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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:37:43 PM EDT
[#1]
With the exception of this car right here, the 80s were the worst decade for cars in the history of mankind
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:39:28 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not really, it was easy to make 70s cars run like 60s cars and they had better ignitions. Deck head to raise compression, ditch air pump and ex manifolds for headers, ditch cast intake with EGR for alum intake and holley carb, bigger cam and valve springs while the heads are off. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:40:03 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: With the exception of this car right here, the 80s were the worst decade for cars in the history of mankind https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/87265/9AC9815A-C8C0-42F8-A75E-56697329B8AD_jpe-2011431.JPG  |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:40:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: With the exception of this car right here, the 80s were the worst decade for cars in the history of mankind https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/87265/9AC9815A-C8C0-42F8-A75E-56697329B8AD_jpe-2011431.JPG Mid to late 80s 5.0 Mustangs were cool. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:40:47 PM EDT
[#5]
"The 1975 piece of shit!" - George Carlin
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:44:13 PM EDT
[#6]
I voted 80's but only because you didn't differentiate late 70's from early 70's when there were still some cool cars.
1975-1985 is the real answer. Dog shit power, emissions up the ass, boxy designs. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:44:32 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Mid to late 80s 5.0 Mustangs were cool. I’ll agree they were cool, but not iconic like the Grand National and GNX |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:45:10 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I voted 80's but only because you didn't differentiate late 70's from early 70's when there were still some cool cars. 1975-1985 is the real answer. Dog shit power, emissions up the ass, boxy designs. You are exactly correct |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:46:58 PM EDT
[#9]
The huge engine power drop started in 1972 so I'm going with 1972 to about 1989 for the worst cars.
1971 Ford 460 - 365hp 1972 Ford 460 - 212hp Nice huh? A gas guzzling big block that only puts out 200 horse power. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:48:04 PM EDT
[#10]
Most of the "badness" of the cars of the periods listed is driven by the combination of available technology overlaid upon government mandates.
Once the EPA dictated the tighter emissions standards that began to apply starting in 1975, that meant everyone had to use catalytic converters. Once "cats" were needed, the use of tetraethyl lead as an octane booster in gasoline had to stop, since "ethyl" would quickly poison a cat. The removal of "ethyl" reduced the octane rating, and early replacements sucked at raising the octane to former levels. This meant the old 9.5:1 or higher compression ratios disappeared, and so did the power/efficiency associated with them Now the cars were slugs, power wise. In addition, the technology available to provide the other control systems needed (lean mixture carburetors, etc.) was purely mechanical, mostly vacuum driven. These systems were slow to respond, and a mish-mash of parts. The result was cars that met emissions standards, but had driveabliity issues up the ass. Because the auto industry was so focused on trying to meet these new technical challenges, any other innovations that might be applicable were delayed in introduction, or, if introduced, done poorly. (Witness the automatic seatbelts, or the seatbelt interlock systems.) Things got better once electronic controls systems arrived, but it took time to optimize those. This meant that cars up through about 1985-1988 sucked, but after that, they had turned the corner, and stuff after that was getting better every year. I am an old fart, and worked on cars as a hobby all my life. I remember those years quite well, and they were dismal, to say the least. Cars before 1975 are fine, cars after about 1990 are good, and cars after OBD-II became standard are pretty decent, in general. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:51:18 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The huge engine power drop started in 1972 so I'm going with 1972 to about 1989 for the worst cars. 1971 Ford 460 - 365hp 1972 Ford 460 - 212hp Nice huh? A gas guzzling big block that only puts out 200 horse power. Isn't that also the timeframe that the manufacturers switched from 'gross hp' to 'net hp' ratings? That rating change alone can make the exact same engine appear to have a 15-20% drop in 'rated' horsepower, when in fact nothing may have changed mechanically. To be sure, there WERE absolutely power reductions in the early 70's as engines switched to unleaded and downgraded compression ratios, but the switch from gross to net ratings made it seem even worse. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:51:49 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 74-84 would be my vote for the worst 10 year stretch. The early 70s still had good stuff, and stuff was getting better in the late 80s. You nailed it |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 5:52:37 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I’ll agree they were cool, but not iconic like the Grand National and GNX Saleen and Shelby beg to differ. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:01:05 PM EDT
[#14]
My folks drove one of these beauties:
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:04:19 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 74-84 would be my vote for the worst 10 year stretch. The early 70s still had good stuff, and stuff was getting better in the late 80s. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:31:37 PM EDT
[#16]
Voted 70's but 70's & 80's sucked big time!
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:32:44 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Isn't that also the timeframe that the manufacturers switched from 'gross hp' to 'net hp' ratings? That rating change alone can make the exact same engine appear to have a 15-20% drop in 'rated' horsepower, when in fact nothing may have changed mechanically. To be sure, there WERE absolutely power reductions in the early 70's as engines switched to unleaded and downgraded compression ratios, but the switch from gross to net ratings made it seem even worse. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The huge engine power drop started in 1972 so I'm going with 1972 to about 1989 for the worst cars. 1971 Ford 460 - 365hp 1972 Ford 460 - 212hp Nice huh? A gas guzzling big block that only puts out 200 horse power. Isn't that also the timeframe that the manufacturers switched from 'gross hp' to 'net hp' ratings? That rating change alone can make the exact same engine appear to have a 15-20% drop in 'rated' horsepower, when in fact nothing may have changed mechanically. To be sure, there WERE absolutely power reductions in the early 70's as engines switched to unleaded and downgraded compression ratios, but the switch from gross to net ratings made it seem even worse. I think the drop in compression was significant, but yeah the gross vs. net measurement was a large part. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:34:18 PM EDT
[#18]
I can’t see the hate for the Vega, decent looking, easily fit a V8 and had a engine that went to shit in a few years. I built a lot of V8 Vegas back in the 70’s.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:39:48 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Saleen and Shelby beg to differ. Beg all they want. Nobody thinks of them as icons of the 80s . I would take one Grand National over a truckload of mustangs. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:42:13 PM EDT
[#20]
Where's the all of the above option?
J/K I gather the 70s were really bad. 80s were pretty bad too but there's a few gems in there. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:44:13 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This would get my vote as well. I grew up driving cars from that era since we were dirty poors, and they were constantly breaking down. Post EPA emissions crackdowns, but pre fuel injection was the absolute worst. Couple the post EPA with pre fuel injection and cars that started rusting at the factory and you have the shit show of my youth. 1980's cars were shit, and they didn't last. Big reason why you don't see many available today from that era is that they sucked for power, and quality. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 6:58:26 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not really, it was easy to make 70s cars run like 60s cars and they had better ignitions. Deck head to raise compression, ditch air pump and ex manifolds for headers, ditch cast intake with EGR for alum intake and holley carb, bigger cam and valve springs while the heads are off. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: There's no getting around the extra displacement the V8 has, but you're going to have to spend some money just to get the Trans Am to match the stock sedan's performance. Not really, it was easy to make 70s cars run like 60s cars and they had better ignitions. Deck head to raise compression, ditch air pump and ex manifolds for headers, ditch cast intake with EGR for alum intake and holley carb, bigger cam and valve springs while the heads are off. Don't forget to reset the base timing from 0° BTDC to something that at least appears to be ignition advance. 
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:07:10 PM EDT
[#23]
The mid 70's when the EPA shit was kicking in, up into the early 90's, IMHO. It's like the designers had a case of the blahs or something. Clock punchers, or whatever.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:16:11 PM EDT
[#24]
1990's...bland nothing. All cookie cutter rounded off shit boxes for the most part.
At least with the 70's you had early 70's (Cuda's etc) and ended with cool second gen Trans AM's and Z28's. Some 80's stuff had cool sharp lines that's starting to grow on me I will say that. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:20:12 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: With the exception of this car right here, the 80s were the worst decade for cars in the history of mankind https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/87265/9AC9815A-C8C0-42F8-A75E-56697329B8AD_jpe-2011431.JPG That's probably the only noteable standout from the entire era of American cars.. basically everything else was garbage. however, German cars of the era were awesome... Audi UR coupe. BMW, M3, M1, and M6. VW GTI, GLI, Scirocco, Corrado, Rabbit GTI. MB, don't even know where to start. Porsche...couldn't pick a bad one even the 944 had its appeal. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:20:21 PM EDT
[#26]
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:35:35 PM EDT
[#27]
Nobody remembers pulling the heads to do valve guides and seals at 30-40k on those 60's - early 70's engines cause they were smoking and drinking oil. If one made it to 100k it was, (1) a miracle and (2) worn slap out and ready for the junkyard. Points/condenser and plugs/wires were regular maintenance items. Multiple engine rebuild business were common even in small towns. Visually stunning but mechanically meh.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:45:50 PM EDT
[#28]
As others have noted, '75-'85 +/-1 yr was the pits
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:46:49 PM EDT
[#29]
Late 70's early 80's. When the muscle cars started fading and the boxy ass cars were king.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:48:43 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Mid 70s through the early 90s. Yep |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:49:46 PM EDT
[#31]
Did anyone mention the 6000SUX?
An American tradition. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:49:57 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 74-84 would be my vote for the worst 10 year stretch. The early 70s still had good stuff, and stuff was getting better in the late 80s. Confirmed. The Mustang II began in model year 1974. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:50:07 PM EDT
[#33]
I say 90's. Every American car I had that was 90's either had bad engines, trim, rattles, paint or transmissions.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:50:25 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 74-84 would be my vote for the worst 10 year stretch. The early 70s still had good stuff, and stuff was getting better in the late 80s. Yep. Agreed. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:50:45 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1975 to 1985 objectively Many of my favorite cars are from that period though I don’t like them, but I hope you are looking at Lincoln’s, caddies and tornados. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:52:36 PM EDT
[#36]
the current era
they're not even american cars anymore e.g. HELL YEAH DONE GOT ME A SCAT PACK R/T HEMI with a transmission made in Germany, engine from Mexico, and assembly in Canada great job |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:55:18 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: CAR & Driver specs. --------------------------------------- ARFCOM GD favorite 1977 Trans Am 60 mph: 9.3 sec 100 mph: 29.3 sec 1/4 mile: 16.9 sec @ 82 mph Top speed: 110 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 213 ft ------------------------------------------------ Boring family car 2017 Toyota Camry Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec Zero to 100 mph: 15.0 sec Standing ¼-mile: 14.6 sec @ 98 mph Top speed (governor limited): 129 mph Braking, 70-0 mph: 189 ft https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/amv-prod-cad-assets/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1977-Pontiac-Firebird-Trans-Am-122.jpg?resize=768:* https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/amv-prod-cad-assets/images/16q3/669461/2017-toyota-camry-xse-v-6-test-review-car-and-driver-photo-671269-s-original.jpg?fill=2:1&resize=768:* Yeah pick the trans am after the epa fucked with it. 70–74 had much better specs in the same body. Some easy modifications brought the performance right back to it for the EPA fucked up models. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 7:58:19 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I agree with the 75-85 "decade" The cars were awful. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:04:34 PM EDT
[#39]
1980’s as the Japanese cars were improving on quality and the big 3 and AMC were getting worse.
Up until the 1980’s, American cars dominated. So, not much to compare to. Come to think of it, American cars sucked in the 1990’s in to present day, too. 
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:05:27 PM EDT
[#40]
I agree with the late 70s-late 80s vote.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:17:31 PM EDT
[#41]
It’s a complicated question,
But in 1971 they started lowering compression for the 1972 model year engines. We were getting ready for unleaded gas. Catalytic converters we’re going to be required for model year 1975. Plus the massive insurance rates for performance cars, whose performance had kind of gotten ahead of safety and tire technology. And the oil embargo of 1973. In a nutshell, that was basically a huge kick in the nuts and we didn’t uncurl from that ball of suck for about a decade. We were getting some nascent idea of how to really computer tune, fuel injector, and induced aspiration in the mid 1980s. And went from crawling and walking and back to running in the 90s after the big nut kick. At least from an engine/performance perspective. The typical American car from then still had horrible build quality. Over all, 1973 to 1984 is probably the pits for American cars. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:27:53 PM EDT
[#42]
Mid 70's through early 90's
Depending on make and model. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:39:41 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I agree that 1974 to 1984 was probably the low point for American auto makers. Yep. Mid 70’s to mid 80’s. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 8:57:45 PM EDT
[#44]
70's was bad, 80's performance sucked but I dont hate the exterior styling.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:11:53 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It’s a complicated question, But in 1971 they started lowering compression for the 1972 model year engines. We were getting ready for unleaded gas. Catalytic converters we’re going to be required for model year 1975. Plus the massive insurance rates for performance cars, whose performance had kind of gotten ahead of safety and tire technology. And the oil embargo of 1973. In a nutshell, that was basically a huge kick in the nuts and we didn’t uncurl from that ball of suck for about a decade. We were getting some nascent idea of how to really computer tune, fuel injector, and induced aspiration in the mid 1980s. And went from crawling and walking and back to running in the 90s after the big nut kick. At least from an engine/performance perspective. The typical American car from then still had horrible build quality. Over all, 1973 to 1984 is probably the pits for American cars. I guess none of you guys read my more detailed technical explanation further back as to why vehicles from about 1975 to 1985 sucked so bad, huh? |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:12:08 PM EDT
[#46]
73 or 74 to 87 or 88, depending on make.
The mid to late 70's vehicles had a mess of anti pollution plumbing, body work and interiors that were junk. An 83 Mustang I owned was a giant pile of mechanical junk, traded at 72k Mike's so I wouldn't be forced to walk. . |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:14:13 PM EDT
[#47]
I loved my 79 trans am. Well after I swapped out that anemic 403 for a built 455 olds anyway. The car cost 400 bucks the olds had 5,000 into it.
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:18:21 PM EDT
[#48]
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:24:55 PM EDT
[#49]
'74 Mustang 2.
Biggest pos on the planet. |
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Posted: 7/12/2021 9:31:23 PM EDT
[#50]
Smog pumps, and lean burn
 Mid 70's to mid 80's. Electronic fuel injection turned it around. |
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