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Car Commercials, the good, the bad, and the annoying!

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,735
    The Eminem spot, and the whole "Imported from Detroit" slogan, got big play in the papers, today..

    (You guys remember newspapers, right?)

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  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    They could have used something produced at Dodge City, which is about 8 miles from where the commercial was filmed.
    I only saw Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes and VW commercials during the Super Bowl.
    Did I miss some others?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    (You guys remember newspapers, right?)

    Yeah. We remember Detroit, too....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...I liked it, but the product for which it was advertising is inconsistent with the ad. The 200?It's like showing a bunch of macho guys engaged in football, hunting, or motorcycle racing, and then show a feminine hygeine product at the end. The Detroit ad would be more appropriate for the Dodge Charger or Challenger, but I believe those cars are from Canada.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It did get a lot of press, but I think that's because people love a comeback, and Chrysler needs one.

    And let's remember, that was a 120 second ad! $12 million bucks, folks! Of course people will talk about it.

    VW spent 1/4th as much on Vader and it got tons more play. The little kid is everywhere on TV, he's a little hero now, a heart patient/survivor.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree about there being more suitable products.

    Maybe they could call it a North American comeback? LOL
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Per Nielson:

    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/09/miss-evelyns-wild-ride-in-a-camaro-most-watch- ed-ad-of-all-tim/#continued
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    see post 4221 for the answer.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-dodge-commercial-pokes-fun-at-snowpocal- ypse/

    Focus is on AWD.

    Thing is ... when you hear AWD you think Subaru and Audi, not Dodge. I guess this will remind people they do sell it.

    Note they pick on Toyota (I see 2 Camrys) and Honda (the Accord with the hazards on). Also looks like a Saturn Astra.

    Thing is, doesn't Toyota offer more AWD options that Dodge does? Not 4WD, mind you, but AWD. Highlander, Matrix, Venza, Sienna, and RAV4, off the top of my head.

    Dodge has the Charger and Journey, Durango if you stretch. Did I miss any?
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    All those AWD Toyota's never went out in the first place.
    As I posted a few weeks back, I never knew we had so many Explorers at work until just about nobody showed up.
    I did see a Camry. No other Toyota's and we have normally have plenty of Highlander's and Rav's parked in the lot, plus a few Taco's and Tundra's.
    No Maxtrix, Sienna's, or Venza's.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Those lack much clearance anyway.

    Better off in a RAV4/Highlander, or better yet, a 4Runner.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/video-subaru-of-canada-brings-back-the-sexy-s- umo-wrestlers-in-n/

    Hysterical. I like when he tosses the ticket back at the meter maid, and when the couple sees his cheeks pressed against the windshield! LOL

    They say it's Canada-only, but the original showed in the USA and helped Forester sales surge to record levels.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited February 2011
    Saw a couple of pretty good commercials today. One of them was poking fun at someone who has a virtual test drive where you accelerate by pushing the space bar.
    Here is a link to the accelerate commercial.

    I like the other one better, but i don't want to give away any of the details.
    Here it is
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    That second one is pretty amusing
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    There was an issue when one of the cars in that ad was sold to a guy in Vancouver - the use of the cars wasn't disclosed. He noticed hood damage the day after he bought it. D'oh
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    edited February 2011
    That "virtual test drive" one is a clear dig at Mitsubushi who launched an interactive website for their new Outlander Sport. Ironically, Chrysler and Mitsu had a pretty good partnership going through the 90's and 2000's with engines being supplied (Base model 2.7l 6's) for the 300 and Charger!!!

    Other than that, everytime the commercial comes on, I make sure to nudge the volume up a couple of ticks just to rumble the house with that intoxicating engine note that sings throughout the advertisement :D

    Great ad.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...the commercial with the man wearing a chest carrier with a baby in it looking at a VW Jetta? I don't know what kind of guy would wear such a device except for one who is absolutely terrified of his wife and whose manhood is kept in a jar by the same woman. It certainly doesn't inspire me to buy a Jetta if it's the preferred conveyance of emasculated men like the one in the commercial.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Well, a Jetta isn't exactly the most masculine vehicle on the road, I will say that much.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Funny and ironic. Nice ads, they got my attention, that's for sure.

    And what was Mitsubishi thinking, by the way? I heard about the virtual test drive and laughed.

    The 2nd ad seems to target Toyota/Lexus, and it's also effective.

    Kudos to the ad guys. They definitely will appeal to the target demographic (I jokingly refer to them as the Neanderthal Male).
  • fushigifushigi Member Posts: 1,459
    Well, during the online test drive, available slots filled up every day the offer was on, including the couple of added days. So from a PR perspective it was quite successful. And so far Mitsu seems pleased with the initial sales of the Outlander Sport (they're specifically going to move OS production to the US) so it must have gotten the desired sales traffic follow-through as well.
    2017 Infiniti QX60 (me), 2012 Hyundai Elantra (wife)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, I heard they would phase out the Galant and build the Sport there instead, maybe other small cars too? I wonder if they'll sell enough volume for a whole plant. Probably, if they build for export as well.

    A neighbor bought a black one, mom in her 40s.
  • fushigifushigi Member Posts: 1,459
    The manager of the local pizza/pasta joint bought one in blue to replace her Endeavor. At the Chicago Auto Show, my wife was shopping for a compact sedan to replace her '01 Elantra. We won't buy for at least 6 months, but most of the compact sedans she just didn't care for. That included the Cruze & new Elantra - both of which were previously on her short list. The Kizashi, Impreza, Sentra, Mazda 3, and pretty much every other make of compact sedan (or small mid-sizer) had some things she didn't care for. Ditto the sub-compacts though those mostly because they feel cramped.

    Surprisingly, the Outlander Sport & Tucson were her favorites. Doubly surprising on the Tucson since she panned it at last year's show.
    2017 Infiniti QX60 (me), 2012 Hyundai Elantra (wife)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just test drove a Kia Sportage (its twin) with my brother and we both liked it more than expected.

    The kicker - price was $19.2k!

    Undeniable value.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    edited March 2011
    Watched TV for 45 mins tonight, saw the Lexus CT commercial 3 times. We get it - you have a new car that is marginally less boring than the rest of the lineup. I don't know if the economy is ready yet to make a Prius related vehicle that can get near 40K to be a mass market item.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The sudden 33 cent surge in gas prices won't hurt in terms of timing.

    They sure as heck got lucky.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    edited March 2011
    ...those who panic and buy, say a Corolla, to replace a huge SUV because of escalating fuel prices soon regret it. They've become accustomed to the comfort and capabilities of a larger vehicle and aren't going to be happy with a much smaller one. Worse yet, one trades in a paid-off vehicle and now has a car payment on top of the higher fuel costs. Even worse if one trades a vehicle still being financed and find he's upside-down.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Agreed, the vehicle still has to meet your needs. A Highlander hybrid would be a more reasonable step-down, or at least an Equinox or something.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Indeed, they hit the jackpot. Co-worker just bought a loaded Prius. She claims she got it for 4K under sticker, but the dealer told her they were going to increase prices soon. Amusing.

    The Mountain Dew CT was nowhere to be seen last time I drove by the local dealer, maybe it sold? I'm actually marginally curious about that car, as in my eyes it is developed to give the brand more exposure in Europe.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I dunno, Europe is in love with diesels. This won't do nearly as well there.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    They have only one diesel model for Europe, and few buy it either.

    Now if the CT was a diesel hybrid using the engine from their diesel IS, I'd be looking seriously at it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've wondered about the same thing.

    Diesels aren't too happy starting and stopping constantly, but the potential fuel savings are great. Diesels are ideal on the highway, while hybrids do better in the city (and highway gains are negligable). Combine both, voila, best of both worlds.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    I think there must be some electrical incompatibility with diesels and hybrids - as none seem to be on the market anywhere. Shame - you'd get 60mpg out of one easy, I bet.

    Either way, for whatever reason, the CT might be the Lexus I dislike least.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think they are cost-prohibitive.

    Each on its own adds a couple of grand (at least) in cost. Together you're talking about $5-6 grand more.

    Hard to make that up, though range would be incredible.

    CT to me is a bit odd looking, I guess it has character, I'll give 'em that.

    I understand the appeal of hybrids but most do not appeal to me. I'd rather have an IS-F or even an IS350 AWD.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Interesting. I'd like to see somebody put together a diesel hybrid just to see what the range/MPG would be. I recall VW Rabbit Diesels being rated at 50 MPG in 1980.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    Agreed, the vehicle still has to meet your needs.

    People panic and just HAVE to buy a fuel efficient car- and usually the math doesn't support their frantic decision. For example, I saw a nice 2010 Mini Cooper equipped just the way I'd want one(except that it had a big hole in the roof :mad: ). I could probably trade my MS3 and wind up paying @$10000 OTD. The Mini averages 39 mpg while my Mazda returns 23.5 mpg. Driving 16000 miles annually with gas at $4.00 per gallon I would save $95 per month. However, assuming I paid cash for the MCS I would have to drive the car for almost nine years before I broke even(10000/95= 105.26 months, or 8.77 years.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    "I don't know what kind of guy would wear such a device except for one who is absolutely terrified of his wife and whose manhood is kept in a jar by the same woman."

    Or, he's not concerned about what other people think of him. ;)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Do diesels really cost that much more, or is it just a markup a few makers use? They seem to have marginal if any price differentials in Europe.

    If gas was $10/gallon, I wouldn't want those gassers for daily use. IS-F is the one I'd want too, but maybe not in the future, and not at its MSRP.

    Co-worker who bought a Prius traded in a several year old MDX that she broke even on...claims payment stayed the same, but she says she'll be saving a couple hundred a month at least in gas. Maybe a lot of these soft road poser SUVs aren't really needed after all.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    Driving 16000 miles annually with gas at $4.00 per gallon I would save $95 per month.

    On the other hand, Saudi Arabia could pull a Libya and the price of oil could go to $200 a barrel and gas could double to $8 a gallon.

    All of a sudden your payback is 4.5 years.

    Sounds like the makings for a good car commercial - some AK47s, exploding oil wells, and a Prius cruising along in the background. ;)
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Actually, it would be the chatter of AK-47s, exploding oil wells, and then...the cheerful ring of a bicycle bell as a man pedals by on a Schwinn in that scenario.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited March 2011
    It's harder to meet CARB emissions, so diesels that meet US standards cost more.

    Lots of car makers have engines in Europe that they can't sell here without a particulate filter, for example Subaru.

    A poor man's MDX option would be a Kia Sorento 4 cylinder. You can even get a manual transmission IIRC. No 3rd row with the 4 banger, but I doubt the MDX owner used it anyway.

    I tend to look for fuel efficiency, but the most efficient vehicles that meets my needs. Not a miser that doesn't.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It's harder to meet CARB emissions, so diesels that meet US standards cost more.

    And yet the car companies have managed with gasoline CARB requirements, plus removing lead from gas, plus the CAFE standards, and maybe E15 next.

    Maybe people in the US just don't want them. :shades:

    What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Do the emissions add-ons really cost those thousands per vehicle?

    No doubt the average MDX owner doesn't use the seating or AWD. The newbie Prius owner I know seems happy so far. I wonder when those will be in commercials again.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No, I meant cumulative. Diesel blocks are beefier and generally cost more. Plus, remember these are turbocharged and intercooled. Then add to the extra cost of the particulate filters. Figure a total premium of a couple of grand.

    Hybrids need pricey batteries, so a couple more grand.

    Total maybe $4-5k over a conventional gas engine. Just a guesstimate.

    That's not much on a luxury car, maybe 10% or so, but for a compact you're adding a significant % to the purchase price.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    Doubt Toyota wil be spending the money on advertising the Prius. With 4 dollar gas coming, the things will sell themselves... :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    It seems ads for them died off when gas was cheap...Toyota might need to remind people they exist, as if driving behind one merging onto a highway isn't enough :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Well, to be fair, I was originally thinking of a diesel hybrid CT...it costs enough as to where a few grand won't kill it. Too bad the Germans haven't made that, all of their hybrids are gas too. Maybe there's just a catch somewhere that makes it not work.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm not sure diesels adapt as easily to the constant start/stop cycles.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Volvo has a V70 plug in diesel hybrid testing now that is going into production for the 2012 CY in europe.

    The V60 will probably make it over here in the states with similar technology sometime later.

    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/volvo-bringing-all-wheel-drive-v60-plug-in-hy- brid-to-geneva/
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Next version of "jacka--" series of movies, should include the dumb commercials
    of cars speeding, sliding doing maneuvers on dry lake beds and kicking up sand
    and dust. Latest dumb commercial is by Mercedes where their cars are speeding,
    sliding very close to three standing men. Whether trick photography or not
    involved, these commercials do much to hurt the integrity of what should be
    a company of integrity and great engineering.

    People that I see driving, parking their cars, such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc
    and older women, would never drive like is shown in commercials, much less
    drive on dry lake bed.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    The guy peering over the fence checking out his neighbors rental car then oogling over it as the neighbor drives off... Ya, Chevy Rentibu is pure sexiness. :sick:

    Even funnier, is the guy oogling has a Lexus GS430 in his driveway.

    Riiiiiiight... Reminds me of the ad comparing the old Cheapuinox and a Lexus RX330 a few years back. Hey, maybe they'll compare the new Snuze with an IS350 next.
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