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Automotive News & Views Good Styling
392 messages, Last post on Feb 25, 2009 at 8:29 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Maybe it's from too many hours spent watching The Jetsons, but the biggest style detractor to me on cars in general are the wheels and tires. I don't care how much chrome you slap on them, the wheels always seem to be an afterthought and the car style never manages to compensate very well for them. Some makes do try to make them a big styling cue while others try to hide them but they are always there, usually ruining the lines. I can't say I've seen many fender skirts that help either. |
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Replying to: steve_ (Apr 25, 2008 9:09 am) Now that I think about it, I had a '67 Newport with skirts, but they sort of blended in with the bodyside creases. That Newport was also more slab-sided, maybe even a bit concave, whereas the Bonneville was more fuselaged. One styling cue that I tend to pay attention to with cars is where the C-pillar falls, in relation to the rear wheel opening. If the C-pillar is too far back, IMO it often makes the car look ungainly, like the roof is too big for the body. Some cars with rakish rooflines can sort of get away with it, but with more upright cars, I think it's harder to do.
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Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 25, 2008 11:55 am) The Germans seem to have as good a handle as anyone as to what makes a good looking car. Audis tend to look great. BMWs, Porsche, even VW. For the most part the Japanese aren't bad but they have a tendency to blend in with one another. Amongst the Americans GM and Ford are improving their act. I don't know that the chrome bars need to be on all Fords but they work on the Fusion which is pretty attractive. Saturn has the idea. I never thought I'd say that. Newer Buick designs are really stepping up. |
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Good: -Any Audi except the Q7 -Bentley GT & sedan -BMW 3 Series, 7 Series -Mercedes E Class and C Class -Ford Fusion -Ford Mustang, esp. Bullitt coupe -Dodge Charger (exc. interior) -Ferrari F430 and 599GTB -Mini Cooper -Infiniti G35/G37, M35/45 -Nissan Altima -Mitsu Lancer/EVO -Porsche Cayman, 911, Boxster -Pontiac G8, Solstice -Mazda Miata, 3, 6 CX-7 -Jag XK -Maserati GT, QP -Bad -Audi Q7 -Saab 9-5 -BMW 6-Series -Nissan Maxima, Armada -Scion xB -Lincoln Navi -Jaguar XF (esp headlights) Merc GM / Ford CV Dodge Challenger -Ugly -Chrysler Sebring -Honda CR-V -Lincoln TC -BMW 5 Series -BMW Z4 esp coupe. -Porsche Cayenne -Roll-Royce Phantom (looks like a Kenworth in front!) I left off a lot of cars that look okay enough but aren't particularly good, bad or ugly, including some (like the Corvette) I might conceivably buy
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Replying to: andys120 (Apr 25, 2008 1:59 pm) BMW has traditionally had beautiful cars but the current 5 and 6 series leave you scratching your head. It would figure that the only was Honda got onto any list was with the redesign of the CRV. The new one is growing on me a little but that only means it moved up to "I don't turn the other way when I see one coming" class. Nissan has been slowly destroying the Maxima design since it did the refresh in, what, 1991? The 89 Maxima was perfect. Still looks good now. I have Hondas and Toyotas. Their design does not cause great emotion either way. Passed a Cayman last weekend. Serious lust. |
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Replying to: fezo (Apr 25, 2008 2:46 pm) I sure like this one, note license plate. 
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Replying to: nippononly (Apr 24, 2008 6:46 pm) I do not find the new Matrix as appealing. Maybe it will grow on me. I did not like the recessed grill on the original Vibe. When they changed the grill it made a big improvement. I have not had a good look at the new Vibe yet.
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I like the new Grand Caravan. I do not like the Calibre. It reminds me of an old Citroen. I have not decided about the Avenger. I think it might grow on me. The pre-MB Chrysler cars were much better than what came after.
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Replying to: writer (Apr 25, 2008 11:37 pm) The Calibre is another car that looks like a truck. The styling might be the best thing about it, apparently it's a poor car. The Avenger/Sebring twins are a real mess with discordant lines and poor proportions, the Dodge comes off a little better because it doesn't have the gimmicky ridges on the hood. I like the second Gen of Viper styling much better than the unrestrained voluptuousness of the early design. The Charger is a great looking car, one of the best current four door sedans, especially in a dark color which gives it an air of subtle menace. Like a lot of the cars of the D-C era it falls apart inside (metaphorically that is). The interior, like that of the 300, is bland and cheap looking. |
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Replying to: andys120 (Apr 26, 2008 3:47 am)
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