The GM transverse V-6 introduced around 1980 was a disaster. It was the featured engine in the Chevy Citation. In order to reach and replace the spark plugs in the rear bank, the engine had to be detached and lifted. My '81 Eldorado had one (one?) of those V6's and went through 3 engines. Feh.

 

Hey now...I have a 2005 Saab 9-3 sedan (I'm assuming thats what you're talking about) and it does NOT look Asian...that was harsh.

 

I couldnt dissagree more...but we'll leave it at that...

 

1974 Toyota Celica: one of the most beautiful cars ever built (let's not talk about the motor, huh? ) By 1977 Toyota had managed to integrate the new safety regulations into a car that still turned heads. Then in 1978 they introduced the "Celica II". Whoa! Where did that come from? No styling DNA shared with the sublime original at all, and no sex appeal like the '74.

1988-1990 Honda Civic: a continuation of the design started in 1985 and the state of the art in compact car design. Mitsubishi liked it so much that they tried to make a direct copy (Dodge Colt 100 in the US). Along comes 1991 and the best looking sub-compact ever (yeah, it's arguable.....discuss) has morphed into an ugly, bulbous liitle nondescript car.

That is all.....for now!

 

I like my 1998 Buick Regal. The grill is a little simple but overall it has decent curb appeal. Would I have bought it new? Not so sure, got myself a terrific deal on it in 2002. New would have been about $28,500, with 55k miles and 4 years old only $8,500 off a used car lot. GM cars do tend to last a long time. Which is good and bad. If it is an ugly car, it is on the road for a long, long time reminding everyone for years and years how uninspired the look of it was.

 

Ok, I've got my flame resistant suit on so here goes:

Saab 9-3's look more Euro than ever... The European car that looks masochistically Asian is the new Lotus Elise that many folks here on NAM rave about. Talk about 4th generation Toyota MR2 lookalike! It may drive like a street-legal race machine, but let's talk about the Pokeman factor! Are these cars being designed by 20-year olds who grew up watching Japanese anami?

 

I don't think i will ever look at a 1988 Ciera without thinking about the movie Fargo. Did they give you the clear-coat without you asking for it like in the movie? Too bad it is blue, were it tan you might find some Fargo-cult movie buff willing to give you twice what it was worth.

 

Having owned an '89 Civic Si new, I couldn't have said it better.

Why have so many cars, Asian, Euro or Domestic evolved into bulbous fatties with extremely poor visability. Talk about design/safety irony. Wouldn't we be safer as a society if we could see out of our cars? Six airbags are great, but it wouldn't it be better if we didn't need to use them? Perhaps by reducing the size of the typical 18" C-pillar blindspots and replacing the "Brinks armored truck peep slits" with windows that offer a wider sight line than 2 degrees?

 

Hear, hear, this is the place and I won't be a bit surprised if this scenario is right on the money. Get rid of those gas guzzlin SUVs now while you can still get something for them...Trade in on a second or third Cooper if you can

 

Dude, everything these days is designed by 20 year olds who still watch anime.

 

I was afraid of that.