What attracts you to a paticular car?

[ficke]

As a buyer of a hobby car for myself, how it drives is the most important thing, then comfort of the driver and how it looks from the drivers seat, reliability, etc. Way down the list of things I want in a car is how it looks from the outside.
As a matter of fact I put up with the look of a car to get the car that I enjoy driving the most, like 911's I think look pretty stupid, but they are my favored hobby car. My favorite car by looks is a 1968-72 Corvette, but I hate the way they drive.

I find it difficult sometimes discussing my favorite car when out side shape and color ( I am color blind) are assumed to be my top priority.
So what attracts you to a car? is it the look? am I the odd ball to assume how a car drives is the auto enthusiast top concern?

[SilberUrS6]

I got lucky. I always loved the shape of the 911. It wasn't until I actually drove one that I realized what a great driving car it was. So, with my 911, I get both. I love the look of an E-type, but they are so disappointing to drive. Likewise, the Alfa GTV6 looks like a Datsun. But it drives really well.

[dienstuhr]

Like Eric, I always loved the 911 shape and bought mine without ever having driven one (really). Luckily they are as great to drive as they are to look at.

I confess I'm shallow though - I don't think I could own a car I didn't like the looks of. There's a lot of stuff you do with a car other than drive it, like wrench on it or wash and detail. It gives me pleasure to look at the car in the garage, or as I'm walking toward it in a parking lot. To me, appearance means a lot in terms of automotive goodness.

Cheers

d.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by dienstuhr

Like Eric, I always loved the 911 shape and bought mine without ever having driven one (really). Luckily they are as great to drive as they are to look at.

I confess I'm shallow though - I don't think I could own a car I didn't like the looks of. There's a lot of stuff you do with a car other than drive it, like wrench on it or wash and detail. It gives me pleasure to look at the car in the garage, or as I'm walking toward it in a parking lot. To me, appearance means a lot in terms of automotive goodness.

Cheers

d.

Exactly the same for me!

[Matt Monson]

Boobies.

[Nick Triesch]

It is a lot of things, The shape, the holy grail of sports cars, the smell inside the car (oil, gas, leather, and more gas) the reliably, not too hard to work on, just a *****-en car! Years ago I owned Brit cars. Horrible. They would leak goo and break down in my drive way. So my car is 30 years old and starts and drives great!!! Our cars are related to the VW Bug. I have owned many. So reliable!!!! That is why!!!

[nene]

You mean I'm gonna buy something BUTT ugly just because it handles/rides like a dream? Don't think so.

It's all about the looks for me, but of course there is a fine line.

Davinci

[ficke]

I would not call a 911 "butt ugly" but I sure do not think they are particularly attractive either.
911's have that stretched VW look and there is no nice hood like in a pre 1984 Corvette or E-types. The late 20's Packard's and Pierces look really nice but drive like trucks or Corvette's up to 1984. I think Alfa's with the rear transaxle and inboard disc brakes, like the GTV-6 and the Alffetta's ,I have owned both, are the closest I have come to leaving 911's except they need constant maintenance (Guibo joints arghh!)
'Beauty sure is in the eye of the beholder' is really true.
I think you guys who like the looks of a 911 really lucked out and it amazes me that the design was a secondary consideration.

What started me thinking about this is how often people assume you bought a car for the looks and when you start talking about what is a good car the conversation tends to gravitate towards looks. 944 thread.
I can see picking women by looks and who cares how good they are in bed or if they or fun to be with, or if their voice will drive you up a wall. but cars, come on now, how far can looks carry you it really cannot be that important.
Here are three of my favorite cars I owned years ago on a family trip 67S , GTV6, 400I they look OK, but were way more fun to drive.

[Rick Brooklyn]

Looks are somewhat important to me. Cases in point: by all accounts Nissan GT-R is a pretty badass car. I think it looks ugly as f*** and I wouldn't want one if they gave it to me for free. The Ferrari FF is an absolute beast, but it makes me puke it's so ugly. I could never afford it but I wouldn't buy it if it cost 1/10th of the price.

[Matt Monson]

In all seriousness I am right down the middle. I won't drive a car that I consider is ugly. But it sure better back up its looks with performance. I always loved the organic shapes of the Pininfarina and Karmann coachworks. How about the Campi wheels and sweeping rear window of a Dino? Dayum. Never cared for what Bertone was doing. British stuff was kind of hit and miss for me.

As the 308 and Countach came along I completely lost interest in the Italian marques and became more enamoured with the 911s. I like the 944 and always appreciated the often considered ugly 928 in its day.

Ironically, the only boxy cars that have ever done it for me are mostly Japanese. Datsun 510. Early early Skyline. And the first Quattro Coupe and first M5. Those are my sedan loves until the GC body Impreza.

Long hoods of Corvettes and Jags never got me interested either. Maybe that's why 4 bangers or rear/mid engine cars have always been in my garage.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by ficke

I would not call a 911 "butt ugly" but I sure do not think they are particularly attractive either.

I more or less think the same about 911 looks - don't think they are ugly, but the body style does nothing for me unless decked out with flares and wings. And even with flares and wings, I don't much care for the cars' profile, but without those adornments, way too VW Bug from the side.

However, I would not be interested in a performance car if I didn't first like how it looked - wouldn't give two ****s about it if it didn't appear special to me.

The same goes for power - don't care how well a car handles, or looks, if it is gutless in a straight line.

That said, I don't think every 911 should have a Turbo tail on it and 300+ horsepower - the variety is good.

[Nick Triesch]

Ronnie, sometimes I'll be in traffic and I'll see what I think is a newer 911 several cars back and it turns out to be the the 2015 VW Bug! Our cars are all related!!

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^

The cars are all brothers with different mothers?!?!?!

[manbridge 74]

Functionista here.....

[wayner]

Simple, for me, black paint and flares on a car that handles well but is otherwise simple.

Case in point



Then there is this:
Going from ugly to uglier, but eventually beautiful once it is in black like this black sample

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Boobies.

Womens or mens? Just asking since I lnow that you have been hot for the 986 for years!?

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Boobies.

Originally Posted by christiandk

Womens or mens? Just asking since I lnow that you have been hot for the 986 for years!?

Hopefully Matt is referring to . . .

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Hopefully Matt is referring to . . .

I am speechless. Your granddaughter?

Do you think that she would famcy a ride in the 912 or is she more of a grandpas rearbooster girl?

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^

Christian, I'm sure she would enjoy a ride in your 912, but I suggest that you disconnect the speedometer altogether so that you aren't faced with a situation similar to that time when your wifey asked you if the speedo was broken since the needle was not moving as you "attempted" to accelerate into traffic!

Also, imagine what granddaughter's upper shelf does when subject to both the acceleration force of the rear booster and the brute stopping power of its almighty brakes - a sight to behold, I tell ye!!!

[christiandk]

Never should have told about highway/speedometer incident 😖