Jalopnik: What's The Best Car No One Bought? [Question Of The Day]

[NewsFeeder 9]

Dan Neil said the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is "an American Lexus" but despite that, The Detroit News' Scott Burgess wins the insight cake, saying it's "the best car no one will buy." Maybe. What's the best car no one bought?

The Volkswagen Corrado and its many iterations was one car we truly liked the general buying public didn't. Sure there's a big following, but people were not willing to fork over the cash for the platform. In various trims the Corrado could be had as an attractive hatch all the way up to the powerful-for-the-time 180 HP VR6 trim. It was quicker than a Porsche 944, handled better than your average FWD vehicle, and looked incredibly German. It was quirky, fun, had a hatch and was therefore mostly unloved enough to get canned. it did so poorly they'll probably never bring the Scirocco over here.

That's what we're pining after but there are numerous other vehicles we could have listed. What's your favorite commercially unsuccessful car?

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

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[pow 106]

Saturn ASTRA

Caddy SRX (old one)

Pontiac GTO ('04-'06)

Pontiac G8 (in comparison to Grand Prix)

BMW 1-series

Volvo C30

[Intrepidation 883]

First gen SRX

Second Gen Aurora (company was killed off and the car died with it)

Pontiac GTO

[Cubical-aka-Moltar 2,705 4 Vehicles]

I'd put the VW Phaeton and current-gen Acura RL (before the uglification facelift) in this category. Both sweet luxury cars that never caught on.

Edited August 7, 2009 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[pow 106]

I'd put the VW Phaeton and current-gen Acura RL (before the uglification facelift) in this category. Both sweet luxury cars that never caught on.

Yes to Phaeton. That's an amazing car.

[cletus8269 69]

first thing that popped into my mind was a strange car i had never seen until about 4 yrs ago.

subaru srx

according to cars 101 there is rumored to only have been 640 produced in 1997 the final year. with a price of $30K back then though i can understand why.

[Cubical-aka-Moltar 2,705 4 Vehicles]

I have a friend that had a Subaru SVX back in the late '90s...interesting car, rode in it a few times...those side windows were trippy.

[FAPTurbo 1,219]

Pontiac GTO

Pontiac G8

[Intrepidation 883]

I'd put the VW Phaeton and current-gen Acura RL (before the uglification facelift) in this category. Both sweet luxury cars that never caught on.

I forgot about the Phaeton, haha. Yes that belongs on the list.

[mustang84 12]

I'd put the 2002-2005 Thunderbird on that list. It's the same platform and engine as the Lincoln LS but sold far less (31K its first year vs. 51K for the 2000 LS, and only 9000 in its final year). The guy that traded in my LS also traded in a red '04 Thunderbird and they really are pretty nice looking for being one of the early adopters of retro.

[cletus8269 69]

on a FoMoCo note i also nominate this. had they put a cobra in it, what kind of tom-foolery could have been had behind the wheel?

oh, wait, prolly something like this:

hemmings MC article Cobra in a Crown.

[Cubical-aka-Moltar 2,705 4 Vehicles]

on a FoMoCo note i also nominate this. had they put a cobra in it, what kind of tom-foolery could have been had behind the wheel?

oh, wait, prolly something like this:

hemmings MC article Cobra in a Crown.

:wub: :wub:

[Croc 268]

1. Cadillac SRX post-interior refresh

2. Oldsmobile Aurora (Gen 2)

3. Cadillac SRX pre-interior refresh

4. Pontiac GTO

5. Chrysler Crossfire

6. Ford Thunderbird

7. Eagle Vision

8. VW Phaeton

9. Maybach

10. Buick Reatta

[mustang84 12]

[Satty 338]

The Prowler was never supposed to be a big seller, the fact that nearly 12,000 were sold in its lifetime is actually pretty impressive.

I agree with the SRX, but not the Astra. The Astra just wasn't a good enough car to justify the huge pricetag.

[Lamar 72]

VW Phaeton, most definitely. Though I keep hearing reports that it's on its way back to our shores.

Also, MAZDASPEED6.

[Blake Noble 151]

It might not be the best car that no one bought, but it is one of the coolest cars no one bought.

At a time where most new SUV introductions were being offered as four-door only, the Vehicross was three-door only. The styling isn't Aztek-ugly, but you do notice it and it's every bit as polarizing now as it was back then.

I'd actually love to own one someday, should I want an SUV.

[Z-06 493]

Subaru Baja

[Intrepidation 883]

Dodge Magnum.

[Lamar 72]

Dodge Magnum.

Say SRT8 and I'll agree with you.

[Croc 268]

I know a guy with one of those. He's richer than God, and doesn't have any use for practicality.

[A Horse With No Name 2,015]

I'd put the 2002-2005 Thunderbird on that list. It's the same platform and engine as the Lincoln LS but sold far less (31K its first year vs. 51K for the 2000 LS, and only 9000 in its final year). The guy that traded in my LS also traded in a red '04 Thunderbird and they really are pretty nice looking for being one of the early adopters of retro.

+1

Chris