Buying cars and trucks

[Go Braves]

Bear in mind almost any regular car is going to give much better fuel economy than a full-size truck.

What about a Honda Civic? 2019 Civic Type R: Impressive Horsepower & Powerful Design | Honda

Though my dad has got a Mercedes that's a fuel guzzler, you're right for sure that most cars are better than trucks.

I'd never thought about the Civic before. That's a really good suggestion. Thanks for that link!

 

[Go Braves]

It's hideous. I thought the Chris Bangle years at BMW weren't that great (apart from the 3 series) but I'm guessing whoever designed the i3 was given the brief to scare as many potential customers as possible.

Agree with you on that fully. It's beyond me why they designed it that way. It's aggressively ugly. That's why they've got such big promotions on them. They're almost "giving them away" (gf's words) on account of how nobody wants them.

 

[Go Braves]

It may have looked better if it had been the same color,

as it is it looks like a smaller car inside a bigger one.

I think the all-black one does look better. It's such an odd design. The backseat doors are weird. They don't just open like normal doors.

Yup, you are right that it looks like a smaller car inside a bigger one. It reminds me of the cars I played with as a kid that you could take apart then put back together. You could mix and match some of the cars. This BMW does look more like a toy than a real car.

 

[jayem]

I'm a pragmatist regarding cars. They're not an extension of my personality. To me, they're like appliances. Or tools. I need them to perform a function. Which is transportation. Styling and amenities can be nice. But they're lower in importance on my list of what I look for in a car. Which--in order--is:
1) Safety
2) Reliability
3) Performance (which is driveability in general. How the car handles, rides, accelerates, stops, etc. Including bad weather performance insofar as that can be determined.)
4) Quality of materials, construction, fit and finish.
5) Comfort (which is seating, roominess, noise levels, climate control, infotainment options, etc.)
6) Economy (which includes fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs.)
7) Cargo space
8) Styling

If I were going to buy a car for the cool factor, it wouldn't be any new car. Or any car that'll depreciate. I'd invest in something vintage--one of those finned, heavily chromed land yachts from the 50s or 60s. Like a '59 Caddy. Those rides had real style.

 

[Go Braves]

I'm a pragmatist regarding cars. They're not an extension of my personality. To me, they're like appliances. Or tools. I need them to perform a function. Which is transportation. Styling and amenities can be nice. But they're lower in importance on my list of what I look for in a car. Which--in order--is:
1) Safety
2) Reliability
3) Performance (which is driveability in general. How the car handles, rides, accelerates, stops, etc. Including bad weather performance insofar as that can be determined.)
4) Quality of materials, construction, fit and finish.
5) Comfort (which is seating, roominess, noise levels, climate control, infotainment options, etc.)
6) Economy (which includes fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs.)
7) Cargo space
8) Styling

If I were going to buy a car for the cool factor, it wouldn't be any new car. Or any car that'll depreciate. I'd invest in something vintage--one of those finned, heavily chromed land yachts from the 50s or 60s. Like a '59 Caddy. Those rides had real style.

View attachment 265277

That car is a real beauty.

 

[Dave-W]

If I were going to buy a car for the cool factor, it wouldn't be any new car. Or any car that'll depreciate. I'd invest in something vintage--one of those finned, heavily chromed land yachts from the 50s or 60s. Like a '59 Caddy. Those rides had real style.

View attachment 265277

Ah the 59 Caddy Coupe deVille. A real gem!

Almost bought me one in 73 to fix up.

 

[jayem]

I like the styling of this '59 Buick Electra, too. Very space-age.

 

[durangodawood]

I'm a pragmatist regarding cars. They're not an extension of my personality. To me, they're like appliances. Or tools.....

Yeah, in a car I dont have money to waste sacrificing functionality and economy for aspirational-personality-reinforcing qualities.