Hey! I use to own a Pacer. - MSNBC/Forbes article on overhyped cars

[NewHampster]

The Pacer was the only car I've ever ordered before they shipped to dealers. After driving around in the fishbowl for a few months I regretted the decision.

Anybody else own a Pacer or other mistake car?

[pagerbear]

1. Link to the article?

[Frederic Bastiat]

2. Glad they put the VW Phaeton on there (Link)

A $95,000 VW Who was the brains behind that idea?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4837291/

[Az_lefty]

3. Ford Pinto

total piece of shit. This thing would roll over at low speed if you hit the brakes and turned hard. Not to mention the exploding gas tank and Firestone 500's.

[ironflange]

5. Mrs. Ironflange used to drive a Pinto

It was a very nice car, actually. Got lucky with that one. It had the V6 in it and man, did it go. It could leave a 'Vette standing when the light changed. It had the bigger aluminum wheels, which really helped the handling and braking, but, yeah, that gas tank was always a concern. Remember the scene from "Top Secret?"

[CO Liberal]

4. Here's Forbes' List

AMC Pacer (1975-80)
Chevrolet Vega (1970-74)
Citroen SM (1970-72)
Fiat Strada (1978-88)
Ford Bronco II (1983-89)
Ford Edsel (1957-59)
Ford Pinto (1971-80)
Honda Accord hatchback (1978)
Mazda RX-2 (1971)
Oldsmobile Delta 88 (1979-84)
Pontiac Fiero (1984)
Renault Dauphine (1956-68)
Sachsenring Trabant (1957-62)
Yugo GV (1981-91)

I had one on the list - a 1973 Chevy Vega Hatchback. Ex-Wife #1 got custody of it along with the kids, and managed to kill that car within a year. (Her concept of maintenance was adding oil when to "OIL" light came on steady.....)

[BOSSHOG]

7. I had a 74 Pontiac Astre

The twin of the Vega. Had the good sporty looks of a Pontiac but nothing much under the hood. However, in 74, thats what I could afford.

[Mrs. Venation]

11. I Owned A Chevy Vega

and got 108,000 miles out of it before it died. Changed the oil every 3,000 miles, and the only problem I ever had was a timing belt.

[democracyindanger]

6. My dad owned a Pacer

That thing was a piece of crap. Within a month, the upholstery in the trunk started coming apart because the staples fell out. Within six months, the Pacer was gone.

[NewHampster]

10. Piece of crap is being nice

It really sucked. I made the huge mistake of ordering without Power Steering. That wide stance was not meant for humans to turn and forget parallel parking in Boston.

[Wapsie B]

8. Any Chevy or Ford

from the mid 70's to the mid 90's is on my avoid list. Nothing but problems.

Were it not for the safety concerns I think the Pacer should be standard issue for high-school age drivers, sorta like a school uniform. No doctor's or lawyer's kids driving vettes to school. Give 'em all Pacers.

[Kolesar]

9. Overhyped? Every BMW, Lexus, Infinity, Corvette, Navigator, .....

Jesus Christ, people are starving and rich Americans are indulging in conspicuous consumption for vanity or speed. Those cars certainly don't perform $20,000 better than a Honda or a Pontiac. Who cares about the 0-60 time when you are just poking around the suburbs?