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Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
Local Motors Rally Fighter First Run
Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car
Local Motors Taking Reservations For Rally Fighter
Local Motors Outsourcing Car Design To YOU

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HoonThatFerrari
11/17/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
First car built using open source design, and their opportunity for a historic moment is THIS?
For car with the word "Fighter" as part of it's name???

More of a historic "Meh-ment".

Doesn't quite rank up there with: "Mr. Watson, come here I need you.", does it? #rallyfighter
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FrankGrimes
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
It would be a lot cooler if they had actually rebuilt the motor instead of just swapping it in. #rallyfighter
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ArtForge
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
Corners like a whale, sounds like a vacuum sucking up ball bearings and looks like a reject form a Mad Max movie. Open Source proving democracy can suck. #rallyfighter
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GianniMadden
11/17/09

@ArtForge: Being that it was the "first drive" I HIGHLY doubt the suspension is tuned properly. And even if it was, this is built as a desert car, not a street car. They handle completely different. It's hard to tell int he pictures posted, but if they are running dual rate coil overs in the rear with or without a reservoir, they need to be running at least one form of a sway bar. Seeing as the thing didn't even have a dash yet, I'm not counting on it having a sway bar installed at the time the video was made.
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ArtForge
11/17/09

@GianniMadden: I don't see this thing being any better than mediocre at best. #rallyfighter
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that ain't the way to have fun, son
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
Well, they're much further along than many "real" manufacturers.

Can't think of any right now...cold medication is gettin' in the way...but you know who I mean.

Can I get an asbestos curtain for a firewall? I want to feel some semblance of safe. #rallyfighter
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
If it works as wild as it looks, they should do fine. 3 liter BMW turbodiesel gets your attention, though it sounds like an old Mercedes truck. #rallyfighter
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Elhigh
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
Rueben Studdard got lots of votes, too. #rallyfighter
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Elhigh
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
The part that makes my eyebrows jump up is, vote on your favorite and we'll build it, and this was what came out on top? Really?

Dang. It must be something in the water.

Don't get me wrong - I like it. Sorta. BMW straight six, good. ZF tranny, good. Big chunky tires for offroad capability, good. Offroad racing market target, good.

Mix 'em all together. Good? Dunno. I'd drive, but a couple of tabs of acid first might help it all make sense. #rallyfighter
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drewdrawshashtags
11/16/09

@Elhigh: I agree. I've been public in my opposition to the way they conducted the project, but regardless, I thought it would end up looking better in the end.

Quite awkward on the move (the rear especially). Like a Suzuki X-90 that's been stretched over a racetruck chassis. #rallyfighter
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bmoreDLJ
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
Still love it...and seeing it burble to life and actually roll around under its own power...very satisfying. #rallyfighter
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dolo54 blows minds and blows engines!
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
I like it, but where's the firewall? You get an engine fire you are toast! #rallyfighter
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Elhigh
11/16/09

@dolo54 blows minds and blows engines!: It's easier to skip the firewall than to try to plumb in a heater. #rallyfighter
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powermatic
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive

It's ALIVE! #rallyfighter
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AmishJohn
11/16/09

In reply to Local Motors' Open Source Rally Fighter Takes First Drive
That's one happy-looking catfish. #rallyfighter
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CatherineNoodle
11/08/09

In reply to Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car
But, you know what? This is how NEW car companies can be started. Why rely on the big 3 or 4 or whatever to crank out the same crap? Yes there is an issue with intellectual property, but it's a great way for young designers to get real world experience NOW.
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67firebird454
11/07/09

In reply to Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car
It could use 4wd and a lower price. Although that BMW engine is nice it's too expensive base cost, equally expensive repairs, expensive aftermarket, and what will be hard to find parts.

Other than that I like the ideas they have, especially the assisted build, where they can skip some government regulations and give people a connection with their car right off the bat without the long, arduous, and usually problematic process of kit car building.

I'm looking forward to what they make in the future. Most new cars have compromise and it'll be interesting to see what other segments they fill. #localmotors
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skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube
11/07/09

In reply to Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car
stop drinking the haterade people.

this is just the next extrapolation of a bunch of people getting together and making a sweet ride.

this is just more noticeable, and exposed to opinions.

at least someone is taking a risk and just putting it out there, which is way more than I can say for the appliances I see on the roads.

Come on, give builders a chance. #localmotors
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mattbagwell
11/07/09

In reply to Local Motors Rally Fighter: The First-Ever Creative Commons Car
I saw John speak a few weeks ago about this. More than the idea of 'crowdsourcing', he was excited about making the process of buying a car be personal and unique. Anyone who has invested their own time, care, bruised knuckles, cuss words, etc, into a car (and their money, of course) is that much closer to it, for better or worse.

I think it's clever for a company to try to foster that attachment up-front. By the time many of us cross paths with a car we take a liking to, it's somewhat beaten and forsaken, and the manufacturer/dealer has been out of the picture for many many years.

Guess they're counting on that to justify the price tag.

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