7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

Nobody likes crap cars that get overhyped, but there’s another side to this: Too much hype can actually ruin truly great cars. We can’t let that happen!
7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

Let’s talk about hype, or at least my definition of hype because let’s face it - there are a million different ways to go after this. The phrase don’t drive your heroes immediately springs to mind, simply because more often than not, they let you down. But that’s not my definition of hype. It might have a role to play, but this phrase is really about disappointment and that’s not the same. I say you can be positively giddy driving an overhyped car without experiencing the least bit of disappointment. Or at least you can in my bizarro world where birds slither like snakes and Richard Hammond has a goatee.

Hype isn’t about being disappointed with a car. It’s all about expectation, and more specifically, unrealistic expectation. If you have unrealistic expectations built up through unrelenting hype, odds are you’ll be disappointed behind the wheel no matter how good the car actually is. Still not following me? Have you ever taken a drink of coffee expecting it to be hot, only to find it cold? It tastes the same, but I bet you poured it out anyway. Either that, or you took a second drink with the expectation it would be cold.

With the psychology out of the way, know that I like every car on this list. Scratch that - I love every car on this list. Taken in context, they are thoroughly enjoyable to drive. But they’re also victims of relentless hype that too often elevates these cars to hero status in the eyes of many. Let’s all just step back, take a moment, and stop going all Hollywood blockbuster over these rides. They’re great cars, but too much love will inevitably lead to unrealistic expectations. These fab rides deserve better.

The Quattro revolutionised the rally scene and arguably brought all-wheel drive performance to mainstream motoring. People watch vintage Group B rally vids over and over just to hear that screaming inline-five soprano.

Those same people tend to forget that the road-going Quattro wasn’t quite as robust - American market versions only made 160bhp, and the weight penalty for all-wheel drive tasks that output even further. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still brilliant to drive. But even the 197bhp Euro models disappoint new fans expecting to blast away in a furious AWD launch.

2. Ford Mustang

7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

For years I mocked Mustangs because, well, they’ve been overhyped for decades as being the definitive American pony/muscle car. The Mustang faces a double-edged sword from people that hate them for being overhyped, and people who buy one and soon discover it’s not the end-all-be-all in performance.

I bought my first Mustang as a pseudo joke, to drive through winter and write about my experience. I’m now on Mustang number three because they actually are fun to drive, and I don’t expect it to be anything more.

3. Nissan Skyline GT-R

7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

I’m going to single out the R32, R33 and R34 for obvious reasons. I’m sure things are bit different with my ‘Murican perspective - we never got the Skyline when the rest of the world did, so only now are we able to experience its awesomeness.

That also means we’ve spent the last 25 years hyping up that experience without realising that A. it’s still a Nissan, B. the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car, and C. it’s performance, while impressive 15-20 years ago, is only slightly above average today.

4. BMW M3

7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

I’ve had occasion to speak with many people who were seriously let-down after driving an E30 M3 for the first time. Same for the E36, E46, and so on. M3s are among the finest knife-edge luxury performers in the world, but they’ve been so overhyped over the last 30 years that people are sad to learn they don’t always set the quickest times during track days, or worse, that they sometimes break down and require maintenance. You know, like every car does.

5. Toyota Supra

7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

I think people tend to view the A80 Supra as a supercar instead of just an awesome ‘90s Japanese sports car, and that’s the problem. In stock trim the A80 Surpa turbo is plenty fast, and it handles extremely well. But people have come to expect Supras to achieve low earth orbit while smoking high-end Ferraris off the road. How often do you even see Ferraris on your daily travels? And as for the ungodly performance, that only happens after thousands upon thousands of cash in mods, which also leads to numerous component rebuilds. Or you can choose to spend supercar money for one already modded, but such purchases often lead to buyer’s remorse as soon as something breaks.

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Like the Supra, RX-7 hype falls to the 1990s with the boosted FD models. Unlike the Supra, the Mazda isn’t quite as robust at handling major modification, and the rotary is a temperamental engine to say the least. The expectation here is that, after seeing drifting videos, numerous project builds and the original Fast and Furious film, people jump into an RX-7 for prolific BRRAAAAPP and killer sports car moves.

Most are aware that the rotary has special needs, but I’ve read far too many horror stories of buyer’s remorse and utter RX-7 hatred because they didn’t really understand how to handle the engine. This unique car deserves better, and if we can tone down the hype, people will be more prepared to properly care for - and enjoy - this awesome sports car.

7. Ford Focus RS

7 Iconic Cars That Get Too Much Hype

This car just came out; how can it be getting too much hype? I can answer that question in two words: Drift Button. How else can you explain Australian media going mad over the RS and its hooning influence, saying the car should be banned? I mean, this is the country that stuffs torque-monster V8 engines into rear-wheel drive utes with no weight in the back.

The world’s motoring community is certainly buzzing with this latest Focus incarnation and its button to help people drive sideways. I’ve had the chance to speak with a couple new RS owners in the States who’ve recently took delivery of their hot hatch, and thus far it’s all smiles. But I have big concerns that, if the RS hype continues, there will be scores of ex-Mustang owners angry about giving up their V8 for a slower hatchback. Or worse, scores of totaled Focii after drivers discover the Drift Button doesn’t automatically turn them into Ken Block.

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Comments

Anonymous

Hatred aside, GO FK YOSELVES U SUNUVABETCHES JDM4LIFE HOMIES

07/31/2016 - 22:10 |
0 | 10
Anonymous

The Audi Sport quattro had 300 hp and that was a “road-going” car! There were not that much made, but its a little bit unfair that it didnt even get mentioned :D

07/31/2016 - 22:15 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Many are dissapointed when they drove the e30m3 as it has been hailed as one of the best drivers cars of all time, will it deserves the praise, people tend to forget it is not a rocket ship with 800hp, but a high reving 4 cyl that only truly shines when it is wound out on a twisty road.

Kind of same thing with the Godzilla’s, in stock trim, it will not rip your face of, but that suffers from not feeling as special at low speeds, but rather like a Nissan. Also needs to be pushed hard to get the best out of them, and tuning to get the insane awd launches.

07/31/2016 - 22:24 |
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Anonymous

“the steering wheel is on the wrong side” - this is why many people who aren’t american think most Americans are not open-minded or think critically. I swear I disagree with most articles written by Christopher Smith. He’s such an elitest.

07/31/2016 - 22:31 |
4 | 10
Jia the Supra Fanboy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

He mentioned that he was only referring to the American perspective while using that phrase in the article, by using the word “we” after “Murican”.

08/01/2016 - 01:36 |
4 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

“it’s performance, while impressive 15-20 years ago, is only slightly above average today.” - Has Christopher ever heard of aftermarket parts? Many japanese and australian tuners produce quality and reliable aftermarket parts for the skyline GT-Rs. Do your research, Christopher.

08/01/2016 - 03:42 |
0 | 8
Anonymous

1 would be Mazda MX5, The Quartto is underrated for me.

07/31/2016 - 22:38 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Someone who gets it with the focus rs, there are better performing cars for the money. Everyone lost their minds over the awd

07/31/2016 - 22:50 |
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Anonymous

Spoiler alert: Supra is no supercar, it’s a boat with huge modding potential, but in stock form it’s just an icon of potential, cause if you got deep enough pockets.. yes.. you can go fast.

An mr2 for example.. is more like a supercar. In stock form a sw20 rev3 can smash a stock supra in a line or in the corners. 300kg lighter, MR layout.. do I need to say more? I would not feel safe doing 180-200kmt in corners in a supra, unless it’s a racespec car.. However I can experience that in my very own mr2 with semislicks and coilovers.

07/31/2016 - 22:52 |
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holidayonion

I love every car on this list, but nothing gets the hype going for me quite like a nice AE86 (especially red w/ Origin kit and TE37V rims).

07/31/2016 - 22:53 |
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Anonymous

Nice post, agree with you on all of them

07/31/2016 - 22:56 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

what do you mean it’s still only a nissan

07/31/2016 - 23:06 |
0 | 0