Okay, this was good, but you could've made it THIRTEEN cars killed by the carpocalypse because if I remember correctly, the S2000 replacement is DEAD in the water. Maybe you left it out because we didn't have pictures?
If this was all the damage the Carpoacalpso brought, I'd say we got off easy. Almost worth it, to get rid of the HHR. A new NSX would be very nice, though.
Half of the picks here are performance upgrades, so they can always be introduced at a later date, once the icy hand of death has warmed up a bit. It's the entire models, platforms nameplates and divisions being axed that hurt.
If these are all victims of the Carpocalypse then we, the automotive consumer, are the ones holding the axe. Of course it's all generalities, but on the whole it's our fault.
Looking at exhibits 1 through 12 we see half are performance tune/trim packages of standard offerings... and all 6 of those sourced from one bankrupt marque. The performance version still appeals to purists, but the market on the whole is looking for something a little easer on the pocket book and the environment.
Two of these now retired vehicles are specialized pickup trucks which appeal only to a very focused demographic, not very mainstream. It could be argued that a half ton diesel falls into that same trap, but I submit it's the D-word in general that killed that idea.
One of these casualties is an attempt to avoid badgeneering, a practice long held in dim regard by jalops so I would think of this as more of a victory than a defeat. Simplifies the buying experience for the average consumer as well.
The remaining victim, it would seem, falls into the same category as oh so many GM SS models. But the canceled NSX is a tragedy all its own, especially considering the recent changing of the guard at Honda and the history which that encompasses.
So, like it or not, we brought this on ourselves. Sure, we're obsessed with the cult of cars here at Jalopnik, but there's only so much we can do. So much of the car buying public is treating their car like their refridgerator and hoping it lasts just as long.
@TimTim [Minardi]: I would submit that the impala SS was killed because it was based on the impala. Also, the topkick never really had a market. The diesel dodge is the one I'm lamenting the most in this list.
@Matt Hardigree: Gawker set the bar at the star, so now to be seen one has to prove their worth. It's far more satisfying to write a quality comment and have it promoted than to shock and awe simply to elicit a heart click or a response (not that I was doing that before). I, for one, have embraced the new system, you can let the overlords know it's working.
@philibuster: I'm a bit torn on the diesel half ton.
On one hand I'm a proponent of diesel technology, I would like to see it become more popular in the US market. The half ton truck is a North American icon, so the death of its diesel is symbolic of the death of diesel in NA all together.
On the other hand, as a half ton pickup owner who actually uses the 4wd, the bed space, and what little towing capacity it offers I know I'll never own another half ton pickup. Diesel offerings are alive and well in 3/4 and one ton trucks, so I know I'm not missing out when there's no half ton diesel available.
@TimTim [Minardi]: Yes, the consumers make the final choice, like votes in an election, and they choose reliable, appliance cars that they only use and never rev above 4000. There aren't as many enthusiasts nowadays purchasing these improved models which don't really offer the practicality and fuel economy of, say, a Toyota.
That, or we spend too much time on Jalopnik to work well to earn promotions and make enough money to buy them ourselves.
Has anyone explained the phantom tollbooth that allowed the Z28 to be introduced in 1966, while the Camaro wasn't born until 1968? (I assume it is just a typo, but it gives me a reason to whip out the sarcasm...)
@bygeorge: Vince Piggins told the SCCA about it in 1966 and they had a working prototype of the Z/28 back in 1966 for the racing series. Technically, you could say the 1967 was the first year, but 66/67 arguably was the genesis date of the Z/28 package. Also, the Camaro was introduced in 1966 for the 1967 MY.
I know lists are "in" and Gawker overlords probably foisted it upon you, but these posts are devoid of interesting analysis and smart commentary. Desserts are great, but a little meat would be good sometimes too.
Out of those listed cars that weren't vaporware, the STS-V would be the most intresting one for me. It'll be interesting to see how they will depreciate.
Carpocalypse? I just want to make it through the Jalopocalypse!
I can't imagine there's any "getting used to" the new display layout this time around. Maybe I'm just getting old, but this is worse than a freight train driving through a tornado, then staring its own MySpace page.
@Ash78: Agreed - did someone (some committee?) decide "let's make up down, and down up?" There is a bit of an ego boost to posting and seeing your comment at the top of the page, but if you want to read comments do you need to start at the bottom and work up? Do you go to the last page and work to the front? (Are there pages anymore? I just don't know...)
On the other hand I have figured out (I think, somewhat) stars and heartclicks - stars never seemed important before, but now that I don't have one myself...;...(
@Sloop_John_B: Same here, this is my second comment in 24 hours or so. Even when it's displaying correctly, it looks completely buggy and overburdened. I frequent quite a few message boards and Gawker has always been among the least intuitive and "clean" with each successive iteration. This current format is bordering on the unreadable. Just my $0.02...it'll definitely keep my personal page views down, and the ever-more-convoluted commenting system isn't exactly inviting.
@Ash78: Agreed. I've lost 2 comments so far today by clicking before hitting submit. It also seems like there's some degree of auto-promotion in some threads - I ended up getting promoted in a comment, then responding to another comment in the same thread that was not promoted, so now it looks crazy if you're just viewing featured comments. Also, any threads with multiple pages are now completely impossible to follow, and it seems like I lost the ability to click on my comment in my profile, and have it go there automatically.
I still just don't understand why the NSX project was cancelled. It'd become the Corvette for the new generation. FR drivetrain, light-weight, plus a higher price--because it's a Honda. If Ferrari has a market for the California, then certainly there will be a few buyers for the NSX.
@DonLuc: I think the S2000 was much closer to a new-age Corvette than the NSX could be (the old one was always expensive, I don't know if they had any intention of changing that). Of course, this suggests we need a new-age Corvette other than the Corvette itself.
@e30m3: BMW is probably trying to figure how how to make a unique segment for it, since everyone's doing the "sedan with iffy styling that ruins headroom" thing. It will probably end up getting a lift, AWD, Chris Bangle consulting on the design, and be called something like the "xDrive7csAWDPASUVWHARRGARBL 60i".
I must've missed the '68 Mercury Sable - did they get a much earlier jump on the FWD bandwagon than I had originally though?
Also, as mediocre as the Impala SS was, it's charming if you keep it to highways (where the decent ride and V8 burble are accentuated beyond all of its combined flaws). It's a tiny, tiny step above the Malibu SS and naturally-aspirated Cobalt SS.
At first I thought that somehow the G8 was left off the list. Then I realized that redish car shaped blur was a GXP. I must say that I've seen better pictures of the car.
Of course there's no Solstice coupe. Matt Hardigree wrote this article. :/
Seriously, an HHR is one of the top 10 most important vehicles lost? Why are you so against the Solstice Matt? Perhaps you should try driving a manual one before you go off spouting that it's nothing special.
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Half of the picks here are performance upgrades, so they can always be introduced at a later date, once the icy hand of death has warmed up a bit. It's the entire models, platforms nameplates and divisions being axed that hurt.
07/10/09
PS. Commentz- i haz them!
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Looking at exhibits 1 through 12 we see half are performance tune/trim packages of standard offerings... and all 6 of those sourced from one bankrupt marque. The performance version still appeals to purists, but the market on the whole is looking for something a little easer on the pocket book and the environment.
Two of these now retired vehicles are specialized pickup trucks which appeal only to a very focused demographic, not very mainstream. It could be argued that a half ton diesel falls into that same trap, but I submit it's the D-word in general that killed that idea.
One of these casualties is an attempt to avoid badgeneering, a practice long held in dim regard by jalops so I would think of this as more of a victory than a defeat. Simplifies the buying experience for the average consumer as well.
The remaining victim, it would seem, falls into the same category as oh so many GM SS models. But the canceled NSX is a tragedy all its own, especially considering the recent changing of the guard at Honda and the history which that encompasses.
So, like it or not, we brought this on ourselves. Sure, we're obsessed with the cult of cars here at Jalopnik, but there's only so much we can do. So much of the car buying public is treating their car like their refridgerator and hoping it lasts just as long.
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07/10/09
On one hand I'm a proponent of diesel technology, I would like to see it become more popular in the US market. The half ton truck is a North American icon, so the death of its diesel is symbolic of the death of diesel in NA all together.
On the other hand, as a half ton pickup owner who actually uses the 4wd, the bed space, and what little towing capacity it offers I know I'll never own another half ton pickup. Diesel offerings are alive and well in 3/4 and one ton trucks, so I know I'm not missing out when there's no half ton diesel available.
07/10/09
That, or we spend too much time on Jalopnik to work well to earn promotions and make enough money to buy them ourselves.
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I'm totally getting the banhammer for this.
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I can't imagine there's any "getting used to" the new display layout this time around. Maybe I'm just getting old, but this is worse than a freight train driving through a tornado, then staring its own MySpace page.
07/10/09
No ad clicks from me for 1 week. After that, I'll reconsider the situation.
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On the other hand I have figured out (I think, somewhat) stars and heartclicks - stars never seemed important before, but now that I don't have one myself...;...(
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At least this up-down-down-up system completely discourages F1rsts.
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...so, it's still in development.
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Also, as mediocre as the Impala SS was, it's charming if you keep it to highways (where the decent ride and V8 burble are accentuated beyond all of its combined flaws). It's a tiny, tiny step above the Malibu SS and naturally-aspirated Cobalt SS.
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Seriously, an HHR is one of the top 10 most important vehicles lost? Why are you so against the Solstice Matt? Perhaps you should try driving a manual one before you go off spouting that it's nothing special.