# Ugliest Car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052 "2022-04-19T14:18:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/41 "2022-04-19T18:28:34Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Funny, when it came out in the mid-80s the Taurus was anything but generic – the bean-shaped body and flush headlights were downright radical compared to the boxy crap almost everyone else had on the road. I read a story a while back about the Taurus. Lee Iacocca was bragging about how Chrysler had conducted a focus group in which participants were asked to rate the Dodge Dynasty (a boxy K Car derivative) and the upcoming Ford Taurus. The Dynasty had received an average rating of 7, while the Taurus got an average rating of 5, and Iacocca predicted the Taurus was going to flop. What he didn’t realize was that those scores were _averages_, and they didn’t tell the whole story. Pretty much everyone rated the Dodge around 7. When people give something a 7 out of 10, they’re basically saying “Meh. I don’t hate it, but it probably wouldn’t be my first choice.” The Taurus, on the other hand, was highly polarizing. Some people thought it was too radical and gave it 1s and 2s. Others loved it and gave it 9s and 10s. Those scores averaged out to 5, but that group of people who loved it were the ones who drove Taurus sales and made it a success. > [@](#): > > I’m not saying it was any kind of design triumph, but its sales success made curvy aerodynamics mainstream. Within a few years, the radical new look was in fact generic as hell. I was 5 when the Taurus came out. At the time, it looked so futuristic compared to everything else on the road (Although some have pointed out that the shape was actually pretty similar to the 1984 Audi, but those weren’t very common in the US at the time). The Taurus was a highly influential design. Every round jellybean shaped 1990s car was trying to copy the Taurus. And yes, the 1986 Taurus looks generic to modern eyes precisely because everyone else copied it. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/42 "2022-04-19T18:33:53Z")
My opinion may be worthless. I drive this: [dodge colt vista - Bing images](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=lFEoci3a&id=26D9E067AADDEE01CCF51949F753388B6392FEB7&thid=OIP.lFEoci3ajnaFYO-YVetPAgHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.945128722dda8e768560ef9855eb4f02%3frik%3dt%252f6SY4s4U%252fdJGQ%26riu%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fcs.copart.com%252fv1%252fAUTH_svc.pdoc00001%252fPIX26%252fc87d0458-1969-4581-8b7f-178c985ebce9.JPG%26ehk%3dOq7ZBj3eHzNwZ5sHiSP0eYJALuaAyVliEQG9ibrk1pY%253d%26risl%3d%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=480&expw=640&q=dodge+colt+vista&simid=608000329550810022&FORM=IRPRST&ck=48D11408B636DBB3A9CC389DEF76E376&selectedIndex=52&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0) ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/43 "2022-04-19T19:15:51Z")
[1986 Taurus](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32967349/tested-1986-ford-taurus-lx-shapes-the-future-of-the-family-sedan/) It’s an archived article from Car and Driver for the Taurus. Fun read. I had a 1994 and that thing was a sleeper but had great performance. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/44 "2022-04-19T19:17:18Z")
Was it, by chance, an SHO version ? > **[Ford Taurus SHO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_SHO)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > The Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) is the high-performance variant of the Ford Taurus. Originally intended as a limited-production model, the SHO would be produced for the first three generations of the model line, from the 1989 to the 1999 model years. After an 11-year hiatus, the model was revived for 2010, continuing through the 2019 discontinuation of the Taurus model line. > In contrast with standard versions of the Taurus, the T... ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/45 "2022-04-19T19:21:18Z")
I was only 16. The SHO was what I dreamed of. Ended up with a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville SE and that thing was pretty bad ass as well. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/46 "2022-04-19T19:54:15Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > … an archived article from Car and Driver for the Taurus. Wow – I subscribed to C&D back then and I remember that review. Those guys were not easy to please and were especially hard on American iron, so they must have truly been impressed, ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/47 "2022-04-19T19:58:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > The 1980s era Chrysler K car. Heck, that was nothing. Meet the K Cars’ little brother, the Dodg Omni/Plymouth Horizon. [![](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/00t0t_8fOCoVmoNyg_1200x900.jpg?ssl=1) ](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/00t0t_8fOCoVmoNyg_1200x900.jpg?ssl=1) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/48 "2022-04-19T20:00:09Z")
Yep. The 80s were just an awful decade for car design. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/49 "2022-04-19T20:01:21Z")
Horizon was also a terrible car. Loads of problems. So ugly and poorly built and designed. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/50 "2022-04-19T20:04:45Z")
Aaaand, another '80s car for consideration…the Yugo… [![](https://i.redd.it/i0pzt56ytk801.jpg) ](https://i.redd.it/i0pzt56ytk801.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/51 "2022-04-19T20:07:38Z")
To be fair, that is the same body style as one of the Fiats. What made the Yugo special was it was not only boring and somewhat ugly but also one of the worst built cars ever. They were mostly lemons. The Fiat 127 > **[Fiat 127](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_127)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > The Fiat 127 is a supermini car produced by Italian car manufacturer FIAT from 1971 to 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno, although the nameplate continued to be used on cars imported from Brazil. > Developed towards the end of the 1960s, the Fiat 127 was launched as a two-door saloon in April 1971. A three-door... ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/52 "2022-04-19T20:08:13Z")
Which gives rise to the age-old question: if you make an ugly car fast enough, does it cease to be ugly ? [![](https://img.hmn.com/fit-in/900x506/filters:upscale()/stories/2018/08/87139.jpg) ](https://img.hmn.com/fit-in/900x506/filters:upscale()/stories/2018/08/87139.jpg) [**DODGE OMNI GLH**](https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/omni-potent-dodge-omni-glh-turbo) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/53 "2022-04-19T20:09:02Z")
The Yugo, at least, had the decency to self-destruct within a couple months/miles/trips 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/54 "2022-04-19T20:10:07Z")
No, it does not. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/55 "2022-04-19T20:19:51Z")
A lot of these examples are hatch-backs. Are there any hatch-backs on the market these days? And for that matter, louvers (remember those)? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/56 "2022-04-19T20:23:51Z")
Right off the bat you have the Prius and Corolla Hatchback. There is a Civic and VW Golf. Many of the cheaper electrics like the Leaf and Spark. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/57 "2022-04-19T20:30:30Z")
Ahh! Right - good examples. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/58 "2022-04-19T20:31:53Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Right off the bat you have the Prius and Corolla Hatchback. There is a Civic and VW Golf. Many of the cheaper electrics like the Leaf and Spark. Indeed – the hatchback still lives on in non-US vehicles, but other than Chevy, with the Spark, other U.S. automakers have abandoned hatchbacks, as well as just generally abandoning traditional sedans and coupes in favor of SUVs and trucks. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/59 "2022-04-19T21:06:22Z")
Nothing posted here so far can really compete with the Fiat Multipla. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Fiat_Multipla_front_20080825.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Fiat_Multipla_front_20080825.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052/60 "2022-04-19T21:08:22Z")
Holy crap, you win the thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugliest-car/963052.md?page=4)