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Hands down the worst auto design changes....

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Old Nov 7, 2007 | 06:45 PM
  #21  
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The FJ cruiser doesn't have a removable roof because all of the electronics are stored up top, allowing for it submerse deeper.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 09:58 AM
  #22  
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I agree 100% with the MR2, they just made redesign a chickmobile. More femme than a Miata.. -_-

I also agree with the Taurus, redesign just killed all hope for that model line.

Lexus SC is another I would add to the list. Looked great for the 92-00 models, like with the MR2, Toyota turned it into a ladies car, an old lady at that.

98+ Honda Accord, where they were fairly lightweight and decent handling in previous gens, the 98 to current models are pigs that handle as well as a Crown Vic.

All current BMW's with exception to the E92 coupe and the Z4 M coupe.

Nissan Maxima, was a nice sports sedan, now just a boring tank.


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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 10:08 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by DouglaS2000,Nov 8 2007, 12:58 PM
98+ Honda Accord, where they were fairly lightweight and decent handling in previous gens, the 98 to current models are pigs that handle as well as a Crown Vic.
My 1998 Accord 5MT weighed 28xx lbs (a bit more than the S2000). I wouldn't exactly call that a pig. It also handled better than the previous generation...

You obviously haven't driven a Crown Vic (or 6th, 7th, or 8th gen Accord) lately.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 10:55 AM
  #24  
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Actually I have, and my argument stands. The 98+ handles worse than the 90 Accord I had. And yes, I've had rental Accords and Crown Vics and I can't say that the Accord handles much better. Perhaps you, are the one who hasn't driven any of those cars.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 11:05 AM
  #25  
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And according to the spec sheet here from IIHS for a 4 cylinder automatic Accord sedan LX, it weighs 3,047 lb's. That's quite a bit heavier than the S2000.

To clarify, I've driven the 01 Accord Coupe EX 4 cylinder and V6 models and they both handle like pigs. The rental Accords I've driven have been the 98 and the 05 LX sedan models. So I think that I've enough experience with them to make the observations.

As for the 08 Accord, I've only briefly driven it and it does handle better, but still not as nimble as the 90-92 Accords I've driven.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 12:20 PM
  #26  
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[QUOTE=DouglaS2000,Nov 8 2007, 02:05 PM]And according to the spec sheet here from IIHS for a 4 cylinder automatic Accord sedan LX, it weighs 3,047 lb's.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 01:01 PM
  #27  
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I cant believe no one mentioned Imprezas yet.
The first generation was a beautiful classic and the 2nd gen was a total failure, speaking from a design point of view. The rest werent much better either
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 03:16 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by JonBoy,Nov 8 2007, 09:20 PM
If you look up a 5-spd manual 1998 Accord DX, you'll find it says 2888 lbs on the door. That's what I had for years.

Perhaps you're just used to the S2000 or something (because comparatively, the Accord does handle like a pig) but otherwise, it's perfectly acceptable (even top notch) for the class.

The 1992 Accord was basically comparable to a Civic today. It was a great car but it was smaller, slower, and much less roomy compared to a modern day Accord. There's no way to really say they're remotely the same car.

Compare the 1992 Accord to the 2007 Civic and you'll see the Civic is worlds better in every regard, despite being roughly the same size. Quicker, more fuel efficient, roomier, and better handling.

My Mom had a 1992 Accord and it was a great car, for sure. It's just not the car a new Civic is. I have personally owned two Accords (1998, 1999) with a combined 320K+ miles on them and my mother has owned another two (1992 and 1998 with a combined 150K miles on them) and my Dad had a 1996 with nearly 300K on it. So, I have very little experience with any of the Accords of the past 15 years.

I had a Grand Marquis (same as the Crown Vic) for nearly a month of driving back in 2003. When I got back into my Accord, I thought the power steering had broken because it was so much tighter. That's not a joke - I nearly turned the car around and brought it back to the body shop to be fixed. They aren't even remotely comparable in terms of handling, steering, cornering grip, or performance. The only thing those cars are good for is hauling bodies and highway cruising.
Haha, but most of the Accord sales were with the Autotragic LX models which is what I was basing the weight on. And yes, the handling on the Accord FELT better than the Crown Vic for sure but for actual performance, it didn't seem to be much quicker around the corners. The steering on the Accord is much tighter than mostly any sedan in it's class but I noticed a ton of bodyroll as compared to the Civic or the 90-93 Accords. Which is why I compared it to the Crown Vic. Then again, if we look at the TSX, which is an Accord in the originating country, then I take it back. That car is for sure an improvement over any of the previous generation Accords.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 03:19 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Norby,Nov 8 2007, 10:01 PM
I cant believe no one mentioned Imprezas yet.
The first generation was a beautiful classic and the 2nd gen was a total failure, speaking from a design point of view. The rest werent much better either
That's a good one. The GC8 was ahead of it's time back when it was being sold new. Though I did like the 1st facelift of the 2nd gen Impreza which got rid of the Neonesque headlights as well.
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Old Nov 8, 2007 | 04:15 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Slamnasty,Nov 7 2007, 08:26 PM
Umm, this is a thread about existing cars that were updated, not ones that were lemons from day 1. Only the Scion xB and 74-77 Camaro fit the post's intent.
Why thank you Mr.Helper
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