What happened in the '90's?

[TehMac]

Cars were so ugly and disgusting in the '90's. Take a 1957 Chevy Impala, looks absolutely beautiful, and then look at the Impala in 1994.

Wtf happened? Obviously chrome got phased out and GM started using shittier materials, but the style of the car just went to hell.

That's one example, but I mean look at them all. It started in the 80's even, the Mustang's body looked disgusting, nothing at all like a mustang, everything just went to crap.

Did people just lose their sense of style or what?


The only good looking cars from the 80's seemed to be a few BMWs and exotics...and even then....

 

[thedarkwolf]

So you are saying most cars of the mid 70s looked good?

 

[evident]

it's because certain carmakers thought they could get away with producing shit cars with no innovation or design. most were carryovers from the 80s or with very similar styling, eg lincoln towncar. the cavalier was based on the same platform from the 70s. what a joke

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: evident
it's because certain carmakers thought they could get away with producing shit cars with no innovation or design. most were carryovers from the 80s or with very similar styling, eg lincoln towncar. the cavalier was based on the same platform from the 70s. what a joke

Not certain carmakers. Everyone. All showed some good designs. But all showed some crap. And it wasn't dependent on carried over platforms from 80's.

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
So you are saying most cars of the mid 70s looked good?

Gremlins and Pacers are HOT!

 

[VinylxScratches]

The 90's Impala is a nice looking car IMO.

 

[waffleironhead]

During the 90's all of the efforts were spent cornering the market on the SUV and truck market, while virtually no effort was spent on the car end. Also a thing to note is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think the older cars look like shit.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
During the 90's all of the efforts were spent cornering the market on the SUV and truck market, while virtually no effort was spent on the car end. Also a thing to note is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think the older cars look like shit.

That simply isn't true about "all the efforts cornering the SUV and truck market". Whether it was successful enough was is another argument.
The 90's are when the Taurus was refreshed twice. And for a while, it still held it's ground as a best seller. It should have been overhauled for the third refresh, but we are talking about the 90's.
Ford made a huge 1 billion dollar global development for the Mondeo/Countor.
Again, journalists loved it minus the back seat room. It was still a success due to the fact that the Mondeo is a perfect fit in Europe. It just didn't interest many Americans. Especially when the Focus was available in early 99. An even smaller, more affordable car with more interior room. And that was a runaway success until it showed it's age in 2005. Only have it's sales resparked by crappy prices on gas.
Chrysler made the LH sedans, which for the 90's were brilliant. That was a huge project that was the first product from Chrysler's new modern campus in Ann Arbor. They were critically acclaimed by automotive journalist, and often found it's way in the top rankings in comparisons. They also held the Caravan/Voyager/etc. minivan as the best offering until the Honda Odyssey came around.
GM, I dunno what they were up to. The Lumina was supposed to be the answer for the Taurus, but it was uninspired as shit. Maybe every mis-informed person like you is directing all this nonsense because of this car. Or maybe the Aveo/Skylark/Grand Prix debacle.
But again, the effort was made.

 

[Arkaign]

'90s Models I rather liked the looks of :

E36 and E46 3-Series, E39 5-series, 8-Series
4G and 5G Prelude
Acura NSX
MK4 Supra
F355
McLaren F1
Redesign Camaro (94+?)
Dodge Viper
C5 Vette
Impreza WRX (before the bug-eyed NA debut)
Audi TT (was the first Audi that I thought actually looked decent)
Boxster
Final Gen RX7
Subaru SVX (very unique)

I'm sure there are tons more, but anyways

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
'90s Models I rather liked the looks of :

E36 and E46 3-Series, E39 5-series, 8-Series
4G and 5G Prelude
Acura NSX
MK4 Supra
F355
McLaren F1
Redesign Camaro (94+?)
Dodge Viper
C5 Vette
Impreza WRX (before the bug-eyed NA debut)
Audi TT (was the first Audi that I thought actually looked decent)
Boxster
Final Gen RX7
Subaru SVX (very unique)

I'm sure there are tons more, but anyways

ooh, on that note.

2nd gen Toyota MR2.
2nd gen Ford Probe GT.
99+ Ford Mustang.
All new Camaro.
C5 Corvette.
300ZX.
Mazda RX-7.
Porsche. Any.
3rd Gen Taurus. It reminded me of late 80's concept cars.
Fourth Gen N. American Market Toyota Camry. After that, they went to poo.
1990 N. American Market Honda Accord. Probably the best FWD sedan ever built.
2nd gen Taurus SHO.
2nd gen Acura Integra.
2nd gen Acura Legend Sedan. Coupes looked goofy.
Cadillac Seville. Again, the coupe (El Dorodo) looked goofy.
Ford Thunderbird SC.
Linclon MKVIII. But I wanted it de-chromed.
Mercedes SL500.
Lamborghini Diablo.
BMW 850 somethingrather. I always wanted this car. I still do.

 

[DarkThinker]

What are some people smoking?

To add to what Arkaign has already pointed out, the 90's witnessed some of the best cars ever.

Cars in the 90s (and late 80s) enjoyed both the modern technology, smaller chassis and excellent interior quality.

Where would one even start?

Has anyone driven an early 90's E-Class for instance?

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I personally think the older cars look like shit.

Bollocks.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker
Cars in the 90s (and late 80s) enjoyed both the modern technology, smaller chassis and excellent interior quality.

Where would one even start?

Has anyone driven an early 90's E-Class for instance?

I mentioned a few imports, not all cars were rubbish, but I mean a lot of domestic produced cars looked terrible. Absolutely disgusting.

The best looking cars came out around 98-99 in my opinion.

But I might be biased.

<---Has a 99 Mustang.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
So you are saying most cars of the mid 70s looked good?

Gremlins and Pacers are HOT!

I actually do like those I was thinking more along the lines of standard sedans though. They have all been pretty bland other then a few since the 60s.

 

[ponyo]

OP, weren't you born in the 90's? So you won't be able to relate to the '90s cars.

People generally have fond memories of what they grew up with during their teenage/young adult years. I really liked the cars of the 90s. Then again I went to high school and college in the 90s and some of my dream cars were released then. My dream car in high school and college was the Acura NSX. I tried to buy one recently to satisfy my past want but got outbid. So my search continues. I only like the '91 - 2001 model before the redesign. I strongly dislike the 2002-2005 models with the exposed headlights.

I still have fond memories of my '97 4runner and '00 Boxster. Memories are what makes these cars great, not the cars itself. It's the same reason cars like the Miata will be highly collectible in the future.

 

[CRXican]

you 90s haters better not call yourselves car people cause you're nuts

 

[thomsbrain]

There were tons of great looking cars in the 90's, and even some of the grocery getters were way better looking back then. There were some absolute dogs, of course, but there are plenty today, too. And plenty of cars that were decent in the 90's are hideous today.

 

[KentState]

I can relate to the OP. In the 80s and 90s, I thought cars of the time looked awesome, but compared to know, I can't stand them. Just like when people ask me what my favorite year of the Vette is and I always say, whatever is the latest.

 

[waffleironhead]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I personally think the older cars look like shit.

Bollocks.

You can keep enjoying your nostalgia all you want, my opinions should not confuse you. Unless of course you are easily confused.

 

[vi edit]

Third Gen RX-7 is still one of the best looking cars ever made. It still looks fresh even nearly 20 years after it was designed.

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: Arkaign
'90s Models I rather liked the looks of :

E36 and E46 3-Series, E39 5-series, 8-Series
4G and 5G Prelude
Acura NSX
MK4 Supra
F355
McLaren F1
Redesign Camaro (94+?)
Dodge Viper
C5 Vette
Impreza WRX (before the bug-eyed NA debut)
Audi TT (was the first Audi that I thought actually looked decent)
Boxster
Final Gen RX7
Subaru SVX (very unique)

I'm sure there are tons more, but anyways

ooh, on that note.

2nd gen Toyota MR2.
2nd gen Ford Probe GT.
99+ Ford Mustang.
All new Camaro.
C5 Corvette.
300ZX.
Mazda RX-7.
Porsche. Any.
3rd Gen Taurus. It reminded me of late 80's concept cars.
Fourth Gen N. American Market Toyota Camry. After that, they went to poo.
1990 N. American Market Honda Accord. Probably the best FWD sedan ever built.
2nd gen Taurus SHO.
2nd gen Acura Integra.
2nd gen Acura Legend Sedan. Coupes looked goofy.
Cadillac Seville. Again, the coupe (El Dorodo) looked goofy.
Ford Thunderbird SC.
Linclon MKVIII. But I wanted it de-chromed.
Mercedes SL500.
Lamborghini Diablo.
BMW 850 somethingrather. I always wanted this car. I still do.

How can you guys forget Mitsu 3000GT?
Skyline R-33/34
300ZX

OP is still smoking some of the stuffs left from the 70's.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: Naustica
OP, weren't you born in the 90's? So you won't be able to relate to the '90s cars.

People generally have fond memories of what they grew up with during their teenage/young adult years. I really liked the cars of the 90s. Then again I went to high school and college in the 90s and some of my dream cars were released then. My dream car in high school and college was the Acura NSX. I tried to buy one recently to satisfy my past want but got outbid. So my search continues. I only like the '91 - 2001 model before the redesign. I strongly dislike the 2002-2005 models with the exposed headlights.

I still have fond memories of my '97 4runner and '00 Boxster. Memories are what makes these cars great, not the cars itself. It's the same reason cars like the Miata will be highly collectible in the future.

Well, yes, I was born very early 90's, but I like 1960's cars quite a bit. And a few 70's models.

 

[SearchMaster]

The first car I ever bought was a '91 Eclipse and I still think it's a damn nice looking car (I drove it until just a few years ago).

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: DarkThinker
Cars in the 90s (and late 80s) enjoyed both the modern technology, smaller chassis and excellent interior quality.

Where would one even start?

Has anyone driven an early 90's E-Class for instance?

I mentioned a few imports, not all cars were rubbish, but I mean a lot of domestic produced cars looked terrible. Absolutely disgusting.

The best looking cars came out around 98-99 in my opinion.

But I might be biased.

<---Has a 99 Mustang.

I just never understood the headlight windshield wiper thingy lol. Other than that, yeah 90's rocked. Expecially the late 80's and early 90's fords. Love em.

I really dislike the 50's looks. Just all that stupid sweeping and chrome this and that. Really pussified stuff.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: evident
it's because certain carmakers thought they could get away with producing shit cars with no innovation or design. most were carryovers from the 80s or with very similar styling, eg lincoln towncar. the cavalier was based on the same platform from the 70s. what a joke

Your ignorance is showing.