Cars that Jumped the Shark Karl on Cars Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

August 22, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Mercedes-Benz SL

Mercedes-Benz SL.jpg The first Mercedes-Benz SL I ever drove was a 1981 380SL, with the woefully underperforming 3.8-liter, 155 horsepower V8. Even then I knew enough about the model to know that "SL" stood for "Sport Light," so I remember being highly disappointed. "This thing feels neither sporty nor light" I grumbled out loud as I drove the car to fill it with gas (this was my first post-driver's-license job, as a lot boy at a used Mercedes-Benz dealership in Denver). But in 1986 this generation SL remained, despite its questionable performance, an 'it" car by most folks' standards, so cruising around in the slow, lumbering "sports car" was still a great way for a 16-year-old to get attention.

Thankfully, this dealership had plenty of older M-B models, including several "pagoda" era SLs (1963-1971). It didn't take long to figure out that, if you really wanted to experience the "SL" aspect of Mercedes' SL model line, you had to go for one of the older SLs, preferably one of the 280 models with a manual transmission (this remains the last SL to offer a manual transmission in this country).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (21); Karl Brauer August 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Mercedes-Benz
Technorati Tags:: Cars That Jumped The Shark, Mercedes-Benz SL

July 9, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Dodge Viper

08.dodge.viper.srt10.burnout2.500.jpg Can a 600-horsepower car that does zero-to-60 in 3.7 seconds, pulls 1g on the skid pad and slices the slalom at 74.2 mph really be on the wrong side of the shark tank?

I'm going to have to go with a "yes" on that question, though in terms of sheer performance there's no denying the current car's capabilities.

No, the problem with the 2003-2007 Dodge Viper SRT-10 wasn't acceleration (or stopping, or turning) power, it was everything else. In my opinion the Viper topped out in 2002, with the final version of the first-gen car, complete with standard ABS, available ACR package and all the original model's visual and dynamic attitude.

That first generation Dodge Viper was one of the scariest and harriest production cars since the original Shelby Cobra (the Viper's spiritual predecessor). Even the addition of air conditioning, roll-up windows, a fixed roof (on the 1996 and later coupes) and ABS didn't dilute the snake's original mojo as one of the baddest (in a good way) American cars ever produced.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (13); Karl Brauer July 9, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Dodge
Technorati Tags:: Dodge Viper, Jump The Shark

May 28, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Chrysler/Dodge Minivans

I know what you're thinking: "Karl, how can a vehicle that was never 'cool' to begin with actually jump the shark?"

First of all, if you've ever fully utilized a minivan's capabilities (and if you've got a wisp of self confidence) you already know that minivans are very cool. But Chrysler invented the segment, has made the most money from the segment, and is now going to suffer the most from a shrinking segment. Ford and GM have already bailed out while Chrysler appears committed to the category it invented, which makes sense.

But although the company is still in there swinging, most experts would agree Chrysler no longer offers a class-leading product. Why? What happened to take Chrysler's minivan crown away, and when did it happen?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (25); Karl Brauer May 28, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Chrysler, Dodge

May 7, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Mazda Miata

Has the Mazda Miata ever really jumped the shark? Moreso than the BMW M3, I would argue it has not.

In looking at the Miata's basic specs over its three generations there is an undeniable weight gain -- from just over 2,000 pounds for the 1990 model to 2,400 pounds in the current roadster. A "bulk-up" of more than 25 percent for a two-seat sports car could be reason enough to suggest the jumping of predatory fish. But if you've driven all three generations you know the Miata's core mission of providing exotic-car levels of fun at just over economy car prices hasn't faltered.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (20); Karl Brauer May 7, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Mazda

April 28, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Chevrolet Corvette

There aren't many 55-year-old models on sale in 2008, but Chevrolet's Corvette is officially approaching early retirement age, and in terms of pure performance it's never been better. The 1997 introduction of the C5 model catapaulted Chevy's sports car onto the world stage as an exotic challenger. The Z06 model upped its game to exotic slayer, leaving me at a loss for words to describe the 638 horsepower ZR1 coming in a few months.

So, has the Corvette ever jumped the shark? Well, yes.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (26); Karl Brauer April 28, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Chevrolet, Retro Revivals

April 21, 2008

Cars that Jumped the Shark: Ford Mustang

As one of the oldest existing vehicle nameplates in the automotive universe it seems only fitting to ask the inevitable question: When (if ever) did the Ford Mustang jump the shark?

I'm going to take the suspense out of this discussion and tell you up front when I think the Mustang topped out: 1969. That's actually one year after my favorite Mustang of all time -- 1968 Shelby GT500KR -- but there were enough exciting models in 1969 to validate the model's sustained health. The Boss Mustangs (302 and 429) both hit showrooms that year, as did the Mach 1. The 428 Super Cobra Jet was going strong, and Shelby still had a couple models in the line-up (though I don't like them as much as the '68 versions).

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (24); Karl Brauer April 21, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Ford, Muscle Car, Retro Revivals

April 15, 2008

Talk Back Tuesday: Cars that Jumped the Shark -- M3

Alright guys, I've got a new series I want to start with today's Talk Back Tuesday.

It's the first installment of Cars that Jumped the Shark, in which we discuss when a particular model topped out before beginning that inexorable slide into pathetic-ness. In some cases you may feel a car never jumped the shark and it is still getting better, which is fine. In other cases, you may feel a car never even got up on two skiis, but was fish food from day one, and that's okay too.

To start things off I'm going to ask about the BMW M3. With an all-new version now in showrooms, and a previous-generation M3 in our long-term fleet, it seems fitting to ask the question: When did the BMW M3 jumped the shark?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (67); Karl Brauer April 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: BMW, Cars that Jumped the Shark, Talk Back Tuesday