Most disappointing car for 2012

[2o6]

What car do you feel looks to be the most disappointing for the 2011-2012 MY?


I nominate the new Jetta.



Looks better, but loses in every way. Many VW enthusiasts think it's a trailing beam in the back (not a Torsion beam) which if it is....that's a slap in the face. The 20-year-old 115HP 2.slow returns and the misleading "starts at 16K" model is a stripper 2.slow with no A/C, radio, and crank windows.

[Raza]

Looks worse, and no one has even driven it yet.  How do you know it'll be worse?

[2o6]

Looks worse, and no one has even driven it yet.  How do you know it'll be worse?

2.0 from the MK3 that produces 115HP.

[Raza]

2.0 from the MK3 that produces 115HP.

That's just one engine.  That's like saying the new 5 series sucks because the base engine is less powerful than the M5.  Until I see reviews or first drives, all is speculation.  I personally don't have high hopes for this car, based on the current information available, and even though you folks who lack taste think this is better looking than my car when it isn't, it's FAR too early to call it a disappointment.  

And aren't you the one who is always saying 90bhp is plenty?

[ifcar]

Let's say what we're disappointed by among cars that we haven't driven, haven't read reviews of, haven't seen, or in many cases don't even know about!

I'm very disappointed by the 2014 Corolla myself.

[Vinsanity]

no A/C, radio, and crank windows.

srsly? I don't mind crank windows, but no A/C and no radio were deal-breakers when I was shopping $2,000 beaters for my first car in 1997.

[Vinsanity]

that said, my nomination goes to the Cadillac Impala...er, "XTS".

[Raza]

srsly? I don't mind crank windows, but no A/C and no radio were deal-breakers when I was shopping $2,000 beaters for my first car in 1997.

I wouldn't get too riled up about it until you see something official.

[MX793]

What car do you feel looks to be the most disappointing for the 2011-2012 MY?


I nominate the new Jetta.



Looks better, but loses in every way. Many VW enthusiasts think it's a trailing beam in the back (not a Torsion beam) which if it is....that's a slap in the face. The 20-year-old 115HP 2.slow returns and the misleading "starts at 16K" model is a stripper 2.slow with no A/C, radio, and crank windows.

Dead rear axle makes no sense.  Dead rear axles are a rare setup usually reserved for FWD vehicles with large load ratings (e.g. FWD vans).  The only other similar vehicle VW has that uses such a setup is the Caddy, and that's using leaf springs (something the new Jetta most certainly is not).  If it's not a multilink or other fully IRS, torsion beam makes far more sense.  Inexpensive, requires minimal space to package, and offers ride and handling comparable (if not superior) to a MacPherson Strut setup.  It's also a layout VW has a lot of experience with.

[MX793]

And while I think it's technically a 2011, I'd nominate the new Honda CR-Z as a huge disappointment based on the reviews I've been reading.  Just as I predicted, spirited driving for any period of time completely drains the battery and the car becomes pretty much lifeless without the electric motor's added power boost.  It also runs the slalom slower than a CR-V (so much for any hopes of the car being a revived CRX).

[Payman]

And while I think it's technically a 2011, I'd nominate the new Honda CR-Z as a huge disappointment based on the reviews I've been reading.  Just as I predicted, spirited driving for any period of time completely drains the battery and the car becomes pretty much lifeless without the electric motor's added power boost.  It also runs the slalom slower than a CR-V (so much for any hopes of the car being a revived CRX).

+1. I hope they make a SiR version with the 195 hp Civic Si engine.

[2o6]

Let's say what we're disappointed by among cars that we haven't driven, haven't read reviews of, haven't seen, or in many cases don't even know about!

I'm very disappointed by the 2014 Corolla myself.

Keywords: Looks to be.

[2o6]

That's just one engine.  That's like saying the new 5 series sucks because the base engine is less powerful than the M5.  Until I see reviews or first drives, all is speculation.  I personally don't have high hopes for this car, based on the current information available, and even though you folks who lack taste think this is better looking than my car when it isn't, it's FAR too early to call it a disappointment.  

And aren't you the one who is always saying 90bhp is plenty?

The point is that it's old and uncompetitive. 115 is fine from 1.6L and a subcompact car. In a car that's ~3000lbs and starts at 16K, it's not good.

[the Teuton]

The point is that it's old and uncompetitive. 115 is fine from 1.6L and a subcompact car. In a car that's ~3000lbs and starts at 16K, it's not good.

And Toyota sells a two-ton minivan with a 4-cylinder engine for $26k. What's your point?

[Raza]

The point is that it's old and uncompetitive. 115 is fine from 1.6L and a subcompact car. In a car that's ~3000lbs and starts at 16K, it's not good.

Is this even confirmed?  Or more speculation?

[2o6]

Is this even confirmed?  Or more speculation?

It's listed on the VW website and was included in the official press release. It was carefully worded and nearly hidden.

And Toyota sells a two-ton minivan with a 4-cylinder engine for $26k. What's your point?

No one cares about minivans.

[the Teuton]

It's listed on the VW website and was included in the official press release. It was carefully worded and nearly hidden.

No one cares about minivans.

About a half-million people last year would like to disagree with you. I love how you contradict yourself so often.

[2o6]

About a half-million people last year would like to disagree with you. I love how you contradict yourself so often.

The C-segment is much more competitive and has more buyers.

[2o6]

Another Nomination:

Mazda 2. Initial reviews say despite only having 100HP, it is a good drive and very practical. However, it's still slower than the Fiesta, smaller than the Fiesta, (but cheaper), and MPG's (while good) are below the Fiesta by a sizable margin.

[sportyaccordy]

And while I think it's technically a 2011, I'd nominate the new Honda CR-Z as a huge disappointment based on the reviews I've been reading.  Just as I predicted, spirited driving for any period of time completely drains the battery and the car becomes pretty much lifeless without the electric motor's added power boost.  It also runs the slalom slower than a CR-V (so much for any hopes of the car being a revived CRX).

The CR-Z is a stab in the eye to all DOHC VTEC enthusiasts. If not for the Civic Si, which is a good car on its own, but is not really competitive #-wise, and has a 9 year old engine. I sense the next one being some kind of bullshit hybrid. Why didn't Honda learn from the Accord Hybrid and the latest Insight? I hate the direction Honda is headed in.

[Vinsanity]

I wonder how easy it is to swap a K20 under the hood...and how much potential that chassis has in taking advantage of a better suspension kit, for that matter.

[MX793]

I wonder how easy it is to swap a K20 under the hood...and how much potential that chassis has in taking advantage of a better suspension kit, for that matter.

It's based on the Insight, I doubt there's all that much potential there.

[2o6]

It's based on the Insight, I doubt there's all that much potential there.

Which has Fit roots.


I think the CR-Z would be fine if it got the Fit's 1.5 and lost the hybrid setup.

[sportyaccordy]

It's based on the Insight, I doubt there's all that much potential there.

[Laconian]

Doc's Delorean DMC-12 is the most disappointing car of 2012.

[ifcar]

The C-segment is much more competitive and has more buyers.

And the Sienna outsells the Jetta.

[Nethead]

The Volt. 

Drives like a Malibu, costs like a CTS. 

And more capable vehicles are cropping up all over.

A Fail of Vega proportions?  Well...OK, more like Cimarron proportions at that price...

[Cookie Monster]

I like the Jetta. As long as it can handle well I don't care what it has for suspension.

The CRZ is very disappointing. All show and no go.

[2o6]

And the Sienna outsells the Jetta.

And VW is aiming to take a larger chunk out of the US compact market.

[SVT666]

The new Jetta is as vanilla and anonymous as I have ever seen.  However, my vote goes to the CR-Z because Honda is trying to make you think it's a new CRX when it's not.