Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules

Over-rated Cars

Options
24

Comments

  • Options
    #32
    no1beemerfan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,714 ✭✭✭no1beemerfan


    My father had a '04 E46 316i. Gutless. And fecking crap spec. But they sold in their bucketloads. Us Irish are easily pleased!

    Needless to say the father got rid after a year.


  • Options
    #33
    cadaliac
    Registered Users Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭cadaliac


    dharn wrote: »
    caddilac, bmw 3 series are all the same size, so an m3 would be small and cramped what a stupid comment

    Read the post.


  • Options
    #34
    bijapos
    Registered Users Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭bijapos


    b318isp wrote: »
    Really disappointing cars I've driven:

    - Nissan Almera
    - Ford Focus 1.4
    - Toyota Avensis (one of the worst modern cars I've driven)
    - Mazda 626 (models before the 6)
    - Audi A6
    - C Class Mercedes
    - Fiat Brava/o
    - Ford Escort, mk. IV
    - Toyota Corolla h/b
    - BMW 318i
    - Opel Omega (way too soft, but great car otherwise)
    - Opel Corsa
    - Volvo S40
    - VW Passat
    - Mk 3 & 4 VW Golf
    - Renault Megane
    - Peugeot 306
    - First gen Lexus IS200

    I'd be interested to know how you were disappointed with a lot of them. The were never designed with petrol heads in mind who wanted to trash a car around, they were designed to do a job for families, business execs and so on, and in most cases they do this commendably.

    My father has a Golf Plus, I take it easy when I'm driving it, its not supposed to be an R32 or a GTi. The job it was brought for, it does very well, its comfortable on bad country roads and its reliable.

    An Alfa is a different matter, its advertised as being sporty but I had an Alfa 164 Q4 years ago, I drove a 166 recently and the 164 was for driving miles better.


  • Options
    #35
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    LIGHTNING wrote: »
    +1 On the Twin Cam, if it was a FWD drive car it would have been forgotten about long ago. Just because it can go sideways into a ditch it has a near mythical status in some circles.

    I remember when they were worth feck all, in the late 90s a lad that used to come into the factors I worked in at the time swapped a grey over black Irish one that was in fair condition for a 1988 fwd Corolla GTi. Around that time seeing one for sale for a grand or so with a bit of NCT wasn't uncommon. A lad at work remarked one day how in a few years Impreza turboes would be like back wheel drive twincams. For the last few years the Impreza has been like that, except the AE82 price has skyrocketed, in fairness the ones left are generally in more or less collectors condition.


  • Options
    #36
    Mister Jingles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭Mister Jingles


    b318isp wrote: »
    Really disappointing cars I've driven:

    - Fiat Brava/o - Regarded as one of the best cars that Fiat made in the 90's/ early 00's. And as Tea 1000 puts it the 1.2 80bhp is a fine engine, even manages to be quicker then the Focus 1.4.

    - Renault Megane - Thought this thread was about over-rated cars, not pieces of **** that you can't stand and would never see getting recommend around here.

    My opinion would be the Octavia. The boot joke it just getting old and is not funny any more.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #37
    r3nu4l
    Registered Users Posts: 17,399 ✭✭✭✭r3nu4l


    Overrated

    BMW 1-series, ugly, ugly car with absolutely terrible rear leg room, A3 beats it by a mile.
    BMW 3-series - so bland looking, the Vauxhall insignia looks a lot better!
    BMW in general - dated interiors, particularly 3-series
    Golf GTI - 210 PS and only 1 second faster on the 0-60 than a 170 PS TDI AudiA3. Very, Very Disappointing.
    Ford Mondeo - Even more bland than the BMW 3-series :eek:


    I disagree with the OP about the AudiA3 but only because you have to have driven a quattro 170 version* to see that it's a lot better than the other A3s, the quattro really does make a difference to handling, particularly on corners.



    *Yes, I do own one, so may be biased :D


  • Options
    #38
    166man
    Registered Users Posts: 6,575 ✭✭✭166man


    Thatnastyboy wrote: »
    Vw Golf, Most VW's actually "theyre a great reliable make" - me hole.

    Alfa romeos: I just dont see it, they're ugly and piles of scrap, i reckon its a case of people taking everything that the Clarkson gobshyte says as gospel.

    Audi A3, A4.. Even the new ones havent a patch on new BMW's/Mercs in the looks department anyway.

    Korean cars.

    The part you have written about Alfa's is just so annoying to read, Have you ever owned one for longer than the usual weekend test drive? The 156 and 166 were way ahead of their time in 1998 and 2001 respectively. We have had the same 156 for 10 years now and nothing major has ever gone wrong unlike the turbo going in my uncles 520d costing €2500 to fix. It costs nothing in depreciation and is cheap as chips to run.

    As well as that we have a stunning looking car with a fabulous leather interior.
    We also just sold our 2004 166, put 85k on it in 6 years and no problems other than a few electrical problems. I do not understand how you can say they are ugly and piles of scrap...

    The BMW 1 and 3 Series are the biggest load of 'nothing' cars I have ever seen. The Audi's hammer the BMWs in the looks department, and with an Audi at least it can be driven for 12 months of the year and not parked up at the side of the road for 3 months because of its RWD...

    Also to which Alfa models are you referring to as being ugly?


  • Options
    #39
    Thatnastyboy
    Registered Users Posts: 1,254 ✭✭✭Thatnastyboy


    166man wrote: »
    The part you have written about Alfa's is just so annoying to read, Have you ever owned one for longer than the usual weekend test drive? The 156 and 166 were way ahead of their time in 1998 and 2001 respectively. We have had the same 156 for 10 years now and nothing major has ever gone wrong unlike the turbo going in my uncles 520d costing €2500 to fix. It costs nothing in depreciation and is cheap as chips to run.

    As well as that we have a stunning looking car with a fabulous leather interior.
    We also just sold our 2004 166, put 85k on it in 6 years and no problems other than a few electrical problems. I do not understand how you can say they are ugly and piles of scrap...

    The BMW 1 and 3 Series are the biggest load of 'nothing' cars I have ever seen. The Audi's hammer the BMWs in the looks department, and with an Audi at least it can be driven for 12 months of the year and not parked up at the side of the road for 3 months because of its RWD...

    Also to which Alfa models are you referring to as being ugly?


    Its a subjective opinion, I don't like them, I have no problem with anyone else liking them,

    in saying that, I adore the classic models i.e. the guilia and the spyder?, but i dont think we're talking about classic cars here.

    If other people, like you, didnt like them they wouldnt be for sale and so popular on the roads so obviously opinions differ. I will edit my post to say IMO, although i thought it was redundant.

    My opinion wont change of them, I will never own one properly in order to see, they are not my cup of tea, I have a closed mind on them.

    3 months is a bit exaggerated about a rwd being parked up but you have a point, proper winter preparation would avoid this, its down to the motorist, not the car imo, the audi might be parked up for a while in any season due to an injector or two failing though :P


  • Options
    #40
    Tea 1000
    Registered Users Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Tea 1000


    It's the suspension and general lack of (or no) feedback about Audi's that I don't like. Older ones were worse, where they were uncomfortable over low speed rough roads and just not composed in the corners either, which leaves you wondering why they're so uncomfortable on rough roads.
    None that I have driven have had any feedback or feel through the steering or chassis. I accept that the RS4 and R8 correct this in spades, but the run-of-the-mill stuff just doesn't.
    People confuse grip in corners with handling. They're different things. Sure an A3 quattro will grip, but it still doesn't like being unsettled mid-bend and doesn't give the sort of feedback to really let you know what's going on in the same way that many other cars do. An A3 quattro with a reasonable engine under the bonnet is a capable car no doubt, but it doesn't thrill. There's much more to a car than 0-60 times!
    Also they're not fantastically reliable!


  • Options
    #41
    Matt Simis
    Registered Users Posts: 8,718 ✭✭✭Matt Simis


    I dont agree on the Alfa bashing at all, especially as Alfa's are IMO massively underrated due to their reputation for poor reliability. I was and continue to be very impressed with the handling and general feel of our 156.

    My contribution is only:
    Porsche Boxster S - 3.2litre of whiny awful exhaust noise, underspec'ed torque, interior, woeful build quality on fit and finish, bad seats, no space any where for anything, bizarre design choices (coat hooks behind the seats that are jammed into the rear frame). Clutch was majorly unforgiving (due to gutless torque I imagine).

    Just doesnt feel that fast, very good handling but its not the quantum league in handling I was expecting. It feels light and nimble more than powerful and commandingly sporty. And as note, sounds terrible.

    While Im an Audi and BMW fan too, I accept most of their models are woeful piles of crap sold to morons.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #42
    dharn
    Registered Users Posts: 2,574 ✭✭✭dharn


    cadaliac wrote: »
    Read the post.

    most BMW 3 series petrols below 2.0 ltr. Sorry, I just don't like them. Small and cramped....bmw 3 series petrols above 2.0 ltr are the same size, so they are small and cramped also, that seems to be your only problem with the 3 series, so it makes no sense


  • Options
    #43
    r3nu4l
    Registered Users Posts: 17,399 ✭✭✭✭r3nu4l


    Tea 1000 wrote: »
    It's the suspension and general lack of (or no) feedback about Audi's that I don't like.
    Mine is a sport model, my arse agrees with your sentiment :D
    People confuse grip in corners with handling. They're different things. Sure an A3 quattro will grip, but it still doesn't like being unsettled mid-bend and doesn't give the sort of feedback to really let you know what's going on in the same way that many other cars do.
    That's something I think just needs getting used to, you won't pick that up in a weekend hire car (not that you'll get many quattros for hire). I'm used to it now and know when I'm pushing it too much.
    There's much more to a car than 0-60 times!
    Indeed but I find the Golf GTI very disappointing nonetheless, the 0-69 was just a point. Too many people view the GTI as some sort of monster hatch that rips tarmac off the road because it's so quick from the lights...it's not. It's a poor car. Sorry GTI fans :)
    Also they're not fantastically reliable!
    I've had a blown turbo in mine, so I agree.


  • Options
    #44
    Tea 1000
    Registered Users Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Tea 1000


    dharn wrote: »
    most BMW 3 series petrols below 2.0 ltr. Sorry, I just don't like them. Small and cramped....bmw 3 series petrols above 2.0 ltr are the same size, so they are small and cramped also, that seems to be your only problem with the 3 series, so it makes no sense
    It does if you think about it. If you buy a 1.6 or 1.8 3-series, you clearly aren't caring about owning a lovely nimble car with a great chassis and engine to match. Therefore it comes down to why did you buy it? Space inside? Nope!!!
    An M3 isn't bought as a practical item. A 325i is bought because it offers something over and above a Mondeo 2 litre petrol for example. Same with a 330i.


  • Options
    #45
    Brian?
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 20,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    r3nu4l wrote: »
    Indeed but I find the Golf GTI very disappointing nonetheless, the 0-69 was just a point. Too many people view the GTI as some sort of monster hatch that rips tarmac off the road because it's so quick from the lights...it's not. It's a poor car. Sorry GTI fans :)

    .

    Depends on which Golf GTi you're talking about. At worst they're all ok, hardly poor for the money.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Options
    #46
    Tea 1000
    Registered Users Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Tea 1000


    r3nu4l wrote: »
    Mine is a sport model, my arse agrees with your sentiment :D


    That's something I think just needs getting used to, you won't pick that up in a weekend hire car (not that you'll get many quattros for hire). I'm used to it now and know when I'm pushing it too much.


    Indeed but I find the Golf GTI very disappointing nonetheless, the 0-69 was just a point. Too many people view the GTI as some sort of monster hatch that rips tarmac off the road because it's so quick from the lights...it's not. It's a poor car. Sorry GTI fans :)


    I've had a blown turbo in mine, so I agree.
    That's kind of my point in a way. Take an A4 1.9 130bhp diesel for example versus a Mazda 6 141bhp diesel. More space in the Mazda for a start, more kit, and drive the Mazda and you'll know where the limit of grip is, you can hit a nasty bump mid-bend and it won't undo itself, you'll just get the feel for how it reacted and roll with it with minor intuitive corrections, and continue on. Very nimble and nice to push on through corners. It's also reasonable at soaking up crap roads (although not class leading).
    The A4 then commands a massive price premium, feck all space, feck all comfort on slow rough roads, and when not used to one the first time you'll know that grip is gone is the flashing VSC light on the dash and a faint feeling of something not quite right somewhere. Also hit a bump mid-bend and it will crash and bump over it and while it'll never let go or surprise you, it will just feel very uncomfortable and cumbersome in it's reaction to being unsettled.
    I agree with you, you can learn it and get used to it, but personally I could never love it for those reasons. It's like Audi continuously can't decide whether to go for handling or comfort when designing their cars, and ultimitaly fall squarely between both stools.
    I do like the interior of the newest A4 though.


  • Options
    #47
    bazzachazza
    Registered Users Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭bazzachazza


    1. VW Passat 1.9tdi (slow slow slow)
    2. Mondeo 1.8tdci (poor build quality, slow, basic)
    3. BMW 3 series 2.0d (2005) small boot and rear space, bland dash
    4. Peugeot's ALL (Flintstones cars)
    5. Opel Astra (shocking)
    6. Opel Insignia 2.0tdi 160 Dreadful display, dreadful steering, dreadful turbo lag
    7. Current A3 1.6TDI bland hard interior, not worth the extra money over a Golf
    8. Golfs in general shockingly poor interior, bland hard and overpriced. Underpowered in all but the most powerful engines.


  • Options
    #48
    cadaliac
    Registered Users Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭cadaliac


    dharn wrote: »
    most BMW 3 series petrols below 2.0 ltr. Sorry, I just don't like them. Small and cramped....bmw 3 series petrols above 2.0 ltr are the same size, so they are small and cramped also, that seems to be your only problem with the 3 series, so it makes no sense
    No, look, i would gladly sacrifice space for ability and drive ability. However the lesser 3 series are just crap to me.
    Yes they are all small and cramped but the M3 (of course) is a whole different box of frogs. The bigger engined 3 series BMW's are good to drive so I wouldn't underrate them either.


  • Options
    #49
    cadaliac
    Registered Users Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭cadaliac


    bazzachazza wrote: »
    1. VW Passat 1.9tdi (slow slow slow)
    2. Mondeo 1.8tdci (poor build quality, slow, basic)
    3. BMW 3 series 2.0d (2005) small boot and rear space, bland dash
    4. Peugeot's ALL (Flintstones cars)
    5. Opel Astra (shocking)
    6. Opel Insignia 2.0tdi 160 Dreadful display, dreadful steering, dreadful turbo lag
    7. Current A3 1.6TDI bland hard interior, not worth the extra money over a Golf
    8. Golfs in general shockingly poor interior, bland hard and overpriced. Underpowered in all but the most powerful engines.
    Are you referring to the current crop or.....?????


  • Options
    #50
    bazzachazza
    Registered Users Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭bazzachazza


    Who on earth tries to compare a 316 to an M3. Two completely different cars. The 316 couldn't be poorer but the M3 is a delight.


  • Options
    #51
    bazzachazza
    Registered Users Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭bazzachazza


    cadaliac wrote: »
    Are you referring to the current crop or.....?????

    Wife had a 207, put you off for life.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #52
    EPM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭EPM


    homer90 wrote: »
    1. Octavia.












    :o
    INEEDANID wrote: »
    Octavia - A cheap big reliable car. But a Sh1tbox to drive really!

    I think people see cheap reliable cars as great cars.
    Magic Beans wrote: »
    Boot too small?
    alias no.9 wrote: »
    More like it's a case of being a boot half empty or boot half full type of person.

    Or in the case of an engineer, the boot is twice as big as it needs to be.
    Mister Jingles wrote: »
    My opinion would be the Octavia. The boot joke it just getting old and is not funny any more.

    //Awaits Vectra's retort :pac:


  • Options
    #53
    cadaliac
    Registered Users Posts: 2,903 ✭✭✭cadaliac


    bazzachazza wrote: »
    Wife had a 207, put you off for life.
    Yeah the new '07's (i.e., 207, 307, 407 etc) wouldn't inspire me either.
    I had some great old ones though (405 and 406).


  • Options
    #54
    spiggotpaddy
    Registered Users Posts: 872 ✭✭✭spiggotpaddy


    its prolly unfair to say the octavia is over rated, the octy is'nt a premium brand and does'nt pretend to be, unlike some of the vag cars.


  • Options
    #55
    yupyup7up
    Closed Accounts Posts: 845 ✭✭✭yupyup7up


    YouTookMyName wrote: »
    It's great til you sit in something properly comfortable and going back to the focus feels like sitting in a babys high chair.

    Maybe if we all drove 5 series then maybe so, but for the money its excellent.


  • Options
    #56
    sean1141
    Registered Users Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    04 320d what a letdown


  • Options
    #57
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,546 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    1. All Toyotas - Avensis in particular handle like a boat
    2. Lexus IS200 - Horrid interior
    3. Most Alfas - Bizarre styling and also have a horrid interior


  • Options
    #58
    Vicxas
    Registered Users Posts: 15,261 ✭✭✭✭Vicxas


    The Toyota Altezza, Horrid car


  • Options
    #59
    Victor Meldrew
    Registered Users Posts: 768 ✭✭✭Victor Meldrew


    B5 & B6 Passats are horrible. 1.9tdi (105) is dog slow...

    Audi tt - Horrible, uncomfortable. Dead, heavy steering, drinks petrol, poor visibility and you look like a prat getting out of it. 180bhp and still boring...


  • Options
    #60
    galwaytt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,761 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Victor Meldrew wrote: »
    Audi tt - Horrible, uncomfortable. Dead, heavy steering, drinks petrol, poor visibility and you look like a prat getting out of it. 180bhp and still boring...

    Nope, disagree. Had 2 of them. Wish I kept one.

    Maybe the one you drove was a dog ?

    Whether you look like a prat getting out of the car has no bearing the car - how were you alighting from it - some sort of double-reverse sumersault or something ?? :confused:

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #61
    galwaytt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,761 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    bazzachazza wrote: »
    Wife had a 207, put you off for life.

    ...ah now, my (now) wife had a Triumph when we met, and I still married her. :D

    Some things you can fix, you know......the car's, that is...... :D:p

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



Advertisement