Young people and sensible boring saloons
Discussion
I think it depends on what you are after, I did not buy the 640D for the BMW badge, I bought it because I liked the car (and more so it passed the list of requirements me and the OH).
Flipside I got to keep the MX5 as well when I am being slightly less grown up...
We may be considering a 1 series once I push her to get her test done, only low powered, but I want her to have some experience with RWD before stepping in the 6 for instance.
Flipside I got to keep the MX5 as well when I am being slightly less grown up...
We may be considering a 1 series once I push her to get her test done, only low powered, but I want her to have some experience with RWD before stepping in the 6 for instance.
- Young people fall for branding and marketing more than ever before.
- Even in poverty spec, the new C-class, 3 series are blingy with huge badges, big wheels etc. The 'old man' stigma has gone.
- Lease deals.
- Younger people don't seem to be that interested in cars any more. An amazing number of U25's don't even seem to want a car these cars.
- A saloon is no more boring than a hatchback.
- Even in poverty spec, the new C-class, 3 series are blingy with huge badges, big wheels etc. The 'old man' stigma has gone.
- Lease deals.
- Younger people don't seem to be that interested in cars any more. An amazing number of U25's don't even seem to want a car these cars.
- A saloon is no more boring than a hatchback.
Edited by SuperHangOn on Wednesday 6th July 08:11
SuperHangOn said:
- Young people fall for branding and marketing more than ever before.
- Even in poverty spec, the new C-class, 3 series are blingy with huge badges, big wheels etc. The 'old man' stigma has gone.
- Lease deals.
- Younger people don't seem to be that interested in cars any more. An amazing number of U25's don't even seem to want a car these cars.
- A saloon is no more boring than a hatchback.
Young people not wanting cars is a symptom of the relentless climate change indoctrination in schools and colleges.- Even in poverty spec, the new C-class, 3 series are blingy with huge badges, big wheels etc. The 'old man' stigma has gone.
- Lease deals.
- Younger people don't seem to be that interested in cars any more. An amazing number of U25's don't even seem to want a car these cars.
- A saloon is no more boring than a hatchback.
Edited by SuperHangOn on Wednesday 6th July 08:11
Having relatively recently been through that system, I speak with some experience. In school we were constantly encouraged to berate our parents for driving to work (!) and to keep telling them that every time they drove their car they were killing a little bit more of the planet. Plus all the other climate change guff that gets shoved down your throat in school...it really is quite scary. College was no better, except that at age 17, those of us who did have our own cars were rampantly discouraged from bringing them into college. Withdrawal of use of the college car park was even used as a punishment quite often...which simply led to surrounding residential streets being used as parking zones.
Thus you now have loads of people around my age (24) who have been brainwashed into thinking owning a car is an evil thing to do....
Add to that the ludicrous scam that is insurance, factor in the fact that so many young people are struggling to get jobs better than a supermarket, then add the outrageous housing / rental costs and you have a generation of car-less people.
Mr Tidy said:
Nice car history you have there - if I had ever managed to own a 911 I don't think I would have been looking for an upgrade! (Probably needed to set my sights higher).
Enjoy the 996, and good luck with whatever you go for next!
Thank you, I missed out a 300ZX TT I had whilst living in NZ! Enjoy the 996, and good luck with whatever you go for next!
I do love the 996, such a composed and raw car, i'd love to jump to a 996tt but values on those have gone a bit too out of budget now!
Not read the entire thread so don't know if it's been mentioned, but when I was younger bigger saloons were a lot less to insure than hatchbacks and considering they were as cheap to buy a in some cases even cheaper - was a no brainier really.
If, at 19 years old, you fancied a VW Golf 1.6 for say £2000 but it cost you £1000 to insure, running a BMW 318i saloon (that cost you circa £1800) through the compare sites at £700 to insure, it's pretty obvious you'd go for that.
In the US it seems all youngsters drive saloons - or 'sedans' - and wouldn't dream of owning a hatchback, although the current favour is SUVs...
I don't understand the UKs obsession with little hatchbacks. You could also argue that fiestas and corsas are old peoples cars as they are also driven by OAPs!!
If, at 19 years old, you fancied a VW Golf 1.6 for say £2000 but it cost you £1000 to insure, running a BMW 318i saloon (that cost you circa £1800) through the compare sites at £700 to insure, it's pretty obvious you'd go for that.
In the US it seems all youngsters drive saloons - or 'sedans' - and wouldn't dream of owning a hatchback, although the current favour is SUVs...
I don't understand the UKs obsession with little hatchbacks. You could also argue that fiestas and corsas are old peoples cars as they are also driven by OAPs!!
I think someone earlier raised an interesting point too - "base" saloons perform very well too.
A new 320d is pretty much as quick as a standard Sierra Cosworth, so if you get a good lease deal on one you get a car that is fast, comfy, looks good, and doesn't cost a lot to run.
And although illustrated in a bad way, the previous poster who associated hot hatches with a "chav" image does have a point.
A new 320d is pretty much as quick as a standard Sierra Cosworth, so if you get a good lease deal on one you get a car that is fast, comfy, looks good, and doesn't cost a lot to run.
And although illustrated in a bad way, the previous poster who associated hot hatches with a "chav" image does have a point.
Because they are comfortable, drive well, fit all their s
t in, get good MPG and have a good media system.
That's why most people buy cars, the majority don't care how fast it goes.
I'm 27, my best mates are the same age and drive an Impreza, a Mk 1 Golf GTI, a VX220 and an R33 Skyline. (I have a Sagaris and 205 gti). That's because we all grew up together loving cars, most of my other friends drive whatever they can afford that checks off as many of the above as possible.
t in, get good MPG and have a good media system.That's why most people buy cars, the majority don't care how fast it goes.
I'm 27, my best mates are the same age and drive an Impreza, a Mk 1 Golf GTI, a VX220 and an R33 Skyline. (I have a Sagaris and 205 gti). That's because we all grew up together loving cars, most of my other friends drive whatever they can afford that checks off as many of the above as possible.
SD_1 said:
I think someone earlier raised an interesting point too - "base" saloons perform very well too.
A new 320d is pretty much as quick as a standard Sierra Cosworth, so if you get a good lease deal on one you get a car that is fast, comfy, looks good, and doesn't cost a lot to run.
And although illustrated in a bad way, the previous poster who associated hot hatches with a "chav" image does have a point.
BMW have done an astounding job - the 20d engine is very good, as you say.A new 320d is pretty much as quick as a standard Sierra Cosworth, so if you get a good lease deal on one you get a car that is fast, comfy, looks good, and doesn't cost a lot to run.
And although illustrated in a bad way, the previous poster who associated hot hatches with a "chav" image does have a point.
And you can get it in almost any shape or size of car you choose - from a 'warm' hatch like the 120d Sport through MPV, SUV to a large luxury estate.
HJMS123 said:
Being 23 and having friends who vary in age from 20-28 it's all about perceived success. If you are driving a base spec, 9 year old, base diesel engine german barge a lot of people think you're doing well.
My mates think driving a 'german whip' is so important it's massively cringey!
Where were you on the finance threads? This is exactly what happens, and it doesn't stop at young people either!My mates think driving a 'german whip' is so important it's massively cringey!
okgo said:
Where were you on the finance threads? This is exactly what happens, and it doesn't stop at young people either!
In the minority of cases, yes.BJG 1 had it right for the majority of cases in his comment above, where he noted:
- *
That's why most people buy cars, the majority don't care how fast it goes.
- *
Neatly summed up in his quote 'the majority don't care how fast [they] go'. It's not their priority, as expensive TVs or traveling the Far East aren't mine.
ETA: quoting is f-ked!
Edited by iphonedyou on Wednesday 6th July 16:03
I'm sure the badge is a huge part of the appeal for younger drivers.
If you're in a top end Focus (ST/RS) or Megane RS to the knowing people out there it's an impressive motor and not particularly cheap to buy. Yet a bottom of the range Merc or Audio has the kudos to be considered something special, even when it's a basic model.
Sad fact is people are more impressed by the badge than the cars performance or features because the badge says £ £ £ even when that's a fallacy. Younger drivers want people to see the badge and with cans like M3s and C63s being the one to go aspire to, a modern C class looks 90% of the way there. Also there will be an element of it whereby the youth may find the likes of a diesel Audi cheaper to insure than a hot hatch, can't say that's definitive but would make some sense.
All through my 20s I was a hot hatch fan, they just suited the whole young person thing and I've been lucky to be able to hang onto a couple of them. When I landed in my 30s I started itching for more day to day comfort but without losing the performance and was in a position to buy and run an AMG but I use a diesel E Class day to day and that is not a 'young persons' car (then again I'm not that young!)
If you're in a top end Focus (ST/RS) or Megane RS to the knowing people out there it's an impressive motor and not particularly cheap to buy. Yet a bottom of the range Merc or Audio has the kudos to be considered something special, even when it's a basic model.
Sad fact is people are more impressed by the badge than the cars performance or features because the badge says £ £ £ even when that's a fallacy. Younger drivers want people to see the badge and with cans like M3s and C63s being the one to go aspire to, a modern C class looks 90% of the way there. Also there will be an element of it whereby the youth may find the likes of a diesel Audi cheaper to insure than a hot hatch, can't say that's definitive but would make some sense.
All through my 20s I was a hot hatch fan, they just suited the whole young person thing and I've been lucky to be able to hang onto a couple of them. When I landed in my 30s I started itching for more day to day comfort but without losing the performance and was in a position to buy and run an AMG but I use a diesel E Class day to day and that is not a 'young persons' car (then again I'm not that young!)
Kierkegaard said:
Not read the entire thread so don't know if it's been mentioned, but when I was younger bigger saloons were a lot less to insure than hatchbacks and considering they were as cheap to buy a in some cases even cheaper - was a no brainier really.
Very true, my friend's son is running round in an old A4 1.8t that was owned by an old boy. Plenty of room, cheap for bits, fast and weighs the same as a Clio 197Blanchimont said:
Badge, that's it.
Being youngish myself (22) I broke the mould and went for a RS Megane. I know plenty of people who have Diesel A1's, Diesel C class Mercs and the odd BMW. Someone I know just bought an XFR though, so that makes it better
oh, yes! Badges have much to answer for when you are a young aspiring professional. In which case, you either play the badge game, or break out, as in the Megane example here. What about having the courage to go down the " I don't give a damn route" and running a so - called shed? Maybe that's a bridge too far but it could be liberating in a way!Being youngish myself (22) I broke the mould and went for a RS Megane. I know plenty of people who have Diesel A1's, Diesel C class Mercs and the odd BMW. Someone I know just bought an XFR though, so that makes it better
An interestic topic.
I started off age 18 with a Mk6.5 Fiesta Zetec, no power but a great first car despite the £2000 a year insurance for a new driver.
Next car when I turned 21 was a poor mans ST, the Mk2.5 Ford Focus Zetec S...cheap to run, a great looking car and never missed a beat until it blew up on the M6 one Christmas eve.
After that at aged 23 I got my current car, the BMW E90 318D M Sport as I wanted something a bit more sturdy and something that drove better than my previous two vehicles. The truth being that it costs me an extra £100 a year in insurance for this than my Focus, and I have also slashed my tax cost from £160 per year to just £30.
I'm now 25 and looking at getting a BMW Touring......do I really do fit into the young people and sensible/boring car option!
I started off age 18 with a Mk6.5 Fiesta Zetec, no power but a great first car despite the £2000 a year insurance for a new driver.
Next car when I turned 21 was a poor mans ST, the Mk2.5 Ford Focus Zetec S...cheap to run, a great looking car and never missed a beat until it blew up on the M6 one Christmas eve.
After that at aged 23 I got my current car, the BMW E90 318D M Sport as I wanted something a bit more sturdy and something that drove better than my previous two vehicles. The truth being that it costs me an extra £100 a year in insurance for this than my Focus, and I have also slashed my tax cost from £160 per year to just £30.
I'm now 25 and looking at getting a BMW Touring......do I really do fit into the young people and sensible/boring car option!
LaneDiesel said:
An interestic topic.
I started off age 18 with a Mk6.5 Fiesta Zetec, no power but a great first car despite the £2000 a year insurance for a new driver.
Next car when I turned 21 was a poor mans ST, the Mk2.5 Ford Focus Zetec S...cheap to run, a great looking car and never missed a beat until it blew up on the M6 one Christmas eve.
After that at aged 23 I got my current car, the BMW E90 318D M Sport as I wanted something a bit more sturdy and something that drove better than my previous two vehicles. The truth being that it costs me an extra £100 a year in insurance for this than my Focus, and I have also slashed my tax cost from £160 per year to just £30.
I'm now 25 and looking at getting a BMW Touring......do I really do fit into the young people and sensible/boring car option!
Erm yesI started off age 18 with a Mk6.5 Fiesta Zetec, no power but a great first car despite the £2000 a year insurance for a new driver.
Next car when I turned 21 was a poor mans ST, the Mk2.5 Ford Focus Zetec S...cheap to run, a great looking car and never missed a beat until it blew up on the M6 one Christmas eve.
After that at aged 23 I got my current car, the BMW E90 318D M Sport as I wanted something a bit more sturdy and something that drove better than my previous two vehicles. The truth being that it costs me an extra £100 a year in insurance for this than my Focus, and I have also slashed my tax cost from £160 per year to just £30.
I'm now 25 and looking at getting a BMW Touring......do I really do fit into the young people and sensible/boring car option!
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