the overrated list of 2008

[drivingincamaro]

The Overrated List of 2008

mechanic-overrated.jpg

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...hotopanel..2.*

This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.

Two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of being optimistic in these troubled times. And I stand behind the sentiment contained within those wonderfully crafted 690 words. But don't misunderstand, optimism should be also be selectively doled out.

Sure the future looks bright, but not everything is great. In fact, during the inescapable 24 hour news cycle, many things get overrated. Too many things. And since I like the sound of my own thoughts I thought I'd make a list of those things.

I expect many of you to disagree with me on many of these, but remember, if you do, you're wrong.

The Dodge Challenger SRT-8
Not only is it too damn big, but a Shelby Mustang GT500 sucks its doors off.

Chip Foose
Enough with the two-tone and the billit. Talk about a one note somba. Time to overhaul your esthetic.

2009 Nissan GT-R
Too noisy. Too rough. Too fragile. Better not use the launch control.

Piloti Driving Shoes
Piloti must be Italian for Geek in the overpriced clown-booties.

The Toyota Prius
If any conventional car was that ugly, that uncomfortable and that rotten to drive it would have been a laughing stock.

The Tesla
Part car, part bullshit. Buying one seems to require a secret handshake, a briefcase full of cash and a pinky swear to never drive the car in public. I've seen one on the road and I live in the hybrid loving more money than brains club headquarters that is west Los Angeles. If they're selling these things like they say they are, where are they selling them, Ohio?

Small SUVs
Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, VW Tiguan, etc. Who the hell buys a Sport Utility with absolutely no utility? There's more room in my sinus cavity than the new crop of cute utes.

2009 Lincoln MKS
Worst engine in its class. Would have been competitive during Clinton's second term.

Speed Channel
Too much NASCAR. Too much Pinks. Too much Wrecked. Not enough cool stuff.

2010 Ford Mustang
Second verse same as the first. Suddenly it's 2005.

Sync
Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney.

Saturn Aura
So much better than the embarrassing Ion it replaced this average sedan was destined for overrated status.

Top Gear
Oops. My mistake. This should not be on the list. Top Gear really is that good.

Lexus IS-F
Fake tailpipes and suspension tuning endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

Honda Civic Si
Sinfully ugly. No torque. Battlestar Gallactica called and wants its dashboard back.

2009 Jaguar XF
Looks like a tarted up Lexus GS. It may be a needed new styling statement for the luxury car division of Tata Motors, but after the sexpot XK (also designed by Ian Callum) it's nothing short of a let down.

2009 Chevy Corvette
Fast? Yup. Affordable? Kinda. Plasticy? Oh yeah. Looks like it got rear ended by a semi? Twice.

Me
I'm not really as great as I say I am. Plus, my cottage cheese thighs could use a little sun.

Bob Lutz
He once told me the Saturn Ion was good. It wasn't.

Miles Per Gallon
In case you haven't noticed (and nobody has) gas is really cheap again. -- The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor

E-mail me at themechanic@edmunds.com

[djsnoflake]

It's not a car, but I would like to add the ford f150. It has been named North American Truck of the Year. Why? Because it is cheap and that made it sell well? Big friggin deal. McDonalds is cheap and sells by the bazillions, dosen't make it best food of the year.

[DGthe3]

for the most part, I agree

[2010 SS]

Originally Posted by drivingincamaro

2009 Nissan GT-R
Too noisy. Too rough. Too fragile. Better not use the launch control.

Fragile? Too Rough? Noisy?! .....Pretty much everything it's not.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS

Fragile? Too Rough? Noisy?! .....Pretty much everything it's not.

use the launch control and blow the transmission.... seems fragile to me.

[BowtieGuy]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS

Fragile? Too Rough? Noisy?! .....Pretty much everything it's not.

Using a launch control that shreds a 20,000 dollar transmission sounds fragile to me.


A pretty good list overall. The MPG thing was kind of ridiculous though. The price of gas will go right back up soon enough.

[BowtieGuy]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

use the launch control and blow the transmission.... seems fragile to me.

It's like we're too halves of a whole cynical jackass....weird.

[TheMadHatter99]

I thought it was a pretty funny list, especially when he listed himself. Reminds me of a column I used to write actually, so maybe its just that I like that style of humor.

I agree on most, especially the 2010 Mustang...talk about a let-down. They could have at least trotted out a new engine or something. (And yes, I know they're supposedly doing that in a few years.)

[The_Blur]

The list has some good parts, but the bad parts are really bad.

The Corvette is as classic as always, so there's no room for bitching there.

Bob Lutz rocks my socks off.

While most Pilotis are fairly ugly, the concept is a good one. This doesn't belong on the list because they aren't known enough to be overrated. That would be like calling Drake basketball overrated in 1998. They didn't do anything, thus no one knew anything about them.

The Saturn Aura is very nice.

Fuel efficiency is very important. If we have no efficiency, we end up spending more time refilling than going on joy rides. Efficiency is always important because it reflects improved design and often means better performance by a variety of measures.

[kanys]

Haha pretty good list, I agree with you in most of the cases. And on the ones I don't, I definately know what you mean. For example I respect the Prius for it's MPG/emissions, but the outside is disgusting.

[Mr. Wyndham]

@ Prius comment. hehehehehe

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

@ Prius comment. hehehehehe

I agreed with that one, too.

[JJ#48Racing]

The Prius comment is spot on. The Vette comments are stupid, he obviously hasn't been in a 4LT trimmed interior.

[kevin2323]

challenger imo should not be there it isnt overated....the design is amazing to alot of people and 0-60 in 4.7 is pretty quick for a fatass. I hate edmunds because they cant drive....who is the only person to get a 5.9 0-60 for the srt8 ...edmunds....everyone else sub 5 sec. i dont even listen to edmunds anymore.