Which new car were you most excited about?

Elantra N was the one I hoped lived up to the hype.

The WRX did not live up to the hype when it showed up in 2002.  Neither did the Evo.  "Surprise!  We're going to make the cars a lot bigger and heavier when we sell them in the US"

The Focus RS was good though.  It made no pretense of what it wasn't.

bobzilla said:

Elantra N was the one I hoped lived up to the hype.

It did not, it far exceeded it. 

I was pretty excited about the new Nissan Z car, hoping that it would slot slightly above the GR86 but below the Supra, maybe $35K with a sweet I6 and a curb weight of 3000 pounds? I based this on nothing but my own dreams, of course.  When it came out, I was disappointed at the looks, the price, the features, and the price. It's not a bad car I guess, but I was hoping for something brilliant, or at least that showed some some innovative thinking and passion. 

The Toyobaru, known as the "FT86 concept" at the time. I was a little let down by the final product's weight and looks compared to the concept (supposed to be closer to 2000lbs and had looks you can only recreate with a Five Axis body kit) but I eventually bought one anyway.

I liked the looks of the Supra concept, the final concept got pretty close and if they ever depreciate a manual could be tempting.

Honda S660/S1000 - great concept, too bad they're JDM-only and I can't really fit in one.

New NSX and i8. Two similar cars, both fun gadgets first and sports cars second, they're pretty cool but I don't think I'd spend my own money on one.

I was kind of excited about the CR-Z but that was a pretty big letdown performance-wise....

In reply to pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) :

I definitely got excited about the new Z-Car. I didn't drive it, but hearing that it wasn't quite on par with the Supra when it came to on-track manners was a little bit of a bummer.

Nothing the aftermarket can't fix, though.

I was excited about the VW Buzz as at the time an EV minivan would have met my needs nicely.  Unfortunately, initial reviews have not kept up that enthusiasm due to the size and how the interior is configured.  And then the pandemic happened and how much I could make use of an EV was greatly reduced. 

Something that wasn't a super car when I was 10? The GT86. Liked it enough to buy one 2 years later.

In 1989 I went to the Chicago Auto Show to see the new sports car Mazda was introducing.  The new MX-5?  Does that car look the same as an old Lotus Elan?  Mazda's really going to make this?  WOW!

I was so excited until they arrived and the pricing came out with large markups so I bought a Datsun 1600 Roadster instead.  

You gotta remember we just suffered through some "okay" cars in the 80's (minus '83-'84 VW Rabbit GTI)

Live up to the hype? I guess.

It's hard to get hyped for new 'special' cars today because they sell out instantly

The Toyota Corolla GTS (AE86).

I was a mechanic at a Toyota dealership when they came out. I was stoked that the US was getting these; twin cam motor, 4 wheel disc brakes, sport seats and a 5 speed. 

We had corral way in the back of the property where we put the new cars after prepping them; as it was away from prying eyes you could slalom through the gate and attach the hairpin before parking the car. 

Sadly no one else seemed to understand why I was so stoked about these. It only took 20 years before they caught on.

Datsun310Guy said:

I was so excited until they arrived and the pricing came out with large markups so I bought a Datsun 1600 Roadster instead.  

I guess it's good to know that dealer markups aren't a recent issue.

I don't know why but I was really excited about the new Bronco when it was first teased and I've been happy about how well it's doing now that it's out.  Not that it doesn't have it's issues but from what I understand it pretty much does what it's supposed to really well.  What makes it weird that I'm excited about it is that I have absolute no use for one and can't imagine a scenario in which I'd purchase one.

The last one that I was stoked about and followed closely, the 6th Gen Camaro,  I went out and bought.  First new car ever.  And I'm looking for a good deal on a 1LE to park next to it now.  I'd say it lived up to the hype.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

The WRX did not live up to the hype when it showed up in 2002.  Neither did the Evo.  "Surprise!  We're going to make the cars a lot bigger and heavier when we sell them in the US"

 

The Focus RS was good though.  It made no pretense of what it wasn't.

"I decided to devote my life to it, and not get sidetracked by all the other bullE36M3 that life has to offer." - Cliff Burton

it must be opposite day, the focus RS is good on paper but E36 M3 in real life. 

I got really excited when the Type R came out in 2017. I've been trying to purchase one since and any time I muster up the will to seek one out, the dealership experience with any Honda dealer is an instant buzz kill and I go back into hiding for another 6 months. I've had almost every iteration of Civic Si and was so stoked when they announced that the US was getting the highest performing Civic. Sad trombone noises. 

The Hyundai N cars are out of this world awesome. Exceeded every expectation I had of them. Plus I was in and out of a Hyundai dealer in 45 minutes with my purchase, to include loading it on a trailer. 

Colin Wood said:

I guess it's good to know that dealer markups aren't a recent issue.

 

Nope. I was super excited when the Miata came out but it looked like they were going to be gouged all to heck. However, the local dealer where a HS buddy worked sold them for MSRP so he got a bunch of sales, including from me.

The FD RX7. Was so close to buying one but it really didn't fit my life at the time and I was still just a bit  too young for insurance to cooperate. 
Beyond that, every new Miata model. :)

Colin Wood said:

Datsun310Guy said:

I was so excited until they arrived and the pricing came out with large markups so I bought a Datsun 1600 Roadster instead.  

I guess it's good to know that dealer markups aren't a recent issue.

 

I actually stopped at a Chrysler dealer back in the day and they had the first PT Cruiser in the showroom with an market adjustment up.  The first VW retro Beetle had a markup too. 

I've never really liked new cars. Heck, until 5 years ago I didn't want a car built this millennium. 

I got excited when Ford announced the Bronco. I got really excited when I heard it would have 3 pedals. I spent hours playing with the configurator, building up every trim level, playing with every option. I even sent a few emails to my local Ford dealer. Then I really accessed the situation. I realized there are many things I like about my 27yo Jeep that wouldn't be the same in a new Bronco. Ford's electric transfer case(at least in trucks) is slower and harder to use than the manual np231 in my Jeep. Electric windows only. The 2 door is too small. The 4 door is proportioned poorly. Silly options packages kept me from getting the combo of options I actually want. And to top it all off, either pay 20k above MSRP for a stock car optioned other than how I want, or order one and wait a year or two. 

I was also really excited when Mazda announced the ND. Man, that DID live up to the hype 

In reply to buzzboy :

I too was jacked up with the Bronco since I saw them all the time near Detroit.  I put my $100 down online and waited but realized I'm not going to be happy with a $30,000 base Bronco. If I'm spending $45-$50,000 I'd rather have a Silverado 2500.

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

Heh, I have the opposite problem. I'm not going to be happy with the $30k base because it's got more stuff than I want. I'd rather a $25k base, and option it up to $30k than spend $30k base on junk I don't want. So now I'm much happier looking at $40k wranglers.

buzzboy said:

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

Heh, I have the opposite problem. I'm not going to be happy with the $30k base because it's got more stuff than I want. I'd rather a $25k base, and option it up to $30k than spend $30k base on junk I don't want. So now I'm much happier looking at $40k wranglers.

I just want a Bronco Raptor at MSRP and less then a 4 month wait. Only thing I can actually see myself paying for. 

The 2017 BRZ I bought new was a mostly brilliant car marketed by a bunch of bumbling fools who would rather piss off their customers than retain them. Hence, it is the very last subaru I will ever buy new. SOA has their head so far up their sphincter they'd have to look out their navel to see where they were going, if they actually cared where they were going. As long as they maintain their politically correct stature with LBGTQCXYZ community and all the other left wing organizations they seek to support, they don't seem to care about the rest of their customer base.

But the car itself, got so many things so very right, I still kick myself for selling it. Truly the most enjoyable car to drive I have ever owned. So yeah, it lived up to the hype. Mostly. The dealer network however, well they didn't. There is a special place in hell for them and the decision makers at SOA. Oh yeah.

Colin Wood said:

Datsun310Guy said:

I was so excited until they arrived and the pricing came out with large markups so I bought a Datsun 1600 Roadster instead.  

I guess it's good to know that dealer markups aren't a recent issue.

 

Don't have it anymore , but my first year (1990) Corvette ZR1 stickered for about $60k, and the original dealer paperwork had a sale price of $72k!

In reply to buzzboy :

The $30,000 base 4x4 with stick is this version - jacked up price, right?

Just can't get excited here......until I buy new wheels, lift kit........

Datsun310Guy said:

Colin Wood said:

Datsun310Guy said:

I was so excited until they arrived and the pricing came out with large markups so I bought a Datsun 1600 Roadster instead.  

I guess it's good to know that dealer markups aren't a recent issue.

 

I actually stopped at a Chrysler dealer back in the day and they had the first PT Cruiser in the showroom with an market adjustment up.  The first VW retro Beetle had a markup too. 

When I bought my 1985 CRX Si, it came with everything including the bill of sale. Note the line of $1000 dealer profit on top of the $7999 MSRP. That's 12.5% ADM.

The original buyer also cross-shopped some lesser models.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

My Rallye Pinto buddy read about the new CRX Si in Road & Track and called me.  Want to come with me to buy a Honda?

We went to 2 dealers and one said they had a red one coming in.  You have to pay sticker - he bought it on the spot without driving it or seeing it.  

It was the first Si year (maybe 2nd CRX year?) and was a really cool car.  

Oh, and most anticipated new car for me? ND Miata.

Datsun310Guy said:

In reply to buzzboy :

Just can't get excited here......until I buy new wheels, lift kit........

And here I want skinnier tires on stock steelies with a lowering kit :D

Everything I heard & read about the C8 Corvette was pretty interesting & exciting. I had no plans to get one, until I did.  Expectations were met or exceeded.

As you can tell by my screen name, I'm a big Z car fan. My dad raced a '67 Fairlady at Hallett in the 80s while I was growing up, I had an '88 300ZX in high school, then a 350Z a few years after graduating college. 

I was really looking forward to the new Z, it's why I originally held off on ordering a '22 BRZ. The numbers and prices came out, basically a heavy reskinned 370Z with turbo engine that didn't make much more than the NA engine in the 370Z. Add in the higher trim level was $50k+.........at that point I figured spend a few more and get a Supra/SS 1LE/Mach 1.........since I couldn't justify that, I ordered a '23 BRZ.

End goal is to pay off the BRZ as quickly as possible and order a Boxster S. And have both.

C8 Corvette. Man, I was really excited about that one. It's still vaguely possible I might get one even though is not at all really viable in my life right now.

Also the rumor of Honda bringing back the Prelude is fun.

Dodge Omni GLH turbo.  After a year of driving/living in a dodge van camper I was back home, working and making money.  One test drive had me hooked.  Capable of doing 100 with bikes and windsurfers on the roof or chasing down 944s on any road.  Used to wear out comp TAs in less than 10K miles.  Fell apart at 60K but what a fun ride getting there.

The 1988 Fiero GT!

I had been driving an 87 Gt for awhile but as a racer of sports cars was unhappy with the stupidly  specced suspension (Chev Citation front cradle moved to the back and Chevette front suspension) - it was definitely sub-par.

Then the offered the 88 with completely new suspension that turned out to be far superior...and cancelled it after one year!  Fortunately I found an 88 that was lightly used (they made less than 7,000 of them.  Tuned the suspension, more than doubled the power with a turbo and enjoyed it for almost 20 years.

(Then GM did it to me again - loved the Solstice GXP coupe, bought one and then the cancelled that model after making only 1200 of them)

When the Hyundai I30 N came out I was very interested because the first Hyundai, the Hyundai Excel, goes down as the worst car I ever drove (100K miles and a sh*& box). I was intrigued at how much it appeared Hyundai got their act together. So when the Hyundai Veloster N came out, I bit and got one. Very happy and best of all it's the car that finally got me on the track (HPDE).

C8, but I always knew that I would never live to see the day where one would depreciate enough that I could afford to buy it and still be able to enjoy driving it.  Heck as it is, I am busting too many knuckles and spending too much money/time now trying to bring the performance level of my C5 up to that of a warmed over C6 Z06! 

I've got a couple:

2002 WRX Wagon: My senior year of HS, I fell in love with the Audi S4 Avant. Saw one at a car show, and absolutely lost it over the car. I kept telling myself I'd own one after I graduated college. Meanwhile, I was doing what all other gearhead teens were doing (playing the Gran Turismo games) and found the WRX wagon. When they were announced for the US, it was like Subaru made a half-price S4 Avant that had 80% of the performance! Sign me up! My plans changed, and in 2005, I bought a lightly used 2002 Platinum Silver WRX Wagon. 

Did it live up to the hype? YES. For me, it was a quick, AWD wagon that could haul all my drums to gigs. It responded well to mods, and it was generally reliable. Honestly, one of my favorite cars I owned. There was just something special about it, and I miss it all the time. 

2009 WRX: When the 2009's were announced with the new 265hp EJ25 and nearly matched the STI on the track/dyno, I had to have one. So, I pre-ordered one, returned my trusty '02 WRX wagon to stock, and spent weeks salivating over this hot hatch that was en-route to the dealer, reading review-after-review of how incredible they were. I traded my WRX in, thinking I made the right choice. 

Did it live up to the hype? NO. It was slower, less nimble, harder to wrench on, and had much worse build quality than my 2002 WRX did. No matter how I modded it, it just felt worse. Then, the problems started. Lots of issues with the car that drove me nuts, so it didn't stay in the fleet very long. I regret buying that over a Mazdaspeed 3 at the time. 

Maverick, available to try and order for 4 days, multiple versions for different users, sold out for at least MSRP! Nuff said? 

I was super excited about the 1996 Mustang Cobra.  Being in the Navy and out at sea, I had to wait and get a 97 in late 96.  It would've been a lot better with decent seats and a better suspension.  The suspension and interior really let that car down. 

I'm pretty interested in driving a 2023 Civic Type R too (eventually).  It'd eventually replace my 2018 Si, but I need to drive it a whole lot more (over 100k miles more). 

I was and am still very excited about ND Miatas.  I won't drive one, because I would buy it, especially and ND2 with Recaros.  I'd probably make them bring the paperwork out to me while I stay in the car. 

The 400z. I like the idea it was an older proven engine, plus it was turbo, it was an existing chassis they where updating and improving (im a huge fan of this after watching the progression of the C5-C7), actual manual transmission, good price, and the early talk from Nissan was very Miata-esque about caring about driver involvement and chassis dynamics.

I admit I havent driven one, but Im pretty let down with what im seeing.

The C8. Wife misses my C5 and watched the premier with me. She immediately started talking about getting a base Z51. When they hit the ground and where all 120K, i completely quit caring about them. Also sad about the lack of a traditional manual, but knew that was coming.

C8 Z51 ... nuf said

livinon2wheels said:

The 2017 BRZ I bought new was a mostly brilliant car marketed by a bunch of bumbling fools who would rather piss off their customers than retain them. Hence, it is the very last subaru I will ever buy new. SOA has their head so far up their sphincter they'd have to look out their navel to see where they were going, if they actually cared where they were going. As long as they maintain their politically correct stature with LBGTQCXYZ community and all the other left wing organizations they seek to support, they don't seem to care about the rest of their customer base.

But the car itself, got so many things so very right, I still kick myself for selling it. Truly the most enjoyable car to drive I have ever owned. So yeah, it lived up to the hype. Mostly. The dealer network however, well they didn't. There is a special place in hell for them and the decision makers at SOA. Oh yeah.

For a company that makes weird cars, it's hard to blame their marketing department for carving out a market niche for outdoorsy iconoclasts who like dogs, it's not like there was anyone else they were going to sell cars to.

I say that as someone who leans almost as far to the left and anti-authority as you can get on the Political Compass. 

APEowner said:

I don't know why but I was really excited about the new Bronco when it was first teased and I've been happy about how well it's doing now that it's out.  Not that it doesn't have it's issues but from what I understand it pretty much does what it's supposed to really well.  What makes it weird that I'm excited about it is that I have absolute no use for one and can't imagine a scenario in which I'd purchase one.

 

 

My brother-in-law waited quite a while to buy one. He's a GM and Jeep guy mostly, so between the things he doesn't love about Fords and the wait time, it didn't seem to live up to the hype for him.

I got to drive it; my expectations were high yet still exceeded. 

The '02 WRX was the one I was waiting for. I test drove one when they first came out, and loved it. For some stupid reason (I thought I was being responsible), I didn't buy one. Still kick myself to this day.

On the topic of the Elantra N, Inwas minding my own business waiting in the car while my wife was running an errand. A guy pulled up in a white Elantra N, and it sounded amazing. I was googling specs and price within a minute of seeing it! Glad to hear it lives up to the hype!

In my prime car-enthusiast days, before kids, I was so excited for the RX8. 
it was great in many ways, but not quite right for me at the time. Looking back, probably for he best.

After that, the NC Miata was a long anticipated update to the legend of the NA and NB.

I bought a new one in 2006, and still have it.

billstewartx said:

I stopped by my local Honda dealer parts department today and they had a 2023 in the showroom.  It was kinda nice......what is happening to me.

Datsun310Guy said:

billstewartx said:

I stopped by my local Honda dealer parts department today and they had a 2023 in the showroom.  It was kinda nice......what is happening to me.

The Honda Odyssey is basically one of the greatest vehicles ever made. Don't be ashamed.

The Odyssey's greatest strength is it gives each person in our family of six their own space. Makes for a much  more enjoyable drive when we're all together. It will also fit a drum to drum Ford 8.8", two kids in car seats, and two adults in a pinch.

Oddly enough I've only had 3 new cars and the rest have been used because I've always liked older cars or beaters. My three cars were mostly of the appliance/practical nature. My 2017 JCW Mini was sort of fun, and I was excited to finally get a real performance vehicle but I sort of missed the old car feel of hydraulic steering and all of that stuff so I sold it during the pandemic. I can only say the new cars I got excited for were the Toyobaru Twins (GR86/BRZ), the 11th gen Civic Si, and maybe the Ineos Grenadier (defender/g-wagon remake?). New cars tend to just feel like appliances to me based on feel so that's how I treat them.