What Brand Do You Really Not Care About? 

"Jack Does Cars" (jackdoescars) 07/08/2017 at 00:55 • Filed to: Question time

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It’s a shame that these 2017 MDX’s are not the wonderful Isuzu Trooper based SLX that cruised mall parking lots throughout the late 1990's. (Photo credit: Acura)

More or less, there are about fifty manufacturers currently selling cars in the United States, most of which produce at least one model that could be perceived as interesting or special. Nonetheless, some marques sell only drab, boring, unimaginative cars that don’t spark any sort of lust out of a potential buyer or enthusiast. I would describe this affair as, “bad,” and, “not good,” as I try to pay attention to All Cars, but some just seem to slip by without me noticing.

In particular, I personally couldn’t care less about Acura’s current offerings. That’s a shame because I love most of their former models, such as the quirky, five-cylinder Vigor, the legendary Integra Type-R, and the surprisingly pleasant TSX when equipped with a manual transmission.

The Vigor is a vehicle that represents a much different era for Acura. Also, it’s probably not the best idea to stage the press shots for your innovative new car in front of some smoggy cityscape, but y’all do y’all. (Photo credit: Acura)

Nowadays, their lineup is incredibly disappointing and I have simply stopped caring about the brand. I forget Acura still makes some vehicles and I don’t tend to notice when some are replaced or refreshed. To put that into perspective: it was a solid six months after the TLX was released when I realized that A) the Acura TLX is car that exists, and B) the TLX replaces both the TL and TSX. Even the new NSX is uninspiring, which means Acura has done The Impossible by somehow making a supercar boring.

I kid, the NSX can’t be that boring, but it must be a bit of an ego-blow to Honda and their crack them of engineers to work on a project for over a decade, spending millions of dollars on research and development, for the general consensus of their nearly $200,000 creation to be, “meh.”

Now I turn this over to you, what car company do you not care about, or care about enough that you don’t notice new models being released or others getting the ax?

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:00

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Dodge and Chrysler. I keep forgetting about the Journey and Durango constantly. Except for the Challenger, but even then I’ve never really cared about it.

Although I was one of the few people who didn’t hate the Dart or the 200 oddly enough. I didn’t really care about them either. I just knew quite a few people who had them and I didn’t think they deserved the hate they got.

CB > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:04

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Fiat is one. Audi is about 50-50. Mercedes-Benz I can’t find a single care in the world for them.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:04

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Easy.

I couldn’t care less about Infiniti. (Sorry ImmoralMinority)

I’m kind of ok with the Q50S. That’s it.

Everything else is just so boring.

I didn’t even know the new Q60 existed until I saw one in one of the parking lots on campus.

I didn’t even know they started making 2.0T and 3.0T engines. I assumed they still used the VQ37 in everything.

Also, in my opinion, the Mercedes GLA based QX30 is the worst offender. Look at it. I feel sorry for it. I want to give it a hug and ask it what’s wrong. It looks so depressed.

DanZman > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 07/08/2017 at 01:04

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Says the guy with the Acura avatar.

Jack Does Cars > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 07/08/2017 at 01:05

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The Dodge Journey is a vehicle that is produced with a four speed automatic transmission in 2017. That is all you need to know about the Dodge Journey.

superdave847 > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:06

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I agree with this post.

After a great decade of affordable, performance cars, Honda & Acura began mimicking the worst badge engineering since 1980s GM & Mopar K cars. Then,to add insult to injury, Acura adopted the ugliest grills in all of automotive design.

I can’t think of a better example of a brand throwing away great credibility by sheer laziness.

Jack Does Cars > CB 07/08/2017 at 01:07

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I only care about Fiat when they release something new (124 Spider, 500 Abarth) or when something else goes wrong with the 500L.

Alfalfa > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:08

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Toyota. I mean technically they have they have their badge on the 86 now, but I’ve yet to notice one on the road and everything else is just econo-blah.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:08

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Mazda.

Jack Does Cars > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 07/08/2017 at 01:09

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Funnily enough, I used to feel the same way about Infiniti. Recently though, a friend purchased a very loud G37S, which drives and sounds rather nice. I’d give Infiniti another look.

DanZman > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:09

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I’m with you. Acura is just so uninteresting. Honda is boring and that makes their spinoff even less interesting. I just can’t take it.

Jack Does Cars > DanZman 07/08/2017 at 01:10

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The Honda Accord V6 is pretty special.

CB > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:10

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Pretty much.

I also totally forgot about GMC. Which is probably why they’re offering $7k off the Terrain at the moment.

TheHondaBro > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:12

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Anything GM, particularly Chevrolet. They keep making the Camaro faster and more expensive, but I just don’t care. At $80,000 I’d rather spend more and buy a GT-R.

Jack Does Cars > superdave847 07/08/2017 at 01:12

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Remember how cool the RSX and TL Type-S were? It really makes you wonder what happened...

Jack Does Cars > TheHondaBro 07/08/2017 at 01:13

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no trailblazer disrespect on the tl

superdave847 > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:14

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It makes no sense at all. Someone must have quit (and apparently gone to Volvo) or been fired.

Matsayz > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:14

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Chevy... all their cars/trucks are Boring and for me, they do nothing to help cars be more fun and enjoyable. The Spark??? Cobalt? Blah you’re killing me smalls

Jack Does Cars > Matsayz 07/08/2017 at 01:16

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AHEM

Jack Does Cars > Alfalfa 07/08/2017 at 01:17

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I still like the 4Runner and Tacoma.

Matsayz > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:17

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Nope. Boring. Maybe it’s just the lines the designers go with that haven’t changed “drastically” in a-wwwhile

Jack Does Cars > Matsayz 07/08/2017 at 01:21

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The vehicle pictured went out of production in 2009.

Nick Has an Exocet > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:30

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Acura. BMW is quickly climbing the ranks of futility as well - automatic only 2 series, FWD 1 series, c’mon.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Matsayz 07/08/2017 at 01:35

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Boy, Chevy has the Camaro and the Corvette, it should NOT be forgotten

CRider > TheHondaBro 07/08/2017 at 01:46

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Speaking of making a car faster and more expensive, the GTR Nismo costs over $100.000 more than a ZL1 1LE, and that’s for a car that’s been on the market since George W. Bush was president.

duurtlang > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:50

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Lots of brands qualify for me:

VW

Toyota+ Lexus

Nissan + Infiniti

GM

The American part of FCA

Subaru (okay, BRZ excluded)

Mitsubishi

Mercedes

Audi

Opel

BMW (excluding older cars)

Honda (excluding older cars)

And probably a few more.

TheHondaBro > CRider 07/08/2017 at 01:50

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And I’d still take the GT-R over the wannabe-European sports car.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:55

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vw & Audi

Svend > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 01:56

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Brands as a whole would be Mitsubishi, Toyota, Suzuki and Mazda. They don’t have anything that really appeals to me.

The Subaru only escapes because they have the Levorg.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 02:03

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Hyundai. Which is sad because I used to own one and it was pretty good. But they got super bland a few years ago and now I can’t be bothered to care what they’re up to.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 02:35

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The 6+6 coupe is a good car.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 02:35

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I have owned 10 Hondas/Acuras over the years including a manual Vigor and a 93 Integra GS-R. I do not care about any of their current offerings. I do not care about Mitsubishi either.

RallyWrench > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 02:51

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If we’re talking new cars, Mitsubishi, Honda (Acura too), BMW, Mercedes Benz (and Smart), Infiniti, Hyundai, Volvo, Buick, Chrysler, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Land Rover, Mini... there are more but with very few exceptions I have no fucks left to give those brands. Also Acura gets extra scorn for using a travesty of a lake for an ad campaign.

CRider > TheHondaBro 07/08/2017 at 06:13

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If it was a Euro wannabe they’d more than double the price while making the car hardly any faster. Like what Nissan did to the GTR.

for Michigan > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 07:24

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Chevy, GMC, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fiat, Ram.

arl > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 07:36

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I’d have to say Honda/Acura. Their designs used to be so timeless and clean. Their interiors used to be simple and usable. THey punched way above their price.

Now? They feel like cheap, extremely over-designed, crappy, bean-counter designed cars. I pretty much hate their whole line at this point.

Jack Does Cars > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/08/2017 at 07:53

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I sort of agree with this.

Jack Does Cars > duurtlang 07/08/2017 at 07:53

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That’s a lot of brands.

Jack Does Cars > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 07/08/2017 at 07:54

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A manual Vigor sounds fantastic. It’s a shame a five cylinder, manual transmission Honda doesn’t exist anymore.

TheHondaBro > CRider 07/08/2017 at 09:21

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Cool.

boxrocket > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 09:26

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I’m a fan of choice and competition, and also employment and non-monopolies. That said, I wouldn’t notice if Mercedes and BMW cut away everything that wasn’t a model they were making after the X5 came out, except the 2-series. No more X6, 5GT, CLA/GLA, etc.

Additionally: Acura/Honda, Nissan/Infiniti (I want them to succeed more than they are but not at the pace they’re going with fragile CVTs, cheap disposable catalytic converters, and Infiniti’s awful naming scheme), all of GM (again, I appreciate that they spark competitiveness, but other than that... meh. Though there is some hope with the 10-speed transmission they co-developed with Ford, and I recognize the SBC is ubiquitous), Subaru, Toyota (but not Lexus, though their styling direction needs a redo; also, I appreciate them throwing a bone to Mazda with the 2/iA collaboration, Subaru with the BRZ/86 program, and BMW with the Z#/Supra, and wish more companies did this), and VAG.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 09:28

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Volvo

boxrocket > TheHondaBro 07/08/2017 at 09:34

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Precisely this. Though my $80K would go towards an F-Type SVR or used Aston Martin Vantage V12. I know they’re not as fast, but I’m never going to realistically be in a position where that deficit will be realized: I don’t race, I drive more-or-less lawfully (speed limits are the only thing that gets violated once in a while, flow-of-traffic and all that), and I enjoy the quality of the car more than outright performance.

boxrocket > Matsayz 07/08/2017 at 09:37

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Substitute Cruze for Cobalt. Cobalt has been dead (at least in the U.S.) for more than 5 or 6 years I believe.

boxrocket > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 07/08/2017 at 09:48

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Meh.

They’re two halo cars that don’t redeem or inspire the rest of the brand. Contrast with Cadillac (to keep it in the family) where every sedan has a V performance version. The Camaro is ugly and awkward, and the corvette could be rebranded as just about anything else or as its own brand and likely be just as successful and influential.

boxrocket > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 09:50

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Except it’s going out of production...

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 09:54

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I have a list:

Subaru

Mitsubishi

Honda

Nissan

Toyota

Chevrolet

Buick

GMC

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 10:32

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Currently? Mitsubishi. I’d be idly curious to drive a Mirage, but other than that I’m just not that bothered by what they’re making. That’s not to say I hate them or would never buy a Mitsubishi, but their current lineup screams “We don’t give a shit if our cars sell or not!”

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > duurtlang 07/08/2017 at 10:33

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So...what are we left with?

HammerheadFistpunch > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 10:35

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I’m pretty impressed Acura would take it’s crossovers out to that point. It’s about an hour’s drive on a rough dirt road and then about 3 miles of some semi rough trail to get there. I guess what I’m saying is I wonder what kind of a trailer they were brought in on

Jack Does Cars > boxrocket 07/08/2017 at 11:16

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True.

Jack Does Cars > HammerheadFistpunch 07/08/2017 at 11:19

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I think it’s a rendering because there’s no way it would have made it out there.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 11:24

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Having just bought a manual TSX yesterday, this speaks to me. The only current Acuras that interest me are the NSX and, interestingly, the RDX. (Come on, don’t tell me a near-300 HP V6 CR-V doesn’t sound at least a tiny bit interesting, beak or no.) I don’t like the TLX’s push-button shifter, I don’t like that you can’t get a manual ILX anymore (not that anyone ever bought one to start with), and I don’t care about the RLX or the MDX.

I don’t care about Mercedes. They can jump off a cliff for all I care.

duurtlang > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/08/2017 at 11:51

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Lots. Ford, Mazda, PSA, Volvo, Jaguar, Renault, FCA (Italian brands), ...

Matsayz > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered 07/08/2017 at 12:25

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Except you can’t see out of the Camaro and the Corvette is made of plastic.

Its all about the bottom line and each car must sell X amount or someone(s) get fired. They don’t seem to want to go balls out.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 13:01

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Lincoln does nothing to get me excited. The exterior and interior styling leaves me cold, and I just couldn’t see myself driving something with a push-button shifter or electronic parking brake. I guess this would apply to a lot of current Acura models, too.

Jack Does Cars > interstate366, now In The Industry 07/08/2017 at 13:09

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I saw you bought the manual TSX on the wonk, are you liking it?

25 year import ban...

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 13:24

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Yeah, definitely. It’s a really good car. Still getting used to the jump from mid 90s tech to late 2000s tech, though.

Yep, exactly.

Jack Does Cars > interstate366, now In The Industry 07/08/2017 at 13:55

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It’s a definite upgrade in terms of technology and convenience. How was CarMax?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 18:06

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Easy. Getting the loan at my credit union took longer than everything at CarMax.

NJAnon > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 19:49

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Id go with BMW. motorcycles, cars, etc. they have their arms in too much stuff IMO. Then charging so much. Its too late though. They’ve got europe hooked and they have held onto funds to do motorsports racing so theres no hope they’ll change.

Jack Does Cars > NJAnon 07/08/2017 at 22:46

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If you think BMW has their arms in everything, you should take a look at Honda or Samsung.

NJAnon > Jack Does Cars 07/08/2017 at 23:13

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Honda is on the list too. I went with BMW as Im not sure how their idea that every car they make has to be in this high price bracket when not all the cars aren’t even performance oriented but they like to make people think they are.

Nibby > Jack Does Cars 08/27/2017 at 21:28

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too many to list