On balance, they're probably just kids with little-to-no experience of driving the cars they're talking about. Like, I know that the 2.2L GM Ecotec engine is good in some cars but not in others. I'm not going to call it hot trash just because it didn't suit the car I experienced it in.
I think that people call out cars just because some cool guy said you should. "Hurr-durr I hate this car because it's fashionable to say so and I want to be popular."
And just for you Dan, think about the Fiero...