Here's a fun column we came across talking about cars as metaphors. Kind of like referring to something as the "Rolls-Royce" of its industry means it's the best (or most expensive, perhaps). The writer, Miss Cellania, lists five vehicles that rightly or wrongly have come to be symbols of the worst from the automotive sector. All five of her picks are instantly recognizable for their place in motoring history. While we empathize with owners of these vehicles because they frequently have endearing qualities, we understand the reasons they have been chosen. Here's the list, but we encourage you to click over to Mental Floss to hear the explanations of how they earned their often unfair reps.
1. Edsel = Failure
2. Corvair = Unsafe
3. Pinto = Volatile
4. DeLorean = Overhyped
5. Yugo = Shoddy
While the DeLorean might be a bit of a stretch as being overhyped, the rest seem appropriate. These are a good start, but we're sure you all can come up with a whole bunch more.
Thanks for the tip, C. McFeeny!
[Source: Mental Floss]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sw @ Jul 18th 2007 9:39AM
Aztek = Sinfully Ugly
FlyOnTheWall @ Jul 18th 2007 9:44AM
It's missing the most obvious of metaphors. How many times have you heard some high quality piece of merchandise referred to as "The Cadillac of XXXs"?
What's remarkable is that, years after Caddies ceased to be kings of the American road, the metaphor lives on...
Shipey @ Jul 18th 2007 9:46AM
It was for negative metaphors only...
m @ Jul 18th 2007 11:01AM
I don't think people say that as a metaphor. They say it as a statement. Look up the meaning of the word. I believe it had meaning before GM named some shitty cars with it.
MikeUF @ Jul 18th 2007 11:13AM
This really is a great comment. This term really is highly resonant with all generations and really Cadillac should start playing up on it. I could see a commercial showing the a Subzero fridge and going "the Cadillac of refrigerators" and then showing the Herman Miller office chair and say "the Cadillac of office furniture" then show the new CTS and go...The Real Deal
Galley @ Jul 19th 2007 9:06AM
When one of our tablet press operators has a easy night with no problems, they are referred to as "Cadillacing it".
carbuzzarddotcom @ Jul 18th 2007 10:51AM
It depends on how old you are. There was a time when there was no higher compliment. That GM let this slip away is one of the biggest reasons for the decline of the corporation.
That said, the "Mercedes of XXX" or "the BMW of XXX," particularly the latter, have a lot of resonance. I think also if you say, "It's like buying a Toyota," people know you mean it's a safe buy.
Shipey @ Jul 18th 2007 9:48AM
So, like "The Honda Civic of High Performance."
Or "The Toyota Corolla of Style."
See?
1337 @ Jul 18th 2007 9:55AM
(Insert Civic Si fanboy comment here.)
Harrison @ Jul 18th 2007 9:11PM
ZOMG CiVIC goTZ i-VTECKS and FORGeD PISTONz teH HazoR and SmokZ EnZO wit Nitreus INjection.
anyway...
Camry = reliable but boring as hell.
For example- Yeah, Johnson's a Camry. He gets the job done 'cause doesn't have a social life.
Harrison @ Jul 18th 2007 9:12PM
ZOMG CiVIC goTZ i-VTECKS and FORGeD PISTONz teH HazoR and SmokZ EnZO wit Nitreus INjection.
anyway...
Camry = reliable but boring as hell.
For example- Yeah, Johnson's a Camry. He gets the job done 'cause he doesn't have a social life.
Vinny @ Jul 18th 2007 9:57AM
AMC Gremlin / Pontiac Aztec = a face only a mother could love. Subraru B9 might fit into this one too.
Tim @ Jul 18th 2007 10:10AM
The delorean could replace the Corvair as the unsafe metaphor. Epoxy dipped frames that are all but rusted out now just doesn't sound safe to me.
Farris @ Jul 18th 2007 4:16PM
Um.... pretty sure that stainless steel doesn't rust... especially SS dipped in epoxy...
Tim @ Jul 18th 2007 4:36PM
But the frames were not made from stainless steel - just the body. The frames were made from thin steel and dipped in epoxy to protect them. However, the frames were dipped too long causing the epoxy to crack and enabling the retention of water in those cracks. The most common aftermarket item for these cars is a brand new stainless steel frame.
Brendan @ Jul 18th 2007 10:24AM
Hyundai = crap
I like how, even today, every Hyundai car reviewer (especially on TV) leads off with some sort of apologetic statement - "It's not like the Hyundai's of old .. etc
though the Pony and Stellar have been gone for almost 20 years (it seems) !
chris @ Jul 18th 2007 2:46PM
We currently own 2 Hyundai's and they have been the most trouble free cars we have ever owned! A 2002 Santa Fe with 90,000 miles and a 2004 Elantra GT with 50,000. I can't say that about any GM or Ford that I have owned!
jcuoit @ Jul 18th 2007 10:28AM
Fiero: on fire, combustible. ie "This bonfire is getting out of control worse that my 84 fiero"
Kia: dull, boring, uninspired. ie "This movie is less entertaining than the interior of Mike's sportage"
GM: Large, anemic, slow, antiquated. ie "Good lord, this computer is slower than GM to market change"
Rene Curry @ Jul 18th 2007 10:46AM
Audi 5000 = outta here (slang)
WillTheThrill @ Jul 18th 2007 11:48AM
That's "Outtie 5000"
Why would you say Audi?