We all contain multitudes, don’t we? That’s from the title of a novel I’ve never read and if I’m honest I don’t really get the significance of, but somehow it seemed like a good way to start this, because all of us as car lovers do have multitudes of ideas and feelings about all sorts of cars. And alongside the cars we love and admire and hate and revile there are those cars that, while they may not be our favorites, they’re cars that we feel strangely protective about. Cars that we have to speak up and defend when we hear them maligned, because deep down we know they deserve better.
I suspect we all have cars like this, leaking oil in the parking lot of our mind. Cars that we find ourselves in a genuine argument defending, as part of our brains float up and above, watching the conflict, wondering, hey, how did I get here? Why am I yelling at a dude for talking shit about a car I’ve never even owned? And yet here we are.
Mercedes told me for her that car is the Smart ForTwo, and I get that. She’s owned several, and they’re often the target of ridicule, undeserved, I think. For me, I think there’s two: the Fiat 500L, which I’ve defended on these very pages, and also the Yugo, which takes an extraordinary amount of bullshit from the world at large, and I think, needs me to defend it.
I once made a whole video defending this car, which I now own:
Man, now I’m getting worked up again, just imagining all the slights and eye rolls and dismissive comments that Yugos and 500Ls are inspiring, just by being mentioned. But I don’t think I’ll ever stop defending them.
Why am I like this? Who the hell knows? But I bet I’m not alone. I bet almost all of you have some sort of car you will always defend, and I want to know what they are, and why they make you feel the way you do, and how you defend them – everything. I want to know everything, always, forever.
So please tell me.
The SN95 Mustang for sure.
Perhaps the most unloved at this point (the IIs now have a rose-colored view of the ’70s built into people’s perception), they’re neither the easily-modded Fox body drag racers of popular conception nor the retro and big power versions of 2005+, and they definitely sport currently reviled, era-specific styling.
But in many ways, they’re the final version of the original Mustang – a raw, visceral sporty (but not sportscar) two door that prized affordability and fun over things like build quality or technological currency.
With the S197, the Mustang started its journey to becoming what it is now, a proper sportscar, but the SN95 offered a very direct connection to the original lineage, whether you liked it or not.
I’ve always found that cool and worthy, even as most people don’t. Something about how it exists independently of you, and you have to accept/conform yourself to its quirks and features, as distinct from the way that a lot of contemporary vehicles promise you everything you want all the time as long as you’re willing to pay.
I find myself defending Teslas more than any other vehicle… mainly due to the Anti-BEV crowd and anti-Tesla crowd.
Now I’m not saying Tesla vehicles or the company are perfect. But some of the lies and BS some say about the cars and the company are just ridiculous.
I find myself defending Teslas more than any other vehicle… mainly due to the Anti-BEV crowd and anti-Tesla crowd.
Now I’m not saying Tesla vehicles or the company are perfect. But some of the lies and BS some say about the cars and the company are just ridiculous.
I have somehow, inexplicably, found myself defending the Cybertruck. I don’t want to defend it; I think it looks terrible and wow, the build problems. BUT, it’s a car, and this is a place to support different people and their different car choices. I don’t get the appeal of Jeeps or SUVs and I have an irrational dislike of Toyota, but other people love them, and that gives them value. The same goes for the Cybertruck. Rag on Musky all you like, same as Barra, Ghosn, or that guy from Stellantis. They’re all people and should be accountable for their actions. Leave the cars, and the people who love them alone.
Just remembered the name of the guy from Stellantis – Jon Lovitz
I agree. Cybertrucks are bad in many, many ways, but I think there’s something admirable about taking a divisive vehicle design like that to mass market.
Now if someone would use this power for good to get us vehicles and trucks with lower, sloping hoods that are less dangerous for pedestrians…
Now this is a bold take, and I respect it.
No offense to those who put minivans and wagons and such for their answer, but you’re not exactly risking blowback.
Agreed! The CT is a monstrosity and Musk needs a lobotomy, but at least they tried something new. People are always bitching about all cars looking the same. The CT doesn’t look like anything else.
I have somehow, inexplicably, found myself defending the Cybertruck. I don’t want to defend it; I think it looks terrible and wow, the build problems. BUT, it’s a car, and this is a place to support different people and their different car choices. I don’t get the appeal of Jeeps or SUVs and I have an irrational dislike of Toyota, but other people love them, and that gives them value. The same goes for the Cybertruck. Rag on Musky all you like, same as Barra, Ghosn, or that guy from Stellantis. They’re all people and should be accountable for their actions. Leave the cars, and the people who love them alone.
Just remembered the name of the guy from Stellantis – Jon Lovitz
I agree. Cybertrucks are bad in many, many ways, but I think there’s something admirable about taking a divisive vehicle design like that to mass market.
Now if someone would use this power for good to get us vehicles and trucks with lower, sloping hoods that are less dangerous for pedestrians…
Now this is a bold take, and I respect it.
No offense to those who put minivans and wagons and such for their answer, but you’re not exactly risking blowback.
Agreed! The CT is a monstrosity and Musk needs a lobotomy, but at least they tried something new. People are always bitching about all cars looking the same. The CT doesn’t look like anything else.
Full-size passenger and conversion vans; and separately, Priuses.
At least, when attacked in categories they are actually proficient in.
Vans are so practical and so many pickup owners (not all, but many) would be better off with vans for what they’re doing.
Full-size passenger and conversion vans; and separately, Priuses.
At least, when attacked in categories they are actually proficient in.
Vans are so practical and so many pickup owners (not all, but many) would be better off with vans for what they’re doing.
Mods. If it’s not portraying a symbol of hate or violence, I try to come up with some positive aspect to a “that’s stupid” remark. Hey, it’s their car, they love it, let ’em do what they want to it. Just don’t use it to be a jerk: coal roll with oversized tail pipe, tailgate with angry headlamp Jeep, rev a crackaly exhaust right next to my driver side window.
Absolutely this. In fact, I’m more of a “stock 4 lyfe” person. I’m friends with “mod all the things” people. Sometimes, I find myself defending both sides of the equation- the “how can you be happy with a stock vehicle” and “why would someone do X to that car?” At the end of the day my taste in someone else’s vehicle doesn’t matter. They (presumably) like it, and it’s theirs to enjoy. Even the angry Jeeps.
Mods. If it’s not portraying a symbol of hate or violence, I try to come up with some positive aspect to a “that’s stupid” remark. Hey, it’s their car, they love it, let ’em do what they want to it. Just don’t use it to be a jerk: coal roll with oversized tail pipe, tailgate with angry headlamp Jeep, rev a crackaly exhaust right next to my driver side window.
Absolutely this. In fact, I’m more of a “stock 4 lyfe” person. I’m friends with “mod all the things” people. Sometimes, I find myself defending both sides of the equation- the “how can you be happy with a stock vehicle” and “why would someone do X to that car?” At the end of the day my taste in someone else’s vehicle doesn’t matter. They (presumably) like it, and it’s theirs to enjoy. Even the angry Jeeps.
I own two Grand Cherokees (’97 and ’09), so…… ^_^ I’ve experienced the faults of each, but after several hundred thousand miles (combined), I’m still beyond pleased with both.
Recently I made the mistake of participating in an automotive thread on a non-automotive website, and made the grave error of questioning how Consumer Reports rates the ride quality of the Wrangler, and oooooooooo boy did I ever touch a nerve with that one.
I own two Grand Cherokees (’97 and ’09), so…… ^_^ I’ve experienced the faults of each, but after several hundred thousand miles (combined), I’m still beyond pleased with both.
Recently I made the mistake of participating in an automotive thread on a non-automotive website, and made the grave error of questioning how Consumer Reports rates the ride quality of the Wrangler, and oooooooooo boy did I ever touch a nerve with that one.
Modern Saabs. As the twice-owner of a 9-5, I’ve had a surprising number of conversations about my car start with “aren’t those things garbage?”
Yes. And the same for the Sonnet.
Former Saab owner, last one was a 9-3 convertible. Had a guy pull up next to me in his huge truck and tell me the 9-3 was a p*ssy car. I laughed and told him it’d blow the doors off his truck in every way except carry capacity. Why people have to be so stupid…
Modern Saabs. As the twice-owner of a 9-5, I’ve had a surprising number of conversations about my car start with “aren’t those things garbage?”
Yes. And the same for the Sonnet.
Former Saab owner, last one was a 9-3 convertible. Had a guy pull up next to me in his huge truck and tell me the 9-3 was a p*ssy car. I laughed and told him it’d blow the doors off his truck in every way except carry capacity. Why people have to be so stupid…
First gen Taurus. Many just think of a worn out hand-me-down or abused rental car, but in reality these were revolutionary vehicles that changed the expectation of mainstream family sedans, saved Ford from financial ruin, and reinvigorated the idea that an American company could engineer and build a world class vehicle. I will defend it to my death.
I’m with ya 100%. Their impact cannot be overstated. The problem is at this point is most people’s perceptions of the Taurus are shaded by either the horrible 3rd generation ovoid one or the final cool but man she’s kinda big version.
The styling influenced that of an entire decade. How many single models really do that?
I actually don’t hate the 3rd gen, and that’s probably due to a combination of my parents having two of them (’96 Sable G, ’97 Taurus G) and having a generally good experience with both, and reading Car, which really illustrates an awful lot of work went into that car even if the end result wasn’t received well.
Whoever these anti-Taurii types are they’d better hush.
I love the first Taurus, and I’m even a second gen apologist (and 90’s Ford apologist in general). Every first-gen I sat in as a kid was basically the best case scenario for me. And I still think they look good. The Taurus was proof that an American company could still build a compelling product that was equally as good or better than the Japanese.
My buddy’s mom had a first-gen SHO Taurus when I was a kid and that thing was sweet.
Wait people disrespect the Taurus??
Shocking, I know, but unfortunately true.
First gen Taurus. Many just think of a worn out hand-me-down or abused rental car, but in reality these were revolutionary vehicles that changed the expectation of mainstream family sedans, saved Ford from financial ruin, and reinvigorated the idea that an American company could engineer and build a world class vehicle. I will defend it to my death.
I’m with ya 100%. Their impact cannot be overstated. The problem is at this point is most people’s perceptions of the Taurus are shaded by either the horrible 3rd generation ovoid one or the final cool but man she’s kinda big version.
The styling influenced that of an entire decade. How many single models really do that?
I actually don’t hate the 3rd gen, and that’s probably due to a combination of my parents having two of them (’96 Sable G, ’97 Taurus G) and having a generally good experience with both, and reading Car, which really illustrates an awful lot of work went into that car even if the end result wasn’t received well.
Whoever these anti-Taurii types are they’d better hush.
I love the first Taurus, and I’m even a second gen apologist (and 90’s Ford apologist in general). Every first-gen I sat in as a kid was basically the best case scenario for me. And I still think they look good. The Taurus was proof that an American company could still build a compelling product that was equally as good or better than the Japanese.
My buddy’s mom had a first-gen SHO Taurus when I was a kid and that thing was sweet.
Wait people disrespect the Taurus??
Shocking, I know, but unfortunately true.
Both generations of Scion xB. I bought a 2nd gen new and currently daily a 1st gen. Folks would ask me why I wanted such an odd looking, cheap car. They are cheap – to own and drive. Regular maintenance is key. Fun to drive fast, tons of room and nobody sees you. Looking for a 2nd gen manual now.
Both generations of Scion xB. I bought a 2nd gen new and currently daily a 1st gen. Folks would ask me why I wanted such an odd looking, cheap car. They are cheap – to own and drive. Regular maintenance is key. Fun to drive fast, tons of room and nobody sees you. Looking for a 2nd gen manual now.
Lately it’s the Toyota 2.4 turbo in the TNGAF platform. I’m defending the turbo itself more than anything else, I’m definitely not a yota fanboy, however as an owner of a 17 y/o Volvo still running the OEM turbo at 233K miles, I’m not at all worried about the reliability. SO many of the detractors think that turbos immediately grenade at 100 or 150K miles or require expensive extra maintenance.
As a 4Runner owner that also likes Jeeps and Broncos (probably more than the 4R actually) I find myself defending those quite often as well.
Back when they were new, I defended the 04-07 GTO a lot too.
Lately it’s the Toyota 2.4 turbo in the TNGAF platform. I’m defending the turbo itself more than anything else, I’m definitely not a yota fanboy, however as an owner of a 17 y/o Volvo still running the OEM turbo at 233K miles, I’m not at all worried about the reliability. SO many of the detractors think that turbos immediately grenade at 100 or 150K miles or require expensive extra maintenance.
As a 4Runner owner that also likes Jeeps and Broncos (probably more than the 4R actually) I find myself defending those quite often as well.
Back when they were new, I defended the 04-07 GTO a lot too.
While I will give a pass on the Yugo, the 500L is simply not good.
As for vehicles that I will defend, it is the Firestone-tire-era second gen Ford Explorer. They are reliable, (mostly) easy to work on, and got heavily maligned by something that wasn’t really the fault of the vehicle and can be resolved by a simple tire change. I’ve owned many and just added another to my fleet as a project vehicle.
I’ll also add the 60s-80s Triumphs and MGs we got here stateside. They don’t get nearly as much love as they deserve, at least relative to some of the beloved American crap that was produced during those times.
Yeah, those pre-crossover Ex’s are solid. I rarely see them in my area anymore, but they used to be EVERYWHERE. I think they’re a great size for a budget trail rig or overlander, especially if one has the skill to swap a D44 under the front of it.
That’s my current plan. I just put some lift springs in the rear and am on the hunt for a Wagoneer front D44 or JK D44. I’m still trying to figure out if I want to go the easy route and go leaf springs up front or if I want to go the hard route with a 3-link. Luckily the 8.8″ in the rear is pretty stout, so I can just do an SOA on that once the front axle is in. I’m not planning to go any bigger than 37s, and will probably stick with 35s so I don’t force myself to swap in D60s.
Sounds like an awesome project!
That’s what I’ve done with mine. 2001 Mountaineer V8, all the V8s came with AWD but you can swap the transfer case from an F150 to make it 4WD with low range. That plus screwing in the torsion beam bolts and add a leaf in the rear and 31″ tires will get you through any overland trail. I’ve had some fun in Moab with it and around Colorado. You don’t need anything more unless you want to rock crawl.
I owned a second Gen explorer.
V8. AWD. 11 MPG.
Baby it. Womp on it. It doesn’t care. 11 MPG ALL DAY.
I’m usually the one defending inefficienct vehicles, because fuel cost is only one component of a decision, and unless you drive a lot of miles, it’s probably a pretty small component. 11 MPG is not a small component. 11 MPG at typical annual mileage is a car payment worth of gas bill.
Interesting. I have owned five V6 second gen Explorers and the lowest average fuel economy of any of them was my 1995 with the 4-speed automatic transmission at 15mpg combined. The others normally got 17-19 combined, with my current one averaging 18mpg so far.
My third gen Explorer with the 4.6L V8 got 15mpg whether it was summer or winter, city or highway. The V10 F250 that replaced that Explorer was even worse, getting 10mpg whether it was empty or if it had 4000lbs in the bed or 5000lbs in a trailer behind it, but it towed that trailer a lot better the the IRS-equipped Explorer.
Mine was a ’97, so all the factors making yours get 15 MPG, plus a notoriously thirsty V8, viscous coupler always-on AWD, and still a 4 speed transmission.
It did more like 18 highway, but I was 100% city in those days, commuting to college during the part of the recession when jobs that paid in anything other than experience were a myth.
Gets about 5-6 MPG when you take it offroad lol, but I get closer to 15 with highway driving in mine
While I will give a pass on the Yugo, the 500L is simply not good.
As for vehicles that I will defend, it is the Firestone-tire-era second gen Ford Explorer. They are reliable, (mostly) easy to work on, and got heavily maligned by something that wasn’t really the fault of the vehicle and can be resolved by a simple tire change. I’ve owned many and just added another to my fleet as a project vehicle.
I’ll also add the 60s-80s Triumphs and MGs we got here stateside. They don’t get nearly as much love as they deserve, at least relative to some of the beloved American crap that was produced during those times.
Yeah, those pre-crossover Ex’s are solid. I rarely see them in my area anymore, but they used to be EVERYWHERE. I think they’re a great size for a budget trail rig or overlander, especially if one has the skill to swap a D44 under the front of it.
That’s my current plan. I just put some lift springs in the rear and am on the hunt for a Wagoneer front D44 or JK D44. I’m still trying to figure out if I want to go the easy route and go leaf springs up front or if I want to go the hard route with a 3-link. Luckily the 8.8″ in the rear is pretty stout, so I can just do an SOA on that once the front axle is in. I’m not planning to go any bigger than 37s, and will probably stick with 35s so I don’t force myself to swap in D60s.
Sounds like an awesome project!
That’s what I’ve done with mine. 2001 Mountaineer V8, all the V8s came with AWD but you can swap the transfer case from an F150 to make it 4WD with low range. That plus screwing in the torsion beam bolts and add a leaf in the rear and 31″ tires will get you through any overland trail. I’ve had some fun in Moab with it and around Colorado. You don’t need anything more unless you want to rock crawl.
I owned a second Gen explorer.
V8. AWD. 11 MPG.
Baby it. Womp on it. It doesn’t care. 11 MPG ALL DAY.
I’m usually the one defending inefficienct vehicles, because fuel cost is only one component of a decision, and unless you drive a lot of miles, it’s probably a pretty small component. 11 MPG is not a small component. 11 MPG at typical annual mileage is a car payment worth of gas bill.
Interesting. I have owned five V6 second gen Explorers and the lowest average fuel economy of any of them was my 1995 with the 4-speed automatic transmission at 15mpg combined. The others normally got 17-19 combined, with my current one averaging 18mpg so far.
My third gen Explorer with the 4.6L V8 got 15mpg whether it was summer or winter, city or highway. The V10 F250 that replaced that Explorer was even worse, getting 10mpg whether it was empty or if it had 4000lbs in the bed or 5000lbs in a trailer behind it, but it towed that trailer a lot better the the IRS-equipped Explorer.
Mine was a ’97, so all the factors making yours get 15 MPG, plus a notoriously thirsty V8, viscous coupler always-on AWD, and still a 4 speed transmission.
It did more like 18 highway, but I was 100% city in those days, commuting to college during the part of the recession when jobs that paid in anything other than experience were a myth.
Gets about 5-6 MPG when you take it offroad lol, but I get closer to 15 with highway driving in mine
Not so much a single car, rather a drivetrain type: Actively air cooled batteries (for BEVs)
It seems that everyone who hears air cooled batteries hears Nissan Leaf, and immediately says all air cooled batteries are shit because the Nissan Leaf is the only BEV in the US sold with an air cooled battery. However the Nissan Leaf’s battery is PASSIVELY air cooled, and anyone who has owned a passively cooled laptop and an actively cooled laptop can tell you that almost always the actively cooled laptop performs better.
Active air cooling for electronics makes a ton of sense and BEVs are no different. In fact active air cooling should improve winter performance of BEVs as they have less thermal mass to get up to the optimal battery temp, no coolant leaks, and lighter weight (when properly designed).
This reminds me of why Soichiro Honda was opposed to liquid cooling for so long. “All engines are ultimately air-cooled.”
Not so much a single car, rather a drivetrain type: Actively air cooled batteries (for BEVs)
It seems that everyone who hears air cooled batteries hears Nissan Leaf, and immediately says all air cooled batteries are shit because the Nissan Leaf is the only BEV in the US sold with an air cooled battery. However the Nissan Leaf’s battery is PASSIVELY air cooled, and anyone who has owned a passively cooled laptop and an actively cooled laptop can tell you that almost always the actively cooled laptop performs better.
Active air cooling for electronics makes a ton of sense and BEVs are no different. In fact active air cooling should improve winter performance of BEVs as they have less thermal mass to get up to the optimal battery temp, no coolant leaks, and lighter weight (when properly designed).
This reminds me of why Soichiro Honda was opposed to liquid cooling for so long. “All engines are ultimately air-cooled.”
Anything with a rotary engine. Hear me out…
Rotaries don’t make great mass-market cars. The reputation as completely unreliable is partially undeserved, but not entirely. They can’t be mistreated like some reciprocating piston engines can and still run for hundreds of thousands of miles. Some of Mazda’s rotaries were more reliable than others, but they all can be reliable if you start with a well built clean sheet engine and are willing to go the extra mile in care and maintenance (premix, running to redline frequently, regular oil changes, and more depending on which engine).
I think the most bulletproof of all of was the normally aspirated engines in the FC, particularly the S5 variety. Those things loved to be taken to redline often, could run on 87 octane with no fear, and are incredibly easy to work on with no turbos and supporting equipment in the engine bay.
Anything with a rotary engine. Hear me out…
Rotaries don’t make great mass-market cars. The reputation as completely unreliable is partially undeserved, but not entirely. They can’t be mistreated like some reciprocating piston engines can and still run for hundreds of thousands of miles. Some of Mazda’s rotaries were more reliable than others, but they all can be reliable if you start with a well built clean sheet engine and are willing to go the extra mile in care and maintenance (premix, running to redline frequently, regular oil changes, and more depending on which engine).
I think the most bulletproof of all of was the normally aspirated engines in the FC, particularly the S5 variety. Those things loved to be taken to redline often, could run on 87 octane with no fear, and are incredibly easy to work on with no turbos and supporting equipment in the engine bay.