Ultimate Anti-Car
Discussion
I've been thinking recently, what is the ultimate anti-car? What is the soulless white-good of motoring?
I think the following criteria have to be met:
1) Stylistically bankrupt
2) Uninvolving or unpleasant to drive
3) Slow and/or underpowered
4) Practicality above all other considerations
My top suggestions are both Toyota products:
Yaris Verso
Mk1 Prius
One thing I will say in favour of the "anti-car" is that they have a certain charm. Almost as if to say: "I'm so cool I don't need to worry about looking cool." Geek-chic if you like. You know what I mean?
I think the following criteria have to be met:
1) Stylistically bankrupt
2) Uninvolving or unpleasant to drive
3) Slow and/or underpowered
4) Practicality above all other considerations
My top suggestions are both Toyota products:
Yaris Verso
Mk1 Prius
One thing I will say in favour of the "anti-car" is that they have a certain charm. Almost as if to say: "I'm so cool I don't need to worry about looking cool." Geek-chic if you like. You know what I mean?
With regards to the drive, I wouldnt be too sure, but on the appearance front - Astras, Daihatsu Sirions, MPVS, general white goods cars like that do nothing for me! Unfortunately even modern Porsches are beginning to look like every other car on the road to me now! Modern cars are so dull!
I find myself looking at older cars, even Moggies or dire Austin Princesses because they are that more interesting!
I find myself looking at older cars, even Moggies or dire Austin Princesses because they are that more interesting!
king jump;
Mr Gear said:
I think MPVs, Astras... mass market stuff like that is exempt. They are so boring and everyday that they are off the radar.
Perhaps another criteria I should have added is that the anti-car also has to be wilfully strange....
Ah right ok, got it!Perhaps another criteria I should have added is that the anti-car also has to be wilfully strange....
The X3 and X1s are prime examples, right?
I'd like to nominate all, and I mean ALL off roaders (with the exception the Land Rover Defender, the only proper off roader still in production as far as I know) as I just hate them so much.
Yet I suppose this doesn't quite fill the criteria set here, so instead I nominate the Vauxhall Zafira. Any car that has it's handbrake as its most interesting feature is bound to be an exercise in tedium.
However my sister has one and it's the perfect car for her and her two kids, one of which is disabled and in a wheelchair.
Yes cars like this don't really set the heart on fire but we must appreciate that they have a rightful and valid place in our motoring culture, some people just want a 'car' to do all the things a 'car' does and don't expect to be excited by it any more than by the tumble drier or the hoover......
Yet I suppose this doesn't quite fill the criteria set here, so instead I nominate the Vauxhall Zafira. Any car that has it's handbrake as its most interesting feature is bound to be an exercise in tedium.
However my sister has one and it's the perfect car for her and her two kids, one of which is disabled and in a wheelchair.
Yes cars like this don't really set the heart on fire but we must appreciate that they have a rightful and valid place in our motoring culture, some people just want a 'car' to do all the things a 'car' does and don't expect to be excited by it any more than by the tumble drier or the hoover......
Mr Gear said:
Perhaps another criteria I should have added is that the anti-car also has to be wilfully strange....
Utter rubbishIn which if the anti-car is wilfully strange then surely the opposite must be wilfully normal.
So the toyota corolla comes out as the opposite of the anti-car
It has to be the Toyota Auris. A car so dull to drive, dependable, bland and anonymous it really can't either upset anyone nor excite anyone. Your neighbours won't know what you drive, the guy in the garage when you service it won't remember it, when you fill it with fuel and drive off, the staff will scratch their heads trying to work out what it was.
thinfourth2 said:
Mr Gear said:
Perhaps another criteria I should have added is that the anti-car also has to be wilfully strange....
Utter rubbishIn which if the anti-car is wilfully strange then surely the opposite must be wilfully normal.
So the toyota corolla comes out as the opposite of the anti-car
My original examples are what I am getting at.
Perodua.
Now I expect that given time they may manage what Kia has, in starting with utter dross and just getting better and better until they begin to present a real threat to well established car makers; however currently I feel some unfounded and whimsical dislike for them, partly perhaps because they often seem to be driven poorly by elderly people.
Now I expect that given time they may manage what Kia has, in starting with utter dross and just getting better and better until they begin to present a real threat to well established car makers; however currently I feel some unfounded and whimsical dislike for them, partly perhaps because they often seem to be driven poorly by elderly people.
Liquid Knight said:
Read this thread already. Bonkers! 
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