Models that Define Automakers
03-07-20, 07:31 AM
#16
03-07-20, 07:46 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
For Mercedes, the ultimate classic is the 50's vintage SL with gull-wing doors. Among more modern Mercedes products, I'd say the current S-Class, which is a luxury-benchmark.
For Dodge, it would have to be the Challenger...and the fact that today's Challenger, though somewhat larger, looks so much like the original.
For Fiat, what else?............the classic "Topolino" 500.
For VW, the classic air-cooled Beetle...although the air-cooled rear-engined Microbus also gained notoriety in the 1960s as the Hippie Bus of the Counterculture Movement, splot-painted with all kinds of bright-color swirl-patterns. It was also (arguably) the most difficult mass-production vehicle ever to drive in a crosswind...the wind blew it around like a toothpick.
For Dodge, it would have to be the Challenger...and the fact that today's Challenger, though somewhat larger, looks so much like the original.
For Fiat, what else?............the classic "Topolino" 500.
For VW, the classic air-cooled Beetle...although the air-cooled rear-engined Microbus also gained notoriety in the 1960s as the Hippie Bus of the Counterculture Movement, splot-painted with all kinds of bright-color swirl-patterns. It was also (arguably) the most difficult mass-production vehicle ever to drive in a crosswind...the wind blew it around like a toothpick.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-07-20 at 07:53 AM.
03-07-20, 08:11 AM
#19
03-07-20, 11:32 AM
#21
Lexus Champion
And 60 Minutes did kill the 5000 with their completely wrong reporting of unintended acceleration. So much that Audi had to change the name to the 100/200.
As for @Hoovey2411 's OP [Great Thread, by the way!] and some of my thoughts (I'll try not to repeat what's been said already):
Cadillac: I'm going to go with Escalade. Cadillac has been playing catch-up for so long, I think any of it's classic sedans are so far removed from being world-class, that most people don't think of them when they think Cadillac.
VW: I'm going to say Golf/Rabbit. Yes, the Beetle was iconic, and when it was relevant, it did "define" what VW was (with the Bus, the Thing, etc.). But VW is mainstream now, and so is the Golf.
Subaru: Outback, hands down.
What I find interesting sitting here staring at the screen, is that there seems to be many automakers that arguably don't have a defining vehicle.
@LexsCTJill referenced Nissan with a "??" above. I agree. What do I think of when I think Nissan? Altima? Maxima? 240Z?
What about Chevy? Camaro? It's not really their bread and butter car. But I'm hesitant to say a Cobalt or a Malibu "defines" what people think of as a "Chevy".
I think I'd say the same for Volvo. The 240? I'm not sure I can say that "defines" Volvo--that car is old by now. And while I love the current Volvo lineup, I can't say that any current model "defines" Volvo as a brand.
Even Infiniti--I would not say that they have a "defining" model.
[EDIT--I see I failed in not repeating]
Last edited by tex2670; 03-07-20 at 02:31 PM.
03-07-20, 11:35 AM
#22
Lexus Champion
03-07-20, 12:31 PM
#23
For Pontiac, it's a toss up between the GTO and Trans Am.
For Nissan, I have to go with the Z car. I still have a special place in my heart for the 240 Z even though I never owned one.
For Toyota, to me, it's the Celica ( I owned three of them, two of them with over 300k on the clock when retired), and of course, the Corolla.
For Nissan, I have to go with the Z car. I still have a special place in my heart for the 240 Z even though I never owned one.
For Toyota, to me, it's the Celica ( I owned three of them, two of them with over 300k on the clock when retired), and of course, the Corolla.
Last edited by Markw4mms; 03-07-20 at 12:46 PM.
03-07-20, 01:08 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
03-07-20, 07:17 PM
#27
03-07-20, 09:23 PM
#28
03-08-20, 09:46 AM
#30
Driver School Candidate
I think it depends on what you mean by defining. If we are talking about mainstream vehicle then I would say ES or RX. However if you wanted to be selective I would say the LC.