Question Of The Day: What Was Your Worst… Automotive Prediction?

Steven Lang
by Steven Lang

I saw the future as clearly as day.

The Honda CR-Z. A beautiful machine that would finally marry that elusive dream couple, sport and fuel economy, for less than $20,000.

It had to be a hit. Just had to…

Maybe it was my daily commuter that blinded me to the oncoming reality. A 2001 Honda Insight has been my faithful commuting companion for over 3 years and 45,000 miles. 55 mpg average. 63 MPG in the latest run, and all the fun one can have while plowing through the winding one lane roads of North Georgia.

Gee Steve? Who would not scoop up a car that only seats two, drives slower than most, and offers a seating position somewhere between an old Porsche and a new casket?

The CR-Z had plenty to offer me and about 2404 enlightened buyers for the first half of 2012. I get the reality now. Two seat cars are the automotive version of the ‘not-so-big-house’. Everyone says they want one. But when it comes time to choose between the well made 1600 sq. ft. house, and the 3200 sq. ft. McMansion, nearly everyone picks the porkers.

But still, I get vexed and flustered thinking about it. 6-speed. 40+ MPG potential. Fun to drive. The perfect party for the road, which no one bothered to even consider an RSVP.

Oh well… guess it’s time to admit I blew that call. But how about you? What was your worst prediction when it comes to cars?

Steven Lang
Steven Lang

More by Steven Lang

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 82 comments
  • Oboylepr Oboylepr on Jul 31, 2012

    I thought that electrical power would knock gasoline of it's perch by now, in all it's forms: Prius/Volt/Leaf/Tesla. That of course was dependent on a big breakthrough in battery tech which hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday.

  • Geekcarlover Geekcarlover on Jul 31, 2012

    Cadillac 8-6-4 was a good idea. It was, just poorly executed. Ford would downsize the Ranger. Bring back the mini truck. Subaru Baja, I loved the Brat. Apparently I was alone. Miata was a 3-5 year fad.

  • Manbridge Manbridge on Jul 31, 2012

    That dad was a fool for buying a Prius. That old aircooled 911s would fade away. (The last one bit back at me so hard I had to buy one!)

  • Spyked Spyked on Jul 31, 2012

    I predicted that the Dodge brand would go away. With RAM being it's own brand now, and Chrysler making cars and JEEP handling SUV's, who the heck needs a Dodge? Dodge is the Mercury and Oldsmobile/Pontiac. Dodge Dart. Really? The cool kids are going to buy a DODGE DART instead of a Ford Focus? Dart should have been a Chrysler and shut down the Dodge brand.

Next