Question of the Day: What's the Most Un Car-Guy Car?
September 3rd, 2008 3:38 PM
Share
Car Guy: 1. A person that lives and breathes cars; can tell you not only the make and model of every car on the street, but the displacement and power ratings as well. 2. A car enthusiast that values performance over practicality, comfort, reliability and efficiency (see Alfa Romeo Owner). For today’s QOTD purposes, lets stick with definition number two. Good? That said, I’m fortunate enough this week to be blasting all over Los Angeles in a Pontiac G8 GT (that’s the one with the 6.0-liter 361 hp V8 — more later). In my eyes, the Pontiac from down unda is a car guy’s car. Potent, fairly crude, not so hot on gas and a genuine thrill to drive. This morning (doing about 90 mph up a 6% grade) I passed a New Beetle Convertible. It had an orange top and matching orange rims. My gut, reptilian brain reaction was to smash it off the road. Who would drive such a dorky buggy? But is the Bug that J Mays penned any less of a car guy car than a Toyota Corolla/Camry? What about a (perish the thought) minivan? Or, the press car I traded last night for the G8, a Lincoln MKX? Yeah, the Ford Edge with 50 Cent’s teeth. I’m going to stick with the sherbet New Beetle. You?
Comments
Join the conversation
captdownswift... I actually saw a mid-80's Lebaron on the road today. Soft top up, silver in color, in very good shape. I can admire someone who keeps an old car in good shape regardless of the brand. In fact I'd be more than happy to have a long conversation about their old car than their new car. I see more than enough of those at the auctions.
I'm convinced that there is a fan-base for almost every motor vehicle ever produced, no matter how flawed or bland the vehicle is. Based strictly on the definition of "car guy" in the original question, an un-car-guy car would have to be practical, comfortable, reliable and efficient but NOT have a shred of performance characteristics. That sounds like the description of a minivan to me, perhaps a Toyota or Honda. From my own experience that could also describe a 1992-96 Buick Roadmaster (without the towing package). My old 1984 VW Rabbit diesel (non-turbo) could also qualify, as long as you're in the driver's seat and not in the back seat. otherwise, it was decidedly UNcomfortable. Disclaimer: Although I rather like my mom's Roadmaster and I miss my VW Rabbit, I consider myself very much a car guy.
thetopdog: I rented a Mustang V6 auto convertible for a week just this past July. As a rental I've got no problem with them, they are enjoyable rides. My feeling is that an owner would loves cars would never get the V6 with the auto.