Six Very Over-Rated Vehicles

Here are my personal opinions on six vehicles which get too much press for their capabilities - do you agree?

1.) Range Rover Sport HSE - can be out-accelerated by a Toyota Highlander. Even in Supercharged guise the Range Rover Sport only matches the Highlander, 0-60 mph in 7.2sec
2.) Mercedes CLS - it has less room than the E-class the same engines and similar specifications yet costs $10,000 more
3.) Audi A8 - gets notice from fanatics about its interior design, but who cares? it is a such a slow seller
4.) Maybach [short and long wheel base] - very slow seller compared to Rolls Royce and Bentley
5.) Lexus GS450Hybrid - a relatively large car that's a poor fit for families because it has the trunk space of a small convertible
6.) BMW Mini - rather pricey compared to Subaru WRX, Saab 9 2-X, Audi A3 etc.

Comments?

S4Super - 8/3/2006 11:15:10 PM

+2 Boost

I don't think the MINI Cooper is overrated. If anything, it's underrated.

S4Super - 8/3/2006 11:15:42 PM

+2 Boost

BMW 3-series - now THAT'S overrated!

atomicbri - 8/3/2006 11:18:28 PM

+1 Boost

The MINI Cooper is a great fun car, sure it may be small and not have all-wheel drive but is hella fun to own and drive.

SixxFive - 8/4/2006 12:38:00 AM

+2 Boost

MercBasher: RE your posting and your worries that the cars you mentioned are getting too much press and are overrated. No, I don't agree with you. Specifically, the CLS deserves the attention because it stands out and brings emotion to the brand. The A8 is a great luxury sedan and your dismissal of it b/c of low sales is ignorant. The Mini may cost more than it's rivals but I'll pay a bit more for character and personality any day.

Agent63 - 8/4/2006 5:00:12 AM

+1 Boost

CLS is definately not over rated. It's a stunning car. It's a great car to have in your garage. Maybach is not over-rated. Just look at it's features and look at the prestige the vehicle brings. It's a classy car and since there are so many low sales it just makes the brand even more unique.

shiftright - 8/4/2006 10:13:45 AM

0 Boost

I agree that the CLS is over rated. I find it's shape too droopy. It seems that it belongs in the 1950s. From the rear it looks like a tail less dog that is running after being kicked in the arse.

jackpuls - 8/4/2006 11:05:54 AM

+2 Boost

Who writes this idiotic stuff?

AlexTx - 8/4/2006 11:52:54 AM

+3 Boost

Merc: you should know that in Europe, the A8 with a V12 and TDi outsells both the 7 series and the Sclass combined when equipped with similar engines!!
Enough said.

CPILLAR - 8/4/2006 12:02:50 PM

0 Boost

AlexTx,

How does the A8 sell in the U.S.? It's the larger markets at the margin that will sustain sales growth.

Nuff said.

UnkleFunkle - 8/4/2006 12:33:21 PM

+1 Boost

The Mini Cooper fills a niche. I think it's better compared to a VW Bug or a PT Cruiser. I would consider these to be novelty vehicles as the pay homage to some previous vehicle which made a definite statement.

UnkleFunkle - 8/4/2006 12:34:31 PM

+1 Boost

"The" should be "They"...Sorry.

AlexTx - 8/4/2006 12:44:48 PM

+2 Boost

PCillar: The A8 actually does sell pretty well considering they are very hard to get in the States.
This is due to high demand in Europe and most clients order the car the way they want it.

mkk21 - 8/4/2006 2:34:05 PM

+1 Boost

I actually like these vehicles. My answer to the topic is: Mustang, Mustang, Mustang, Mustang, Mustang, and Mustang.

Rupert - 8/4/2006 3:08:01 PM

+1 Boost

the a8 is a great car, perhaps it is even under-rated. and it's a hot seller in europe.
pt cruiser is over-rated, mini isn't.

drpesq - 8/4/2006 3:38:09 PM

-1 Boost

Audis in general are overrated. A8L is a boring drive (even the new S8 reviews note "dead" steering). Audi design is great, but the cars are not as exciting as the packaging suggests (particualrly w/S line). Quattro = most overrated mechanical feature too. That's why Audi had to make it rear-biased like Porsche and BMW's 'inferior' systems to compete with M3/X5/Cayenne etc... Also agree Corvette is overrated. It gets carte blanche because of bang-for-the buck.

drpesq - 8/4/2006 4:19:08 PM

+1 Boost

Range Rover Sport? It has no rear seat room, and it must have an anchor out back with its dismal 0-60 times. They are selling now (probably) to people who want the look of a Range Rover but have an X5 pocket book. I bet it's residual value tanks in 3 yrs. But Land Rover's saving grace is the beautiful and elegant Range Rover.

Rupert - 8/4/2006 4:38:35 PM

+2 Boost

lexuses are boring to drive but that doesn't stop people saying god things about them. don't forget, the more expensive the car, the less likely you are to drive it yourself.

AlexTx - 8/4/2006 5:14:42 PM

+2 Boost

drpesq: If Quattro is overrated, how come Audi got banned from using it in racing in the late 90s?
They would win everything.
Road and Track from last month had the A4 with S-Line and Quattro beat all the cars it was matched against.
It did not have the biggest engine, but it beat them in straight line (except Subby Legacy), slalom and speed in slalom.
They loved the S-Line package and what it did to the car.
Quattro is still the best system out there.
Have you driven the RS4?
They only went to Rear biased to make it even better.

IamEvilHomer - 8/4/2006 6:01:57 PM

+1 Boost

drpesq - quattro is the overrated feature? but somhow BMW, MB and the rest needed a 4wd car after Audi

Audi is underrated in the USA / I still tell people I work for Audi and they don't know what that is and I live in Los Angeles

If that is not underrated then what is ?

IamEvilHomer - 8/4/2006 6:03:01 PM

+1 Boost

Merc- you sound like another person that is so worried aobut Audi. Why? Just go to your MB room and have fun

chewy - 8/4/2006 6:10:55 PM

+1 Boost

shiftright

The CLS is a very well designed vehicle. It really does looks awesome.

drpesq

What review was that?

woood - 8/4/2006 11:05:52 PM

+1 Boost

Guys, all the 6 cars over rated or not, it is called MARKETING!