Misfires:

[Capt Worley PE]

For every home run, there's thousands of strikes. For every Friends, there's a Coupling. For every Big Mac, there's a Mc DLT.
The same is true of the automotive world. Each year, there are new vehicles that never quite live up to their hype, with many ultimately being used as a "bad" example for years to come.

So, here's our list of the top 5 automotive flops of the modern age. Don't take the news to hard, manufacturers. We're sure it seemed like a good idea at the time. On paper. Or something like that.

http://autonewsandcommentary.blogspot.com/...od-idea-at.html

 

[humner]

glad I read up on that, was really thinking about the Honda Ridgeline. Will be thinking along other lines now, thanks for posting

 

[wilheldp_PE]

I bet if there were a 6th car on that list, the Plymouth Prowler would have claimed the spot. That car was cool as hell...looking. But the performance never lived up to the hot rod looks.

 

[roadwreck]

I'm surprised the Pontiac Aztec isn't #1 on that list. Although, that thing probably never looked good on paper either.

 

[wilheldp_PE]

I'm surprised the Pontiac Aztec isn't #1 on that list. Although, that thing probably never looked good on paper either.

No, but they sold a shload of those things due to it's sponsorship of the first season of Survivor. The marketing was far better than the car.

 

[udpolo15]

I'm surprised the Pontiac Aztec isn't #1 on that list. Although, that thing probably never looked good on paper either.

No, but they sold a shload of those things due to it's sponsorship of the first season of Survivor. The marketing was far better than the car.

I have heard that people who have one really like them absent the styling.

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

 

[Master slacker]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Lesbians? That and the HHR. Just sayin'.

 

[wilheldp_PE]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Yeah...an "SUV" built on a Dodge Neon frame. Fantastic idea.

 

[humner]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Yeah...an "SUV" built on a Dodge Neon frame. Fantastic idea.

Nostalgia look that some people took to. With me, I first find a car that I can fit into and put the drivers seat back, and then see if there is room behind me. My sons are as tall as I am with large feet too. You would be surprised how many cars actually fit into the "Iron Maiden" form of torture for people in the back seat.

 

[willsee]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Yeah...an "SUV" built on a Dodge Neon frame. Fantastic idea.

Nostalgia look that some people took to. With me, I first find a car that I can fit into and put the drivers seat back, and then see if there is room behind me. My sons are as tall as I am with large feet too. You would be surprised how many cars actually fit into the "Iron Maiden" form of torture for people in the back seat.

That's why I bought a coupe.

Unless you buy a huge 4-door car the backseat is still pointless for grown adults.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Yeah...an "SUV" built on a Dodge Neon frame. Fantastic idea.

Nostalgia look that some people took to. With me, I first find a car that I can fit into and put the drivers seat back, and then see if there is room behind me. My sons are as tall as I am with large feet too. You would be surprised how many cars actually fit into the "Iron Maiden" form of torture for people in the back seat.

That's why I bought a coupe.

Unless you buy a huge 4-door car the backseat is still pointless for grown adults.

I don't know what you consider huge, but my Malibu Maxx has vast legroom in the back. saturn Aura and the 2008-2012 Malibu are on the same platform and have pretty good legroom as well.

The Impala backseat is pretty roomy as well.

 

[csb]

All the tall people I know drive Impalas or Crown Vics.

I'd say the Honda Ridgeline made no sense for me from the same standpoint as the Chevy Avalanche...if you want an SUV, buy an SUV. If you want a truck, buy a truck. Don't buy some useless hybrid of both.

 

[MA_PE]

I never understood the concept of the part SUV/Part pickup truck like the Ridgeline and especially the "luxury" versions (Cadillac or Lincoln) they just seemed foolish.

The Crossfire looks like a nice car, but trying to break into the luxury sports car market is tough. I get a laugh out of the guys that talk about "performance" for these cars because I believe that 95%+ of the owners never even remotely test out the bounds of the performance. It's a status thing where they can quote auto enthusiast magazines about what the car is capable of.

It's unfair to list the "specialty vehicles" like the SSR, they were never intended to be mass marketed. Just like the Prowler, the Viper, etc.

The VW Pheaton, the writer was spot on with that one.

Word to the wise: People who want VW's don't buy $85,000 cars, and people who buy $85,000 cars don't want VW's.

The Aztek was a really useful vehicle and had great room and visibility, it was just ugly as sin.

 

[humner]

What about the PT Cruiser? Never understood the appeal.

Yeah...an "SUV" built on a Dodge Neon frame. Fantastic idea.

Nostalgia look that some people took to. With me, I first find a car that I can fit into and put the drivers seat back, and then see if there is room behind me. My sons are as tall as I am with large feet too. You would be surprised how many cars actually fit into the "Iron Maiden" form of torture for people in the back seat.

That's why I bought a coupe.

Unless you buy a huge 4-door car the backseat is still pointless for grown adults.

I don't know what you consider huge, but my Malibu Maxx has vast legroom in the back. saturn Aura and the 2008-2012 Malibu are on the same platform and have pretty good legroom as well.

The Impala backseat is pretty roomy as well.

we looked at the GMs, but they did not have close to the room that the Snotta has that I bought. I know it is a Hyundai, but when you take any of these new cars apart, they are all the same nightmares.

 

[humner]

All the tall people I know drive Impalas or Crown Vics.
I'd say the Honda Ridgeline made no sense for me from the same standpoint as the Chevy Avalanche...if you want an SUV, buy an SUV. If you want a truck, buy a truck. Don't buy some useless hybrid of both.

Well, if you have a family and need a truck, the Avalanche is the way to go. We may end up going that route for a truck for when I do field work and bring one, if not both my boys plus the dog. The Avalanche also has room in the back for taller people and I can keep my Topcon locked in there and not in the back of the truck under a cap.

 

[Master slacker]

I rented a Hyundai Elantra a few weeks back. Nice little car, but no balls.

 

[csb]

All the tall people I know drive Impalas or Crown Vics.
I'd say the Honda Ridgeline made no sense for me from the same standpoint as the Chevy Avalanche...if you want an SUV, buy an SUV. If you want a truck, buy a truck. Don't buy some useless hybrid of both.

Well, if you have a family and need a truck, the Avalanche is the way to go. We may end up going that route for a truck for when I do field work and bring one, if not both my boys plus the dog. The Avalanche also has room in the back for taller people and I can keep my Topcon locked in there and not in the back of the truck under a cap.

Fair enough.

I think the Ford Explorer truck was the worst offender of these...it had that dinky little bed that usually came with a bed extender just to be able to carry little stuff. It seemed like a truck for guys who couldn't bear not driving a truck, but really needed a mini-van.

 

[momech]

Well, if you have a family and need a truck, the Avalanche is the way to go. We may end up going that route for a truck for when I do field work and bring one, if not both my boys plus the dog. The Avalanche also has room in the back for taller people and I can keep my Topcon locked in there and not in the back of the truck under a cap.

I once had an Avalanche as a company truck. I really liked it for hauling the family around. Don't expect it to function even remotely as a truck, though. There is just not much space back there. I've never had a Tahoe, but I'd expect it would function basicly the same.

 

[willsee]

All the tall people I know drive Impalas or Crown Vics.
I'd say the Honda Ridgeline made no sense for me from the same standpoint as the Chevy Avalanche...if you want an SUV, buy an SUV. If you want a truck, buy a truck. Don't buy some useless hybrid of both.

Well, if you have a family and need a truck, the Avalanche is the way to go. We may end up going that route for a truck for when I do field work and bring one, if not both my boys plus the dog. The Avalanche also has room in the back for taller people and I can keep my Topcon locked in there and not in the back of the truck under a cap.

Fair enough.

I think the Ford Explorer truck was the worst offender of these...it had that dinky little bed that usually came with a bed extender just to be able to carry little stuff. It seemed like a truck for guys who couldn't bear not driving a truck, but really needed a mini-van.

BIL had one that I used to haul some furniture and I had to take multiple trips just to load a couple of pieces.

He traded it for a minivan

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I really wouldn't mind having a used Ridgeline, but they are still too pricey for me used.

Yeah, I'm a cheapskate.

Local Lincoln-Mercury dealer had six Blackwoods on the lot. "Buy a Blackwood, get a Cougar, FREE!!!"