Wikipedia lists the Biggest Automotive Flops of Our Time . . .
#16
Originally Posted by AZDesertGS
good list.....reminds me of my first car when I was 17......a Merkur XR4Ti. Peppy 2.3L turbo that they put in the SVO but I beat the poop out of it and by 15K miles I blew the tranny seals 8 times and then finally sold it. Speaking of SVO......How about the Mustang SVO being on that list?????
Don't be surprised that you had problems with your Merkur. Even if you had treated it like a baby, it probably would have fallen apart. Everything I ever saw and read about them ( I never owned one ) indicated that they were a POS from Day One. The XR4Ti and the Scorpio went a long way towards souring the American public on German-designed Fords. The corporation did not bring in another German-designed Ford until the 1994 Contour / Mystique...an Americanized Ford Mondeo.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-07-06 at 04:00 PM.
#18
I also don't know why the Jaguar XJ220 is on this list. It was a low volume exotic. It wasn't supposed to sell a lot if that is what they are going by. This would make every exotic a "flop" except maybe the more popular Lambo's and Farrari's.
#19
Originally Posted by saleem
Where is the Infiniti Q45 that car deserves to be on the disaster list.
:
mmarshall: For once I can agree with just about the whole list.....and the Infiniti Q45, J30, 1980 Cadillac Seville, Chrysler / Maserati TC, Rambler Scrambler, Mazda Cosmo, Mazda Millenia, Isuzu Ascender and Amigo, Lexus ES250, Subaru Justy, and GMC Cyclone / Typhoon can probably be added to it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-08-06 at 05:57 AM.
#21
keep in mind guys, this list is for the biggest FLOPS, not the worst cars. that menas SOLD POORLY not BAD CAR.
the XJ220 barely sold any at all, with a total of 281 cars were ever produced selling for a lit of ~$600,000.
The Mazda Cosmo was the first mass produced and somewhat successful wankel powered car (worldwide) but failed horribly to garner sales as it was expected to. VERY few sold in the US and Jay Leno (i think) holds the keys to the last S2 car in the USA.
the XJ220 barely sold any at all, with a total of 281 cars were ever produced selling for a lit of ~$600,000.
The Mazda Cosmo was the first mass produced and somewhat successful wankel powered car (worldwide) but failed horribly to garner sales as it was expected to. VERY few sold in the US and Jay Leno (i think) holds the keys to the last S2 car in the USA.
#22
Originally Posted by AZDesertGS
good list.....reminds me of my first car when I was 17......a Merkur XR4Ti. Peppy 2.3L turbo that they put in the SVO but I beat the poop out of it and by 15K miles I blew the tranny seals 8 times and then finally sold it. Speaking of SVO......How about the Mustang SVO being on that list?????
A tuned SVO could probably put a hurting on a lot of things we consider fast.
#23
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
They need to list the whole brand pretty much, except 2 cars, the G35 and the new M35/45. The rest are all flops
#24
Originally Posted by mmarshall
The J30 actually sold pretty well, despite its odd, egg-shaped rear end. I'm having second thoughts about it being on my additions to the list.
The J30 sold well during it's time but nothing compared to the GS 300. I believe the J30 was only around for one generation because the 3.0 liter V6 engine was upgraded to a 3.5 liter V6 which the I30 became the I35 and we also got the G35, M35 and FX 35...
#25
Toyota T-100 is a very good pickup...it should not be on the list IMO
I can't believe a Toyota T-100 pickup is on that list. Sure it doesn't have a full-size back seat, but the Truck itself is great. It had plenty of front passenger room. I owned one for several years and put over 250,000 miles on it...and it held up perfectly....no leaks...nearly 20 mpg. It didn't have an over powerful engine, but the V-6 was strong enought for me to make it through some tough New England winters...4 wheel'n over rocks..up and down steep hills...tough terrain...it had nearly 11 inches of ground clearance...stock. The only body work I had to do was patch the truck bed weld spots that tend to rust. It NEVER broke down on me.
#27
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
keep in mind guys, this list is for the biggest FLOPS, not the worst cars. that menas SOLD POORLY not BAD CAR.
the XJ220 barely sold any at all, with a total of 281 cars were ever produced selling for a lit of ~$600,000.
The Mazda Cosmo was the first mass produced and somewhat successful wankel powered car (worldwide) but failed horribly to garner sales as it was expected to. VERY few sold in the US and Jay Leno (i think) holds the keys to the last S2 car in the USA.
the XJ220 barely sold any at all, with a total of 281 cars were ever produced selling for a lit of ~$600,000.
The Mazda Cosmo was the first mass produced and somewhat successful wankel powered car (worldwide) but failed horribly to garner sales as it was expected to. VERY few sold in the US and Jay Leno (i think) holds the keys to the last S2 car in the USA.
It performed okay but the F40 was the darling as the Porsche 959
#28
Originally Posted by Trexus
The J30 sold well during it's time but nothing compared to the GS 300. I believe the J30 was only around for one generation because the 3.0 liter V6 engine was upgraded to a 3.5 liter V6 which the I30 became the I35 and we also got the G35, M35 and FX 35...
#29
Originally Posted by Och
Well, the g35 is somewhat a next gen to the j30
Might look something like this Bugatti style.
http://www.autosrapidos.com/superaut...8concept01.jpg
Last edited by Trexus; 07-12-06 at 07:47 PM.
#30
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Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by Trexus
Wouldn't have been called the J35 if it was the next generation? I believe the G35 is a totally new car from the ground up and had nothing to do with the J30. It might be interesting if Infiniti brought back the J...
Might look something like this Bugatti style.
http://www.autosrapidos.com/superaut...8concept01.jpg
Might look something like this Bugatti style.
http://www.autosrapidos.com/superaut...8concept01.jpg
The G35 is based off the I think "IVL" concept, which was a virtual dead ringer for the looks of the G35 sedan. We didn't know a coupe was coming until last minute (and it is great looking car)
The J30 was RWD and used the 222 3.0 V-6 from the 300ZX but the odd styling and small interior killed it. There was a J30 t with mesh wheels and a wing but that failed too.
Thing is the Lexus 1GS 300 was a sales flop too after the initial 20,000 sold in 1993 but Lexus updated the GS 300 in 96 with a 5 speed and then made the revolutionary 2GS 300/400 while Inifnitii gave up and discontinued the J30. It is possible they didn't have the money at the time to bring in a new model.
My ex girlfriend in college had one. We always rode in my car