Cookie cutter cars??

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Not trying to stir up trouble, but I'm getting tired of all the cookie cutter looking cars on the road today.............what has happen to looking unique and standing out from the crowd on the road today??

http://carsandcoffeetalk.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-is-your-american-idol.html

Just my opinion :)

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

If you are talking about new cars, we still have a couple of them, but most of the conventional cars all look the same, and have the same basic profile. A couple of decades ago, you were able to tell what kind of car was coming in the distance, just by the head light and grille configuration, but I have noticed that I actually have to wait till I can get close enough to read the brand badge on these things now, because the basic headlight configurations are about the same.

The death of the unique cars, was when the factories started trying to squeeze 10 years out of a model run, with just a couple of slight changes, because they for some reason cannot do what they used to do in the past.. Wouldnt it be cool, if we actually could get excited about the new version of our favorite brands to be released every year? It sure seems like it would be easier now, considering everything is Moulded Plastic now days, so what the Hell is the problem? Ah, the good old days, and that is why those models will always be classics.

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Well said...................I do wonder if it has anything to do with some of the new young designers???

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

Well said...................I do wonder if it has anything to do with some of the new young designers???

I really dont think so, because any designer would probably have some bad ass concepts in their head, so I am betting it all has to do with the bottom line of not wanting to spend money on new tooling and setup... Use to be every car company tried to out do the other every year, but now they are all sharing the same damn components, and all fit the same moulds. Have you ever noticed that with the recent spy photo's taken of the new model cars, they look even more the same, because the body wraps are hiding the distinguishing little feature changes like the badges and grille mesh? ha ha

[craig510]

A lot has to do with aerodynamics, interior space, and federal government standards. It's not very exciting but it works. My daily driver is a blue civic. I get 30+ mpg and it requires very little maintenance. My falcon has all the style I need.

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Our culture has changed also.......to some new car buyers style is not a priority, its just a mode of transportation! To a car guy......that doesn't make sense :)

[frankv11]

Well I'm thinking of buying a hyundai genesis and slapping Mercedez emblems on it. No one will notice right ?

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

LOL.......you know you are right!! Now I do like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe!! I even like the new FRS :)

[MarkM66]

Caused by, CAFE fuel economy requirements.

There's only so much you can do when it has to be aerodynamic, and hasn't already be done.

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Ford gave us a new mustang that has 305HP and 30mpg!! That's a good goal for many!!

[barrrf]

While there arent many vehicles that "Stand Out" anymore - there are still a few you can identify by their headlights. And that makes them more unique. All reservations aside the 300C is one of the most easily identifiable cars on the road with it unique features. I dont know, for the most part sedans are cookie cutter but everything else is pretty uniquely shaped.

Or maybe I just have an eye for identification.

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

I hear ya.....................tail lights use to be a dead giveaway to make/model

[cluxford]

Unique = minority these days

Back in the day, not as much (global) competition, the race was a styling / HP / features race. Now it's a electronics / fuel economy / safety race.

Also back in the day % margins per car were way way higher, now a lot of the margin gets chewed up by covering 401 / providence costs.

large scale large volume manufacturers are running a business, it's about regulations, volume and profits (remember many needed bailouts not long ago)

If you want unique you have to go to smaller manufacturers catering to a different demographic (ie us)

Same in many other industries.

All lounge suites look the same from the big suppliers, but the funky "different' ones are made by smaller manufacturers targeting a different market.

We can all think of such examples.

I love unique, that's why I drive a 61 Buick Bubbletop as my daily ! Screw MPG !

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Super great comments.......unique is still important to the purist car nut!! But it seems we are fighting a losing battle :warning:

[CoffeeTalkJoe]

Super great comments.......unique is still important to the purist car nut!! But it seems we are fighting a losing battle!