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454 messages,  Last post on Feb 01, 2013 at 8:39 AM

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Messages Page 46 of 46

#445 of 454 Re: It's a lost cause [steve_] by fintail

Sep 24, 2012 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Sep 24, 2012 6:55 pm)
No mentioning of the lack of imagination in design schools. Of course, it is WSJ, might be seen as anti-"capitalism" in some weird way. Small trim details don't have much to do with fuel economy or space efficiency.

#446 of 454 Industry taps demand for tony interiors by steve_ HOST

Jan 24, 2013 (8:01 am)

Hm, the old '70s Volvo in my family was very comfy to sit in while broken down on the side of the road.
 
Luxurious interiors are becoming a top factor in luring car and truck buyers while increasing profit margins for automakers.
 
In fact, reliability takes a back seat to interior design among consumers, according to a recent J.D. Power & Associates survey, which found a greater percentage of consumers will buy an unreliable vehicle than one with an interior design they perceive as unattractive.
 
Targeting car buyers from the inside (Detroit News)

#447 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [steve_] by andys120

Jan 24, 2013 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 24, 2013 8:01 am)
n fact, reliability takes a back seat to interior design among consumers, according to a recent J.D. Power & Associates survey, which found a greater percentage of consumers will buy an unreliable vehicle than one with an interior design they perceive as unattractive.
 
This conclusion seems a bit dubious to me, perhaps it is heavily influenced by exactly how the question was worded and no doubt by the fact that most cars now are fairly reliable and have nice interiors.

#448 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [andys120] by steve_ HOST

Jan 24, 2013 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jan 24, 2013 5:33 pm)
I wonder how much is influenced by the available telematics too. People want their gizmos.

#449 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [andys120] by nippononly

Jan 28, 2013 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jan 24, 2013 5:33 pm)
most cars now are fairly reliable and have nice interiors.
 
Really? I think the interiors of most cars under $25K are crap (and a lot of more expensive vehicles too). Way too much hard plastic, lack of color, and how about putting in some contrasting materials? Not to mention we are now rushing headlong towards the future of touchscreens in every dash, with all the ugliness and irritations that brings. And if it's not that, it's gimmicky stuff like the Mini Cooper and the Sonic, as two examples.

#450 of 454 It's Nice Now . . . by writer

Jan 29, 2013 (11:30 pm)

It is hard to believe that the North American mfr. "crash" happened years ago now. There was a long period when every time I came to this topic I was just so sad about the state of the industry that it took away any incentive to say anything about styling. But lately, the industry is picking up, and [MAGIC!] STYLING is back again!
 
It's hard to believe that Hyundai is now near the front of the automotive styling world. Go back 10 years and would you have believed that? Go back to the Hyundai Pony and would you believe that the company is still around at all?
 
I think I said before that Ford has taken over the position of "good style" that Mazda had before. I cannot believe that Mazda has continued its direction. The new Mazda 5? Why?
 
The new Lexus "pinched" grill is ok. The Acura front wedge thingies on the other hand, why haven't they gotten rid of those yet?
 
It is nice to see Chrysler's Dart. The size is interesting. I want to see how it compares to the previous Neons. I think the first Neons were shorter in height, but otherwise about the same.
 
About the Neons, I still see "well kept" Neons in Toronto. I think people still like the styling and that the owners are proud of their cars, and that gives them incentive to keep them in good shape. I expect to find that in 10 years, you will be surprised to see a Calibre still running.
 
Chevy: The Spark is "not terrible". If you give me one, I would drive it. I would not buy one. The same goes for the Sonic. My opinion of the Cruze has not changed. I like the car. I do not like the name. I am glad I got my Cobalt Coupe.
 
Buick: For different reasons, the same comment as the Sonic: If you give me one. . . .
 
Nissan Juke: The fender lights kill it. It is hard to believe that the same company put out the G35.

#451 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [nippononly] by writer

Jan 29, 2013 (11:32 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 28, 2013 7:46 pm)
Maybe interiors should be just slightly uncomfortable. If it keeps you just a bit irritated, maybe it will keep you awake at the wheel and more alert?
 
It's just a thought. . . .

#452 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [writer] by nippononly

Jan 31, 2013 (11:03 pm)

Replying to: writer (Jan 29, 2013 11:32 pm)
Not buying it, but good try!
 
Since inside is where I spend most of my time, I have come to think that I care a lot more about the quality of the inside than the styling of the outside.

#453 of 454 Re: Industry taps demand for tony interiors [nippononly] by steve_ HOST

Feb 01, 2013 (7:20 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 31, 2013 11:03 pm)
And that's the minivan owner's secret.

#454 of 454 Re: It's Nice Now . . . [writer] by andre1969

Feb 01, 2013 (8:39 am)

Replying to: writer (Jan 29, 2013 11:30 pm)
It is nice to see Chrysler's Dart. The size is interesting. I want to see how it compares to the previous Neons. I think the first Neons were shorter in height, but otherwise about the same.
 
I've sat in a few Darts, but have yet to drive one. To me, it feels like they took the front of a midsized car, the back of a compact, and joined them at the B-pillar. I found it plenty roomy and comfortable up front, but the back seat was what I'd call "typical compact"...too small for me to be comfortable, but about par for this size of vehicle.
 
I think the midsize/compact thing carries over to the styling, as well. If you take a picture of one from the side, and put your thumb over the back of it, it looks like it would be a fairly good-sized car. But, if you put your thumb over the front of the picture, it just looks like a generic, stubby compact.
 
I've seen a few on the road, as well, and when one comes up behind you, it seems to have a lot of presence about it.
 
As for the old Neon, I liked them. They were one of the few small cars where I could fit comfortably, both in the front and back. I've heard that reliability wasn't too bad on the later models, either. Unfortunately, resale value is so low that it doesn't take much to total one. I have a friend who had one, and it took a fairly minor side swipe while parked, and that was enough to total it. But then, he bought a Hyundai Sonata, an early 2000's model, and one morning rear-ended a truck with a trailer hitch on it, and even though the damage looked light, it got totaled, as well. He's driving an early '00's Mopar minivan now, but I can't remember which model. I think it's a Caravan, but it might just be a Voyager.

Messages Page 46 of 46

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