Which cars are classy these days?
Discussion
PHAB said:
And something from the Italian stable.....before they got undignified.
Belllliiiissssiiimmaaaa!
Beautiful! Don't think that could be argued. (BTW any updates on your thread?)Belllliiiissssiiimmaaaa!
I've generally tried to buy cars I'd consider classy, but not too OTT: it would be really frowned upon where I live. My selection:
80s and90s Mercedes (W124 in particular) as long as it's presentable
Old Jag XJ
Saab 900 Classic (never had a car that was so widely liked/admired by complete strangers)
911 993
550 Maranello
Currently considering a Volvo v90 for the missus' daily.
Minis (reason being that it could be anybody driving them- prince or pauper)
It is a pointless exercise really as it is a personal thing based on your own, perceptions, prejudices and experience, even amongst a fairly like minded group on PH we cant agree.
What is class to a 46 year old PHer like myself is entirely different than say a 20 year old woman, an 82 year old bloke, then your background comes into it and so many factors, it is so subjective.
Its like we are trying to build up a mental image of how others perceive us, then we drive round thinking tha tis how we are perceived by all, it just isnt the case, you go past in your 25 year old Merc past that 20 year old woman, if she thinks anything at all other than whats on her phone, she may think "look at that sad old bloke in his ancient Merc trying to be all posh on the cheap" but probably nothing.
So, all that matters is how you view it and how it makes you feel, remember , there are people out there that think chrome wrapping supercars looks good or that 22 inch wheels on a standard saloon are a good move.
What is class to a 46 year old PHer like myself is entirely different than say a 20 year old woman, an 82 year old bloke, then your background comes into it and so many factors, it is so subjective.
Its like we are trying to build up a mental image of how others perceive us, then we drive round thinking tha tis how we are perceived by all, it just isnt the case, you go past in your 25 year old Merc past that 20 year old woman, if she thinks anything at all other than whats on her phone, she may think "look at that sad old bloke in his ancient Merc trying to be all posh on the cheap" but probably nothing.
So, all that matters is how you view it and how it makes you feel, remember , there are people out there that think chrome wrapping supercars looks good or that 22 inch wheels on a standard saloon are a good move.
MaxSo said:
Thanks. It is becoming quite clear there are basically two main ways that people are looking at this:
1. Those of us who appear to define "classy", in the main, as I've described it.
2. Those of us who appear to be focusing more on the aesthetics of a car.
It is also striking to me that those who appear to adhere to #2 include those that have responded with crassness, or are the one line specialists who've suggested they can't be bothered to read, or are incapable of meaningfully responding to, thoughtful posts, which others, with perhaps more class, have appreciated.
There may well be a debate about what defines class, and particularly whether any new cars have it. But I think you have clearly defined pompous. 1. Those of us who appear to define "classy", in the main, as I've described it.
2. Those of us who appear to be focusing more on the aesthetics of a car.
It is also striking to me that those who appear to adhere to #2 include those that have responded with crassness, or are the one line specialists who've suggested they can't be bothered to read, or are incapable of meaningfully responding to, thoughtful posts, which others, with perhaps more class, have appreciated.
Robert-nszl1 said:
MaxSo said:
Thanks. It is becoming quite clear there are basically two main ways that people are looking at this:
1. Those of us who appear to define "classy", in the main, as I've described it.
2. Those of us who appear to be focusing more on the aesthetics of a car.
It is also striking to me that those who appear to adhere to #2 include those that have responded with crassness, or are the one line specialists who've suggested they can't be bothered to read, or are incapable of meaningfully responding to, thoughtful posts, which others, with perhaps more class, have appreciated.
There may well be a debate about what defines class, and particularly whether any new cars have it. But I think you have clearly defined pompous. 1. Those of us who appear to define "classy", in the main, as I've described it.
2. Those of us who appear to be focusing more on the aesthetics of a car.
It is also striking to me that those who appear to adhere to #2 include those that have responded with crassness, or are the one line specialists who've suggested they can't be bothered to read, or are incapable of meaningfully responding to, thoughtful posts, which others, with perhaps more class, have appreciated.
New stuff is tough. Anything too bling or posh risks losing class through vulgarity or ostentation. I'm sure the Huayra will be a classy, objet d'art 20yrs from now but today is too excessive and immodest.
I think with new cars the colour and spec is more important than the brand or design. If you're tick the boxes for carbon bits or 20's then any hope of class is gone. If it's new it must be elegant and aspirational, but show some bloody restraint. For my money the current Quattroporte, in this colour and spec, must be in with a shout.
I think with new cars the colour and spec is more important than the brand or design. If you're tick the boxes for carbon bits or 20's then any hope of class is gone. If it's new it must be elegant and aspirational, but show some bloody restraint. For my money the current Quattroporte, in this colour and spec, must be in with a shout.
Edited by BileMonkey on Wednesday 1st March 09:11
tomic said:
The whole Skoda Yeti thing - come on. Give it a rest. Might be unassuming, but really no class - I know that's why people suggest it but when the Golf had a classless image during the 1980's you could park one in Chelsea and it would fit right in. It would also look fine in a rough part of town. That's what I meant when I started this thread.
The Skoda Yeti just makes you look like a provincial dogging enthusiast who spends most of their time working out ways to get their car to run on used chip fat. It's not classy and it never will be.
I see your suggestions for new cars were both large, relatively blingy SUVs. These are needlessly large and therefore cannot be classy. They also have overtly decorative / aggressive LED lighting. So they cannot be classy for that reason. They are also more likely to be driven by people who consider themselves superior to others, and with a need to feel superior. So they also cannot be classy for that reason.The Skoda Yeti just makes you look like a provincial dogging enthusiast who spends most of their time working out ways to get their car to run on used chip fat. It's not classy and it never will be.
I'd more expect a driver of, for example, the VW up! I posted earlier to be someone who would treat me and all others (regardless of their perceived class, status or wealth) in a classy manner, than I would a driver of a Discovery or an XC90.
nickod said:
LeighW said:
nickod said:
berlintaxi said:
All a matter of opinion, but to me the black one looks much classier.
akirk said:
Raudus42 said:
The Rangie is more classless than classy.
And I think that sums up classy 
It is classy to not need to try / to not have to prove anything / to just buy a car because it does what you want it to do / to not need to pretend you are something you are not...
Classless = classy
It is why traditionally upper and lower classes have got on so well - they don't care what anyone thinks
it is only those who lack confidence as to who they are who feel a need to make statements through their cars...
therefore, by definition - the person defines the car, not the other way around
People can be classless without being classy, and so can cars.
LeighW said:
nickod said:
LeighW said:
nickod said:
berlintaxi said:
All a matter of opinion, but to me the black one looks much classier.
k circle if it brightens your dull stty lives.berlintaxi said:
LeighW said:
nickod said:
LeighW said:
nickod said:
berlintaxi said:
All a matter of opinion, but to me the black one looks much classier.
k circle if it brightens your dull stty lives.
Neil-b3l6l said:
Personally I think anything that's been purchased outright is classy. Anything that's financed isn't.
Oh for fk's sake 
There's two threads on a very similar vein right now:
1) This one
2) What do company cars say about you
This place is so stuck up its own arse about 'image' that members can't even see they are as bad as people who show off overtly with a white Audi with blingy bits.
Same s
t, different forum.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff