Re: Me, a car snob?

MrToad. Welcome to the site, and congratulations on choosing a title that I wish I’d thought of! I agree with you on the Mondeo - such an excellent car but so hard to love. As for the Ka, it’s the most agile small car I’ve ever driven though, the fact that you only spun your SportKa once in 50,000 miles, rather disqualifies you from your screen name. I’m sure the real Mr Toad could have managed it within 50 yards! On the Multipla too I agree with almost all you say, and on top of that I even like the styling, but I still ended up disliking the one I bought. With a bad lower back, the combination of seat support and ride made hard cornering strangely painful, something I’ve encountered in no other vehicle. Such a pity, because it was at odds with an otherwise great package, though you might point out that hard cornering is not the Multipla’s purpose anyway. Also, although I wasn’t actually driving it at the time, a front wheel falling off on a roundabout didn’t help. I hurry to reassure you that it was no inherent fault of the Fiat’s, it was down to an inattentive mechanic at a lousy garage, but an incident like that always colours the ownership experience!

Re: Me, a car snob?

I saw someone not long ago in a Sepring. I too probably had the same reaction. I don't understand. Now think of the all the cars you could have had instead and the person said no to every single one of them....

Re: Me, a car snob?

 There are a number of facets to this whole topic that make it even more curious than it appears at first. Let's take the classic car society: as seant pointed out, there are those which value pretty rubbish cars just simply because they're old and rare these days. But these's also an even stranger, more twisted phenomenon: the classic that's too accepted.

Exhibit A: Mercedes SL "Pagode" (W113). Over the past few years, the Pagode has turned into the wealthy classic car enthusiast's Golf - you wouldn't believe just how many of them are around at any given summer day in Hamburg. They're pretty, they're relatively robust and easy to maintain; in short: they're a painless way to bathe in the warm glow of classic car ownership, just without the typical drawbacks. Personally, I love Paul Bracq's glorious styling; I'd even go as far as saying I think its a prettier car than the 300SL Gullwing. Yet I doubt I'll ever own one, even if my financial situation allowed for it - it's just too obvious and I'd be part of the herd.

Exhibit B: Alfa Giulietta Sprint/105 Coupé/"Bertone". It's a glorious machine and everything an Alfa should be: RWD, equipped with a great engine, styling and handling. I used to have it on my wish list, until I found out I'm too tall. But even if a hunchback was an option, I probably wouldn't get myself the Alfa. Like the Pagode, it's burdened with a loyal costumer base that's just not my kind of crowd. Here in Germany, the typical "Bertone" driver is relatively young and oh so hip - retro sunglasses, summer scarves, designer leather jackets et al. He probably owns a funky Mini/New Mini as a daily drivers. He buys old cars mainly because his neighbour doesn't and because they fit his independent, as well as cool, lifestyle. Thankfully, the Alfa fits the bill: it's Italian (like his beloved frothy latte caramel frappucino), it's from the 60s (grooovy, baby!) and spare parts are easily obtained and repairing is a relatively simple affair (let's get this straight: in contrast to those sad anoraks, this Alfa driver's got a life!).

Re: Me, a car snob?

  Is I is or is i ain't a Car Snob . Hmmn ?

 Well I can say up and until my 10 day drive in a Corvette C6 last year I was most certainly a Euro Snob . As well as being able to very honestly say there is a whole range of cars i wouldn't be seen dead in which would include ;

1) Any Hyundai

2)BMW X6 and that God Awful new 5 variant the Touring 

3)Jaguar X type as well as the XF and the new XJ

4) Veyron 

5) Any post 456 Ferrari 

6)Any Blinged out Chav anything 

7) Any Hummer 

8)Spyker 

9)Any and all Hybrids and E/V's ( until they sort them out that is )

     etc, etc. 

     But does that qualify me as a " Car Snob " or just a rather discerning and picky Car Afficianado ?

I guess that would be up to others to judge .

       Personally I lean towards the discerning type as it applies to me . But then again I am just a bit biased .

Re: Me, a car snob?

Kubrick ;

      For what its worth . And maybe this is due to both age , cynicism and a bit of a rebellious streak within me ( nahhh a Musician with a Rebellious Streak ? )  I've gotten to the point where i really couldn't give a Rats Behind what anyone thinks of the cars I like and drive .

       Oh I may have a bit of fun getting into a good argument defending what I like but thats just the contentious side of my personality ( I just love a good clean fight now and again )

        Now days I just buy the car that fits my current needs and taste and to (bleep ) with everyone else .

        And when I buy my next car the criteria will be the same . Do i like it ? do I enjoy driving it ? And does it fit my current needs ? If so in the garage it goes .  Whatever it may be !

       The wife is pretty much of the same attitude . Hence her Toyota Matrix xR . ( Verso in the UK )

PS; Coming to this point in my life is much of the reason behind ridding myself of a couple of exotics including the "F ' word . Like & Enjoy still applied but they no longer fit my needs at all . Hence . Gone !