Top 10 Worst Car Names

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-16-2009, 01:27 PM
  #1  
In the Mid-South meow
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
SuperTrooper169's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Music City
Age: 47
Posts: 10,799
Received 2,151 Likes on 1,097 Posts
Top 10 Worst Car Names

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...rst-car-names/

10. The Entire Lincoln Lineup
Lincoln is a brand with a considerable history, and we know they know how to give cars strong iconic names such as Continental or Navigator. Somewhere around 2007, many of those easy-to-remember names went out the window, leaving consumers with a hodgepodge of names starting with "MK." That's a shame because Lincoln has a strong lineup right now. What's the difference between the MKZ, MKX and MKS? Gimme a second to look it up because I honestly can't remember which is which.

9. Hyundai Equus
The inclusion of the Equus might be premature considering it's not even on sale yet, but this could be the push Hyundai needs to give the car a proper name before it's released. Companies occasionally give Latin names to products to make them sound sophisticated or fancy, but Equus just makes us think of the Broadway play of the same name — most recently starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.

8. Toyota Yaris
There was a girl in my dorm freshman year who organized her shoes alphabetically by mood. She majored in dead languages and responded to every single question with "no worries." She once set the dorm microwave on fire by overcooking a ham-and-cheese Hot Pocket. Yes, that story is ridiculous and nonsensical ... sort of like naming a car Yaris.

7. Kia Forte Koup
As writers, we're particularly offended when companies take liberties with the English language in an effort to be cutesy — and this is no exception. We actually like this car! But Kia is asking us to overlook years of schooling and experience to accept their quirky spelling of coupe. It might require a few sessions with a therapist before we can get to that happy place.

6. Subaru B9 Tribeca
Here we've got a family crossover named after a fashionable neighborhood in lower Manhattan and ... a World War II bomber? Consumers didn't understand the B9 moniker either; that part of the name got the ax when Subaru redesigned the SUV for the 2008 model year.

5. Volkswagen Touareg
A few Volkswagens could've made this list, but the Touareg was easily the name that tripped up our American mouths the most. Early Touareg commercials in the U.S. even depicted people struggling to say the name. When an automaker has to spend precious time and ad dollars helping consumers learn to pronounce the car's name — something is wrong.

4. Ford Probe
There are many borderline inappropriate jokes you could make about a 1990s sport compact named Probe, but we're far too classy for that. Even if you don't take into account the tasteless jokes, this is just a bad car name. There is nothing cool about a probe (the word, not the car). What thesaurus was Ford using where probe was synonymous with sleek and sporty?

3. Subaru Brat
Although Brat is technically an acronym — it stands for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter — it's a particularly unfortunate one. "Brat" is almost never used to describe something positively. A brat is not a calm, confident driver who knows what he wants and how to get it. A brat is busy throwing a hissy fit in the corner because his mom won't let him borrow the car to go buy the new Styx album.

2. Isuzu VehiCROSS
Isuzu deserves a little credit for creating an attention-grabbing crossover before it was even a recognized vehicle segment, but the name practically beats consumers over the head with the idea (think SUV plus a cross-training sneaker). Add to that the unnecessary capitalization and the fact that VehiCROSS is a mouthful, and you have one bad name.

1. Ford Aspire
It's pretty safe to say that many drivers' dream cars fall under the category of sports car or luxury auto; few children hope to one day spend their commuting hours behind the wheel of a 63-horsepower subcompact hatchback. When Ford slapped the Aspire name on the back of this car, they were basically saying: "Yeah, even our car knows you wish you were driving something cooler."
Old 12-16-2009, 01:34 PM
  #2  
E92
 
TommySalami's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: socal
Age: 36
Posts: 8,039
Received 93 Likes on 69 Posts
All companies that have switched to the alphabet soup style of naming their cars should be on that list too, including Acura. Legend>RL
Old 12-16-2009, 02:48 PM
  #3  
Your Friendly Canadian
 
Aman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,431
Received 1,485 Likes on 1,049 Posts
I'd rather have a tacky name then two letters/numbers, etc.
Old 12-16-2009, 03:04 PM
  #4  
registered pw
 
dallison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes on 252 Posts
don't forget rondo and esteem
Old 12-16-2009, 03:05 PM
  #5  
registered pw
 
dallison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes on 252 Posts
esp all of gm's lineup that is named for high class cities. malibu, monte carlo etc. There is no chance that you will ever see one of these in those cities.
Old 12-16-2009, 03:10 PM
  #6  
LIST/RAMEN/WING MAHSTA 짱
iTrader: (16)
 
princelybug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 22,454
Received 207 Likes on 158 Posts
Originally Posted by dallison
don't forget rondo and esteem
Old 12-16-2009, 03:19 PM
  #7  
Not Registered
 
Bdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Virginia
Age: 52
Posts: 5,829
Received 87 Likes on 49 Posts
What about a Honda Life Dunk?
Old 12-16-2009, 03:22 PM
  #8  
Senior Moderator
 
LuvMyTSX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NY
Age: 45
Posts: 14,667
Received 13 Likes on 11 Posts
I have to agree with all those, and also add a few myself (Rondo, Borrego, Tiguan, etc.). Yaris is just retarded, and the car itself looks cartoonish. I really can't stand Lincoln's naming system. I have no idea which car is which.
Old 12-16-2009, 03:29 PM
  #9  
The Box
 
vas25tl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 6,680
Received 80 Likes on 59 Posts
I have no clue what Lincoln's new line up consists of, don't know which car is which.

I also don't know why BMW went back to 328, 528, etc. instead of sticking with 525, 530, etc.
Old 12-16-2009, 03:51 PM
  #10  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
Originally Posted by dallison
esp all of gm's lineup that is named for high class cities. malibu, monte carlo etc. There is no chance that you will ever see one of these in those cities.
that's true! Except for maybe the 60s Malibu.

A lot of JDM cars have Engrish names. Like the Honda That's, Isuzu Mysterious Utility, and some other car/truck with Dump in it's name.

Then there's the Celebrity which is laughable because of the car it was, and then there's the Chevy LUV. I didn't know it stood for light utility vehicle until a friend of mine told me.
Old 12-16-2009, 04:02 PM
  #11  
Senior Moderator
 
F23A4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Age: 56
Posts: 17,896
Received 1,666 Likes on 930 Posts
Honestly some of the worst car names I've seen come from Nissan's Japanese market models. Thankfully, they have sense enough to name the USDM models with most of us in mind.
Old 12-16-2009, 04:15 PM
  #12  
The sizzle in the Steak
 
Moog-Type-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 71,436
Received 1,877 Likes on 1,297 Posts
Honda P-nut
Old 12-16-2009, 04:18 PM
  #13  
Evil Mazda Driver
 
PortlandRL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Age: 37
Posts: 11,212
Received 174 Likes on 89 Posts
In Japan the first generation Lexus RX300 is called the Toyota Harrier. Probably wise of them to change the name.
Old 12-16-2009, 05:32 PM
  #14  
Trolling Canuckistan
 
black label's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114
Age: 50
Posts: 10,453
Received 811 Likes on 644 Posts
Originally Posted by TommySalami
All companies that have switched to the alphabet soup style of naming their cars should be on that list too, including Acura. Legend>RL
Except Porsche who used to just use numbers (356,550,944,928,911) then when everyone else went "alphanumeric" with their names Porsche went back to actual names (Boxster, Cayman, Carrera, Targa).
Old 12-16-2009, 05:40 PM
  #15  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
juniorbean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The QC
Posts: 28,461
Received 1,760 Likes on 1,046 Posts
Originally Posted by vas25tl
I also don't know why BMW went back to 328, 528, etc. instead of sticking with 525, 530, etc.
I always thought it had to do with engine size... so a 528 is a 5-series with a 2.8L engine a 330 is a 3-series with a 3.0L engine, and so on. Could be wrong but I always thought that was how BMW labeled their cars...
Old 12-16-2009, 05:50 PM
  #16  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
IIRC BMW names their models in terms of size and the latter two numbers are what they feel the power equivalent of the engine is. Ie the 335i puts out what a 3.5 liter inline-6 of theirs would put out
Old 12-16-2009, 06:03 PM
  #17  
Senior Moderator
 
Ken1997TL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes on 1,309 Posts
Makes me tempted to rebadge my RL as a Legend
Old 12-16-2009, 06:49 PM
  #18  
Senior Moderator
 
neuronbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland area, OH
Posts: 20,015
Received 4,613 Likes on 2,193 Posts
I almost rebadged my RL as a Legend as well. I even had the vendor chosen...then I sold the car.
Old 12-16-2009, 08:57 PM
  #19  
Instructor
 
MiataNut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I disagree about the BRAT - it fit the vehicle perfectly (and I want one)

I never thought Probe was so bad, either - the writer seems to equate it with like a medical probe - ouch - but I think they meant more like a space probe

Ford has their share of bad ones though, I mean is there anyone who in their group of friends doesn't refer to Taurus as Tore-Ass or Aspire as Ass-Fire??
Old 12-16-2009, 09:33 PM
  #20  
Registered but harmless
 
Will Y.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,847
Received 1,107 Likes on 765 Posts
Originally Posted by juniorbean
I always thought it had to do with engine size... so a 528 is a 5-series with a 2.8L engine a 330 is a 3-series with a 3.0L engine, and so on. Could be wrong but I always thought that was how BMW labeled their cars...
It used to be-- until the generation preceding the turbo cars. I don't recall if there was any actual displacement difference between the _25i and _28i, but the _28 was an upgraded model. The _35i was the top V6 in the 5- and 7-series, replaced by the _30i in the prior gen. Then with the advent of the 335 twin-turbo, the NA _30i became a _28i while the turbo used the _35i designation.

....I think.

The 740/750/760 designations became more confusing after BMW stopped making the 735i and starting using both the V8 and V12.



Hey, I liked Ford's "Probe" name, and the 2nd gen GT was a neat car!
Old 12-16-2009, 09:42 PM
  #21  
Instructor
 
MiataNut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Will Y.
It used to be-- until the generation preceding the turbo cars. I don't recall if there was any actual displacement difference between the _25i and _28i, but the _28 was an upgraded model.
Yes in the late 90s/early 00s, a 325 was a 2.5 I6, a 328 was a 2.8 - but where it got nutty was a 323, which was the base model, was ALSO a 2.5L at one point....
Old 12-17-2009, 02:09 AM
  #22  
CL6
My only car is a Bus
 
CL6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Republik of Kalifornia
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I don't know that anybody as ever aspired to drive a Ford Aspire or, if they did, they should have set a higher goal for themselves.
Old 12-17-2009, 04:36 AM
  #23  
E92
 
TommySalami's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: socal
Age: 36
Posts: 8,039
Received 93 Likes on 69 Posts
Originally Posted by black label
Except Porsche who used to just use numbers (356,550,944,928,911) then when everyone else went "alphanumeric" with their names Porsche went back to actual names (Boxster, Cayman, Carrera, Targa).
Yeah, what's the deal with the 911? Isn't it the 911 carrera, 911 gt3, etc.?
Old 12-17-2009, 08:03 AM
  #24  
Drifting
 
03silvertypeS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Age: 43
Posts: 2,612
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
I know Mercedes-Benz uses the engine size method for their numbers as well (with a few exceptions). Forexample: AMG 55 = 5.5L V8, 600 = 6.0L V12, 430 = 4.3L V8, 500 = 5.0L V8, 320 = 3.2L V6, etc

On a side note, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Vibe yet for a poor name choice.
Old 12-17-2009, 08:36 AM
  #25  
Low is a Lifestyle.
 
CGP CL9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i the Smart ForTwo is a terrible name
+ VW Thing
Old 12-17-2009, 09:17 AM
  #26  
Your Friendly Canadian
 
Aman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,431
Received 1,485 Likes on 1,049 Posts
^ I think VW Thing was a suitable name for the car.
Old 12-17-2009, 09:45 AM
  #27  
Suzuka Master
 
nokiaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Maryland
Posts: 6,271
Received 236 Likes on 97 Posts
Originally Posted by TommySalami
Yeah, what's the deal with the 911? Isn't it the 911 carrera, 911 gt3, etc.?
Porsche's system is a bit trickier to explain I think. Every model has a numeric designations 911 for the Carrera models or 987 for the Cayman for example. I always thought that the names were to identify the different variants available with the car: Carrera S, Carrera 4S, GT3, GT3RS etc.
Old 12-17-2009, 10:18 AM
  #28  
registered pw
 
dallison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes on 252 Posts
renault encore. what were they applauding?
Old 12-17-2009, 10:22 AM
  #29  
Team Owner
 
TS_eXpeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 23,451
Received 54 Likes on 27 Posts
As far as acura goes, I actually prefer the letter naming of the vehicles, vs. actual names.
Old 12-17-2009, 12:06 PM
  #30  
Suzuka Master
 
TzarChasm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Age: 52
Posts: 6,732
Received 233 Likes on 166 Posts
What about the "No Go" Chevy Nova? WTF is an Escalade? How about the Austin Princess? The Ford Fairlane? Who dosn't want to kick something with a name like Prius?

There are some seriously bad names out there they didn't even mention. This list fails.
Old 12-17-2009, 12:19 PM
  #31  
99 TL, 06 E350
 
Black Tire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
Age: 44
Posts: 5,030
Received 164 Likes on 110 Posts
Originally Posted by dallison
esp all of gm's lineup that is named for high class cities. malibu, monte carlo etc. There is no chance that you will ever see one of these in those cities.
HAHAHHA...you got a good point. All the M-B/BMW have less exotic names than these Chevy's.
Old 12-17-2009, 08:01 PM
  #32  
Rooting for Acura
iTrader: (1)
 
knight rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Austin Burbs
Posts: 8,076
Received 1,765 Likes on 804 Posts
9. Hyundai Equus
The inclusion of the Equus might be premature considering it's not even on sale yet, but this could be the push Hyundai needs to give the car a proper name before it's released. Companies occasionally give Latin names to products to make them sound sophisticated or fancy, but Equus just makes us think of the Broadway play of the same name — most recently starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.

I believe Equus is latin for horse, so the concept is cool but if the word doesn't roll off of your tongue when someone asks, "what kind of car do you drive?" it's pretty much a bad name.

I think "Acura Legend" was one of the best car names ever. It rolled off the tongue nicely AND it was prophetic.
Old 12-17-2009, 08:03 PM
  #33  
Rooting for Acura
iTrader: (1)
 
knight rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Austin Burbs
Posts: 8,076
Received 1,765 Likes on 804 Posts
...oh and pretty much any car with a name that doesn't quite describe the car very well is a bad name too. The Dodge Dart comes to mind.

edit: Buick Grand National was a kick ass name too!

Last edited by knight rider; 12-17-2009 at 08:06 PM.
Old 12-18-2009, 05:58 AM
  #34  
Banned
 
CocheseUGA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Age: 45
Posts: 18,761
Received 960 Likes on 593 Posts
How about the Chevrolet Citation? I think you get a citation for not having any taste.
Old 12-18-2009, 08:18 AM
  #35  
registered pw
 
dallison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: south central pa
Age: 49
Posts: 38,821
Received 354 Likes on 252 Posts
buick terraza
chevy sprint

daihatsu charade
isuzu stylus
Old 12-18-2009, 09:36 AM
  #36  
Registered but harmless
 
Will Y.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,847
Received 1,107 Likes on 765 Posts
Hey, WTF is a "Camaro"-- animal, vegetable or mineral?

Why name a car after a small ship type -- "Corvette"?

"Legend" is fine, but WTH is an "Integra" or "Camry"?


Last edited by Will Y.; 12-18-2009 at 09:38 AM.
Old 12-18-2009, 10:23 AM
  #37  
I shoot people
 
is300eater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 22,434
Received 2,947 Likes on 1,447 Posts
I've always hated the Japanese version of the Infinti M-"Fuga". I always think of "fugly"
Old 12-18-2009, 11:13 AM
  #38  
In the Mid-South meow
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
SuperTrooper169's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Music City
Age: 47
Posts: 10,799
Received 2,151 Likes on 1,097 Posts
Hyundai Excel... kind of an oxymoron IMO.
Old 12-18-2009, 11:31 AM
  #39  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
I think the Camaro is a cool name of course the supposed premise behind the naming is pretty lame, but I think it rolls off the tongue nicely. Plus the nameplate is one of the longest lasting ever for a sporty car along the likes of Corvette and Mustang.
Old 12-18-2009, 11:54 AM
  #40  
'10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
 
Eoanou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CT
Age: 38
Posts: 4,779
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
I like letters and numbers, bad names can really ruin a car's image.


Quick Reply: Top 10 Worst Car Names



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 PM.