Famous car brands that haven't built a single car worth owning. 

by "marshknute" (marshknute)
Published 04/04/2017 at 23:01

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STARS: 4

For me it’s Mercedes. There isn’t a single car in their 134-year history that I’d want to own.

Part of it is their complete aversion to fun: ALL their current cars are boring business suits painted in boring grayscale colors with boring automatic transmissions.

But even their old cars do nothing for me. The SLS is too brash and ugly, the SLR looks like it has a case of the Downs and drives like shit (yes, I’ve driven one), the SLK never had a manual paired to a fun engine. the CLK GTR is eye-bleach hideous, and the 300SL just looks old and lumpy.

The only Mercedes I’ve had a passing interest in is the new Maybach G650 Landaulet. I’m not really into off roaders, but I can appreciate the no-fucks-given attitude of a turquoise convertible luxury tank that can walk on water like Jesus.

Replies (64)

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/04/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 15

I can’t get past them being responsible for the 25-year law.

"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/04/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 1

I strongly dislike Hyundais.

"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
04/04/2017 at 23:10, STARS: 0

Kia. They were close to lose that title with the Stinger GT, until I saw it in person at the Auto Show, and saw the front sensors. It looked so cheaply done and right in front of you as a constant reminder that why this sells for a fraction of the price of a BMW it’s trying to compete with.

"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
04/04/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 1

I honestly can’t say that for any make. There are at least a few from every major manufacturer that I like. Although there are notably less from Toyota and Honda.

"Shift24" (the-nope)
04/04/2017 at 23:12, STARS: 12

He said famous brands

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
04/04/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 2

Probably not “A single car worth owning” as such but I have never had lust for any Honda product.

"FromCanadaWithLove" (fromcanadawithlove)
04/04/2017 at 23:15, STARS: 0

230SL?

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
04/04/2017 at 23:15, STARS: 2

You’ve made the Mercedes Evo very, very angry. Just back away slowly.... Everything will be fine... Deep breaths

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
04/04/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 6

“and the 300SL just looks old and lumpy”

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/04/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 0

There are a few I would give a spot in my house.

a 461 gwagon

a S123 TD

a w198 300 SL

a w123 sl230

"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada)
04/04/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 1

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
04/04/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 1

Pocket sand!

"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
04/04/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 7

Strongly disagree on Mercedes. But it’s exactly how I feel about....

"BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo" (bluemazda2)
04/04/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 1

THIS

This is literally why I don’t like Mercedes anymore. If I HAD to, I’d choose a 1972 300SEL 6.3 with the factory A/C option in green.

"itschrome" (itschrome)
04/04/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 3

There have been some nice ford’s tho..

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
04/04/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 5

Fuck you, buddy...

"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius)
04/04/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 3

For me it’s Nissan/Infiniti.

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/04/2017 at 23:23, STARS: 2

Alfa Romeo and Lancia. There. I said it.

"marshknute" (marshknute)
04/04/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0

Alfa got so close, but ruined their chances by making the 4C Auto only.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
04/04/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 1

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

this thing made 350hp in 1934. its an air raid siren powered by angry bees.

New? i wouldn’t spend any money. Old yes yes i would.

"Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch" (bman76)
04/04/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 3

You’re wrong

or

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/04/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 1

I get what you mean but I still have an irrational desire for an E63 wagon. And I do love some of their old cars - SSK, 300sl, 190sl, Adenauer, Pagoda, and the 600.

For me it’s Lincoln and Acura. Nothing interests me, not even the NSX.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/04/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 1

Excellent point.

"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/04/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1

But Skyline!

"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/04/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 0

I agree so much I forgot about the brand.

"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/04/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 9

Anything I can rent 75 times a year by accident is plenty famous enough to hate.

"Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch" (bman76)
04/04/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 0

Incorrect

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/04/2017 at 23:36, STARS: 0

I could care less about transmission options, honestly. Doesn’t change my thoughts on a car.

"Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch" (bman76)
04/04/2017 at 23:41, STARS: 1

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/04/2017 at 23:43, STARS: 4

...wut

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/04/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 0

Alfa may have had some very pretty cars, but I can’t justify owning one on looks alone.

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/04/2017 at 23:45, STARS: 1

Suicide door Continental?

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/04/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 1

Ok, you got me there. My cousin had a convertible years ago, too.

I also have an odd attraction to the oddball 58-60 Lincolns for some reason.

I’m firm on Acura though.

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/04/2017 at 23:48, STARS: 0

Don’t get me wrong, both companies have made cars I like. Doesn’t mean I would own one though.

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/04/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 1

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
04/04/2017 at 23:56, STARS: 1

Dude you know you’d buy a mint Cimarron if one magically popped up on CL.

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
04/04/2017 at 23:59, STARS: 2

YOU TAKE THAT BACK

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/05/2017 at 00:00, STARS: 7

Had I the means, I would immediately part John Campion with his collection

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/05/2017 at 00:03, STARS: 1

Mint cinnamon doesn’t sound very tasty.

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/05/2017 at 00:04, STARS: 1

Race cars being an exception to the rule, I certainly wouldn’t kick a Group 5 Montecarlo Turbo out of bed.

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
04/05/2017 at 00:06, STARS: 0

If race cars are the exception, where do homolgation specials fall?

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/05/2017 at 00:09, STARS: 0

Same way they do in motorsport, with a mental breakdown. No, that’s a tricky one because I tend to love homologation specials.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/05/2017 at 00:11, STARS: 1

Observation: the Hyundai Accent is made for people with no torsos. In my 2016 rental, I was staring at the top of the roof instead of through the windshield.

"InFierority Complex" (lanciere)
04/05/2017 at 01:13, STARS: 1

I’m glad you picked the Montecarlo Turbo. It gets overshadowed by the 037 and the Delta Integrale, but it was pushing nearly 500hp from a tiny 1,400cc engine with a massive turbo.

"Viggen" (viggen37)
04/05/2017 at 01:23, STARS: 0

I hold a special place in my heart for the fourth generation Group 5 cars.

"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
04/05/2017 at 02:00, STARS: 0

If you don’t like the 300SL that’s your failing not theirs

pls post cars you like so we can poke holes in them

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
04/05/2017 at 02:11, STARS: 0

Honda. Yes I went there.

And I actually like japanese cars, but realistically just datsuns.

You don’t like the 190 Evo?

I am going to have to disagree on the Clk gtr. But by and large you are right.

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
04/05/2017 at 02:15, STARS: 0

Just one Cadillac I would have. But that breaks the rules. Eh, I would rock a CTSV too.

"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
04/05/2017 at 02:25, STARS: 1

"Berang" (berang)
04/05/2017 at 02:59, STARS: 0

Ferrari.

The thing is other Italian companies have always had more interesting vehicles, for every era.

"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/05/2017 at 03:23, STARS: 0

Most manufacturers have produced at least a few cars I like. Having said that, I struggle to find interesting cars from manufacturers like Hyundai, GM, Kia, Toyota, Nissan and Chrysler. I’m sure they’re there though.

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
04/05/2017 at 04:46, STARS: 1

Part of it is their complete aversion to fun: ALL their current cars are boring business suits painted in boring greyscale colors with boring automatic transmissions.

Nope, you can buy (or at least I can) manual Mercs.

Also, you write blasphemy.

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
04/05/2017 at 06:07, STARS: 0

but but Gullwing!

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
04/05/2017 at 07:28, STARS: 0

‘Old cars...[snip]...SLS’

There’s your problem ;) start at the 190e and work backwards if you want ‘older cars’. That’s where the good stuff starts (and I’m far from a Merc fan).

Also, I think there’s a distinction to be made between ‘worth owning’ and ‘worth saving up to buy’.

There are hundreds of cars I would happily own if they pop up for £300 on eBay, even if I’m not particularly interested in them (pretty much anything German bar the BMW Bavaria falls into this category for me).

However, there are only a select few that I would actually spend more than just throwaway money on.

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
04/05/2017 at 07:31, STARS: 0

Just out of curiosity, what do you feel that they lack?

"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
04/05/2017 at 08:53, STARS: 0

You’re proving my point. I’d rather have a C63 or W211 E63 before any of those. I might be swayed by an old tailfin Eldorado, but that would be my only temptation.

And it’s waaaayyyyyy down the list.

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
04/05/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 0

Didn’t know about this, why are the responsible?

"haveacarortwoorthree2" (haveacarortwoorthree2)
04/05/2017 at 09:50, STARS: 1

Is the NSX (old version and new version) a Honda or an Acura?

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/05/2017 at 09:57, STARS: 0

Depends on where you live! :)

It has always been an Acura here in the US, but I think it’s a Honda in most of the rest of the world.

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/05/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 0

Long story short, Mercedes USA was butthurt over people importing Euro-spec cars (lost $$$) so they lobbied Congress to get the law passed.

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
04/05/2017 at 11:18, STARS: 0

Damn, that sucks.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
05/02/2017 at 09:29, STARS: 0

ALL their current cars are boring business suits painted in boring grayscale colors

with boring automatic transmissions.

Well, you got me there. However, I doubt this car is boring to drive.

Owning one? That’s a whole other can of worms.

"marshknute" (marshknute)
05/02/2017 at 09:32, STARS: 0

Yeah, their sport models are the only ones blessed with a bright color.

Otherwise, you’re stuck with the German rainbow.

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
05/02/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 0

Wow, that’s a depressing color set. I mean, many of those look great in person. I think their cars are very nice to look at, and I’d take an AMG wagon in a heartbeat. In fact, a guy near me has a cranberry red one, it’s beautiful. But anyway....