# Have all the good car names been used? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128 "2016-10-10T05:14:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/1 "2016-10-10T05:14:42Z")
A couple of us were talking about cool car names that weren’t used yet. It turns out they had been used, just that nobody remembers them. So a cool name doesn’t guarantee success (especially if the name doesn’t fit the car’s image). Some examples: Dreadnought - turns out there was a 1912 Moline Dreadnought. Stiletto - Hillman, a stodgy little British car company had one. So what I mean about not fitting? Crusader - Some Lotus engineers formed the Clan Car Co and made a Clan Crusader. It used a Hillman engine. Hmm. Did they expect to sell a Clan Crusader in the US? I’m not sure we can even \*\*\*say \*\*\* “Clan Crusader” in polite company. It might have been a good addition to Dodge/Plymouth’s minivan lineup along with the Voyager and the Caravan. Armadillo - yes, there is an Armadillo car. Yes, it looks like one. Impaler - OK, it is a one off custom car but come on, “The Impaler”? Electron - the Hyundai Electron. Electric of course. Proton - Hell, there is an entire Proton Car Company in Malaysia. Sledgehammer - Callaway is a company that made heavily modded Corvettes. Its full name was “Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer”. We had a bunch more but I’m tired and that is all I remember. Carry on… Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/2 "2016-10-10T15:33:04Z")
Carmudgeon - the prototypical old folks car. Only goes 35 mph, lane assist keeps it in the fast lane only, at least one blinker is on at all times. It’s a thing, now make it a car. Carmmando - No undercarriage, blends in perfectly with its surroundings. Flotilla - Honking big SUV that converts to small fleet of subcompact cars and back again. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/3 "2016-10-10T16:19:04Z")
I’ve been fond of the Marmoset as a name. Someone should make it. There may be cool names out there, but there have been tons of odd ones. My favorite was the XR4Ti. Was there ever an XR3Ti? A YR4Ti? How can you have a name that sounds like a designation with no “context”? It looks like a pattern of one. Plus, I always liked how, with the font they used it looks like it actually spells [XRATI](http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/06/12-1989-Merkur-XR4Ti-Down-On-The-Junkyard-Picture-courtesy-of-Murilee-Martin-550x374.jpg). Like some alien species from Star Trek. “Captain, we have engaged the Xrati craft!” (Pronouiced “zratty”) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/4 "2016-10-10T16:31:48Z")
Car makers have never been direct enough. They should just name the models based on their intended customer base. Volkswagon Dork Toyota Geek Ford Redneck Chrysler Mom Buick Oldster BMW Jerk etc. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/5 "2016-10-10T16:41:19Z")
Well, Pajero hasn’t been used in the U.S. And AFAIK, no real car has been called the Canyonero. Parrot. No irony, no jokes. Just… Hyundai Parrot or something. Since we’ve had the ‘[Star Orion](http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/starion.asp)’ (Yeah… Right… :dubious: ), how about a Rigel model? We have the Tacoma, Tundra, and Yukon. Introducing… The GMC Mount Baldy! But I still like Parrot. . ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/6 "2016-10-10T16:58:48Z")
Who the hell named the Kia “Sportage”? Is their next model going to be named the “Turgid”? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/7 "2016-10-10T17:05:39Z")
Does Toyota know that TRD is pronounced ‘turd’? ISTR that Yamaha eventually figured out that TDM was pronounced ‘tedium’. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Who the hell named the Kia “Sportage”? Is their next model going to be named the “Turgid”? I think they are considering Tumescent. I think Turgid has a better ring to it, though. . ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/8 "2016-10-10T17:47:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Who the hell named the Kia “Sportage”? Is their next model going to be named the “Turgid”? > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > \I think they are considering Tumescent. I think Turgid has a better ring to it, though. Split the difference: the “Frottage.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/9 "2016-10-10T18:17:29Z")
With Ford Rangers, Mitsubishi Warriors, and Nissan Rogues on the market all we need is a Chevy Cleric and we’ve got a D&D party. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/10 "2016-10-10T18:21:07Z")
My suggestion to Ford. The Machiavellian. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/11 "2016-10-10T18:39:58Z")
I remember an old Isuzu commercial where a group of executives in a conference room are shouting out their ideas for names for their newest model: “Woodpecker!” “Squid!” Then the CEO sternly shakes his head and states in a soft but authoritative voice: “I-Mark.” All the lesser executives smile and nod and enthusiastically agree: “Ah! I-Mark!” But when the CEO turns around, they all roll their eyes and shake their heads. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/12 "2016-10-10T18:56:40Z")
49 of California’s 58 counties have not been used yet. Only one Wisconsin city has been used, so there is still Sheboygan and Wauwatosa… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/13 "2016-10-10T19:54:06Z")
When I first saw a Toyota Tacoma, I thought “_Somebody_ lost a bet.” Why would they name a truck after Seattle’s armpit? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/14 "2016-10-10T20:40:31Z")
We very nearly had the Ford Futura until fairly late in the game. We lost the trademark dispute and now have the Fusion. We, as here in the USA. Everywhere else it’s the Mondeo. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/15 "2016-10-10T21:31:08Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > Sheboygan and Wauwatosa… There’s plenty of Floridian names untapped as well. While driving the Toyota Palatka or the Ford Altamonte sounds palatable, the Mazda Withlacoochee not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/16 "2016-10-10T22:47:25Z")
I am still waiting on Jeep to release the Okefenokee. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/17 "2016-10-10T22:49:30Z")
I have one word for you…Thundercougarfalconbird ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/18 "2016-10-10T23:10:11Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Well, Pajero hasn’t been used in the U.S. And AFAIK, no real car has been called the Canyonero. > . GMC does have the Canyon pickup. Maybe the Canyonero could be the SUV version. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/19 "2016-10-10T23:13:13Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Flotilla - Honking big SUV that converts to small fleet of subcompact cars and back again. Direct competitor to the Nissan Armada? The two could re-stage the Battle of the Coral Sea. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128/20 "2016-10-10T23:25:58Z")
[quote=“Just\_Asking\_Questions, post:3, topic:768128”] My favorite was the XR4Ti. Was there ever an XR3Ti? A YR4Ti? How can you have a name that sounds like a designation with no “context”? It looks like a pattern of one./QUOTE] Merkur actually borrowed the designation from Ford, where it was just a trim/performance level, the Ford Sierra XR4 and XR4i. Ford lead up to that with the Falcon XR (not sure if it was the XR1), Fiesta XR2 and the Escort XR3i, and the Sierra later had an XR6 and XR8. Merkur only had the XR4Ti and the Scorpio, not a bad name. Dennis [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-all-the-good-car-names-been-used/768128.md?page=2)