While they got most of them right........ | FerrariChat

While they got most of them right........

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by gsfent, Apr 20, 2020.

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  1. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 21, 2012
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    John
    Just last week I saw a click bait story where the Pontiac Aztek was featured as one of the best discontinued cars of all time that should be brought back! LOL!
     
  2. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
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    PB County, Florida
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    Jerry
    Must be the same guy who thought the Mondial was one of the ugliest!!!!

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  3. 2cam

    2cam Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2014
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    MikeS
  4. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    Think about it (in hindsight). It was probably the first "crossover" while actually being a Utility Vehicle (without the Sport, of course).

    "With the rear seats removed, a sheet of plywood (48 by 96 inches) will lie flat on the floor if you leave the tailgate down. Bicycles can stand upright in the back -- something that most SUVs can't handle. There's also 94 cubic feet of cargo room, which is 14 more than in a five-door Ford Explorer and 26 cubic feet less than in the Montana."

    https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15139389/pontiac-aztek-gt-road-test/
     

    Attached Files:

  5. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
    The Netherlands - NH
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    Tijn
    Right... so a Fiat Panda is in the list. Clearly he does not know what he is talking about. It's a beauty if you know the concept of it.

    Regarding our rides I clearly remember at the time a lot of people wanted a Mondial, at least that was in The Netherlands, and I can't figure out why 6800+ owners bought a Mondial if it was ugly. two times in a row the Mondail was sold out. Else there were more Mondials , can you believe it! :)

    "…a Mondial is a pleasurable automobile capable of rocketing along at obscene speeds or, with minor reluctance, cruising slowly along a boulevard. It accords one every dividend expected from ownership of a Ferrari and the message has obviously been well communicated…Mondial production is sold out, for the second consecutive year." Sports Car Illustrated 1985
     
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  6. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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  7. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,129
    Vt
    ^^^That's awesome:D
     
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  8. 2cam

    2cam Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2014
    742
    Austin, Texas
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    MikeS
    The concept was solid. The aesthetic execution however....

    Now that's kinda kooky cool. Perhaps if they had made it look more like that on the first pass, they may have had something. ;)

    2cam
     
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  9. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    Jul 1, 2013
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    My experiences have been the following.

    Half of the people see a Ferrari logo and assume = Ferrari = good.

    A quarter of people see a Ferrari logo and assume = Ferrari = bad.

    One-eighth of the people say it's a Lamborghini.

    One-sixteenth of the people say Mondial - worst car of all time

    The rest don't notice, and they don't care.

    :)
     
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  10. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
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    Tijn
    Is it not that as a (car)
    I think it will look great in white too! Like the wheels! It's actually something I would buy I think as a Dutchman! Not sure about the cloth seat design :)
     
  11. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

    May 25, 2013
    4,248
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    Tijn
    Oh my…! I just clicked on the link that you sent with the previous post. It's hidiuous (No offence)! Who signed of that model? :confused:
     
  12. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    As usual, the "writer" is just rehashing old nonsense. I doubt that he's ever seen a Mondial in-person.

    https://twitter.com/autonerd?lang=en
     
  13. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    I thought the Maserati Biturbo does not belong on that list. It looks OK and passable as an exotic. It needs to go to the "Twenty Five Most Unreliable Cars of All Time" list.
     
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  14. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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    Plastic cladding was a styling trend that denoted an "active lifestyle". One article I read stated "So, in other words, this idiot philosophy of "more cladding means more capability" has actually succeeded." lol

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  15. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    Another thing to keep in mind is lots of clickbait articles out there. I have a script that notifies me if the media mentions the Mondial. I've found many outlets say it's a car to buy and a car to avoid at the same time.

    here is an example


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  16. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    As far as aesthetics go though, most folks again see something out of the ordinary with a prancing horse and automatically give it esteem the same way Edvard Munch's "Scream" is automatically recognizable as 'good' yet nothing I would describe as 'classically beautiful.'

    The real 'car guys' that critique every vent, crease, curve, and bend-do legitimately fall into two camps. Admittedly, I would say the folks that find it pleasing as I am in the minority. However, only neophytes doubt or question its pedigree or legitimacy.

    The only real and purposeful question one must ask is, "Do I find it beautiful?" I've pondered this question many times; there are some angles that I acknowledge make the car look awkward. That said, on balance, I find it soulfully beautiful to my eye.

    The same phenomenon happens in real life, sorry in advance for indulging the trope; but here it goes.

    Lady Gaga, Kyra Sedgwick, Christine Branski, Cher, Helena Bonham Carter, Uma Theruman, Sarah Jessica Parker, etc..

    These are all accomplished artists., yet you'll often find a healthy camp that rules in their 'ugliness.'

    All that matters is what does your eye see?
     
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  17. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
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    It is true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!

    However, over time, there is general agreement on aesthetics of the automobile. The E type Jag is considered among the best looking every produced. I would suggest the recent Vantage/DB9, just to name another, fall into that category too. I have yet to hear ANYONE say the Aztec was a thing of beauty!!! :)

    @Wade and the black "Trans Am" Aztec: It goes from hideous to just ugly. I guess it is true, simple black covering can hide a lot of flaws!!! ;)


    Regards.
    Jerry
     
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  18. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I'll admit, in 2008 I searched high and low for a low mileage 2005 (last year) Aztek GT with AWD to use as a commuter, but was unsuccessful.

    And yes, it had to be black. ;) :D


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  19. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
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    Well, I won't call it good looking, but the black paint hides the disjointed styling and the cheap looking body cladding. I am a sucker for a shiny black car, so I'll give it a "not bad"!!!

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
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  20. sidtx

    sidtx F1 Rookie
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    Feb 9, 2014
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    As Paul said above -- this is just clickbait.

    However, in my opinion, half the cars on that list don't belong.

    80 Seville -- quality was crap, but I like the looks. Very elegant
    Citation - not ugly, just boring
    Excalibur -- weird looking to me. I'd vote to keep this on on the list
    Mondial -- One of the best looking 80's cars ever made.
    Panda -- kinda cute. I'd happily own one of the 4wd versions
    Tercel -- like the citation. Boring but not ugly
    AMC Eagle -- I like it
    BiTurbo -- I really like it
    Stanza -- boring but not ugly. Looks like an early Ford Explorer
    Glenfrome -- never seen one before. Very weird looking. But, I'd own one
    Tempo - boring
    Lincoln mark VII -- I like it! A lot!
    Zimmer -- weird
    Miliano -- I like it. I'd definitely go for one of it's brothers -- the Lancia 8.32
    85 Deville -- boring
    Subaru XT - It's ok. Not ugly, but not great looking
    AeroCoupe -- Oh Yeah. I'd buy and drive one!!!
    Riviera -- How could they give the name of one of the greatest 60's autos to this POS? I'd buy it just to crush it.
    Pulsar NX -- I'd own it
    Nissan S -- Never seen one, but I'd love to have one

    Sid
     
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  21. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    It could have been worse. At least they put all 21 cars on the same page and you didn't need to click again and again to see the next one.
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  22. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,129
    Vt
    Anyone remeber the citation X -11?
     
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  23. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 21, 2006
    32,908
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    Kurt
    That just begs for Burt and jerry Lee to make a cross-border Starbux run.........

    School-bound and down
    Karen, hold my latte
    We're gonna make that yoga class tonight.......
     
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  24. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
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    Jan 21, 2002
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    dave m
    Best friends older sister had one while we were in HS.
    She complained it about it being too stiff..... seriously. Hmm I wonder why I can remember that!?
     

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