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Last post on Oct 20, 2011 at 1:38 PM
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Performance Mods
Aug 27, 2008 (9:16 pm)
Oh yeah!!...Can you say COPO?
#412 of 440 If this is true, I'm a big trucker
by rightmove
Oct 16, 2008 (11:09 pm)
People call me something similar...
Oct 20, 2008 (9:53 am)
My first car was a 2001 Sentra. I guess that paints me as an everyman who occasionally wanted a cheap thrill on the interstate ramps while saving at the pumps.
When I lost the car, I briefly considered the Altima in 2003, which had just changed its styling to its current form. Again, the hot rod and practical sides of me were at war. The compromise came in the form of a red Aerio SX: It had more power, haul things as needed, could be (and still does, except for the color) be distinguished from every other vehicle in a parking lot, and had better room and seating positions than most compacts at the time (my sister has a 2001 Cavalier which, to me, feels like getting into a very low bathtub).
"Is that a truck?" some people would ask.
"Nope." Not much of the local (personal) market had discovered that it was possible to haul stuff at more than 21 mpg overall.
Now, custom usually demands that I immediately swap the car for another brutal assault on my wallet for the next three to five years. I like having money, so I'll hold onto the vehicle until something non-replaceable and/or down-payment expensive breaks, forcing me to consider a new vehicle.
If I were to pick a vehicle today, I think I'd go for the Mazda5. Practical and zoom-zoomy at the same time. Curse my dual nature!
#414 of 440 #413 of 413 (carthell)
by hpmctorque
Oct 20, 2008 (2:42 pm)
I think many of us on Edmunds have a dual nature, if not a triple or quadruple one.
There's not a car made that doesn't compromise some things, nor will there ever be one. That's one reason why many people have more than one vehicle, in addition to need.
Oct 21, 2008 (9:40 am)
I'm conflicted: I normally drive a Lexus for work because it's large, comfortable, will take clients in comfort, has navigation and bluetooth, very helpful tools in my trade. BUT, I just fell in love with, and acquired a Thunderbird (picture on Carspace) that I am really enjoying, in fact, haven't driven the Lexus since I got it. I know what it says about me, I'm nostalgic, ergo; old enough to remember the original Thunderbirds, and liked 'em, trying to capture my past in a car, and probably having a mid life (actually, it's too late for that) crisis.
Do both cars together make me Schitzo-effective?
#416 of 440 Re: For example: [nvbanker]
by davethecarnut
Oct 31, 2008 (5:14 pm)
Just effective. The Lexus is about clients or friends or family. The T-Bird is all about you. Roll with it.
Wow...and I don't have a psychiatry degree!!
#417 of 440 Re: For example: [nvbanker]
by boaz47
Nov 01, 2008 (11:55 pm)
It would seem that in a good economy what you drive is more important than in a bad economy. When I see people driving anymore I just think, well at least they can afford to drive.
What my cars used to say about me is different than they would today. Today they say, "paid in full, got the pink."
#418 of 440 Re: For example: [boaz47]
by euphonium
Nov 03, 2008 (10:56 am)
The 7/11 clerk said, "You must be rich." "Why do you say that?" "Because, you drive an old nice car."
And he was talking about my wife's 95 T Bird!
#419 of 440 Re: For example: [euphonium]
by fintail
Nov 03, 2008 (11:28 am)
That's a good one. Not to be too much of a profiler, but was the clerk a longtime resident of this country?
When I had an 89 S-class people used to either think it was almost new, or a vintage car. I have met people who thought my fintail was worth 30-50K, due to the price of a new MB. The opinions of non-car people can be amusing.
#420 of 440 Re: For example: [fintail]
by nvbanker
Nov 03, 2008 (11:59 am)
You are so right, fintail. The fallacy of this thread's premise is that so many people are not "car folks", and have misconceptions about the value of certain cars. I became painfully aware of this when my wife once told me that some people she knew through our kids' school must "have bucks" because they drove a Mercedes. When I saw the car, it was about a 20 year old S Class, so I knew exactly how much "bucks" that car represented, but to her, it was a real wealth indicator...no matter how old or tired. So this topic is actually only accurate to those who know and understand the market. Otherwise, any Mercedes is an indicator of huge disposable income to many.
This would make you a rich republican in our country, Fintail!