I'm always aware of random coincidences that become patterns. You know... those observations that make you go hmmm? It's definitely a trick of trend tracking, but most times, it just pieces things together to make me realize that something is occurring that is worth registering.
The latest for me is what I'm calling the attack of the PT Cruiser. The "gangster" Chrysler. I don't know enough about the design of the car to understand what the consumer profile was for this car. Who were they designing for? But whoever they were designing for, is not happy.
As of late, they have realized their car is an albatross, no vroom, a ridiculous exterior... and they are angry. At one point last week, I got cutoff by three different PT Cruisers in the short span of 10 miles!! These are not happy people. And they're taking it out on the rest of us. Within the past two weeks, everywhere I look there's a PT Cruiser on the road, doing something PT Cruiser-ish, including trying to pass a Porsche 993 on an incline. Silly car!
Yes I'm a car snob. I love well designed, preferably German cars. I make assumptions about cars and drivers without knowing who they are. That's why I'm going on the record to say that those people in the "gangster" Chryslers are none too happy with the stereotype and out to prove it wrong. Silly drivers!
Z, I have had one as a rental, and it was just silly. I couldn't get it up to 55 miles an hour on a slight incline. Silly car. A friend says she calls them PT Losers.
Oh... and for the record, I counted 37 of them today, in just 3 hours between Seattle and Portland. Pay attention, they are taking over I tell you!
Posted by: kalliope | 15 February 2009 at 19:21
The PT Cruiser is an atrocious car, made more so by the fact that it was designed in concert with the cultural anthropologist Clotaire Rapaille (consultant to many Fortune 500's on consumer behavior) and based on all of that "reptilian brain" theory that was driving the development of the SUV market in American in the 1990's. Have you ever had one as a rental car? Mine couldn't make a U-turn at a light because the turning radius is larger than a Ford F-150. It pointed out just how lacking the American driving population is in demanding engineering and safety excellence. Instead we're wooed by nostalgia and kitch. Uggggh.
Posted by: Zara | 12 February 2009 at 17:41
Hmm, I had no idea there was a "gangster-type" car but then again I'm not a fan of cars, although I do think Mini Coopers are cute. Being a pedestrian and a cyclist most of my life, cars are something to be leery of and on occasion, to swear at :)
Posted by: Bijoux | 09 February 2009 at 07:51
Yesterday I counted thirteen of them in the span of 2 hours. One of them actually kept up with my 3.2 liter Audi A3, on a level piece of highway, but we believe it may have had TWO engines!!
Posted by: kalliope | 09 February 2009 at 06:14
my sentiments exactly, this car is circulating the streets of hania, and it looks nothing less than an atrocity
Posted by: maria | 08 February 2009 at 23:36
Jesse, Just the word I wanted use...but was advised by my board of editors to refrain. Thanks for helping me express my thoughts EXACTLY!
Posted by: kalliope | 08 February 2009 at 10:11
I know why "they" aren't happy... the PT Cruiser is nothing but a retro Art Deco-ish parts of a Dodge Neon. I'd be pissed too.
Posted by: Jesse | 08 February 2009 at 09:21