Generic Motors just doesn't seem capable of learning it's lessons....
I just got a flyer in the mail from GM in which a 2004 Chevy Malibu hatchback was proudly displayed on the cover.
What a hideous design....I can't believe they would launch something that is reminiscent of the old Chevy Citation hatchback....yeeeeech!
Their new image is simply taking non-descript sheet metal and putting a hard edged backward style line across the body panels which start as a sweep around the front side of both wheel wells.
Kind of ala the Chevy Impala. Now they have it on their Malibu's, and the new Colorado trucks.
Putting a crease in a bar of soap doesn't all of a sudden make a good design. GM barely has a clue in my opinion....and even though I get a GM employee discount, and live in a GM plant town...I am tired of their junk and their bland looking cars. I'm shopping elsewhere next time.
Generic Motors needs to hijack the auto designers from Chrysler....I never owned a Chrysler, but I personally feel like they have been on the cutting edge of automotive design for the last several years.
Now there's a field I'd love to be in - - automotive design....
I know everyone has a favorite auto mfg'r....what's your favorite car design in the $40k and less category?
We're talking aesthetic beauty here. Put on your industrial arts cap and post away.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Todd, most of my striping work is done for Toyota and over the years I've seen the difference in quality in the way the vehicle goes together. Since Toyota has opened plants in this country, there are some states where quality is secondary and I think it has to do with how much beer is consumed in that region. Design work has become a family job where women as well as ordinary persons have input to what is needed rather then what is wanted. Ford just lost their number 2 spot in the auto industry this year, maybe thats because Lee who designed the Mustang now owns Chrysler Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
$40K and under? May as well make the price limit $2,000 cause there's not much worth looking at under that price point.
Probably something from BMW.. They're very consistent with their designs - every one of them has an aggressive stance and simple, clean lines.
The Crossfire is pretty bold but I'm not sure yet if I like it or not (it's still a Chrysler, afterall.. hehe). I've seen a few of them around town and that little automatic airfoil that folds up from the rear is absolutely pointless.
Heh.. the Chevy SSR's are already popping up on used car lots here, probably cause people are coming to their senses and realizing how butt-ugly those things are.
My next vehicle will be a scratch-built ultralight vehicle, a little rocket weighing in under 600lbs and pushing 200HP.. been working on the structural components for a while now in my spare time.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Joey,
The new Mustang GT-R Concept Car. I'm liking these new "Tangs" cominig for nex year.
Letdown of the year... The 2004 GTO. They could have had a ball doing a retrofit on these (anyone remember the GTO Judge?), but just threw a new nose on Monte Carlo and didn't make much of an impression.
Rapid
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Todd, as I was reading then first part of your post the Vega kept coming to mind, lol . . . . Sorry, but I really detest most cars built since the late 70's . . . plus, cars are impractical . . . .I'm a full-fledged, dedicated Chevy truck-kind'a gal...
Now, if you had said what car do you like the LEAST in ANY price range . . . . .
...but all the cars I love are now OVER 40 grand lol because they are collector's items . . .any thing 30's -50's
A few of my favs that are not really quite collectibles yet are a "75-78 Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo SS, and I have always loved Buick Riviera's . . . but not the new ones.
It seems to me all new cars just look alike. I am not too impressed with the new Mustangs, Buicks, Mercedes, VW's or Rolls royces, etc.... either.
They always seem to be trying very hard to duplicate the original as much as possible but manage to make enough changes to really screw them up and change them for the worse.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
There are plenty of nice cars at 30k and under, I need a truck but have been eying the new Chrysler 300....my favorite car design is the Mini Cooper S....this is one o the cars I get too drive, I have a stock one, my wifes is souped up.....
Posted by Mark Rogan (Member # 3678) on :
Mazda's new RX-8 is pretty sweet looking. The Nissan 350Z isn't too hard on the eyes, either. The small Mercedes convertible.
I know I'm pushing the 40K envelope, but all 3 of these cars are listed at starting UNDER 40K
As far as Chrysler...I think they always go too far. Almost a characiture of a concept car. Cartoonish or something.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i havent owned an an american car car since since i sold my 1964 ford galaxie 500 in 85. ive owned american trucks....dodge perferably. my last dodge was 10 yrs old when i bought it and i drove it for 10 yrs. as for cars we have had nothing but european models. in 82 we bought a 70 144 volvo and have had volvos since with the exception of a 73 mercedes 280C. we bought a 84 242 volvo when we moved here in 98 and it has 202,000 on it and iam driving it now since hennie bought a 95 850 volvo GLT. we was looking for used mercedes when she bought this volvo. so for me to buy anything i would buy what i really enjoy driving and that is mercedes......and chrysler.....HEMIS.... since chrysler is now mercedes...i feel at home. as for GM design team..i agree with TODDY... aint that somethin....hehehehehhe GM seems to be playin catchup with the market. they make somne of the UGLIEST VEHICLES....cadalac CST IS 1ST!!!!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
This could be a really fun thread....
Ray, I totally agree with you and thanks for posting those pics.
When I saw the new GTO, I thought, "They're trying to tell me that this ol granny looking car is supposed to have muscle?" It sure doesn't look like it.
Your description of slappin' a Monte Carlo/Lumina front end on it is a bullseye.
I too like the styling of the '05 Mustangs....although I think the production models lack some of the hard edge zeal of the concept car.
Joey, I gotta agree with you partially on the foreign car-built in America scenario....they say never buy a car that was made on a Monday or a Friday in America, because you're going to get something built by someone getting drunk or someone getting over a drunk. Hahaha.
I did onw a Mazda MPV minivan built in Japan in 89...it was the top rated minivan at that time...and I had loads of problems with it...but I had a 87 Honda Accord built in Marysville, Ohio and it was the best, reliable, flawless car I've owned....so, I think a lot has to do with engineering.
BMW's are a given for style in my book....
Rick...not sure I can go for the Mini you picture here....I do like the regular little guys though.
Chrysler 300? You betcha.....
Chevy trucks??? I have an '02 I bought new and it has only 17,000 miles on it...It's showroom condition. Sits in my gargage most of the time out of the elements. I'd sell it if I thought I wouldn't take a bath on it.
I like the new Dodge Durangos and the new Ford F150 crew cabs....
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
I like the Crossfire...
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
OH boy Sheila... you just wait until Bruce reads that quip about the Vega...!!!
I really like my Cruiser. Liked the design ever since I saw them being tested in Bemidji, MN one winter, probably a year or two before they were ever announced to the public as a concept.
The new Mustangs are ok, it depends on the color for me! Something about the harder lines than the last model.
Speaking of the last model... anyone out there really like the looks of the 1994 Mustang GT, I've got one for sale!
[ April 21, 2004, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: Dana Bowers ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
speakin of stupid things GM is doing...AND THE GTO...they dropped the camero/firebird, which was way faster then this AUSSIE imported MARANO!!! and they just added the GTO BADGES!!!!MOTOR WEEK MAG gives the GTO A so so rating. this is GM for ya, give it a new name, slap a badge on it. biggest GM HOAX was the chevys with added body panels and chrome and they called em CADILAC'S!!!
[ April 22, 2004, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
If you don't like the new Mustangs you either hate Fords or were born after 1959 I'm a Dodge fan (my last 5 cars were Chrysler products: '74 Satellite, '79 Aspen, '84 Daytona, '87 Lancer, '96 Caravan (shop van 120,000 miles), '02 Caravan) but those new 300's and Magnums are BUTT ugly! (Styling cues from 1960?) All Toyotas are boring, anything by GM in the last 20 years. Bring back the FUN: '67 to'70 Camaro, '67 to '70 Mustang, '70 Hemi Cuda, etc.
Posted by Ian Wilson (Member # 177) on :
OP that is spelt Monaro built by Holden australia and if you drove you would change your mind they looked really good until GN America stuffed up a nice looking car they drive and handle really well full inderpendant suspension and massive brakes pull up on a dime.
[ April 23, 2004, 04:55 AM: Message edited by: Ian Wilson ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Tim,
I guess that shows the diverse taste in art I just checked out a new Magnum at the dealership and thought it was absolutely beautifully styled.
It looked like a cross between the Green Hornet's customized continental and a chopped Bentley.....I half expected to see Kato step out of it.
The one I sat in stickered at $23K and had all the immenities you'd want....they of course had more upscale models with sun-roofs and stuff which could take it up to about $33K.....but they don't look any different.
The new Chrysler Seabring sedans aren't bad either, but they look like a reworked Intrepid...which is what I think it basically is.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Dana,
Thought Bruce might like this one.....
Over 25,000 fans of National Public Radio's Car Talk (www.cartalk.cars.com) voiced their opinions for the Worst Cars of the Millennium. Leading the pack of the worst cars was the Yugo with about one-third of the votes, followed by the Chevy Vega , Ford Pinto, AMC Gremlin and Chevy Chevette. At the bottom of the top ten list were the Renault Le Car, Dodge Aspen, Cadillac Cimarron and Renault Dauphine.
Tell him not to feel so bad....my dad owned a Pinto and then a Chevette. Both of them died an early death. The wife owned a Le Car when we first got married. It coughed up 2 pistons on the way to work one day, and I went right out and bought a Dodge Omni that night.
Nothing like a good throw away car....aka: "winter beater". Rapid
Posted by TJ Duvall (Member # 3133) on :
Todd, the car in Rick's photo is a Scion made by Toyota I think. Neet little cars. Still can't beat dad's '69 Mustang Mach I.
Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
Ugly is now spelled with 2 words; Pontiac Aztec. My God that thing's Ooooglie!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Humppppphhhhhhhhh...
When I get my Vega Panel Express on the road, none of you'ins better ask for a ride...
I am going to take my Vega and go home.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i got a freind in sarsota who has a COGSWORTH VEGA, now you dont wana mess with it.....it will run. even YENKO made A VEGA that was a screamer, then again he made a CORVAIR that would blow the doors off most V-8's of that era. any YENKO car today is worth a lot of money. iam wit you on the PONTIAC AZTEC as being the butt UGLIEST CAR IN THE WORLD!!!!! makes a 59 oldsmoble look great(another ugly ugly).
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
The Yenko version of the '72 Vega was called "Stinger". It was referred to as "Son of Z" in reference to it's cousin, the Z-28.
Yenko built some really neat stuff. You have to be careful these days because of all the "clone" cars available.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
anyone want the YENKO logo, i built one. made a wall plaque of it. i grew up 20 miles from the dealership. 1965 i bought a new plymouth and was runnin it at PID, PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL DRAGWAY(converted air field) and got my doors blowed off by a YENKO CORVAIR!!!!!!
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