What cars look better in the flesh than in print?

[Inspector Detector]

While going for a jog this morning here in Chicagoland, right around mile 10 of my long journey I noticed a black Ferrari cruising on Lincoln Avenue. It just kept moving and I only got to see so much of it. I'm, sorry I couldn't grab my cell phone and shoot some quick pics. But to my surprise from the side and rear view I was impressed with the looks of it. I know it took me long enough but it was actually the first time I've seen a Ferrari California in the flesh. It was cruising with its top up too. Anyhow the reason I say this surprised me, is because all pics I've ever seen of it in print left me anything but excited about this machine. Perhaps I was just lucky to see it with its top up, because the rear end doesn't look as bloated aka fat when the top is up. And that bloated rear end has always been one of my biggest problems when it comes to the looks of the California.

[FiveAinOne]

Tesla Roadster. Everytime I see one on the highway it just looks exotic, much better than the similarly proportioned Elise. The size and angle when you see it compared to all the other cars on the road just makes it look great. Then I do a search on images of the car, and I can't find one that does it justice.

[Shmi]

Audi A7 and A8.

[Cousin Eddie]

The 458 Italia (not the spyder, just the regular italia). It looks good on a monitor, I was never really that crazy about it. I honestly didn't like it at first, then it started to grow on me. Then when I was in Prague I saw one in the flesh and it was just extremely striking.

[Inspector Detector]

I can't remember seeing a 458 Italia in the flesh yet. Although even though it's been on the roads longer, I see Gallardo's all over the place (no they're not an everyday sight but pop up more than any Lambo I can remember).

One other car that I believe looks better in the flesh, when I first spotted it was the Audi S5.

[quick4door]

Bentley Turbo R. Those rims look hideous in pictures, but when seen in the wild it has great proportions. I def lust after one.

[IgorRGTI]

Porsche Panamera, especially on some decently sized wheels.

[firstorbit84]

2013 cc

[MAG58]

CLS63's.

[ToucheTurtle]

New BMW 3 series.

[scoTT la rock]

Porsche Panamera, especially on some decently sized wheels.

This

[patrikman]

2000 Forester L.

Sorry, can't find a pic.

[Kiyokix]

Mercedes SLR

I absolutely thought the nose was too long and the body too flat from all the pics (and I LOOOOOOOVE long nose/short rear cars). One day I spent some quality time with one, and it is not an easily photographed car for sure. It's truly beautiful in person, especially the fenders & tails.

I'll never forget those two days of basking in it's presence. Love live the almight SLR

Kei

[Porridgehead]

Just about everything, except the sad unfortunates that will never, ever look good. Seriously, any car in the flesh looks better than in print. You simply cannot see the volumes, the proportions and the details from a photograph or even a series. Many is the time that I have seen an image of a car and thought "Yeah, that is not so good. No sir, not good at all" only to have stumbled across it live and realized my mistake.
At this point, I don't even pretend to judge from still images. I can't do it. Maybe somebody can, but definitely not me.

[baljet]

The new Lexus GS.

[Mr Miyagi]

All cars look better in person than they do on a monitor. Fact.

[patrikman]

All cars look better in person than they do on a monitor. Fact.

Somehow even more proof you have a poor understanding of the world.

[bob570]

Audi R8. They look pretty good in pictures, but they look amazing in the flesh.

[Son]

Audi R8. They look pretty good in pictures, but they look amazing in the flesh.

True. When you see it among other, more mundane cars, it stands out because of its lowness. And even the V8 sounds amazing.

[Vee-Dubber-GLI]

300ZX Italia Tourer edition. In print/online, the pixels and jagged edges really kill the sleek lines of the car and a positive impression of it. In the flesh, it's just the exposure to copious amounts of chemicals and exposed fiberglass that will kill you.

[Fellow Gaucho]

Porsche Panamera... Hey the title is "better than in print" not "look good in person" :p

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[patrikman]

Porsche Panamera... Hey the title is "better than in print" not "look good in person" :p

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I disagree. I hated it online, love it in person.

[aussie88]

Amazing to see in real life, and even better to drive.

[epbrown]

Porsche Panamera... Hey the title is "better than in print" not "look good in person" :p

I see no improvement in the Panamera's looks in person - it's just ungainly all around. My biggest gripe about the 991 is that it looks like a Panamera coupe.

I was not a fan of the Z4 when it debuted, it wasn't until I saw them on the streets that I liked it.

[Live-Wire]

New BMW 3 series.

+1 on this. Doesn't look right in pictures. Looks great in person (I think).

[bwell01]

.... NO, Seriously!!!







Seriously!

those three come to mind lately and get a lot of flack for being hideous but in my eye, they dont look so bad in print either. The panamera impressed me when i saw my first one at a local porsche dealership. i think it was black gts with white interior. not beige but real bright ass white leather interior. the veyron... that little car has so much presence its ridiculous. its a lot smaller than one would think by just looking at the pics alone. the gtr ive never really thought to be ugly in the first place but it seems that everyone else does.

[mac dre]

Amazing to see in real life, and even better to drive.

Wish I felt the same, 1st gen is so much prettier.

[.:FrankRizzo:.]

FRS/BRZ looks cheap in pictures but cool in person.

Being a huge McLaren fan I was disappointed of the first pictures of the MP4-12C, but then I saw one in person (and about 50 others) and I love it more everytime

[C4 A6]

Audi A7 and A8.

Winner winner.

[Elite_Deforce]

+1 on these...

[x1000rpms]

FRS/BRZ looks cheap in pictures but cool in person.

Being a huge McLaren fan I was disappointed of the first pictures of the MP4-12C, but then I saw one in person (and about 50 others) and I love it more everytime

I think both of these actually look good in pictures and much worse in person.


I came in to add R8 to the list because that car looks only so-so in pictures but is drop dead gorgeous in person.

[Elite_Deforce]

I think both of these actually look good in pictures and much worse in person.


I came in to add R8 to the list because that car looks only so-so in pictures but is drop dead gorgeous in person.

I agree about the McLaren and the R8.

[Inspector Detector]

FRS/BRZ looks cheap in pictures but cool in person.

Regardless of it looking cheap or not, whether I look at it on print or in the flesh I find the styling too restrained. It appears Toyota/Subaru wanted to play it safe and not take too many chances.

[johnny_p]

I think both of these actually look good in pictures and much worse in person.


I came in to add R8 to the list because that car looks only so-so in pictures but is drop dead gorgeous in person.

Agree, I saw a McLaren in person this weekend. I thought it looked kind of goofy actually.

The 458 is a great example of a car that looks so-so in pictures, but amazing in person.

[Rukh]

Add another vote for the Panamera.