This question was raised on another thread, and it sounded like something that would be (a) wildly subjective and (B) a source of endless quibbling. I.e., fun. :wink: So: which car, currently in production, do you think is the ugliest? For me, it's a very easy decision: the Pontiac Aztec. Though there's some personal trauma behind this decision: In mid-January, when I was first thinking about buying an '04 Prius, I had only seen one in photos and magazines -- no siting in the wild. As I was passing by a Holiday Inn at about 30 MPH, I glanced at what appeared to be a bloated, boat-sized '04 Prius pulling into the motel's parking lot. "Dear God," I thought, mistaking the Aztec for the '04 Prius, "that's as big as an SUV! Maybe it's time to think about the Honda Si again..." And great was my disappointment. Luckily for me, a friend pointed out a real '04 Prius the next day, as we were driving to a movie. Considerably less bulky and much more the size I was looking for. Since then, I've seen Aztecs up close. Yikes! And I used to think that a Toyota Echo had a wide nice person...
The nice person-Tek, all the way. I actually like the Element for some strange reason. Maybe because it's a throwback to my LEGO playing years
my 5 year old nephew can design a car better than the Element or Scion. Because we all know how aerodynamic a BOX is! Ugh, they're just ugly and pointless in my view. -m.
The Element and the Scion box have got to be the illegitimate children of a rhino and a refrigerator. I would love to have seen what the smoke did during the wind tunnel tests.
Looks aside, you have to experience the Element and the xB to appreciate them. I test drove an xB. It has plenty of power even with the slushbox, and a 6 foot tall adult can fit COMFORTABLY in the back seat. Same with the Element. I can set the drivers seat to where I'm comfortable, and then hop in the back. I have almost two FEET of space between my knees and the front seat back. Plus you still have all of that space behind the back seats. Awesome packaging, IMO. My only disqualification of the xB is that Toyota warns against ANY towing with the vehicle. The Element however, can be had with AWD, and will pull my snowmobile. Hopefully, Honda will plunk the IMA system in it, and still have the vehicle available in AWD form, and tow capable. That nice plastic and rubber interior makes it giant breed dog friendly as well.
How would that compare as far as space/comfort with an Xterra (I only ask because I'm visual and that's what my wife drives.
Plus it gets 32 MPG in the city. The idea behind the xB is to have the maximum amount of space inside with a small exterior. No space or weight is wasted, so you have a fuel-efficient car with the interior space of an SUV without the dangerous size and crappy mileage. My wife has an xA and it's a great little car. You can see pictures in my personal album.
My vote for ugly in it's purest form has to go the Hummer. It is one huge ugly waste of limited natural resources and portrays Americans to the rest of the world in a quite ugly fashion.
:lolup: I think you've hit it on the head. I always thought the old VW bug was funky, and felt warmly towards it; never liked the new Bug, though. However, I think the Element may be the "new VW Bug" for me. Wouldn't want one, but it's modular block styling does create a faux nostalgia for my childhood toys. BTW, I thought I read somewhere that the Element was originally a concept car that caught on in Japan. It was popular amongst college kids who were travelling from bar to bar on drinking binges. (I assume there was a designated driver -- I hope so, anyway.)
I have to give at least an honorable mention to the Subaru WRX. It's ugly with purpose, sure, but it's still ugly, especially in full bulbous trim with scoops and fins and spoilers and fender flares and lord knows what else. Some kind of Frankenstien Car.
The Dodge Magnum version of that one is FAR uglier than the Chrysler They took the Truck Front End and put it on a station wagon.
If I were a college student today and looking for a new car, an Element is exactly what I'd want. The utility of it is amazing and is the perfect compromise for a college kid that wants an SUV but with the MPG of a sedan. Being able to hop in it and take a hose to the backend after one of those infamous college roadtrips - oh yeah, I'd want one. Hell, I've got myself wanting one now
Me too! I test drove both the Prius (TRAC car) and an Element I liked them both, but the Prius was more comfortable I did go through the negotiations on an Element and managed to get them down to $2800 off msrp.... but I wanted the Prius so I walked away Remember the days of getting money off msrp and having 30 on the lot to choose from??? :? Chris
Actually, head-on, it has a definite resemblance to a Toyota Matrix. (Which is one of the reasons I crossed the Matrix off the list very early.)
