6 Cars on Death Row

[RStangsOC]

Sometimes we pretend that we buy a particular car for practical reasons. We say that we think of a car as an appliance or a line item in a household budget. But deep down, we all know that sometimes a car chooses us for reasons we don't understand. You see one pulling away from a stoplight, or staring back at you from a computer screen, and your mind is made up. Someday, you tell yourself.

Often, you can wait for that day.

Unless, of course, the car is gone by then.

Cash-starved automakers are trimming their lineups. They're canceling models, and in some cases, preparing to send entire brands to the automotive graveyard. And as automakers look to trim excess from their operations, they're not going to cut practical cars. They're going to cut the ones that are harder to justify: the convertibles, the supercars, the cute icons that don't fit into neat categories. The cars that speak to your romantic side that are most endangered. If one of these has your heartstrings, it's time to make a move.

ENTIRE STORY

[gr8snkbite]

[twobjshelbys]

I've never really lusted after a Viper, although I've looked at plenty of them and consider them a worthy vehicle. The Viper V10 is a wonderful powerplant and I would hope it finds its way into something else. I do believe a variant of it is used in some of the larger Dodge pickups.

Dropping the PT Cruiser is a real mistake. It is a very comfortable little car, and is one that we might now have to consider getting before they are done. I wasn't aware it was on the chopping block.

I went to the list expecting to see the Challenger on the list but thankfully it is not (yet). My garage slot for the Chally just got taken for the Cobra, so wanting it as a muscle car for beefing up is no longer in the cards, but I think a Chally for a daily driver, maybe with the 6, would be a good daily driver. Maybe if we move out of a winter climate to Vegas... 6Cyl Challys are selling in Vegas for ~20K.

[Birdman]

Interesting article Page. Thanks for posting it. Didn't see anything on the list that I would ever want though....must be many others who think the same way...

[RStangsOC]

Originally Posted by Birdman

Interesting article Page. Thanks for posting it. Didn't see anything on the list that I would ever want though....must be many others who think the same way...

I would take a Viper coupe

Have seen a number of S2000's at SOLO events - not bad at all

[rpretzel]

I'm a little surprised to see the PT Cruiser on the list. Seems both practical and popular to me. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a PT in the Denver area. My wife loves hers. It's a great grocery getter and dog taxi. Plus it's got some personality...not the same ol' cookie cutter style.

[cheftjpeck]

makes you wonder what other cars maybe even icons will be discontinued in these difficult times.....

[RStangsOC]

Originally Posted by cheftjpeck

makes you wonder what other cars maybe even icons will be discontinued in these difficult times.....

Personally, I think there are entire lines that should go away - Mercury being one of them. Makes no sense to me to have that level of duplication across company lines.

Hey - guess thats why I am not the King

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by RStangsOC

Personally, I think there are entire lines that should go away - Mercury being one of them. Makes no sense to me to have that level of duplication across company lines.

Hey - guess thats why I am not the King

great point...I agree....

[Johnny Dangerously]

I saw something today about Pontiac toying with the idea of going to one nameplate.



`

[gr8snkbite]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dangerously

I saw something today about Pontiac toying with the idea of going to one nameplate.



`

what a concept..kind of like Johnson & Evinrude becoming OMC...same eng with suttle differences...i ought to know...

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by rpretzel

I'm a little surprised to see the PT Cruiser on the list. Seems both practical and popular to me. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a PT in the Denver area. My wife loves hers. It's a great grocery getter and dog taxi. Plus it's got some personality...not the same ol' cookie cutter style.

Plus you can get a turbo aftermarket kit from Chrysler that is totally awesome. I dunno, I think they messed up.

[Johnny Lupara]

...I think the pt cruisers will be remembered fondly like my generation remembers the original vw bugs.............

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by Johnny Lupara

...I think the pt cruisers will be remembered fondly like my generation remembers the original Model A, and Carnut's generation remembers the original Model T.............

-

[Johnny Lupara]

..blankety blank complete idiots......................

[Joe G]

-

[Boston Mike]

Originally Posted by rpretzel

I'm a little surprised to see the PT Cruiser on the list. Seems both practical and popular to me. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a PT in the Denver area. My wife loves hers. It's a great grocery getter and dog taxi. Plus it's got some personality...not the same ol' cookie cutter style.

Excellent use of "Cat" and "Dog" in your response. Although, I have never heard the expression "swing a dead cat" before. Interesting.

[VaporDude]

I really don't like the PT Cruiser. I rented one once on a business trip since that is all they had. I was not very comfortable driving, lack of power and poor design layout. I was glad to turn it back in when I was done with it.

[rpretzel]

Originally Posted by VaporDude

I really don't like the PT Cruiser. I rented one once on a business trip since that is all they had. I was not very comfortable driving, lack of power and poor design layout. I was glad to turn it back in when I was done with it.

I can see how some wouldn't like the PT.
1. It's a heavy car and is underpowered.
2. You sit up high so it feels a bit like driving a truck.
3. The window controls (in 2001 at least) are in the center dash rather than the door like every other car on planet earth. It's weird.

- I do like the body style...kind of a retro delivery van look.
- Some nice rims and a paint job make it a pretty sharp ride.
- The available turbo package could help the power issue, but I'm not sure how long the engine would hold up.
- Especially with the back seats down, it's got lots of storage space. Makes a great grocery getter.
- Fuel economy isn't all that bad. My wife's gets about 26 mpg.

[Johnny Lupara]

...no one ever complained about the vw bugs being a great car; but it was a fun car............much different concept.......at least fun unless it was real cold out and you were trying to get heat from that itty bitty lawnmower engine........