Sedans That Should Absolutely Have a Wagon Counterpart

"Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair)" (vicarious-chair) 08/26/2014 at 04:47 • Filed to: wagon, chrysler, 200, sedans, that, should, absolutely, have, a, counterpart, vicarious, chair, vicarious-chair, dodge dart, dart, dodge

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While working a late PM shift on a large rental car lot (alamo/national @ O'hare), there are days where I get to drive, hoon and thoroughly observe the design and build of cars. The other night I had a '14 Chrysler 200c on our lot and I spent some time in it. The car is impressively designed in my opinion. It's no longer a bleak car, and besides the audi-esque rear end, it's face has a very unique look to it that I have learned to really appreciate. The overall package looked great, until it reminded me of another car. For just a glimpse of a second, I noticed, from a certain angle, it looked pretty similar to the Vauxhall Astra VXR. Then I got sad, because Chrysler will never notice this fact and turn the car into a beautiful 3/5 door hatchback/wagon/estate that it truly deserves to be. Even with it's current design, just an extension of the roof into the rear end somewhere inbetween the sharpness of a hatch/wagon would look excellent on this car. Just think of it: A beautiful V6, AWD midsized American Wagon. The thought of that makes me smile.

What other sedans/current vehicles do you think would look better as hatches or wagons? (Or would at least have a different/unique take on the current model's shape)

Also, if you have any questions for me about the rental biz or any models and what stupid things you can do to cars that aren't your's, have at it.

SEE!? PERFECT!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 04:49

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YES, YES, AND HELL YES

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 04:52

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While working a late PM shift on a large rental car lot (alamo/national @ O'hare)

Is this why I havent seen you post in a While?

Alex from Toronto > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 04:57

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Impala wagon tt-v6 and awd, just don't give it an ugly ass like this.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/26/2014 at 04:57

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Yup, and more precisely because I have full-time hours now + Jalopnik doesn't work on our computers... only motortrend ... I just scroll through WOT 3 times a day hoping something changes.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > Alex from Toronto 08/26/2014 at 04:59

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Me thinks the impala would look best close to a shooting brake. Something about it's design does come off as wagony. Maybe more V70 ish? Even lower? I have a love/hate relationship with this car in the first place. (I have more fun in the rental car impalas compared to these :O )

GhostZ > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 05:00

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The username Vicarious-Chair made me think of Chairman Kaga and Victorious Secret doing the fusion dance.

We really need, before a 200, a Dart Hatchback:

Given that they already have the Alfa Romeo Guilietta hatch from the same platform.

A 200 wagon would sort of ruin it's "cheap car that actually looks expensive" vibe. It then looks like a minivan that's trying to be a business sedan.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > GhostZ 08/26/2014 at 05:11

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Its hard for me to imagine the Dart as a hatch. I was very confused as to why dodge didn't hatch the Dart from the start. I don't think dodge would get it right. The design they used is basically a miniature charger in the rear. With that light-bar, I think it would look obnoxious as a hatch. If the rear was redesigned, it might be a different story.

BTW, the 200c isn't really that cheap feeling/driving. Compared to the elantra, corolla, maliboo-yaah, it's fairly nice and upscale. I used it for a customer with a disability. They came back to me to thank me for the recommendation. Said the seats were a good size, not too soft nor firm and supported in the right spots. Overall it might not be the prettiest inside or out, but there was a lot of effort in areas you don't always immediately jump to.

promoted by the color red > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 05:15

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BMW 6-series Gran Coupe Wagon. BMW's product planning is somewhat nonsensical, so why not go all the way and do this?

GhostZ > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 05:20

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BTW, the 200c isn't really that cheap feeling/driving.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but yeah, it isn't cheap feeling, which is sort of my point. Making it a wagon would then make it look cheap, especially if it changes people's perceptions of the sedan. I think it looks great as-is.

My citroen won't start > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 05:26

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spanfucker retire bitch > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 06:52

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No no no no no no no. That looks like a lowered Mini-van. Oh god, my eyes!

shop-teacher > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 07:21

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I've seen renderings of a wagonized Impala that look great. Of course, I can't find them, but I'd love to see it get built (it won't).

shop-teacher > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 07:28

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So, I have a rental company question. I've never been able to reserve an actual car that I want, just a class of car. For example, I'd love to rent a new Impala, to take it on a long road trip. But I don't want to get stuck in a still in production for fleet buyers W-body Impala or a Camry. Is there a way to do that?

Also, what's the fastest/most fun car you've got available? I live quite close to O'Hare.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Alex from Toronto 08/26/2014 at 07:37

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That wagon has muffin top

PelicanHazard > GhostZ 08/26/2014 at 07:51

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Funny enough, a Dart hatchback exists.

The Dart is only sold in the US/Canada, but like a lot of things in struggling companies, FIAT badge engineered it for China and sells it as the FIAT Vaggio:

They then hatched it under a different nameplate, the FIAT Ottimo:

FIAT did no significant re-engineering on the Vaggio, therefore the Ottimo is engineered directly on a Dart platform. All it would be to get it here is a matter of restyling it to add in Dodge aesthetics and a bit of tweaking to meet the parts of FMVSS it doesn't comply with (no amber side reflectors in front being the most obvious in photos).

PelicanHazard > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 07:52

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The hatch was used in China as the FIAT Ottimo.

See my response to GhostZ for more.

Jayhawk Jake > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 08:37

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I don't think it would suit the 200 very well.

The dart though...damn.

CallMeTURBO > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 08/26/2014 at 08:50

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Subaru WRX/STI

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > shop-teacher 08/26/2014 at 11:04

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Yeah we have way too many cars to reserve a specific car. The only way to do that is to get a phone number from one of us (rental-counter agents). We can pull stuff off to the side on days where there is room. It's usually a free-for-all/sea of cars on Sundays, but that is when the rates go up. Best to come on a Friday or Thursday if you want a car just for a few days or the weekend. Thursday evening is when discounted weekend-rates start.

We carry the new Impala. LT and sexy LTZ forms. Reason you haven't been getting it

Cool/Fast cars? Alamo/National + Enterprise generally don't carry cool or fast. That's Avis/Budget or Hertz, but you pay the amount it costs get an operation done on your brain. Even so, we have some cars that come by every now and then:
[<3 mean I'm all about these cars]
'14 328i
'14 C300 rarest on this list
'14 Jaguar XF also super rare for us

2/4-door Wranglers
'14 Q50 (<3)
'14 countryman
'14 300c (Hemi) Most common on this list

I can't think of anything too special—maybe I've lost sight of what's special. Ask me for a certain model and I'll let you know if we carry it ever. We of course carry V6 muscle cars like every rental place does. A lot of our fleet has switched from 13/14 to 14/14.5/15 model years

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > My citroen won't start 08/26/2014 at 12:09

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Well technically that's happening. Sadly you damn Euros get all the cool Mondeos while we get the lonely old sedan Fusion... *sighs*

Alex from Toronto > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 08/26/2014 at 16:33

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Just a bit.