Will you shun a particular car b'cos of branding though you never driven one b4?
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
April 19, 2010 1:11am CST
It took me quite a while before I decided to get my driving license. And due to other monetary commitments, I never really gotten around to getting my license till recently.
Prior to that, I always have this perception that certain car brands are better than other car brands just because... well... it is of that particular car brand.
High end models like luxury cars (ferrari, porche, lamborgini... etc) aside, even the bigger sedans like mercedez, BMW, Volvo are expensive for the average income earners like me. Given that kind of price tag they come in, these are are admittedly very posh, very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. And also, the accessories and power-to-weight ratios of these cars in terms of performance are in a class of their own.
I am talking about regular mid-sized sedans and below cars. Are you particularly bias against a particular brand of cars because of its brand?
Or do you particularly despised the car because you have driven one and honestly found the car to be really crappy?
Where I grew up, I always have this impression that the cars that were manufactured across the causeway were lousy. That is because every one I know claims it to be so. That the make is lousy. That the finishing in the car is crap. That the car performance is terrible.... etc etc. But I never really knew if that was true or not. I just believe them for what they claimed and said.
But as I grew older, my perception changed. I get to ride in the car and I find the ride comfortable and the handling ok. And when I finally got my driving license, I got the change to drive one, I find the car handles well. And the engine responsive to my driving habits. In fact, I find all the talk and claims about how lousy the car is to be total nonsense! I started to fall in love with the car for its performance.
Looking at the brand now, I have a total new found respect for the cars they produce and the models they are rolling out to cater to the local markets.
So my question to you... Are you particularly bias against a particular brand of cars because of its brand?
Or do you particularly despised the car because you have driven one and honestly found the car to be really crappy?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
21 Apr 10
All i know is, never believe in what others say or recommend.. lol =D Because everybody has got different driving habits, and the feel of driving differs from car to car..
Just like my friend who's comfortable about his swift, saying his steer wheel is smooth, but the other friend says it's hard when he test drive it.. hehe ^_^
So, alot depends on the driver themselves.. ONly comfortability can ensure safely on the road.. And we are the ones controlling the cars and not vice versa ^_^
1 person likes this
@FrugalMommy (1438)
• United States
19 Apr 10
There's only one brand of car I really have negative feelings toward, and that's Honda. I can't say I've never driven one. A few years ago, I test drove a Honda Civic. That was the experience that turned me off of Hondas for good. It's not that I hated the car... it was the attitude the salesman took with us. He acted like we were wasting his time, so we took our business elsewhere. It was just as well. That Civic was one of the most uncomfortable cars I've ever driven!
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
20 Apr 10
Woah... that sales guy does have an attitude!
I would have walked out with the money safe in my pocket and looked for another shop that treats me with respect!
Hmm... I have seen the 2006/7 civic and the design of the car is nice! And the car is BIG!
I have not gotten the chance to drive one though. Maybe I should go around test driving cars eh? heh heh... The ride was ok. But the drive, well, that remains to be seen. ;)
Thanks for sharing FrugalMommy!
@FrugalMommy (1438)
• United States
19 Apr 10
The one I drove was a 2007.
It was back in 2006, so I don't really remember exactly why it was uncomfortable. I remember that the back window was too high for me to really see out of when backing up. The dash display was screwy compared to what I was used to, too. I didn't spend enough time in the car to figure out if the seat could be moved to make the window thing better. The guy's attitude made me not want to bother. We were ready to pay cash up front for a car that day, but he basically told us he thought the Civic was out of our price range. :(
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Apr 10
Yes, I have preconceptions about car brands; I regard Renaults as expensive to repair and for parts, Peugots and Toyotas as tough and reliable. I think of Japanese cars as fairly reliable but rather bland, American cars as ugly and ponderous. I have a very good impression of my own Land Rover Defender which I have found to be unbelievably reliable and tough
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Apr 10
And German cars as ugly but well made if sometimes a little over-engineered.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8857)
• Singapore
19 Apr 10
ahgong,
As far as I am concern, I do not have any prejudice over the brands of cars and I do not think so, as a majority.
I feel it is more of personal preference, design, performance and value for money, as a major consideration than those factors you have mentioned. Like me, I like brands that consider highly about safety, fuel economy, reliability without sacrificing performance.
