What Ride Have You Owned That The Media FAWNED Over, That REALLY SUCKED And TOTALLY UNDELIVERED?

Over our car buying careers we've probably ALL had a scenario like this happen to us.

The media seduced us and hammered our brains with so much praise and lauding of a vehicle that we couldn't resist and ended up buying.

I know it's happened to me a number of times pre-AutoSpies.com.

Some of their praise has been SO over the top, you'd think some of these could time travel like the DeLorean in back to the future.

For me it was my first Porsche 996 designed by Harm Laagay.

The media fell for this 911 like it was the peoples 959.

I could never get used to the 'fried egg' headlights and the interior degraded so bad it was hovering near Corvette territory.

In the words of 00R, it was a GALACTIC piece of sh_t. And it SURE WAS!!!

But for me, it worked out well. It opened my eyes that all this 'media' was COMPLETELY bought and paid for. And inspired me to start Auto Spies with a mission to tell it like it is and NEVER be influenced by the auto companies. I believed if I did right by YOU, i would have an audience and they would HAVE to deal with us. Whether they wanted to or not. And for a long time they dealt with us but were NOT happy. Because like with the Motor Trends, C&D, etc. they COULDN'T control us.

So tell us a story of a ride where the same thing happened to you and you were blown away how bad it was after reading the FAKE praise in the mainstream press.

Spies, discuss...

valhallakey - 4/15/2020 12:17:42 AM

+2 Boost

I don't think I have had a bad car... well I had a free 1977 2dr Caprice Classic when I graduated college with a missing headliner, retread tires, windows that would not work and with the drivers side window about 1/2 way down. But it was great in that it was free and got me to work. Of course I would be covered from the foam that was under that missing headliner and would swirl around me in the 100 degree heat and wind driving to and from work. No problem though as back in those days I was used to the heat, even raced Motocross in 113 degrees once back then.

blackbr - 4/15/2020 7:05:49 AM

+2 Boost

I don’t know if the media fawned over it, but my worst new car was the Mazda RX8. It was a strange, fun car, ultimately let down by horrific mileage, a tiny gas tank, needing to add a quart of oil every 5,000 miles, and penchant for totally bricking if not warmed up properly.

Bach24 - 4/15/2020 9:47:45 AM

+3 Boost

Easy, 1992 Audi 200 Quattro. Everything on that car broke, but the capper was when on a ski trip the backseat warmers failed, the seat caught on fire, and almost cooked my two sons. After that trip, I went to the dealer handed them the keys and lost half the $40K I paid, all in less than one year.

MDarringer - 4/15/2020 10:16:22 AM

+1 Boost

The only car I was severely disappointed in was the horrible Alfa Romeo Giulia I dealt with for a month. I went in expecting issues, but was not prepared for ISSUES FROM HELL. It routinely went into limp mode. The fun part were headlights that would inexplicably turn off as I was driving or the air conditioner that sometimes would work and other times wouldn't. As for handling, the Giulia most decidedly isn't all that. Horrible car.

valhallakey - 4/15/2020 11:41:06 PM

+2 Boost

Interesting, I test drove the Giulia Ti a couple times with the optional handling package and it was a sweet driving car. The suspension was set up very well, the steering was very quick (almost too quick) and the handling was decidedly neutral up to the 7-8/10ths that was as far as I would go on any test drive. Of course I did not drive it for a month so did not have the chance to run into the issues you mention. But the handling and suspension seemed very well sorted for a sports sedan.

Prefurbia - 4/15/2020 11:20:57 AM

+3 Boost

I leased a 2015 Mustang - all options except they would not lease a V8 - so I got stick with a 4 cylinder - loved the car the first two days - hated it the next two years.

MDarringer - 4/15/2020 2:38:47 PM

+2 Boost

The dealer refused to lease a V8? That's bizarre.

The irony was that the V6 put out as much power and was far smoother.

For us, we sold every base Mustang V6 we could get our hands on while the EgoBoost was seen as being more expense for no benefit, so people spent more and got a V8 rather than go to the EgoBoost.

When Ford killed the V6, Mustang sales went down by nearly the same volume that the V6 brought in.

ricks0me - 4/15/2020 6:03:10 PM

0 Boost

Matt: Ford does some stupid stuff... coming from someone whose last 4 trucks have been Ford. Maybe I am the stupid one???

xjug1987a - 4/16/2020 11:34:44 AM

-1 Boost

I had a 1984 Oldsmobile Firenza (Cavalier) that I bought new while in the Marines. It was good looking but blew 2 head gaskets on the engine. It was the worst car I've ever owned. The dealer in DC was terrible and I had to fight to get it fixed under warranty and secure a loaner. It was fixed and I picked it up for the 8 hour drive home for Thanksgiving and was 1 hour outside of DC when it blew the 2nd time. It was insane....

My 2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 was the next GM vehicle I lease this time and it was recalled 7X and the customer svc at Cadillac dealers was abysmal. While I liked the ATS and the 3.6 was nice, if not slightly rough, I enjoyed the car. That said I seriously doubt I'll ever buy GM again.

Carmaker1 - 4/18/2020 3:51:16 PM

+1 Boost

The 996 was NOT designed by Harm Lagaay. It was by Hong Kong indigene Pinky Lai in 1993. Design directors don't sketch nor model clay.