What makes a good car ?

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl) 02/01/2016 at 16:40 • Filed to: None

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Overhearing conversations of the non-thusiast on what makes a car good for them is often cringe worthy or hilariously simple. What irritates me are the people who refuse to go beyond the usual ( Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla...) I’m not knocking any of these cars because in their own right they’re really good cars if your objective is good gas mileage and easy to drive. But what about us ? What are your criteria that makes a good car.I think about this because I’m looking at my own car and each day I love how easy it is to build into something of my own design. It’s bof design allows towing, (yes I do have a class three receiver in the mail), it’s modular engine allows modifications from the Mustang and I advise you to follow me because I will be documenting a head swap in the near future. It’s generally simple all around and reliable. That is what makes a good car for me, if it allows me to build where I see flaws and is already built like a tank and doesn’t break the bank it’s perfect.

I think about what else would I purchase and my next purchase most likely will be a Wagon or utility vehicle, as much as I love sedans they’re not built to do what the Crown Vic is capable of anymore.

But not everybody has the same vehicular preference, I know people who just need something simple that rolls without fuss and those who love their machines more than themselves. And that’s ok.

What about you, what do you require in a car ?

bob and john > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 16:42

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comfy, leather (sue me) seats, a kicking stereo, makes a good noise, Id like it to be a little quick, and reasonable (30+MPG on the freeway) fuel econ.

dont particularly care if its FWD, RWD, AWD.

EDIT: oh, and I’d like a nicer badge on the front. but I think thats more stemming from the fact that your more likely to find the above in a BMW or an Audi then a ford.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 16:56

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My list is short but vital:

-Manual transmission
-An oil filter and pan plug that doesn’t have me losing fingers when I do routine maintenance
-Seats that I can sit in for more than 8 hours (I road trip often distances further than 700 miles multiple times a year)
-Room for, or at least a way to mount, my bikes and gear to go with them
-Factory stereo is above adequate.

Right now I have a 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT and a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country. The Van broke the manual rule, but it replaced a manual which replaced a manual, which replaced a manual. The issue was the wife needed 7 seats for her watching of 5 children every day and occasionally needing to cart them places, so there are not many 7 seater manuals that carry a warranty.

Matthew Phillips > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 02/01/2016 at 17:00

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Amen...

Tripper > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 17:03

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For me a car has to be relatively small and relatively light. It’s got to be quick/fast, and corner flat. It also has to handsome/pretty (I know...subjective). It will also almost always be the most performance oriented trim available.

It does not have to be from a German manufacturer, but it probably will be. I’ve owned plenty of cars made by American/Japanese manufacturers, but after I bought my first BMW I drank the Kool Aid. Chances are slim that any future cars will be anything besides a BMW, Porsche, or Audi regardless of their vintage. However I could see a Miata or something similar if I had the funds for a track car.

. . > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 17:06

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I genuinely think there’s only 1 thing a car should have to be ‘good’ - it’s a soul.

Other than that I don’t think there’s some objective way to determine a good car. To non petrol heads a good car is one that’s reliable and suits their needs.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 17:22

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Something performance oriented that I can [reliably] drive the balls off every day for thousands upon thousands of km. I don’t like “super cars” that much because you can’t drive them every day. A good car shouldn’t be impossible to fix without the dealership, and it should be something that you can add your own personal touches to.

Matthew Phillips > . . 02/01/2016 at 17:27

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Exactly

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 17:36

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Depend on its purpose.

For a sports car/weekend: Light, manual, balanced, good handling, happy engine.

ex.

For a DD: Comfortable, easy to drive, blends in, good fuel consumption.

ex.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 17:41

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Feels special and is relatively reliable.

NJAnon > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 19:00

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That it not be an economy car. :P

MM54 > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 19:19

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Simple: I like it.

I daily and very much enjoy my p71, at the same time I have every intention to check out the new Fiat 124 Spider when they make it to dealers. I own a 71 Chevelle but will some day own a 3rd gen Supra, too. I want an old C10, and if I ever find one that isn’t either fully restored or a total basket case, I’ll pick up a Lotus Europa to go with it. I almost bought a ‘74 Fleetwood Brougham a couple years ago.

If I like a car, for whatever reason, it is a good car to me.

It’s overused but true - life’s too short to drive boring cars.

wiffleballtony > Matthew Phillips 02/01/2016 at 22:28

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Well both of my cars are, “Domestics”, RWD, and have a V8. With that said, I wouldn’t say those are necessary.