Quote:
Originally posted by Kierf - ¿§?
Okay...it is more than obvious that you all are fanatical about your car, that is not a bad thing at all. I know I am about my two cars.
Anyways, BrianH, can you explain this one to me? A person on the VW Vortex said he would take a German car over any Japanese car simply based on the fact it is German. I've never understood this, and I own both. I have had a total of 3 Japanese cars and one German...
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I know this is long, but it's not simple to explain.
I agree with your friend. I know it is not logical, and probably sounds silly to most, but I’ve had a prejudice against non-European cars since I was about 6 or 7. I know there are Japanese and American cars that go fast, handle well, are reliable, comfortable, fun to drive, and probably by any measurable requirement are "better" than a lot of European cars. It doesn’t matter to me, I "feel" better about European cars. I consider myself a fairly logical person. Some people have told me I’m too logical. But cars are one aspect of my life that I enjoy being illogical about, it’s an escape for me. My choice in cars is based almost entirely on emotion. Other factors, even performance, are secondary.
So what is it that has caused me to have such a strong emotional tie to cars from Europe? It’s hard to say, but I think there are several factors:
1. When I was very young, I had a Commodore 64 computer. There was a game called Test Drive that I used to play with my cousins. The game involved racing up and down mountain roads, eluding cops, and avoiding the slower "drone" cars (which were Corvettes). On the screen where you selected the car you wanted to drive, it would show you statistics about the cars, including the cost. I remember a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Lotus Esprit, a 911, and a Corvette. The Lambo was the most expensive, then Ferrari, Lotus, 911, and the ‘Vette. I reasoned that the most expensive car must be the best. It’s amazing how impressionable 7-year-olds are. To this day, no matter how the cars change, and how much I learn about them, this pecking order remains firmly implanted in my psyche.
2. Growing up in California in the 80’s, I my observations led me to form some prejudices about cars and their owners. Now, I’m really not trying to offend anyone, I come from a family that has owned American (mostly), Japanese (some), and European (only a few) cars. These were just my feelings at about age 8, I know they are mostly wrong, but they still influence my emotions towards cars.
Remember, these are the thoughts of an 8-year-old:
American cars are for "old people" and rednecks. The desire to buy an American car is a cultural relic from the 1950’s (which judging from the 50’s sit-com reruns I’ve seen must have been a time period that sucked beyond belief). So old, out-dated, and unworldly.
Japanese cars are for the very poor. Cheap, ugly, little tin boxes that merely get you from A to B. Remember, if it’s cheap it must be bad.
Young, rich, powerful people drive European sports cars. They wear suits. Women like them. They yell things like "Sell! Sell!" and "Destroy the competition!" They must be very important. Magnum PI and Miami Vice, enough said. NOTE: I loved Knight Rider, but only recently found out that thing was a Trans Am, I had no idea what it was as a kid.
3. European cars are somewhat exclusive. Just the name impresses people. Which sounds better: "I drove the Porsche to work today" or "I drove the Nissan to work today"? I know a lot of the people on this board complain about guys buying 996’s just for the image, and that a true Porsche fan doesn't care about image. Honestly, there are lots of reasons I like Porsches, but if image meant absolutely nothing to me, I would probably not be driving a 911. A lot of people say guys buy sports cars to make up for... um... other shortcomings. I don’t know about that, but for me, I think I am subconsciously making up for the daily ass-kickings I received in school. Yes, I was a nerd, and to some extent, Porsche is my revenge. Driving around town, I sometimes see the guy who used to pick on me the most... he harrased me every single day in junior high. He drives a Civic.
So in summary... As with everything, it’s mostly marketing. Well for me it is, I know others here have a different take on it. Hmm, maybe it was simple to explain after all. Anyway, people should drive what they like. Really, there’s nothing wrong with Japanese cars but I still wouldn’t buy one.