Some cars are only bearable through the prism of nostalgia, but according to you rad dudes and dudettes these ten cars still seem totally bogus two decades later.
This is Answers of the Day - a feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day's Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It's by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!
Want to see this gallery in one slow-to-load page? Click here.
10.) Ford Taurus
Suggested By: Defender90
Why It's Awful: Sure, the first-gen SHO was a quick car and the second-gen Taurus was moderately attractive, but somewhere along the way Ford's design team lost the thread in a big way and we wound up with the jellybean Taurus. Its chief designer said the new shape was meant to remind buyers of a pair of slippers... the kind of slippers you wear in a hospice.
Photo credit: Obenauf Auctions
9.) Pontiac Grand Am
Suggested By: Paul Harris
Why It's Awful: When the entire basis for a car's styling theme comes from its use of body cladding, you know there's a problem. The car came standard in 1992 with the successor to GM's Iron Duke, the Quad 4. Unfortunately, in an attempt to make those mills less noisy and harsh for everyday use, the powerplant lost 5 horses under the hood, leaving an anemic 115 to pull the Grand Am around town.
Photo credit: Car Gurus
8.) Isuzu Stylus
Suggested By: Tanshanomi
Why It's Awful: Tanshanomi sums up the existence of the Stylus pretty brilliantly: "It was as if Isuzu was in an unhappy marriage with the passenger sedan and was just going through the motions." There really was nothing remarkable or redeeming about this car. It wasn't particularly good looking, or reliable, and it certainly wasn't anything near quick. The only thing that can be said for the Stylus is that it existed. The Isuzu Stylus was at one time, a car that was made. Let's just forget about it, and move on.
Photo credit: Moto24
7.) Buick Century
Suggested By: mycorvettebroke
Why It's Awful: In 1997, the Buick Century was redesigned as a last-ditch effort to move some cars off the lot. The Skylark had been killed off the year before, so the Century was moved down the lineup to become Buick's entry-level vehicle. Unfortunately, at the time the classier, upmarket Regal was basically the same car with more options and more engines available. The Century was available with two V6 engines, which I guess is cool if you're into big boring sedans with V6s under the hood. Otherwise, what's the point?
6.) Daewoo Nubira
Suggested By: fhrblig
Why It's Awful: Really, we'd like to nominate the entire Daewoo lineup, but let's single out the Nubira for now. First off, GM, what were you thinking, bringing these piles of junk over here? As if we didn't have enough bad small cars clogging dealer lots in the late 90's? Secondly, really, how special must a Daewoo be if the wagon version is considered "One of the rarest Daewoo models sold in the United States." Folks, if you see one out there, send us pictures. I'm convinced they don't exist. In Esperanto, nubira means "cloud going." I don't know what that means. In English, nubira means "bad car."
5.) Ford Aspire
Suggested By: SynthOno
Why It's Awful: Yeah, ok, I'll take the bait. The Ford Aspire aspires to be a real car! Ha ha ha! But seriously, everyone's made that joke. That being said, everyone wouldn't have to cheapen their standard of comedy if Ford hadn't cheapened their standard of car on the buying public with the ill-fated Aspire. When the Festiva was restyled, redesigned by Kia and renamed Aspire for 1993, Ford thought that by renaming it, everyone would suddenly forget what a crappy car it was. They were wrong.
4.) Chevrolet Cavalier
Suggested By: Maxis47
Why It's Awful: The car with a cavalier attitude grew up a little in 1995. It was physically larger than its predecessor, though no more refined. It did however come in Z24 trim, which added all sorts of go fast parts to the engine and suspension, as well as a ground effects kit. Unfortunately, the Z24 did little to improve the Cavalier's reputation, as it was also a dog.
3.) Eagle Premier
Suggested By: CRXPilot
Why It's Awful: The Eagle Premier was a car built on a recipe for success. Designed by AMC and Renault, it was inherited by the Chrysler Corporation in 1987, and was sold until 1992. In 1990, the car was re-engineered, and Chrysler based its next generation of automobiles around it. By 1992 dealers were having a rough time moving the beasts off the lot, and a car that had sold for close to $20,000 wasn't even selling at $14,000. When was the last time you saw an Eagle Premier? Was there even a first time?
Photo credit: Alden Jewell, flickr
2.) Hyundai Excel
Suggested By: LTDScott
Why It's Awful: I'm going to try to stay positive about the Excel. I think it deserves a little more respect than its been given. The Excel was powered by an engine that may have put out horsepower when new. It was available as a three door hatch and a four door sedan here in North America. It was available in several colors. It had four tires, and a steering wheel. There were headlights and taillights fitted to every car that left the Hyundai factory. It moved under its own power. It could fit people inside of it.
1.) Vector W8
Suggested By: Autojunkie
Why It's Awful: Only 17 W8s were produced, with the first going to Andre Agassi. His car was given to him before it was completely finished, and he was warned not to drive it until the final assembly had been completed. Unhappy, he returned it to the factory and demanded a full refund. This tale would repeat itself time and time again over the car's short lifespan. When they were running, they may have been great cars, but the W8 was a combination of 80s style with 70s quality, making it the most backward sports car of a forward-looking decade.
Photo credit: NthImage