Jalopnik: qotd

What's Your Favorite Non-Italian Italian Car?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

The reveal of the Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R, celebrating non-violent Italo-Germanic alliances, is a reminder Italian designers and companies have almost made more cars via alliance than through domestic design and production. So what's your favorite non-Italian Italian car?

There are a lot of choices. There's the Italian-American Chrysler TC by Maserati. What about the German-Italian Volkswagen Karman Ghia or Polish-Italian Polski Fiat? There are almost too many choices.

Maybe it's because we've been on a Volvo kick lately or because we felt bad about putting the Volvo 262C Bertone on the Turkey list, but the Volvo 780 Coupe is perhaps our favorite Sweedish-Italian meatball. There's something about combining Swedish safety and Italian sexy we find appealing. Safexy? Sexty? Either way, it's gold.

[Photo: Volvo Adventures]

What's Your Worst Gas Station Experience?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Even when gas is cheap bad things always happen at gas stations. Perhaps it's because they have surveillance cameras, but not a week goes by without a story involving a gas station and the phrase "You won't believe this video."

People get shot, immolated, robbed, drunk and, yesterday morning, arrested at the local service station. Assuming you haven't been fatally wounded while pumping premium, what's the worst thing to happen to you at a gas station?

We have a lot of stories we could go into but one particular election day sticks out in our head this morning. Having taken a job with a doomed campaign we found ourselves in rural Texas celebrating a crushing defeat with tequila. Without a car, and drunk anyways, we'd secured a ride from one of the small handful of sober individuals before the party. Unfortunately, she was a staffer for the Congressman and therefore lost both the election and her job and was pissed as hell. About halfway done a dark highway she pulled her Thunderbird into a locked Chevron station for fuel and to continue her angry cursing. I snuck off in the dark to relieve myself and get some distance from the mad staffer. As the store was closed I had to choose an abandoned corner. No problems but then, in my last pair of dry clothes, I wandered off into what looked like a path but turned out to be a ditch full of cold rainwater. I was tired, dejected, intoxicated, wet and in the midst of a verbal assault. Needless to say, I joined in the cursing.

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

[Photo: MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images]

What's Your Gameplan For The U.S. Automakers?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

The Not-So-Big Three are heading to the hill, hat-in-hand and plane-in-hanger, in an effort to get the bridge loans they need to make it across the troubled economic waters. What should they say?

Thankfully, the pressure is off given their hideous performance in front of House and Senate Committees two weeks ago. It's time to Tuesday-morning QB by putting yourself in the congressional hearing room.

Threatening hasn't worked for GM's image. Chrysler's obfuscation and baseless optimism (look at our imaginary electric car) in the face of bad news hasn't helped them, either. We think Ford's plan is actually a step in the right direction because it suggests change needs to happen and, with the $1 CEO pay, includes a sign of contrition. Unfortunately, it isn't significantly different from what Ford has promised in the past. What the companies need to do is offer a plan for a serious and dramatic restructuring the likes of which Detroit has yet seen. Their future product lineups may be appealing, but the structure that brings them to market is still fundamentally flawed. Whether it is government-led restructuring or some form of supervised merger, these three companies need to face the harsh realities.

[Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]

Who Should Buy Volvo?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

As we reported earlier today, Ford is officially looking to sell Volvo, the last piece of the Premier Auto Group. In a better economy we suspect parting with Volvo wouldn't be so easy, but the $4.4 billion the company is probably worth is a nice chunk of much-needed cash for the automaker and, equally as important, it would be beneficial for Ford to subtract Volvo's losses from their overall quarterly performance. Who could buy the Swedish brand? Chinese company Chery expressed interest but may not have enough capital to acquire the automaker. Ratan Tata could make a move but, if he was interested, he'd have probably tried for the brand the first time. Who does that leave?

The original bidding war took place between Volkswagen AG, Fiat and Ford, with Detroit winning the prize. VW has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to brands and doesn't need any help enhancing its presence in North America. Fiat, on the other hand, has been looking for a cheap way to get more mainstream products to the US and Volvo could be a better bridge than Chrysler, which has been rumored to be in talks with the Italian automaker. We think selling Alfa Romeo Breras and Fiat 500s next to XC60s could make more sense than selling them next to than F430s so we wouldn't be surprised to see the Italian company make some entreaties to Ford.

How Long Will Cheap Gas Last?

Wes Siler — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Right now, gas is as cheap as it’s been since 2005: $1.97 on average across the country. I filled up a Pontiac G8 GXP two weeks ago for $40 and Wert's seeing less than $1.70 in Metro Detroit. So it’s easy to forget that as little as three month ago, a gallon of the go juice was over $4. But how long is this going to last? Long enough to make Pontiac’s new sub-20 MPG muscle car a practical purchase? The price of gas is a complicated formula, with variables including OPEC’s daily level of greed, the number and location of which countries we’re currently invading and the current reason for low prices: demand or the lack of it. Should we all be scooping up cheap SUVs on our way out to Black Friday sales, or should we be saving our pennies in anticipation of prices again skyrocketing? So, Jalopnik Readers, we ask you: How long will cheap gas last?

While we're enjoying the current low prices and taking the opportunity to drive more than ever, we're also hedging our bets against the future. We think the current low prices are a knee jerk reaction to that whole financiapocalypse thing; as soon as we invade North Korea/bail out GM/scare everyone with talk of nail bombs in NY, prices will head back up to previous levels or beyond. After all, with the rapid development of economies in Asia, demand for fuel has forever increased.

What Car Would You Buy For $5,000?

Ray Wert — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST

This is my little brother Logan and no, he's not auditioning for a bit part in the Futurama live-action movie. But, he needs our help. He needs a new daily driver and here are the specs. First, he needs to find something for $5,000 (maybe go as high as $6,000 — but $5,000 to be 100% sure he can afford it). Second, it needs to be safe (That means working seat belts and an airbag. Multiple airbags if possible). Third, it's got to be reliable. The little man's less handy with an impact wrench than I am. Fourth, he needs it to be "cool looking" for someone getting a job in financial services. Fifth, he needs it soon. Sixth is a corollary to the fifth rule, preferably it needs to be in the Detroit area. Seventh — give me some links to the craigslist or eBay ad. Remember, pics or it didn't happen! So, given those specs, help me find my little brother a car and you'll earn my undying gratitude. And we hear undying gratitude in this economy is worth its weight in — well, something.

It's actually not as easy to find something as I'd thought it would be. I'm able to find a car for under a thousand easy. And over $10,000 ain't too difficult either. But this? It's like a black hole. Some kind of eBay anti-sweet spot. What are your ideas?

What's Your Favorite One-Off?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

Ben's post on the All-Wooden Speedball Special got us thinking about those glorious cars made all the more glorious by their unique nature. There's nothing like a one-off, its proud owner explaining the story of the auto's special provenance. Take the Packard Hearse or the Glickenhaus Ferrari P4/5. They're wonderful oddities. In the history of the automobile there have been many created, but which one sticks out as your favorite?

Personally, we've always loved the shape and style of the Bentley R-Type Continental Racer. The one-off racer has that distinct and strange and captivating long-tail body that may or may not provide an actual aerodynamic advantage. The black-on-black paint scheme is also unique and not just some aftermarket job. This one-off is the real thing.

Porsche Panamera GT: In Love, Indifferent Or Incensed?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

The first official photos of the Porsche Panamera GT have caused quite a stir, though some would argue that stirring feeling is limited to the stomach area. With a growing four-door sports car market, Porsche clearly made an effort to differentiate the Panamera from production models like the Jaguar XF and concepts like the Lamborghini Estoque. From most angles there's no mistaking the production model from a Porsche, with the design picking up many of the brand's most important cues. Is that a good thing, especially after the lukewarm reception of the Cayenne by design divas? Are you in love, indifferent or incensed at Porsche for stretching the brand yet again?

Everyone was up-in-arms when the Porsche Cayenne SUV was first revealed, but the utility vehicles have been widely embraced and the looks have aged well. But a Porsche sedan? The dentist/plastic surgeon set will go nuts for it because it's an expensive Porsche they can move the family in, but we're less than pleased with the design. From the front it looks too busy, from the profile it looks too long and from the rear it looks too dumpy. Perhaps this is one of those vehicles that gets better with age, but we're not sure if we'll be alive when that much time has passed.

What Car Looks Best After Sunset?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

Most attractive cars are designed to stand out in the brightness of day or under an array of flashbulbs and klieg lights, but there are a few that stand out when it gets darker. Sometimes it's intentional, like the way the headlights of an Audi creates a pleasant shape around the nose or the way a well-designed taillight highlights a car's shoulders. Sometimes it's the way a waxed car can pick up the bright neon lights of a commercial strip, reflecting the bright colors of an active society. But the best looking cars at night are the ones shaped in such a way that they shine in the absence of light. Just a hint of the yellow glow of sodium lights in a dark alley and the car explodes with shapes and meaning like the backdrop of a German Expressionist film from the 1920s. We love it and we suspect you do as well. What car looks best after sunset?

We're partial the site of a 1973 Lotus Europa as the sun goes down. The site of a shiny black European car bouncing back the last beams of another day in human history is a reminder we're meant for progress. The soft creases of the hood bend the sinking sun and the atmosphere provides enough illumination to provide a mirrored whisper of the surroundings.

Thanks to Dearthair for the suggestion

[Photo: Matt Blackwood]

Are There Any Cars That Look Better Without A Roof?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

True to geography, the LA Auto Show has featured a number of convertible reveals. From the new 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible and Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder to the always open 2009 Porsche Boxster, this is one show that requires journalists to wear a strip of zinc oxide across the nose. All of these topless cars have us thinking about the vehicles throughout history that have traveled sans roof and whether or not they look better doing it. Are there any cars that look better as convertibles than their hard-top counterparts?

Perhaps we're just big fans of the closed roof, but there aren't a lot of cars that make the list. This isn't to say that convertibles aren't great looking, nor do we wish to imply that they don't serve a fun and important purpose. We're just convinced that most companies that make a convertible version of a hard top (as opposed to a purpose-built convertible like an Alfa Spyder) end up making some compromises. An example of a car that never should never have been a convertible but ended up looking comparatively less stupid without a top is the Chevrolet Cavalier Z24. The Cavalier could never compete with its Japanese rivals, but the addition of a soft top almost made it desirable. Almost.

What Will Win The LA Auto Show: Hybrids, Convertibles Or High Horsepower?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

This year's LA Auto Show has three major themes: Hybrids, Convertibles and High Horsepower. It's an intense battle for the hearts and minds of the Los Angelenos, whose hearts want Horsepower, whose minds prefer hybrids and whose weather demands convertibles. Representing the Hybrids are the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid and 2010 Fusion Hybrid twins from Ford and the strange-lookiong Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid. In the High Horsepower corner we have the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, 2010 Ford Mustang and Nissan 370Z. Convertibles also abound, including the 2009 Porsche Boxster and Mustang Convertible. Who will be king?

Given that this is the LA Auto Show, we're assuming that the Hollywood producers and financial types that use the auto show to make their Christmas (or Hanukkah) wish-lists don't have to make those kind of choices. Why chose one when you can have all in one package? That's where the Lamborghini LP 560-4 Spyder comes in handy. Fast? Check. Topless? Check. Ungodly expensive? Cash or Check!?! Just buy your assistant a 2010 Nissan Cube to help offset your carbon emissions. Why live green when you have all that green to spend?

2010 Ford Mustang: WTF, Meh or OMG?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

If you hadn't guessed, the reveal of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT is kind of the big news today. What, you thought it would be the 2010 Ford Fiesta Sedan? We've got blue photos and red photos. We've got Mustang GT video and Ford Mustang GT Convertible video. We've got it covered. But now that we've shown it all to you, it's important to ask if you like it. Is this new Mustang WTF awful, just Meh or OMG it's the best thing ever! awesome?

We like it. While it isn't the best thing ever, the Mustang has managed to improve over the already likable previous generation by sharpening the nose, strengthening the profile and giving the rear of the car an actual shape. Additionally, the engineers incorporated some of the engineering from the 2008 Mustang Bullitt, a car we adore, into the new Mustang GT. The addition of a new stability control system offering a track mode is also welcome. All of these improvements come wrapped in a package weighing only 15 pounds more than the last generation. We'll reserve our full judgment until we get a chance to pound it, but we're happy with where it is going.

What Domestic Car Are You Going To Miss The Most?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

Despite the pleas for the government (or rich spacemen) to Save GM and other domestic automakers, a federal bailout may not come soon enough, leaving many of these companies to fail. A world without GM, Ford and Chrysler would more than likely mean a world without Camaros, Mustangs, F-150s, Jeeps and Corvettes (well, until Tata buys up the model names at auction to plop on the next-gen Nano). Given the worst possible scenario, what domestic model are you going to miss the most?

You better believe we're going to miss the Pontiac G8 ST even though we've never actually driven it. The potential's there — what with the combination of the Pontiac G8 GT sedan, a vehicle that the General should have been building years ago, with a truck bed. After all of our Maximum El Camino love, how much would it suck to get so close to having a new El Camino and then having it ripped away from us? We'd wear black for a decade. Our new foreign overlords would spare the big truck technology and maintain cars they need, but the awesome truck-car niche vehicles will be the first out the window.

Have You Ever Fallen Asleep Driving?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

It's amazing how quickly a year passes. Can you believe it's already time for Drowsy Driving Prevention Week? The folks at the National Sleep Foundation would like you to know sleepy driving can cause impaired reaction time, judgment and vision. It also affects information processing and short-term memory. All of this is quite dangerous. Though at least a couple of us may try to avoid driving with less than at least six hours of sleep, others of us are never as lucky. How else do you drive across the country over the weekend? But let's all raise awareness for DDPW and share our stories of driving-while-sleepy and how you fought Mr. Sand Man.

I had to move out of our apartment in Chicago at 4:00 in the morning in order to beat the new people moving in and make it to Little Rock, Arkansas while there was still light outside. Dreading the long drive with my cat and spending my night on a slowly leaking air mattress I barely slept at all. The morning came and I loaded up the car and put the cat carrier in the backseat for the 10-hour first leg. I barely made it onto the freeway before my eyes started to give out on me. I pinched my leg. I played loud music. I tried to sing. I let the cat meow his brains out. Nothing worked.

Then, in the distance, was a sign advertising "Rest Area 30 Miles" and knew what I had to do. Having never actually used a rest stop to rest, I tentatively pulled into a space near the door, brought the cat carrier up to the front, and fell asleep on top of it. The cat and I woke up about half-an-hour later, I grabbed a Wild Cherry Pepsi and started the long trek down the vertical state. The rest did the trick and I was able to listen to the audio book of Team Of Rivals without completely crashing.

What's your story?

Is Thomas Friedman On Crack?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

With the auto industry flailing about, everyone all of a sudden thinks they're an expert, acting completely flabbergasted none of the domestic automakers have magically fixed everything yesterday. This kind of hit-and-run punditry has always been on display in Friedman's work, including regularly equating GM to a crack dealer in the most sensationalist analogy ever. Then came yesterday's column in the New York Times displaying an even greater lack of understanding of the depth and breadth of the global auto industry than usual. In the column, Friedman believes GM should get Steve Jobs to design an "iCar" — then today, on CNBC, he claims it wouldn't take Jobs longer than a week to do it. While we agree an "iCar" could look pretty slick, it again shows Friedman's grasp of cars as existing in exterior design alone, with the inner workings something anyone with Lego blocks can engineer. Later on, he was talking up his follow-up idea — giving the multi-billion dollar loan to small, green automakers in California rather than the Not-So-Big Three. This brings us to the obvious question: is Thomas L. Friedman on crack?

We think so and we'll work backwards to explain why. First, he can only be speaking of giving $30 billion to Tesla, Fisker or Aptera. Tesla has barely been able to produce a car and has halted development and laid-off employees. Besides, their car is based on a vehicle from a regular fossil fuel-burning auto manufacturer — Lotus. We like what Aptera is trying, but it isn't a solution for most commuters. The Fisker Karma Luxury Hybrid isn't a high-volume car and, as of now, has a production run of zero. Should we help these people? Sure. But you don't give out $30 billion to these guys just yet.

Second, you blame labor and Detroit and gas guzzling and the Michigan Congressional delegation. Sure, we're 100% in support of blaming all of those people. But if we really want to get honest with ourselves we'll recognize that, unlike NYC, we don't have subways in most of America. Our government subsidized a road system that created sprawl and suburbs and the necessity for most of us to drive on interstates and spurred the building boom that made trucks make sense to some slice of America. That created the auto industry we have today as much as anything and that issue needs to be addressed.

Third, remember 9/11 — those 0% interest loans the Bush administration asked the 'merican automakers to drop on the public to spur consumer spending in the months after 9/11 is another part of what started us down this path.

Fourth, making everything a flex-fuel hybrid isn't the solution. We're a bit underwhelmed by flex-fuel performance (hint, E85 vehicles typically get worse gas mileage) and the additional cost of putting an electric motor/battery in a small car pushes it out of the price range of most people. On the other hand, putting money into the Big Three to build cars like the Ford Fiesta, which gets close to 50 mpg without an electric motor, is a solution.

Fifth, Steve Jobs. Really?

Do we think Friedman is on crack? Just a little. We wish that, instead of "How To Fix A Flat" the Times just printed that spoof column from yesterday instead.

What's Your Favorite Minivan Experience?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

What would Maximum Minivan Day be without a few stories of mischief undertaken in one? Whether burning your rubber or fumbling around for it in your wallet, the ubiquity of minivans around the time many of us were teenagers encourages us to believe you all have some great stories. Did you accidentally knock the sliding door off the hinges? Have you ever tried to cram an entire cheerleading squad in an Aerostar? Were you forced to live, Jewel-style, inside of a Previa? Share your sordid favorite minivan experiences below.

What is about a best friend's older sister young teenage boys find so alluring? They have the same acne, dental hardware and awkwardness. There's just something magical about those two years of separation. Her name was Deborah (maybe) and she had our number. What she lacked in grace or physical beauty she more than made up for with the possession of a driver's license. One afternoon while playing N64 with her brother and friends she singled me out to take the family's Caravan for a pizza run. Just me. Already focused on the video game an unable to divide my attention I shrugged off the request. She asked again. She need my help, and only my help, to gather the pizzas. Whether her request was out of pure boredom or a lingering attraction I'll never know — because I decided to stay behind and play Golden Eye. It wasn't until later someone else at the party pointed out my mistake, sympathetically explaining to me "she totally wanted to bone, dude."

I doubt she actually wanted to do more than kiss in the sloppy and overenthusiastic manner most teens engage in, but the memory of my blown opportunity haunted me. I'd actually forgotten about the experience until I came across her performing in a Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute group in college. All of a sudden I realized I maybe dodged a bullet. Of course, this realization didn't save me from the awkwardness of having Deborah try and do all of her dancing right next to me and my new girlfriend.

What's The Greatest Minivan Of All Time?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

It was on a cold November morning 25 years ago the first Dodge Caravan rolled off the assembly line in Fenton, Missouri, officially launching the minivan. Although our maximum day of coverage in honor of 25 years of minivanning will shove off tomorrow, we decided to start the fun today. Though crossovers and MPVs are more frequent these days, they all owe a debt of gratitude to that first tall wagon. Given the multiple not-so-large vans of the last 25 years, which is your favorite? What is the best minivan of all-time?

There's something to be said for the 1989 Turbo Dodge Caravan SE, with woodgrain or without, which combines the comfort of a van with the fun of forced induction. The turbocharged Caravan was only available for two years and is now considered a collectors item. Even rarer, you can get a 1990 Caravan with the 150 hp turbo 2.5-liter fourbanger and a five-speed transmission. Anyone in Vegas can pick up this one for just $400.

[Photo: CarDomain user Nicholas

What $2,904 Car Would You Drive 2,904 Miles Cross-Country?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

While Ben is out living the dream in the driver's seat of a 1994 Chevy Caprice Classic for Top Gear's 2904 Cross-Country Rally, we're left at the home office to ponder what we'd be able to buy and drive the prescribed distance for $2,904 (all-inclusive). It has to be reliable enough to drive just under 3,000 miles, cheap enough to leave money for gas and efficient enough to burn through the gas money slowly. Ideally, it'll be comfortable enough to live-blog from and quick enough to leave everyone behind. Given $2,904 to make it 2,904 miles what would you choose?

We're partial to comfort, since 2,904 miles is a long way, so this SWB 1996 Plymouth Voyager seems like a steal at just $2,000. Equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 this Voyager likely gets around 20 mpg on the highway, which equates to 145.2 gallons of gas. Assuming a high price of $3.00 per gallon and you end up with just $435.6 in fuel costs leaving more than $450 for emergency repairs. More importantly, there's plenty of room in the back to sleep, drink, eat and evacuate, which reduces the need for stops. Would you be the hare to our tortoise?

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads who make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

What Kind Of Vehicle Would You Want In A Snow Storm?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

With a major snow storm bearing down on the Dakotas, it's already that time of year where we start talking about how we'd like to get through a snow storm. We assume most people stranded on South Dakota roads weren't driving around in Mini Cooper Convertibles, though we're worried that a few people may have been caught unprepared. Because we keep our eyes to the sky and our mind on our wheels we don't plan on ever getting stranded on the road in something not up to the task. A good snow storm-mobile needs to not only get you through the storm but also help you survive it if you're stranded or roads are shut down. With that in mind, what kind of vehicle would you want in a snow storm?

It's hard to argue against a Pinzgauer with tracks. Designed to survive rough winters, the Pinzgauer (with a hard top) is already built for survival. It's tough, it's strong and it's so strange that we think they'd try to save us first. Add a set of tracks to it and you'll definitely lower the chances that you need saving. You can also pick up a Pinzgauer from these guys.

[Photo: Texas Pinzgauer]
(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

What Kind Of Car Is President-Elect Barack Obama?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

With the polls closed and the new president selected, there are a lot of happy people out there, a lot of sad people and this crazy guy. After two years of campaigning, it's sort of hard to believe it's over. We'll be spending the next four years breaking down the new president's policies, reporting on Detroit automakers who beg him for more money, and mocking his automotive initiatives. It's what we do. Until then, here's a chance for everyone to get a few more jokes out of their system. This is an automotive blog and we definitely ascribe personalities to cars. It is, therefore, with a full belief that everyone will behave, that we ask the question: What kind of car is President-elect Barack Obama?

Personally, we think the Chevy Volt is the best example. Its sudden and surprising rise is a response to more than a decade of bad news and catastrophic decisions. It's a hybrid. It's made in America but includes some imported parts. Some are convinced it's going to save the world but they're a bit vague on exactly how. It's Barack Obama! That's our thinking, anyways. What do you think?

Who Would You Chose As Your Corporate Booth Professional?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

We've always found the booth professionals of SEMA to be less than classy (NSFW). Though there's been a general trend towards more conservative booth babes, the average tuner still seems to think they need scantily-clad ladies to sell tires. It is borderline offensive, not in the sense of the objectification of women but because it assumes most custom car buyers are 12-year-old boys. Pretend that you're in charge of selecting the talent for your company's SEMA booth, as if you were that lucky. Who would you chose?

If it were a Jalopnik booth, we'd definitely put Wes & Ray up on the block. If it was for a company in the automotive industry we'd probably pick both a man and a woman in an attempt to reach a wider audience. For a young woman we'd look for someone classier, perhaps with an Eva Green sort of look. And she'd be fully clothed. For the sharply dressed gent we'd consider someone like Colin Firth. That man can wear a sweater...

What Would You Build For SEMA?

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

It's SEMA time again, the annual customizer festival in the desert that never fails to polarize opinion — perhaps appropriate that it starts on an election day this year. We've just begun our coverage, but already we've witnessed ICON's Toyota/Lexus mods and Nelly's fab Flex, with a bunch more to come. So, let's assume you're either in the aftermarket biz or you're a famous R&B artist: What would you build for the SEMA show?

Us? We're torn. It would either be a '73 Alfa GTV donk with an LS9 crate motor or some sort of explosive device. Or a combination of the two...

How Do You Plan On Getting To Your Polling Location?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

Unless you live in Utah, you've probably been subjected to political commercials, robocalls, fliers, emails and door knocks claiming that this or that candidate is a socialist or a right-wing nutjob. Assuming the media crush hasn't completely dissuaded you from participating in the democratic process, you're going to have to get out to the polls. What's your method of getting there? Will you take public transit like a pinko leftist? Will you drive up in a Confederate flag-draped Suburban like a redneck righty? Will you walk like our forefathers? Do you plan on getting there early in the morning or at the end of the day shift? Maybe, like Mitt Romney, you have to hitch a ride because you loaned your campaign all of your money.

Living in Houston and voting early (i'm voting before I die, yo) I had to drive quite a distance to a location that wasn't going to have us waiting for more than an hour. I did end up carpooling and taking the more fuel-efficient Civic. It was the largest line I'd ever seen at the early vote site, which I've used before. The parking lot was overflowing (it is Houston) and they were tricking people into thinking the line wasn't that long by having it wrap around a hallway inside.

How about you? How are you going to Jalop the Vote?

Is There A Case For Automatic Transmissions?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Here's a scary thought for Halloween: between 1980 and 2005 the percentage of cars with a stick shift dropped from 35% to 6%. The rise in gas prices has led to a slight uptick in manual vehicles (7.7% last year), but most cars are still going in the direction of automatic transmissions. You won't be able to get a 2009 F-150 with a manual if you're a truck lover. Even if you want the trickest of trick AMG Mercedes at best you'll have a manumatic 7-speed. The upcoming Chevy Cruze? Supposedly it'll get better fuel economy with an auto tranny. Want a manual transmission? Buy a a Kia Rio. But is this a bad thing?

Over at MSN Autos, Lawrence Ulrich makes the point that not all automanuals are that bad. Some people prefer them. Even the Audi S3 will get the Audi/VW 7-speed DSG gearbox, a favorite of enthusiasts. We love the manual transmission. We really do. But we'd be lying if we thought every car actually needed one. Is there a point to a manual Taurus? Sports cars should at least come with a manual option for those who, like us, prefer the feel, but a well-made paddle-shifted transmanual in a grand tourer is a completely reasonable thing. Right?

What's Your Favorite Door Configuration?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

While most people consider automotive design in terms of what we look like getting from A-to-B, there's an entire (gull)wing of design devoted to how we get into and out of the things that get us from A-to-B. There's been a fascinating renaissance in the style of doors, as one can see in the 2009 Honda Element, which features suicide-style wide cargo doors, a hatchback and a tailgate all in one vehicle. What about the Skoda Twindoor system? You get a four-door hatch with a normal trunk opening that turns into a full hatch! Given all the random door configurations throughout history, which is your favorite?

We're sort of partial to the Isetta single front door with a Landau-style opening roof. With the exception of the BMW 600, all Isettas feature a single opening in the front and, possibly, a folding roof (good for the claustrophobic). We admit that in the event of a head-on collision the prospect of having the only easy exit blocked is a bit scary, but you have to admire the simplicity. It makes us wonder why they put two doors and a hatch on the Smart Fortwo. Clearly, there is an easier solution.

QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

What's Your Favorite Z-Car?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

The Nissan Z-Car has been, through five generations, one of the best-selling sports cars in the history of sports cars. With the Nissan 370Z breaking cover today we imagine that the sixth generation will be able to carry the torch. The original Datsun 240Z debuted in the United States in 1969, effectively launching the Japanese sports car in America. Since then we've been through ups and downs, with performance-minded versions like the Nismo 350Z and cheesy special editions like the Black Gold 280ZX. Most of us have been teenagers when one of the generations debuted, and remember it filling our prepubescent souls with the unfamiliar feeling of lust. So what's your favorite Z-Car? Which Z is your fairlady?

We're partial to the Z32 Twin Turbo 300ZX, which debuted when we were six and haunted our dreams throughout our early development. The styling felt so modern to us, and we think it has aged fairly well. With the twin turbos the 300ZX was good for at least 300 HP and 283 lb-ft of torque, though some claim more. Dwindling sales also meant that the car itself was — and remains — rather rare. While our heart stirs when we see a classic 240Z, the 300ZX will always be associated with our early Steve Millen fantasies. It also stars in one of the best car commercials ever, man.

[Photo Credit: Flickr]

What's The Best Porn Star Car?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

The sad news that Deep Throat director Gerard Damiano passed away yesterday brought out the interesting fact that the film brought in more than $600 million, profits domestic automakers wish they'd see. It is also a reminder that, post-Deep Throat, the adult-entertainment industry blossomed into a serious money maker, rewarding stars with enough scratch to buy the car of their dreams (before blowing the money on coke). Jenna Jameson used to tool around in a Murcielago before upgrading to a Rolls Royce Phantom, but we think this is perhaps because she's sold out to mainstream culture. For many many many reasons, none of us will be appearing in an adult film anytime soon. But, if we did, we'd need an awesome car to match our new profession. Assuming porn-gotten dollars and pornographic taste, what would be the best porn star car?

There are few people that can get away with owning a Zimmer, let alone a Zimmer Quicksilver, but we think porn stars are on that list. Combining the neo-classical styling of Zimmer with the solid underpinnings of a Fiero, it looks like it belongs in a pornographic film. Seriously, halfway through fueling it up we'd be tempted to pull out the nozzle and spray all over the hood.

When you picture a porn star, clothed, what kind of car do you picture them driving? This isn't Penthouse so we only want to hear about their daily drivers not anything else you think they do during the course of a normal day.

What Car Would You Most Like To Thrash On The Track?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Though most of our exotic car fantasies involve a track and bubbly alcohol in a novelty-sized bottle spraying into the air, we also have an alternative fantasy that ends with us hobbling into the pit, smoke spewing from the windows inside the remains of a thoroughly thrashed exotic car. If some cars can only truly be enjoyed at nine-tenths, then eleven-tenths must be that much better. We thought we might be alone with Eddie Griffin in this fantasy until we saw the photos of the wrecked $1 million Gemballa Mirage GT, driven by someone who clearly can afford this kind of track day destruction fantasy. Given the chance to indulge your dark side, what piece of exotic metal would you take to the track and meticulously rip apart in an act of gloriously wasteful destruction?

If we had just one opportunity to rip a car apart we'd take the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermés, hands down. In addition to the car's cred as one of the fastest production vehicles available, the überluxurious Bugatti costs a cool $2.3 million. It also represents the more-status-than-brains world of car owners who want something exclusively because it is exclusive and could care less about performance. Destroying one by pushing it to the limits on the track would allow the car to briefly live before going out in a blaze of glory. A few hours with this, some forgiving barriers and grass and we could devalue this exotic faster than Lehman Brothers shares. All that would be left is a pile of two-tone bull calfskin and a few pieces of aluminum. It would look something like this. Assuming unlimited track access an unlimited budget and some kind of indestructible safety suit what would you thrash and how would you thrash it?

What's The Worst Car Design Element Of All Time?

Andrew Stoy — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Yesterday we looked at the best car design elements of all time, and the responses were as varied as one would expect from such a subjective question. Grilles, tailfins, gullwing doors and one of our personal faves, hood ornaments, all gained some measure of respect from the commentariat. A few tongue-in-cheek mentions were also made of dubious design elements; Pontiac body cladding, for example. So, today we'll flip things around and open it up to the great automotive styling failures. What's the worst car design element ever?

We're not going to argue with Pontiac body cladding, which was at its worst on the nightmarish Aztek. Chrysler's out-of-round steering wheel on mid-60s 300s, among others, was a singularly bad idea. How about the toilet-seat rear deck on the above-pictured Plymouth Valiant? And who can argue for the recent fender-vent craze, ranging from "not bad" on the CTS to "laughable" on the Focus. So tell us: What do you think is the worst car design element of all time?

What's The Best Car Design Element Of All Time?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

A car is the sum of many parts, but not all parts are created equal. The Volkswagen SP2 design concept is a skilled modernization that captures the signature design elements from the original SP2. The shark nose, the hunched shoulders, the set-back greenhouse. It's all there. Certain elements are hardwired into our brain, allowing us to recognize specific vehicles so that we can react to them. Who — other than those of us over-saturated with teaser shots of the 2010 Mustang — doesn't salivate when they see the rounded, inverted trapezoid that signifies a Mustang? What about the scissor doors on a Countach? Each holds a special place in our heart, but what is the best car design element? What stands headgaskets and tailfins above the rest?

If we're forced to pick one we'll go with the iconic kidney grilles from nearly every BMW ever built. Has any design element had such a clever, clear and lasting impact? Whether the huge inlets of the Neiman Marcus 7-series or the thin, almost Bauhuas kidneys of a classic 6-series you see them and you instantly know what you're looking at. Throw a pair of round grilles on a Kia and most people will have to look twice before determining it's not a BMW. But that's us. What element is the best?

What's Your Most Abject Automotive Failure?

Andrew Stoy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Yesterday, reflecting on Ken Imhoff's home-built basement Lamborghini, we asked what your greatest automotive achievement was. Today, we're going to look at the other, not-so-shiny side of that coin and ask what your most abject automotive failure has been. You know, things like forgetting to tighten up lug nuts after a tire change. Neglecting to reconnect certain vital hoses after a simple repair. Driving into a lake. Dropping a Torx bit into an intake manifold. Or, as Graverobber mentioned yesterday, smashing the windshield of a parked vehicle with your head.

As for us, one of our favorites has to be helping a friend in college fix a Dodge Dart he claimed was overheating. After replacing the water pump and belt, flushing the radiator and pressure testing the system, our friend started the car and pronounced it still overheating. Finally taking a moment to look at the gauge, it sat perfectly between C and H — exactly where it was supposed to be. Turns out the gauge had never worked before, then suddenly came back to life and convinced our friend the car was overheating because it had finally ventured off the C. Rule number one: Verify the complaint.

So what about you? What's your biggest automotive FAIL?

(Photo Credit: Chiefrobertownebro wn's Flickr photostream)

What's Your Proudest Automotive Achievement?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

The story of Ken Imhoff's hand-made basement Lamborghini has moved many of us. Committing the time to building and fabricating your own detailed replica and then, like a ship in a bottle, removing it from the basement undamaged is an automotive achievement few can match. But what kind of people would we be if we didn't try? Though you may not be able to compete with the insanity that is the basement build, what is your proudest automotive achievement? Is it a project car? Driving the car of your dreams? Making whoopie in the backseat of a cab? Actually finishing a Gran Turismo endurance race?

We've had some great moments, including taking a test drive through an auto show, building wanky the safety cat, destroying the clutch of the only Saab Turbo X in North America and other bits of lunacy. As great as these moments were, the greatest automotive achievement for us is probably this blog. We've worked hard to create the kind of community we'd want to belong to and to write the kind of stories that we'd want to read.

Just kidding. It's totally dragons having sex with cars.

What about you?

What's Your Greatest Love Affair With A Car?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Seeing the trailer for Love The Beast, the documentary recounting Eric Bana's love affair with his 1974 Ford XB Falcon, we started thinking of that special bond between a car and an owner. Most of the cars we buy we love. Sometimes, we buy cars we merely like. Occasionally, we buy cars that live as much in our dreams as in our garages. They take our time, our money and our affection. We would, if we could, roll around with them in the sand.

The staff here at Jalopnik has had various love affairs. Mark would have to decide between a BMW 732i or 633csi, though the 6-series seems like the clear winner give the fact that he's had it for more than a few months. Personally, I've been pining for my mustard-colored Mercedes 300D, which nobly gave its life so that another 300D could live. And we all know about Ben and his 64 Lincoln Continental. Wert misses his black Northstar-powered Cadillac DeVille dreadfully. Not everyone has had this experience, but if you haven't had a love affair with a car you at least know someone who has. Pretend we're Dr. Phil. Enlighten us.

If You Owned An Automaker, How Would You Lay Off Your Employees?

Andrew Stoy — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

With the news of Tesla layoffs and rumors of Chrysler furloughs, plus the dire implications of a GM/Chrysler merger, it seems we're reminded daily of one of the worst aspects of having a job at an automaker: The constant threat of layoffs and restructurings. But instead of wondering about the middle-class impact of such events or pondering the futures of our peers "on the inside," we decided it would be more fun to put ourselves in the professionally polished Italian loafers of the Nardellis, Wagoners and Mulallys of the world. So, you're at the top of the tower. The balance sheet has more red than the floor of a Mexican slaughterhouse. How do you plan to deal with "redundancies in human capital?" Or, as they whisper in the leather-lined corridors of the Detroit Yacht Club, how are you going to lay off your employees?

Since it seems the tradition of "fire on Friday" is still alive and well, or has been at some of our more recent employers, do you buck the trend and instead give them a "terrible Tuesday" or a "march your ass out the door Monday?" Do you have managers give the bad news in person or do you prefer a nice, impersonal blog post, a-la Tesla? Tell us: How would you lay off your autoworker employees? [Photo Credit: unitedafa.org]

Do You Like The New Prius?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

This is the New Prius as confirmed by us earlier today. The company has clearly moved the car forward with a more aggressive, taller design. There aren't a lot of fans here of the old Prius, as many have been turned off by the appliance-style design. If Alfa could make awesome looking, low cD cars in the 1950s many figured Toyota should be able to do it now. Have they? Is this a move away from the appliance look or is it just an appliance with new fog lights. Do you like the new Prius?

Our first impression is a net-positive one. People who already like the Prius aren't going to have strong feelings one way or the other. People who didn't like the Prius before because of aesthetic touches may embrace the new vigor injected into the design. The nose, from what we can tell, is sportier and altogether not unattractive. It's distinct. It isn't the best looking car ever made but we don't think it is distinctive in a bad way.

What Would Your Ultimate Cop Car Look Like?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Now that we have video of the Carbon Motors E7, we believe that it really exists. The E7 does have a lot of what we want in a police car, including infrared/nightvision and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel motor. There also appear to be a few shortcomings. That backseat does seem a bit small for a police car and, honestly, we don't think suicide doors would have been our first choice. Given an unlimited budget and Bruce Wayne Industries-esque connections, what would your ultimate cop car look like?

We'd want something tough enough to cruise the Gaza Strip, large enough to carry an entire squad from a jewelry heist and fast enough to chase down just about anything on the road. Something smaller than a Sisu XA-185 but larger than a Corvette ZR1 cop car. Clearly, we're thinking of the Rambo Lambo. And not just any Lamborghini LM002, the rare Rambo Lambo Estate fitted with armor, an extra fuel tank, r/c helicopter, nightvision/infrared, HUD and enough lighting to blind anyone within ten square blocks. What about you?

[Photo: Lambo Cars]

Would Top Gear Netherlands Be A Bridge Too Far?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EDT

With word today that the ever-expanding Top Gear family is once again reaching beyond the UK shores for Top Gear Russia it may be time to to decide if we actually want and/or need more Top Gear franchises. How many Top Gears is too many Top Gears? What country should be next? Top Gear: The Netherlands? Viva Top Gear Mexico? At what point, if ever, does Top Gear jump the shark?

With Top Gear Australia in a bit of a ratings slump we must question whether the original works because of the three-hot format or the chemistry between the three hosts. While the formula could work anywhere, including here, we don't think that's a guarantee. The original didn't become wildly popular until the the fearsome threesome of May, Hammond and Clarkson hit their stride. The American version of the office doesn't work because it's a good story or a good style (look at Coupling, Teachers or Kath & Kim), it works because of Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson and the supporting staff. Can magic strike again with other hosts? Sure. But the original is still working and each new show is merely a roll of the dice to see if they can duplicate the same success and, even if it does, we'll still just be illegally downloading the UK version with the rest of the world.

What Stays, What Goes And What Changes In A GM-Chrysler Tie-Up?

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

The shocking news that talks on a potential GM-Chrysler merger are ongoing (and that GM sought out Ford first) got us thinking about the product lines of the two merging companies — you know, if this even happens, of course. But we've all seen it before. Two people move in together and stuff has to go. You don't need two coffee tables. You don't need two sets of cutlery. You don't need two Rain Dogs LPs. Given the market and recent performance it's clear that they can't carry on two separate lines. But what stays and what goes?

We think GM platforms are going to have an advantage given that they're generally newer, more popular and shared with the General's overseas brands (Opel, Holden, et cetera). Also, numerous Chrysler vehicles are based on platforms developed with Mitsubishi a billion years ago. This isn't to say that Chrysler doesn't have some things going for it. We like Chrysler minivans and what's not to love about Jeep that couldn't be corrected by axing a few models? You are the product planner, what gets a starring role in a new company and what gets the hook?

Who In The Auto World Do You Want To See Pose Semi-Nude

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Photos of F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone's surprisingly hot daughter posing semi-nude for PETA got us thinking about other people in the sport we'd like to see pose semi-nude. We've already seen Danica Patrick in a swimsuit and an almost weirdly buff Carl Edwards, so why not expand the field to include the entire automotive world? We have a feeling all of those hours spent buzzing around the skies of Michigan have given Maximum Bob Lutz some Maximum abs. What about sexy Dennis Gage? Is his mustache the only thing on him that mysteriously bends? It's almost the weekend, so let's have some fun.

Though there are probably already photos out there of him in various European tabloids, we bet that beneath that racing suit there's a whole lot of Lewis Hamilton that the world would like to see. And Danica may be more popular on the US stage, but what about Sabine Schmidt? So many people, so few clothes.

[Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images]

What Cars Do Automakers Need To Atone For On This Yom Kippur?

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

It's Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and we here at Jalopnik take that very seriously. Where is our great editor Ray Wert? He's out atoning and, just ask Chrysler, he has a lot to atone for. In that spirit we thought it would only be fair for automakers, Goyim and chosen people alike, to apologize for a few transgressions. Not every automaker is perfect and we think it'll be spiritually cleansing for them to atone, to say sorry, to throw out an "our bad." Seriously. It's the right thing to do. But what should they apologize for? Maybe they'll have problem saying it themselves. Let's help them out. Let us know below what cars automakers need to atone for and check out our list of automakers we've identified as needing spiritual help.

The Atonement List - Identify A Car For One Or More

Ford
GM
Chrysler
Honda
Toyota
Nissan-Renault
BMW
Mercedes
Volkswagen
Mitsubishi
Hyundai

Be a mensch and give us a hand by identifying a car for each automaker that they should atone for.