What's in a name, Oppo?

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
07/31/2016 at 21:40 • Filed to: None

Well, a lot actually. I love cars with heritage inspiration. No, not merely a name (the Malibu started as a type of Chevelle way back in the 60s, but that car can rot in hell for what it’s become), but cars that truly do bask in the lineage from whence they spring.

The new Challenger exemplifies this better than probably any other car on the market today. And this comes from a guy who drives a Beetle! The Challenger is mean, unruly, and has a drinking problem, and in those features lives up to its muscle car heritage beautifully.

Long story short, I love the Challenger, even if it’s unlovable by modern car standards. Because it gets what it’s about, and never tried to be anything else. And the last couple of years they’ve even offered it with a Shaker hood. God Bless America!

DISCUSSION (20)

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 21:46

I like the Impreza, it sounds like Impressive in Italian but I’m pretty sure it’s a made up word which shows creativity.

Matt Nichelson > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 21:53

I too love the Challenger. It just looks mean and not many cars do that these days. I think the one thing that has always held it back, though, is how heavy it is. The lightest version is still heavier than the heaviest version of both the Camaro and Mustang.

Alfalfa > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 21:55

One of the reasons I’ve loved the Chally over it’s competition, because it’s arguably not even competition. The Mustang and Camaro are improving efficiency and handling, which is great and all, but the Challenger is just “Fuck that I’m a muscle car."

Urambo Tauro > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 21:57

Totally agree. It’s a huge shame that they brought the Malibu name back for the wrong kind of car. At least the Challenger finally remembered what it’s supposed to be.

Mercedes Streeter > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 21:58

I uh, drive a smart fortwo...the naming is very unemotional. The name (purposefully underscore) is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes Art, a symbol of the union of watch maker Swatch and Mercedes-Benz. The name fortwo, well that denotes seating capacity lol.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 22:10

For some reason I don’t put much thought into a car’s name. It’s just what the marketing people decide to slap on the back of their product in my mind. If I woke up tomorrow and the Camaro was no longer called the Camaro it wouldn’t change my want for one. Maybe that’s why Cadillac/Audi/Infinti’s naming schemes don’t bother me.

Urambo Tauro > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 22:16

I’ve got some strong opinions when it comes to car names. I believe that when a name is applied to a car, there are some rules that must be upheld:

The drivetrain layout must remain the same. An AWD/4WD variant is acceptable, as long as the engine placement and orientation do not change.

The car must always be recognizeable. There has to be a design language that identifies the car through every facelift, and every generation.

The vehicle must adhere to a specific class. It cannot be a midsize one year, and a fullsize the next. Likewise, a pickup truck’s numerical name must reflect its abilities. Once a F-150 passes a certain capability threshold, it must become a F-250.

If any of these rules are to be broken, the name must be dropped and they must call the car something else entirely. If the old name is ever to be revived, it must earn the right to be considered the next generation of its predecessor.

Under_Score > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 22:17

The 4 in RAV4 stands for four wheel drive and my RAV4 is front wheel drive. Oops.

Urambo Tauro > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/31/2016 at 22:18

Would it bother you if the Camaro name was given to a FWD compact?

It would bother me.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Urambo Tauro
07/31/2016 at 22:20

So what you’re saying is you don’t accept the Dart being a futureNeon?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Under_Score
07/31/2016 at 22:21

That’s unfortunate...

Urambo Tauro > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 22:26

If an automaker gets bored with a car, and decides to completely overhaul its look and its name, while the chassis and drivetrain remain essentially the same, I can accept that.

Urambo Tauro > Urambo Tauro
07/31/2016 at 22:33

Oh, and another thing:

The name must not be (nor ever have been) in use by another company. (I’m looking at you, Continental .) Be original!

Chasaboo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/31/2016 at 22:37

It's not like the original. It's big and fat.

Hank Scorpio > Matt Nichelson
08/01/2016 at 01:13

Someone brought one to the last Solo event I went to. It was impressive to see such a big car get flogged around like that.

Hank Scorpio > Chasaboo
08/01/2016 at 01:16

The original Challenger from 1970 started at 3800 lbs. The new one starts at 3830.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Urambo Tauro
08/01/2016 at 02:26

Not really honestly. The Mustang name was almost affixed to a FWD sports coupe that (IMO) looked better than the actual Mustang of that time period did.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Alfalfa
08/01/2016 at 13:55

Haha that is a perfect description of the Challenger. I wonder what other cars are just "Fuck that, I'm ____". I guess a Jeep Wrangler is a "Fuck that, I am an off road vehicle"

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chasaboo
08/01/2016 at 14:01

But every new car is big and fat. It is more about the essence of the car though.

xyzabc > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/01/2016 at 14:56

...or a 4-Door Charger.