OppoPoll: Most Improved in One Generation?

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 05/18/2015 at 21:45 • Filed to: None

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The question is pretty self-explanatory, which model has improved the most in a single generation?

My vote goes to the Impala. From W-Body-based sedan that makes a toaster’s design look inspiring...

...to something that I’d more or less describe as a full-on luxury sedan with a bowtie on the front.

Note: If a model’s name changed, but is a successor to a certain car that counts. For example Caliber to Dart, Cobalt to Cruze, etc..

MLGCarGuy > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:49

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Kia Optima. From this:

To this:

not for canada - australian in disguise > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:50

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Magentis - Optima

\

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MLGCarGuy 05/18/2015 at 21:51

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I have a feeling a lot of Hyundais and Kias are going to be listed.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:51

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Brokeasses.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:52

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Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680 05/18/2015 at 21:52

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There’s no excuse for that. PRND stickers can’t be that expensive.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:53

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Something something column shifter and laziness don’t mix well.

Dslay04 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:53

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CTS. Gen 1 through Gen 3

MLGCarGuy > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:53

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I see someone has posted the same car choice. Mind if I post a non-Korean one instead?

jkm7680 > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/18/2015 at 21:54

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Was going to post that, haha.

Jcarr > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:56

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Dodge Durango.

From this sack of crap in 2009:

To this sexy beast in 2010:

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:56

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I’m going to say...Mazda 626 to Mazda6. Way back in 2003.

2002 Mazda 626:

2003 Mazda6:

Side note: A friend of mine has a 2004 Mazda6 (2.3 5-speed) with 330,000 miles. She bought it new. All original, including the engine and transmission. Only repairs have been the clutch and the steering rack (didn’t fail, just started to feel kind of sloppy).

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:56

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New Beetle:

Beetle:

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MLGCarGuy 05/18/2015 at 21:57

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Go for it!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jcarr 05/18/2015 at 21:58

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Your comment on jkm’s post about how much the Durano improved actually sparked the idea for this post.

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:58

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My best friend has an ‘08 Impala LTZ. It may be boring or cheap or whatever but he loves it. That 3900 is a smooth engine for sure.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 21:58

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Honestly, I think this gen is fugly. They should’ve just canceled it and given us the Caprice (which for now is fleet-only, and GM even gets ANGRY when a dealer DARES sell one to a retail customer)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mazda616 05/18/2015 at 21:59

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Holy hell that’s a lot of miles.

AM > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:00

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Jeep Grand Cherokee. From this:

To this:

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mazda616 05/18/2015 at 22:01

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From my understanding, they’re great highway cruisers. And when they finally put the 3.6 in them they could properly haul ass. They’re just so blandly designed.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > jkm7680 05/18/2015 at 22:02

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It really was a huge jump. Chevy went from giving no fucks, to giving all the fucks.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:02

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Two examples

Toyota Camry 2nd-gen —> 3rd gen. Went from merely being a really really good car to the best car ever made. This goes double for the ES250—>ES300

There’s also the Mk3 —>Mk4 Supra

The next example is the Maxima 3rd gen —> 4th gen

Another really good transformation is the Dodge Challenger. The original was too little too late coming at just the wrong time, to a well-made car with reasonable performance and economy. The 78-83 is the best generation Dodge Challenger

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:03

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Yep. And it rides and drives like one with 50,000.

Sorry, didn't mean to derail the topic haha

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > dogisbadob 05/18/2015 at 22:03

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Cancel what is probably the single best vehicle in GM’s lineup this side of the Corvette for a car that would cost way more because it would have to be imported and doesn’t look nearly as good. Are you nuts?

MLGCarGuy > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:03

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From this:

To this:

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > AM 05/18/2015 at 22:03

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The interior in the old one is so bad.

AM > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:06

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God I know. In one year it went from plastic-fantastic to having literally everything wrapped in leather.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MLGCarGuy 05/18/2015 at 22:06

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I was just in a first-gen 4-door today. Other than the Hemi and the looks, I see no reason to ever buy one. The interior is a joke and was totally falling apart in this one which had relatively low miles.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:11

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Retail sales make more money (or at least lose less money) than fleet sales. Besides, the more they sell, the less they cost overall.

Also, unmarked cars are less effective when no retail version is available.

Dean Beyer > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:11

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Answer: Every “New GM” car that replaced an “Old GM” car.

Dean Beyer > dogisbadob 05/18/2015 at 22:12

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I, on the other hand, LOVE this car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dean Beyer 05/18/2015 at 22:12

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Basically.

MLGCarGuy > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:13

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You have to be obsessed with the LX platform to get one. A kid at my school has a dad with a Challenger with the same interior as the old Charger and I’m not sure how they live. Also it’s the equivalent of rice. (I think this is his car)

It’s silver with black wrap down the side and red lip wheels.

Alex from Toronto > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:16

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Kia Sedona

From this

To this.

Went from being one of the worst minivans on the market to one of the best minivans on the market.

Jedidiah > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:16

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Needs to be replaced by the rwd Caprice, with the SS becoming the new Impala.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jedidiah 05/18/2015 at 22:18

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Given both the SS and Caprice are dying soon, I don’t see that happening. It’s a great car anyway, it doesn’t need to be replaced by anything.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:18

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Geez, you kids today. Ya don’t remember how bad the early 90’s actually were, do you? Here, how about the 1993 Chrysler New Yorker. See how Lee Iaccoca’s K-Car was pulled & stretched?

Then, along came the 1994 model year, and, by God, it looked F-ing awesome. Elegant and and modern. That was a change worth having, right there boys and girls.

I still like the looks of this car, especially the LHS version.

Jedidiah > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:19

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But the rwd man, the rwd

I think it looks fantastic, just needs a drivetrain swap

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > dogisbadob 05/18/2015 at 22:20

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Please tell me you’re trolling with that Challenger part. Please.

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:21

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Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > not for canada - australian in disguise 05/18/2015 at 22:21

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But I like the top one better...

TheHondaBro > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:21

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The Dodge Avenger.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > MLGCarGuy 05/18/2015 at 22:22

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Thou shalt not mention the L body Charger

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > dogisbadob 05/18/2015 at 22:22

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WHY ARE YOU GREY!?! WHAT HAPPENED?

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:23

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We call that a sleeper.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 05/18/2015 at 22:25

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Are you on drugs?

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > not for canada - australian in disguise 05/18/2015 at 22:26

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Negative.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 05/18/2015 at 22:28

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Are you blind then?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:29

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Half of GM could go here, but like with JKM’s question, lemme give you a list.

The escalade, to represent all the GM stuff around 2012-2014

The Ford Focus, to represent all of fore between 2009-2013

The Sonata, representing all of Hyundai/Kia around 2010.

The 300, representing all of Chrysler/Dodge from basically the same era as all of the above.

The S60 wasn’t bad before, not even close. Still...Jesus. Hello sexy.

AM > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/18/2015 at 22:35

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The interior on the Sonic sedan with Dusk package is especially nice:

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AM 05/18/2015 at 22:38

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An excellent choice.

dogisbadob > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 05/18/2015 at 22:43

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Yeah wtf

AM > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/18/2015 at 22:45

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It really did get a massive overhaul. Such an improvement that since 2011, the Grand Cherokee has won 30 different awards.

BmacIL > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2015 at 22:49

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S197 to S550 Mustang (intro of S197 to intro S550)

To this:

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/18/2015 at 23:10

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And the successor is still shit, which just accentuates how unfathomably shitty the Aveo was.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MLGCarGuy 05/18/2015 at 23:20

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The funny thing is that by the standards of the day, the Charger had a pretty awesome interior relative to the competition. It was also a really old and essentially unchanged car until the new model was released.

I still believe they're one of the best fairly cheap long-distance highway driving cars. I used to aim for them when I rented cars regularly because they were so good for that duty.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > dogisbadob 05/18/2015 at 23:52

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Who’d you piss off? Do you still have authorship?

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > not for canada - australian in disguise 05/19/2015 at 01:01

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Also negative. I just happen to prefer the clean, rational design of the older Optima.

Dunnik > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/19/2015 at 01:28

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Oh, this one’s easy. The Chrysler 200.

Ugly and disproportionate, crappy interior, absolutely stupid of amount of torque steer (with the V6), terrible fit and finish...from that, to this:

Yes, it’s still the old Seabring chassis, but the torque steer has been massively reduced, the interior is nice (though I hate the “Dial-A-Gear” shifter), and the exterior is much better looking as well.

This improvement, however, doesn’t mean the Seabring will escape it’s traditional fate of being sold largely to fleets. After a “Let’s wait and see if they buy it” period, suddenly fleets are taking delivery of hundreds of the new 200.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 05/19/2015 at 06:53

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Disagree there. The Sonic is still one of the the best B segment options right now. Not sure if the Sonic pissed in your cereal, but it’s far far from ‘shit.’

Nobi > Dunnik 05/19/2015 at 08:06

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I think the new one is on a stretched Dart chassis

Alex B > AM 05/19/2015 at 08:09

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With the redesign it went from cheap piece of crap to what is practically a luxury SUV.any people who are shopping for X5s and MLs often cross shop the GC.

Alex B > Dunnik 05/19/2015 at 08:13

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Eh, the new one doesn’t do too much for me either. I hear mixed reviews.

AM > Alex B 05/19/2015 at 08:47

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Yup they get cross shopped all the time. I remember at an auto show I talked to one family that said they were either going to get a Q5 or the GC but couldn’t decide which they liked more.

Alex B > AM 05/19/2015 at 08:50

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I think I would pick the GC, you’re getting that much more car for the money. Plus, knowing the bad experience my neighbor has had with Audi recently, I’m a little spooked! ;)

Schaefft > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/19/2015 at 09:11

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Theres nothing wrong with the 2007 Lexus GS.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Schaefft 05/19/2015 at 09:15

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There’s nothing *really* wrong with it, but it does have a pretty poor looking interior and a lack of any style, personality, or identity. These are things you need to compete with the germans, and they are things the new car has plenty of. Old one was kind of a blob.

AM > Alex B 05/19/2015 at 09:30

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I would get the Jeep as well. Much better value. Besides, it's basically a ML class underneath anyway.

Alex B > AM 05/19/2015 at 09:43

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Exactly! I think I’m going to try and steer my parents towards a GC for our next large car. We had a 93 one, that lasted all the way up to 08+, we got rid of it in 08. Anyway, we've had positive experiences with Jeeps in the past. Although we've never owned an FCA Jeep...

dogisbadob > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 05/19/2015 at 10:21

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Yes, I still have authorship

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/19/2015 at 17:30

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Holy jesus dat interior

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/19/2015 at 20:19

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It's even better in person!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > dogisbadob 05/19/2015 at 21:20

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Still grey, this is weird

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 05/19/2015 at 22:11

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For some reason I didn’t realize the Sonic was a B-segment, it feels C to me. I’d say the Sonic is below average, except in top trim, but not as bad as I originally thought, since I was comparing it to C-segment cars. For example, the interior is creative and relatively modern looking, but it is built to mid-90s standards out of similar poor-fitting plastics. It’s far better than older GM products, I’d gladly give anyone that, but that’s about it. It’s still a huge step up from the Aveo, which is remarkable, but not enough of one to be more popular among my discerning neighbors that tend to strongly prefer the Fit, Fiesta, and Mazda2.

The Cruze is the biggest leap for GM...