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Spoilers Spoil Good Design - Agree or Disagree?

103 messages,  Last post on Jul 14, 2007 at 11:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Exterior

Messages Page 7 of 11

#54 of 103 oregonboy by lancerfixer

Jun 24, 2005 (6:57 pm)

I can't speak for other cars, but the Volvo S70 parts catalog has separate trunk shocks for cars with and without spoilers.

#55 of 103 From Edmunds '06 Impala first drive... by hpmctorque

Aug 05, 2005 (9:27 am)

"...The only garish features are the silly spoiler stuck to the trunks of all models..."
 
I wonder if the spoiler is a delete item. I understand it's not on the Cobalt SS, but one of the '06 Impalas pictured in the report didn't have the spoiler, suggesting that it may be deletable.
 
I think the new Impala looks better than either the Accord or Camry.

#56 of 103 Agreed... by andre1969

Aug 05, 2005 (9:55 am)

I think the Impala cleaned up very nicely for 2006. And it appears to be much better assembled, and with higher-quality materials too. My only criticism is that the car looks more generic, somehow. If nothing else, the '00-05 Impala LOOKED like a Chevy! For better or worse. But with the '06 model, the front end makes me think of a cross between a Honda Accord and a Chrysler Sebring. From the rear it just has those universal generic taillights, roughly triangular in shape, that are on EVERYTHING these days! And in profile, I don't know how they managed to do this, because I don't think they changed the actual greenhouse much, but it makes me think a bit of a Ford 500!
 
The spoiler doesn't bother me though. I can take it or leave it, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Y'know, if it weren't for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger being out, I would actually consider an Impala for my next car!

#57 of 103 It may or may not, but... by pf_flyer HOST

Aug 05, 2005 (9:58 am)

Over the last week on my trip, I saw a variety of spoilers on cars, including one that looked more like a giant tray from an infant's high chair. All it needed were a couple of bar stools that you'd pull out of the trunk and they could have served you dinner on it... including space for a centerpiece!

#58 of 103 Andre... by hpmctorque

Aug 05, 2005 (1:21 pm)

"I think the Impala cleaned up very nicely for 2006." I agree.
 
" My only criticism is that the car looks more generic, somehow... From the rear it just has those universal generic taillights..." The generic thing could have easily been solved, from the back view, at least, by retaining Chevy's signature round tail lights. I wouldn't be surprised if they brought back the round tail lights in the next redesign, if not sooner.

#59 of 103 The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse design team apparently by iluvmysephia1

Aug 05, 2005 (4:36 pm)

decided that a large, unbecoming spoiler would wreck the new-world order Eclipse's looks.
 

 
I tend to agree with them-they did a fine job with it and kept the wonderful orange color that the concept car carried so well. I prefer the looks of the concept better but I like the actual production model almost as much.

#60 of 103 And the little spoiler by iluvmysephia1

Aug 05, 2005 (5:11 pm)

on this new '06 Chevy Aveo sedan, built by Chinese labor, does nothing to spoil the beauty of it's design. Of course, we'd need the straight-on rear view and maybe the side view as well to really decide how it looks, but I think it looks pretty good in a toned-down sort of a way.
 

#61 of 103 dunno about that one by carlisimo

Aug 05, 2005 (5:28 pm)

I thought the Cobalt SS spoiler looked great from that angle. But when you look at tall sedans from behind, the spoiler usually becomes more awkward. It certainly does on the big-butt Cobalt coupe.

#62 of 103 I have always thought..... by bottgers

Aug 06, 2005 (7:53 am)

......that spoilers were gawdy looking. The Pontiac Firebird is a great example. The Trans Am has that huge, hidious looking whaletail spoiler on the trunk lid, and the ground effects spoilers look like one continuous mud flap. By contrast, the Formula has a very small and tasteful looking rear spoiler and basically no ground effects spoilers at all, giving it nice, clean flowing lines. Why ruin the looks of a nice looking car with all the spoiler garbage? It's definitely named appropriately because they do spoil the looks of the vehicle.

#63 of 103 Spoilers vs. styling by rsholland

Aug 06, 2005 (8:11 am)

I get the sense here that some posters here seem to think that spoilers are added for styling sake. Not true. While I will admit that the marketing departments of many carmakers have demanded spoilers because their customers think they look "kwel," that was not the original intent.
 
Certainly that's not the case with Porsche, Mitsu Evo, Subaru WRX-STi, and other hyper-performance cars. Call the spoilers ugly if you want, but they're there to help keep those cars planted on the road at high speeds.
 
Bob

Messages Page 7 of 11

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