Image - what's that all about then?

[superhans88]

Just wonder where fellow PHers stand on the whole business of a car's image and brand values etc? Is it something that influences your buying decisions or are you able to see past the badge/image and view only the product behind them?

[homerjay]

I couldn't give a flying about image.

If I like a car and there's a deal to be had I'll buy it.

[The Riddler]

I only drive an Audi because of the imagine, and the power, and looks.

[DennisTheMenace]

Dont give a toss about the badge , although in middle england its all about keeping up with the jones'es , as my neighbours have a 3cyl fabia , im still a step up with the mountfield.

[Kitch88]

I'm interested in a car or manufacturers image but if it's a good car, then I would have it irrespective of the badge on the front. I.E. the outdated opinions people have on Skoda's etc.




and

The Riddler said:

I only drive an Audi because of the imagine, and the power, and looks.

[MattyB_]

I'll admit it - I'm a badge/brand snob.

But its more to do with rarity and going against the grain than anything. A few examples withstanding, I can't see myself owning a BMW, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault or Ford. Nothing they offer remotely interests me - I don't see the appeal in driving something thats so common on the road, I have a penchant for quirky, invididual cars.
Although I do have a lot of respect for Renault, they seem to be the only manufacturer with any real balls (Clio V6, R26.R etc)

[slipstream 1985]

yep wouldnt buy a vx220 over a elise even though for same money youd get a better car

[plenty]

Image is everything. Image is both externally directed "I like the attention it gets" - and also inwardly "I've lusted after this for years".

If we are enthusiasts, brand values and image drive our decisions more than anything else. Although, asking people directly usually won't tell you very much as it's not something easily articulated.

[carl_w]

MattyB_ said:

I'll admit it - I'm a badge/brand snob.

But its more to do with rarity and going against the grain than anything. A few examples withstanding, I can't see myself owning a BMW, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault or Ford. Nothing they offer remotely interests me - I don't see the appeal in driving something thats so common on the road

Ignoring the 3 VWs and the Peugeot in your profile, if it's a good car and you like it, what does it matter how common it is? Common just means lots of other people like it.

[nottyash]

Must admit I was worried when I decided to buy a brand new Skoda fabia VRS in 2005. I was thinking it would loose a fortune because of the Skoda image.
As I happens they actually were discounted new and the resale meant I lost just £3000 in nearly 3 years on a brand new car and 36000 miles. I dont think that is bad at all, in fact if i had kept it another year that loss would be even less as resale values stayed at this level for a couple of years.
I have no problem, I really dont like the premium VW or Audi charge for the same cars with a different badge, and lets face it ......blandness.

[nottyash]

slipstream 1985 said:

yep wouldnt buy a vx220 over a elise even though for same money youd get a better car

If I were in the market for a 2 seater sports for around £13k I would take a turbo 220 over a Rover engined Elise any day. Its not fun being broke down at the side of the road with a slower car anyway.
I love the elise, but them VX220 turbos are fantastic.

[ewenm]

Lots of people associate "image" with "aspiration" or "keeping up with the Jones's". However what about those who deliberately avoid a car because it is popular or has a certain image (I might be one of those ) - aren't they choosing a car based on the fact that it gives the image that they don't care about image...

We all project an image regardless of whether we wish to or not. Others will judge us on their perception of our image irrespective of whether we want to or not.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

plenty said:

If we are enthusiasts, brand values and image drive our decisions more than anything else. Although, asking people directly usually won't tell you very much as it's not something easily articulated.

I can't agree with that - surely enthusiasts are more interested in substance and reality. You're thinking of people who 'think they know a bit about cars'.

I've just bought a used Volvo S60, and part of what made me choose it was the almost complete absence of image - it's really pretty anonymous, which suits the way I like to drive. I'll admit that the 250bhp was a major consideration though.

[Dick_Phallus]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

plenty said:

If we are enthusiasts, brand values and image drive our decisions more than anything else. Although, asking people directly usually won't tell you very much as it's not something easily articulated.

I can't agree with that - surely enthusiasts are more interested in substance and reality. You're thinking of people who 'think they know a bit about cars'.

I've just bought a used Volvo S60, and part of what made me choose it was the almost complete absence of image - it's really pretty anonymous, which suits the way I like to drive. I'll admit that the 250bhp was a major consideration though.

I'd say the 'absence of image' was part of Volvo's image....

I'm sure some of the marketing pros will be along to correct me if I'm wrong but the 'I don't care about image' brigade, whether they be refering to cars, gadgets or clothes, are almost always bullstting. They almost always care about the image, even if the image they are trying to project is 'I don't care about image'

Edited by Dick_Phallus on Monday 23 August 00:32

[Kentish]

Edited by Kentish on Monday 23 August 00:35

[Mastodon2]

People call Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions "chav" or whatever, because of the negative assosciation with drug dealing council estate mingers who have them (and almost inevitably mod them with tat and don't get them serviced), but an Evo is my dream car right now, and I'm about as far from a chav as you could get I think. At the end of the day, my driving enjoyment matters far more to me than what other people might say / think of me for driving a certain car or brand.

[plenty]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

surely enthusiasts are more interested in substance and reality. You're thinking of people who 'think they know a bit about cars'.

Forget the negative connotations of the word "image" as if something misleading or lacking in substance. At its simplest, image is how the brand makes you feel.

As enthusiasts, who care more about cars and driving than the average person, we invest more than the average amount of emotional attachment into cars and car brands, hence image is all-important.

Dick_Phallus said:

They almost always care about the image, even if the image they are trying to project is 'I don't care about image'

Yup.

[DennisTheMenace]

Kentish said:

Edited by Kentish on Monday 23 August 00:35

Cant go wrong with that , 7 year warranty ! , and TBH the 3dr cee'd a nice looking car , Kia have caught up with the mainstream stuff PDQ !

[WhoseGeneration]

If it floats your boat, for your requirements and financial position at any time, that's all that counts.
Why concern yourself about the opinions of others?

[stigmundfreud]

few years back had the choice between the Passat and Skoda Superb. Knowing the Superb was the far better car I still stupidly took the Passat. One and only time I have let myself buy based on a perceived image