My sentiments exactly. If we're to be supposed to be impressed by sleek looks, at best the new stuff looks like it's trying hard to be a comically aggressive-looking revival of past greatness from the 1970s sports cars (e.g. Countache, 70s Corvette), with none of the glory of the 1950s classic era (e.g. 57 Bel Air, 59 Impala). At worst it looks like this:
I drove my uncle's S2000 for a day. It was fun. If he were a stranger who charged people for that privilege, I'd be willing to pay as much as $10 (plus whatever fraction of gas and maintenance) to drive it for an hour, maybe once every few years, if it was convenient. Like I said, it was fun. Maybe the next time I go to Vegas I'll do that thing where you can drive a Lambo on a track, if it's not too expensive.
I like that 32 better than all the Ferraris, Lambos, McLarens, and every other car in this post combined, including that Soccer Mom SUV thing that's made just a little different by all 132 companies.
I have a friend, a former mechanic I might add, that loves Tercels. My mom drives a Fit. She loves it. I went through the carrier, kids, sports, scouts, school, etc phase to so I get where you are. Drove a lot of bad cars at point. Geeze I remember an AMC Hornet wagon I had. Over heated all the time. But it was cheap. I've always been debt adverse so drive what I could. But I've reached the point now it's all about my wife and I. Can't take it with me they say.My sentiments exactly. If we're to be supposed to be impressed by sleek looks, at best the new stuff looks like it's trying hard to be a comically aggressive-looking revival of past greatness from the 1970s sports cars (e.g. Countache, 70s Corvette), with none of the glory of the 1950s classic era (e.g. 57 Bel Air, 59 Impala). At worst it looks like this:
Meanwhile if we're supposed to be impressed by competitive performance, then looks don't matter at all and we're talking engines and suspension systems and HP and stuff, and I'm just not enough of a car dork for that. It does nothing for me because I'm not into sitting around watching other people drive cars, nor have I ever come close to having the time or money to just drive them on private tracks for fun, nor have any of my family members. Don't get me wrong, it does seem fun! But between a career, lots of kids, a full house to maintain, woodworking, music, and the other stuff I like to do, I don't need an expensive, highly pollutive, time- and space-consuming hobby. (What kinds of sacrifices must such a hobby require, I wonder...?)
What I love about the late 80s/early 90s econoboxes is the simplicity, practicality, understatement, and efficiency--and the ones I like most were incredibly reliable as well, much more so than many modern cars. These were tools that really served an everyday function. They got you where you needed to go every day without otherwise drawing attention to themselves, so you could use them to live rather than have your life dominated by your car.
BTW @68bucks the "econobox" photo you shared is of a 5th generation Honda City, which isn't what I would call a true econobox because it lacks the "box". In fact, the Honda Fit is the American equivalent and it at least comes only in a hatchback! (Though not boxy enough for my tastes.) The econoboxes I dream about are vehicles like these:
Wagovan:
Tercel wagon:
Something about this is missing the mark for me but I'm having trouble articulating it. (Here goes anyway...) Even though I'm no longer short on money, I still like econoboxes for being inexpensive to buy and maintain, enough that they are still the only type of car I'm interested in personally owning. And for me, while I enjoy the satisfaction and self-sufficiency of working on my own cars as much as I can, it's not a hobby and I don't seek to make it one. It would be an expensive hobby if it went that way anyway, and I like my hobbies cheap. My total lifetime investment in either music or woodworking/DIY is under $1000, and that's after ~30 years doing the former and ~10 years doing the latter.
I didn't say GT 40... I said newest Ford GT... Ford doesn't even own the name "GT 40" and isn't allowed to use it...
LOL! The C8 and Ford GT are grocery getters... that's what they are mainly used for... the Shelby GT 40 was an all out race car...
None of the 'angry insect look' cars can compare to what Enzo Ferrari said was most beautiful car in the world (and not even one of his) :
Was going to say I just bought the biggest most powerful microwave for only $140... Panasonic 2.2 cu.ft., 16 1/2" platter, Inverter tech, 1300 watts, etc...
Whenever I see someone driving around in one of those 3 wheeled half car/half motorcycle things I suspect they drive it for a 1/2 hour and then slap themselves on the forehead and wonder: "WHY did I drop $25K on this thing?"
Those things scare the heck out of me, looks like a death trap. I suppose it's no worse than a motorcycle.
If women want to compete they should be up to the task.
The fun (and danger) of riding a motorcycle is leaning into the turns. Those half and halfs are ridiculous. Get a MIata and at least have a top to raise if it rains.
Seen a couple of them drive around here at night with about 100 lights strung over them... guess they want to make sure they are seen sitting down low inside...
Whenever I've said that on a jobsite I get warned to shut up or I'll prolly get fired...
