Hooniverse Asks- What’s the Lamest Car Trend Today?
Slamming – the act of nearly glueing your car’s undercarriage to the ground, making each and every driveway apron and rail road crossing a camber-wobbling ordeal – is one of the most recent automotive trends that has me shaking my head. Another questionable trend has been the modification of one’s car so that it looks like another manufacturer’s brand – sort of a witless protection program. Remarkably, that root beer colored Honda Odyssey in the lead pic exhibits both these trends! A-freakin-mazing.
A few years ago it was drifter chic – a trend that seems not so popular with the cool kids anymore – while even before that everybody was painting their cars monochrome white and fitting them with quad wiper blades. On the other end of that spectrum, it seems like today there’s been an explosion of clapped-out, but massively motor’d ‘Rat Rods‘ infesting the car show circuit, as though some enormous backwoods outhouse has overflowed its long drop.
So many ways to express one’s self automotively, so many opportunities to totally douche out. I’m not saying they are all bad, and the Bettie Page lookalikes that accompany many of the hillbilly rat rods make that trend passable for me. But a few trends are pretty heinous, and one, in your opinion must be the lamest of all, which do you think that is?
Image source: [strictly european]
Related posts:
<img src="http://www.autospectator.com/cars/files/images/2003-Toyota-Corolla-S.jpg"width=500>
along with all the big brothers too
I don't have a problem with most Toyota people movers, just the Corolla S and its drivers.
The worst are the S models with plastic wheelcovers. I dig the XRS from that generation (2.4l VVTi-L engine with 6-speed manual), but they didn't build many of those.
Insofar as automakers are concerned: convoluted launch control. Press this, hold this, rev this, gently tap these… I just want to smoke this Camaro off the light, not launch a manned mission to the Moon!
Whatever water cooled VW folks are doing. Intentionally rusted hoods, giant roof racks, Corvette C4 wheels, etc. So much of the stuff they do just makes me shake my head.
<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w57/bchap_photos/IMG_2706.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3205/21/33010010282_large.jpg" width=500>
I could get behind the plaid hood trend though, to tell the truth. That's kinda cool.
I could get behind plaid/tartan, not argyle though.
It does kinda look like a sweater vest, doesn't it?
It just needs the Saab popped collar and he'd be set.
Sweater vests and old Jettas do kind of go together in bad stereotype land. I'm surprised the owner of the vehicle is not sporting a matching V-neck.
Hmmm, paisley…
Paisley I'd rock. I am a quarter middle eastern though.
Plaid would be appropriate on a certain model, given golf's origins.
I am a VW enthusiast, I'm also in that most hated group of being under 25 and a car enthusiast. My current project car has had it's rust covered, but it will not receive a paint job for some time. Like the rat rods it will have a disproportionately large amount of hp compared to what it came from the factory with (about 4 times the original hp). Someday I hope to have a job that can justify my making a car look well as well as go fast, but for now I know my priorities.
I see nothing wrong with the plaid/tartan/argyle paint jobs. Think it through ye elder statesmen, painting your VW in an strange fashion is nothing new, VW nuts were doing it long before I was even born. There is no exterior finish that hasn't been applied to an air cooled VW.
That being said the level of "scene kids" is quite high in the VW world, and many of the trends are pretty bad. The rusting of a perfectly good VW(yes they exist, and were built prior to 1993) should be accompanied with some kind of punishment. The "huge camber" trend of last year is hopefully going to go the way of the rusted hood 2-3 years ago.
I agree with pretty much everything said in this thread, and I can get behind everything you've said, 1sloww. More power to ya.
I just have issues with argyle in general. It equates to the dude with the three ct stud and popped collar.
No one wants to be that guy.
Friends don't let friends do argyle.
Argyle, yes; agreed. I'm still leaning towards doing a tartan headliner in the brick…
I'm all for the tartan. I think tartan+volvo makes rotiforms obligatory though.
As awesome as that would be… I'll probably just rock the ones in this picture until I can get my hands on some LMs.
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K-f-AbpE51Y/RuMD3Pdc4zE/AAAAAAAAD0Y/jMBxVOrOCTM/ATributeEstherSVolvo242Turbo.jpg" width="500"/>
Nice lookin' brick! E-codes… what are the wheels? They've got some Virgo-esque proportions.
Thanks! The wheels are Eiker E1s, which are replicas of the Volvo Polaris, which I believe were only available on European RWD Volvos. I'm not sure what models they came on though…
Argyle… http://hooniverse.com/2011/06/27/last-call-size-m…
My wife has a tight argyle sweater, look great on her. No! Yup, you're right, friends don't let friends do argyle.
Murdering out your ride
yeah matte black works on some call but not all cars
Agreed. It's been way overdone as of late. It works on occasion, and I actually liked the flat black look when people started doing it. Then there was one year when 50% of the SEMA cars were done up like that, and every high end tuner was doing it, and it became something I'm just tired of seeing.
I saw two murdered out Camrys in one day. That's when you absolutely know a style has jumped the shark.
I still fly the flag of hatred for stick on vents.
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/2/web/3074000-3074999/3074422_12_full.jpg">
From Car Domain
There's a lot of Pep Boys abuse going on in that pic. Chrome rockers, anodized sawblades, wheelwell moldings, excessive tape stripes… That truck represents 20 years of questionable choices!
At one time I thought about setting up a photoblog of just stick-on vents. Seriously.
I have considered the same thing but eventually I would implode into a black, dense ball of pure anger.
I'd contribute. I hate these things with the raging fury of a thousand suns. There's a Civic near here that has 6 sets on the front of his car, and two on the back. I initially thought it was a parody of them, but judging by the car as a whole, and the driver, I think he is serious…
Aren't they good for 5hp each? I stuck some on my jeep and they took a whole second off my zero-to-sixty time.
I must be doing it wrong then. I put a few on my windshield since the guy at Pep Boys told me it would help to ventilate the excessive air pressure caused by VeeTack kicking in yo. I noticed a difference in flow through my vents, but visibility seems to be lessened…
I put some on the bridge of my nose & they work better than Breathe-Right strips. I get some funny looks out in public, but that's nothing new.
It looks like he's saying "Yep, I've been shot 3 times with broadheads."
I just had the factory side vents on my Buick painted black because of Manny, Moe and Jack.
I just realized…I murdered the VentiPorts in self-defense.
This covers many, but not all, of them.
<img src="http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt84/econoappliance/DONK.jpg" width="400">
That's a horrible Photoshop job. It's really a Buick Regal, IIRC.
Yeah…. <img src="http://www.redflag101.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ghetto-car-buick-regal-donk-donkey-kong.jpg">
Those wheels remind me of a Conestoga. Wagon hos!
A Conestoga would ride better though.
Hummer H3 Conestoga Edition:
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vj8_jgbWNEg/S87pgjZEJkI/AAAAAAAAAKA/s7lBLYCx75Q/s1600/Hummer_H3_On_Wooden_Wagon_Wheels.jpg" />
I think that was the point…
Should've slapped on a whole bunch of hellaflush stickers for good measure, too. For irony's sake.
Completely off topic but didn't I see the Raptide reveiw when I first came her this morning and now it is gone? Is my browser completely messed up, is it my brain or are you guys just messing with me?
<- *Works in IT and is totally paranoid about The Man spying on me at work. – cause, you know it is true.*
Probably an embargo that they broke and then Jeff said "NOT AGAIN!!!"
Little does he realize…
nope, hit publish when I meant to hit save draft last night at midnight…
Rapide runs at 10:30 today.
“I'm on the west coast and that is the only timezone in the world!”/says the person in the timezone that seems to be pushed on the rest of the country.
WEST SIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
Well yes, that is correct.
We just like to wake up a little later out here. ;->
I've never done that.
I was just making sure that i'm not too paranoid & crazy.
Right. I saw the teaser, but the article had been disappeared. Nefarious doings all around.
hit publish when I meant to hit save draft, article runs today at 10:30
Not in evidence as of 12:30… Will resume attempts at further patience.
Half an hour from when this comment posts. Der Glucker is on the West Coast.
just know the East Coast is the cool coast….
I think it is appropriate that they called themselves a variation of bags.
<img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/vhyt5s.jpg" width=500>
I don't necessarily mind hellaflush when it is clean, like this:
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FU_6ANRiXZA/TGy_ZO3IrXI/AAAAAAAABDY/AsaPv1ZWMgE/s1600/Silvia_S15_HellaFlush_by_ATC_Design.jpg" width=500>
But… this… no:
<img src="http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3636/hellaflush1resize1000px.jpg" width=500>
(originally was a Lexus, link was dead though)
honestly now… how many people in the world do you thing have posters of a 98 honda civic on their walls?
I have a feeling that is photoshopped in, but I think the better question is what is your definition of "people"?
I'd ask how they avoid damaging tires/fenders but then, I don't really care.
Usually hellaflush cars are on airbags. They do rub when in “stance” though and that is to be expected (desired?).
I wouldn't say "usually." Typically they are on coilovers and they drive really really slow over anything other than perfectly flat pavement. I would hate to see their undercarriages.
I kinda have a thing for airbags… I will most likely own a bagged car someday…
If done well, they're bagged, if done crappy, they're cut or heated until they loose their strength while on a lift and then the car is placed back on the ground.
They must do things differently where you live if that really is the case. Around here, when done with ridiculous camber, it is done with adjustable coilovers. Bagged cars are a different thing entirely and are not part of the Hellaflush trend. Hellaflush cars are never bagged. Sometimes the "VIP" cars are bagged, but again, that's a different trend as well. Stanced cars are almost always a result of adjustable coilovers, along with custom suspension arms and sometimes some ghetto fabrication. Cutting or heating springs alone will not result in the kind of camber they want.
Yeah, it is beyond that, but a lot of, sadly, VW owners in this area don't put the money out but want the look. It is almost common for slammed/bagged/hellaflush/stanced/vip'd whatever you want to call it today (because a lot of times they end up in a similar style) to be half assed.
I've never understood why people want it to look like their suspension is broken.
It's called "Donk". I see these idiots all over Atlanta. Yeah, they're so cool putting 30-inch wheels on their '82 Monte Carlo and blasting [c]rap music while they almost roll over on a 10mph turn.
<img src="http://www.zootpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/donk1.jpg">
While I think the Donk/Box/Bubble trend is stupid, I can't help but like the fact that they are fixing up otherwise unremarkable/unloved American cars that I strangely have a soft spot for.
A lot of the cars they're using can't be classified as "fixed", at least not the ones I see. But I hear ya.
Preserving? Appreciating? I dunno.
Saving them from the scrap yard
Thank you. I agree 100%. Most of those cars(mid 80s GM) were some good looking(IMHO) Detroit Iron.
It's pretty bad when I have seen so many of those dammed things that the particular example used doesn't even seem like an extreme example to me………..
I have seen one donk that I actually kinda liked. It felt weird. It was a midsized yacht from the early 70s (but not one that I recognized right away, I think it was a GM, but I'm not sure). It had a slightly golden tan paint job, it wasn't so much lifted as the wheels just really filled the wells. The finishing touch was a ton of rake, so it ended up looking like a Rat Fink caricature.
I couldn't get pictures because I saw him during a merge in the maze, and haven't seen him since. It was a strange feeling.
It has happened to me too…. I saw a dark candy red box Caprice with wheels that just filled the wheel wells like you said, with hardly any lift. It was then that I realized that I had become desensitized to it. I still get reflux when I see one, but the aftertaste seems to dissipate faster.
I think at some point if the wheels aren't too big a donk would just start looking like an xj-002. That wouldn't be all that bad…
<img src="http://offroadaction.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/1969_Jeep_XJ002_Concept_01.jpg" width=500>
I never understood those things… especially not the "sponsorship". Is it a failed attempt at extortion i.e. "pay me $5000 or I'm putting your logo and colors on this heap?" Are they actually getting paid? Are they such big fans of these products that they do this of their own free will? The world wonders…
I really wanted to hate the VIP style (really wanted) but, in the end, the cars aren't outrageous and can be lifted to non-douche levels.
<img src="http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/speedhunters.com/Images/Mike%20Garrett/1June/preview/jc.jpg" width="500">
BTW, that Odiss3er looks very well made. Cool too (again, sans ridiculous camber).
There are some worth your hate. Like the Lexus I was trying to post. Search "hellaflush" and it'll be on the first page.
VIP is subtle though, more restrained than hellaflush, hellaLite I'd say. Just don't know why 95% of them are Celsiors.
From that angle, the offenses are relatively minor. Just the lettering on the window and the wheels that I can't decide are p-shopped or not.
Hrm. Yep, I dig it. Against my better instincts, I dig it.
It isn't photoshop. After further review though I can see the interior is nasty so you (we) should've trusted the instincts.
<img src="http://jasonsgrainofsalt.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cnv00000133_1.jpg"width=500/>
So close.
It is a X300, thought it was a 308. Isn't that nasty, it's more E39 M5 but could've gone without it.
<img src="http://static.autoblog.nl/images/wp2008/Jaguar%20X300%20J-complete2.jpg"/>
I don't see it often, but any sort of re-badge, no matter how well done, is the mark of a moron. Why make your Honda into a cheesy BMW? Honda fanboys will hate you. Beemer folks will hate you. You should hate yourself for doing it.
I've seen a Dodge Stratus turned into a Mercedes, a Civic turned into a Frankenbeemer, and worst of all a Neon turned into an Alfa Romeo, complete with pointy nose and those wheels that look 5-sided biohazard symbols.
http://www.jimmy540i.com/nightmare41.jpg
I'm new to these parts. How do I get a picture to post?
<img src="http://www.jimmy540i.com/nightmare41.jpg" width=500>
Here's a guide (we kind of stick to width=500, too): http://intensedebate.com/features
I did see a Neon SRT4 with SI badges once, I didn't know it was more of a trend.
Gaa! I've forgotten all the html I've ever known.
How do I use the img tag?
Also, are there notifications somewhere ?
Sorry for the idiot questions.
Replace the ( with a "<" and the ) with a ">";
(img src="url" width=500)
Under your comment it says "Subscribe to" if you switch it to replies, you'll get an email whenever someone replied to your comment. Intense debate does save your preference.
Goooooooooal!
Also not keen on bad parking.
<img src="http://www.rockingfacts.com/images/Funny%20Cars%20Accident/Funny-Car-accident-01.jpg" width="500/">
How to put three cars into one parking space. Kinda genius.
that's just all kind of wrong
Hey, Irish! You're here!
Welcome! Always good to see some familiar faces.
Gracias, Flick. Stopped by here yesterday just to check the place out and saw all these handles and avatars I haven't seen in months. Sorta like when you go to the bathroom at a party and when you come out and all your friends are gone. You figure they just left but an hour later you find them in the basement .
That's the second best analogy of all time I have read today.
Sorry, you can't top this one: http://hooniverse.com/2011/12/07/hooniverse-histo…
Good to have you here, bro.
Excellence. Pure and simple and absurd excellence.
Welcome amigo!
Gracias, hombre! Good to see you!
Intentionally limited horsepower.
<img src="http://thecityfix.com/files/2010/06/hummercarriage-1.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.islandbreath.org/2010Year/03/100328hummerbuggy.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_mar2011/HorseDrawnCarriage.jpg" width=500>
There is a correct way to do this, but it takes Moxie:
<img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2608/4004741788_806199f5f1.jpg" width="450">
<img src="http://cdn3.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/4-nascar.jpg" width=500>
… Yeah.
The first picture: real. The second one: PShopped.
<img src="http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/Paddleshift.jpg" width="500">
No flamesuit. I'm a diehard.
The only trend I can't stand are the stick on vent ports. I saw a car the other day where they didn't even take the time to do it carefully, and the 3 vent ports on the side I saw were all cattywampus.
Cars and car customization is an artform, IMHO. And like art, it's subjective. I might like my pickemup trucks raised a little and sporting serious offroad rubber. The guy sitting next to me might prefer them lowered on airbags with wheels on spacer plates so they stick 2" out on either side. I might prefer a restoration to original condition or with period-correct go-fast goodies. You might prefer restorods, gassers, ratrods, etc.
And you know what? I'm OK with that. Because in the end we are all car guys and gals. We may have our own unique tastes, but that is what makes us such a great, interesting, dynamic, and fun group of people. If every restored car was a restorod, life would be boring. Instead, we can go to a car show and see cars restored to original condition and others that are just wild reimaginations of what that car should have been in the creator's eye. It's different. It's interesting.
So, while you or I may disagree on our automotive trend likes/dislikes, I will respect your opinion no matter what. Unless you drop an LSx into a Ford, then it's gloves off. (Just kidding…mostly.)
Brand loyal engine swaps to a point. But as far as gassers: Hemis, SBFs and LSs belong in Chrysler, FoMoCo, and GM among the Big 3. I think if you're using any other power plants or swapping into non-Big3 cars, the sky's the limit. (Dreams about 2.8 ISF in Comet)
I have to agree on the stick-on vent ports. They always come in threes, but an Audi A4 on my block put two on each of the front fenders (mis-aligned, but where you expect them) and the third "vent" on each side went on the bumper beneath the headlights. I'm guessing it is because his headlamp fluid overheats more than most.
Where I live, half of the Mercedes' running around have AMG badges added by their owners. E300 AMG? I don't think so, jackass. S430 AMG? GTFO.
<img src="http://image.popularhotrodding.com/f/30532094/1103phr_31_o+1966_ford_mustang+carbon_fiber_roof.jpg" width=500>
Carbon fiber wraps. I don't mind if you want to replace hoods and other body panels with carbon fiber replacements to save significant weight. If you replace plastic dash bezels with carbon fiber to save 0.2 ounces, I think that's a bit silly. If you just take a carbon fiber wrap and stick it to an existing car part, that's just plain stupid.
Carbon fiber has negative mass. You add it to things to make them lighter.
Also, neons reduce the density of the air traveling underneath the car, lowering drag and adding downforce.
And you can stick a fan on the back of your trunklid to regain all the energy.
An understanding these basic principles helps ensure the Coyote will never, ever catch the Roadrunner.
Can I get that in Con-Tact paper? I think it would look cool as cabinet and drawer liners.
*ducking*
You're ducking a lot lately.
duckisduck
I get cranky over some trends (god, I hate stance).. but at the end of the day, if the owner loves their car (and isn't a dick), then I end up just letting it all pass.
Barry Meguiar would be there with you.
I think that 'intent' definately needs to be considered before judging modifications, as in, were they done for the right reasons?
Auto enthusiast: Excuse me sir, why so much camber?
Stance enthusiast: I just love the way it looks.
Auto enthusiast: Carry on….
——————————————
A.e: Hey mate, why the huge clearly-not-aerodynamically-designed wing on the back of your Civic.
Ricer: Downforce yo.
A.e:…….
Is it wrong that I like that Odyssey? Straighten up the camber to functional levels, give a little lift to make it over speed bumps, replace the wheels with something less "bro," and haul the kids around.
Mono wiper conversions and stick on carbon fiber drive me crazy.
Intentional rust and giant wheels (donks or not) irritate the hell out of me.
What is giant? Some people around here are literally on wheelbarrow tires, so it is a valid question.
Not yet literally. I can still get DOT-rated tires in 4.00 x 8.
When those dry up you'll have to donk out with a set of 10's!
Oh, no. Not me. Once someone starts down the road of model bloat, it inevitably leads to disaster.
<img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4105/4982349122_ec594a1eb2.jpg" width="450">
Well, okay, fine, in that case it led to one of humanity's greatest achievements, but usually disaster.
I thought it was 8. I didn't want to assume though.
Otherwise normal statements do take on a different flavor here in the 'verse, don't they?
17" or bigger, on a street-driven car.
/Get the hell off my lawn
(mower)
14", damnit!
Unless it has a bed, toilet or shower in the back. Then 16.5's are perfectly acceptable.
I, personally, roll big on 15"s.
…but yeah, 16.5"s are excellent for certain applications.
crossovers that like like giant little cars…like the new honda crv or 2012 ford escape.
Four fox ache.
<img src="http://www.slingtank.com/ArticleImages1/300.jpg" width=400>
Car Eyelashes. The worst trend, possibly of all time. No arguments.
Oh yeah?
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/CauhW.jpg">
There's always an exception that proves the rule.
Additional:- One is the signature of Gandini's most celebrated work, the other is made from low-grade rubber and affixed to Fiat 500s, Beetles and even, I shit you not, Fiestas by dim-witted housewifes who haven't got an effin clue about life in general.
I'm just glad that it hasn't caught in the states.
I'm going to buy three million sets, send them over there immediately and distribute them free of charge, just to wind you up.
I am going to buy my wife a set of antler ears and a red nose for her smart-car.
Because I'm THAT guy in the neighborhood.
Truckballs. I don't think any explanation is necessary.
<img src="http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/18/flagnuts.jpg">
Nor was the photo, thanks all the same.
Yeah, but I see a pair at least once a day so now everyone else must share my misery.
He's nuts about AmerIca
I suppose the design might be a somewhat confused attempt at paying homage to John Paul Jones.
<img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6009/5878577329_c4a864f5e1.jpg" width="300">
So Devin….I have this to say about that…
http://oleragtop.blogspot.com/2009/02/thanks-tall…
yesterday, lowriders were wicked cool.
today, being slammed is one of the lamest car trends.
so how does being slammed not also qualify as being a lowrider?
every car looks better lowered imo. it gets stupid when you have tires sticking up through a cutout in the body. im looking at you, minitrucks.
Minitrucks are horrendous.
…but lowriders in general are a good thing.
I have a lowrider fetish, admittedly. Whitewalls stretched over wires get me particularly excited.
For me, it's the camber that kills it. A lowrider with wheels that look normal can be pretty damn handsome. But that extreme camber just makes me think the suspension broke.
SUVs, automatic transmissions, and executive cars. Where are my sports cars and light, MT economy cars?
Start buttons in non-race cars. They look cool, but what do you do when you get stuck with a dead battery? How do you push start a car with a manual gear box when there's no way to put the iginition in the "on" position?
Cars where you have to put the key in the igintion before you can press the "start" key seem even more weird.
hybrids and electrics
Rust on the hood effect: [img src="http://blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Mike/E28-%20Black/theboro/thisonepwns.jpg"
[img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3357967837_ab11f1cdd5_b.jpg"