Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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I guess it's just a matter of style. While the MG and those early Z's were dainty little cars, they just had a more aggressive look to them, IMO, than any Miata ever did. Expecially the Z...those were tough looking little cars, I thought.
That Columbo car was some kind of Peugeot, but I forget the model. I used to think it was some old Volvo, until someone on Edmund's set me straight.
I kinda like the Solstice, although I find it a bit too cute and "playful" looking, like a kitten or puppy that's about to pounce. I like the Saturn Sky better. Not as cute and playful looking, and a bit more muscular in style. IMO at least.
As much ragging as the xB takes, I don't mind them, other than just being a bit small for my tastes.
Dealerships which insist on doing the pin stripes on all their new cars is yet another one for the, "why on earth do they do that", book of questions. Please just make up some other side sticker extra and don't take it out on the poor car with those strips.
-Loren
After total saturation, we're starting to get away from them finally. A no-charge delete is offered on the new Mustang if so desired.
My '02 'Stang has one (standard) but it's not too bad, esp. as it goes with the rest of the none-too-subtle styling (fake hood and side scoops, fender flares).
And I really think Dodge is missing a great over-the-top opportunity by not adding an optional towel rack spoiler to the Charger Daytona... First time it appears in a hip-hop video...
First Season: Sunbeam Tiger
Second Season: 1966 Mustang
Subsequest seasons I believe he had the Karmann Ghia and also a Corvette. Am I right?
I guess if you have an Aston-Martin DB5 people think you're James Bond.
Good point made - an Aston Martin improves ANYBODY'S image - try and deny that one! Any Aston Martin.
-Loren
In my experience in the car biz I have noticed one thing that is related to this thread.
In my opinion people that drive Monte Carlos are jerks. The older the monte carlo the bigger the jerk at least up untill the 1970's models when the people actually start getting nicer.
If you are what ya drive, I would be one happy dude in my retro Z with modern day steel and safety. If there was one car to bring back with the made in Japan label, this would be it! Datsun was really running on all cylinders back in the late 60's to early 70's between the 510 success and then the Z.
-Loren
I believe Jill, from Charlies Angles, drove a Cobra.
Herman Munster drove a Hertz, as well as a souped up Miata when he was racing.
Speed Racer drove the Mock 5... which is no longer in production.
I only know one person who has an 80s Monte...he's not a jerk, maybe a bit dorky, but aren't we all.
swiss
40 something Professor in a Saab. Yeh, I really wanted a Bimmer but couldn't swing it. This lease deal on the Saab is fantastic and it doesn't look too materialistic in the Humanities Faculty parking area. Who wants to look gauche?
40 something stocky white male in a highly waxed/polished black Crown Vic with dark tinted windows. Yeh, its an undercover car but we spec 'em out so that we still get the recognition on the street that we deserve, ya know what I'm sayin' to ya?
50 something stocky male in a Ford Supercab with Semper Fi sticker on rear window. Yeh, when I retired from the Corps I wanted to pick something up to run down to the NCO Club in. You don't need the ol' Gunny to tell you that the back seat makes a better rack than anything I ever had back in Binh Long Province if Happy Hour runs over.
50 something pair of women in a Suburu. Yeh, some people do call these things Lesburus but that's so unfair to alternative life style couples. We never even been to Northampton!
50 something couple in an E Class. Yeh, because Jim's CPA told him that he deserved to lease a better car we got rid of his Buick. We didn't want to tee off the help though with a new S Class. You know they haven't raised the federal minimum wage in 8 years and some of Jim's warehouse workers don't appreciate what he has done for them.
I hope they actually don't instantly bust into flames when they roll!
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119074
Rocky
Hey, I resemble that remark!! :P I had a 1986 Monte Carlo, for about 3 months, until it got t-boned one warm June night, while I was delivering pizzas.
I mean, who else but Jeff Gordon, etc. fans are buying them these days?!
Sheesh - In my neck of the woods (NASCAR Country), I actually see several of them on the roads with the NASCAR graphics on them as well. I have seen 2 in the area that are red, and have a huge BUD logo on the hood, #8 on each door and the roof, and similar striping on the rocker panels as well.
There are also several black ones in the area that have tinted windows, silver stripes around the bottom, and "Intimidator" stenciled across the back of the trunk lid.
Way too tacky to drive on a daily basis (IMO), but I could possibly see using one of these to tow behind your motor home if you were following the NASCAR circuit.
I thought it was some kind of special NASCAR-fan options package at first... :surprise:
A few weeks later, he bought a G6 Coupe for himself.
He's also got a built up 80's Monte in his garage .. he had it for sale once. I think he claimed 500HP.
At the other end of the scale, the parents of a friend of mine from elementary school bought a new '73 Monte Carlo (the dad did body work at the local Chevy dealer). Last time I was in town, they still had it. Burnt orange with cream interior.
The guy I know has an 83 with a 305 in it...it was his dream car as a kid (strange tastes), and he got it when he was 16. He's 30 now and still has it. He also has an 85 SS which is in pretty nice shape...bought on an impulse and he doesn't get around to driving it much. Every time I see him I tell him he should sell it.
At Christmas I saw a brand new Monte SS in red driven by a very "Peggy Hill" looking woman, death grip on the wheel, going 50 tops in a 60. But she was in the right lane anyway.
Yep, it was my Mom's originally. She bought it brand-new, at the end of the 1986 model year, because I was getting my license soon and she was planning on giving me her '80 Malibu. By the time I got the Monte, it was March of 1998 and it had about 179,000 miles on it. It had a 305-4bbl. Still ran well, although there was a bit of smoke under hard acceleration and when warming up. I put 13,000 miles on it in just 3 short months, and then got T-boned one night in the parking lot just about to go on a pizza delivery, when a teenage girl in a '92 Tempo ran a stop sign and t-boned me.
I still get a little pissed sometimes when I think back on it, because I remember the first thing my stepdad said when he and my mom found out was "why were you driving THAT car?!" Umm, maybe because it had fewer miles on it than either the '68 Dart or '79 Newport I had at the time, plus better fuel economy and a nicer stereo?! :confuse: Still, it made me think that he was more concerned about the damned car than me!
And it still pisses me off that my Monte took more damage than the Tempo that hit me! :mad:
Back in high school and college I wanted a Monte SS. My real dream car was a Grand National, but I knew I'd never be able to afford one of those. One time, when I was about 19 or 20, I called the insurance company to find out what my premium would be on a used 1985 or so Monte SS. They told me it would be around $3200! That squashed that little fantasy real fast.
A local used car lot up the street had a fairly good looking Monte SS for sale about 2 years ago. I actually thought about it, although it was kinda high mileage. But in the end I'm glad I didn't get it, because if I had then I probably never would've gotten my LeMans.
The SS had 60K on it when he bought it around 2000. He paid 6K for it, which seemed fair for a nice example. It's up to about 85K now I think. He got in a fender bender shortly after, and then had the deteriorating original paint replaced. It looks pretty decent still. It has some kind of aftermarket exhaust, so it sounds like a muscle car. I think he could get his purchase price back if he was patient.
That means the car makers must know they gear their cars to a certain type of person. The car is designed for a particular buyer & the marketing & qualities of the car are made to appeal to that group of people.
So maybe some people don't think they are what they drive, but they really are? They just don't realize it?
Personally, when I think of a person who just wants a car to get around in, I think of certain models that fit that criteria. (It wouldn't be a BMW 5 series.)
When I think of people who enjoy driving & enjoy vehicles more then the average person I think of certain models that may appeal to them. (Maybe a sports or high performance luxury car LIKE the 5 Series?)
When I think of the family man who has to spend money on college tuition & the mortgage & doesn't have much money to spare I think of certain vehicles that may appeal to him...
(A Toyota Camry maybe?)
When I think of people fresh out of college & on a budget who want a nice car to get around in I think of certain cars that will make their list. ( A LS460 aint it.)
A mother with 2 young kids may look at an SUV before she looks at a Ford Focus...
The guy who just signed the 7 year, $260 million dollar contract with the Atlanta Braves might head straight for the Mercedes dealership, NOT the Suzuki lot...
The "blue collar millionaire" who slowly made his fortune over 25 years & living under his means may not want a 2007 Lexuswith the big red bow on it for Christmas...
So I do think the vehicle people choose can tell you a bit about that person. It certainly won't tell you EVERYTHING about that person, but it can give a little peek into their personality.
Then you have the people who have more than one vehicle, and those vehicles may be totally polar opposites. Maybe they drive the vehicle that fits their mood (or what they're doing) at the time? Even then, the choice of vehicle can tell you a bit about the person.
Just turned 50 white guy, slightly paunchy now, in a new Cadillac XLR: Traded in that 10 year old Bronco for this Penile Extender for the rich. Wife thought the Corvette would indicate a mid-life-crisis, but a Cadillac is a whole different story....and the girlfriend is VERY impressed!
The "blue collar millionaire" who slowly made his fortune over 25 years & living under his means may not want a 2007 Lexuswith the big red bow on it for Christmas...
He might, if he's become a Republican....
The only reason why he may not want a new Lexus is that many blue collar types like him pulled some hard duty in Southeast Asia some years ago. Sure, he came home, worked hard, probably stayed married, and built a business or two but memories die slowly. He has no plans to visit Asia again. A new F150 Eddie Bauer Edition will do just fine. .
Yeah, but they got there by being Democrats along the way!
50 something guy in an 00 XJ Jag. "Yeh, I know they have a bad rep for reliability so I bought one of those kits from John's in TX and had a rebuilt small block Chevy put in. I must have 40K in the car now."
40 something minority in an '00 S Class. "Yeh, I've always wanted an S Class. But whats with the maintenance costs? Not only did the dealer want $1400 to install a new water pump, I can't even keep the battery charged. "
30 something couple in an LR3. "Yeh, we knew that the Discos had a bad reputation for reliability but we figured that the LR3 was a whole new model for Rover."
Rocky
As for figuring out what political voting preference a person may have by their car is not always easy, though perhaps the green party cars are easier to spot.
Where is Nixon when you really need him?
-Loren :shades:
Rocky
P.S. It won't get better until we get somebody like Edwards in office who will actually try to stop the flood of jobs going to foreign countrys. Hillary, Obama, Gore, Kerry, along with most republican candidates with the exception of perhaps Duncan Hunter, I fear will let that continue. :sick:
These things just attract the less than nice associations.
Newer Volvo = Who knows? Perhaps more Democrats. I would not consider them liberals, and in liberating anyone, as it is more like liberal with your wallet.
Volvo may also be a anyone looking for a conservative car, with a bit of class, and good build quality / safety. They are no longer all rectangular shaped cars, with little HP, so they have broadened their selling base.
As for voting, the real question is, are there any candidates worth supporting in 2008? For the nation and the car industry, the big debate to come is one over national health care.
You are what ya drive? Let's see, does Edwards drive a Mercedes or a BMW? He is a lawyer - successful big time lawyer. Now I am curious. Please, tell me it is not an SUV. Life it too short to drive a truck. (unless you like too
-Loren
-Loren
If you must know I can find out for you
Rocky
P.S. If I was to take a guess it's something american made.
We best get back on topic now. Sorry to go astray.
OK, so who buys Saturns? And is the base now changing with the new line of cars, such as Aura?
-Loren
I think over the next couple of years you will see people that typically buy appliances like camry's and accords cross shop the Aura. People that like Miata's that will buy Sky's. People that like import CUV's give the OUTLOOK a chance. We all know the VUE, is well respected and keeps getting better in the SUV sector. The Greenline trims will keep attracting people that fear high gas prices. Saturn I'm sure will be one of the first brands to get the plug-in hybrid and fuel cell technology in the near future.
Saturn, in my eyes is General Motors import fighting brand and as we all know has a good reputation for customer service and no haggle pricing.
Rocky
P.S. Yes, Edwards is against global warming like all politicians but isn't a extremest like Al Gore.
The 08' campaign is a important one for domestic auto manufactors and don't be surprised if some executives from GM, openly stand behind somebody like Edwards who is for universal healthcare a major issue which is killing GM.
Well, I have 4 in my family:
I bought a 2003 L300 in November of 2002; 2 years later my wife got a new 2004 VUE and my 18 year old son bought a used 2001 L200. This past summer we bought a new 2006 ION for my daughter, who is a freshman in college.
LOL Maybe you're right...lol
Ever hear someone say "I don't drive that car. 'It's not me.'"
Heck I say that myself! lol
I simply posed the question as to whom would buy Saturn, as in what does this say, or what would you say is the persons profile. Don't know where you get I am doggin' on them. I am sure you would not like to here my opinion of the looks of an Ion, so I won't comment here. That is not what the question is. I am thinking that a Saturn owner is to some degree like the Volvo owner, with a few less dollars to spend. Perhaps they are those impressed by the salespeople and service departments as much as the cars. The sales floors and image are pretty good. The first cars were all plastic sided, so it could mean you are a non-conformist. Never seemed like a car enthusiasts auto, though some seem pretty excited about the Red Line products as speedy rockets. And they are right - its got speed.
I am thinking the new line of cars, like the Aura changes to focus a bit, though in a way they were focused on those looking for cheaper Volvos or Saabs. Something safe to drive, and pretty reliable - inexpensive to repair. Really inexpensive compared to Volvo and Saab.
And of course this is all pretty silly. You are in fact not what you drive.
This whole thread is to be taken lightly. I bought a '76 Olds Starfire, so I have to have a sense of humor about a few of my choices in cars.
Heck, I was young, and it was fun.... well at 55 MPH slow fun on the USA freeways of that era.
-Loren
I only meant that my Saturn purchase isn't so much about the car, but the so called Saturn experience. It means more to me that I was able to buy the thing at a reasonable price with absolutely no hassle, than the actual price I paid.
The Ion is indeed a pretty funky to ugly looking car, no doubt. I have no delusions as to what the car really is.
I do like it alot, and at least one good thing about it is that i have not seen it's twin yet.
I think someone once said: Buy what you like, and like what you buy."
My intention is certainly not to dog on anyone, and that includes you.
By the way, I'm using the Firefox browser, so my settings may be out of whack for all I know!!
All my life, it seems that when I'm serious, people think I'm joking, and when I'm just pulling a leg, people think I'm serious.
I just have a really hard time believing that anyone who has to borrow money to buy a car has a car that really describes their personality.
By the way, the first car I bought on my own was a 1971 Buick Skylark 2 door purchased in 1981.