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

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Comments

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,817
    One of my kids may get the chance to attend the adult driving school at the BMW Performance Center.
    It would be a great opportunity for them.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,391
    I was very impressed. My son really enjoyed it and he learned quite a bit.

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Just saw this one for the first time...pretty good, I like the sentimental stuff
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Saw that on TV a while ago, and also liked it.

    I think the Ford rivals may have a little fun with the whole blank check thing, but still, neat ad.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    If that was a Cadillac ad, you'd see me handing over a blank check to fix my 1989 Cadillac Brougham. Would you do the same for your fintail?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I think I might want a payment plan for the fintail - a restoration on one of those would easily fly past 30K. It's insured for 5K as it is now, which would be a market value on a really good day. But it would take a significant repair for me to walk away from it.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Neat commercial .. that's basically what my dad did with his '70 Chevy pickup some years back.

    He 'freshened up' the exterior - new paint, new rubber trim around the windows, new spray in bedliner, new chrome bits.

    Probably invested north of $5K into it when all was said and done.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like my cars, but I don't often get attached like that. I certainly wouldn't spend more than any were worth.

    I do regret selling my NA Miata but had it needed $4000 in repairs when it was worth $3000 it would have been sold for parts.

    Maybe because I didn't buy it new, I dunno.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I like my cars, but I don't often get attached like that. I certainly wouldn't spend more than any were worth.

    I don't know what my dad's truck is worth - I've heard stories that he's turned down offers between $8500 and $10,000 for it in the past - but the money he spent was certainly less than buying a new truck.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At a certain point, a vehicle might become a classic and actually start gaining value, to it makes sense to keep it.

    I think most restorations have more emotional value vs. market value, though, and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just a money-losing proposition (common in car-dome).

    My first car was a used Datsun 210, RWD but no power to enjoy it. If it had been a 510 maybe I would feel different about it, and kept it longer.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,565
    I liked those B210s.. (not really)

    You didn't have to let off the gas to shift, because even in neutral, it took forever to gain revs... :surprise:

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Mine was a 210 coupe, not a B210, the oddball hatch. A friend had one of those, though.

    I'm sure someone dropped in a cool engine swap and that would make those quite fun.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I'm sure someone dropped in a cool engine swap and that would make those quite fun.

    Wouldn't that be true of any small, RWD car?

    Heck, I could probably find a '73 Corona like my folks owned and put in an engine from the Echo (106 HP) and make it fun to drive.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I like the idea of frankencars like that. Or put that new 4.6 twin turbo MB unit (not even AMG) in a fintail...it would destroy actual performance cars, in a straightish line anyway.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    I like the idea of frankencars like that. Or put that new 4.6 twin turbo MB unit (not even AMG) in a fintail...it would destroy actual performance cars, in a straightish line anyway.

    I hear you on that .... there are times when I think it would be cool to take the 2.0L turbo engine from a Saturn ION RedLine coupe (or Cobalt/HHR SS) and drop it into my ION 4-door sedan.

    Add some 17" wheels and tires and you'd have a real sleeper.

    Of course, I suspect that for the same money I could just go buy something that has just as good as, or better, performance.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wouldn't that be true of any small, RWD car?

    Absolutely! Especially if you can find suspension mods.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hamsters are at it again:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zJWA3Vo6TU&feature=player_embedded

    My guess is if you're over 30 you won't like this, under 30 and you might.
  • fushigifushigi Member Posts: 1,459
    I'm 45 and I liked it. Especially when the first soldier starts toe-tapping. :)
    2017 Infiniti QX60 (me), 2012 Hyundai Elantra (wife)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well I might to that for a simple truck like that old Chevy, where you can probably repair it by shopping at Home Depot, but for my modern cars? Call the tow truck.... :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My daughter loved it. She wants to choreograph dancing robots now! :D
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Saw a commercial for the Fiat 500 for the first time last night. It was pretty forgettable for such a unique car.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They need to take a page from the MINI marketing effort, which has had a small budget but gets everyone talking about 'em.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    They need to advertise where their dealers are, too. I have no clue where one is in my entire state.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think they were offered only regionally and are only starting to expand now.

    Fiat just opened a show room in Gaithersburg, MD, and they are advertising it HEAVILY. Can't tell you how many times I've heard about it, and keep in mind I use a DVR so I don't watch commercials on TV!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    That would explain the failure to meet sales targets, and what appears to be a wholesale dump into the Enterprise-National-Alamo fleet.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Link:

    http://www.fiatusaofgaithersburg.com/index.htm

    They have a 500C in Bianco for $20,100, all it needs is the red/green stripes and ciao, bello!

    Actually that has tacky wheel covers, so it would need a set of alloys as well. Maybe put summer tires on those, keep the stock ones for winter.

    Prices will settle and they'll be cheaper soon, plus let's see the Abarth.

    Kids might actually fit OK in that back seat, too.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it flops, even better. Low demand means low price.

    $2000 rebate brings it down to $18k, then suddenly I'm interested in a test drive...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I'd hold out for the Abarth.

    From what I have seen in the fleets, they are mostly pop or (bianco) sport models, all automatic of course. Normal compact class, so I bet the fleet is getting them for like 15-16K.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Gaithersburg is a huge dealership, but they have 16 500c models and 3 are stick shifts.

    Of course all the sticks are base models with few options. Ugh. Why do people associate manuals with cheapness? Try sporty instead! Ugh.

    I wonder how it drives, though. I'm a sucker for small cars with character, add an open top, this thing oozes personality. But then I remind myself it's a re-bodied Panda with a 101hp engine and no torque.

    Quality/reliability is also a big concern. This is as unproven as they get.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I think they are faring pretty well in Europe, where they have been on the road for a few years. Good test market, as I think most of the mechanicals are the same, save for diesel of course.

    A manual is sporty if it is a good manual. Otherwise, it is just a nuisance.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...you can buy a Fiat 500 at your local Chrysler dealer. The one near me has a few in stock, but the place has no signage suggesting they're also a Fiat dealer.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,565
    It's possible they have factory official models that they bought at the Chrysler dealer auction?

    I haven't heard of any non-Fiat dealerships getting new ones for sale...

    No inside knowledge, though.. ;)

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Gotta sample the stick and clutch. It's so subjective...
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    edited September 2011
    Car sales come and go, and then inevitably come again. Apparently, Lexus does not know this.

    Their annoying "Golden Opportunity" sales "event" has the audacity to compare once-in-a-lifetime chances (as shown in their idiotic "displays" during the commercial) to a 3-year rentaLease (with a substantial down payment, of course) on RX and ES models (which are a dime a dozen here in Connecticut). If you miss the sale, so what? Car sales are like Taxis in downtown NYC, there's always another one right around the corner.

    Although Lexus isn't the only offender, they are quite possibly one of the worst.

    An honorable mention goes to Hyundai and their "Hyundai Censored" ads on both TV and radio. I call it Hyundai Censored because if it really were "uncensored," wouldn't there be a least some criticism of the vehicles? Also, I'm getting tired of hearing Jeff Bridges's voice seemingly every time I turn on the radio or TV (he also does Duracell battery ads).
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...starts with a child's mobile consisting of cutouts of Lexus ES's over a sleepy infant's crib and the announcer states, "Some luxury cars are built to lull you..."
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Ooh, I've gotta see that one, funny.

    The "Hyundai Uncensored" bit makes me laugh too - I sincerely doubt we are seeing unfiltered (aka uncensored) statements in those ads. Overstyled cars, overdone claims.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They've been poking fun at Lexus for a while now. The M hybrid commercials has the old GS hybrid in the background.

    Still, Infiniti just isn't racking up sales. I think Nissan is growing a lot, but Infiniti always seems to lag behind. And they have interesting cars - G37 and M for instance.

    Of course, with 20" rims on some of their crossovers, I'm sure Lexus would argue there's no "sleeping" in one of those, due to the rough ride.

    Did you guys see last month's C&D? A long-term Bimmer 7 with 20s (IIRC) had 3 tires damaged in the 40k miles it spent with them. Those Detroit roads are killer.

    DC ain't much better, either...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEK6qf69-nY&feature=player_embedded

    Too dweeby? A car for people who can't drive?

    I guess it's flattering for a higher-up at Google to compliment your software, but is it uncool to pull a Volvo?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Comment on the video sums it up:

    "This guy shouldn't be driving. He's rich enough to hire someone who is much better to do it for him, specialization of labor and all.  "
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    edited September 2011
    This guy would've been a litigation lawyer's ultimate dream if his Mercedes Collision Avoidance System hadn't kept him from hitting the vehicle in front of him. He should've added "My Mercedes' Collision Avoidance System kept me from being sued into oblivion by the slimy lawyer of the single mother with four of her kids the rusted-out 1979 Corolla I would've hit!"
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I'm really disliking this series of "I'm an inattentive idiot, my car saved me" line of ads.

    The guy in that ad reminds me of the member of the irresponsible class I saw in a CL63 the other week, holding a phone and yapping...no matter the car has bluetooth.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The funny part is that he's supposed to give the software some merit because he's a software guru, yet he doesn't even know how to drive...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I live in a land of software engineer types...I won't exactly say they are grand prix quality drivers, not even Pontiac Grand Prix quality :shades:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No way are they worse than DC drivers...

    * Pass on right/shoulder
    * Can't drive in snow (not enough consistent snow here)
    * Never yield
    * Text/talk while driving
    * Apply make-up/read newspaper
    * "Block the box" all the time

    Of all the places I've visited in the USA, gotta give the kudos to Texas drivers. They will not only let you pass, they move over and signal to assist you.

    Kudos to Texans. :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    edited September 2011
    Around here it is similar, but different:

    *too timid to pass, unless in an overcompensating lifted truck or SUV, especially in bad weather
    *can't drive in snow, rain, sun, clouds, fog - even though it rains 300 days a year, seemingly
    *yield always, can't figure out 4 way stops, can't handle roundabouts, dawdle at lights
    *text/talk while driving
    *apply makeup, eat, read, write, gesture to passengers, stare at surroundings
    *LLC whenever possible

    But I suppose this is for another thread ;)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, we need an "Oh yeah, driver's here are even worse!" thread. :D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/was-hondas-mr-opportunity-a-casualty-of-japan- s-natural-disast/

    Those were so annoying...
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Great - now we get Puddy/The Tick...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I nominate this ad from Cadillac:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=heSVK8s-gfo
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    edited September 2011
    Is that a joke? Seriously, am I missing it?

    What's next, G55 vs rental spec CTS? XLR-V vs 1969 220D automatic?
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