Cars That are Rip-Offs

  • Thread starter Thread starter JohnBM01
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I'm not going to knock on this car, I think it's a cool car... but my nominee will be the Toyota Chaser. I think the Chaser is more of a Japanese BMW. The headlights and grill resemble a mid-late 1990s BMW more than anything, and the tailights resemble a BMW from the early-mid 1990s. If the Chaser wants to look a little more different, it can look into its American sister company, Lexus for some ideas. But if I recall correctly, Japan will have it's debut of Lexus sometime soon.

Now about the Honda Accord of late. I will admit, the taillights do look like a Mercedes-Benz. And if you ask me, if they were strected out a bit, they'd REALLY look like the back of a Benz. But to me, the machine is not really a rip. It's not a head-to-toe steal of M-B (Mercedes-Benz) at all in my view. It's a potent 240hp, front-drive, V6-powered Japanese sedan. I love the two-door version for two reasons, the taillights and the alluring lines of the car.

I wanted to judge on which car was the worst ripoff, but I'm still deciding :).
 
Originally posted by JohnBM01
I'm not going to knock on this car, I think it's a cool car... but my nominee will be the Toyota Chaser. I think the Chaser is more of a Japanese BMW. The headlights and grill resemble a mid-late 1990s BMW more than anything, and the tailights resemble a BMW from the early-mid 1990s. If the Chaser wants to look a little more different, it can look into its American sister company, Lexus for some ideas. But if I recall correctly, Japan will have it's debut of Lexus sometime soon.
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I'll agree that the rear tail lights resemble the E36 in colour, but not shape. The front on the other hand bears no resemblence to an E36 at all. I've had a good look, and I don't see any copycat styling cues.

I'm sure Toyota won't relaunch the Chaser name, but the latest version of the Chaser could be said to be the Mark II. In my opinion this model is more Lexusish in it's styling, but it's much less aesthetic than the last Chaser and really very mundane and indistinct in it's styling.

I think that most companys 'borrow' from other successful cars. I think that the BMW and Renault are the only real exceptions, and good luck to them for it.
 
Originally posted by JohnBM01

Now about the Honda Accord of late. I will admit, the taillights do look like a Mercedes-Benz.
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Stop!

LeftRear.jpg

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If the Honda looks anything like the Mercedes, it's more of a 'cheap knock-off' look.
 
If possible, it looks even less like the CL-class based on the trunk like and roof line - if you're referring only to the tail-lights, there's clear resemblance, but I can point to about thirty other cars with similar qualities.
 
I tell you an actual rip-off. Studebaker made an SUV off of a Ford SuperDuty frame, that looked just like an H2. GM took'em to the house and got Studebaker to change some of the styling. I'll have to find some pics. It really was an obvious rip-off. And didn't Ferrari say that the new NSX's were a direct ripoff of the Enzo? I know some guy at ferrari said some new car was an obvious Enzo rip-off....I'm sure someone here knows what i'm talking about.
 
Honda NSX against the Nissan MID-4

Originally posted by 87chevy
And didn't Ferrari say that the new NSX's were a direct ripoff of the Enzo? I know some guy at ferrari said some new car was an obvious Enzo rip-off....I'm sure someone here knows what i'm talking about.
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Yeah! I said that! Check the Shelby Seupercar thread in Auto News.
 
As far as that HSC Concept goes, I just hope that it bears a little resemblence (especially at the rear) of the past NSX. I'm not too fond of the tail lights. The Honda Accord of the late 1990s kind of has the tail lights of the NSX, though only in looks. Not exactly. But can you imagine the HSC Concept with the taillights of the 2-door Accord?
 
Originally posted by pimp racer
I the the VW beetle turbo is a mafor rip off! 30,130 USD ( Something like that)
And the Pt crusier turbo. Also 30000
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The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S starts at $23900, with a 180bhp 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo. The Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T starts at $20500 with a 150bhp version of the same engine. The Chrysler PT Cruiser's turbocharged 180bhp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is a $2105 option on the Touring model, bringing its price up to $21400; it's a $2090 option on the Limited model, bringing its price up to $23600. The Chrysler GT Cruiser starts at $25500 with a 220bhp 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo. Not only are the prices nowhere near what you claim, but the cars are actually decent values.

Anyway - this thread is about stylistic rip-offs rather than monetary rip-offs.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S starts at $23900, with a 180bhp 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo. The Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T starts at $20500 with a 150bhp version of the same engine. The Chrysler PT Cruiser's turbocharged 180bhp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is a $2105 option on the Touring model, bringing its price up to $21400; it's a $2090 option on the Limited model, bringing its price up to $23600. The Chrysler GT Cruiser starts at $25500 with a 220bhp 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo. Not only are the prices nowhere near what you claim, but the cars are actually decent values.

Anyway - this thread is about stylistic rip-offs rather than monetary rip-offs.
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I mean fully loaded
 
Originally posted by pimp racer
I mean fully loaded
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Fine, let's do fully loaded. The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S starts at $23850 and has one option, OnStar, which is $730, bringing its fully loaded price to $24600.

The Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T starts at $20480 and has the following options:
- Leather package ($900)
- Cold weather package ($150)
- Antiskid system ($280)
- OnStar ($730)
- Xenon headlights ($600)
- 17-inch alloy wheels ($400)

Those options bring the total for the Beetle 1.8T to $23500, and since the Turbo S was $24600, they fit in at $6630 and $5530 under your "fully loaded" price, respectively.

On to the PT Cruiser. The Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Turbo starts at $21370 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($1295)
- Front side airbags ($390)
- Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes ($825)
- Power sunroof ($695)
- Navigation system ($1200)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($300)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Power driver seat ($100)
- Rear spoiler ($150)
- Chrome alloy wheels ($700)

That brings the total on the PT Cruiser Touring Turbo to $27400, a healthy $2600 under your price.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Turbo starts at $23595 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($520)
- Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes ($825)
- Navigation system ($1100)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($200)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Heated front seats ($250)
- Rear spoiler ($150)

That brings the total on the PT Cruiser Touring Turbo to $27000, now $3000 under your price.

The Chrysler GT Cruiser starts at $25460 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($400)
- 4-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability ($440)
- Navigation system ($1100)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($200)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Heated front seats ($250)

And the final total is $27700, still $2300 under your price.

What else did you mean?
 
Maybe pimpred-out version of those cars for my boy Pimp Racer is what he means :).

Any more rip offs to note?
 
If rip off = badge engineering, why not nominate General Motors?
We've got the "brand new" Saab 9-2, which is not developed from but rather is a Subaru Impreza. In Europe the 9-3's new small sibling has been nicked "the Saabaru", and quality-wise can't even compare to Korean models. And while am at it, I'll throw in the 9-7X as well - no turbo engine, outdated technical design and, quote Jeremy Clarkson: "-built on two pieces of railway track". But at least the two cars look like Saabs.

I also find the Maybach a rip off, but that's because DaimlerChrysler were too lazy to even care about giving that car an identity.
 
Originally posted by Freddie
We've got the "brand new" Saab 9-2, which is not developed from but rather is a Subaru Impreza.
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And is £3000 more expensive than the Scooby... :D
 
Gt3Man, you're right. I figured the RX-7 Concept came before the Chevy SS Concept. First off, the SS Concept looks like a 4-door late model Camaro. And it fails miserably. And note to Chevy, that little grill design with the chrome bar and the bowtie, PLEASE get rid of that design! Make the SS Concept look like the latest Camaro and not the RX-8. I still like the SS Concept because it looks like a beefier Camaro than an RX-8 ripoff. While four doors for a Camaro would be interesting, I still think it should be a 2-door. Be like your older brother, the Corvette.

I'm not going to offend, but let me ask you, GT3man. Based on those two pictures you posted, when Chevy came out with their concept and Mazda came out with its concept, do you think Japan is trying to better America, or is America trying to better Japan, based on those concept pictures, GT3man?
 
Do you mean America is trying to "BE" better than Japan? If that's what you mean, than yes. If you walk outside your door, you'll clearly see that most passenger cars on the roads these days are Hondas, Nissans, etc. American car makers are stealing some styling cues from Japanese manufacturers to try and keep up with them in sales.;)

Edit: and European companies......:p
 
Originally posted by GT3man2001
Do you mean America is trying to "BE" better than Japan?
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:lol: No, he means what he said.

If that's what you mean, than yes. If you walk outside your door, you'll clearly see that most passenger cars on the roads these days are Hondas, Nissans, etc.
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No they aren't. The vast majority of vehicles on the road and vehicles being sold are domestic. Though that's mainly due to the still-incredibly-high sales of domestic pickups.
 
If you had clearly read my post, I said "passenger cars" (Camry, Accord, Maxima, etc, etc, etc.) Nobody wants a Ford Taurus anymore.... :yuck:
 
Oops, double post. BUT, I thought I would also add that there are alot of Japanese sports cars on the road lately. (350Z, RX-8, S2000)
 
87chevy
[snip] And didn't Ferrari say that the new NSX's were a direct ripoff of the Enzo? I know some guy at ferrari said some new car was an obvious Enzo rip-off [/snip] .
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Hmmm, that sounds kinda stupid to me. (I havent seen the article so dont flame me). The NSX (the older ones) came out way before the enzo and unless they are nothing like the older ones I can't see how it could be a rip-off. Also 280hp Japanese-super-sport versus 660hp European road-racer/supercar.... hmmm I dont think so.
 
I've seen the latest inductee to the "Rip-Off" hall of shame. Before I was dead sleeping, I seen "The World's Greatest Auto Shows: Madrid." I think Opel released the latest Astra, but it looks like a 25% more decent Saturn Ion at the front (thanks GM! Now look what you done!). But there was this one car that looked more like a Mazda 6 from the back. I forgot what it was, I'm afraid. If someone seen/been to the Madrid Auto Show, can anyone tell me what car that was which looked like a Mazda 6 from the back?

As an off-topic note, the Peugeot 407 Silohuette (apologize for spelling error) was one of the nicest-looking cars at the show. Not a rip of anything. Just one of Peugeot's lovely machines (the ones that are nice, mind you).
 
M5Power
Fine, let's do fully loaded. The Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S starts at $23850 and has one option, OnStar, which is $730, bringing its fully loaded price to $24600.

The Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T starts at $20480 and has the following options:
- Leather package ($900)
- Cold weather package ($150)
- Antiskid system ($280)
- OnStar ($730)
- Xenon headlights ($600)
- 17-inch alloy wheels ($400)

Those options bring the total for the Beetle 1.8T to $23500, and since the Turbo S was $24600, they fit in at $6630 and $5530 under your "fully loaded" price, respectively.

On to the PT Cruiser. The Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Turbo starts at $21370 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($1295)
- Front side airbags ($390)
- Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes ($825)
- Power sunroof ($695)
- Navigation system ($1200)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($300)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Power driver seat ($100)
- Rear spoiler ($150)
- Chrome alloy wheels ($700)

That brings the total on the PT Cruiser Touring Turbo to $27400, a healthy $2600 under your price.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Turbo starts at $23595 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($520)
- Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes ($825)
- Navigation system ($1100)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($200)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Heated front seats ($250)
- Rear spoiler ($150)

That brings the total on the PT Cruiser Touring Turbo to $27000, now $3000 under your price.

The Chrysler GT Cruiser starts at $25460 and has the following options:
- Chrome Accents Group ($400)
- 4-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability ($440)
- Navigation system ($1100)
- AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer ($200)
- Satellite radio ($325)
- Heated front seats ($250)

And the final total is $27700, still $2300 under your price.

What else did you mean?
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Dang you did some research but when i saw the comerical for the beetle turbo S for some reason it said the one shown was 30,100 or somthing like that must be a typo.
So anyways i think that for about that much money you can get a better car.

JohnBM01
Maybe pimpred-out version of those cars for my boy Pimp Racer is what he means :).

Any more rip offs to note?
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:lol:
Man i havent gotten to get on gtp for a while I have spent 2+ hours just to try and get page loading its like 56K hell even though i got cable. Anyone have similar problems?
 
On and Off between slow and fast. Never is as fast as GTP5 though. Kinda fed up with all of this waiting. Sometimes up to 1+ minute for a thread, and I'm not on 56K, this is cable.
 
Not really. If yu take a look at thier markets, the Subaru is completely different. I don't think Subaru had strugling sales with the car, they didn't plan to sell more than they did.
 
eliseracer
Not really. If yu take a look at thier markets, the Subaru is completely different. I don't think Subaru had strugling sales with the car, they didn't plan to sell more than they did.
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Yeah - they knew it wouldn't sell, and it didn't. I'll be stunned if it returns for 2005.
 
GM-owned Saab stooped to a new low with that "Saab-aru" released recently. First off, you kill a well-respected Japanese car in almost the same way as Pontiac killing a Holden (guess which one). While I have respect for this "Pontiac," the Saab-aru wagon is ugly first and foremost. I never really liked Saturn. Not at all. That grill isn't very nice, the taillights REALLY look like a Subaru Impreza just with more lines, and well... I'd rather get a Subaru Impreza wagon than Saab's rendition. I guess they'd figure that in order for me not to knock on Saab, they went to well-respected Subaru. It's a nice effort, however. Just that... I'll pass.
 
Worst part is that the base for the 165bhp non-turbo Saab 9-2X is almost exactly Subaru's base for the 227bhp WRX wagon. It's as if Saab is rubbing in buyers' faces that they paid more just for a badge.

And anyway, these days it's not as if a Subaru WRX badge is anything to scoff at. Frankly I'd rather have a WRX badge and 227bhp than a Saab Linear badge and 165.
 

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