Coolness factor?
11-16-2004, 10:09 PM
#1
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Coolness factor?
I'm looking for a general thought from you guys. Which one has the higher coolness factor?
Mazda RX8 or Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler
I'm not talking seating or storage capacity of usefulness or practicality. Which one is the cooler car?
Mazda RX8 or Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler
I'm not talking seating or storage capacity of usefulness or practicality. Which one is the cooler car?
11-16-2004, 10:20 PM
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Of course my, and anyone else's, response is purely subjective, but the Prowler looks like something a guy would buy if he was somewhat insecure and needed attention. Sure, the RX-8 attracts attention, but the Prowler doesn't do anything but attract attention.
You buy a Prowler if you think you have no other way of picking up women, the car isn't really about performance or practicality, it is about looking good, and I personally would debate that it even fails at this.
You know the nerd in high school who tried to do everything the cool kids did, wore all the clothes the cool kids wore? He tried so hard that his attempts to be cool backfired on him, instead of making him cool they made him laughable. To me the Prowler is the automotive version of that poor kid.
You buy a Prowler if you think you have no other way of picking up women, the car isn't really about performance or practicality, it is about looking good, and I personally would debate that it even fails at this.
You know the nerd in high school who tried to do everything the cool kids did, wore all the clothes the cool kids wore? He tried so hard that his attempts to be cool backfired on him, instead of making him cool they made him laughable. To me the Prowler is the automotive version of that poor kid.
Last edited by kilted; 11-16-2004 at 10:59 PM.
11-16-2004, 10:27 PM
#5
Originally Posted by Gomez
Ahhh C'mon, the Prowler has nailed the 8 in this one....No contest.
I'd sell my left one for a Prowler
I'd sell my left one for a Prowler
the prowler is one of the least functional cars on the market and one thing to think about...it has one of the worst turning radiuses in any car, period (number one complaint).
plus who wants a car from a company that doesn't exist anymore?? parts anyone? bueller? bueller? anyone?
11-16-2004, 10:27 PM
#6
When I see a Prowler, I see a failed car that was discontinued.
It ran around $46,000.
It ran around $46,000.
The Prowler has easily the roughest, most uncomfortable ride of any new car sold in America, and that includes the Viper. But there is no handling benefit from the ride penalty, as there is with the Viper and other sports cars. Handling on smooth pavement is acceptable, but the car skitters over bumps. This is sadly ironic for a car that features race car-style pushrod front suspension.
Cowl shake, the twisting of the body when the car runs over bumps, is a problem on all open cars, but it makes driving the Prowler quickly a virtual impossibility because the steering wheel moves in the driver's hands as the body flexes. The rear-view mirror is useless on all but the smoothest road, because it too, is in constant motion.
The Prowler moves briskly, but not quickly, despite its muscle car pretensions. The lack of a V-8 is cited as the primary obstacle to acceptance by the kind of customers who write $20,000 checks to their Harley dealer for turn-key custom American hardware. A V-8 would give the Prowler true performance credentials, and would produce an exhaust note worthy of a hot-rod. The Prowler's V-6 engine blats a flat drone out the pipes that is well, loud, but uninspiring.
The lack of a manual transmission has been covered thoroughly in the past, so we won't flog that deceased equine. But the abrupt shifts of the four-speed automatic, seemingly intended to emphasize the modest performance available, instead only irritated this driver.
Finally, in terms of practicality, the Prowler makes the Miata look like a minivan. The space for occupants is cramped. The view out with the top up is non-existent. There is space in the trunk for a briefcase or an artist's portfolio - but not both. It would be difficult to execute a weekend getaway for two in a Prowler to any destination other than a nudist colony.
Cowl shake, the twisting of the body when the car runs over bumps, is a problem on all open cars, but it makes driving the Prowler quickly a virtual impossibility because the steering wheel moves in the driver's hands as the body flexes. The rear-view mirror is useless on all but the smoothest road, because it too, is in constant motion.
The Prowler moves briskly, but not quickly, despite its muscle car pretensions. The lack of a V-8 is cited as the primary obstacle to acceptance by the kind of customers who write $20,000 checks to their Harley dealer for turn-key custom American hardware. A V-8 would give the Prowler true performance credentials, and would produce an exhaust note worthy of a hot-rod. The Prowler's V-6 engine blats a flat drone out the pipes that is well, loud, but uninspiring.
The lack of a manual transmission has been covered thoroughly in the past, so we won't flog that deceased equine. But the abrupt shifts of the four-speed automatic, seemingly intended to emphasize the modest performance available, instead only irritated this driver.
Finally, in terms of practicality, the Prowler makes the Miata look like a minivan. The space for occupants is cramped. The view out with the top up is non-existent. There is space in the trunk for a briefcase or an artist's portfolio - but not both. It would be difficult to execute a weekend getaway for two in a Prowler to any destination other than a nudist colony.
11-16-2004, 10:32 PM
#7
Originally Posted by truemagellen
plus who wants a car from a company that doesn't exist anymore?? parts anyone? bueller? bueller? anyone?
11-16-2004, 10:41 PM
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Heh, don't worry, I don't plan on buying one. I saw one today and the thought just came to me. Plymouth is not out of business; it was squeezed into Dodge and Chrysler. Note the Neon and Voyager.
Do you think the Crossfire came from the Prowler dying? They do seem to have only one unusual car at a time over there at Diamler-Chrysler.
Do you think the Crossfire came from the Prowler dying? They do seem to have only one unusual car at a time over there at Diamler-Chrysler.
11-16-2004, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by truemagellen
are you being sarcastic mate?
the prowler is one of the least functional cars on the market and one thing to think about...it has one of the worst turning radiuses in any car, period (number one complaint).
plus who wants a car from a company that doesn't exist anymore?? parts anyone? bueller? bueller? anyone?
the prowler is one of the least functional cars on the market and one thing to think about...it has one of the worst turning radiuses in any car, period (number one complaint).
plus who wants a car from a company that doesn't exist anymore?? parts anyone? bueller? bueller? anyone?
Ten years from now the RX-8 will be worth a quarter of what it costs now, and the Prowler will be worth twice what it cost new....Mark my words.
Gomez.
11-16-2004, 10:48 PM
#13
Originally Posted by Gomez
Hang on, you've changed the rules! See the first post......
Ten years from now the RX-8 will be worth a quarter of what it costs now, and the Prowler will be worth twice what it cost new....Mark my words.
Gomez.
Ten years from now the RX-8 will be worth a quarter of what it costs now, and the Prowler will be worth twice what it cost new....Mark my words.
Gomez.
If everyone collected superman comics from the begining, superman issue #1 wouldn't be worth squat either. But that doesn't mean it became a better comic from being rare. It just happened to be rare.
11-17-2004, 01:26 AM
#20
Originally Posted by EZZY
Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler
reason: there are very few of them here in australia......
reason: there are very few of them here in australia......
11-17-2004, 01:42 AM
#22
I already have a few sets from a trip a several years ago, I did visit Melbourne...hot as hell there 
then cooled down nice at night...like the desert
beautiful place your living though Gomez and Ezzy (although getting lost in the red light district of Syndey 3am isn't the brightest idea)
then cooled down nice at night...like the desertbeautiful place your living though Gomez and Ezzy (although getting lost in the red light district of Syndey 3am isn't the brightest idea
)
11-17-2004, 02:19 AM
#23
RainMan is Back
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Whealy sold a prowler to get his 8...
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=prowler
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=prowler
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=prowler
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=prowler
11-17-2004, 02:25 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by truemagellen
I already have a few sets from a trip a several years ago, I did visit Melbourne...hot as hell there then cooled down nice at night...like the desert
then cooled down nice at night...like the desert
Originally Posted by truemagellen
beautiful place your living though Gomez and Ezzy (although getting lost in the red light district of Syndey 3am isn't the brightest idea )
)
11-29-2004, 10:01 AM
#25
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Sorry, late to the post …
Attention – You get quite a bit attention in an “8”. You get complete attention when you drive a Prowler. Incidentally, something I didn’t like.
Handling – I drove both of these vehicles on the Dragon. I believe the “8” handles better, but the Prowler is no slouch. I believe the harsh ride (which was improved in 2001 and up models) does improve the handling, but not as good as the “8”.
Power – the two cars are nearly identical in this category with the Prowler being a little quicker.
Resale value – The owners are still complaining about this. Currently there are NEW Prowlers still on dealer lots. They made about 11,000 total from 97 – 2002 (no 98 and switching from Plymouth to Chrysler as previously mentioned) The original sticker was $45K. You could get a new one still sitting for about $37K and one with low miles around $30K. So currently it experiences deprecation like almost any other car. But given it’s low production level, I believe the comments of prices rising over time will hold somewhat true. But how far out is still undecided. And keep in mind most folks didn’t embrace it for its smaller engine and lack of a manual transmission for a hot rod. The transmission is the same that the old 300 (late 90’s to a few years ago). When Chrysler designed the car, they didn’t have a passenger car V8. So when it came time for the next Halo car, the upped it even more with a V10 (Viper)
Usability – Well yea the “8” is more usable. But that’s because the Prowler was totally un-usable. That’s like saying whatever car you are driving is smaller than an Excursion since it’s the largest vehicle (yes there are bigger but you get the idea) on the road. I think most people would ding the “8” in this category compared to most cars that are four seaters.
Web presence – Both have great web sites. Check out www.prowleronline.com if you want more info on the Prowler option.
JMO
Attention – You get quite a bit attention in an “8”. You get complete attention when you drive a Prowler. Incidentally, something I didn’t like.
Handling – I drove both of these vehicles on the Dragon. I believe the “8” handles better, but the Prowler is no slouch. I believe the harsh ride (which was improved in 2001 and up models) does improve the handling, but not as good as the “8”.
Power – the two cars are nearly identical in this category with the Prowler being a little quicker.
Resale value – The owners are still complaining about this. Currently there are NEW Prowlers still on dealer lots. They made about 11,000 total from 97 – 2002 (no 98 and switching from Plymouth to Chrysler as previously mentioned) The original sticker was $45K. You could get a new one still sitting for about $37K and one with low miles around $30K. So currently it experiences deprecation like almost any other car. But given it’s low production level, I believe the comments of prices rising over time will hold somewhat true. But how far out is still undecided. And keep in mind most folks didn’t embrace it for its smaller engine and lack of a manual transmission for a hot rod. The transmission is the same that the old 300 (late 90’s to a few years ago). When Chrysler designed the car, they didn’t have a passenger car V8. So when it came time for the next Halo car, the upped it even more with a V10 (Viper)
Usability – Well yea the “8” is more usable. But that’s because the Prowler was totally un-usable. That’s like saying whatever car you are driving is smaller than an Excursion since it’s the largest vehicle (yes there are bigger but you get the idea) on the road. I think most people would ding the “8” in this category compared to most cars that are four seaters.
Web presence – Both have great web sites. Check out www.prowleronline.com if you want more info on the Prowler option.
JMO
