Stupid Vehicles

[genebujold]

Ok, in line with the never-appearing Moller flying car and many other promises, please post your pics of vehicles which, in your informed opinion, you find stupid.

Please include a brief description as to why you consider them stupid.

If any one is offended by my use of the word "stupid," I would direct their previously ill-advised attention to Merriam-Webster's definition of the word:

Main Entry: 1stu·pid
Pronunciation: 'stü-p&d, 'styü-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French stupide, from Latin stupidus, from stupEre to be numb, be astonished -- more at TYPE
1 a : slow of mind : OBTUSE b : given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c : lacking intelligence or reason : BRUTISH
2 : dulled in feeling or sensation : TORPID <still stupid from the sedative>
3 : marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting : SENSELESS
4 a : lacking interest or point b : VEXATIOUS, EXASPERATING <this stupid flashlight won't work>
- stu&#183;pid&#183;ly adverb
- stu&#183;pid&#183;ness noun
synonyms STUPID, DULL, DENSE, CRASS, DUMB mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions. STUPID implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary <stupid students just keeping the seats warm> <stupid with drink>. DULL suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock <monotonous work that leaves the mind dull>. DENSE implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas <too dense to take a hint>. CRASS suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy <a crass, materialistic people>. DUMB applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension <too dumb to figure out what's going on>.

In short, folks, while calling someone "stupid" is indeed derisive, the labeling of an idea or concept as "stupid" is merely descriptive.

We cannot afford to let the thought/language police rob us of our ability to appropriately and accurately describe any particular situation in a timely manner.

Enough said.

Your photos of stupid vehicles, if you would please!

Here's mine:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...#more-pictures

And to think - it's only $19,999...

[Saluki]

Please include a brief description as to why you consider them stupid.

You have already violated your own rules.

[Saluki]

http://www.myusedauto.com/Used_Cars/images/c444473a.jpg

This is a stupid vehicle because some car designer actually drew it, submitted it up a chain of command, and all involved thought it was a good idea.

[zebo-the-fat]

Any vehicle that gives less than 600 miles from one tank of fuel?

[Gemini]

the new "Boxes with wheels" type cars (ie Honda Element) that are coming out

[Krel]

Any vehicle that gives less than 600 miles from one tank of fuel?

That would depend upon the size of the vehicle, and more importantly, the size of the fuel tank wouldn't it?

David.

[zebo-the-fat]

That would depend upon the size of the vehicle, and more importantly, the size of the fuel tank wouldn't it?

David.

1.9 Litre Vauxhaul Vectra diesel, I can drive all week at 70+ MPH on one tank of fuel, I would hate to go back to a petrol vehicle! (Mabe I just hate paying 70+ % tax on fuel!)

[JohnD]

Anyone enjoying this thread may also enjoy:
Crap Cars by Richard Porter. See on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

(Please don't flame me - cr*p is a widely used adjectival expression in UKspeak usually meaning 'rubbish' or 'useless'. As such, it is much more widely used than in the verb sense, which is considered coarse and impolite. Of course, you won't hear it on the BBC, much, but another book, Crap Towns, has gone into a second volume! See Amazon again: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...0&Go.y=0&Go=Go)

OF course, the worst car ever made is the Reliant Robin, aka the Plastic Pig. See this at the UK Channel 4 site, where unblieevably it was nominated as one of the 100 Greatest Cars: http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery...ndcruiser.html

And yes, gentle American reader, it does have only three wheels. This is not the result of accident, a strike at the factory or a shortage of round, rubber-covered discs. It was designed that way.

[enginelessjohn]

3 wheels meant you could drive it with a motorcycle licence, as when it was designed in the 1960s there were more motorcycle licences than car licences issued. Of course the down side was you couldn't drive them in the snow....

See http://www.3wheelers.com/reliant.html

In their defence, Reliant also made the wonderful Scimitar....

http://www.scimitarweb.com/

Yummy...

Cheers
John

[genebujold]

You have already violated your own rules.

My rules were for the brief description as to why one would call them stupid.

Not for the details behind general stupidity in the first place, which usually begins with a gross misunderstanding, usually the result of someone failing to take appropriate measures while reading someone else's post.

Thank you for grossly misunderstanding my post and proving my point.

[Gillianren]

You didn't explain why you thought said vehicle was stupid. I saw this as you violating your own rules, too, as I was not inclined to follow a link to get what you said other people should provide.

[ToSeek]

My rules were for the brief description as to why one would call them stupid.

Not for the details behind general stupidity in the first place, which usually begins with a gross misunderstanding, usually the result of someone failing to take appropriate measures while reading someone else's post.

Thank you for grossly misunderstanding my post and proving my point.

I have to agree with Saluki and Gillianren: You provided a link to a "stupid" vehicle without explaining why you thought it was stupid, even though that's something you're asking other people to do.

That's a trivial point; however, your response to Saluki is borderline so far as the civility and decorum required on this board, and there are other posts of yours here and here that I would say the same about. Please try to moderate your tone in future.

[trinitree88]

The most dangerous part of any vehicle is the nut that holds the wheel. Ciao. Pete

[captain swoop]

BBCs Top Gear has the Carbage pages

[publiusr]

Stupid vehicles?

How about certain light aircraft whose performance only comes from the airframe already at the point of structural failure.......having its wings drag the runway before a useless circumnavigation attempt?

Or an ME 163 KOMET dropped out from under a spindly learjet?

Something like that.

[LurchGS]

My thought is: any "personal" aircraft (one-man commuter aircraft). A) most were designed by the melted wax method (http://www.skywalkervtol.com/), and B) as a general rule, they are completely impractical, taking more energy to move one person than your typical lead sled.

At least vehicles such as the skycar (which I don't consider stupid, under the rules of this engagement) provide for multiple passengers and greater cruise range. Given that (if it ever gets off the ground, pardon the pun) it would trim a good 200 miles off a trip to visit my parents (compared to the shortest highway route I've found), the time AND fuel savings would be significant.

Ok, I've operated under modified rules.. giving both the bad and a good. you may shoot me if you can find me.

[Laminal Cockroach]

Another three wheeler i dont know what was the point of three i have driven one of them once and it feels like the car is so gonna topple over.

[captain swoop]

A well designed 3 wheeler shouldn't feel like it's going to topple over.
The point of them in the UK is that they can be driven on a motorcycle license.
My dad used to race 3 wheel Morgans in the 1950s

[Heid the Ba']

Three wheelers are only unstable if you try to drive them like four wheelers. Morgans have two at the front (I think) which makes them a lot more stable for learners.

[captain swoop]

Yup, the old Morgans have the engine (usualy a J.A.P or Vincent) Vtwin between the front wheels with chain drive to the rear. Little open top 2 seaters, fast as anything in their day.

[Jason Thompson]

I had a friend who was a mechanic until he got fired for an unfortunate incident involving a Robin Reliant. A customer left it for a full MOT. My friend got behind the wheel and, through force of habit, drove it over the inspection pit....

They eventually had to get a mate with a land rover to pull it free.

[Dragon Star]

S-T-U-P-I-D

[zebo-the-fat]

S-T-U-P-I-D

I bet it's a ***** to park!

[zebo-the-fat]

I bet it's a ***** to park!

(What's wrong with describing it as a female dog? smart *** censor program!)

[genebujold]

Removed because I was unaware this entry was in the public viewing area. Reposted in a private message.

[Enzp]

We have a couple vehicles here in town that I think are supremely stupid: Stretch Hummer limosines.

I am not a fan of stretch limos in the first place. When I see one I assume it contains teenagers on prom dates.

Hummers are the quintessential American conspicuous consumption excess.

Even so, limos are supposed to be classy, but if anything was anti-classy, it is the Hummer, so the whole concept is to me ludicrous.

[genebujold]

You have already violated your own rules.

Not at all: "because it's only $19,999..." The insinuation revolves around who would own such a beast, much less pay $20 grand for it.

[LurchGS]

Enzp

good point - we have stretches based on any manner of SUV - Hummer, Suburban, Ford-useless-POS...what an utter waste of prom savings. and *ugly*

Somebody mentioned the Element earlier.. I admit I like boxy cars.. like the PT Cruiser. but they are boxy, not box-ES.. <shudder>

-----

My other car is a refridgerator box on wheels, what of it?

[Dragon Star]

WOW
The Snack That Smiles Back
OMG

[Trebuchet]

AMC Pacer. Advertised as "The first wide small car." It was wide because of having to fit an existing live rear axle from a bigger car. But that was only the outside. The inside was narrow because the doors were a foot thick. There was more room in the back of my 1974 Honda Civic than in the back of a Pacer.

They also used an existing straight six engine, which had to protrude deeply into the firewall. If I recall correctly, the two aft spark plugs were inaccessible. It had the biggest transmission hump in history.

http://www.american-motors.de/pacgeng.html