Ask the Best and Brightest: What's the Greatest Misfit Toy?
As a kid, I was conflicted by The Land of the Misfit Toys. Sure, I could empathize with the discarded playthings’ emotional scarring. And I had a pre-Captain Planet understanding about the need to recycle—thanks to 10 years at a deeply dippy Quaker school. But the MFTs were clearly—how do I put this gently?—less than desirable. A train with square wheels? A cowboy riding an ostrich? A doll suffering from clinical depression? I remember thinking, what kind of child is going to love these toys? It’s the same question that pops into my head whenever I see a Chevrolet SSR, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Plymouth Prowler, BMW M-Coupe or Lexus IS-F. These are all vehicles without a hope in hell of mainstream acceptance, destined for endless depreciation and permanent exile in The Land of Misfit Motors. And still the hits keep not happening, from economy cars (the Saturn Astra) right up to “priceless” one-off monstrosities (Maybach Exelero). And I love them all. So share with the group. What’s your favorite misfit automobile, and would you ever own one?
More by Robert Farago
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Hum lots of them, I thought my 92 Toyota Previa was one. Modern? Gotta be the Ford Flex.
There are a lot great ones. Fiat x 1/9 Saab sonett Toyota previa Many of the turbo dodge cars Porsche 914 Subaru xt6 (svx predecessor) Nissan NX2000 Volvo 240 More Modern cars: Suzuki x90 and Aerio Prowler Subaru Baja Lexus 1s300 sportcross BMW Z3m coupe
To own a VW Type 181, a late 70's El Camino, or a Subaru Baja. All incredibly inconvient for me, a man with a new family, so I instead I drive a Honda Element, much loathed by its detractors yet loved by its owners. I'd trade it for a Flex if I could get away with it, though. I like weird cars.
I second the Toyota Previa aka Toyota Estima: pulled off the U.S. market because it was "over engineered" as a mid engine rear wheel drive or a switchable 4WD and was out selling and performing Chryslers town and country. I just bought a 91 with an engine swapped at 320,000 miles. It's almost as fast as my new supercharged sc model due to the mid engine and RWD. They now have a hybrid version avail in Japan! These cars have had good working led break and tail lights since 2004 or something. After it was banned from the states the very next year the Sienna was released as FWD front engine model. Currently the new 365hp 6 speed sienna is the fastest car yota makes in the U.S. It needs all those years for good mpg and all those un necessary hoarse power to make it move like the lesser powered 165hp super charged Previa. The over drive is sick 2 and I love how the shifter is on the steering wheel like my donk impala. Perfect for road head and makes the vehicle much more spacious. Bring back the Previa to the U.S. DAMN U MOPAR!