How do you define a 'COOL' car?

Stotty · May 11, 2009

I was thinking about this yesterday post the Mondeo 'hot or not' thread, and wondering just how a car is defined as being cool or not.

Can it be as simple as one entire brand being cool or not... eg; Ford not cool, Audi cool. Does a car have to have a certain level of performance to be considered cool (could be super fast or have sublime handling)? Are all 4 door saloons costing less than RS4 or M5 money uncool by definition? Are all red Ferraris or Yellow Lambos uncool just because they are flashy?

So how do you rate a car as being cool? What are the qualities/features/attributes that make one car cool and another that offers similar levels of functionality uncool?

Stevisiov · May 11, 2009

I try to split it up into four categories.

What do I think?

What would my mates think?

What would a girl in a bar think?

What would the average joe think?

Get an average and there is my answer.

It doesn't really answer your question very well, but that's how I have gone about the 'cool' cars voting.

Looking at the above criteria, my vote for the Mondeo was a tad generous.

a112 · May 11, 2009

If the car is built to something like my own standards like old school,jdm,VIP,boso,or anything i would like ATM.

If it's a killer sleeper car.

If there is something special about it like limited edition.
I basically like any limited edition car,no matter what make or model.

Hard to define actually...

TheCracker · May 11, 2009

a112
If there is something special about it like limited edition.
I basically like any limited edition car,no matter what make or model.

So by that definition a Peugeot 205 'Roland Garros' or a 106 'Quicksilver' is cool?

If a member of the general public thinks you're a knob without even knowing you - your car is uncool.

If a member of the general public doesn't even notice you - your car is uncool.

Jim Prower · May 11, 2009

For one thing, Audi is definitely NOT cool in my opinion...

I suppose Cool or Not is basically my own personal preference...though other people tend to influence it. Audi was influenced by a now banned member.

Barracuda · May 11, 2009

It's really a tough question to ask because there is always going to be random cars people like and dislike not based on any set criteria. For me it would actually be easier for me to tell you the cars I think are uncool, and even then it would be a long explanation.

Thatman · May 11, 2009

Yeah a very tough question because there are just so many different oppinions but as a general guideline what TheCracker stated

"If a member of the general public thinks you're a knob without even knowing you - your car is uncool.

If a member of the general public doesn't even notice you - your car is uncool."

I would agree to that.

a112 · May 11, 2009

TheCracker
So by that definition a Peugeot 205 'Roland Garros' or a 106 'Quicksilver' is cool?

If a member of the general public thinks you're a knob without even knowing you - your car is uncool.

If a member of the general public doesn't even notice you - your car is uncool.

More thinking of 205 Rallye(rare in Croatia at least),or if you want,more of a classic or modern classic special edition car.

Leonidae · May 11, 2009

This would be my definition of Uncool, and sadly, this abomination ( not that the current Ibiza wasn't ugly to start with) is ready for production. It's far too busy. It seems that they gave the car to Max Power/Redline, let their do their thing and then toned it down slightly.

On the Cool end, we have this:

What can I say? it has nice stance, it has clearly defined expression, nice haunches in the back and sure as hell doesn't share platform with some econobox. Okay, it shares the engine with a Camry, but that's it.

Rykon Zero · May 11, 2009

I've always thought of it like this:
1: If the car has a feature that is out of the ordinary.
Example: Muscle cars. They have a lot of power for what they are.
2: if the special trait is easy to explain.
Example: 2010 Ford Taurus Sho. It's got godly amounts of power and AWD.
3: If you don't look like an idiot.
Example: Ferrari F430 Scuderia Convertible. If you have enough money to buy one, you are generally balding, overweight, or both, and no one wants to see that. Therefore, despite the fact that it fits the firs two categories, it's uncool. Unless I'm in it. Then it's cool.

Omnis · May 11, 2009

Leonidae
This would be my definition of Uncool, and sadly, this abomination ( not that the current Ibiza wasn't ugly to start with) is ready for production. It's far too busy. It seems that they gave the car to Max Power/Redline, let their do their thing and then toned it down slightly.

If it wasn't for the blacked out bumper, it would be way cool.

JCE · May 11, 2009

What I think is cool or uncool? What I think of it simply covers it. It is after all everyone's opinion in the end.

Casio · May 11, 2009

The Seat is way cooler then a lame Silver Lotus. Sub-Zero even.

homeforsummer · May 11, 2009

TheCracker
If a member of the general public thinks you're a knob without even knowing you - your car is uncool.

If a member of the general public doesn't even notice you - your car is uncool.

Nice 👍 I'd agree with that. I'd also add to that, that if members of the public notice your car, give an approving thumbs up or similar, and you don't appear like a complete knob, then you're probably driving a cool car.

Also, having to explain why your car is special is very much uncool.

Personally, I think the coolest cars are European sports cars from the 60s - classic Ferraris, Astons, Lotus...

And I suppose not even sports cars necessarily - something like a well-maintainted Triumph Dolomite (yes, 70s I know) is infinitely cooler than any modern equivalent, even though at the time it was just another repmobile.

I find very few modern cars cool. The only one that sticks in my head is the smart Roadster. Every girl I've ever mentioned the car to and who's seen one loves it (and most I've spoken to don't like the normal smart fortwo), most of my mates like them even if they wouldn't drive one themselves, you don't look like a showoff in one, you don't buy one to bore people with performance figures (as it's not that quick), it's not clinical and boring, but it is a lot of fun, and doesn't cost a fortune to own (really... how cool is it to spend a fortune running your car?... is not the cooler part actually driving the thing?). But then again, I'd suspect that many on this forum don't think it's very cool so it does eventually boil down to personal taste.

eiriksmil · May 11, 2009

Is for instance this heap cool?

I really think defining cool and uncool is too hard and unecessary. For me, something cool gets me going, something uncool doesn't.. Simple as that.

lpb-nissan-gt-r · May 12, 2009

My definition of a cool car is for it to stand out from the crowd by appearing beautiful - Alfa 159, Brera etc. - or a car to look aggressive and have the power to match that engine - Ford Focus RS 2009 spec - or for the car to look good how ever it is driven e.g. Ford 1932 model. A convertible looks cool at 5mph and the car must have the right sound to it.

homeforsummer · May 12, 2009

Interesting choices - I'd personally say the Alfa is cool (as long as it's not a diesel - don't get me wrong, the Alfa diesels are fabulous engines but diesel still isn't cool yet), the BMW isn't (just a personal thing really), and a 32 Ford is very cool as long as it hasn't got flames painted down the side.

lpb-nissan-gt-r · May 12, 2009

homeforsummer
Interesting choices - I'd personally say the Alfa is cool (as long as it's not a diesel - don't get me wrong, the Alfa diesels are fabulous engines but diesel still isn't cool yet), the BMW isn't (just a personal thing really), and a 32 Ford is very cool as long as it hasn't got flames painted down the side.

Yes I agree when my dad bought his he repainted it matt black because of some flames down the side. Hardly ever drove it though but now he has a 1954 Ford Customline. That's a cool car.

Perfect Balance · May 12, 2009

Anything that I like really, it's hard to put a definition to it. Most of the time it's stuff that performs well, but I also like lots of drifts cars and stuff that's just built to be thrashed without much direction or "by the book" setups and stuff.

Lucas · May 12, 2009

I had created a lenghty text to describe my opinion... but I found out I would be heavily criticized one way or another, so here it goes in short words.

The cars I define cool are the cars that have appeal to them. Those cars that for some reason that you can't explain attract you. They can range anywhere from old and slow, as the Volkswagen Beetle to new and fast, such as the Audi R8 Racecar. One thing for sure that I keep in mind when determining (not sure if that's a word) if a car is cool or not is the impact it has had in culture at its time. Not popular culture such as TV, but culture of a society as a whole. I love digging deep into the cars' background and find some very interesting things that sincerely... not cool cars don't have.

Philly · May 12, 2009

Yeah, it's mostly a personal thing I think. For me, it usually goes along with the "gotta have it" factor. Basically, you would personally think anything you really want is cool.

And then there are other cars that you don't particularly want, but you can see how everyone else likes them, and that would be a pretty cool car as well.

CamryFan · May 12, 2009

Been dying to post this somewhere.

I use the "Jason Statham" effect.

Anyone who's a fan of The Transporter will know and probably love the BMW 750IL and Audi S8 W12. If I think it worthy of a Transporter film it's cool.

That said, what I think is cool is my opinion and mine alone, sometimes it's just a phase and sometimes it's a genuine love. I usually like to think about what my mates would think of it to decide whether it's cool or not.

Stotty · May 12, 2009

I know cool is a personal view point... I was just trying to get people to try to define how they come to their personal view.

Hmmmm, was hoping for a bit more from this thread, but hey ho, you win some you lose some.

TheCracker · May 12, 2009

Stotty
I know cool is a personal view point... I was just trying to get people to try to define how they come to their personal view.

Personally for me, for a car to be 'cool' it doesn't matter what class of car it is, it just has to be honest in what it's trying to achieve - as long as it's goal is to provide a car that fits the bill as closely as possible without bowing down to the lowest common denominator. It also has to have been engineered in a way that handling and the overall driving experience is the most important aspect of it's development.

Duke of Pendle · May 12, 2009

"Cool" is lots of different things to different people.

For me, if a car is rare, then it's cool, regardless of it's capablities or aesthetics.

When I was a teenager (yes we had cars then :sly:

), I owned a Wartburg.
There was only one other Wartburg in the whole city and surrounding area.
My car was cool - therefore I was cool.👍

Jim Prower · May 12, 2009

Stotty
I know cool is a personal view point... I was just trying to get people to try to define how they come to their personal view.

Hmmmm, was hoping for a bit more from this thread, but hey ho, you win some you lose some.

Well, that's just it...sometimes, you don't know WHY you like something. You just do. By all means, I shouldn't like my car, (slow, small, needs work done,) but I do.

Duke of Pendle
"Cool" is lots of different things to different people.

For me, if a car is rare, then it's cool, regardless of it's capablities or aesthetics.

When I was a teenager (yes we had cars then ), I owned a Wartburg.
There was only one other Wartburg in the whole city and surrounding area.
My car was cool - therefore I was cool.👍

Kind of like how I see more X-body and Chevy II Novas around than the AE82 type. Which makes me worried that I should probably get something else and preserve this one...but graduating College and getting a job comes first.

Moglet · May 12, 2009

I look at it in several ways, from the viewpoints of other people. Both sexes, and all age ranges must be taken into account, but more credibility with young people is desired.

I reckon my car fulfils most of my own categories for a cool car;
-It makes people of all ages smile
-It gets waves from total strangers
-It gets thumbs up from 'car people'
-Young women LOVE it (Especially at my local college!)
-It's not in your face, loud, or shouty about itself (This is only good in a supercar)
-People let you out of junctions
-It's Italian

Every time I wash my car I still find greasy forehead marks on the windows where people have been looking in. So not only do people on the street like it, but even Top Gear have it placed in Sub Zero

YSSMAN · May 12, 2009

Duke of Pendle
When I was a teenager (yes we had cars then ), I owned a Wartburg.
There was only one other Wartburg in the whole city and surrounding area.
My car was cool - therefore I was cool.👍

When it is rare and or unique, certainly with a "dash" of odd, that automatically makes a car cool. My '93 Fox was like that, no one had one around here, no one knew what it was, so to me... It was totally awesome.

I was talking to a customer at work last night who had an E39 Wagon, and I had to tell her how cool I thought the car was. She said her husband felt the same way, because it was unique, despite the fact she didn't understand it. Sure, it wasn't an M5 (which is still cool anyway), but having all of the sporty goods on a family wagon is just awesome.

homeforsummer · May 12, 2009

Moglet
-People let you out of junctions

I think this is underrated as a factor for coolness, and related to the "people not thinking you're a prat" factor too. A cool car is one that has to not inspire any negative emotions from other road users. People letting you out of a junction is often politeness on their part obviously, but it's also a sign that they a) don't think you're a berk and b) trust that you won't drive like a berk once you're in front of them. And I reckon that trust is much higher for people with cool cars. I'd let someone in an Alfa GTV (both modern and classic versions) out of any junction no problems.

stumpydino · May 13, 2009

not every person will think the same though, cool could be respected by some, or picked on out of jealousy by others.
to me a cool car has to be interesting and look good of course. sounding awesome and being a blast to drive adds in its favour too. plus if they have done something different and original thats a bonus.
uncool to me are cliche branded motors pumped out that losers buy because they can afford it and think it will make them cool, the cars everyone else in their position gets. the attachment just ruins it for me, even if it is some great supercar.

How do you define a 'COOL' car?

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