Crapped in their own hats.

[Payman]

What car was ruined by its maker during a generational redesign? Should get lots of examples here. I'll start with an obvious one... the 1996 Ford Taurus:



Late in its first generation, the Taurus was the best selling car in the world, eclipsing the Camry and Accord. Then Ford overdid it for the next gen. They overstyled it with ovals everywhere, trying too hard to recapture the groundbreaking accolades of the original car. Add a mediore powertain and useless trunk space, and you got a fried egg that nobody wanted anymore.

[Rich]

I prefer the original NA Miata to the NB.

The Honda Civic when it went to the 100 yard dash (board) w/ split.

Chevy Uplander

Z3 ->Z4

the last iteration of the NA only Focus around 2008, dear god.

[Payman]

I prefer the original NA Miata to the NB.

The Honda Civic when it went to the 100 yard dash (board) w/ split.

Chevy Uplander

Z3 ->Z4

the last iteration of the NA only Focus around 2008, dear god.

Oh hell yeah the 2009 Focus is a good example.

[MX793]

96 was actually the third generation Taurus (1st and second generation looked very similar).

I'd add the Mustang II.  Sure, it sold pretty well, and didn't lead to the demise of the model, but it was arguably the worst of the breed.

[Payman]

96 was actually the third generation Taurus (1st and second generation looked very similar).

I'd add the Mustang II.  Sure, it sold pretty well, and didn't lead to the demise of the model, but it was arguably the worst of the breed.

2nd gen wasn't much more than a minor update, but okay... 3rd gen.

[MX793]

I'd also add the '72 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 (subsequently evolved into the 400 and 412 over an 18 year production span).  Possibly the ugliest grand tourer Ferrari ever built and a huge step down from the 365 GTC/4 that preceded it.  Thankfully, it was never sold in America.

365 GTC


365 GT4

[Payman]

Ford Thunderbird. Lol, pick any gen after 1957. The notable exception was the revolutionary 1983 model.

[Payman]

Chrysler was/is notoriously bad for this...

[MX793]

Chrysler was/is notoriously bad for this...

Well, it's not like the previous Sebring was anything to write home about, though it looked better than that.

Another that comes to mind is the Mitsubishi Eclipse.  The first 2 generations were very popular, then they came out with the 3rd generation in 2000 that pretty well alienated the fan base (no turbo, no AWD, uglier).  Then they followed that with the even less liked 4th and final generation.

[Laconian]

xB.

[ifcar]

Well, it's not like the previous Sebring was anything to write home about, though it looked better than that.

Another that comes to mind is the Mitsubishi Eclipse.  The first 2 generations were very popular, then they came out with the 3rd generation in 2000 that pretty well alienated the fan base (no turbo, no AWD, uglier).  Then they followed that with the even less liked 4th and final generation.

The final Galant also helped the destruction of Mitsubishi's status in the U.S.

[Payman]

xB.

Hoo boy yeah. Did a lot of damage to Scion.

[2o6]

previous gen Mazda 6

[Payman]

previous gen Mazda 6

That could be another thread, "best cars that nobody buys".

[Laconian]

Hoo boy yeah. Did a lot of damage to Scion.

They didn't understand what made the OG xB successful *at all*.

[2o6]

That could be another thread, "best cars that nobody buys".

Eh, that car went from being tight and fun to fat and soft

[Cookie Monster]

Maybe too early to say, but NSX?

[2o6]

2012 Civic

[MX793]

4th generation ('09-'12) Acura TL.  It's best sales year was 30% lower than the previous '04-'08 model's worst and less than half the previous model's best 3 years.

[ifcar]

4th generation ('09-'12) Acura TL.  It's best sales year was 30% lower than the previous '04-'08 model's worst and less than half the previous model's best 3 years.

Good one, and the TSX from that era too.

[2o6]

2001 Eclipse.

[Laconian]

2001 Eclipse.

Oh yeah, bigtime. The 2G DSM turbo coupes had built up a lot of momentum at that point.

[MX793]

2001 Eclipse.

Already got it above.

[Payman]

Saturn Ion.

[SVT666]

to this:

[SVT666]

Add to that...Audi's entire current lineup vs their last generation of cars.

[ifcar]

There have been a lot of great examples in this thread. The 2009 Acura TL was already mentioned, but I'll add the 1996 RL also -- the decidedly un-legendary Legend replacement.

[565]

Q50.  From top contender to also ran.  Also the case with M45 and M56. 

[GoCougs]

Lexus LS. The LS400 put Lexus on the map, and the LS430 was pretty good too. However, the LS460 was a turd from the get-go, and then left to languishing for 10 years.

[Payman]

Lexus LS. The LS400 put Lexus on the map, and the LS430 was pretty good too. However, the LS460 was a turd from the get-go, and then left to languishing for 10 years.

Oh yes, and WTF were they thinking with the SC?