Fortune Magazine had pictures of some new American vehicles
getting ready to go into production. A couple of them from
Dodge and Chrysler.

Apparently, the Intrepid is going away, to be replaced by the
Dodge Magnum (though I can't see how this could be so; how do
you replace a sedan with a wagon? Or does the Magnum come in
both wagon and sedan models?). Looks like a station wagon with
very low cabin height compared to the vehicle sides. Not too
bad looking, and obtainable with a V-8, although I presume the
basic vehicle would come with a 6. Seems a slightly smaller
looking Pacific.

Nice wheels from the photo, and something, if it came in AD, I
might consider as a replacement to my 1500, which is overkill
for me now that I don't tow a boat any more. I've been wishing
the American manufacturers would make something along the lines
of the Volvo Cross Country wagon. Perhaps the Magnum is it? Or
maybe a four door Dakota with a cap on the short bed.

And what the heck is that Chrysler 300C??? I can't see that
thing going very far! Got a grill on it that would be
intimidating even to a current style Ram!


SMH

Yeah, the Intrepid/Concorde platform is going away which is a mistake IMHO
also. While the Magnum and 300C are neat cars, they do not fit the niche of
"family" car and that leaves D/C lacking in that department. Also, both are
RWD and the American people are now conditioned to front-wheel drive and its
superior handling in snow and ice and will find that the new ones are
lacking in that regard also. I hope it works well, though I have my doubts. Mike

FWD gained popularity with automobile manufacturers due to ease of (cheaper)
design and manufacturing; Madison Avenue sold it to America. It isn't
better -- it's just a *different* can of worms. Just my observation and
experience.
Bryan

I gotta agree with ya.
Has anyone noticed the increase in the amount of rollover's since they went
to fwd? Every traffic report around here has somebody on their roof. I don't
remember that being a problem with rwd.

Roy

Some of the idiots called "drivers" can "spin out" on a straight section of
road all by themselves as well as do a "rollover"
I believe it has more to do with their driving way too fast and beyond their
capabilities than car design
Another example of Darwinism at it's best!!!! <G>

Politics, the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from
the rich.

<snip>


wouldn't a 4 door dakota with a cap be a durango??


Mac

No, that would be a Caravan with big tires and Hemi stickers.

--
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving

I was in a class in Auburn Hills a couple of weeks ago and got to talk about
this fwd vs rwd on this chassis. The instructors seem to think that with the
traction control and ABS Plus there shouldn't be much of a problem. As you
go into a curve, the abs will selectively apply individual brakes as needed
to control over/understeer. Time will tell if it works according to plan.

Denny

Yep, and in the old days they were called station wagons.

BadLuckDragon???
I wonder could it be the return of DD???????

Roy