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drivingincamaro · 01-13-2009, 04:03 PM

The Overrated List of 2008

mechanic-overrated.jpg

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...hotopanel..2.*

This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.

Two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of being optimistic in these troubled times. And I stand behind the sentiment contained within those wonderfully crafted 690 words. But don't misunderstand, optimism should be also be selectively doled out.

Sure the future looks bright, but not everything is great. In fact, during the inescapable 24 hour news cycle, many things get overrated. Too many things. And since I like the sound of my own thoughts I thought I'd make a list of those things.

I expect many of you to disagree with me on many of these, but remember, if you do, you're wrong.

The Dodge Challenger SRT-8
Not only is it too damn big, but a Shelby Mustang GT500 sucks its doors off.

Chip Foose
Enough with the two-tone and the billit. Talk about a one note somba. Time to overhaul your esthetic.

2009 Nissan GT-R
Too noisy. Too rough. Too fragile. Better not use the launch control.

Piloti Driving Shoes
Piloti must be Italian for Geek in the overpriced clown-booties.

The Toyota Prius
If any conventional car was that ugly, that uncomfortable and that rotten to drive it would have been a laughing stock.

The Tesla
Part car, part bullshit. Buying one seems to require a secret handshake, a briefcase full of cash and a pinky swear to never drive the car in public. I've seen one on the road and I live in the hybrid loving more money than brains club headquarters that is west Los Angeles. If they're selling these things like they say they are, where are they selling them, Ohio?

Small SUVs
Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, VW Tiguan, etc. Who the hell buys a Sport Utility with absolutely no utility? There's more room in my sinus cavity than the new crop of cute utes.

2009 Lincoln MKS
Worst engine in its class. Would have been competitive during Clinton's second term.

Speed Channel
Too much NASCAR. Too much Pinks. Too much Wrecked. Not enough cool stuff.

2010 Ford Mustang
Second verse same as the first. Suddenly it's 2005.

Sync
Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney.

Saturn Aura
So much better than the embarrassing Ion it replaced this average sedan was destined for overrated status.

Top Gear
Oops. My mistake. This should not be on the list. Top Gear really is that good.

Lexus IS-F
Fake tailpipes and suspension tuning endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

Honda Civic Si
Sinfully ugly. No torque. Battlestar Gallactica called and wants its dashboard back.

2009 Jaguar XF
Looks like a tarted up Lexus GS. It may be a needed new styling statement for the luxury car division of Tata Motors, but after the sexpot XK (also designed by Ian Callum) it's nothing short of a let down.

2009 Chevy Corvette
Fast? Yup. Affordable? Kinda. Plasticy? Oh yeah. Looks like it got rear ended by a semi? Twice.

Me
I'm not really as great as I say I am. Plus, my cottage cheese thighs could use a little sun.

Bob Lutz
He once told me the Saturn Ion was good. It wasn't.

Miles Per Gallon
In case you haven't noticed (and nobody has) gas is really cheap again. -- The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor

E-mail me at themechanic@edmunds.com

01-13-2009, 04:03 PM	#1
drivingincamaro Drives: 95 civic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 5,796	the overrated list of 2008 The Overrated List of 2008 mechanic-overrated.jpg http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...hotopanel..2.* This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic. Two weeks ago I wrote about the importance of being optimistic in these troubled times. And I stand behind the sentiment contained within those wonderfully crafted 690 words. But don't misunderstand, optimism should be also be selectively doled out. Sure the future looks bright, but not everything is great. In fact, during the inescapable 24 hour news cycle, many things get overrated. Too many things. And since I like the sound of my own thoughts I thought I'd make a list of those things. I expect many of you to disagree with me on many of these, but remember, if you do, you're wrong. The Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Not only is it too damn big, but a Shelby Mustang GT500 sucks its doors off. Chip Foose Enough with the two-tone and the billit. Talk about a one note somba. Time to overhaul your esthetic. 2009 Nissan GT-R Too noisy. Too rough. Too fragile. Better not use the launch control. Piloti Driving Shoes Piloti must be Italian for Geek in the overpriced clown-booties. The Toyota Prius If any conventional car was that ugly, that uncomfortable and that rotten to drive it would have been a laughing stock. The Tesla Part car, part bullshit. Buying one seems to require a secret handshake, a briefcase full of cash and a pinky swear to never drive the car in public. I've seen one on the road and I live in the hybrid loving more money than brains club headquarters that is west Los Angeles. If they're selling these things like they say they are, where are they selling them, Ohio? Small SUVs Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, VW Tiguan, etc. Who the hell buys a Sport Utility with absolutely no utility? There's more room in my sinus cavity than the new crop of cute utes. 2009 Lincoln MKS Worst engine in its class. Would have been competitive during Clinton's second term. Speed Channel Too much NASCAR. Too much Pinks. Too much Wrecked. Not enough cool stuff. 2010 Ford Mustang Second verse same as the first. Suddenly it's 2005. Sync Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney. Bong, play Britney. Saturn Aura So much better than the embarrassing Ion it replaced this average sedan was destined for overrated status. Top Gear Oops. My mistake. This should not be on the list. Top Gear really is that good. Lexus IS-F Fake tailpipes and suspension tuning endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. Honda Civic Si Sinfully ugly. No torque. Battlestar Gallactica called and wants its dashboard back. 2009 Jaguar XF Looks like a tarted up Lexus GS. It may be a needed new styling statement for the luxury car division of Tata Motors, but after the sexpot XK (also designed by Ian Callum) it's nothing short of a let down. 2009 Chevy Corvette Fast? Yup. Affordable? Kinda. Plasticy? Oh yeah. Looks like it got rear ended by a semi? Twice. Me I'm not really as great as I say I am. Plus, my cottage cheese thighs could use a little sun. Bob Lutz He once told me the Saturn Ion was good. It wasn't. Miles Per Gallon In case you haven't noticed (and nobody has) gas is really cheap again. -- The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor E-mail me at themechanic@edmunds.com __________________ Last edited by drivingincamaro; 01-13-2009 at 05:33 PM.