Awaiting the Ax: What Other Models Deserve to Die?

[mikeyb]

By now you know that Chrysler is dropping four models from its lineup (they being the Dodge Magnum, Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Crossfire, and the Chrysler Pacifica crossfire). This is smart: new owners have taken over the business, and are cutting the fat that either doesn't sell well, doesn't make money, or both.

My question for you is, after taking a look around the automotive universe, what models -- no matter their maker -- do you think should go? I have a few faves for this list:


Lexus SC 430 - I've never liked the look of it, and drives heavy and leaden too. It's gotten expensive, and will never be a Mercedes SL550 no matter how hard it tries. And its getting old.


Toyota Solara - This thing looks like a cross between a fish and bar of soap. The new Camry SE sedan is more exciting to drive than this so-called sporty coupe is. And, in convertible form, it's got way too much chassis flex. If you want to see how this formula should be done, check out the Nissan Altima Coupe or Honda Accord Coupe.


Cadillac XLR - Suffers much the same maladies as does the SC 430. Not as old, but not nearly as well finished, as the Lexus. They don't sell many, and they can't be making money on them. The $100K XLR-v is an answer to a question nobody seems to be asking. And, like the Lexus, it will also never be an Mercedes SL. Caddy probably needs a sporty roadster, but this ain't it.


Hummer H2 SUT - it is neither truck nor sport/utility. It may be ugly, but at least it's expensive, weighs several tons, and gets 11 miles to the gallon.


That's just a few - what's on your hit list?


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[TinmanMS6]

Agreed on the SC430, it's always been ugly, and not terribly sporty.

I'm also amazed that Toyota has let the last-generation Solara sell alongside the new Camry. Redo it already. They don't need to kill it, they just need to kill the old model.

I'm disagreeing on any Hummer models because, while I hate them, they sell, so they're a good business decision for GM.

Also on my list are the ones that Chrysler should have killed:
Jeep Compass - Nobody walks onto a Jeep lot looking for this kind of vehicle. It's bad for the brand image, and they've got to discount the crap out of them to sell them. It's not helping anyone.

Chrysler Aspen - Awful. Ugly and poorly executed. It's the answer to a question that nobody was asking.

Mazda Tribute - With the CX-7 and CX-9, Mazda now has its bases covered on SUVs. There's no need to continue selling this rebadged Escape that clashes with Mazda's corporate philosophy of Zoom-Zoom. My guess is that they're waiting for the rumored CX-5 to make this move so they don't have a gap on the low end of the price spectrum in SUVs.

Nissan Maxima - There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but it's gotten big and strayed far from the original sport sedan role that it used to fill. The Altima has taken over that slot, and the Maxima now shares a price range with the much better G35. Something's got to give, and it needs to be the Maxima.

[mikeyb]

Also on my list are the ones that Chrysler should have killed:
Jeep Compass - Nobody walks onto a Jeep lot looking for this kind of vehicle. It's bad for the brand image, and they've got to discount the crap out of them to sell them. It's not helping anyone.

Chrysler Aspen - Awful. Ugly and poorly executed. It's the answer to a question that nobody was asking.

Mazda Tribute - With the CX-7 and CX-9, Mazda now has its bases covered on SUVs. There's no need to continue selling this rebadged Escape that clashes with Mazda's corporate philosophy of Zoom-Zoom. My guess is that they're waiting for the rumored CX-5 to make this move so they don't have a gap on the low end of the price spectrum in SUVs.

Nissan Maxima - There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but it's gotten big and strayed far from the original sport sedan role that it used to fill. The Altima has taken over that slot, and the Maxima now shares a price range with the much better G35. Something's got to give, and it needs to be the Maxima.

I was thinking that both the Compass and Aspen need to go away as well. I do not think I've ever seen either on the road. The same goes for the Tribute but maybe Mazda keeps it around for an entry SUV that offers 4cyl, 6cyl, and hybrid powertrains for the time being. I think do think the rumored CX-5 will be its replacement. The Maxima has grewn fat and lazy. But the next generation is going to get alot more sport added to it to bring back the 4 door sports car. Remember thats what Nissan use to market it as? Most people that will buy a Maxima will not look at a G35. The Maxima is a larger car.

[turbolife]

The entire line of GM minivans. Consolidate to one vehicle.

[altspace]

I think Lexus may keep the SC designation but create a whole new vehicle. I'm surprised Toyota still has the Solara in it's lineup. I guess they thought that when Acura dropped the CL that buyers in that market would flock to them.

[altspace]

The Maxima has grewn fat and lazy. But the next generation is going to get alot more sport added to it to bring back the 4 door sports car. Remember thats what Nissan use to market it as?

I do. Many friends and family had them with the little sticker in the rear quarter window that read 4DSS.

[mikeyb]

I do. Many friends and family had them with the little sticker in the rear quarter window that read 4DSS.

Ahhh....Thats right. 4DSS. 4 door sports sedan not car. LOL!! The Altima has some lettering like that on the rear speaker grilles.

[seanmcsean]

okie doke..

Honda Ridgeline - Nice truck, but underpowered and ugly.
Pontiac G5 - Why did it need to be made?
Nissan Armada/Infiniti Qx56 - Huge, overpriced, useless.
All the Trailblazer Clones - One crappy SUV is enough, much less 5 of the same thing.

[mikeyb]

The Nissan Sentra needs to be Axed from Nissan's model range. My dealer told me that they sell twice as many Versas then Sentras.

Pontiac needs to kill the Grand Prix which I thought the G8 was replacing it in 08.

[SuperStretch18]

Mercedes G500. Granted, they have good offroad capability, but who's really going to take a $90k+ SUV into the slop?

Honda Ridgeline. Just as big, but nowhere near as powerful as the Toyota, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc. pickup options.

Pontiac Vibe. If Pontiac is trying to renew their sporty brand image, this one has to go!

[BlackCherry06]

GM is getting better admittedly....I was just relieved to see the Aztek / Rendezvous go. The world will be a more beautiful place without them.

Things that improved a LOT: Tahoe / Suburban / Silverado / Sierra. Everything at Saturn, Pontiac's new stuff...even Buick has done a lot of appearance and quality upgrades. GM is on the right track...it's just slow going.

Ford can kill the new Focus....that thing hurts my eyes.

[mikeyb]

The entire line of GM minivans. Consolidate to one vehicle.

GM is down to just the Buick Terraza and Chevy Uplander. Looks like the Terraza and Rendezvous are being put out to pasture with the Monte Carlo, Buick Rainier, and Saturn ION (Coupe and Sedan).

When will GM kill the FUGLY Caddy DTS?

[mountjonas]

ford taurus/mercury sable

pontiac g5

pontiac torrent

dodge avenger

dodge journey

[seanmcsean]

Pontiac Vibe. If Pontiac is trying to renew their sporty brand image, this one has to go!

the new vibe being introduced at the auto show circuit this year looks pretty nice. I'd rather get rid of the boring g5 and the pointless torrent.

[seanmcsean]

dodge journey

lol.. they haven't even started making that yet hahahaha.

[protegeV]

The entire line of GM minivans. Consolidate to one vehicle.
or jsut ax them altogether...Mini-van utility with the look of an SUV my ASS!!!. They all suck, and if you've ever had to work on one you'd think they suck MORE>

[protegeV]

scion xD...I know it just came out but that thing is HIDEOUS!

Also the Hyundai Azera...Seems to be a nice car, but needs a facelift as it looks like its stuck in the mid-90s

[mountjonas]

lol.. they haven't even started making that yet hahahaha.

still doesn't take away the fact that it's going to be a failure, or at least i hope it does. one can only hope...

oh yeah, the chrysler aspen. i think i've seen 1 on the road since it came out.

[protegeV]

the new caravan/T&C is pretty fugly as well. What is Chrysler thinking these days(uhm)

[mikeyb]

ford taurus/mercury sable

pontiac g5

pontiac torrent

dodge avenger

dodge journey

Why kill the Dodge Journey? Dodge does not have a CUV in that market segment.

[mikeyb]

How about the GMC ENVOY/Denali and Chevy Tailblazer?

[protegeV]

How about the GMC ENVOY/Denali and Chevy Tailblazer?
oh yeah, how could I forget. The trailblazer has been a POS since it came out albeit 02 was the WORST year. I think there were like 8 big recalls on it. Ive seen them come in with the whole core support covered in recall stickers.

[daonly1around]

mazda mazdaspeed3



and bring back the protege with that motor

[TinmanMS6]

How about the GMC ENVOY/Denali and Chevy Tailblazer?

Awful. Some of the worst that GM has ever made.

[mikeyb]

mazda mazdaspeed3



and bring back the protege with that motor

OMG!!!! The flame war is about to start.

[DeadGeneration]

Chevy Suburban

[protegeV]

while we're at it...Ford Excursion.

[mikeyb]

while we're at it...Ford Excursion.

Thats been dead for over a year now. Where have you been?

[mikeyb]

Chevy Suburban

The burban will not be going anywhere. Its one of GM's cash cows.

[nate0123]

I do. Many friends and family had them with the little sticker in the rear quarter window that read 4DSS.

Ahhh....Thats right. 4DSS. 4 door sports sedan not car. LOL!! The Altima has some lettering like that on the rear speaker grilles.
Actually it was 4DSC

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4585/4dsc8up.jpg

see also http://www.4dsc.com/

[mikeyb]

Actually it was 4DSC

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4585/4dsc8up.jpg

see also http://www.4dsc.com/

Hey, Thanks Nate.....

[TinmanMS6]

Chevy Suburban

I see a ton of Suburbans on the road around here. If we're just making a list of cars we don't like, I can go for days, but I made the assumption that we were talking about cars that would make sense to kill from a manufacturer's standpoint.

[nate0123]

Hey, Thanks Nate.....
I'm always so helpful, I know ;)

[GreyMan]

ford taurus/mercury sable

God, I can only hope. I just wrote a ABS diagnostics manaul for that bitch(s). Ughhh.

[DeadGeneration]

I see a ton of Suburbans on the road around here. If we're just making a list of cars we don't like, I can go for days, but I made the assumption that we were talking about cars that would make sense to kill from a manufacturer's standpoint.

anything they kill they will replace. It's futile to resist.

[protegeV]

Thats been dead for over a year now. Where have you been?
lol. then I guess that was a good call on my aprt...I had no idea they werent making them anymore...I see TONS around here. I bet it will come back though, based off the new Super Duties.

[mikeyb]

lol. then I guess that was a good call on my aprt...I had no idea they werent making them anymore...I see TONS around here. I bet it will come back though, based off the new Super Duties.

Are they 2WD and have only one person in it? It was replaced with the Expedition XL.

[seanmcsean]

okie doke..

Honda Ridgeline - Nice truck, but underpowered and ugly.
Pontiac G5 - Why did it need to be made?
Nissan Armada/Infiniti Qx56 - Huge, overpriced, useless.
All the Trailblazer Clones - One crappy SUV is enough, much less 5 of the same thing.


How about the GMC ENVOY/Denali and Chevy Tailblazer?

right with you there buddy.

[DeadGeneration]

I thought the ridgeline was like the #1 truck.

[SuperStretch18]

Maybe for Honda, but that doesn't count, because it is their only truck!

2007 Sales to date:

Ridgeline - 34,392
F-series - 537,211
Ram Pickups - 276,978
Nissan Titan - 50,959

[protegeV]

Maybe for Honda, but that doesn't count, because it is their only truck!

2007 Sales to date:

Ridgeline - 34,392
F-series - 537,211
Ram Pickups - 276,978
Nissan Titan - 50,959
how bout Chevy and Toyota?

[TinmanMS6]

Can we kill the Dakota yet? It keeps getting bigger--is it bigger than the Ram yet? I can't remember the last time I saw a new one. They're god-awful ugly, too.

[nate0123]

I personally don't like the ridgeline because they tried to create a literal "ridge line" diagonal down the side of the bed

but aside from the odd styling I don't see why it should be axed

[TinmanMS6]

I agree. It's ugly, but other than that, it's a great truck.

I think that odd line is Honda's equivalent to the triangular braces on the back of Avalanches. When you essentially take an SUV (Pilot or Suburban) and cut the top off the back, you have to put back some of the stiffness that you lose with that structure.

[SuperStretch18]

how bout Chevy and Toyota?

I stopped once I got that far. Here are the others:

2007 Sales to date:
Chevy Silverado: 477,859
Toyota Tundra: 144,480
Mazda B-series: 2,235 (yupnope)

[protegeV]

wow, Im surprised at the high number of Toyotas and the low number of Dodges. I would suspect Dodge is lower by virtue of the fact that they dont sell NEARLY the amount of commerical trucks that Chevy and Ford do.

[andrew.savage]

Speaking of the B Series, Mazda should probably axe those.

[mountjonas]

mitsubishi raider
mitsubishi endeavor

[SuperStretch18]

Speaking of the B Series, Mazda should probably axe those.
+1 I forgot that they still made them until just recently! It would be sweet to fully redesign it though and throw in the turbo DISI from the MS3, MS6, CX-7 (a la, the GMC Syclone). Probably wouldn't sell any more of them, but it would be awesome to have those tearing up the streets...

Sorry, daydreaming now...

[-pixy-]

the new caravan/T&C is pretty fugly as well. What is Chrysler thinking these days(uhm)

it's ugly but it serves it purpose and has a nice amount of options, it's not kill worthy, it fits right in with thier entire ugly lineup. ugly is in. (boom07)

[andrew.savage]

I'm probably going to get some flack for this, but i think GM should get rid of the new malibu. I realize it may be cool but what purpose is it really serving?

[nate0123]

I'm probably going to get some flack for this, but i think GM should get rid of the new malibu. I realize it may be cool but what purpose is it really serving?um, it is their midsize sedan... it slots above the cobalt (compact) and below the impala (fullsize)

[NCZ13]

um, it is their midsize sedan... it slots above the cobalt (compact) and below the impala (fullsize)

yeah...

plus, im just tired of walking into the older models... my knees hurt =(

[nate0123]

yeah...

plus, im just tired of walking into the older models... my knees hurt =(I do enjoy those commercials, and the fact that they have the sense of humor to make fun of their past models. I wonder if they've considered how much they're alienating current malibu owners.

[mikeyb]

I'm probably going to get some flack for this, but i think GM should get rid of the new malibu. I realize it may be cool but what purpose is it really serving?

The Malibu does serve a purpose in Chevy's lineup. Its a competitor to the Sonata, Optima, Mazda6, Altima, Camry, Accord, Passat, and its cousin the Aura.

[andrew.savage]

The Malibu does serve a purpose in Chevy's lineup. Its a competitor to the Sonata, Optima, Mazda6, Altima, Camry, Accord, Passat, and its cousin the Aura.

What about the Lumina, i heard they were coming out with a new version, which would add another to the same class.

[mikeyb]

What about the Lumina, i heard they were coming out with a new version, which would add another to the same class.

Lumina? Not here in the States. The 08 Lumina is sold in the Middle East and its just a rebadge of the Pontiac G8.

[NCZ13]

and i have to say, i saw some interior shots of the new malibu, and it really is a step up from where it used to be. now, im not sure if that infamous cheapness of interior materials exists, because i have yet to sit in one, but the interior looks, like an 08 interior.

[protegeV]

yes, the interior is light years ahead of the old one. I actually liked the two-tone black/brown combo, though I had a hard time convincing everyone else in the shop that the football colored inserts looked good, lol.