Edited by SLO76 on 24/09/2025 at 23:58

Not really sure on this one, could be because of memory problems, maybe because i'm more inclined to see the positives in an otherwise poor car?. Also could be something I have noticed on the forum from some members in particular which would suggest the only way a car can be enjoyable (or not disappointing) to drive is by handling really well.

Vehicles I have enjoyed driving (for various reasons other than handling prowess or performance) but perhaps shouldn't have include a Nissan Serena 2.3d, Daihatsu Move (850cc n/a 3 pot, 3sp t/c auto), Vauxhall Midi van (with a column change manual), Suzuki ST90 panel van, Daihatsu Sirion (1.0), my recently departed Piaggio Porter. Plus various buses, including one town service bus which was pitifully slow in accelerating but made late town service more interesting because of the challenge in keeping to time.

If pushed, i'd say my first car, a 1977 Fiesta 1.1, was a disappointment, as was my third, a 1978 Opel Ascona 1.9, but that was more to do with the fact that I shouldn't have bought either due to the exceptionally poor condition they were in.

Actually, one other has just came to mind, 4th gen Golf V6 4Motion. Too softly sprung to be fun to drive and no apparent (in the dry at least) benefits to being 4wd, notchy manual shift and no auto option (if memory serves). As a cruiser, the V5 was better (made a nicer noise and could be had as an auto) and for a twisty road (accepting no 4th gen Golfs were that great), the lighter (especially in the nose) 1.8 turbo was more fun.

Incidentally, i did also have a Capri (1.6 Laser) and loved it!.

Having worked at a Vauxhall dealer previously, I can’t think of anything worse than the Sintra model .

I worked at a car and van hire company (same place as had the Serena), and I do remember us getting a Sintra. Can't remember much about it though, which suggests i thought it neither bad nor good!.

The Serena I remember because I liked how high up you sat (essentially on top of the engine), its compact dimensions and the low speed tractability of the n/a 2.3 diesel.

Biggest disappointments have been cars I looked at but didn't buy, notably a Mini Marcos, but also a Citroen 2CV and a Ford Cortina 1600E, but thats a disappointment with my judgement rather than the cars.

Yeah, I've had a few of those, three which spring to mind were a Renault 30, an Opel Monza, and and a LHD ex German Military Police(!) Ford Granda :-)

Cars i owned i wish i hadn't.

Ford Zephyr mk4, Austin 2200 Landcrab, Rover 2300 SD1, Mitsubishi Outlander 1.

These all pale into rose tinted appreciation of simpler days with the bings and bongs and nannying of anything very new.

I had the displeasure of another brand new artic tractor unit today, different make to my usual steed, you can never find a 12 year old child when you need one to help sort through all the menus via the touch screens and endless buttons and rockers on the steering wheel at 4am, for the entire journey the only display on the screen was digital speed in kms with tiny mph reading underneath barely visiible, no idea of fuel or adblu levels temps etc, no idea of what gear it was in no odometer no rev counter...steering? my mate once described the type of car transporter we used to drive when fitted with new drive axle tyres like 'driving a plate of spaguetti', well that describes todays adverture to a T, glad to see the back of it and so very glad my full time on the road is coming to an end.

Hopefully mine will be back on the road on Saturday after suffering major mechanical failure, is nothing made to last these days.

Harvest Gold 1973 Mini Clubman. Totally unreliable, shocking brakes, rattles everywhere, should have bought the basic model. Upgraded to a basic Renault 4-wonderful piece of kit for someone on £2000 a year salary and a £8k mortgage