Car Ideas That Should Make It

[Jetboy.]

Post any automotive ideas that would be cool (and produceable, as well) that people are seemingly ignoring and/or never thought about.


Here is mine: A Civic Type RS. Now, before I do get flamed, this idea is entertaining because the Civic would be full time AWD. Could you imagine it? A Civic in the WRC! Or, very possibly, a Civic with an NSX engine and the AWD system. A very cool project that could stun a lot....


So, there is the pattern. Now go cut out your own ideas and put 'em here.

 

[Div is back]

I always thought of swapping a Ferrari 360 Modena V8 into a Cadillac CTS, a sleek luxurious monster.

But the CTS V came out so my project is down in the trash..

 

[Emohawk]

Something dirt cheap and invincible. Dead functional, zero styling, and as few electronics as possible. When you buy it, it comes with two pairs of vicegrips, a basic socket set, and a multi bit screwdriver. This would be everything you need to replace every single part of the car, one at a time.

 

[Jetboy.]

Something dirt cheap and invincible. Dead functional, zero styling, and as few electronics as possible. When you buy it, it comes with two pairs of vicegrips, a basic socket set, and a multi bit screwdriver. This would be everything you need to replace every single part of the car, one at a time.

Sometimes I believe my Nova is like that.

Dirt Cheap--Mine was free
Invincible--Toyota engine, drivetrain
Dead functional-- it still moves under its own power
Zero styling--Yeah, that's about right.
Few Electronics--Carbureted, radio delete...


Second Idea. What about taking 4WS off the Silverado, shave some pounds, and put it on the Corvette...

 

[1X83Z]

More common four-wheel steering is certainly a good idea. I actually have an interesting contribution to this thread - I was looking back at a 1996 Canadian car guide, who was summing up the ten biggest automotive failures from 1966 to 1996.

Their list:

1. The Cadillac V-8-6-4 engine.
2. The electric car.
3. Talking cars.
4. Four drive wheels.
5. Cathode screen for air-con and radio.
6. Front swivel seat.
7. Michelin TRX tires.
8. Inter-lock seat belts.
9. CVTT automatic transmission.
10. Directional headlights.

Ten years on, number one now has a large place in the automotive world - many General Motors and Chrysler products use this feature, called 'Displacement on Demand.' Number two of course manifests itself in the form of hybrid cars, which are insanely popular. Number three is used commonly in the form of "talking" navigation systems, like in Hondas. Number four of course is currently used, and pretty popular, on large GM products like the Suburban and Sierra. Number nine now finds its way into very many Honda, Audi, and Nissan (and others) products, and of course number ten is just starting to gain popularity in high-end Lexuses and Cadillacs.

Somewhat irrelevant, but still interesting - don't be too quick to label something a failure!

 

[Jetboy.]

Indeed.

 

[Joey D]

Air Conditioned seats, I know a few cars (Lincoln LS) has them but they should be on more cars.

Pressure sensitve tail lights, the harder you stomp on the brakes the brighter then get. I've seen aftermarket kits, but they seem like a good idea.

LED tail lights also need to be made on more cars, as well as developing LED projectored headlights.

 

[miata13B]

Sometimes I believe my Nova is like that.

Dirt Cheap--Mine was free
Invincible--Toyota engine, drivetrain
Dead functional-- it still moves under its own power
Zero styling--Yeah, that's about right.
Few Electronics--Carbureted, radio delete...


Second Idea. What about taking 4WS off the Silverado, shave some pounds, and put it on the Corvette...

Dirt Cheap - I agree
Invincible - Not all Toyota drivetrains are invicible nor the engines for that fact. I give them bonus points for their build quality, but there are certain models out there that definately don't come packed with the term invicible
Dead Functional - that is all you can ask

1. How about an open differential that comes from Saturn that won't blow through your transaxle
2. How about a Nissan 240sx without any wires or sensors going to the top of the transmission. . . You really don't want to break any when you remount the tranny.
3. How about a Ford Truck that doesn't need a sledge hammer to remove the front rotors.
4. A design where you can easily take mechanical parts off of without having so many god damn wires in the way - Kinda like frame that was built around a wiring harness.

 

[Jetboy.]

Invincible - Not all Toyota drivetrains are invicible nor the engines for that fact. I give them bonus points for their build quality, but there are certain models out there that definately don't come packed with the term invicible

I believe the drivetrain is bullett-proof. I think your screen name is a cool idea...

 

[miata13B]

I believe the drivetrain is bullett-proof. I think your screen name is a cool idea...

What drivetrain are you using???
The second half of your comment has been done and crushed . . . a long time ago : (

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

More common four-wheel steering is certainly a good idea. I actually have an interesting contribution to this thread - I was looking back at a 1996 Canadian car guide, who was summing up the ten biggest automotive failures from 1966 to 1996.

Their list:

1. The Cadillac V-8-6-4 engine.
2. The electric car.
3. Talking cars.
4. Four drive wheels.
5. Cathode screen for air-con and radio.
6. Front swivel seat.
7. Michelin TRX tires.
8. Inter-lock seat belts.
9. CVTT automatic transmission.
10. Directional headlights.

Ten years on, number one now has a large place in the automotive world - many General Motors and Chrysler products use this feature, called 'Displacement on Demand.' Number two of course manifests itself in the form of hybrid cars, which are insanely popular. Number three is used commonly in the form of "talking" navigation systems, like in Hondas. Number four of course is currently used, and pretty popular, on large GM products like the Suburban and Sierra. Number nine now finds its way into very many Honda, Audi, and Nissan (and others) products, and of course number ten is just starting to gain popularity in high-end Lexuses and Cadillacs.

Somewhat irrelevant, but still interesting - don't be too quick to label something a failure!

I think number five should be mentioned, too. While they're LCDs now, screen-based navigation systems are an option on just about everything these days, and they control climate and audio in many cars.

 

[Emohawk]

I know this is 'cars', but I think a rotary engined bike would be cool.

 

[VIPFREAK]

I didn't know what the hell I was thinking but I had this stupid ass idea to put a Neon engine in a Delsol. I hated ho_da (still do) but I loved the body and config of the Del Sol and thought the Neon engine was good.

I know this is 'cars', but I think a rotary engined bike would be cool.

2WD bikes!

 

[toyomatt84]

PogoSticks.

 

[TheCracker]

I always thought of swapping a Ferrari 360 Modena V8 into a Cadillac CTS, a sleek luxurious monster.

But the CTS V came out so my project is down in the trash..

...and Maserati beat you to it with the latest Quattroporte.

 

[daggoth]

More cars with 4WD. That would increase cost production I know, and for many people wouldn't make a difference (since they drive 30mph tops) but cars would be safer to drive specialy in the rain.

6 gears in almost all cars! That way you could drive in lower revs on the motorway. Less revs = better mileage, less polution

And If I may suggest a non-produceable idea (yet): A car that folds itself onto a briefcase. No more need for parking spaces!!

 

[Sniffs]

Not all Toyota drivetrains are invicible nor the engines for that fact.

tell that to the 2SE in my first gen first year camry. leaking like a sive (i had inch deep puddles of oil round my plugs) cause some idiot took the head and cam off and put them back on with blue goo instead of gaskets. it STILL ran, and I actually managed to get it to lay rubber pulling out of an intersection. Kinda wish it was better taken care of otherwise. damn 300 dollar taillights.

 

[Sniffs]

Not all Toyota drivetrains are invicible nor the engines for that fact.

tell that to the 2SE in my first gen first year camry. leaking like a sive (i had inch deep puddles of oil round my plugs) cause some idiot took the head and cam off and put them back on with blue goo instead of gaskets. it STILL ran, and I actually managed to get it to lay rubber pulling out of an intersection. Kinda wish it was better taken care of otherwise. damn 300 dollar taillights.

I say, when it comes to combos, combine ALL THREE type manufacturers: IE German Performance and Handling, Japanese Reliabilty and American Style....haveeverybody Co-op, and make a REAL world car.

(psst, Admin, if this gets double posted, dump the shorter one)

 

[TheCracker]

I say, when it comes to combos, combine ALL THREE type manufacturers: IE German Performance and Handling, Japanese Reliabilty and American Style....haveeverybody Co-op, and make a REAL world car.

So you want a Neon with Smart car running gear and the reliability of a Toyota GT-One?

 

[miata13B]

More cars with 4WD. That would increase cost production I know, and for many people wouldn't make a difference (since they drive 30mph tops) but cars would be safer to drive specialy in the rain.

I would totally have to disagree with you there bud. 4wd in cars would not only ruin your gas mileage, but you would also have to deal with locking hubs whether they are manual or automatic, plus you will have to deal with two differentials with different gearing which in turn would make you have to add on a interaxle differential to compensate for the fact your gearing in the front is probably a higher ratio then your rear end. Plus to add to it, certain types of 4wd will not allow 4wd to be active when you reverse. AWD now that is the way to go if anything, it is lighterweight by at least 100 to 150lbs., it is always constant, no use for locking hubs or changing between a high and low gear, plus the Differentails' final drive gear ratios match up. : )

 

[miata13B]

tell that to the 2SE in my first gen first year camry. leaking like a sive (i had inch deep puddles of oil round my plugs) cause some idiot took the head and cam off and put them back on with blue goo instead of gaskets. it STILL ran, and I actually managed to get it to lay rubber pulling out of an intersection. Kinda wish it was better taken care of otherwise. damn 300 dollar taillights.

The 2SE is a solid performer. Mind you that they used a gasket sealer on your valve cover instead of a gasket should not make too much of a difference. I hope that they put a head gasket back on that car though. The puddles of oil around your plugs should not be there. Mind you they probably did not torque down the head or valve cover properly and that would lead me to concern in any car that has been worked on.

 

[1X83Z]

I would totally have to disagree with you there bud. 4wd in cars would not only ruin your gas mileage,

Do you know Audi used to claim that 4WD actually increased gas mileage because all four wheels are working, rather than two wheels working and two wheels simply along for the ride and acting as dead weight?

The claim was originally met with skepticism then later completely disproven, and I actually haven't heard of Audi or anyone claiming this since the mid-1980s.

 

[miata13B]

Do you know Audi used to claim that 4WD actually increased gas mileage because all four wheels are working, rather than two wheels working and two wheels simply along for the ride and acting as dead weight?

The claim was originally met with skepticism then later completely disproven, and I actually haven't heard of Audi or anyone claiming this since the mid-1980s.

I actually did not know Audi use to promote that one bit. I guess as a mis-informed consumer most people would not realize what the difference between 4WD and AWD is. What can I say, you gotta love open differentials on cars right? : )

 

[1X83Z]

I actually did not know Audi use to promote that one bit. I guess as a mis-informed consumer most people would not realize what the difference between 4WD and AWD is. What can I say, you gotta love open differentials on cars right? : )

Hey - you're talking to someone who knows the difference and refuses to recognize it.

Speaking of misinformed consumers, did you know that Ford sold a version of the Tempo and its twin the Mercury Topaz from 1987 to 1991 badged as 'four-wheel drive' even though they were actually all-wheel drive?

 

[miata13B]

Hey - you're talking to someone who knows the difference and refuses to recognize it.

Speaking of misinformed consumers, did you know that Ford sold a version of the Tempo and its twin the Mercury Topaz from 1987 to 1991 badged as 'four-wheel drive' even though they were actually all-wheel drive?

You mean the 100 horsepower, part-time 4WD that had its debut in 1987. Then only the 4 door models came with the AWD system I believe. . . my memory is not fully there today.

What about a Dodge Spirit R/T ? I would love one of those buggers if we are going to go into small sedans and coupes of the late 80's, early 90's : )

 

[240Z]

How about a Volvo 240 with upgraded suspension and a mid-mounted flat-12 from a Ferrari Testarossa?

 

[Max_DC]

Every car should be availibe in a EXTREME SPORTS EDITION : No backseats, no interior decors, no air condition... And I mean every car... from Golf to s-class... yeah I would like that....

 

[miata13B]

Every car should be availibe in a EXTREME SPORTS EDITION : No backseats, no interior decors, no air condition... And I mean every car... from Golf to s-class... yeah I would like that....

Why does it have to be labeled "Extreme" That is just another marketing ploy to use against Average Joes out there. Why can't you just call it the Cut the Crap out of the Car model?

 

[VIPFREAK]

pretty much

 

[Max_DC]

Why does it have to be labeled "Extreme" That is just another marketing ploy to use against Average Joes out there. Why can't you just call it the Cut the Crap out of the Car model?

Ah well, I wouldn't call them like this... you know this was just to get the attention of you ... as you can see it worked
So..honestly... the cars are getting fatter and fatter, from 4 zone air condition over Navi, TV, electric- air condition- warm-your-back-function-8airback seat to 100 punds of material to get the sound in the car down to 0 decibel.... Ok some want this, but I don't .... I drive an Sti, it is no 2 seater and it has 4WD and ok I admit I don't want to die in an accident because they reduced weight at the wrong points,... so I have about 1500 Kg and 310 hp... that is finde for me, but in Japan you get the spec C with 1300 kg I think... so some car manufactures could do something about it... and I don't mean the M3 CSL because while it is a perfect sports car indeed, it costs by far too much, give me a stock M3 : some little mods and we have additional 40 hp for maybe 4000 $ and then I cut out the ballast... et voila we have similar performace for 10% costs...