Which cars are classy these days?
Discussion
Some years ago you might have looked at a Mercedes E Class Estate or a Range Rover and thought it was a classy looking motor and the owner was probably a person of taste. The fact the car was a bit battered would even add an element of class to it. An E Class coupe or Cabriolet from the early 90's definitely had class about it.
These days I would look at a Range Rover and think the owner lives in a Pools Winners type house in Essex or Cheshire. Mercs are often bought by the same type of people and they usually disintegrate before they can look battered.
Saab had a decent ownership profile some years ago, but they were really GM based for 20 odd years before they went under. Audi used to be a quirky alternative to BMW, but then they devised this advert in the 90's to highlight that fact and all the BMW company car drivers migrated. They're now possibly the least classy cars of all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJa3d17Ktko
Even Golfs, which were known as classless at one point, have a chav appeal nowadays. Most people I know who would have bought a Golf some years ago would be in some sort of People Carrier/Small 4x4 now.
I kind of think an XC90 or Discovery may be a bit classy these days, but that's about it - Any thoughts?
These days I would look at a Range Rover and think the owner lives in a Pools Winners type house in Essex or Cheshire. Mercs are often bought by the same type of people and they usually disintegrate before they can look battered.
Saab had a decent ownership profile some years ago, but they were really GM based for 20 odd years before they went under. Audi used to be a quirky alternative to BMW, but then they devised this advert in the 90's to highlight that fact and all the BMW company car drivers migrated. They're now possibly the least classy cars of all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJa3d17Ktko
Even Golfs, which were known as classless at one point, have a chav appeal nowadays. Most people I know who would have bought a Golf some years ago would be in some sort of People Carrier/Small 4x4 now.
I kind of think an XC90 or Discovery may be a bit classy these days, but that's about it - Any thoughts?
Edited by tomic on Friday 24th February 01:05
Yeah it must be classic cars these days. I never look at any new cars and think they're classy or sophisticated really, the closest I can think would be what? a non S-Line A6 Avant? new Volvo V / S90? Everything else all look a bit "Ive got a backlit LED kitchen".
Id probably disagree about the VW Golf though, besides the R, the Golf GTI might be the least chavvy hot hatchback on the market. Still, that doesnt mean the Golfs classy, just that the rest are really tacky.
Id probably disagree about the VW Golf though, besides the R, the Golf GTI might be the least chavvy hot hatchback on the market. Still, that doesnt mean the Golfs classy, just that the rest are really tacky.
Edited by Meridius on Friday 24th February 00:43
I must admit that my C63 sat on the drive looks rather ostentatious even when compared to the two Cadillac STS' and mid-90s XJ8 next door. The next neighbour has a newish XJR which looks incredibly elegant, even in silver. I've never seen a poorly-driven XJ, whereas I've actually disregarded other C63 drivers for the stunts they've pulled on the roads (yes, I know we have fast cars, there's no need to prove it to another driver by undertaking cars on the hard shoulder and then honking when you pull up next to me). I think that Rolls-Royce cars have been slightly tarnished with people "blinging" them just to say they own a Roller - whereas the larger Bentleys have mostly gone unnoticed - so in my opinion a Mulsanne is that much more classy than a Phantom.
I would discount all SUVs. Range Rover 'brand' has been diluted massively by the Evoque and Sport. Great for the shareholders, but not for the image.
Struggling to think of any new car.. perhaps the Maserati Ghibli Saloon? Oh, and must be petrol and in the right colour. I think it's a really classy car and a traditional 4dr Saloon that isn't boring.
Struggling to think of any new car.. perhaps the Maserati Ghibli Saloon? Oh, and must be petrol and in the right colour. I think it's a really classy car and a traditional 4dr Saloon that isn't boring.
Mercedes 420 SL
E24 M635CSi
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
I'm struggling to think of anything made this century that's classy. The Maserati Quattroporte is probably rare enough and undesirable enough among the footballing classes, but to me they just look a bit clunky in design.
How about something like the Volvo V90? All the classic "get out of my way, I'm driving a Volvo" owners seem to have moved to German brands, and all the wannabe SUV drivers have - well - moved on to SUVs. Estate cars even more than ever have a faint whiff of old money, or at least thoughtful money.
E24 M635CSi
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
I'm struggling to think of anything made this century that's classy. The Maserati Quattroporte is probably rare enough and undesirable enough among the footballing classes, but to me they just look a bit clunky in design.
How about something like the Volvo V90? All the classic "get out of my way, I'm driving a Volvo" owners seem to have moved to German brands, and all the wannabe SUV drivers have - well - moved on to SUVs. Estate cars even more than ever have a faint whiff of old money, or at least thoughtful money.
BMW-era Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
(too expensive for chavs to get their mitts on, unlike the older ones).
Obviously it's possible to make anything crass; I'm sure there are pink and purple ones specced with footballer-scrotum leatherette interiors, but that aside, the normal ones are pretty classy.
(too expensive for chavs to get their mitts on, unlike the older ones).
Obviously it's possible to make anything crass; I'm sure there are pink and purple ones specced with footballer-scrotum leatherette interiors, but that aside, the normal ones are pretty classy.
It's often down to how the car is specd.
For example, near me there is a pretty old Range Rover L322 with an expensive private plate that has been on various Range Rovers since I've lived here, 35 years.
Anyway, this Range Rover is green, clear Windows so you can see inside and it sits on small wheels. From memory, it doesn't even have sat Nav.
To me,that's a classy car. You could roll up to Buckingham Palace in it to pick up your night hood and it would fit in despite the fact that it's probably 13 years old.
Controversially, I'd include the present RR Sport in the classy category. But it would need to be low spec, in a modest dark colour with clear glass and small wheels.
I'd put the Discovery 4 in a similar colour in the classy category.
Someone above mentioned the Citroen C6. That's a good call. I'd also nominate something like the Vel Satis. Again, there's one near me. It's quirky, and you just know the owner has put some thought into their car. You don't buy one because you can't afford anything better.
What do people think about the Land Cruiser? The big ones don't tend to be flash, they are more big capable cars that don't project a bling image.
I'd discount Rolls and Bentley these days. Rolls are a bit in your face. Bentley, a bit too footballer. Aston still has it I think.
I agree that the new generation 90-series Volvos have a certain classy appeal to them.
For example, near me there is a pretty old Range Rover L322 with an expensive private plate that has been on various Range Rovers since I've lived here, 35 years.
Anyway, this Range Rover is green, clear Windows so you can see inside and it sits on small wheels. From memory, it doesn't even have sat Nav.
To me,that's a classy car. You could roll up to Buckingham Palace in it to pick up your night hood and it would fit in despite the fact that it's probably 13 years old.
Controversially, I'd include the present RR Sport in the classy category. But it would need to be low spec, in a modest dark colour with clear glass and small wheels.
I'd put the Discovery 4 in a similar colour in the classy category.
Someone above mentioned the Citroen C6. That's a good call. I'd also nominate something like the Vel Satis. Again, there's one near me. It's quirky, and you just know the owner has put some thought into their car. You don't buy one because you can't afford anything better.
What do people think about the Land Cruiser? The big ones don't tend to be flash, they are more big capable cars that don't project a bling image.
I'd discount Rolls and Bentley these days. Rolls are a bit in your face. Bentley, a bit too footballer. Aston still has it I think.
I agree that the new generation 90-series Volvos have a certain classy appeal to them.
Zad said:
I'm struggling to think of anything made this century that's classy. The Maserati Quattroporte is probably rare enough and undesirable enough among the footballing classes, but to me they just look a bit clunky in design.
How about something like the Volvo V90? All the classic "get out of my way, I'm driving a Volvo" owners seem to have moved to German brands, and all the wannabe SUV drivers have - well - moved on to SUVs. Estate cars even more than ever have a faint whiff of old money, or at least thoughtful money.
How about something like the Volvo V90? All the classic "get out of my way, I'm driving a Volvo" owners seem to have moved to German brands, and all the wannabe SUV drivers have - well - moved on to SUVs. Estate cars even more than ever have a faint whiff of old money, or at least thoughtful money.
Maybe?
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