Let the debate begin.
Today’s question in the ‘Desert Island’ series, we ask the age old question - if you could only choose one (1) - which reasonably priced car manufacturer would you take (imagine: on a desert island / to dinner with you / in a cage fight / wherever).
You know what we’re on about.
Just one. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Consideration has to be given to the entire line of cars within the manufacturer’s fleet. From the bottom feeders (ie. lower priced models) up through their very best. When you make your choice, remember, you get them all, good and bad. The idea of today’s debate is to find the one economy car manufacturer that shines across the entire range. Or, at least stays away from that one truly unsightly blemish, the one car in the entire line that looks like it’s been set on fire and put out with a chain. Or should do.
I’m looking at you, Picasso.
When you think about it, they all have ‘that ONE pig ugly car’, don’t they. Some, like Citroen, have plenty of mingers to choose from. Others are let down by that one model so very bad that the whole line is tainted. Pick Volkswagen and yes, you get the Golf, the new Beetle and the Passat. But you also get the new Rabbit. Are YOU going to drive the new Rabbit? Thought not. For purposes of THIS debate, consider Volkswagen ‘nicht gut’.
Toyota surely have some lovely cars in their fleet. They also have the Verso, the Yaris and across the board the worst set of car model names of any manufacturer in automotive history. Avensis, anyone? Sorry, Toyota.
Mitsubishi? Some of the best looking vehicles on the road, without doubt. And, a mini-van straight out of 1989 in the Grandis. What it lacks in Grand, it makes up for in Diss.
Sayanora.
Our American cousins from Ford excel at truck manufacturing and lay claim to many fine car models as well. With 2009 offerings like the Kuga (Cougar, spelled in American?) on the way, it looks like they’ve just given up now. The end is nigh. Ford, may you rest in peace.
Volvo. Volvo, yes! Decent looking cars. Maybe plain, but nothing horrendous. Wait, they make the V50 Tank/Wagon thing, don’t they? Scratch Volvo.
In this debate - one weak link lets down the entire family. Maybe your parents were right after all.
It’s hard to argue with Jeremy Clarkson and the UK Top Gear team. In an episode last season they gave some serious, intelligent, well thought out discussion to the issue (1 minute, 30 seconds to be exact).
And who did they pick?
They came up with Vauxhall.
Vauxhall?
Don’t sound so surprised (to our North American friends, visit - Vauxhall.co.uk). Vauxhall has come a long, long way in their design recently. In fact, they now have to be considered across the board the best looking car manufacturer. And if Jeremy Clarkson says so, it has to be right doesn’t it? Are YOU going to take issue with the biggest petrol-head in Europe, a man revered, a man with such gravitas he was put forward by 475,000 Facebook members to become Prime Minister of England?
Maybe we’ve gone too far, but take a look at each model in the Vauxhall range individually and you’ll see Clarkson has a point. The entire 2009 Vauxhall line is solid, top to bottom. Let’s take a closer look…
We’ll start with what’s bound to be the most contentious pick first. The Meriva. While admittedly not possessing the Hollywood good looks of some of its stable mates - let’s face it, it’s no Berlingo.
The Corsa is, well, the Corsa. Like most of the girls you used to date - not SUPER attractive, but small and light enough that you can get away with it. Maybe a bit more popular than your girlfriends tended to be though.
The Vauxhall Antara. If not the best looking SUV in its price range, we welcome your opinion to what you think might be. Pretty.
The Corsavan? Automobile review website WhatVan.co.uk just awarded the Vauxhall Corsavan “Small Van of the Year”. Small vans have never been so popular and according to ‘What Van?’, Corsavan is the best of the lot. Nice going, Corsavan.
The design of the Agila and Astra easily hold their own against the competition, and the Tigra, VXR and New Insignia are undeniably some of the best looking cars in the world, at any price.
All in all, the author sees no reason to veer from PM (to be) Clarkson’s view that Vauxhall has ‘no mingers’ in the range. And you? What’s your input… agree? Disagree?
Digg?
Who’s on the desert island with YOU?
Let the debate begin. We’ve stated our case. State yours below!
