Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Every generation
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (230 km/h)
Combined, EPA 1989
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment is characterized by fascination and historical curiosity rather than practical ownership feedback.
3 problems reported (2 recurrent, 1 isolated) · low confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentFuturistic digital dashboard and touch controls
Primary point of failure; described as never working properly due to the manufacturer's limited budget to develop cutting-edge technology for a production car in the 1970s. The fancy electronic components were reportedly removed (or "binned") in 1980.
- RecurrentComplex electronics and screens
Described as "craaaazzzzzy stuff" and inherently unreliable; the CRT screens were noted as a technology nobody could make reliable enough for automotive use at reasonable cost.
- IsolatedGeneral unreliability
Implied through discussions of its failed technology and status as a flawed experiment.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available. A single mention notes that the design was "really ironed out" by the end of its production life, referring to the Series 4, but this is an isolated aesthetic observation.
Is the Lagonda right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment is characterized by fascination and historical curiosity rather than practical ownership feedback. The vehicle is consistently described as a unique, "bonkers," and "crazy" design from the 1980s, noted for its extreme wedge shape, futuristic digital dashboard with touch controls, and complex electronics. It is widely regarded as an interesting and "awful but interesting" relic of its era, with its advanced technology: particularly the CRT screens and touch-sensitive controls: being a primary point of discussion for its ambition and subsequent failure. The consensus is that it represents a bold, flawed experiment in automotive luxury and technology that has aged into a cult classic. There is no substantive discussion of driving dynamics, reliability, or daily ownership experience from long-term users.
Positioning vs competitors
Insufficient owner data available.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available.
General recommendations
Insufficient owner data for purchase or ownership advice. The vehicle is discussed almost exclusively as a historical artifact. Isolated suggestions from enthusiasts propose it as a candidate for a comprehensive restoration or electric vehicle conversion to modernize its notoriously unreliable electronics and dashboard.
Remarks
The provided data contains almost no firsthand ownership experiences. Discussions are overwhelmingly from automotive enthusiasts and historians commenting on the vehicle's notorious reputation, design, and technological ambition. The Lagonda is frequently used as a benchmark for failed automotive technology, particularly early digital interfaces. The "Lagonda" name was later revived for limited-run models like the Rapide-based Taraf (circa 2016) and an EV concept, but community feedback in this dataset pertains almost exclusively to the original 1976-1990 series. Analysis based on approximately 8 substantive mentions of the vehicle's characteristics, none of which constitute long-term owner reports.
Specifications
5.3
310 hp
Built 1976–1997