What's Your Least Favorite Automotive Redesign and/or Refresh?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Agreed - very disappointed with how that turned out. For something with an Aston badge, I expect a level of exclusivity. When it was released my first thought was it was an expensive way to combine a Miata RF and Supra.

Not to mention it loss the elegance of the predecessor. When I think of Aston, there are typically three things that they do well: Natural Beauty, Acoustic Charm, and Personality. In my opinion, the Vantage just doesn't succeed at those. They better fix things too, because right now Aston is in a state of SOS.

[brad850csi]

I'm actually more disappointed with the small side window design and the weird kick up on the bottom side of it more than the front! Either way I think most people think it is a bit weird looking.

I think most people like the DBS though, right?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by brad850csi

I'm actually more disappointed with the small side window design and the weird kick up on the bottom side of it more than the front! Either way I think most people think it is a bit weird looking.

I think most people like the DBS though, right?

DBS is only ok, at least in my opinion. Side and rear are fine, but I don't care for the gaping mouth front end. Same with the DB11, decent looks but just something feels off or missing, the previous DB9, Vantage, and even Vanquish just look better to me. Most new AM products just don't interest me anymore.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

DBS is only ok, at least in my opinion. Side and rear are fine, but I don't care for the gaping mouth front end. Same with the DB11, decent looks but just something feels off or missing, the previous DB9, Vantage, and even Vanquish just look better to me. Most new AM products just don't interest me anymore.

I quite like the front actually as it looks quite aggressive yet purposeful. a slightly tongue in cheek comment would be that it is the best looking big grill out there

I think the DBS V12 to Vanquish is actually another example where it went a bit weird, I really don't like the rear lights or the side vent extending a rib onto the doors at all.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Not sure how I forgot about this one as it is one of my all time top disappointing redesigns.

The Aston Martin Vantage went from beautiful to an open gaping mouth mess of a design.

Wow, and I thought the new M3/M4 front end was bad!

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by jmg

I remember when the first NSX came out. People thought it was overpriced back then too. It wasn't as well regarded as it is now, with time, perspective, and nostalgia on it's side however, adjusted for inflation, the NA1 was $115k in 1991. It's still cheaper than today's NSX, which doesn't have nearly as much charisma as its predecessor. A friend of mine has the new NSX. It didn't last more than a few months in his garage before he replaced it with a 458.

Yes, I agree. It was the first of its kind for the NA1 and yes, it was quite expensive for the time.

The new one just lacks the same charisma. Yes, it's a fancy hybrid, but that doesn't really talk to people the way Honda thought it would (911R for reference).

I'm sure the 458 is much more of a live wire compared to the new NSX.
Enjoy!

[chassis]

The LCI Pacer refresh didn't win too many loyalists. Rating: not so good.

[chassis]

All Vantages after this one are not good refreshes IMO.

[stein_325i]

Just thought of a few more after seeing them on the road.

Land Rover Discovery - Series III to IV
While the Series I and II are still the best looking Disco's, the Series III at least kept the original design and modernized it a bit, making it even boxier and keeping all the touches such as the unique roof and window design, still differentiating it from other LR's of the time. The Series IV however took things too far in making it modern. While not bad looking from the front or sides, the rear is an automotive equivalent of a stroke with the license plate design. It looks more like every other LR than a Disco in my opinion and lost all of its rugged looks. Honestly the new Defender should have been called a Disco Sport.




Audi A4 - B5 to B6
Despite the designs being overall very similar the B5 just looks much better and lighter as a result and honestly a bit more athletic in its looks with its slim and sharper design. The B6 isn't an ugly car, but the pedestrian models were very cheap looking and the rear end was not my favorite looking.




Mercedes-Benz E-Class - W124 to W210
The W124 is just a superior car in many aspects, but especially looks. Clean, timeless, and sharp, its just beautiful whether Sedan, Coupe, Cabriolet or Touring. The W210 on the other hand is very controversial, curvy, soft, and double headlights made it look heavier and less sharp, while not helping it age well. The Touring model especially was ugly. AMG variants helped (as shown) but most regular models were not as good looking. The W211 really fixed this design, showing how despite its controversial elements it could transform into something much better looking.

[Law]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion:

From AE86 to Toyobaru


From MKIV Supra Turbo, to Z4 Coupe...I mean Zupra.


From legendary Skyline GT-R, to a bloated, dated, unimaginative thing.

[chassis]

I like all E-Classes, but not so keen on the W213 in the base sedan variant. W213 wagons and AMGs are good. The E300 sedan looks wimpy.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Not sure how I forgot about this one as it is one of my all time top disappointing redesigns.

The Aston Martin Vantage went from beautiful to an open gaping mouth mess of a design.

I saw one today. Honestly, doesn’t look so bad. And I like how small it looks.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I saw one today. Honestly, doesn’t look so bad. And I like how small it looks.

Those tacky red accents only add to the ugliness

[evil-G-nius]

Have to agree with the Supra sentiment. IDK WTF they were thinking trying to pass that off as a Supra. Also agree that the R35 is kind of blah looking and a step backwards. I hate the new grills on the BMW's and Lexus...just hideous

[Darth One]

There are sooo many redesign fails in automotive history, but only three made me legit upset:

Toyota MR2 MkII to MR2 Spyder

Porsche 911 993 to 996

BMW M3/M4 F8x to G8x

[brad850csi]

What the fuck is this?

The 2010 to 2013 facelift that looked a bit like an Evo X was OK for the time and the next model was ok too, but this new 2022 is utterly horrible.

Worst headlights of all time?

[AlexFL]

The new Ford Escape looks extremely soft and boring. I liked the exterior of the previous generation much better.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

The new Ford Escape looks extremely soft and boring. I liked the exterior of the previous generation much better.

I think Ford purposely made the new Escape ugly to boost sales of the Bronco Sport.

[Gray_Panther]

MK8 GTI...

It went from this
[IMG]https://f7432d8eadcf865aa9d9-9c672a3...6497-large.jpg[/IMG]

To this
[IMG]https://s3.paultan.org/image/2020/10...lubsport-1.jpg[/IMG]

I even used the ClubSport models as they are intended to be the most exciting GTI design for each gen.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

MK8 GTI...

It went from this
[IMG]https://f7432d8eadcf865aa9d9-9c672a3...6497-large.jpg[/IMG]

To this
[IMG]https://s3.paultan.org/image/2020/10...lubsport-1.jpg[/IMG]

I even used the ClubSport models as they are intended to be the most exciting GTI design for each gen.

Agree, the MK7 was great inside and out. The new MK8 is just now as attractive, and the new touch-capacitive infotainment system is awful.

[ShopVac]

Wished they never ditched pop up headlights...don't know of any revision that was better without them

1996 Saturn SC2 to 1997 SC2 made even worse in 2003 with the Ion.

The company went out of business because of this.