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Journal:
What Unloved Car Do You Secretly Want?
My friends don’t get it—they think I’m kidding, and when they realize I’m serious, they laugh. What do they know? I want a first-generation Fiat Panda. Yes, the boxy little thing from the ‘80s. I hear the 4X4 version is quite indestructible, too. I want that, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. It’s just too bad we can’t import them to the US.
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Now we’d love to hear from you. What unloved car do you secretly want?
Photo Sources: Production Cars and Wikipedia
Panda – wow. I once had a girlfriend that had a white one with open top. It was some football (soccer) related limited edition.
I own a Lotus Elite 75, probably one of the most unloved cars ever – but I love it 🙂
From later cars, I would love to own a Nissan Cube. I really would buy one if only it had a decent engine instead of the Nissan Micra underpinning.
From older cars, I’d love to have a Maserati Biturbo, a Morris Marina or an Alfa Arna .
Ah, that’s interesting one. I must admit there are a few.I first contemplated this question when I saw the running gag of Top Gear’s antics with the Morris Marina which would always somehow end up with a grand piano on its roof (and destroyed in the proces). I remmeber thinking that I never partuculatly hated the Morris Marina and even its smaller sibling from the same stable, the Austin Allegro had its (design)merits in my eyes. However, having never driven them myself I can’t speak for their driving characteristics.
But on to the question: I’m afraid that I always had a thing for the spectacularly unsuccessful Talbot Tagora. If that doesn’t ring a bell, here it is:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/576/22367683496_23387949ce.jpg
and the back:
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In my wildly imaginative dream it looks like a Maserati Quattroporte (series 3) especially from the back and I thought that just by rplacing the oddly small wheels with some bigger diameter (and wider) Wolfrace rims to fill out the arches I would have my bargain “Quattroporte”.
Never had the guts yet to do it though…
Would have to be a Dodge Neon DOHC Coupe from 1997. Had one. Would have another any day.
As far as the Panda goes, back in Italy, my mom had 2. the “30” (650 cc) and later on, the 750 Fire (750 cc). They were great for what they were designed, but horrible for anything else, LOL… Don’t you dare push it on the highway or try to drive it around mountain bands at high speeds… Don’t ask me how I know… But I can indeed vouch for the 4×4. Indestructible, but also, it can go anywhere no matter what you place in between it and the destination. Snow, ice, mud, you name it.
I had a 98 Neon DOHC. Got it vaguely intending to do some SCCA races, but never got around to it. Probably a good thing though, what a POS that car was. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun little car especially considering the initial cost, it just leaked like a sieve.
I gave it up after only six years when the head gasket needed replacing for the THIRD time and radiator and power steering were both leaking, after just having replaced the brake cylinder because of leaks. All seal or gasket failures, not due to rust or physical damage or anything. Dodge had a serious problem keeping fluids where they’re supposed to be!
Sounds like you had a pretty bad experience. I had the following problems: the air eventually broke and I didn’t bother replacing it, since I used it probably 10 days a year; the head gasket was done under warranty and never had a problem again; IIRC, the head gasket was replaced with a “multilayer gasket” and that was a problem solver I can attest to that because my wife too had the same model Neon (4 dr) and the same “intervention” was performed and we never had that problem again on that car either. I also had a crank position sensor crapping on me. The last problem was that the dealer installed block heater broke and leaked coolant out. This wasn’t a problem with the car, but rather with the installation. So I had 3 issues, 2 of which came up out of warranty (crank ps and air). I never felt its reliability was bad. But maybe it’s because I have owned an Audi A4 1.8t Quattro and have had to do so many repairs to that car that in comparison, the Neon was Japanese level reliability…
Ford Taunus TC (mk1…1970-76)
it was our family car for 20+ years (since before i was born)…
AND I JUST LOVE IT!
we had the sedan version…
but i’d also like the 2door one! (not the coupe)
too bad my dad gave it away..for nothing…
sooner or later, one of these beauties will be back in our family again!
😉
Secretly? I owned 2 Fiat Panda’s 😀
The last one almost as a classic. I bought it with the excuse for my doughters that just got their driving license but ended up driving it with a big grinnnn 🙂
I added some stylish striping and with the factory widerish wheels it looked great. And don’t forget the hood scoop. Guigaro would have liked it!
Very nice car and practical, 1000 cc engine, fuel injection and a 5 speed! Still love them, thank you Fiat!
[IMG]http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q737/moltimedia/FiatPanda1000CLX1_zps9bdbe6b0.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q737/moltimedia/FiatPanda1000CLX_zps30b179fa.jpg[/IMG]
UMM ALTER Turbo (União Metalo-Mecânica)
If you your do things on a budget(like me) and want a tough all-rounder but can’t afford a Defender. Go for this Portugese 4×4.
Sold for years to the French army, (prototype initially design by a French company then sold to Portugese)it has a Peugeot engine, it’s known to be tough, fun and its cheap to run.
The looks? Well…..very questionable. Lets put it that way, I hate it as much as I love it! Depending if I am in a good mood that day.
I think it is a good base to built something unique. With the right colour and a few modifications, it can really look good! (………….I think?!?!?!)
Paris-Dakar here I come!
Within my group of car friends, the 94-96 Chevrolet Impala SS is an unloved car. I just wish the glut of them for sale on Craigslist weren’t overpriced by original owners or “donked” beyond salvation.
My European pick would be the Fiat 124 Spider. I kick myself for letting my parents sell off their example that I learned to drive stick on.
Well Since 1998 when I first saw one on a Suzuki forecourt I really wanted a Wagon R+. I first thought it was delivery van or an oven!! 15 years later and I am the proud owner of a 2005 model. It makes no sense to you guys, but its the best car for driving round Copenhagen where I live and people always let me out of side roads or parking spaces because they think I am a sweet old pensioner. With amazing luggage capacity, everything from 2 seater sofas to bikes to a complete flea market stall can be packed into it. Performance is … errr…. well sluggish, but comfortable. its only a bit larger than a new Fiat 500 but seats 4 tall adults in comfort and it gets into tiny parking places and narrow streets. My dad had a Renault 4, Austin Allegro and Morris Marina – so yes, your individual car taste is an inherited disease 😉
