Oppo-pinions on automotive design

"and 100 more" (nth256) 02/05/2016 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

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Controversial? Perhaps. Feel free to chime in.

1.) I have always enjoyed the looks of the Scion xD.

It seems to get a lot of hate, but I don’t see why. I’ve never driven one, tho.

One thing Scion should’ve put more emphasis on is aftermarket performance. They played with it somewhat, and there was at least a TRD supercharger kit available for the tC (maybe for the 2nd-gen xB as well?), but Toyota should really have pushed more performance brands to develop for the other Scion platforms, IMO.

2.) When it first came out, I hated the look of the 7th-gen Maxima.

Especially the headlights; HATED the boomerang-look. However, a neighbor of mine bought one recently, and having had the opportunity to walk around it, i must admit that it looks far better in person. I’m not sure how they still classify it as a midsize, considering how big it is. But all that mass lends it a visceral heft that is completely lost in photos. It’s quite understated, and that subtle coke-bottle shape looks taut and lean when you’re right there next to it.

The current-gen Altima can suck a dick, tho. U-G-L-Y, even tho they drive nice.

3.) I have strongly considered getting a last-gen Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Ho hum, another compact crossover... ??

RWD, available AWD w/ locking center diff, and a 3000# towing capacity. And you could get it w/ a manual. And a spare tire mounted on the back gate.

SUCK IT, JEEP! THIS WHAT YOU SHOULD’VE BEEN MAKING INSTEAD OF PATRIOTS, COMPASSES, CHEROKEES, AND RENEGADES.

not for canada - australian in disguise > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 14:31

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Somewhat related.

1. I quite like the Scion xA

2. The sixth generation Nissan Maxima is one of the best cars Nissan ever made.

3. The Infiniti Q50 is a masterpiece of design and looks better than any of it’s mainstream competitors. (As in the 3-series, C-class, IS, etc. Not the XE though, as I don’t really consider Jag to be mainstream)

Sneaky Pete > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 14:37

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I’ve also always liked the xD.

I’ve always hated the 7th Gen Maxima. Such a bloated, soulless car (with horrible headlights).

CALUSA > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/05/2016 at 14:37

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You’re so right about the Infiniti, such a shame people don’t buy that instead of a BMW/ Merc etc.

RallyWrench > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 14:44

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I think these are all fine-looking vehicles. The Maxima’s lights are a little weird, but overall I like them. The Xd I think looks like a little street Rallycross car. That Vitara looks like a proper little SUV, and if I’m not mistaken is actually a pretty good little offroader.

LongbowMkII > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/05/2016 at 14:46

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Saw an xA in a Tokyo Xtreme racer game all riced out and thought it was great. JDM does weird things to me.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 14:47

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I’ve always loved the Toyota Echo, although I’m somewhat biased.

Wacko > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 02/05/2016 at 15:04

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I hate those fuckers with a passion.

First time I drove one was for 4 hours, and boy are those seats uncomfortable.

My ex had a 2003 4 door manual. I hated that car every second of the 5 years we where together.

Hate the center speedo, hate the looks, and I wasn’t any better on gas than a Corolla.

I think my back still hurts from that car, even after more than 5 years of not having it/her in my life.

That and Basically only say really fat people with these, you know like almost as big as the car.... Guess the money they saved on gas went in their bellies.

end /rant.

I may or may not have exaggerated a bit in this rant.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Wacko 02/05/2016 at 15:17

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We loved ours. All five of us could take 3 hour trips, and still be fairly comfortable afterwards. Sure, it looks a bit dorky and the center speedo and lack of tach is weird, but we always got great mileage, and it was quite peppy. Maybe the one you drove was a bad example.

jjhats > not for canada - australian in disguise 02/05/2016 at 15:25

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why are the Nissan fog lights facing away from the road

Gabe Grider > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 15:48

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I got a great deal on a used 2008 xD a little over a year ago. Manual, factory aluminum wheels, hatch spoiler, basically like the one in your post. Both my wife and I love it. It’s geared perfectly, the seats fold nearly flat in the back, cheap to insure, it does everything I need it to do and it was cheaper and has more standard features than a comparable Corolla. I replaced the shocks/struts with Tokicos and I want to pick up a TRD short throw shifter before they are discontinued.

My stepson bought a brand new 2015 Honda Fit with a manual around the same time and after driving both, I would rather have the Scion. The features and interior on the xD are obviously dated in comparison to the Fit but the xD is a better driving experience in my opinion. My only gripes about the xD is the capacity of the fuel tank and gauge layout (lack of gauges mostly, basically all you get is a speedo and tach, everything else is a warning light).

I wish Toyota would have added a turbo option for it, it could have been a really fun car if they did and a competitor for the Fiesta ST. Adding AWD to it would have been great too.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 15:57

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When done right the xD is a neat looking car. The stock slapcaps were awful and made it look like a pleated-trouser machine.

I haven’t liked a Maxima since the 5th generation. The 6th was too big and tried to hard at being different (it also had the turning radius of a tractor trailer which is a major pet-peeve of mine) And the 7th was mostly a hot mess. It and the Acura TL made strange styling decisions in 2008.

Loping Camshaft > and 100 more 02/05/2016 at 16:28

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For these reasons you mentioned, the Grand Vitara is good car. And because it’s so unappreciated, it’s cheap. It’s a good choice for a budge expedition vehicle too. Definitely a better choice than the lame Jeep cross-overs.