Someone liked my original post in this thread, which, looking back on it, wasn't very good. The like, however, motivated me to make another (probably lazier) post. Chevrolet SSR: Just... what market segment was this aiming at? I can see how it fits into Bob Lutz's philosophy of making cars that appeal on an emotional level, but like I said, the whole "big car trying to look small" thing kills it for me. Furthermore, while the 2005 and 2006 models could definitely bust a move, the 2004 models were hopeless with their Vortec 5300 engines and their 4-speed automatics that, in the typical GM fashion of the time, were obviously ancient 3-speed units with computers and ultra-tall economy overdrives tacked on. Toyota Prius: Manufacturing process is complicated and destructive enough to cancel out any reduction in tailpipe emissions. Price is high enough to cancel out any fuel savings. They have all been ugly, boring, slow, and generally horrible to drive. This car has no purpose except to take money from the smug and the fashion-conscious. The same goes for a great many hybrids and electrics, actually. Chevrolet Cruze: This car fills a very legitimate slot, so it may not really fit the purpose of this thread, but it's also an example of everything wrong with modern car design: too heavy, too luxurious, a 1400cc turbo four where there should be a 2000cc naturally aspirated one (yeah yeah fuel economy whatever), doofy styling... it took until the Diesel version came along for there to actually be a Cruze that was more powerful than the base-model Cobalt, but it ended up being slower than the gasoline 1400cc turbo because it was so much heavier. Dodge Dart: See above, but with slightly less doofy styling and even more absurd weight. Chevrolet Spark: Horrifically ugly, girly, and overall stupid. A look inside also tells me that, despite GM having allegedly improved their interiors, this one is still pretty awful. Volkswagen up!: Not that good looking, but that's hardly a surprise since the "short, tall, narrow" form factor is almost immune to beauty. Also plenty cutesy, with its lowercase-initial-and-exclamation-point name (I seem to remember the trim levels being just as bad). I once saw it described as "the vehicular personification of a hipster", and I find nothing wrong with that description.
I like the concept of the HHR and PT Cruiser in the sense of having retro-styling (surfer truck and old milk van, respectively), if not the result. But a true throwback car just won't happen, it's always going to have some mismatched element of modern design in it that just muddies the effect. It seems that if you truly want to relive the good old days with modern convenience, you have two options: Morgan Motors, and this:
we all love electric cars and what they are doing like the chevy bolt, Nissan leaf, bmw i8, etc. but there is one that shouldn't, may I introduce to you... THE GM EV1! Richard porter said it looked like a snake trapped under a rock, gm only sold them to rental companies, and never went as far as an inch away from the rental company, but gm had good intentions so I rate it 1 star for that.
Heck yeah the engine wouldn't have much in pulling power. Rotary's don't fit in anything bigger then a Cosmo or 929 period, The Roadpacer AP (anti pollution more like pro pollution) is a good example why big cars or small trucks should never get a rotary swap. Yes its basically a Holden Premier with a rotary and it got 9 mpg. Apparently it had a dictation system what ever the hell that is.
The Opel Zafira B 1.9 CTDI : You gonna say : "What the matter with this not to bad looking Family car ?" The motors ,And, what the matter with this engine ? (Other of the gap of power) This car had a motors from this Multiplat, Yes yes, the multiplat, You buy German and you got a Italian Motors, cool No ? And because it's not enough bad like that (And I have my own experience) This motors had a catalytic converter, But this catalytic converter is so bad, he fill him self of shit, and because ALL the exhaust fumes make her way to the motors, that blow up the Turbo, cool No ? More cool when It's happen of the middle of nowhere, and after you need to change the turbo, and make it your self (If not it's cost you like 5000€) And had 2 weeks of work with no car ! And the turbo cost like 900€ And because is not enough crapy the motors turn like a lawnMower ! (And many other problem, like change the Steering pump at 50 000 Km) If you don't believe me, look at the forum, or just look the Zafira Historique, and watch why they change the motors NEVER buy a Zafira with this engine
All chinese crap-mobile. They copy everyone's design then sell it with a piece of the real one's price
