Are Brits stick in the muds when it comes to motors?
Discussion
I know PH is a diverse community, but from my observations its still largely dominated by Brits or people in the UK at least. So I guess this post is aimed at you guys mostly...
And for the record, I'm a Brit, living in England, of which I've done all my life.
But are you/we all stick in the muds when it comes to cars we rate or don't rate?
I ask because every time something a little different is shown on PH (in a car sense), something that maybe hails from an alternative motoring heritage, is a different shape or targets a different market there seems to be an overwhelming response of idiots blatantly saying "it's crap", "ugly", "poor build quality", "doesn't handle", "hate the way it looks", etc, etc..
It isn't 100% marque specific, even loved PH brands get slated if they be --- daring! And do something beyond the norm. Other marques seem to have this mentality of replies continually though, e.g. produce an interesting design that is not boring or part of the sea of commuters. What do these supposed car enthusiasts do, yep that's right, they slate, they diss and basically act like tools.
So to all of you that b
h and moan about anything vaguely interesting in the motoring world, or automakers who are being bolder, different and daring to challenge convention - why not STFU or become a proper enthusiast and embrace all things motoring, not just the cars certain motoring programs tell you to like or the ones you think you're friends will be impressed by.
It's really rather simple:
Just because you don't like a car or know anything about it, doesn't mean it's crap
for all those that aren't like this, or aren't Brits then I apologise in advance. I know there are some really open minded people on this forum, and its people like them that help make PistonHeads the best motoring forums on the web. To all you guys (and the PH staff
) I say a big thanks.
And for the record, I'm a Brit, living in England, of which I've done all my life.
But are you/we all stick in the muds when it comes to cars we rate or don't rate?
I ask because every time something a little different is shown on PH (in a car sense), something that maybe hails from an alternative motoring heritage, is a different shape or targets a different market there seems to be an overwhelming response of idiots blatantly saying "it's crap", "ugly", "poor build quality", "doesn't handle", "hate the way it looks", etc, etc..
It isn't 100% marque specific, even loved PH brands get slated if they be --- daring! And do something beyond the norm. Other marques seem to have this mentality of replies continually though, e.g. produce an interesting design that is not boring or part of the sea of commuters. What do these supposed car enthusiasts do, yep that's right, they slate, they diss and basically act like tools.
So to all of you that b
h and moan about anything vaguely interesting in the motoring world, or automakers who are being bolder, different and daring to challenge convention - why not STFU or become a proper enthusiast and embrace all things motoring, not just the cars certain motoring programs tell you to like or the ones you think you're friends will be impressed by.It's really rather simple:
Just because you don't like a car or know anything about it, doesn't mean it's crap
for all those that aren't like this, or aren't Brits then I apologise in advance. I know there are some really open minded people on this forum, and its people like them that help make PistonHeads the best motoring forums on the web. To all you guys (and the PH staff
) I say a big thanks.
.300bhp/ton said:
I ask because every time something a little different is shown on PH (in a car sense), something that maybe hails from an alternative motoring heritage, is a different shape or targets a different market there seems to be an overwhelming response of idiots blatantly saying "it's crap", "ugly", "poor build quality", "doesn't handle", "hate the way it looks", etc, etc..
I get a strong feeling of deja vu from the 'why do people hate american cars' thread 
ETA - To condense it into one well worn cliche, 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'
Edited by The Wookie on Tuesday 1st February 14:36
300bhp/ton said:
It's really rather simple:
Just because you don't like a car or know anything about it, doesn't mean it's crap
There is a distinction to be made here.Just because you don't like a car or know anything about it, doesn't mean it's crap
I do not like this car, but know it to be good.
I do not like this car, and know it to be crap.
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It's really rather simple.
300bhp/ton said:
It isn't 100% marque specific, even loved PH brands get slated if they be --- daring! And do something beyond the norm.
That's because more often than not, they do it not to be "daring", but to cut corners or trade off their reputation. It's 1% of cases that are bold new design and 99% that are marketing and finance twonks swindling the customer.Compare recent threads
- BMW 1M; slated for having an engine lifted straight out of an ordinary Z4 rather than one breathed on by the M division
- Nissan Cube; genrally applauded for being bold and interesting design, despite not being "PH"
The Wookie said:
I get a strong feeling of deja vu from the 'why do people hate american cars' thread
ETA - To condense it into one well worn cliche, 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'
And others... as said even PH favoured brands seem to get the same treatment, some rather well know German auto makers for instance.ETA - To condense it into one well worn cliche, 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'
Edited by The Wookie on Tuesday 1st February 14:36
I would say I havn't really experienced this, infact quite the opposite. Since being on PH I ditched my run of the mill Focus and while nearly buying a mk2 Golf, ended up with a 106 GTi choosing to ignore its image. Don't know if you would consider those 'stuck in the mud' type cars - I guess that's all subjective really.
Diabolik said:
I would say I havn't really experienced this, infact quite the opposite. Since being on PH I ditched my run of the mill Focus and while nearly buying a mk2 Golf, ended up with a 106 GTi choosing to ignore its image. Don't know if you would consider those 'stuck in the mud' type cars - I guess that's all subjective really.
I think they are all rather normal mass produced hatches if honest. However I applaud you for maybe doing something you might not have done 
But it's not so much what people own, more their opinions. It's amazing how many great looking cars are slated and called ugly, just because they don't conform to the standard hatchback silhouette. And then just because they don't like the way it looks it also means the rest of the car must be rubbish
I mean for example, I'm not a huge BMW fan, despite having owned two. But I do think they are good cars, ok a little dull looking inside and some modern ones not particularly great lookers. But I can fully respect them, even if not what I'd spend my money on.
On the other hand, I'm a huge fan of the Hillman Imp. I know this isn't a great car, it had many faults when new, let alone compared to a modern car now. Personally I can look past this and still have a longing to own one at some point. But I'm not going to go shouting about how they are better than everything else.
OllieC said:
I want to know who buys a French car new privately and why.
(ok ok so there not all awful i'm sure, but you hear so many horror stories..)
I know the answer to this one...(ok ok so there not all awful i'm sure, but you hear so many horror stories..)
BECAUSE THEY WANT TO!
PistonHeads - sweeping generalisations about people based solely on their car choice... matters.
300bhp/ton said:
But it's not so much what people own, more their opinions. It's amazing how many great looking cars are slated and called ugly, just because they don't conform to the standard hatchback silhouette. And then just because they don't like the way it looks it also means the rest of the car must be rubbish
"Ugly" is hugely subjective, so it's not surprising that people disagree. Making the jump from "ugly" to "rubbish" is indeed stupid. A car can be ugly and rubbish but ugly doesn't imply rubbish, any more than the badge on the bonnet implies excellent/rubbish.It isn't just a PH thing. It's a motoring thing. I couldn't believe Chris Harris writing in the new Evo. He was basically saying he had pre-conceived expectations of what a car from a certain manufacturer should be like, before he had driven it. It's bad enough when Joe Public drones on about his new Skoda being "just like a VW", "every French car is crap", "every Audi is driven by a cock" etc. But when a journalist expects that, what chance will we ever have to see varied and unusual cars on the road?
Incidentally in the same Evo, John Simister tries his damndest to convince us that the new Peugeot 508 is a brilliant car. It looks great. He says it drives great. But what happens on here? "It'll depreciate/dealers are crap/reliability sucks". This is on a brand new car which no one has seen, let alone driven!
It's such a shame. Sometimes I get the feeling that all many people on here want is for every new car buyer to buy something German ready for them to buy used in a few years time. Then those same people will probably moan about "you never see an XYZ" anymore. I can appreciate it must be hard for the manufacturers to break long held prejudices, but if the enthusiasts and the majority of journalists are against them, what hope have they got?
Incidentally in the same Evo, John Simister tries his damndest to convince us that the new Peugeot 508 is a brilliant car. It looks great. He says it drives great. But what happens on here? "It'll depreciate/dealers are crap/reliability sucks". This is on a brand new car which no one has seen, let alone driven!
It's such a shame. Sometimes I get the feeling that all many people on here want is for every new car buyer to buy something German ready for them to buy used in a few years time. Then those same people will probably moan about "you never see an XYZ" anymore. I can appreciate it must be hard for the manufacturers to break long held prejudices, but if the enthusiasts and the majority of journalists are against them, what hope have they got?
Diabolik said:
I would say I havn't really experienced this, infact quite the opposite. Since being on PH I ditched my run of the mill Focus and while nearly buying a mk2 Golf, ended up with a 106 GTi choosing to ignore its image. Don't know if you would consider those 'stuck in the mud' type cars - I guess that's all subjective really.
Sorry, what point are you making exactly? All the cars you mention are 4-cyl, FWD, European hatchbacks, about as daring a rice pudding.I can't say I have noticed it much, usually the what car threads start with someone already knowing roughly what car they want, that fulfils their needs. They ask for other suggestions with their criteria in mind, eg must have 5 seats and room for a dog, and some spanner will come along and recommend a 350z.
Most responses are usually on the money.
If you are referring specifically to US cars, I imagine most people discount them because they are LHD, there is no denying there are certain qualities to be had with a US car, but lets take the 4th gen firebird for example, its got a great engine but it is ugly as sin, therefore I have little interest in it as a suggestion or test driving it to find out how it handles. Therefore I guess I will never find out if its a great car.
That said I don't think I'm the sort of person that would make sweeping generalisations about a specific car if I had little knowledge, or inclination to find out about it.
In other words, everyone is different.
Most responses are usually on the money.
If you are referring specifically to US cars, I imagine most people discount them because they are LHD, there is no denying there are certain qualities to be had with a US car, but lets take the 4th gen firebird for example, its got a great engine but it is ugly as sin, therefore I have little interest in it as a suggestion or test driving it to find out how it handles. Therefore I guess I will never find out if its a great car.
That said I don't think I'm the sort of person that would make sweeping generalisations about a specific car if I had little knowledge, or inclination to find out about it.
In other words, everyone is different.
As someone who bought brand new a fiat multipla I think I can safely say that I buy what I like, that does the job I want it to the best.
At the time I needed a car that I could fit myself the wife 2 small children and a pair of grandparents in that still had enough space for all the crap you need to carry. The only car in my price range that did all those jobs (and which was about a million % better to drive than a zafira) was the fiat, I did 50k miles in that car and it is now owned by my mates dad and is used every day and also used for towing.
I know the looks were a bit challenging but i grew to like the fact that it was different and unusual and that if someone pissed me off the main beam lights are on that funny little step on the front and aim straight at the mirror of the tt that just cut u up
At the time I needed a car that I could fit myself the wife 2 small children and a pair of grandparents in that still had enough space for all the crap you need to carry. The only car in my price range that did all those jobs (and which was about a million % better to drive than a zafira) was the fiat, I did 50k miles in that car and it is now owned by my mates dad and is used every day and also used for towing.
I know the looks were a bit challenging but i grew to like the fact that it was different and unusual and that if someone pissed me off the main beam lights are on that funny little step on the front and aim straight at the mirror of the t
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