Surprisingly good cars

[the Teuton]

What's a car that you've tried to hate with all of your will in being, yet you can't? No matter how much you look at it or drive it, you find it a remarkably better car than you thought it would be.

For me:



With the exception of some cheap plastic here and there, it's a surprisingly capable, user-friendly package -- and I'd probably recommend one, as long as someone would be willing to take the depreciation hit and reliability pans out all right. The Journey is a pretty nice vehicle.

[Jon?]

I rented a Grand Caravan while vacationing in the Carolinas and I was surprised how much I like it.  Roomy (obviously) but rode well and comfortable.  Enjoyed all the power doo-dads too - who'd have thought closing a sidedoor with a button would be so much fun?

[3.0L V6]

'09 Hyundai Sonata. Compared to previous Sonatas I've been in, it's light-years ahead of them. No enthusiast pretensions whatsoever, but painless to operate and well built.

[Rupert]

Ranger and Explorer. I was not a Ford person before I bought my old Ranger.

[/troll]

[Vinsanity]

I found the last-gen Taurus to be a nearly perfect vehicle for most people who shop midsize sedans: very spacious, smooth ride, predictable handling, and very good power from the 3.5L engine.

[Onslaught]

Nothing. If I want to hate something I've got no problem doing so.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I found the last-gen Taurus to be a nearly perfect vehicle for most people who shop midsize sedans: very spacious, smooth ride, predictable handling, and very good power from the 3.5L engine.

I never realized they had 3.5L. WHere can I get one?

[the Teuton]

I never realized they had 3.5L. WHere can I get one?

All of them had 3.5 liter V6s.

[Eye of the Tiger]

All of them had 3.5 liter V6s.

Oh, that last gen. I don't even count that as a gen. That's like half a gen. Ok, ya got me there.

[ifcar]

What's a car that you've tried to hate with all of your will in being, yet you can't? No matter how much you look at it or drive it, you find it a remarkably better car than you thought it would be.

For me:


With the exception of some cheap plastic here and there, it's a surprisingly capable, user-friendly package -- and I'd probably recommend one, as long as someone would be willing to take the depreciation hit and reliability pans out all right. The Journey is a pretty nice vehicle.

Midsize on the outside, smaller-than-compact on the inside.

[ChrisV]

What's a car that you've tried to hate with all of your will in being, yet you can't?

Trying to hate? I seriously can't understand the mentality behind that. Why would you WANT to hate something?

[Jon?]

Trying to hate? I seriously can't understand the mentality behind that. Why would you WANT to hate something?

I heard it makes you stronger.

[Tave]

I was never a big fan of the Grand Prix until I spent a lot of time around my friend's GTP. Now I have a real soft-spot for that car.

[Raza]

I was never a big fan of the Grand Prix until I spent a lot of time around my friend's GTP. Now I have a real soft-spot for that car.

I'm the same way with the last generation Impala.  My friend's dad had one, and I quite liked it.  Now he has a 3.6 Passat, which he likes much better. 

[giant_mtb]

I was never a big fan of the Grand Prix until I spent a lot of time around my friend's GTP. Now I have a real soft-spot for that car.

Those S/C 3.8's will getcha.

[the Teuton]

Midsize on the outside, smaller-than-compact on the inside.

It can seat 7 people, and it's not any smaller for the first two rows of accommodations than an Edge really.

[ifcar]

It can seat 7 people, and it's not any smaller for the first two rows of accommodations than an Edge really.

It has seven seatbelts, but it can't seat seven people. Definitely tighter than the Edge in the back seat (middle row) and for cargo -- and I'm no fan of the Edge either.

[SVT666]

I have two.





The Camaro isn't really a very good car, but damn did I enjoy driving it...and I want to again.

[68_427]

I found the last-gen Taurus to be a nearly perfect vehicle for most people who shop midsize sedans: very spacious, smooth ride, predictable handling, and very good power from the 3.5L engine.

I love those cars.  Almost luxo-barge backseat space and quite possibly the biggest trunk of any mass produce sedan.  You left out the standard 6spd too.

[Morris Minor]

A 4.0 Chrysler Pacifica I rented in Baltimore: quiet, lots of space (loads of rear seat legroom), lots of power, & enough cargo capacity for all our stuff. Even the valet parking guys at the hotel commented that they liked it.

[CJ]

The 4.0 Pacifica IS a surprisingly good car.  Sure, there are some cheaper materials, but it's a solid vehicle.  Drives very solidly, too.

[Colin]

All of them had 3.5 liter V6s.

I've just been driving a brown one (OK, Cinnamon Metallic in Ford speak),a nd agree that it was a car far better than its sales volumes would suggest. Not exciting, but perfectly pleasant........ full test report to come presently.

I would add the 2.7 V6 Kia Rondo to the list....... I even prefer the looks to the Mazda 5, and the V6 engine makes all the difference.

[Raza]

First generation Buick Lacrosse.  It was actually pretty fun to drive. 

[Jon?]

First generation Buick Lacrosse.  It was actually pretty fun to drive. 

Good call.

[CALL_911]

Nothing. If I want to hate something I've got no problem doing so.

Likewise.

[BimmerM3]

The 4.0 Pacifica IS a surprisingly good car.  Sure, there are some cheaper materials, but it's a solid vehicle.  Drives very solidly, too.

Gawd, I couldn't stand the Pacifica I drove.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I rented a Grand Caravan while vacationing in the Carolinas and I was surprised how much I like it.  Roomy (obviously) but rode well and comfortable.  Enjoyed all the power doo-dads too - who'd have thought closing a sidedoor with a button would be so much fun?

I drive one everyday. And as much as I hate minivans I have to admit that it's pretty good. And those power doors do come in handy.

[S204STi]

First generation Buick Lacrosse.  It was actually pretty fun to drive. 

wut

[Raza]

wut

I drove one in 2004.  A CXS, I think.  I liked it, but not as much as my Passat.

The review should still be up on The Bear.

[S204STi]

I drove one in 2004.  A CXS, I think.  I liked it, but not as much as my Passat.

The review should still be up on The Bear.

I drove one, every day for the last 3.5 years.  Not a good car.