my most hated automotive trend

[Linson]

i dunno. seem kinda similar to me.

if this was 10 years ago, and someone asked me what i thought of these performance sedans, i would have said that i think they're pretty cool. if that someone told me that they would be replacing the Camaros and Firebirds, i would be like, well that SUCKS!

as you can see in the add for the Grand Prix picture "which may be a G8 before they decided to call them G8s, because ive seen pics of Grand Prixs that look a little different - but if you read the add, it says "Pontiacs New Muscle Car". no matter which way you look at it, THAT is not a muscle car. never was, never will be. and that this is what is being passed off as the new muscle cars, along with SS Trailblazers and whatnot is my most hated automotive trend. next most hated would probably be ricers.

[Steve-o]

To me, Pontiac designs and Toyota designs are, well, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

g'night folks

[DDevil]

Originally Posted by aussiehero123

I think there's one main reason why America won't import the Falcon, and it's a crappy one... the Crown Victoria.

Are you sure?

And I thought the real reason was that the Ford inline 6-cyl engine used in the Falcons can not be used in LHD cars because of the way the engine is built.

For the same reason it can not be used in FWD cars as well (unless they remove the front passenger seat and let a part of the engine hang into the cabin next to the driver )

[1979]

I had all but given up on domestic car design. Look at how expensive old muscle cars are now, even if the're junk. These huge prices on ebay are proof that these styles are what people like. Guys that weren't even born when some of these cars were even made. Camaros, Firebirds, Chargers, Barracudas, Javelins, etc.

When Ford came out with the new Mustang, Ford couldn't keep them in the showrooms, Why? Because, they looked like the old 1969/1970 model. GM and Chrysler took notice, and went into high gear to reserect the Camaro; And Chrysler the Challenger. By the looks of it, GM still hasn't gotten it right? The Camaro, looks very plastic, not retro enough in my opinion--back end too Javelin looking. I saw my first Challenger the other day at the post office, and it looked like a winner! The sad thing, is, is that when one of the big 3 gets a model that will finally sell, they jack the price up to the sky.

Now, if GM would only start building Cadillacs, that look like "Cadillacs", and not Euro/Japanese import wannabees, we would be all set. Bring back the chrome; long hoods, and tear drop tail lights. Bring back the elegant interiors, with nicely appointed dashboards. If I want an Audi or a VW I would buy one, I don't want to see U.S. luxury cars looking so Spartan.

Ford should bring back a large Mark, not necessarily the gargantuan one from the 70's, but a beautiful Mark, a bit larger than the Mark VIII that was cancelled a few years ago. The Town Cars made today, are no where near as luxurious as they once were, and its a shame.

Also, I hate it when the big 3 give cars names like "MKE", "DTS", "LS" or "G8". They take this from Mercedes I think. I prefer a nice elegant name like Coupe de Ville, or Lincoln Continental.

[1979]

Originally Posted by Linson

my most hated automotive trend is this: GM, particularly Pontiac's new line of performance vehicles. i.e. boring, ugly, sedans with performance car engines. for example, the Dodge Charger - a slap in the face to anyone who remembers the 68-70 Chargers. any late model Impala with a V-8, even if it is RWD. let's not forget about the mecifully now defunct GTO. and worst of all IMO, the Pontiac G8. yuck!

I think another really bad trend is making big gaudy Cadillac and Lincoln Trucks. They look hideous! The Escalade, the Navigator are aweful, and ruin these once great name plates.

[Linson]

Originally Posted by 1979

I think another really bad trend is making big gaudy Cadillac and Lincoln Trucks. They look hideous! The Escalade, the Navigator are aweful, and ruin these once great name plates.

when people drive down the street in their Cadillac Escalade, they think they look classy - and they do to other people who would be dumb enough to buy a Cadillac Escalade if they thought they could afford one - or finance one.

to me, those people just look as taaaaaaaaacccckkkkkky as the day is long.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Linson

when people drive down the street in their Cadillac Escalade, they think they look classy - and they do to other people who would be dumb enough to buy a Cadillac Escalade if they thought they could afford one - or finance one.

to me, those people just look as taaaaaaaaacccckkkkkky as the day is long.

I certainly agree. When I think "Cadillac" I think long, low and comfortable. Like this '68 Fleetwood...

(Image not under copyright)

[sailordave]

What, no love for the 74 Pinto Mustang? As bad as that Mustang was, it's timing was perfect for the gas crunch. I hate the sports cars of the mid 70s to early 80s. Tape doesn't make a car faster or sexier. It was about the mid 80s that they began to get fast again.

[topenddave]

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

Did somebody ask for girlish sensibilities? I'll take a Coronet W051
(the same car driven by the little old lady from Pasadena)

I was lucky enough to aquire a 65 Coronet 2door post last week in Dayton, Nevada. While by no means a 501, it does sport a built 68 440 with 10to1 slugs,aluminum edelbrock intake and heads and an 833 trans. It is awaiting the 1.08 torsion bars from new jersey and aluminum adjustable struts from washington and should be back on the road by friday next. And thats exactly the point you made sterlinggirl: ins not trends or cars or laws that are the spirits of carlove, its loving what you love and loving it even more when those around you 'love' as well (rather than badmouth inanimate objects) BRAVO young lady.

[12GO]

Originally Posted by Linson

i agree with everything you just said. and feel the same way about the ricers - not worth my gas.

i understand why things are the way they are, but it still reflects a lack of vision by automakers, and i still hate it.

here's my Camaro...


1996 Camaro Z28
edelbrock torque arm
edelbrock lower control arms / relocation brackets
edelbrock shock tower brace
edelbrock panhard rod
competition engineering subframe conectors
addco 1 1/4" anti sway bar (front)
eibach springs
KYB shocks
baer brakes
17" 10-spoke SS wheels / BFG kdw 275/40/ZR17s

B&M 2400 stall converter
transgo shift kit
performance transmission rebuild

moroso CAI
granatelli MAF sensor
air foil
crane 1.6 roller rockers
march 3pc underdrive pullies
hypertech power programmer
edelbrock headers
flowmaster cat-back

still want:

fluidampr
BBK 52 mm throttle body
edelbrock LT1 intake manifold
mild cylinder head work
mild cam upgrade
fast chip programm
power antenna
3-peice rear spoiler (like the 6 cyl. RS's have)
a paint job...

here's my Firebird...


1967 Pontiac Firebird
Hotchkis Anti Sway Bar (front)
Hotchis Big Block Spring Kit (front)
Hotchkis Multi-Leaf Springs (rear)
Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Competition Engineering Subframe Connectors
Energy Suspension Bushing Kit. (Absolutely NO Rubber Under this car)
SSBC Power Disc Brake Kit (front) will probably upgrade to a Baer Kit (front and rear)

BOP TH350 Trans - Performance built to hold up to a 455
B&M Shift Kit
B&M 2200 RPM Stall Converter
B&M Hammer Shifter

Rechromed bumpers, new grills, trim, ect., xenon headlights

Pontiac 400 ci motor.
out of vehicle. will go back in when built.
no expense will be spared.

Did you ever get the Firebird together and running? Yeah, I like the Pontiacs-which is why my new racecar is a 69 Firebird