save the Manual" people start buying new vehicles with manual transmission, manufactures won't offer them as an option.
Everything, too much plastic, FWD, not enough V8s, no chrome, just UGLY in general.
Plastic on the outside of vehicles makes them a little more forgiving if you bump into something. You'll scratch the paint, but depending on how hard you hit something there might not be a dent either. Modern plastics can also be lighter than metals, and cars are fat enough already.
V8's are becoming irrelevant, we can now make a V6 have just as much, if not more power than a V8 equivalent. Take the GT-R for example, it has a 3.8L V6 which produces something like 550hp, the Corvette Z06 has a 7.0L engine that produces 505hp. Both are big horsepower number but the GT-R produced more on an engine that almost has half the displace as the Z06's. Or if you'd rather use something more real world the F-150 is an example too, the 3.5L EcoBoosted V6 has 365hp/420lb.ft. whereas the 5.0 V8 has 360hp/380lb.ft. It wouldn't be a hard decision here, the V6 makes more horsepower and torque.
As long as a vehicle performs well there isn't a reason to put a bigger engine in it. If it is possible to do more with less than I don't see why that's a bad thing.
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As for stuff I don't like...
The horsepower wars that are going on right now between all these different manufactures. It's a great marketing tool and sounds cool when automotive journalist go on and on about the power figures, but it doesn't really do anything else. Sure, I think a 600hp Mustang is cool, but at the same time I don't see a point to having one or having Ford sink R&D resources into building it. Also these car with incredibly high horsepower numbers aren't exactly the friendliest cars to live with. Not everyone will have a problem, but when the divorce lawyer who's only ever driven Cadillac thinks he suddenly need a 600hp Mustang to relive his youth goes out an buys one, he will probably be in for a big surprise when he floors it coming out of the dealership.
Cars that are inspired or tuned for the Ring. A vast majority of cars that are built with the Ring in mind will almost certainly never see the track, let along Germany. But it is a good marketing tool as well.
Features for the sake of features annoys me too. I'll take the Focus for example, why on Earth does Ford need to offer it with the ability to park itself? Or even have a rear view camera? The car is fairly small, if you can't park it then perhaps a refresher drivers ed course is in order. I'm oddly OK with gimmicky things though, they give the car a bit of character despite being useless.