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Author	Topic: Automotive Fads that have(or will soon) die off.	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:533 Points:13,890 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:08:44 AM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse A I'll start with my favorite: the Hummer. The local dealership(Toledo) has long since closed, but the camper-sized rock piles that they perched their H1 Hummers on for brawny poses are still there. Did common sense doom the H1(and later, the H2) or was $4/gal. gas the culprit? Then there's E-85. I didn't mind the crappy mpg because it was 60-70 cents less per gallon, but now that it's 25-30 cents MORE per gallon I don't see a very rosy future. Unless corn prices tumble, that is, or a viable ethanol alternative is found soon. Feel free to add your own dodo bird list.

Alexi7

All-Star Author
Ohio

Posts:533
Points:13,890
Joined:Jul 2011

Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:08:44 AM

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A I'll start with my favorite: the Hummer. The local dealership(Toledo) has long since closed, but the camper-sized rock piles that they perched their H1 Hummers on for brawny poses are still there. Did common sense doom the H1(and later, the H2) or was $4/gal. gas the culprit?

Then there's E-85. I didn't mind the crappy mpg because it was 60-70 cents less per gallon, but now that it's 25-30 cents MORE per gallon I don't see a very rosy future. Unless corn prices tumble, that is, or a viable ethanol alternative is found soon.

Feel free to add your own dodo bird list.

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probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,548 Points:2,379,230 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Mar 28, 2013 2:11:24 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse opera lamps
contiki Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,428 Points:564,015 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 2:48:51 PM Ignore contiki Report Abuse Running boards.........
WhiteRaven48 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,915 Points:55,685 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 2:44:14 PM Ignore WhiteRaven48 Report Abuse Rear wheel steering was a real flash in the pan.
davisadm All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:557 Points:408,425 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 1:06:22 PM Ignore davisadm Report Abuse xxxxx On Board stickers
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,186 Points:357,565 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 11:57:42 AM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse Tesla
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,714 Points:1,031,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 1:35:39 PM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse Sub-woofers in the trunk.
signaloilco Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:153 Points:524,875 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 1:20:11 PM Ignore signaloilco Report Abuse Interesting discussion. I believe it was the $4 gas that killed the Hummer ~ to a certain extent, I believe the attraction is there, but not enough to offset the fuel cost. To a similar extent, I believe fuel prices hastened the decline in popularity of pick-up trucks as a primary vehicle. Was quite a shift when the sales of trucks surpassed that of automobiles - had wondered how long it would last...it was bound to die down, but fuel prices quickened the process, though trucks have, and will continue to be generally popular as a second, primary vehicle for many, with the creature comforts of the automobile. I believe the retro car craze that began in the late '90's with the new VW bug, continued with the Ford T-bird and most recently with the Challenger, Mustang & Camaro has already reached its peak. The T-Bird did not last long (4 model years), Bug has more modern styling, Mustang shifting away from '60's look and Challenger sales are slow. Not sure how long the Camaro will retain its popularity.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,174 Points:133,405 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 12:53:42 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse Battery powered cars like the Volt.
xtremecheap All-Star Author Arkansas Posts:986 Points:373,100 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 12:19:34 PM Ignore xtremecheap Report Abuse Hanging a CD from your rear view mirror. I think the stick figure family on the back window will be a quick fad.
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,246 Points:357,120 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 10:14:46 AM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Curb Feelers (metal springs) to help you parallel park. The talking car (e.g. "Your door is ajar") Rear Fender Skirts Glass Pack Mufflers -- the noisier the better!
GustheCat2 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,846 Points:415,125 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2013 8:38:17 AM Ignore GustheCat2 Report Abuse Fuzzy steering wheel covers
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,246 Points:357,120 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2013 3:16:22 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Baby On Board Window Signs Stuffed animals with electric eyes connected to the turn signals (left & right) that sat on the rear window shelf Various colored styrofoam antenna balls given out by gas stations Tiger tails hanging out the gas door from one brand of gasoline Baby Moon Hubcaps Vinyl tops on cars Lighted hood ornaments (e.g. Pontiac's Chief) Fender mounted (on top) turn signal indicators
twt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,724 Points:996,660 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 3:59:39 AM Ignore twt Report Abuse Chrome reverse rims, in the sixties.
Bluebird333 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:634 Points:52,300 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 3:06:16 AM Ignore Bluebird333 Report Abuse Low riders.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,698 Points:1,326,425 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2013 8:38:56 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse The fad of of the 60's and 70's --> every driver on the road listening/talking on "CB" radios. I know, truckers still use 'em, but the average Joe has dropped it in favor of cellphones -- ugh! [Edited by: OceanArcher at 2/2/2013 8:40:06 AM EST]
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:13,672 Points:2,612,825 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2013 7:46:02 AM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse Spinning wheel covers, thank goodness!
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,548 Points:2,379,230 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2013 1:10:13 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse The "old big tubs and high gas burners" will ALWAYS be around, in one form or another
Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:533 Points:13,890 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 31, 2013 7:16:29 AM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse Regarding ethanol/E-85: Brazil does well with ethanol, but they have the acreage and climate for synfuel. Until gas prices jump/grain prices plummet, I don't see ethanol being viable in the U.S.
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,624 Points:1,701,935 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 5:22:56 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse The old big tubs and high gas burners will become a thing of the past.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,218 Points:1,224,825 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 2:53:54 AM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse The fad I would see go away is ethanol & our greedy lawmakers.
noblegiant Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,060 Points:941,620 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 2:15:40 AM Ignore noblegiant Report Abuse Neon Lights
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,548 Points:2,379,230 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 1:00:39 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse All those "Fast and Furious" mods on Hondas and Mitsubishis
JMCOS Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,179 Points:185,680 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2013 10:29:50 AM Ignore JMCOS Report Abuse Spinning rims. Haven't seen any in quite a while.
jrferrari All-Star Author Orlando Posts:652 Points:172,590 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2013 10:20:18 AM Ignore jrferrari Report Abuse I think the manual transmission is on the way out. It is already difficule to find in the US.
traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,240 Points:534,600 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 10:45:07 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse After a lot of wasted tax subsidies, I see people finally giving up on all-electric cars. The question will be, how much public money down that rat hole? I think hybrids are here to stay. I'm retired now, and drive hybrid camry taxis part-time. My skepticism has gone. They're not the perfect car. They're handling on rough road and in sloppy weather is pretty lousy. But they will make good sense for a certain part of the market. But all-electric, like the Volt? Nawwww.....
14smoke Champion Author Birmingham Posts:13,193 Points:1,922,215 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 2:34:37 PM Ignore 14smoke Report Abuse I pray that a fad that will soon go away is ethanol. It's not as good for the environment as people say and it's not good for cars, period.
MrGTO Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,277 Points:432,570 Joined:Jan 2003	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 1:48:36 PM Ignore MrGTO Report Abuse 2 door mid-size muscle cars. The 2006 GTO may have been the last one. Pony cars do not count!
Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:533 Points:13,890 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 8:14:35 AM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse I see BubbaTrucks-2+ft. of ground clearence,at least 2 American flags flying,no mufflers- dying out as the number of rednecks(hopefully)dwindles away. But that includes about half of the male population south of the Manson-Nixon Line, so I might be optimistic.
streetcars Champion Author Toledo Posts:12,259 Points:2,605,665 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 2:46:13 AM Ignore streetcars Report Abuse wing vents.
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,548 Points:2,379,230 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 12:46:37 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse Actually, ALL V8 engines will soon be on the endangered list
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,098 Points:36,565 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2013 10:11:59 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I just think autos will not have luggage racks installed on top unless the customer orders them as an option,I also think trucks will have a more aerodynamic front nose design which will seem odd or ugly compared to what we see now in bulk-ness. I also think a solid tire mounted on a synthetic wheel,lightweight,strong material,as a spare,along with an inflatable baloon type jack for emg. tire/wheel changes due to flats. Saves weight.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,023,800 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2013 8:22:55 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse I think you will see some of the hybrids go away since they are to spendy for alot of people.
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,094 Points:651,905 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2013 11:33:02 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse I will take a stab at this one. Gasoline V8 engines over 7 liters are fading and I would guess that will disappear one day as smaller direct injected, variable valve timing and turbo-charging along with 6+speed transmissions will obviate the need for the larger engines. Maybe premium gasoline may go away too.
Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:533 Points:13,890 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2013 10:12:59 AM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse bluenvoy: So drawing a blank, huh. Keeping trying.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:14,954 Points:1,874,715 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:27:14 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse Relax everything will be alright.