[F1 Owner]

Hi all , I was just perusing the latest " concept cars " at the Tokyo & Frankfurt auto shows online , & I just have to ask who is responsible for these freak shows ? If this is truly the direction that cars are going , than I can say with utter confidence that I'll be driving my present car for a looonnnggg time. We all need to unite & just stop buying the garbage cars that the auto companies are trying to shove down our throats as " cutting edge " vehicles . Where have the real auto stylists all gone .....insane? Fellow rodders & others ,who are just plain tired of these goofy, oddball , rolling nightmares ,STOP BUYING THESE S**T BOXES , send a message to Detroit that we aren't going to take it anymore !!! Whew ,...I feel better now . Rick

[dinger]

How about a link to the site? I'd like to see what the grim future has in store for us. G.M. and Ford have started getting the message, G.M. is losing billions and Ford ain't making much. Loyalty to the maker is disappearing quickly, gas prices are killing the suv and big pick up markets, where Ford and G.M. used to shine. It's time to take a dump or get off the pot for these guys, their reputations are shining dimmer by the minute. Dan

[poncho62]

I havn't liked the designs since the late 80s.....................however, the technology sure has improved...ie:electronic fuel systems, etc.

[FrankR]

Originally Posted by poncho62

I havn't liked the designs since the late 80s.....................however, the technology sure has improved...ie:electronic fuel systems, etc.

Some improvements and some entirely more complicated than necessary. Look at headlights. These HID headlights are outrageous if you have to replace one. Is it really worth it? The brightness of Halogen H4's are plenty and cost a fraction.

Another example that really pisses me off is the elimination of throttle cables. I believe all of GM and several other manufacturers have eliminated the simple throttle cable for a fly-by-wire method using an electric geared motor attached to the throttle butterfly. You can no longer reach under the hood and work the throttle. Probably a $100 or more part when it does go out. Imagine the headaches troubleshooting that.

[poncho62]

good point....it seems it is all done to eliminate the "Shadetree Mechanics"...........

[78novaman]

Drive by-wire isn't bad. There are no more throttle return springs to brake, that's a really good thing! I myself have had two brake on me while driving!

I can't wait until the entire car is driven by wire. Wouldn't it be great to not have to worry about power steering, brake & clutch fluids? No more bleeding brakes

As for your point about not being able to pull the throttle while under the hood. I imagine there is (or your could make) a simple unit to plug into the motor control instead of the pedal(which is most likely just a rheostat-a variable resistor). Then you could stand up right next to the engine analyzer to set the throttle exactly where you want it instead of having to bend over and hold it open

[F1 Owner]

Hey Sorry guys , I guess in my P.O.'d state I neglected to put in the links to the sites . The one for Tokyo show was....
http://www.usatoday.com/money/galler...okyo/flash.htm

The Frankfurt one I forgot , but here is one I found .
http://frankfurt-auto-show.autoblog.com/

Hope they both work for you all . In all fairness , some are merely concepts , but come on carmakers , fire all the nitwit designers (ie the Pontiac Aztec , Honda Element & original Chev Avalanche ) & hire some REAL designers .Some designers that actually HAVE some talent ,& original ideas.
You might be surprised that people would ACTUALLY BUY some of your cars again , without having to give away the store !

Later , Rick