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I appreciate art for the sake of art. However, in such cases, you are not paying for reliable transportation.. you're paying for art because of the emotional response. Very few people are in that kind of position and many people end up getting gulled by a good-looking car that doesn't meet their needs.
Consumer Reports Best Buy -- Above Average reliability for about a decade:
I'm always interested at how many people will let appearance override any other factor when paying a 5-figure or 6-figure price for a car. I understand that it has to meet a certain minimum standard in order to be marketable, because no one wants a car that makes passersby spontaneously gag, but people just get too wound up in it. You can't have sex with your car (I repeat, no you can't), it can't respond back to your flattery, and probably no one is going to be impressed after you take the dealer tags off, either. And for that matter, you can't see it when you're driving - you know, when you're actually using it as intended.
Think that a car is beautiful to look at, you'll get more enjoyment out of buying a scale model and keeping it on your desk. Then you won't have to put up with expensive mechanics, back pain, and insane insurance bills because you wanted a car with "passion" even though it is completely impractical. No?
Ok well keep telling yourself that. So you think that if someone driving a Ferrari Enzo is not gonna be noticed because they took off the dealer paper plates? It's a F E R R A R I E N Z O. You're right you won't be having sex with the car. You'll be too busy fighting off the blank thrown at you along with a fair share of thongs and what the hell let's throw in a few grannie panties. Don't fool yourself there will be plenty of people who will gawk and be impressed.
And if you can afford a six figure car, expensive mechanics and high insurance is affordable to you. There are people out there that simply have the money and income thst a six figure car is normal. It would be like you buying a car for $2000 but you make 120,000
It has been basically proven looks matter, even the most mundane cars have money invested in them for looks.
Are there people who truly do not care about looks? Sure, but they are a very small minority compared to those who do take looks into consideration.
The entire "the better the look, the more unreliable and poor function it is" is pure BS, same BS logic people apply to people that are in great shape or with muscles "look at how strong he is, he must be an idiot".
While looks are subjective, generally speaking, many (not all) of the best looking cars are also the most reliable. Reliability rating for many (not all) cheapo, point A to B cars are consistently rated on the low side.
I'm about function over form. Simple and boxy is fine by me. Lots of utility. As long as the car is attractive ENOUGH, I don't really care. I don't want something hideous like an Aztek, but I don't need a beauty queen either.
It has been basically proven looks matter, even the most mundane cars have money invested in them for looks.
Are there people who truly do not care about looks? Sure, but they are a very small minority compared to those who do take looks into consideration.
The entire "the better the look, the more unreliable and poor function it is" is pure BS, same BS logic people apply to people that are in great shape or with muscles "look at how strong he is, he must be an idiot".
While looks are subjective, generally speaking, many (not all) of the best looking cars are also the most reliable. Reliability rating for many (not all) cheapo, point A to B cars are consistently rated on the low side.
OK, first impressions matter, and in that sense looks have to matter at least to make the connection. The issue I have is the hugely widespread tendency to judge cars solely on their looks, either positively or negatively. It's buying a product based on its packaging.. the packaging is not the product. But studies show that 50% of people do exactly that, and make their decisions based on the packaging.
The face of the car is important. Even those who want function over beauty have an unconscious reaction to the face of the car. For myself and my wife, the most important part is the driver's seat. My wife is 4'10" so finding a car that fits her frame is difficult. She's loved the look of some cars right up until she sat in the driver's seat. My height is more average but how I feel in the seat and reaching for controls is important. Once I've found my driver's seat matches, then it comes down to exterior appearance, interior appearance, ride, and fuel economy.
Now if money was no object, exterior appearance would attract me to the car but if I don't feel comfortable in the driver's seat reaching for controls then I won't buy. Sure it's a thing of beauty and can race through the streets like a formula 1 car, but if I don't feel comfortable in the driver's seat then I'm not buying.
If you live and drive in a crowded urban area and park on the street, a beautiful car will not be beautiful for very long. A plain car with its share of dings and dents turns out to be practical and worry free.
Firstly people buy cars in the price range for their needs. Most buy in the entry level $30K and are drawn to looks, performance, function, economy. In that range many cars look and even perform somewhat alike and many will by a brand. The $60K to $80K buyer is for looks, performance, handling and brand. At above $100K it's looks, brand and performance. What may look good to me, could be ugly in someone else eyes.
Looks are extremely important to me, I wouldn't even contemplate buying a car that is not visually appealing. Although what I like others may not. They need certain characteristics for me to be interested because if not I will get bored and want to get rid of it a few months later. I enjoy driving and as a kid I enjoyed cars but 99% of the cars rolling off the lines these days are ugly to me and I have lost my flare for the auto industry. Its not fun anymore. Its harder and harder to find a new car that really catches my eye ( they are out there but above my price range). I always see these cars that get great reviews...that's great but look at it...no thanks.
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