The Biggest Car-Flops in History

[Nickdfresh]

The Greatest Automotive Flops of the Last 25 Years - MSN Autos (http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1038172&topart=sports)

[FORD]

It's too bad they scrapped the SSR completely. There should be a market for a 21st century version of the El Camino out there......

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/Media/580x348/4a/4a3b0091cf6f48848ad664c3c95829b5.jpg

...only it should look more like a truck and less like a PT Cruiser had sex with a VW neo Beetle.

Speaking of VW, I always wondered why they discontinued the Rabbit-based pickups from the early 80's. Now might be a great time to bring them back.

[ELVIS]

...only it should look more like a truck and less like a PT Cruiser had sex with a VW neo Beetle.



My brother has a two tone silver and blue SSR and a VW Turbo Beetle...

The SSR "truck" which is actually a factory roadster hot-rod is perfect for what over 50% ot truck buyers haul - groceries...

The SSR looks great, hauls ass, has an awesome interior and gets over 25 mpg on the highway in 6th gear...

They only made maybe three in the silver and blue, with blue on top and the sides and fenders in silver. He flew to Maine to pick it up after he found it, and he got it for $36000 when they were marked up to over $50000...

He said GM lost over $5000 per vehicle on the SSR, but one thing for sure, it's nothing like a Beetle or PT. It's more like a retro truck from the late 40's to the early 50's, and the retractable top is really cool...

His is this color, minus the crazy reflections...

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif


:elvis:

[ELVIS]

Hmmm...

The image didn't appear...

[sadaist]

Speaking of VW, I always wondered why they discontinued the Rabbit-based pickups from the early 80's. Now might be a great time to bring them back.

Because they sucked. They drank oil like you drink beer.

[Nickdfresh]

Because they sucked. They drank oil like you drink beer.

They were okay if you kept up on the PVC system and used a thicker oil in summer such as 15W-40 (normally reserved for diesel tractor-trailer trucks :biggrin: ) But then, the new turbo 1.8L VW/Audi engines need a thick 5W-40 synthetic to not fucking sludge up...

[hideyoursheep]

I always go thicker in the summer...


Did I say that out loud?

:biggrin:

[Nickdfresh]

I always go thicker in the summer...


Did I say that out loud?

:biggrin:

LOL One of the worst commercials for an engine oil ever, for an oil that seems to be a big flop since they used their name of a great oil in Europe (the highly regarded 0W-30/40 weights are replaced by blanded 5/10W-30 here) and Asia and slapped it on a cheapened US version that is more expensive than its closest competition:

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[Panamark]

I love American cars, they rule, but that wagon that Chevy Chase
drove on the original Lampoons Vacation, I trust that was shelved
a long time ago

[PETE'S BROTHER]

the family truckster? it's comin' back in 2012:biggrin:

[twonabomber]

i still dig my Crossfire SRT-6 even though it's on that list...

[MAX]

I miss the Dodge Dart. Now those were cool!!!

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1973-Dodge-Dart-Swinger-lime.jpg

Seriously, when those Chev SSR's first came out, I wanted one so badly. Settled for a Suburban instead. lol

[MAX]

My dream car as a child...

Still is actually. ;)

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1971-1980-ford-pinto-1979.jpg

[Dan]

Just Stick To Your MatchBox Cars Max.:D

[Seshmeister]

Jaguar X-type (2001–08)


For a brief—and I do mean brief—period of time in the early part of this decade, this scribe worked at a Jaguar dealership as a parts guy. Most of my time was spent learning the million and one ways that an X-Type could fall apart. Engines seized, interiors collapsed, transmissions exploded, and driveshafts—oh, the countless, countless driveshafts—ate their U-joints so regularly that you could set your watch by them. At a time when Jaguar reliability was finally approaching respectable, the all-wheel-drive X-type was the lone, laughable holdout. It was obnoxiously underbuilt, remarkably overpriced, and about as charming as a hernia.

The X-type was Coventry’s business-case company saver, an entry-level sports sedan for the wooden-drawing-room set. It was built on the bones of Jaguar parent Ford’s Mondeo/Contour, and it was intended to resurrect Coventry’s financial fortunes, providing the dignified marque with a way to snag young, affluent buyers. What the bean counters neglected to consider, however, was that young, affluent buyers are not lobotomy patients. A tarted-up economy sedan sold at luxury-car prices is still just a tarted-up economy sedan, especially if it tries to self-immolate every time you turn the key.

There was also an impossibly unpopular wagon version. The dealer that I worked for had one that sat on the lot for—I am not making this up—two years.

Ouch!

I liked mine and had no problems with it until it suddenly went out of control doing 80 in the rain 5 years ago.

$80k crash - my insurance premiums just got back to normal this year. :)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Seshmeister/car_oof.jpg

[Little Texan]

My dream car as a child...

Still is actually. ;)

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1971-1980-ford-pinto-1979.jpg

The Pinto/Bobcat was ugly as hell but those cars had a surprising amount of power. Around 1993 or so, my dad bought my stepsister at the time a Pinto for a $100 as her first car, and my brother drove it home that night from Dallas. I took it for a spin one time and that car would run like a scalded cat...it had all kinds of pep, and surprised the hell out of me. My stepsister ended up hitting a tree in it one evening (she was ok) while trying to swerve and miss some dogs, and that was the end of the Pinto.

[GAR]

Ouch!

I liked mine and had no problems with it until it suddenly went out of control doing 80 in the rain 5 years ago.

$80k crash - my insurance premiums just got back to normal this year. :)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Seshmeister/car_oof.jpg

I think of your car everytime I think of crashing my 96 Sovereign 4.0

Some asian slammed her breaks, I rear ended her at 20mph and the airbags deployed.. and the FUCKER would not start again.

I will never buy another Jag. Fuck Jag, they fucked me over.. airbag deploys short the computer - fucking WHY?

Fuck You jaguar, now Tata owns your dumb ass..

[GAR]

One shit car I wanted as a kid that I coulda had as an adult that was also a POS: Maserati Biturbo.

They're basically junk!

[Panamark]

the family truckster? it's comin' back in 2012:biggrin:

Complete with wooden trim ? Theres a word for that kinda shit ?

ostentatious ???

[PETE'S BROTHER]

One shit car I wanted as a kid that I coulda had as an adult that was also a POS: Maserati Biturbo.

They're basically junk!

waddaya drive now?

[Panamark]

Just a little off topic, but sad news.
Holden (Australia's original car manufacturer forever)
is in deep trouble now due to the US's decision to
stop importing the pontiacs....

I would hate to see another Aussie icon gobbled up
by no fault of their own.

Dunno what the deal is there ?? Im buying Australian
cars with US engines (Buick) so I feel we are supporting
the US car industry. I realy want to get one of the last
pontiacs or 2 door "Monaro" coupe as they are known here.
They are a kick ass car.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

better find a ford import ya like. the guvment owns gm.:(

[GAR]

waddaya drive now?

Lexus. It's not my old E320 by a longshot but the service is absolutely unbelievable.

I had the floormats creep up onto the gas pedal last year after the car wash, and the mexicans never push the mat back over the pegs - which are shorter than the plush.

I was on the freeway after that, and the thing started accelerating and I couldn't stop it.. because of that mat.

All it takes it making sure the mat stays on the peg. I can see why Toyota is in trouble over that, because it freaked me out when that happened.

They did recall the mats but not for my year.. but I'm sure it wasn't the computer or ECM. I know electronic components and hardware, and I dont' believe that shit in the press can happen. That's got to be sabotage.

[ELVIS]

Gar-Car

http://www.mariposa-gallery.com/artists/images/AlaridPease/Gar-Car-Isaac-AlaridPease-G.jpg


:elvis:

[ELVIS]

Here Mark!

Tons of these were made in the 80's...

http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/pictures/1984_Ford_Country_Squire.jpg


:biggrin:

[Satan]

better find a ford import ya like. the guvment owns gm.:(

The Aussie division of Ford (just like the Euro division) makes cars you can't even get in the US anyway, so it might not be a bad option. Like the Falcon Ute, for example (call it the modern day "Ranchero", I guess)

http://rightcar.govt.nz/gfx/vehicles/rb/FORD/FORD0297.jpg

Of course Mark's a family man now, so this one might not be suitable for his needs. http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/teufel/d025.gif

[twonabomber]

GM was considering bringing the Holden "ute" over as a Pontiac G8 sport truck, but that's not gonna happen now. i've seen 4 door utes with a smaller bed, and i think that's all the guy who wants to go to Home Depot a couple times a month needs. bigger than the Subaru Baja, not quite as big as a full-size truck. of course if one needs towing capability the utes may not be enough. contractors are out of that market too, may not be big enough to carry a full job's worth of shingles, and a 4x8 sheet of plywood is out of the question.

there's a guy near me who has a tuning shop, he brought his Falcon ute with him when he relocated from Down Under and made a bad-ass drag car out of it. here's their site

RDP Motorsport - Dyno Tuning, Custom Vehicle Fabrication, Racing (http://rdpmotorsport.com/Default.aspx)

[hideyoursheep]

The Aussie division of Ford (just like the Euro division) makes cars you can't even get in the US anyway, so it might not be a bad option. Like the Falcon Ute, for example (call it the modern day "Ranchero", I guess)

http://rightcar.govt.nz/gfx/vehicles/rb/FORD/FORD0297.jpg


Man...that looks like part Taurus, part F150, with Monte Carlo headlights...Not sure I like that..:umm:

[hideyoursheep]

Ouch!

I liked mine and had no problems with it until it suddenly went out of control doing 80 in the rain 5 years ago.

$80k crash - my insurance premiums just got back to normal this year. :)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Seshmeister/car_oof.jpg


80mph, or kph?

Non-driving mofo...:biggrin:

What about this car is worth 80 grand?...Seriously..I thought it was a Lincoln at first glance..

[hideyoursheep]

better find a ford import ya like. the guvment owns gm.:(

Don't know about that, but GM was trying to sell Hummer to China, and they want nothing to do with it, so no more of those hunks of shit...I think it's great...they were made in Mexico anyway.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

and saturn to penske, and detroit to the hmong.:(

[chefcraig]

My dream car as a child...

Still is actually. ;)

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1971-1980-ford-pinto-1979.jpg

Too bad the rear bumper was made out of flint.

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[Panamark]

The Aussie division of Ford (just like the Euro division) makes cars you can't even get in the US anyway, so it might not be a bad option. Like the Falcon Ute, for example (call it the modern day "Ranchero", I guess)

http://rightcar.govt.nz/gfx/vehicles/rb/FORD/FORD0297.jpg

Of course Mark's a family man now, so this one might not be suitable for his needs. http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/teufel/d025.gif

We have 2 cars, a Toyota SUV for the family deal and I have a holden
station wagon. Which is just like a ute but the rear is enclosed.
I still have to pick up PC's in lots of 100, so I keep it for that reason. :)

Theres some great utes here. In fact I think from memory the ute was
invented by an Aussie farmer ?

[Panamark]

GM was considering bringing the Holden "ute" over as a Pontiac G8 sport truck, but that's not gonna happen now. i've seen 4 door utes with a smaller bed, and i think that's all the guy who wants to go to Home Depot a couple times a month needs. bigger than the Subaru Baja, not quite as big as a full-size truck. of course if one needs towing capability the utes may not be enough. contractors are out of that market too, may not be big enough to carry a full job's worth of shingles, and a 4x8 sheet of plywood is out of the question.

there's a guy near me who has a tuning shop, he brought his Falcon ute with him when he relocated from Down Under and made a bad-ass drag car out of it. here's their site

RDP Motorsport - Dyno Tuning, Custom Vehicle Fabrication, Racing (http://rdpmotorsport.com/Default.aspx)


Whoah !!! I could see myself losing my license in record time dealing
with these guys.... NICE !!! :)

[Dan]

Just a little off topic, but sad news.
Holden (Australia's original car manufacturer forever)
is in deep trouble now due to the US's decision to
stop importing the pontiacs....

I would hate to see another Aussie icon gobbled up
by no fault of their own.

Dunno what the deal is there ?? Im buying Australian
cars with US engines (Buick) so I feel we are supporting
the US car industry. I realy want to get one of the last
pontiacs or 2 door "Monaro" coupe as they are known here.
They are a kick ass car.

Mark,They Use A Chevy V8 in the Holden Cars.:hitch::biggrin:

[GAR]

80mph, or kph?

Non-driving mofo...:biggrin:

What about this car is worth 80 grand?...Seriously..I thought it was a Lincoln at first glance..

You're close..

the Xtype and the Taurus Sport share the same body pan and drivetrain.. it's not bad (4 valve / 6 cyl = 24V) but it's to me alot of dough for basically a fancy trim Taurus.

If you wanna go fast and don't care what you look like, get a Taurus Sport and upgrade with urethane bushings and Eibach coilover sport shocks. You can usually grab a Taurus under 120.000 miles for around 2 grand.

Fix the suspension for 5, paint it for 5 add tint and stereo another 5 and you'll kick ass on any xtype for half the price. I passed on a 2000 xtype a few years ago, it went for 3600 thru the auction.

[twonabomber]

your Google must be broken, or you're talking out your ass again.

X Type was based on the European Ford Mondeo, which was also the Contour and Mystique. Taurus was on a different platform.

[GAR]

Looks like the same piece of shit to me!

The following is a list of things you can also Google:

My ass, an unwashed cock, a fetus at six months, a Lebanese man's pubes, cancerous testicles, a 30-year-old retard's underwear and the sockpuppets a homeless cellar-dweller from Cascadia uses as a makeshift talking Maxi-pad.

[Panamark]

Mark,They Use A Chevy V8 in the Holden Cars.:hitch::biggrin:

Not Mine... :(

Mine is a 90's V6

[hideyoursheep]

You're close..

the Xtype and the Taurus Sport share the same body pan and drivetrain.. it's ...

:rolleyes:

GAR.

WTF is a "Taurus Sport"?

Don't anyone help him.

[hideyoursheep]

C'm ON! Chop-chop! 'Splain, Loocy.

I see you.

Troll.:fufu:

[Seshmeister]

80mph, or kph?

Non-driving mofo...:biggrin:

What about this car is worth 80 grand?...Seriously..I thought it was a Lincoln at first glance..

mph.

It was only about $40k, the 3 other cars I hit made up the rest of the claim... :)

[Seshmeister]

your Google must be broken, or you're talking out your ass again.

X Type was based on the European Ford Mondeo, which was also the Contour and Mystique. Taurus was on a different platform.

True it was overpriced.

6 airbags though which was cool... :)

[twonabomber]

True it was overpriced.


i worked at a shop that made Ford power steering parts. there were two separate parts for the "world car" (Mondeo/Contour) and the Taurus/Sable. we'd have our monthly meetings and management would always say that world car sales are down and they can't figure out why. Contour was slightly less expensive (maybe by a grand) than a Taurus, and world car was smaller than Taurus...duh! when one could get that much more car for a grand, they were buying Taurus/Sable.

[motherchicken]

I love American cars, they rule, but that wagon that Chevy Chase
drove on the original Lampoons Vacation, I trust that was shelved
a long time ago
Saw it on a new commercial just the other day.Chevy and the lady who played his wife were in it as the Griswolds .

[Seshmeister]

i worked at a shop that made Ford power steering parts. there were two separate parts for the "world car" (Mondeo/Contour) and the Taurus/Sable. we'd have our monthly meetings and management would always say that world car sales are down and they can't figure out why. Contour was slightly less expensive (maybe by a grand) than a Taurus, and world car was smaller than Taurus...duh! when one could get that much more car for a grand, they were buying Taurus/Sable.

The thing is that the Mondeo was a very good if unfashionable car so not such a bad thing to be based on.

The X type came with the Jaguar badge, a nice leather interior and 4 wheel drive which made it popular here where most other cars in the same market like BMWs are rear wheel drive which means they spin around like fuck in the Winter snow.

Plus it was nice to see how the rich live for a bit. Stuff like the dealership would leave a bottle of champagne in the trunk after a service.

[Panamark]

Saw it on a new commercial just the other day.Chevy and the lady who played his wife were in it as the Griswolds .

God help us !

[Nickdfresh]

I think of your car everytime I think of crashing my 96 Sovereign 4.0

Some asian slammed her breaks, I rear ended her at 20mph and the airbags deployed.. and the FUCKER would not start again.

I will never buy another Jag. Fuck Jag, they fucked me over.. airbag deploys short the computer - fucking WHY?

Fuck You jaguar, now Tata owns your dumb ass..

You drove/drive a beat-up Mazda, cunt. And if the airbags did employ at 20mph, it's just probably because the car wanted to punch you in the face like the rest of us. :)

[hideyoursheep]

Stuff like the dealership would leave a bottle of champagne in the trunk after a service.

Now that's service!
:beers8:

BTW...you didn't happen to pop the cork at the time you spun out, did you? ;)

[PETE'S BROTHER]

Looks like the same piece of shit to me!

The following is a list of things i have also Googled:

My ass, an unwashed cock, a fetus at six months, a Lebanese man's pubes, cancerous testicles, a 30-year-old retard's underwear and the sockpuppets a homeless cellar-dweller from Cascadia uses as a makeshift talking Maxi-pad.

:umm:don't they have filters at the library to stop ya from searchin' that stuff?