Originally posted by: ffmcobalt
Uh... people don't just care about only getting where they want to go. A vehicle is the second largest purchase that you'll ever make, next to a house! People care about their vehicles. They're excited about getting something new. Many take pride in the fact that they own a specific brand or model. For many, vehicles are a way of life. It's not hit or miss in the car industry, it's a struggle for the top.
I agree. But there are many who buy a vehicle because of MPG, amount of cupholders and coz 'everyone's buying it - it must ge good'. There's also a large buying segment who buy a car for its percieved reliability. I say perceived because cars are after all mechanical devices and anything mechanical can and will break down. A lot depends upon how it is driven, used and maintained. Everyone gets excited about a new car purchase but the reasons for choosing one car over another differ. There are many uninformed buyers out there - hence the car Co's need for large scale advertising.
You're right about brand/model loyalty. I'm a prime example - own a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and love it - my second JGC (old faithful ran reliably for 150K miles before I bought this one). Of course a performance enhanced engine and suspension add to the fun of driving it. Exterior is strictly stock - no ricer type stuff.
BTW here's something I posted in an different thread:
Of all the vehicles owned by my co-workers:
- 2 have files cases under lemon laws - both Fords - one F-150 truck & one taurus
- 2 trucks are unreliabe and giving trouble - both Fords (150 & a 250)
- Of all the SUV's the Explorer died at 70.000 & was replaced by a Durango. All other SUV's running fine, incl Jeeps, Durangos, 4-runner, Blazer, Passport. As much as 150,000 miles so far
- No one has bought a Ford in the last 2 years except 1 (wife of co-worker) who bought an Explorer very recently. The Jury's out on that one. All other ex-Ford owners have sworn never again.
The only Ford still running good is a 250 van.
Doesn't say much for Ford does it? Allow me to point out that this is not representative of the whole country - just within the company I work for.
And you have to admit Chrysler has been coming out with good concepts in recent years - starting with the Minivan & the Intrepid/concorde/vision etc. were years ahead of their time when they first came out. Other Co's are now doing the same which is good for the consumer - more competition.
Originally posted by: LH
That said, the 2nd most fugly car (after Aztec) has to be the Focus.
No, there are worse ones out there that are uglier than the Focus. And not every Focus looks all that bad, its just the no options ones and the wagons ugh.
To each his own. I find the Focus fugly and belongs to the category of "What were they thinking!!"