Nothing screams Penis Replacement, like a huge Phallic car.
ducks and runs
You can make unique cars that some people find classy. But since we all have different standards and tastes, it’s impossible to design one car that everyone thinks is unique and classy. There are people who think the Scion xB looks a lot more interesting and fun than the BMW 8-series. You’re free to question our taste, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are such people. (And by the way, what’s so unique about the BMW 8-series? It looks just like a Japanese sports car.)
I also find the Mach-1 to be hideously ugly. It screams “teenage boy” to me - not a hint of maturity.
The Scion Xb baffles me. Frankly, I care very little about auto design but that car is just so ugly.
Still, I have the sense that it’s gotten better. Don’t believe me? Check out this 2003 version: http://www.4myride.com/index.cfm?cmd=products.detail&pId=4002362
No, I don’t mind the new VW Beetle. And guess what? I maintain that the PT Cruiser has a more attractive grill than the 1971 Mustang. In fact, I’d say that the front end of cars (not including SUVs) have visually improved. MHO though. YMMha!V
And here is where you lost me. That thing GM calls “Impala” is not an Impala, this is an Impala. I don’t entirely hate modern cars (I do like the PT Cruiser, for example), but they do show a depressing lack of interesting design for the most part. Additionally, they are overly complex, and in general, their interiors are overloaded with plastic crap! Yeah, cup holders are nice, but I don’t need nor want a gianormous center console, with 80 billion buttons and knobs to control the HVAC, radio, clock, etc., etc., etc. (I so miss the floor mounted dimmer switch.) Oh, if I only had the money to start my own car company.
Meh, the front of the car resembles an ass (2 humps and a crack down the middle) more than a penis to me.
Why did this get moved to the pit?
Hate to disagree, but the 1971 Mach 1 is not an attractive car. This is what it’s all about. Some doper has a drop-dead gorgeous red one with white racing stripes. Can’t remember who.
Also, this may be heresy, but I actually think the Chrysler Crossfire looks cool.
I forwarded a copy of your post to my Brother-in-Law. He was one of the chief engineers for General Motors Cadillac division. I hated there new design cha nges, but my husband loved them. He is now in charge of the new Malibu project. Maybe it will help, because I feel the same way. Care need some style to them.
However, in his defense, market analysts, coupled with cost production managers, make a lot of those decisions based on the almighty dollar. Regrettably, people like you and I are not a big part of the market.
About the Impala - cool it guys. I said it’s the best-looking current American car design. It still isn’t great, but I’m saying it’s the best out of a huge crop of really ugly American car designs. They all look horrible. But come on. The Impala is definitely better than the Ford Focus, the Ford Taurus, Chevy HHR, Chrysler’s monstrous and bulky 300C, Cadillac’s ugly new offerings - I’m no fan of the new Impala. I’m just saying it’s the better of the evils.
Don’t understand all the hate for the Mach 1. I personally like sportscars that look a little mean, and the Mach 1 looks meaner than the older Stangs you’ve linked to, in my opinion. I think the grill looks great, I can’t see how someone could criticize it - it’s more recessed and the logo is smaller, plus it manages to pull off the combination of rectangular and circular lights. The massive height of the swept-up rear end of the Mach 1 makes it look like it has more power behind it, and gives it a more solid look. It also looks a little bit futuristic without looking TOO futuristic. I will agree that the paint job of the image I provided is not the best - if I had one it would be dark green with white striping. I linked to that image because it was the largest and clearest one I could find.
What can I say, I like the style of the Mach 1. I also like the style of all the classic Mustangs as well. That 66 fastback is a beauty! Whoever brought up GTOs, also a favorite of mine.
What’s unique about the BMW 8-series is precisely that it looks like a Japanese sports car. It’s the only BMW that looks this way. The grille is a narrow strip and the kidneys are tiny, unlike all other BMWs. The taillights are straight-across, rectangular, big and bold-looking. The curves are elegant and the overall shape is very sleek-looking. It’s a great looking car. If you don’t like it, I’m not going to be able to convince you, I’m just telling you why I like it.
Can you tell me exactly what you don’t like about the Mach 1? I have gone to the trouble of describing in detail the design features which make these cars appealing to me. To better understand your point of view, you should specify which particular design features make the car unappealing in your eyes.
As far as Impalas go, I gotta go with 94-96’ version. They screwed that one up by not making enough! Probably the start of GM’s downfall. Black, rims, and an LT1 with dual exhaust. You can’t go wrong. I have a 94 Caprice myself. If I wreck it, I’ll replace it in a second with another.
The current Impala casting ought to be melted down. Out of all the evils you listed, the current Impala is better then those in quality and design. But not by far.
Incidentally, I just looked at the new Impala and it looks horrible. I didn’t realize they had changed their design so drastically. I had the 2005 Impala in mind as I wrote what I did. The 94-96 is sweet especially in black.
I don’t know jackshit about cars, but I know fug, and this car is big time fug. My dad got one in silver as the funeral home’s main car, which we use sometimes. (We’re riding in it today for my grandmother’s funeral). Ugly motherfucker. Comfy, though, I’ll give it that.
My dad had a K car for a brief time when I was little. It was cramped and uncomfortable.
But. Not. In. Red!
I mean, barf.
And I doubt that aesthetics were of any importance while developing the former.
I’d largely agree that the mid-late 60s Mustang is the pinnacle of design for US autos. But I never liked the fastback. I prefer the sedan.
Just out of interest, would anyone like to comment on the Citroen Xsara Picasso?
I’m guessing, from the general tone of critique here, the answer will be something like ‘giant comedy egg on wheels’
Crap. How’s that? It seems I would have to grab it by the roof, roll it backwards on its wheels about 10 times, get in and go. Like those little cars you get from value meals.
Honestly, I think this is a good era for car design. Most of the cars that people here dislike (Mustang, Xb, 300C) I find refreshing. Not all are my complete cup of tea, but I appreciate the functionality and distinct styling. There are many cars that I think of as ugly right now, mostly large SUVs, but otherwise there are many designs out now that are huge leaps forward.
In particular, the new Mustang looks muscular and athletic, without seeming overweight and plasticy, like the previous generation. It harkens back to the classic Mustangs from the 60’s without being a clone. I think it’s a huge success.
The 300C is a big heavy for my tastes, but I think the Charger and the Magnum succeeded. They are big cars that don’t appear ponderous. They look fun to drive regardless of what’s under the hood.
I think the entire Mazda line, especially the 3 and 5 wagons, are stylish and very functional. They don’t look like jelly beans while still affording lots of useful room. The Honda Fit is similar. I haven’t seen the Toyota Yaris in person yet, I’ll reserve judgement there.
That 1971 Mustang is like something Del Boy would ride around in. It’s even the right colour. It’s a box on wheels. I prefer the 2005 version, although that’s not even a nice looking car.
This, however, takes the prize for being the world’s ugliest car. I’ve seen a few people ride around in these and I’ve always wondered what on Earth they were thinking when they bought it. It’s twice as wide as a normal car, shaped like a carboard box at the back and has the wierdest bonnet ever. It’s horrific.