What's a car brand you would NEVER buy

[l0st]

I could have bought a little Porsche 912 years back, It was in good shape, just needed a muffler.  Price was eight hundred bucks...I got in it to take it for a test drive, couldn't shift it into gear, the shifter hit my right leg when I tried to get it into gear.  I mentioned it to the guy who owned it and he said same problem with him...that is why he was selling it, he couldn't drive it.  I would have bought it for the daughter if he would drive it to my house...he said he can't because he can't shift either.  My workers were all my size or a little shorter, but strong construction worker bodies and strong legs....no way would any of them have been able to drive it either.

At the time in the condition it was in, it was only worth about 1600...The 912s were not real high priced Porsche models.  It was maybe a sixty seven, that was in around the year 2000.  Had that little four banger in it, the guy said it was kind of snappy for a little car.  Had the same engine as my uncle had in his Volkswagon camper van that he had next to his garage on the farm, so I had parts for the engine if I ever needed them.

I won't buy a car that I cannot fit into.  I wonder if the other Porsche cars are that tiny too.

I've only driven a few porsches while working on them. Just not my kinda car. I don't fit in them either. I can't buy toyotas also because generally, I don't fit! I have very large feet. Toyotas my feet hit the steering column and this is not ideal in a "situation".

[Velvet Elvis]

I used to have a Nissan Xterra. I enjoyed it and liked the look but I wouldn't buy another one - too many mechanical issues. I've had a couple Toyota s and they were good solid cars but I can't say I was very excited about them. I currently have a Jeep Wrangler and a 1974 Ranchero  I tend to go for Trucks and  larger SUVs (not those new ones that look like regular cars- wtf is that about?) 

I work on a lot of Car commercials and see a lot of vehicles before they're unveiled to the public. We shot a great commercial for the GMC Denali a while back and  I fell in love with that truck and even now its still one of my favorites. I also did a shoot with the all electric Cadillac Escalade IQ  and I have to say I wouldn't mind if someone wanted to buy me one.

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I used to have a Nissan Xterra. I enjoyed it and liked the look but I wouldn't buy another one - too many mechanical issues. I've had a couple Toyota s and they were good solid cars but I can't say I was very excited about them. I currently have a Jeep Wrangler and a 1974 Ranchero  I tend to go for Trucks and  larger SUVs (not those new ones that look like regular cars- wtf is that about?) 

I work on a lot of Car commercials and see a lot of vehicles before they're unveiled to the public. We shot a great commercial for the GMC Denali a while back and  I fell in love with that truck and even now its still one of my favorites. I also did a shoot with the all electric Cadillac Escalade IQ  and I have to say I wouldn't mind if someone wanted to buy me one.

[VulcanWerks]

I could have bought a little Porsche 912 years back, It was in good shape, just needed a muffler.  Price was eight hundred bucks...I got in it to take it for a test drive, couldn't shift it into gear, the shifter hit my right leg when I tried to get it into gear.  I mentioned it to the guy who owned it and he said same problem with him...that is why he was selling it, he couldn't drive it.  I would have bought it for the daughter if he would drive it to my house...he said he can't because he can't shift either.  My workers were all my size or a little shorter, but strong construction worker bodies and strong legs....no way would any of them have been able to drive it either.

At the time in the condition it was in, it was only worth about 1600...The 912s were not real high priced Porsche models.  It was maybe a sixty seven, that was in around the year 2000.  Had that little four banger in it, the guy said it was kind of snappy for a little car.  Had the same engine as my uncle had in his Volkswagon camper van that he had next to his garage on the farm, so I had parts for the engine if I ever needed them.

I won't buy a car that I cannot fit into.  I wonder if the other Porsche cars are that tiny too.

They are small until the 997.

The 964 and 993 in the family stable are beautiful but small. The 993 is better. My 996 was about the same size as the 993 and my 997 was noticeably larger.

If you want a 911 and are larger (I’m 6’4” 260) you definitely want a 997 or newer IMO - it fit fine in those it’s just the models <2005 or 2006 you’ll have issues fitting in.

[CCoburn]

I've only driven a few porsches while working on them. Just not my kinda car. I don't fit in them either. I can't buy toyotas also because generally, I don't fit!

This reminds me of an issue I had with my Volvo S60 T6 when I first bought it nearly a couple years ago. The ergonomics was a little off, at first. I was just slightly hunched up while driving, but it was barely noticeable. It was only after driving for an hour or so that I would get this really annoying kink in the back of my neck. I broke that seat in and played with the adjustment controls off and on for a week and the problem finally resolved itself.

I don't recall ever having any such issues with other cars, and the Charger V8 RT that I had prior did seem to be roomier, so maybe there was a transitional factor at play there as well.

[l0st]

This reminds me of an issue I had with my Volvo S60 T6 when I first bought it nearly a couple years ago. The ergonomics was a little off, at first. I was just slightly hunched up while driving, but it was barely noticeable. It was only after driving for an hour or so that I would get this really annoying kink in the back of my neck. I broke that seat in and played with the adjustment controls off and on for a week and the problem finally resolved itself.

I don't recall ever having any such issues with other cars, and the Charger V8 RT that I had prior did seem to be roomier, so maybe there was a transitional factor at play there as well.

I have long legs and big feet. Toyotas always place the steering column too low for my feet, and the seating situation isn't ideal either. I feel like I'm too far forward. I can drive Hondas but the seat has to be all the way back. Porsches are always too small. Old VW cars are too small in the front... like 70s and earlier. I can't say that I've ever had a problem in a Volvo although I haven't driven anything even half-way modern and the old stuff had pretty... rudimentary... seating. I've had problems with some Hyundais. I've driven a Lotus and it was too small too, but a very small car in general.

That's front seats, though. Back seats, I don't fit in a LOT of cars. Literally not enough area for my feet or my head hits the ceiling, legs hitting the seat in front of me even if I'm scooted all the way back.

I can't say I've ever had this problem in an American car except maybe the Chevy Chevette and the Pontiac Fiero.

[FlyingClayDisk]

Speaking of car sizes and fitting inside; I'm a big guy 6'-4"+ and about 270 (15E boots), so fitting inside a vehicle is a primary consideration for me (air travel in coach is pure misery).  One of the worst cars we've owned for foot placement (which is actually a big deal for any longer trip) was a Cadillac DeVille.  Monstrous car, with the tiniest, most awkward, foot well ever.  The rest of the car was pure luxury, but the foot well issue caused me to sell it.  Surprisingly, one of the roomiest cars to fit into is actually a Subaru Outback.  Somehow Subaru has designed the cabin in such a way that there is a lot more room (both front and back seats) than just about any other "car" I've ever sat in.  People make fun of Subaru's (calling them Lez-baru's), but I don't care; I can fit inside comfortably and that's what counts.  Not to mention the fact that the Subies are true ALL wheel drive, and our drive is a 14% grade, and 17.5% right up by the house, so in wintertime in the deep snow the Subie will make it up with no issues.  It's an amazing car actually; we liked it so much we bought (2) of them for daily commuters (have a '15 and a '20). 

Our other vehicles are all trucks.  Have no issues fitting in the new Ram 3500 mega cab 4x4 (6.7L Cummins turbo diesel, bay-bee!).  But I literally cannot fit inside a standard cab half ton pickup.  The wife's truck is a F-250 crew, and I can fit in the drivers side of that, but not the passenger's side other than for a short trip (weird foot well in that one too).

[pianopraze]

I have an Equinox.  2017.
I want to punch whoever designed it in the face.

Serious.  It takes 1/2 hour to for the heater to actually warm up.  In Michigan!!!
And put the windows down.  You will be treated to the worst "air pressure" thumping ever.  Hurts my ears.
And who puts the windows up so high, you can't rest your arm out the window?

Dumb, Dumb SUV

I have a Kia niro plug in hybrid with a heating package. Instant heat blowing on you. Every seat has butt warmer. Steering wheel heats up in 30-60 seconds. 55mpg. Love this car. Is my second Niro. Last one was base model and sold it at 5 years 88k miles only replacing the cruise control button.

Love my two Honda civics I owned before my two Kia’s, only ac and sway bar fix on one by 120k miles and nothing on the other but it was destroyed in flood around 66k miles. 

would not buy an American car. Period.

shame as I want a Jeep.

[Raptured]

I have a Kia niro plug in hybrid with a heating package. Instant heat blowing on you. Every seat has butt warmer. Steering wheel heats up in 30-60 seconds. 55mpg. Love this car. Is my second Niro. Last one was base model and sold it at 5 years 88k miles only replacing the cruise control button.

Love my two Honda civics I owned before my two Kia’s, only ac and sway bar fix on one by 120k miles and nothing on the other but it was destroyed in flood around 66k miles. 

would not buy an American car. Period.

shame as I want a Jeep.

Friends had a small PIH a few years ago. I forget if it was a Kia or Hyndai but they absolutely loved it.  He mentioned 3 months between fill-ups!   

Hopefully they'll (any manufacturer) start making a semi-luxury sedan as a PIH, not just small subcompacts.  I'm sure it has to do with weight and required battery size/drive train and all that.

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About ready to ditch my GTI.  I've loved it for the 4 years I've had it but it's just not practical anymore.   It was more of a "adolescent dream car" thing for me so...bucket-list checked.

Previous to that I had a Jetta (2017) that I absolutely loved for some reason.  No major bells or whistles.  SE model with sunroof and nav.  (my only requirements back then).

Still a VW guy but I'm considering a Genesis G70 (V6, Grand Touring or Tech trim) and also an Atlas Cross Sport (SEL or better).

[Maxmars]

I know there is a certain potential for these kinds of discussion to veer into 'fanboi' territory... and frankly - I'm not one. 

If you enjoy performance, it's difference, it about the vehicles' operation - and all the art that entails...
if you are more utilitarian... it's a car... to get you reliably from point A to B and back again in safety.

But my last vehicle is a 2015 Jeep Cherokee... and she is both a tank, and a workhorse.  No significant complaints. 

She's not some fancy or refined piece of performance technology, she is a car... and she serves well (so far) without tiresome minutiae providing fickle repair needs.

Although I have never used anything but synthetic oil in her... I can't say it made a difference, but it sure seems to have.

(Actually, I just wanted to participate in the convo.)

[727Sky]

Some more reinforcement talking about the bad ones.

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Now the good vehicles