Why the hate for different?
Discussion
A number of years ago I had a Cruiser for a day as a loan while my car was being serviced. It was fine. That does not mean to say I'd buy one but it was roomy and comfortable. I think the latest version of the Beetle has a much cooler look. Never a huge fan of the little Nissan but the Cube looks OK. I like the fact that there are quirky alternatives around other wise all that would be on the roads would be German 2.0 litre diesels in "safe" colours and oversize alloys.
Saw the list, though first reply is bound to have a mention of the cars being awful as they are all FWD.
Genuinely surprised not to see that.
I wouldn't own any of those cars but I certainly can see why the Beetle, the Figaro and Cube appeal to people. The PT cruiser on the other hand is not my cup of tea. I remember ages ago 300BHP posting a huge selection of modified PT cruisers from the US where owners had tried to make them more like hot rods, some of those made the standard car seem quite reasonable
Genuinely surprised not to see that.
I wouldn't own any of those cars but I certainly can see why the Beetle, the Figaro and Cube appeal to people. The PT cruiser on the other hand is not my cup of tea. I remember ages ago 300BHP posting a huge selection of modified PT cruisers from the US where owners had tried to make them more like hot rods, some of those made the standard car seem quite reasonable
HTP99 said:
The Cube is fantastic and it's a shame that it never really took off over here, I am going to admit that I actually like the current Beetle, it is a far better attempt than the previous one; I'd never want to own one though however I'd happily own a Cube.
Agreed the new beetle does look good, well better then the first "new" one!Whenever I see a cube it turns my head, but maybe no one else's? :-) I'd also happily drive around in the quirky japanese box!
I don't think anyone here hates 'different' as such, they just hate crap.
As per others, I like the Note. Quirky and interesting. Saw plenty in Japan and other cars similar in appearance. 'Boxy' seemed to be very much in vogue over there.
PT Cruiser I have no time for. s
t when new. st now.
Figaro is driven by women or Andrew Marr (or at least he used to before his stroke). Inoffensive and something different on the roads. According to Wikipedia, 1 litre 3 cyl turbo engine mated to a 3 speed auto.
VW Beetle is inoffensive but for some reason never managed to achieve the same retro charm as the MINI or Fiat 500.
As per others, I like the Note. Quirky and interesting. Saw plenty in Japan and other cars similar in appearance. 'Boxy' seemed to be very much in vogue over there.
PT Cruiser I have no time for. s
t when new. st now.Figaro is driven by women or Andrew Marr (or at least he used to before his stroke). Inoffensive and something different on the roads. According to Wikipedia, 1 litre 3 cyl turbo engine mated to a 3 speed auto.
VW Beetle is inoffensive but for some reason never managed to achieve the same retro charm as the MINI or Fiat 500.
I was (still) am a massive bug fan
had loads of aircooled ones, and campers/vans.
when the new bug came out, I was fortunate enough to be in America in late 1990's and even went to a dealership just to test drive one and get brochures, because they weren't available in the UK then.
no- I didn't buy one, as in all honesty I had enough cars and of course, they were lots of money.
time wise, I never really liked the first gen new bugs: and practically I need big cars, a campervan etc for my lifestyle.
I do think the latest version though is beautiful- they've got it spot on and it almost looks like a roof chopped one to me !!!
had loads of aircooled ones, and campers/vans.
when the new bug came out, I was fortunate enough to be in America in late 1990's and even went to a dealership just to test drive one and get brochures, because they weren't available in the UK then.
no- I didn't buy one, as in all honesty I had enough cars and of course, they were lots of money.
time wise, I never really liked the first gen new bugs: and practically I need big cars, a campervan etc for my lifestyle.
I do think the latest version though is beautiful- they've got it spot on and it almost looks like a roof chopped one to me !!!
The PT Cruiser is just a bad car. It would be a crap car in any body. The chassis is crap, the engines are crap, the build quality is crap. Oh and it looks bloody awful.
The Beetle is simply a re-skinned Golf and as such fundamentally ok, it just looks a bit silly because they had to distort the original beetle shape to fit. Oh and it's desperately impractical. Oh and it's unashamedly aimed at girls.
The Cube is cool, it's differemt, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with it.
The Figaro is also fundamentally ok at a chassis and build-quality level, the looks are somewhat marmite but that's ok.
The Beetle is simply a re-skinned Golf and as such fundamentally ok, it just looks a bit silly because they had to distort the original beetle shape to fit. Oh and it's desperately impractical. Oh and it's unashamedly aimed at girls.
The Cube is cool, it's differemt, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with it.
The Figaro is also fundamentally ok at a chassis and build-quality level, the looks are somewhat marmite but that's ok.
kambites said:
I agree that the first generation "new" Golf was a bit of an abomination (although no more so than the mk1 TT, really) but whilst I haven't driven one, I suspect the second is probably pretty reasonable.
McWigglebum4th said:
...A fwd car that is designed purely to look a bit different from the rest of the drab crap on the roads and is utterly hated by PH
So why is there so much hate for cars that are designed purely to be different?
So why is there so much hate for cars that are designed purely to be different?
McWigglebum4th said:
...A fwd car that is designed purely to look a bit different from the rest of the drab crap on the roads and is utterly hated by PH
McWigglebum4th said:
...A fwd car ... drab crap ... hated by PH
McWigglebum4th said:
fwd
There's your answer Mr Peel said:
Bullett said:
it is attractive to the sort of bell end who likes to be called Tex but comes from Rotherham and plasters the car in extra chrome and U.S. flags.
This is what did for the PT Cruiser's image among PH types.
....I'm pretty sure the PT cruiser managed that all by itself, just by looking and being st
I think part of the issues with cars like the Figaro or the PT cruiser and other such stuff - is the skin deep nature of their "been different" styling.
Been different works when its a Skoda Yeti - its got the practicality, driving ability and functionality to pull it off.
Old VW vans - well you've got the camper appeal - the whole surfing, going away camping for the weekend cool vibe going on*.
The K11 Micra looked like a noddy car when it came out first - but it wasn't a problem it was a small functional car - good around town, economical - and it WORKED as a package. And the "cute" noddy styling worked on the small car.
Renault 4s, Citroen 2 CVs, Morris Minors and original Beetles all worked because of their functional design - which we see now as also very interesting design.
Speaking of Citroens - what is the Cactus supposed to be all about - the car has difficulty working out its own identity. Mind you - every comment about it seems to be very positive - so im obviously wrong
Been different works when its a Skoda Yeti - its got the practicality, driving ability and functionality to pull it off.
Old VW vans - well you've got the camper appeal - the whole surfing, going away camping for the weekend cool vibe going on*.
The K11 Micra looked like a noddy car when it came out first - but it wasn't a problem it was a small functional car - good around town, economical - and it WORKED as a package. And the "cute" noddy styling worked on the small car.
Renault 4s, Citroen 2 CVs, Morris Minors and original Beetles all worked because of their functional design - which we see now as also very interesting design.
Speaking of Citroens - what is the Cactus supposed to be all about - the car has difficulty working out its own identity. Mind you - every comment about it seems to be very positive - so im obviously wrong
The other reason why the Renault 4, Minor, Original Beetle and 2 CV worked is because they were all landmark cars in their era - been very important in terms of providing functional transport.
PT Cruiser isn't exactly a landmark car - you can admire an LS 400 even if your not a fan - simply because of how it really shook up the luxury car market.
PT Cruiser has no landmark car qualities - just skin deep design - there was nothing else innovative about the car at all afaik
PT Cruiser isn't exactly a landmark car - you can admire an LS 400 even if your not a fan - simply because of how it really shook up the luxury car market.
PT Cruiser has no landmark car qualities - just skin deep design - there was nothing else innovative about the car at all afaik
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