History Repeats: Dodge Cars

[unitednudist]

Dodge Has announced that for a limited time they will be recirculating their sports car the Challanger. Many have said this could be a turning point for dodge, do you agree?

[Qikdraw]

Personally I don't think so. I think its just another example of how American manufacturers refuse to see the future. So far I have not been impressed with any of the retro cars. They are kinda cool in a nostalgic way, but hoping that people will buy cars based on that is not a sound economic strategy. Nostalgia only lasts so long too.

Qikdraw

[usmc1]

Turning point? About the same way as stepping off a 1,000 foot sheer drop to jagged rocks below can be said to be a turning point.

I'm sure some will buy them, but, at the coming by summer, $4.00 a gallon they will have limited appeal.

If Dodge thinks it will revive itself and relieve its morbidity, it is in error. It will have about the same effect as putting a corpse on in-lines and strapping a broad on it to hold it upright before giving it a shove. A lot of folderol, and activity and the corpse is going to move around a bit. But, it will still suffer from morbidity.

[nakedcowboy]

Unfortunantely, Chrysler continues to be the red headed step sister of the American car family. Even in good times, the Charger wouldn't be enough to save them Both Ford and GM are true global manufacturers. Outside of the US, Chrysler is practically nonexistant. To develop a new car like the Charger, they have to spend billions. Ford or GM can look forward to selling 300,000 a year or more, Chrysler has to settle for 100,000. Unfortunately, it's just a matter of time now. The private investment group isn't going to wait forever.

[BinCo]

While it is a great looking car. It is another gas hog foolish machine built by a bunch of meatheads that can't see the forest for the trees. It would not be bad if it was a nitch car. But the 300M and the Magnum and other all get 14/20. WTF? :eek: Does the average person need a 300hp sedan?

Crysler, Ford and GM have never been able to make a quality small car. One that is efficient and long lasting along the lines of the Civic or Carolla. They brought out the Neon and kids buy them because they are cheap and easy to upgrade into street racers. They are squirrely garbage on the highway. PT Cruiser? I rented one for several days. It is a car that requires both hands on the wheel at highway speeds to keep it in line. Let's not even look at quality. POS! Sure, there are the anomolies out there that got 250,000 miles on their 93 Escort. As a general rule, small American cars are junk.

On the show, it was depressing that only one medium to full size sedan got better mileage than our 97 Intrepid at 22/26. They all seem to float around 19/26. You would think that after 12 years, really 16 as the Intrepid was brought out in 93, we could be getting a little better mileage. The only sedan that beat it was the Camry Hybrid. It was depressing.:disappointed:

[Home Nudist]

Related News Item:

I heard on the radio today that GM let the copyright expire on the name "Oldsmobile." And Toyota plans to use it on a midsize luxury car. What next, a Cataract or a Rincoln Continental? :goofy:

[Naturist Mark]

Related News Item posted on April Fools Day:

I heard on the radio today that GM let the copyright expire on the name "Oldsmobile." And Toyota plans to use it on a midsize luxury car.

That would be 'trademark', and don't believe it.

[usmc1]

That would be 'trademark', and don't believe it.

Mark, I "heard" something along the same line a year or so ago. That GM was planning to discontinue its Oldsmobile line. Could be some truth in this. I mean, try to find a new Desoto today.

[nakedcowboy]

As an ASE certified person, I am fairly familiar with this area. I would not believe GM would allow the name out of their hands. These are companies that still protect names for cars that have not been used on a vehicle since the 50s! GM closed a chapter, but they aren't give to give the book away.

[usmc1]

As an ASE certified person, I am fairly familiar with this area. I would not believe GM would allow the name out of their hands. These are companies that still protect names for cars that have not been used on a vehicle since the 50s! GM closed a chapter, but they aren't give to give the book away.

Normally, I'd think you're 100% right. But, these are not normal times. Seriously, what brand is not for sale and what is not blurred: Jaguar - Jeep - Land Rover? Chrysler-Daimler?

Old rules, you're absolutely correct beyond quesion. New rules, hah!

GM's strapped. Enough capital, who knows?

[naturush]

I agree with Qikdraw. Boring, boring, boring. And hard on gas.

[Home Nudist]

Naturist Mark
That would be 'trademark', and don't believe it.

usmc1
Mark, I "heard" something along the same line a year or so ago. That GM was planning to discontinue its Oldsmobile line. Could be some truth in this. I mean, try to find a new Desoto today.

nakedcowboy
As an ASE certified person, I am fairly familiar with this area. I would not believe GM would allow the name out of their hands. These are companies that still protect names for cars that have not been used on a vehicle since the 50s! GM closed a chapter, but they aren't give to give the book away.

I was under the impression that GM had already discontinued this model/brand name, a favorite from my childhood.

Where I "heard" it was on "Paul Harvey, News and Comment," WABC Radio, NYC.

I think Paul was on vacation, and someone else was filling in.

I'm not saying there's any truth to it; just saying what I heard.

[nacktman]

As an old Olds man I can tell you GM has dropped the Oldsmobile line and did way back in 2000.
Any vehicle with Oldsmobile on it since then has been made by Toyota anyway.
Also, the Alero isn't an Oldsmobile no matter what the sticker says.

[Naturist Mark]

I was under the impression that GM had already discontinued this model/brand name, a favorite from my childhood.

Where I "heard" it was on "Paul Harvey, News and Comment," WABC Radio, NYC.

I think Paul was on vacation, and someone else was filling in.

I'm not saying there's any truth to it; just saying what I heard.

Discontinued the model, yes. Dropped its ownership of the Oldsmobile trademark - no way, no how.

ANY use of the Oldsmobile trademark, by ANYONE, for ANY reason, MUST be licensed by GM, or done with GM permission.

Here is the original source of the Toyota/Oldsmobile story. Be sure to read all the way to the end: Oldsmobile Returns! (http://autos.aol.com/article/news/_a/oldsmobile-returns/20080331143109990001?AOLCOMMautodynlsec0004)

-Mark

[nakedcowboy]

Correct Mark

Car and Driver admits it was an April fools joke

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/april-foolery-toyota-resurrects-oldsmobile-in-its-own-image/

and so does AOL

http://autos.aol.com/article/news/_a/oldsmobile-returns/20080331143109990001?AOLCOMMautodynlsec0004

[nacktman]

Correct Mark

Car and Driver admits it was an April fools joke

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/april-foolery-toyota-resurrects-oldsmobile-in-its-own-image/

and so does AOL

http://autos.aol.com/article/news/_a/oldsmobile-returns/20080331143109990001?AOLCOMMautodynlsec0004

The joke is still that Oldsmobile is no longer a line GM manufactures.
After the model year 2000 all cars with the Oldsmobile name on them were/are manufactured by a 'foreign' company.
I have one of the last Oldsmobiles GM actually made - Literally. A Delta Royale.

[unitednudist]

Here is a photo of the 2008 Dodge Challenger
I don't think anyone will realize this but the person inside the car is Bill Gates.
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/as/autoshow2006/photos%5Cp_Dodge_Challenger_20.jpg

[Home Nudist]

Re: "Oldsmobile/Toyota"

On Friday (I think it was), "Paul Harvey, News and Comment," WABC Radio, NYC, corrected its earlier story, and said that unbeknownst to them, it was an April Fool joke.

Goes to prove again: Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see.

[unitednudist]

This broadcast cam be found on their website: www.wabc.com

[SilentJ]

The joke is still that Oldsmobile is no longer a line GM manufactures.
After the model year 2000 all cars with the Oldsmobile name on them were/are manufactured by a 'foreign' company.
I have one of the last Oldsmobiles GM actually made - Literally. A Delta Royale.

There was nothing foreign about the last of the Oldsmobiles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile#2000s

The Bravada was based off of the same platform as the Envoy and Trailblazer and was built in Lousiana.

The Intrigue was the same platform as the Monte Carlo and Buick Regal, and was built alongside the Pontiac Grand Prix in Kansas City.

The Aurora was the same platform as the LeSabre and Bonneville. Built in Lake Orion, MI.

The Silhouette was built in Georgia on the same platform as the Trans Sport and Lumina APV.

The Alero was the same platform as the Malibu (non-Maxx) and Grand Am. This was built in Lansing Michigan.

[richinoregon]

Related News Item:

I heard on the radio today that GM let the copyright expire on the name "Oldsmobile." And Toyota plans to use it on a midsize luxury car. What next, a Cataract or a Rincoln Continental? :goofy:

Don't you mean 'trademark'?

[MJ_KC]

I really like the appearance of the Challenger. Put a supercharger on the hemi and you might have enough power to overcome how heavy it is. My 14 year old Corvette is faster because of the weight difference. I was a bit surprised when I saw the performance numbers, until I saw how heavy it is.

[wmichnudists]

I think Dodge has some of the best looking cars but they have been unreliable.

[MJ_KC]

Dodge has done really well in the design of its performance cars.

I wouldn't mind owning a Ford Mustang GT500 if I could find one at a reasonable price. The last time I looked, they were being marked up above MSRP by a lot.