The first step a 12 Step program is admitting that you're powerless. Well, I'm guessing that if you consider yourself to be a car enthusiast, you're probably powerless to resist being a car snob at times. Think about it: haven't you ever complained about how somebody's an idiot for buying a certain car, or doing something so tasteless to his or her car that it should be against the law?
Well, my wife, after hearing one of my recent rants, noted that being a car snob is rather unbecoming. Plus, in my line of work, we strive to be as unbiased as possible. So, in hopes of becoming a better person this week, I'm laid out three of my typical topics for car snobbery.
3. Chevrolet Corvette convertible
Perceived Shortcoming: Not a real Corvette.
Yeah, it's a little surprising since I own a Corvette. But I was driving last week with my wife and trailing two black C6 Corvette convertibles in traffic. Both were driven by older gentlemen, and at least one was equipped with an automatic transmission. Our conversation went as so.
Wife: "Oh, look, two cars like yours!"
Me: "No, not like mine. They're convertibles."
Wife: "So?"
Me: "The Corvette should be about performance, and if you've bought a Corvette convertible with an automatic, then performance is in proverbial back seat."
Wife: "But they're still fast, right?"
Me: "Yes."
Wife: "And they're still pretty sporty to drive?"
Me: "Well, yes, I suppose so."
Wife: "Hmm. I see. So what's your point exactly?"
She then let me wither in her grip of logic.
Making amends: There's more than just performance to consider when buying a sports car. Some people just want a car that looks cool. And if the top goes down, for them, all the better. And here, the Corvette, with its affordable price, iconic heritage and still quite capable performance, does just fine.
2. Pickup trucks with big lift kits and big wheels
Perceived Shortcoming: Not a real truck anymore.
In my snobbish mind, trucks are meant for towing, hauling and going off-road. So when somebody throws on an 8-inch lift, chromed triple shocks at each corner and 22-inch wheels with low-profile tires, I'm figuring we've got a problem. Starting things off, your 8-inch lift has obviously compromised your truck's towing ability and increased the risk of a rollover accident. Of course, adding a moderate lift kit can improve off-road ability, but the overkill shocks and flashy street-oriented tires and wheels say otherwise. Some of these trucks don't even have four-wheel drive. Basically, it just seems silly.
Making amends: Looking back, I've made some pretty silly modifications to cars I've owned. All of them seem to have occurred during high school and college, but hey, I made them nonetheless. Everybody should be entitled to individualize his or her vehicle. If that means making it less capable, well, no worries. (Though I still stand by my assertion that lifting a truck so high is a notable safety issue.)
1. BMW 3 Series
Perceived shortcoming: Purchased for the image rather than the car itself
The BMW 3 Series is the most popular luxury car out there. But how many owners bought the car just because it's a "BMW" compared to purchasing the car because they thought it was the best in the segment? Too many, I think. It's particularly bad in Southern California. If you did some research, Mr. BMW 3 Series buyer, instead of just blindly going for what you think is the cool status car, maybe you'd actually end up with something that's less expensive or better suited to your automotive needs.
Making amends: I shouldn't really care if somebody bought a 3 Series solely because it's a BMW. To each his own. And really, they did end up with a 3 Series, which is a pretty awesome car. If people were buying something like, say, a Jeep Compass purely for image, then we'd have a problem. Oh, wait, they do...
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
By greenpony
on August 20, 2010
09:42 AM
For a moment I thought I might not be a "car snob" because I don't necessarily agree with your three above. But when you get to the meat of things, you've hit three key points: 1. buying an image or brand, 2. buying a car that doesn't fulfill someone else's automotive needs and wants, and 3. personalizing a vehicle in a way that someone else finds tasteless.
And you know what? I *am* a car snob. I do these things all the time. To me, Mercedes is equivalent to your "BMW 3 Series". V6 muscle cars (especially posers who try to pass them off as their V8-powered brethren) are equivalent to your "Chevrolet Corvette convertible". Any anything with decals, stickers, fake vents/portholes, plywood body kits... that's equivalent to your "Pickup trucks with big lift kits and big wheels". So let me lean back in my alcantara leather seat, flip open my Automobile magazine, and sip on some 5W-20 (ok, ok, maybe a diet Pepsi -- cooled in my center console fridge) and everyone else can bask in my snobbery.
By deagle13
on August 20, 2010
09:45 AM
I can relate to your post on several levels (as a car enthusuast, as a Southern California resident, and (until recently) as a Corvette owner/driver).
Here's a bit of perspective that might help you to deal with your top 3 peeves:
3. If the "cruiser/weekend waxer" segment of Corvette buyers disappeared, Corvette sales would drop by 50% - 75% and the Corvette would have ceased to exist a long time ago. Also, the tendency of this segment to drive their Corvettes slower and safer keeps the Corvette's accident rate down which in turn keeps insurance premiums down.
2. There's no way I can see around a stock pickup when driving a Corvette. However, in many cases I can look underneath a lifted truck to see the traffic ahead so while the owner of the lifted truck might be endangering themselves, they are enhancing my safety (as long as they don't roll over on top of me).
1. Honestly, I can't help you with this one. I got caught behind a late model 330i on Mulholland yesterday (speed limit 35MPH) that was doing 25 on the straights and dipping into the mid-teens in the curves. The string of expletives that left my mouth was epic. This guy (or gal) was going so slow that they were being tailgated by a 1980's Toyota pickup loaded with gardening equipment...
By blueguydotcom
on August 20, 2010
09:59 AM
I do it all the time - my wife knows my rants already.
I see an M3 convertible and I can't help but shake my head at it. 4000 lbs.
Scion TC - laughable.
Lexus IS250 - just so pointless.
Anyone driving a 3 series like a granny (which is most everyone) - sinful.
ANY car with an aftermarket modification beyond wheels (even those get jabs if they're large or chrome). Want to raise my ire - spoilers, airdams, side sills, dubs, blue lights, etc.
By zcalvert
on August 20, 2010
12:38 PM
In general I support all 3 of your examples and have many more of my own - none of which I'm particularly apologetic for.
On the BMW point, I actually think it's worse with the the 5 & 7 series cars. I bet 75% of those buyers would be much better served by a Lexus or MB that is skewed more to the luxury rather than sport side of the equation.
By subytrojan
on August 20, 2010
05:30 PM
Do more of these, Brent!
By firstwagon
on August 20, 2010
06:08 PM
I agree about the 3 series, wonderful car bought by the wrong people for the wrong reasons. I do have a way to separate the true BMW fans from the posers... manual transmission.
Posers do not shift and real car guys would never buy a car like this with an automatic (in any form).
By pat1usmc
on August 21, 2010
04:05 AM
Interesting read. I admit I have my own car snob pet peeves but in the end I think its easier and less stressful to just stop judging others' taste in vehicles. Personal preference is just that-personal. I used to wonder why my father insisted on only buying convertible Corvettes until I owned a Boxster. I thought there would never be a day I'd step foot in a pickup truck, let alone own one, until I bought a Ram for towing and hauling.
And you're absolutely right. I'm sure everyone can look back at some ridiculous things they did to their cars when they were younger. Do that and it might cut down on the snobbery.
By teekay13
on August 21, 2010
10:12 AM
I'm as much a car snob as anyone. When I see some sports car with an auto transmission, I laugh. Why? Because even my family minivan (2010 Mazda5) is equipped with a stick, yo!
Yet, after owning a Miata and experiencing the joy of a convertible, I still have buyer's remorse about getting my M3 (e46) in coupe form. I should have picked the vert so I could have enjoyed the M3 experience in topless form, and could have enjoyed its intoxicating engine note just a bit more with the top down.
Does that make me a poser then? Ha Ha!
By wrinklebump
on August 25, 2010
11:25 PM
So what about a Corvette GS convertible with a stick? Sick brakes + other Z06 parts + premium over the base Vette. How is that not a true sports car, with the benefit of being better-looking?