Dodge Is Bangin' On Deaths Door, But Can Combining Two Ancient Mopar Concepts Save It?

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I've been saying for years that we need a return of stripper models. Cars I mean. Im so sick of the unnecessary technology. And im not alone. Less is more

[@timothykeith1367]

Even the low priced cars have so many regulatory mandates that manufacturers lose money on them

[@FrankTimms-cs5hl]

Last time I checked even the cheapest of new econo boxes available today comes standard with power windows,locks and mirrors plus all the modern features new cars have including an infotainment screen. No physical key but a key fob. Even the “fleet optioned”(Charger pursuit)vehicles have power accessories/screens. It would be refreshing to have the option to buy something simple with 75% manual controls like what you could get in the 80s-early 2000s. I know a manual transmission is likely not happening but it would be nice.

[@legros731]

​@@FrankTimms-cs5hlwould be nice for sure but nobody wants that Like you said AC,power windows/lock,abs, traction control,12 air bag and giant ipad infotainment system are all the norm and gazillion HP with a small unreliable turbo engine Manual are doom because you can have a DTC that shift 0.2 second faster going to work in a traffic jam lol what a joke To my knowledge road are not drag strip or road course I want to enjoy my car not my car doing everything for me Imagine today engine tech in a 1995 2200lbs civic that would get incredible gaz mileage a brand new one weight 2935lbs

[@polaridoo1]

It would be nice to have a basic inexpensive car option. 20+ years ago most manufacturers offered a budget / basic option. I never thought I would miss those vehicles.

[@andrewslagle1974]

@@timothykeith1367 due to the democrat marxist party!

[@terryschnereger8531]

No more ev's. I'm done hearing about them.

[@alan6832]

Strangely, they excel on the drag strip, right where the die hard gassers hang out; but EV's also excel in the gridlock of major cities, right where they have the most political support; so they have a place and a roll. We need a decade more at least of plug in hybrid development with smaller and smaller IC-Engines before EV's become competitive outside the biggest cities. We should have had a decade where the average hybrid IC Engine was under 10 hp before making a major move to EV's

[@legion7478]

@@alan6832 Strangely, they are worse for the planet than REAL cars

[@terryschnereger8531]

@@alan6832 10hp, what mellinium are you from??

[@thisandthataboutcarstoolsa8659]

I remember seeing something about a briggs and stratton car. I want to say it was a hybrid with a 16 Hp motor. It was a concept car of course but they built one.

[@alan6832]

@@thisandthataboutcarstoolsa8659 It was on the Jay Leno Channel, and well done. 40 years of development on that and we would be in a pretty good place.

[@briansd2772]

I agree. I'm ready for cars to stop being computers on wheels.

[@sorryociffer]

It’s why I just bought an 05 V-10 Excursion and 06 8.1L Suburban from down south. Not only completely rust free, but SIMPLE to work on. It’s as new as I will go ANYMORE.

[@wheelieking71]

@@sorryociffer Same here! My main vehicle is an '06 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 Cummins, manufactured 3 months from the switch to the 6.7, with which came twice as many wires, computers, DEF fluid, and DPF filter. And it is my last truck! I will never own a newer truck. I live in AZ, and have been spinning wrenches my entire life. This truck can easily be made to last longer than the number of years I have left. There is no truck currently on the market the same can be said about. Every single thing available today is disposable. And the main reason is electronics.

[@redlight3932]

Toyota made a new analog truck bare bones, too bad we can't buy them here

[@davidreed3165]

Never gonna happen. They can’t track and monitor you without a computer onboard.

[@scottbrown7415]

Man! You are about forty seven years late to catch that boat!

[@garyoffill562]

I bought a Challenger new in 2010. Today it has over 360,000 miles. Still runs, and gets compliments. It still sold well and as far as I'm concerned it was a well built car. It was a timeless classic.

[@sorryociffer]

What’s crazy is if Dodge ditched all of their electronics and “extras” like he is advocating for, their reliability and durability would improve 10,000% and be market leading.

[@DanTheMailman330]

Yes! Make them fun, reliable and affordable!!! Like the roadrunner! Frankly, that's also what a 1990s Honda Civic was, too...

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Turd motors

[@OscarGarcia-sk8px]

True but the Feds would come down on them like a ton of bricks.

[@ethantracy337]

They have made garbage forever. Good riddens.

[@mexicanspec]

Abd that is what they don't want. The company doesn't make money on you driving the car for 20 years.

[@therusyn]

The Chrysler brand turns 100 years old this year. The state of affairs is a damn shame.

[@donharvey8823]

Exactly been waiting a long time now to see who would be the first one that I saw to mention the centennial of the great Chrysler corporation you're it. good job! Crickets , otherwise . Amazing! What gives? Says a lot nowadays.. Cudas (kudos) to you!

[@therusyn]

@@donharvey8823 The centennial of the corporation is next year. The centennial of the Chrysler brand is this year.

[@bill90405]

Hope it makes it. Not interested in their cars though.

[@therusyn]

What made MoPar MoPar was the collective intellect and daring of Walter Chrysler and his three top engineers, Zeder, Breer and Skelton. Together, they bucked the industry by placing truth and function above guesswork and whimsy. They made successful cars no one else would have, and advanced the industry like no one else. They’d be shocked by the state of Chrysler and Dodge, and pity the lack of courage, imagination, and just plain common sense. America, you blew it up. @@bill90405

[@eugenepolan1750]

@@therusyn Dodge's centennial was 10 years ago. Just as Ford named car each series after a letter of the alphabet, so did Dodge. You may have even ridden in or driven one of their most famous letter series cars, the Dodge M Cars. These were the early electric-powered Dodges, not the Electro-Bats. You can still find working examples that you can experience at places like Cedar Pointe Amusement Park. As you would expect, these Dodge M Cars had advanced technology, including 10 mph bumpers AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF THE VEHICLE. They also had safety belts, that's right, safety belts, decades before they were mandated by the federal government. I'm sure that these and other Dodge letter-series cars made a big impression on Walter Chrysler, because even though he had only recently started the Plymouth division of Chrysler, when the Dodge Brothers company became available after Horace and John had passed away, he added Dodge as a division of Chrysler.

[@rodneyhall81]

We want knobs and switches not an overly complicated touch screen! Great idea Tony

[@tedesco455]

At this point the touch screen is cheaper to make.

[@blakerodriguez5999]

@@tedesco455exactly what I just said. It’s cheaper to make a door open with a button and solenoid vs using traditional hardware…

[@blakerodriguez5999]

@@tedesco455now, will they charge 250$ for a replacement solenoid or button… yes.. but it only cost them pennies on the dollar.

[@rmnixon14]

The only reason to buy one now is if you always wanted you know it is now or never . The only good thing about is that other manufacturers have ones that are even worse.

[@rcnelson]

Most car buyers will disagree, and therein lies the problem.

[@aprules2]

Tony this is too intelligent for the modern automakers.

[@retro440]

Uncle Tony is a wise and knowledgeable man and a vanishing breed.

[@hyperluminalreality1]

Go read the Wikipedia entry for the Electrobat car. Dodhe had zero to do with it. Dodge was not founded until 6 years after the Electrobat was made. 1894 and 1900. There were only about 12 in New York (not a thousand) and they did not compete with horse drawn carriages at the time. Tony is just so very inaccurate here.

[@edbeck8925]

We have people who can't change a tire, making the rules and decisions. I heard some clown from the EPA talking about the new MPG standards. He said they were making good jobs.

[@thinkfaster6451]

Dodge has not been “Dodge” for quite a while..

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Since the Mercedes merger

[@averagefusionenjoyer7096]

​@@The_R-n-I_Guy basically all modern chargers and challengers are is just redressed & faceswapped benz's

[@ripvanrevs]

I have a RAM (Fiat)

[@Richard-or2km]

@@The_R-n-I_Guy Look at the early to mid-eighties chargers, almost laughable.

[@northof5331]

For me since the bailout in 78 dodge hasn't been a dodge

[@JCVACCARO]

Ram should sell a reg cab short bed 2wd 1500 with a standard 392 along with a Hellcat and Redeye HO option. Then give it some 3:91 or 4:10 gears, lower it a few inches and give it a performance suspension with a cool name. Give it a standard work truck interior with an option to load it up if you wanted. It would be awesome. You can buy this truck at Ford right now with their dealer installed supercharger option with their 5.0 anyway you want. A stripper reg cab 2wd work truck all the way up to a 4x4 crew cab.

[@Chris-adams-rc-journey]

😍

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

About 10 years ago they sold the Ram Hemi Express that was a no frills Hemi powered truck with painted bumpers grille for $20k (2wd) and $25k (4x4 quad cab).

[@Soundsofthewood]

I don't think it would sell that good. Performance trucks weren't really as popular as it seem to be. The best idea was when Ford came out with the raptor. Dodge could do that(TRX does exist). However they need to make it affordable with variable options for all scales of customers.

[@bradrock7731]

I would rather they brought back the Dart. With a slant six, roll up windows, ash tray & AM FM radio. OH! & a CARBURETOR! No computer & as few wires as possible. Thank you.

[@reallifehardtruth4465]

Slant 6 can easily be converted to FI, plus you can turbo anything now. If someone made a crossflow head for it I'd be all in

[@professorginz2379]

This is just stupid talk. It would never pass emissions requirements. I for one remember wee how the skies over cities looked before we had smog laws. It wasn't pretty. Los Angeles used to have Smog days where school children weren't allowed outside for recess or PE. I have no desire to return to that.

[@spaceflight1019]

​@@reallifehardtruth4465Australia had a slant 6 Hemi, IIRC.

[@spaceflight1019]

​@@professorginz2379Is it any better now? No matter how good it gets, it's never good enough. The first Spanish explorers found the LA basin to be filled with Native American campfire smoke.

[@tedesco455]

@@professorginz2379truth

[@mattcasoni]

1. Tony is 100% correct 2. To make it $35k they’ll need to plan it to sell at $18k 3. I need the car Tony described.

[@andynicoll8566]

No one (well not as many) wants new cars! They've become too invasive, too technical, too disposable. They've become so integrated any small failure is so expensive it's often to much to repair.

[@theendarkenment]

Tony you’re right there is a segment of us who don’t want special gadgets and doodads doubling the cost of a vehicle. I bought my 2500 Ram with as few options as I could get away with. It’s a truck, I don’t need to be pampered or anything, I need to haul shit around.

[@jlsracing997]

The only thing in your idea I don't want is the electric part. Batteries are heavy which is just a hurdle to performance and I don't want to have anything to do with ev's.

[@billschultz7459]

You took the words out of my...ahhh...keyboard!

[@donhill1825]

I get what you're saying about the battery but I don't think it's an actual issue. I recently drove a friend's Model 3 Performance & it will annihilate pretty much anything in existence from stoplight to stoplight. I'm no tree hugger but the EVs easily overcome the weight of the battery.

[@jlsracing997]

@@donhill1825 I really don't care how fast they are either. All it means if you use that power is you are going to be sitting around charging it for an hour or so. And then if it gets cold you aren't going very far, or should I say much less far than normal.

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

True, stop light to stop light. But no fun, no sound, no smell, no kick/shift, no life.

[@donhill1825]

​@@jlsracing997 Wasn't your original criticism that the battery itself is a hurdle to performance?...The charging piece is only an issue if you plan on driving a couple hundred miles a day. If you do, EV's aren't for you. Most people charge at home overnight. The friend in question lives in the cold Northeast we drove in freezing weather, the car got us where we needed to go for the day & we had a blast doing it. These EV's are quick as Hell & get 100mpge. They fit really well into most people's lives. At a certain point the criticisms start to sound like "I'll never drive a horse-less carriage, you can't even feed it hay & oats!"

[@ssnerd583]

OH YEAH....how do I give Tony a million thumbs up on this whole idea?!?!?!? But do it with a gas motor, please

[@545wei]

Politics won’t allow that. Obviously.

[@BigT27295]

That guberment cheese will get you in trouble...

[@0oo00]

Not if you're a Wahlberg 😄

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

It'll "block you up" and you can't purge 💩

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

💩😂💊😆

[@zephead4835]

"gubmint"

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

@@zephead4835 'Merkin gubmint?

[@joecrone9862]

Uncle Tony for transportation secretary! I'm callin the Donald !

[@fratzogmopars]

I second that, let’s boot Bootyjudge out.

[@stevieg2755]

He's not transgender

[@barrycuda3769]

And Ted Nugent for VP .

[@CreationsVibration]

The new EV advertising song "Like a brick"

[@sydrider6023]

Ford also had a successful product like that called the Mustang LX, they sure sold well.

[@SGT19671971]

None oof the car companies want to sell an inexpensive car period.

[@andrewslagle1974]

the democrat party and there edits and regulations have caused this wake up people!

[@muziklvr7776]

Yup, less profit.

[@vorpalblades]

Guess that's why they do it in every other country on the planet.

[@jeffwhaley2233]

You've again outdone yourself! I've waited for someone to speak on this topic. You nailed it.

[@timbullough3513]

Mid to late 90s cars were really good. Computers were fairly limited to running the engine. No ABS and computers to measure drivers sweat and pulse. I enjoy my 2020 Fusion and 2018 Taurus ... but the comparative simplicity of my 99 Mustang is a breath of fresh air. One computer. Extremely analogue HVAC. No screens. 6 dials on the dash. Perfection was achieved in late 90s automotive simplicity.

[@juicebokz7743]

My 1997 CRV and 1993 Ranger agree with this statement.

[@donovanlong648]

Got a 96 mustang in my driveway, and out of all my vehicles, it is the easiest to drive and work on!😊

[@FrankTimms-cs5hl]

My Ford panther platform cars agree. Simple & reliable.

[@Brownguy342]

Yes! I had a 2000 Jeep wrangler. Simple, rugged, and just enough technology to make it “better “.

[@paultrouskie1825]

Agreed. Love my 96 Impala SS. Owned it for 26 years now. No problems.

[@nicksnarski5973]

You can thank the EPA and the federal government for eliminating gas and diesel powered vehicles.

[@clembob8004]

Except they haven't been eliminated and won't be.

[@appleiphone69]

The manufacturers want to go EV. Easier and cheaper to build, less parts. More profits.

[@vorpalblades]

​@@appleiphone69They're not cheaper or easier to manufacture.

[@StreetLethalRacing]

Wrong people are pushing federal subsidies, which is the main reason they are pushing EV’s. The emissions debacle was corrected decades ago, but they dropped it. Ethanol produces zero HC, zero CO, zero NOx, and it produces the SAME amount of CO2 that it took to blend it so it’s CO2 content is neutral. You can’t get any cleaner than that. Same cannot be said with lithium batteries, which not only pollute the environment when making them, but also cause a huge problem when it comes to disposing them when they go bad. It’s sad when you have the wrong people in charge.

[@Black-Villain]

Not entirely true. Ethanol with any presence of gasoline is generally worse for NOx... E100 does produce very little NOx *if* you have severely retarded spark, it's close to if not more than gasoline if you run quite advanced spark for the added performance Ethanol gives you. It also still produces CO2 (albeit about half of gasoline last I checked). The main problem is that higher ethanol content fuels produce significantly more Acetaldehyde than gasoline, which is a carcinogen to humans in the local area (and is reactive for ground level ozone formation i.e. smog that settles in cities/valleys/etc)

[@656hookemhorns]

Ethanol produces less energy than it provides.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Evil you mean

[@shadowopsairman1583]

​@@656hookemhorns that is correct

[@757optim]

EVs are E-guzzlers and pollute more than ICBs net.

[@marioa1272]

Tony you're 100% right. Dodge Chrysler Plymouth let's build those cars again like we grew up with, people want something that they can recognize and understand. Let's see a satellite, how about a Coronet. Let's build a cheaper version, used the charger platform just rebadge . People will buy it, just make it simpler, just give so the choice !

[@4supertigers]

Get rid of the power adjusted seats too, damn things weigh about 100 pounds each. Dodge’s biggest problem is Lee Iacocca has gone to the great beyond, RIP Chrysler and Mr. Iacocca.

[@mexicanspec]

Do you really expect Americans to manually adjust their own seat?

[@lautburns4829]

Yes, just use the wrangler type! Grab the handle and lurch forward!😂👍

[@mexicanspec]

People are too lazy to do that the one time they adjust their seat the first time they get into it.@@lautburns4829

[@juicebokz7743]

Yeah electric seats is too heavy and expensive to fix and difficult to fix. I just need levers

[@4supertigers]

@@mexicanspec we’ve gotten soft over time. I miss working on a car that can be fixed without a computer diagnostic tool.

[@Joeski77]

The battery alone cost $25,000, since we have to import the materials for it we have no control over that cost. That's one reason EV's are failing. Dodgers needs to go back to combustible engines. Put a displacement V8 in it. It's 25 miles to 30 on the highway. No frills call it good 35 grand.

[@danw6014]

I saw a news story on KZbin of some guy who bought an EV of the Oriental favor. He ran over something that damaged the battery and the insurance company ended up totaling the car due to the cost of the battery.

[@richardjaatinen4423]

This is a great idea. Tony, the auto companies need to make stripper vehicles with big horsepower

[@MoparRatFink]

Dodge did in 2013, the Challenger Core model.

[@johnmcmullen456]

As much as I like the idea of a new stripper, it would be a sales disaster as only a select few 60+ year old baby boomers like me would buy it and result in little profit made per unit. Similarly Ram, GM, & Ford do offer stripper 1/2 ton work trucks with potent optional engines but sell very few. Most folks today want luxury appointments and the younger generation is into advanced technology and demand that in their vehicles. Manufacturers are more than willing to comply as it's the sale of loaded vehicles filling the coffers.

[@richardjaatinen4423]

@@johnmcmullen456 I agree with you about the younger generation wanting lots of technology in their vehicles and luxury but they don't know any different. If they set behind the wheel of the 68 Roadrunner they might think differently. And plus you got to think of the price. Luxury vehicles are very expensive

[@countryjoe3551]

Or make a stripper model that is fun to drive and get 45 MPG......

[@RW-zh7kl]

30 years ago the avg car payment was $260-280 for 60 months say, today for the same car its $650-700. That is absolutely crazy

[@PinkFZeppelin]

260 a month 30 years ago is a ton of money. The dollar halves in value every 10 years.

[@billyduffany3387]

Two things, one, I Never heard of a Dodge Hornet till this video. Two, I love the Challenger. I love the way they took the look of a classic Challenger and updated it like Ford did with the Mustang.

[@davidclemens1578]

Ironically I believe the original hornet was made in the 70s by AMC

[@deadon4847]

@@davidclemens1578 1970-1977.

[@Soundsofthewood]

I had to search up the hornet. I didn't know it existed.

[@JohnBarr-ys9zl]

I remember a conversation I had with the owner of Larry Griffiths LO Dart. He was THE man responsible for bringing back the HEMI and Chrysler Engineer, now retired. It was men like him that can pull them out of the rut and catastrophic downfall of over engineered computers on wheels.

[@sorryociffer]

The cost to value ratio is soooooooo off. Chrysler makes NICE LOOKING vehicles but their reliability and durability has been trash for 20-25 years…

[@cromBumny]

It's been trash since the 60s, the Challenger/charger of the last gen were the only ones that held up(according 5o Consumer Reports) so you are kinda right, and kinda wrong

[@sorryociffer]

@@cromBumny Modern dodges have always had sketchy electronics/electrical systems and mediocre transmissions. The drivetrains were their only salvation (the non Mitsubishi ones). Dodge has NEVER gotten a hand on corrosion resistance. My god, on a quiet night you can hear one rust. I see soooo many newer dodge trucks that are ASTONISHINGLY full of rust.

[@drg5352]

@@cromBumny Eh, having completely rebuilt the suspension and brakes on my mom's '11 Charger, I disagree on them being reliable. I've replaced parts that on older gens held up 3x the miles. At least the transmission has held up. So far.

[@7spadefish7]

Bullshit…I’ve actually owned several Dodges and Chryslers over the last 25 years and durability has been as good as anything else.

[@sorryociffer]

@@7spadefish7 Hopefully you bought mega millions lottery tickets because you were fucking lucky.

[@kidkv]

100k for a f-ing truck, are you joking me...

[@ripvanrevs]

I was once married to an electro bat 🦇🦇🦇

[@barrycuda3769]

Mine was a battle axe.

[@rupertbollywood1190]

Techno or electro? The debate rages on

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

What saved ya?? 😀

[@M_Phipps0520]

Make those heater controls 100% analog. A cable based control not electronic! I agree UT !!

[@avlisk]

The only Hornet I ever heard of was by AMC. I didn't even know there was a new Hornet. BTW, when a company bases its business model on a pack of lies in an attempt to appease a tyrant's agenda, no wonder Dodge is failing.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

It's a turd, mopar has been failing since the 1980s, ford aint no better

[@shannonfrench6893]

There was a Hudson Hornet too. My Dad was a big AMC fan but also liked Hudson, Studebaker and a few other car manufacturers that don't exist anymore. He died in February of '81 and I don't think he would like anything that is offered to us now.

[@gojoe2833]

The current Hornet is just another boring SUV with a lousy reputation. It was a big mistake and no one's buying them...

[@geraldscott4302]

There was also a Hornet made by Hudson, back in the '50s. What they are calling a Hornet today is actually an Alpha Romeo. One of the most unreliable cars ever made.

[@FrankTimms-cs5hl]

There actually are buyers for the new Hornet. Enterprise,Bugdet,Hertz,National,Alamo & Avis🤣🤣🤣

[@clarencehoover6748]

Tony, as an electrical engineer, I am certain there in no getting rid of software and computers in vehicles today for everything from energy management to emissions controls to safety systems. That reality is even more concrete in EVs. The energy stored in cells must be monitored and managed if you don’t want to get yourself or your garage in an inferno one day. That said: 1. I won’t purchase an EV car for a multiplicity of reasons. 2. I prefer analog interfaces as old school as possible. 3. ICE can be made to be efficient and reliable and serviceable IF those are the design criteria. 4. We should aim for modest design evolution towards higher reliability rather than design revolution that produces novel, but unreliable outcomes. 5. Safety must always trump novelty and “green revolutions.”

[@greganderson1989]

I own 3 Dodges but, I will never buy a new one. I’m done with Dodge.

[@Saint.Broseph]

Shut-up

[@Welcometofacsistube]

My last mopar product is my 2014 srt 300. I will not buy another new mopar

[@LongIslandMopars]

2 old Dodges in the garage and 3 Acuras in the driveway. I wanted to embrace modern Dodge but I can't forgive Daimler for giving us hope and then tossing us to the curb only to be acquired by a capital management company (Cerebus, really, c'mon). Then Fiat? Now the current conglomerate? Shaking my head. I'll never again know the company that built my dad's 66 Coronet and my 74 Charger.

[@Saint.Broseph]

@@LongIslandMopars Stay Humble.

[@bradleyphillips204]

I feel the same way about GM. Sad to see Chrysler headed in the toilet too.

[@me3333]

This Idea is too obvious to ever be noticed by Dodge....

[@adamboylan2307]

Great idea. Thought of it a million times. But the government will find a way to put a stop to it. Because it’s a great idea.

[@N2YTA]

What killed the electric car in the early twentieth century was the advent of the electric starter for gasoline powered cars.

[@professorginz2379]

It was Cadillac that invented the electric starter. And yes, before that women were not strong enough to start the car on their own. Virtually all women, and older men as well had really no choice but electric

[@brianbethune862]

People also broke their arms when the gas engine kicked back. This happened to my grandfather and he was a large and strong man.

[@lisam4503]

That and modifying the oiling system.

[@cutl00senc]

The steam engine cars were much more prevalent than electric vehicles. The electric starter killed the steam cars

[@chuckschillingvideos]

@@cutl00senc The point is....both existed and were in use at the same time before the electric starter improved the lives of every driver and made the IC engine the ubiquitous choice.

[@MoreBollocks-ui2zs]

This would be an interesting concept for a Dart. I'd also see this having a more mundane counterpart with a single lower power motor and a smaller battery but with all of the other cost and weight savings applies. The cheap economy commuter with the monster alter ego.

[@ferdis7]

Uncle Tony taking Dodge to class, love it

[@paulsworkshop4179]

I rented both a challenger and charger last summer. I really enjoyed those cars. So nostalgic and even though they weren’t like there predecessors, they felt tough and ballsy. They’re a bit expensive now, so I settled for a 2004 Grand Marquis. I love the feel and look of the older cars. I’d seriously consider a car like you describe.

[@malibuclassic77]

Uncle Tony, the culture today in America seems to be that even economy cars need to have all the bells and whistles,

[@alertgasper]

automakers always made their profits off selling the options. but yes, today we are spoiled, an economy car has more options than my 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (no AC, power seats or windows, etc) and the average consumer honestly won't settle for less. they'll sign up for a payment plan instead so they can keep up with the Joneses.

[@tedesco455]

That's the thing, they mechanical "stuff" he is mentioning would be more expensive to produce.

[@DeansofNomadica]

Software was made by Palmolive Hands! Guys who sit at desks who rent access to weight lifting equipment and they STILL HAVE PALMOLIVE HANDS!

[@lasskinn474]

hey now not every coder does it like that. and believe me most coders who know their shit if it was up to them would rather have a car with unlocked firmwares to mess around with as they see fit.

[@DeansofNomadica]

@lasskinn474 Well, here's a problem with what you wrote, "to mess with firmware as YOU/THEY see fit". Humans are inherently faulted in their nature, and to mess with vehicle firmware could cause many deaths because of an outside force whose controlling the vehicle without the occupants' knowledge. I don't agree with programmers acting as gods, and that's with a little g.

[@fishypictures]

?

[@DeansofNomadica]

@fishypictures Come on Fishy, let your fingers do some typing or were you soaking your fingers in Palmolive?

[@Whateva67]

Madge?

[@yavin99]

I heard they are still going to put the big hemi engines in trucks and suv. Personally I think they saved the wrong Mopar and we could have had Plymouth Cudas instead of Dodge Challenger.

[@alertgasper]

I remember when Davy Fryburger tried to start the "muscle truck" movement for all the non-blue collar guys and non farmers who didn't know trucks already came with big engines. It seems more and more, the only factory hot rod potential left, is going to be trucks (again, like the Lil Red in 1978). Depending on the cruise nights in your area, you may have already spotted one or two SUV owners figuring out these are the new luxurious performance vehicles.

[@Black-Villain]

Only heavy duty (2500) and up. Hemi is done in half ton trucks, it's also gone from all SUVs, I believe 2024 is the last year for it in the Wagoneer, and the Durango will have it until production ends soon

[@shadowopsairman1583]

The last mopars id get are 1970s, after that nope

[@DanEBoyd]

@@shadowopsairman1583 The 2.2 Turbo stuff was pretty cool, but other than that, yeah.

[@henrylicious]

​@Swen-bk3kzPolitics can change at any time. Pressure from below will kick that can down the road.

[@Neuron43]

Their downfall was their quest to not only make us pay more for less but to also monitor and control our lives with every part that was designed to fail early. The dealerships wanted in on the fun too so they would mark up the prices of parts and even create more problems each time you let them put their thieving hands on your vehicle. If they announced tomorrow that they would take your advice and build such a car, I would be very doubtful of its road worthiness and durability. I say let them go down with their own bullet riddled ship and make way for the honest working man to offer us a new start.

[@clembob8004]

I love Mopar, and I will always have at least a few classic Mopars around, but I defected to Subaru about 20 years ago for daily driver and I've never looked back.

[@alertgasper]

those who hate the WRX haven't driven one. I'm not a giant fan of turbo FWD 4 bangers (owned a 1986 turbo t bird--no guts below 3,000 rpm but sure rode nice), but the AWD takes care of the torque steer and trying to put down more than 300hp at the front wheels without stiffening up the rear coils.

[@marvinellis1517]

Great idea Tony...where are all the charging stations ? Good Luck ! ❤

[@scotthorn5792]

We are pushing back RedBarchetta

[@Saint.Broseph]

File this under "Never gonna happen"

[@rocco3381]

Maybe not through Stellantis, but there are probably enough goodies currently in the parts stream for the average wrench to make it happen. I’ll never switch to EV, but to each their own.

[@Saint.Broseph]

@@rocco3381 Uh huh.😅

[@Saint.Broseph]

@@rocco3381 Yeah, if that were to happen it would of happened with OLDSMOBILE or PONTIAC first. 🙄

[@andrewslagle1974]

@@Saint.Broseph all this ev crap pushed by the democrat party for control and to stay in control WAKE UP AND CATCH UP!!!

[@JustRusting]

What an idea, give the people what they want?

[@Fevebblefester]

Chrysler Corp terminally pissed me off in 1983 over what I considered mistreatment over a Plymouth Reliant. Since then I have never bought any vehicle from them and never will. That said like Tony I am saddened to see a company that I cheered for most of my life go to pot. I still have two older Plymouths I really enjoy driving. I still wish them well but I doubt it will matter.

[@Bad-decisions-and-good-times]

I agree. I don't dislike ev cars. But they aren't gonna work how we are set up for. BUT... This would be a cool car. The price is the most important. I feel like the price would be such a relief for anybody right now, hell a dirt bike cost like 12k now.

[@vincem9468]

The idea of having a standard Manuel transmission and an optional auto column shifter is so old school!

[@BrewBlaster]

Government regulations would be a big hurdle.

[@annettesurfer]

One of the fired engineers said Stellantis outsourced their positions to India, Mexico, and Brazil. Perhaps penalizing outsourcing should be considered. As for these expensive vehicles not selling well…the media in Michigan is going crazy with reports of huge numbers of new F-150’s being stored in about a dozen different locations. Ford mentioned something about quality control issues. On the electric vehicle front, instead of searching for charging stations or wasting time waiting for the battery to fill, China now has swappable battery stations.

[@757optim]

Yep. Save an American company with this thinking.

[@annettesurfer]

@@757optim Stellantis, headquartered in Amsterdam, designs, manufactures, and sells automobiles bearing its 14 brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall.

[@lasskinn474]

@@757optim i got news for you it's not an american company :D the american part failed like 3 decades ago and has been floating around since then

[@757optim]

@@lasskinn474 I didn't say Dodge is an American company. I said to save an American company with this thinking. Everybody knows the history - Fiat, etc

[@timothykeith1367]

Other than its crash safety, I still like my Geo Metros. Some have done mods to get 70 mpg, but 60 mpg is cheap and easy. I think a 900 cc Kubota swap could get 85 mpg and use biodiesel - the older 3 cylinder diesels like veggie oil. The economy of the old car is no monthly payments and easy DIY maintenance - $35 tires. Who would have thought that disposable cars could last 40 years? A Metro basically has a heavier version of a cruiser motorcycle engine, makes about the same power as a Honda Fury which is intentionally lazy for reliability.

[@greenbassboosts8872]

I've been waiting for someone to swap a gold wing flat six into a civic for a long time

[@lasskinn474]

well americans don't even know what a honda jazz is. or a honda city(it's what civic was now that civic is an accord, jazz is what civic was before that basically). a lot of it is that when things are good americans want to buy that big expensive luxury crapola. bmw doesn't even sell the lower end more economic models in usa at all. like 80% of stellantis cars are "too small" or "too poors" for usa, it could sell in usa if they actually tried to sell it.

[@jasontoms2859]

After a Dart Swinger, Coronet Super Bee, 340 Challenger, and an Omni GLH I just can't get behind the current plan, but I would consider Tony's idea. Please don't let Dodge die before I do!

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Sadly, most people, including Tony, are completely missing the point of what this looming EV mandate is really about. it's not about pollution, it's not about so-called "global warming" or finding alternative sources of energy, etc. etc. What is the point? The EV mandate is just Stage 1 in eliminating private passenger transportation. The car manufacturers know that, so their focus isn't going to be on creating specialty low-run types like a strippo with specific high performance aspirations. They're going to ruthlessly pare down their offerings to just a few models which share a maximum amount of design, parts and service components in order to make the cheaply and profitably, because within the next two decades the days of individuals buying or leasing then driving their own vehicle will be only a memory.

[@danw6014]

And you will eat zee bugs. They also want to get the population down below 2 billion so the people can be more easily controlled.

[@rayhuggart5214]

Totally agree with u. But they should build a turbo inline six version on propane or n gas or hydrogen.

[@757optim]

Yes. Keep the Challenger and build a Hemi that lubricates. STRIP THAT. Likewise for a truck. Strip it down.

[@tomsapolis2816]

This is perhaps the most sense you have ever made, Tony. And i have been wading through you meandering videos for yrs now. Cheers

[@agostinodibella9939]

I like Uncle Tony’s idea for an analog stripped down EV.

[@mikewatkins4512]

Finally, somebody talking sense. I absolutely despise new technology vehicles touchscreens, anti collision, automatic braking , cars that park themselves, nonsense.

[@adleiesposito3902]

You are a analogic guy in a digital world. I see you trying to be part of this EV thing. I'm trying too but whithout hope. Big fan from Brazil. Cheers!

[@kevinwestfall2803]

I’m 34, and I’m a huge MOPAR guy. I grew up around them. Growing up my dad had a 73 Barracuda 340, 71 Challenger convertible 383, 70 Barracuda convertible, 71 Cuda, 70 Cuda, 71 barracuda ragtop 340, 68 Valiant and many more. I currently have a 67 fastback Barracuda, 68 notchback Barracuda, 74 Scamp, 2018 Ram and a 21 Jeep Grand Cherokee L for the wife. I love Mopars, but they always follow in the footsteps of ford and Chevy. Ford was the first one to stop/limit v8 production and go twin turbo v6, then Chevy did. Ford and Chevy were the first to go electric. Now you see Mopar doing the same. Back in the 70’s ford and Chevy started following the emissions bs, then MOPAR followed suit. MOPAR passenger cars were the last to convert to coil over suspension. By the way, the torsion bar suspension is TERRIBLE! It’s good for one thing and that’s going fast in a strait line. My point is, dodge is always last to jump on the bandwagon. I appericiate them and hate them for that. Dodge has never been known for having great suspension other than the Viper. They’ve always solved their problems by throwing more power at a vehicle. My point is that they’ve finally decided to follow suit with this EV and 6 cylinder turbo bs. It is what it is. Maybe they’ll make it, maybe they won’t. There’s no better sound than a pushrod V8, and my pickups and hot rods will always have one. I hope they make it through this. Yes, I understand that MOPAR is technically a parts division, but I’m using it as an umbrella to cover Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and Jeep for simplicity.

[@Bodgemiester]

Last 5 seconds was from the heart

[@cash2.0]

How about combining the technology from the turbine car? Use a turbine to generate electricity for the motors and a small battery pack? That would really get people talking! It would also sound awesome, not faked sound effects.

[@franklinhankel6168]

Sounds like a good idea...only problem is knuckle-heads like me would burn through a set of tires in a week 😂but just think how cool those skidmarks would look!

[@ScoutPL]

I am totally with you Tony. I'm also a lifelong Mopar fan. I remember the stories of my Uncle's 426 Wedge cross ram. I remember riding in the back of my Dad's 65 Bubble back Barracuda, looking at the stars. I remember my mom flying in the 68 Fury III. Plymouth was always the lost cost performer, which was part of the 68 Road Runner deal. I actually thought when Fiat owned Chrysler, they were going to do something like what you described, with the Dart. I bought a 2013 Dart. I loved the look. I loved the growl from the exhaust. I loved the mini Charger racetrack tail lights. It unfortunately turned out to be a lemon. I had 3 thermostats replaced under warranty and to do that they had to remove the entire front cover off the engine. I had just barely made it out of warranty and the clutch went out. Dealer told me that was because my wife and I didn't know how to drive a clutch. Funny how that car replaced the 2005 Neon I had that my son wrecked with 150,000+ miles and the original clutch. But now we have Stellantis. I'm driving a 96 Dodge 3500 4x4 with a Cummins. I have a 2018 Scat Pack Challenger in the garage. I have a 2015 Challenger R/T in the race car trailer that I bought new and road race. And yes, those big girls can turn... I've been hoping for a replay of the Road Runner my whole life. A car a working man can drive to work, pick up groceries, take to the movies, have a car seat in the back, and to the racetrack on the weekends. But it hasn't happened. I think Stellantis could do exactly what you describe If it were me, I'd do it with that Hornet. But they don't give a sh!t about what we want, just their green agenda. Funny thing is, they could accomplish both just as you described, say a Hornet "Rebel" (I assume they still own the AMC names.). 2 electric motors, good battery with cooling enough to race with , and yes, manual door handles, locks, window cranks. Room for 315 wide tires. Big sway bars, and keep the weight way down. I see Teslas at the road courses. They should have something to run against.

[@brycemadden8323]

I miss dodge too. 😢

[@horrible1083]

Listen to him, Tim. He is right, core values and an honest car.

[@jimredding8315]

good ideal with the exception of the battery. substitute gas engine for battery then I agree.

[@avlisk]

I thought he was onto something until he began pushing another EV. It's got to be petrol.

[@NeilLB7]

Just use the current charger platform and redesign the body lines to retro match the 68 Road Runner. Have a 4 and 2 door version. Use the Coronet name for the 4 door. The coronet would be “tuned” for economy and regular family car use. The Road Runner would be the performance version in 2 door. Maybe a few levels of trim.

[@Engineersoldinterstingstuff]

Agree on the basics. But - a big battery, 4 motors, it's not feasonable for 25k. Think they should do it with a V8, ready to be third party turbo upgradable, everything should be an upgrade. Good enough basic car - everything upgradable to a very cheap price by third company parts.

[@brianrenner6344]

Amen to that. Switches and knobs. Not scrolling through screens to switch from am to fm

[@robbytheremin2443]

Damn Skippy! Make air conditioning optional. Even make a basic radio optional. But no damn Bluetooth.

[@wrenchpony9735]

This is a damn great idea. Cheap and simple 👍 And fast 🤘 I personally like the positive feedback of analog controls.

[@BastardX13]

Helpless Mopar fan here as well. Had many Cordobas and two 1975 Chargers. All procured cheaply, as they had been stopped dead, by the dreaded Electronic Lean Burn ignition system. Il learned to bring a carb, ignition system, and distributor with me. Wish they were that easy to bypass today. I miss my Cordoba! The 75 Charger, not so much

[@fredblase5608]

had a 77 fury for about 3 years got rid rid of it in 1980 for a D50 new one sweat lil pickup it finally rusted away RUST IN PEACES rip lean burn

[@garywheeler1812]

No Electric Seats, no tire pressure relays, no electric gas pump, no electric windows , no electric fuel injection, no electric door locks, no electric starter simple and Fast 😮😎 and no electric AC/ heater Yes MOPAR!!! No fuel tank!

[@tonyflorio3269]

Who knew Uncle Tony was that into design? Because at lot of what he's talking about here gets to design and how these design decisions influence how we interact with cars -- the experience. And what Tony is advocating for is a design rooted in authenticity -- a form-follows-function, what you see is what you get ethos, where how you interact with something relates to its function (like wind-up windows). FWIW, I like that ethos too. And, or interesting to see the high end performance cars start to mirror some of that (albeit with some frippery or modernity mixed in). Think Singer 911 or the new 911 S/T or even the Ferrari 296, an 800 hp hybrid where the only screen replaces the instrument cluster.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

My buddy just came back from Spring training. Dodger fan about 2 weeks ago. Right before he crossed the Arizona border coming back to San Diego. At a Carls Jr he told me 30 plugging stations there. Not one was plugged in nobody is buying them. 🤷‍♂️

[@nowayagain8141]

Excellent news

[@stevetaylor9265]

I used to buy dodge all of the time because they were 2000$ cheaper in the late 80s when 2000$ was something.

[@ronreyes9910]

I think we were at the pinnacle around the late 90's to early 2000's when you still had the relatively simple push-rod, cast iron engines with computer controlled fuel injection and overdrive transmissions (which was what improved the life of the drive train and also improved fuel economy & power). Almost everything on modern cars is designed to fail around the time parts are discontinued. (10 yrs.) I don't think it's coincidence that there are almost no parts that are used across multiple models from any mfg. today. Remember when there were two thermostats? either a 2" or 2 1/2" across all US mfgs..Oil filter? Ford FL-1, GM PH25. I'll stop ranting now...

[@mrozboss]

Bang on Tony my first car was a 69 VF pacer no frills just a slant 6 3speed floor shift and bucket seats it was aimed at youth only options were power discs and heater car new was only 2400 Aus they do need to build basic fun again that you can work on yourself

[@barrycuda3769]

I remember, in about 1992 , in Dunedin nz, seeing a VF Pacer getting around with a For Sale sign on it ,$3,500 ono , it was white with a red stripe and immaculate, yet another missed investment opportunity. What would it be worth now ??

[@mrozboss]

I still got it

[@barrycuda3769]

@@mrozboss Very cool , what colour? . I've got my father's VH Ranger XL , It's been in the family since 1980, also have an AP6 Regal. My first car was an AP6 , manual trans , Regal interior.

[@stevensek7872]

Here lies the problem with the big three. They don't listen to the consumer. The top brass always believes they know what we want and get it wrong time and time again. You're 100% correct but they won't listen, the machine is in control, so distruction is inevitable!! It doesn't take a genius to understand less is more, but when executives live in a vacuum this is what we get!!!

[@wild13hawk]

I'd yell "Uncle Tony for president!" except that I wouldn't wish that on him.

[@kurtmccarthy6733]

Now you’re talking “Tony”.!! You read my mind.!! Yes, Yes, Yes.!! Give it to Us Crysler ,Dodge, Plymouth .!! We’re Waiting.!!

[@midwestlee-iw8nl]

and please bring back the Dakota , 4 cylinder , cheap price .

[@fredblase5608]

AMEN

[@imbadwrench]

The dealers would never sell it... Dealers want options to inflate prices, they simple would refuse to sell the cars.

[@Timrsnakess]

You can lead a horse to water but cant make it drink

[@fredblase5608]

Put more salt in it's oats

[@danw6014]

You can also lead a human to knowledge but you can't make them think.

[@mynameis9057]

I think the new charger looks bad ass!!! It looks like they took lots of cues from the 68 body style. I think it's much better than the 4 door crew cab charger!!! They went to drastic to fast with the battery all in. They need gas engines still and follow Uncle Tony's advice.

[@thomasheer825]

Dodge must awaken to the fact that EVs are not gonna work out. Dodge must go into cost cutting mode, we the people want an affordable vehicle that can get the job done. Tony has a grasp of what is going on, but the Dodge management is hanging their future on something that is clearly a FAILURE.

[@timothykeith1367]

EVs might be like smartphones, only Apple and Tesla will make high profits. Does Dodge want to be another Android?

[@thomasheer825]

The EV issue is going to simply stated "FAIL". Politicians feel that they are the best and brightest, while actually only being of below average intelligence, but have a massive ego. Presently, and in the next several decades, due to these people's green energy agenda we will not be increasing the energy in the power grid, but significantly reducing the available power. They fail to grasp that these EV's consume quite a large volume of energy, simply switching the source from oil to electricity at the final step of the energy delivery. If they would simply extract their heads from a dark and smelly place they would possibly grasp, but I doubt they have the reasoning skills to do so, what they want simply is not attainable with present or near future technology. The automakers are bowing down to the Altar of Congress, and complying to mandates, vice manning up and explaining to these ARROGANT idiots, with enough time and crayons, that what they demand isn't possible. @@timothykeith1367

[@blakerodriguez5999]

Pretty sure it’s cheaper to make a door open with a button and solonoid vs hardware… just saying.. it’s different now days.

[@deanjollow2892]

Reintroduce the slant six with fuel injection that gets 40mpg. Electric Only to 55mph then the 6 kicks in which carry’s the car at highway speeds and charges the batteries . Gas isn’t going anywhere in the real world , shake your heads, it’s the fuel we burn. Just make it burn clean and problem solve. Result,smaller affordable batteries and proven slant 6 power on the highways. Build it on the cheap and it will be the next mini van in sales. Keeps everyone happy.

[@lasskinn474]

you can do a better 6 than slant. or a 4 banger. semi-modern 4 banger 2 liter will do 200 km/h on a car that has even little thought of aerodynamics. the electric could help in getting there. but this is exactly what the PHEV's in europe are doing and due to how the taxes are situated in some countries the phev part of it comes basically free. you can still drive it even if the ev part battery is basically dead, the batterys just big enough to help with performance and to get the calculated emissions small enough to get the taxes lower.

[@homotorsports]

When a corporation looses touch with it clientele.. it’s over

[@grndzro777]

TAKE MY MONEY! Give me a USB, A cell phone holder, and a nice bluetooth speaker setup...that's it!. Exactly as Tony described.