The automotive world can be a strange one when it comes to opinions. Some people speak in such a matter-of-fact manner that you would swear what they’re saying is the truth, or at least they believe it to be so. And because of that, they’re usually not very good opinions.
Last week, we asked readers what the worst automotive opinions they’ve heard were. These were their suggestions.
That the Miata is a girls car/hairdressers car.
I would honestly like to know where this opinion came from. Maybe because the NA and NB Miatas were so cute? Wherever it started, it’s always been dumb. We know the Miata is one of the cheapest sports cars and best driving cars around.
Suggested by: AudiB5Hawaii
I had a family member swear drifting was done exclusively with “Japanese front wheel drive cars.” I spent three years trying to convince them otherwise, even with slow mo video. They could not believe their pickup truck was equally capable of drifting with the right setup.
I can’t imagine being this obtuse.
Suggested by: Kamen Burton via Facebook
That over-engineered German cars can be reliable if you just maintain them properly. Plastic timing chain guides, putting starters under intake manifolds, the list of questionable design decisions is nearly endless. Any car where the forums for that car list off the years to buy rather than the years to avoid is unreliable. When the stars align and a company makes a good car for a year or two that’s not intentional, that’s luck.
This... is actually a good point. If a vehicle is only reliable after it’s gone through a major repair, it’s not that reliable. But I don’t think too many people are ready to have that conversation yet.
Suggested by: jimmy-buffett
I don’t know if it’s the worst opinion, but I know so many die hard Subaru fans who claim they are the most reliable cars.
I don’t understand how a car company can dodge 10+ years of headgasket problems and keep their reputation. With all the hate directed towards the Northstar v8, you would think that the boxter would have more malice directed at it.
Now I understand they are capable and have a lifestyle appeal, but a blown head gasket is a top 5 problem.
This is a truth that gets shrouded by Subaru’s loyal following and popularity. Luckily though, this problem only seems to affect early turn of the century Foresters, Outbacks, Imprezas and Legacies with the EJ25 engine. With the age of those models currently the problem seems to be behind us, at least for now. Subaru gas mileage though? That’s a conversation for another time.
Suggested by: Mark Johnson via Facebook
“I need an HD truck” - Some random Boss guy
Reality:
1. He will have Best Buy deliver and install a 65" TV because he doesn’t want to deal with a bulky, heavy item.
2. He owns a trailer.. but it’s an empty utility trailer rated 10k lbs max.
3. He’s had an HD truck for 7 years. He’s never greased the 5th wheel and the bed doesn’t have a scratch in it. The Tailgate is hard to get down because it hasn’t been lowered since he hurt a knee trying to climb up to sit in it 5 years ago.
4. He brags about how with all the extra fuel tanks, he can go 1000 miles or something without a refueling. But he finishes meetings at the 20 minute mark because his prostate is the size of a watermelon and he needs 10 minutes to dribble out a half a teaspoon of whiz. (“I could never use an EV, I can’t want 15 minutes for a charge!”)
I think there is someone in management at every place in America like this.
Be honest with yourself. You don’t need a truck like this — you just want the image that comes along with it.
Suggested by: hoser68
A lot of carpinions suck now because “car guys” are spending hours every day having their brains turned into dog shit by social media. I’m really not even sure where to start. I keep hearing about how Toyota should have built a 3JZ or whatever for the A90 Supra as if the B58 isn’t great at what it does, just groundless conjecture to solve a problem that doesn’t exist in imagination land.
Try and take a break from social media sometimes, folks.
Suggested by: Xela Remraf via Facebook
“EVs will be the ruination of the world!”
Many who say this, or something similar, are hell-bent on blaming all of their problems on the current political administration, even though the same issues are affecting everyone worldwide. They just can’t think past their own neighborhood.
Why is this the line in the sand for so many people?
Suggested by: Grasscatcher2
That crossovers are trucks and not based on whatever sedan platform they actually are. People still believe this to this day. Like, people get offended and don’t believe it when you tell them they’re Highlander is on a variation of the Camry platform. Or they’ll say their Ford Edge is a “tank” and couldn’t possibly be related to a Fusion.
I don’t get how people can still believe this when automakers don’t even try and hide it anymore. See that crossover there? It’s called a Corolla Cross for a reason.
Suggested by: Jake Hornbarger via Facebook
I’ve heard this eyeball-roller more than once: owners told me how they “baby” their ride by putting premium gas in the tank instead of the correct regular grade. The whole idea of premium grade for higher compression engines to prevent knocking was beyond them—”babying” was all they knew.
Which I’m sure that stance is A-OK with the oil companies—give them money when you don’t have to.
We’re in the age where turbocharged four-cylinder engines can make similar power to V8s from 20 years ago. Many of these cars require premium. Don’t go off of what you’ve heard, listen to the people who actually made the engine. They know what they’re talking about.
Suggested by: the1969DodgeChargerFan
The worst opinion I have ever witnessed is the dumbf$%k engineers who believe replacing buttons with stacked layers of touchscreen menus was the right idea.
This isn’t a problem with just one automaker either, it’s all of them. Some are our saving grace by still having physical controls for audio and climate, but most others are going all-in on screens, and it’s getting worse. Don’t believe me? Look up the spy photos of the upcoming Cadillac Escalade refresh, and you’ll see what I mean.
Suggested by: Jimmy Hauser via Facebook
Buying a used rental car is a good deal. I used to work for a rental car agency, and I’d hear customers tell me this all the time. If you’re lucky, maybe, but there are myriad reasons why you shouldn’t. I’ll spare everyone the novella and list the main reasons why:
1) They are abused...badly. Most would assume this is by the renters, and that does happen occasionally, but the overwhelming majority drive like normal humans. No, it’s the rental car employees. Have you ever seen the movie Waiting...? It’s like that, but with rental cars instead of overpriced food.
2) They are poorly maintained. A rental car company does the bare minimum maintenance to keep them on the road and making revenue. Servicing a car = zero utilization, and sometimes they will even delay a much-needed oil change/tire rotation because they need to rent it and have no other cars on the lot.
3) They aren’t much, if any, cheaper than any other used car, at least not that I’ve seen. Not to mention that rental cars are often equipped with the bare minimum options that are only available to fleet customers. Even with my employee discount, I was able to find better deals on the same car that was CPO at a dealer.
YMMV, but shop around before you commit.
I did this once when I purchased a 2013 Chevy Sonic hatchback. I found out a few years later that it had been involved in a fender-bender that no one could give me information about. But it was cheap — I only paid $199 a month for it. Just know what you’re getting into if you do plan on buying a used rental car.
Suggested by: paradsecar
In 2023/2024: “Manuals are better”.
This is probably the most divisive automotive opinion. Manual transmissions don’t necessarily make a vehicle better. Enthusiasts just like the control and mechanical feeling that they get from them, which is totally valid. Take it from someone with bad knees who lives in a region with some of the worst traffic in the country: manuals aren’t always a godsend.
Suggested by: NBM343
“I don’t wear seatbelts because it’s better to be thrown clear of the accident.”
Never fails that they personally know someone this happened to...
Gambling with your own life like this based on a chance occurrence that might not happen is wild.
Suggested by:dustynnguyendood
I used to sell cars, and we’d occasionally trade for an old muscle car and put it in the showroom. Invariably, some ‘ol dude would walk through and say, “They don’t make ‘em like this anymore!” And I would think, “Thank goodness.” I love old cars, but they rolled off the assembly line as inefficient liabilities made to go about 75,000 miles before they disintegrated. Modern cars are light years ahead.
The Dodge Charger and Challenger may have been old school, but if someone offered me money to take a crash test in a 1969 version of either, I’d pass.
Suggested by: Chris Carlson via Facebook
“I need a 3 row SUV because I’m having a 2nd/3rd kid.”
No. You need a Minivan. Just buy the damn minivan.
Seriously, whats with the stigma against minivans? They’re an ideal vehicle and in many ways are superior to SUVs and crossovers. No you don’t actually need a $70,000 Chevy Tahoe RST for you, your spouse and two kids. A Chrysler Pacifica would do you just fine.
Suggested by: Derel1cte