Re: Chrysler Needs to CREATE a Market as did Honda

Who says they were going for a "real sports car?" A Plymouth Roadrunner was *not* a sports car. Neither was the original Charger. They were muscle cars, which (IMO) are infinitely preferable to "real sports cars" (Alfa-Romeo, MG, Miata, etc.) anyway, because they combine performance and a reasonable amount of practicality. The pracitcality may be a little compromised (ever seen the trunk on a Barracuda?) but its not completely gone.

Preach on, brother! Pure heaven was the first time I shifted a Chrysler A-833 4-speed behind a big block. After driving 2-liter FWD 5 speeds and hating every minute, it was an eye-opening experience to have a buttery-smooth yet PRECISE shifter, and an engine with GOBS of torque.

I drive crank-window cars all the time. What's the big deal with turning a crank, you don't have to take your eyes off the road or even move much! And lots of modern cars have crank-open sunroofs. I do like the basics- power steering, A/C. I hate power brakes, but try to find a car without them today. Non-powered disk brakes have by far the best pedal feel of any braking system I've ever driven. Power windows are nice in some instances too- I find them most useful in my '69 Convertible since I can lower or raise the windows and the top while parked at a red light, rather than having to lean over and reach for cranks. But who needs electric seat warmers, circulating-liquid seat coolers, seat position memory, and all that other crud? Its nice to OFFER it, but why package it so that those of us who don't want it arent' stuck with it.

..you've forgotten the meaning of the Super Bee name. To be true to the heritage, they'd need to call it "Super EllExx".

Most everybopdy who has added to this thread makes valid points. The simply fact is: There's no one car that satisfies every consumer. That's what capitalism is all about! A base Gen-1 Neon, Shadow America, Omni America - or a Yugo - were closest to what the original poster was hoping for. (and, man, was that base '95 Neon quick!) They, to varying degrees, all sold OK. But most people would prefer to spend more to get more. That's why Consumer Distorts years ago stopped testing base / stripper cars - they finally figured out that nobody buys 'em that way.

As far as creating a market, you'd have to say Chrysler has been as good at that as Honda - just a few e.g.: the '68 Road Runner, 1984 minivan, LeBaron ragtop, the PT Cruiser, and, to some extent, the new LXs. And no one can argue that AMC didn't create a new segment with the Cherokee.

For whatever the reas>