A Tale of Two Cars

I don't know if everyone feels this way but when it comes to cars, for me there is a dichotomy. First there is the practical side that says that a vehicle is just for moving people or things from point A to point B. The vehicle is seen as a pure mode of transportation where one will consider the overall cost of the vehicle from repairs and maintenance to resell and fuel costs. This side is very analytical. Then there is the other side that looks at a vehicle as a thing of beauty and even status. This part looks at styling, appeal and even what others think. This is the side that carmakers are used to appealing to.

Having been a car salesman for many years I would try and decide which type of person I had in front of me, the practical or the overall level of appeal type. If it was the practical we would crunch numbers and go over the statistics but if it was the other type we would spend more time driving the vehicle. I would wave at everyone as if they were taking notice of the vehicle and have the customer drive by reflective glass windows so they could actually see themselves in the car. Those little tricks always helped in making the sale.

Maybe everyone has these two sides to them. I just don't like the impractical side very much. I mean to be swayed by what others think to me is a sign of weakness yet a lot of people buy a vehicle based upon status or appeal. Yes there is a certain appeal while setting in a fast car, reving the engine and feeling all sporty and there is the luxury side of a vehicle that surronds one with creature comforts. I mean it does make a person feel good when someone says, "Wow, nice car!". I guess this is why there are so many highline automobiles on the market.

With gasoline on the rise people become more conscious of the practicle side. They start thinking overall costs and fuel mileage. Oh well, a vehicle is after all just a means of going from point A to point B, right?