Bringing Designs Downmarket

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 01/24/2016 at 17:35 • Filed to: Design

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Every so often I’ll hear someone ask, “Why can’t I get a cheap car with exotic styling?” To that, I always answer with my own question, “Have you looked at cars, ever?!”

You love the striking looks of the F12 but don’t have $320,000 and a letter of recommendation from three Ferrari accredited institutions. Well if you distilled the F12 down by $264,000 (or a rental spec 458) the equivalent would be a Corvette Stingray at $56,000.

You still get heritage, performance, and brand recognition all adjusted to an 82.5% discount. This is the best value in the industry when it comes to the intangibles.

Maybe you like your baby beluga sport-limos with a little more glorified fork in the recipe. Something that isn’t the first, second, or third choice but wins you over when you experience it in person. A sedan that you won’t see at every stoplight. Well you can get into that 404hp, TT-V6 Maserati Quattroporte S for just $99,900. What do you mean that doesn’t sound like a great deal?

Well then, here’s that same design after a 67% discount. Of course we have to make concessions to the size, drive wheels, proportions, materials, appeal, service, parts...but for $32,990 you could have a 293hp, V6 Kia Cadenza with some of the design cues and features. That’s a 27.5% loss in engine performance, but you still get a 154mph top speed compared to the Maser4D S end cap around 177mph.

But of course there is one vehicle whose design transcends all segments and has become the template for all modern vehicles of its body variation.

You guessed it, the culmination of automotive design perfection so affectionately known as...the Honda Accord Coupe. A downmarket design that has become so premium that even luxury and sports coupes wish they had it.

I see that protractor, Ford! Get away from my Honda! Heck, even SUVs are trying to obtain that perfectly proportioned profile.

And to think, you can get the Accord Coupe for only $23,875. Best part about the Accord, pure unadulterated sex in car form. You buy something else because you won’t admit you’re a nymphomaniac. Just get the Accord, instead of living that jabroni lifestyle in a *shudder* C63.

pjhusa > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 17:42

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nonononononononono are you trolling or what

Wobbles the Mind > pjhusa 01/24/2016 at 17:54

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I never troll. I present perspectives that haven’t been argued. I also enjoy hyperbole with my midday scotch.

Vicente Esteve > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 17:54

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You are paying extra for the substance that comes with those designs, not only the designs.

Wobbles the Mind > Vicente Esteve 01/24/2016 at 18:00

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Ah, but material substance is without weight while that which is intangible lays heavy on our shoulders and is carried for a lifetime. Hmm, yes. *blows bubbles*

GE90man > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 18:01

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Volkswagen CC, the only 4 door sleek sport coupe in that price range, but I’m probably wrong about that aren’t I? it's rather nice looking imo

Wobbles the Mind > GE90man 01/24/2016 at 18:20

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It’s the only one that worked at the time. The old Sonata, current Fusion, and current Chrysler 200 are supposed to be 4DCs, but those roof lines are as daring as you can get selling $20,000 family sedans.

Compared to:

NJAnon > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 20:06

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Wobbles the Mind is suggesting I acquire a Honda Accord. And I had considered that. Until I remembered the power is going to the wrong set of wheels. :P

I would agree on your nomination of the Corvette though and add the Z/28 as well.

Vicente Esteve > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 20:40

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what?

Wobbles the Mind > NJAnon 01/24/2016 at 20:44

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Noted! I do love the Z/28, I wonder if they’re depreciating now with the new Camaro, GT350, and the fact that it seems like there are going to be as many used Z06s as Stingrays in two more years. Hmm, I better check how much the tires.

GE90man > Wobbles the Mind 01/24/2016 at 21:13

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the thing about the CC that gets me is that it’s frameless and I kinda like that.

also I think out of the bunch only VW gets the shape and engine right, well maybe besides ford. but being a VW lover id take the CC over the rest

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Wobbles the Mind 01/25/2016 at 13:41

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I am not expecting exotic materials, or exotic levels of fit and finish, or other luxury accoutrements or bleeding-edge tech.

But there is no excuse for mainstream cars to look like warmed-over, over-styled junk.