:)Virtually a copycat thread of the one started by lozgti about over-rated cars.:P

What's the most under-rated car ever in your opinion?

I'll start by suggesting a car that I love partly because it's hated by most:

Skoda Estelle!

fabia vrs:D

Anything with blue flashing lights

Alfa Sprint or Citroen Visa GTi

Frankly I'd have to say Estelle too - in the UK, anyway. The basic Lada's a pretty decent motor too. I've never driven one but when visiting my in-laws in Georgia, Eastern Europe, I'm always amazed at the way they continue to run around in a state that would completely finish off most 'posh' motors!

Morris Ital.

(kidding).

Austin maestro diesel van. The one i used to drive would eat an astramax, and an escort van for breakfast

Cavalier/calibra turbo back in the day (not now obviously) - actually a Vauxhall 'Cosworth' and just as fast as the Sierra/Escort 4wd in standard trim.

Triumph Herald With the 2.0 engine My first car

MK1 Ford Fiesta 1.1..... (my first car.....though the memory plays tricks on me:rofl:)

Ford Transit Connect - good at speed down a motorway despite noise and wind shear - oh, and a long enough load bay to sleep in (yes, done it )

Citroen BX16V

rover 75 V8 = love child of a 89 yr old pensioner and a football hooligan

Bit long winded and off the subject at times but I just feel compelled to pass on my thoughts of my "most under-rated car" and its comparison with the Furby

Mazda Xedos 6, 2.0L V6 SE

Bought a one owner 1996 model in metallic black when it was already 7 years old with 32K miles on the clock. Ran it for 4 years (34K miles)and with the exception of servicing, tyres, set of pads, exhaust back box, a set of HT leads and 2 front springs I never had one other thing go wrong - not even a light bulb.

The V6 - 24 valve, Yamaha designed engine was the quietest (almost silent at tickover) and smoothest I've ever experienced, and it could shift.

It was also gorgeous looking in a swoopy/slinky kind of way.

Had 4 MoT's in the period, passing with no advisories.

When you consider the under noted list of features and the potential for going wrong it makes the reliability even more impressive.

The standard spec included:

Alloys - no bubbling

Remote locking/alarm/immobilizer

Power steering + height and reach adjustable wheel

Fogs

Electric slide/tilt sun roof

Electric windows/wing mirrors incl defrosting elements

Full cream leather/alcantara interior

Auto climate control/aircon

One button windscreen demister

Electric slide/tilt/height adjustment on driver's seat

Mongrammed mats

Retracting aerial - still worked perfectly after 11 years

Replaced it only because it had depreciated to a level where the cost of the next service, which was to include the timing belt didn't make economic sense. So, sadly, we parted.

I chose a 2005 (21K miles) Fabia vRS as the replacement because nothing else came anywhere near its performance or mpg. Now, I must say I'm not disappointed in these aspects, but there have been downsides in comparison with my Xedos reliability experience. Eg.

In 11 months (10K miles) the following problems have occurred:

Replaced:

Drop links

Gearbox

Radiator

Rear discs and pads

High level brake light

Alloy (bubbled)

In addition:

Aircon re-gassed

Driver's seat re-covered - subsequently, replaced all covers with full leather

Knocking noise from front LHS - solved by lubing gearbox mount

Last, but not least, numerous rattles - some fixed, others not.

Thankfully, all of the above were rectified under warranty. Hope I can now look forward to a trouble-free period, rattles excepted, no doubt.

Okay, the Xedos was £20K + in 1996 and the Fabia £12K in 2005 so there is a major price differential but considering the Fabia has the benefit of 9 years of technological and engineering evolution I would have expected a similar level of reliability. However, all said, I still look forward to every drive in the vRS. Long may it continue.

Fiat Panda

Espesially this one

Lucky Dip : RS TURBO POWERED PANDA

Fiat Panda

Espesially this one

Lucky Dip : RS TURBO POWERED PANDA

If I had the money and space I would snap his hand off for that :rofl:

Fabia vRS.

Hillman Avenger, Talbot Samba S and Cortina Mk4 2.3 Auto

fiat strada

I loved mine years ago:D

1977 Fiat 128 3P (poor man's Ferrari).

75 bhp, 1290cc,( not bad for then)

redline was at 7500rpm, 110 4 up.

Loved it, most fun I've ever had driving.

One problem, it rotted before my eyes.

Bit long winded and off the subject at times but I just feel compelled to pass on my thoughts of my "most under-rated car" and its comparison with the Furby

Mazda Xedos 6, 2.0L V6 SE

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

I'm Joking! sorry mate I couldn't resist. I'm sure it was a very good car, but in reply to your post I would like to....ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.

mavis

I'm Joking! sorry mate I couldn't resist. I'm sure it was a very good car, but in reply to your post I would like to....ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Cruel :P (esp from a Mazder owner)

The Xedos was supposed to be a brill motor

Austin maestro diesel van. The one i used to drive would eat an astramax, and an escort van for breakfast

I couldn't keep up with one on a trip back from North Wales about 12 years ago. I wouldn't have minded but I was driving an XR3i. Perkins Prima POWA!

:)Talking of Maestros, the MG 2.0i was a very good under-rated car. Can't remember the last time I saw one.