Question of the Day: Does Emotion Trump Logic?

Jonny Lieberman
by Jonny Lieberman

I've been reading through the comments y'all are gracing my Audi A5 review with. Roughly half of you seem to feel that the latest from Mr. d'Silva's studio is so good looking, that's its fancy price, drowsy mechanicals and counterintuitive controls pale when compared to its sensuous shape. The other half offer up the quite logical chestnut, "Bah. 335i ." I of course, reserve the right to sit on the old fence. Yes, the 335i trumps the (as tested) A5 in every meaningful way — and costs less — but holy dog food, Batman! In coupe form, the 335i is the ugliest car in production. Just… ick. But then look at me. I drive a station wagon version of the world's second ugliest car (a bright blue flying vag WRX) because it is such a practical car. And (again) look at me. I'm young (ish), single (ish), childless (probably) and relatively affluent (compared to Turkey). I should be driving a Boxster or a Miata or an Elise. But, you can't run to Target for paper towels and mops in those cars now can you. Can you?

Jonny Lieberman
Jonny Lieberman

Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.

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  • Theodore Theodore on May 20, 2008

    This is why you have two cars, one practical and one fun, one a beater and one not. Whether the practical car is the beater or the nicer car is entirely up to you. At least, that's how I'm trying to rationalize the Miata I want - I'll just keep the T-Bird for bad weather days!

  • Kjc117 Kjc117 on May 20, 2008

    LOL, I am currently negotiating a purchase of a 350Z Touring Coupe. While waiting for the IS350 to arrive from Nihon. Neither car is practical, 300+ hp when fuel is $4/gallon but hey if there was no emotion or passion for autos the world would be a boring place.

  • Gottleib Gottleib on May 21, 2008

    The rational car purchase is always the bottom of the line, least expensive with the best fuel economy. The rest of our purchase is emotional. So take at look at your car, if it doesn't have roll up windows with a standard am-fm radio, stick shift, cloth seats and gets 25-35mpg depending on the size of car needed, you used some emotion in your purchase decision. It the only logical explanation and the car companies all know this, that is why you see so many commercials for their product on tv and in print.

  • Ricky Spanish Ricky Spanish on May 21, 2008

    Johnny - my wife and I run to target all the time for crap in our Z4 - the trunk is 9 cu. ft (about the size of an E36 3-series coupe, or double that of a Miata) and any long stuff we can just cram inside - I bring three very long swords to Kendo in it all the time. Sure, its not a hauler but c'mon - you're only going to be young and beautiful once in your life - live it up. Or at least split the difference - get an Impreza 2.5TS Wagon or an old truck, and a used Miata (~$2,000) - same amount of cash spent, much more fun had.

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