What Would be Your Ideal "People's Car"? (See OP for Rules and Restrictions)

[NoobMan DS]

But..but... 385-400hp. Or am I thinking of a different one?

Yes, that F-350 will be ineligible by the rules. (exceeding power limit)

EDIT: Oops, sorry, that's actually fine. I just noticed that it's a 2011 model, which produced around 311 bhp, so Slash was right.

Great thinking behind the decision though, which again exposed how I didn't think this through.

Maybe I should've put more conditions, such as how certain commercial vehicles are allowed for their respective businesses. The people's car should be the personal car, only that there's just one particular model available for purchase.

 

[Slash]

But..but... 385-400hp. Or am I thinking of a different one?

I don't think it made much over 300. The current ones are barely cresting 385. 2015 models are just now hitting 400.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Maybe I should've put more conditions, such as how certain commercial vehicles are allowed for their respective businesses. The people's car should be the personal car, only that there's just one particular model available for purchase.

Changing the OP to reflect that makes sense, IMO. It should be understood that for certain commercial purposes, other vehicles would be needed, but our recommendations are for the general public.

I know that personally, I'm laughing at any of the suggestions for any trucks as eligible vehicles simply for the fuel problems alone. People think gas costs a lot now; imagine the strain on the system if every single vehicle was replaced by some ancient, guzzling truck with barely more power than a four cylinder CamCord, or how much worse traffic jams would be thanks to the Ferd Eff-Teen Thousand's sheer size.

 

[NoobMan DS]

Thanks for the encouragement in putting that into the OP, it's now been updated!

 

[Murcie_LP640]

It's very obvious here; probably why the previous model's been one of Australia's best-selling vehicles for the past few years.

Though I'd probably go with the specific model shown here: the Mazda3 SP25 Astina sedan.

If they weren't going to go down the toilet in 2016:

The Ford Falcon. Specifically the model shown here, the G6E EcoLPi, with liquid-injection LPG producing fewer emissions and having only marginally more fuel costs than a four-cylinder hatchback while still producing 198kW and 409Nm (265hp and 302lb-ft).

 

[Slash]

Changing the OP to reflect that makes sense, IMO. It should be understood that for certain commercial purposes, other vehicles would be needed, but our recommendations are for the general public.

I know that personally, I'm laughing at any of the suggestions for any trucks as eligible vehicles simply for the fuel problems alone. People think gas costs a lot now; imagine the strain on the system if every single vehicle was replaced by some ancient, guzzling truck with barely more power than a four cylinder CamCord, or how much worse traffic jams would be thanks to the Ferd Eff-Teen Thousand's sheer size.

Probably wouldn't bother me. I already shell out a lot in gas money. What's a few more dollars.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Probably wouldn't bother me. I already shell out a lot in gas money. What's a few more dollars.

The point just flew so far over your head, I believe it's in LEO.

 

[Sixflags48]

Great news! The Dacia Sandero fits into the OP regulations!

 

[Slash]

The point just flew so far over your head, I believe it's in LEO.

What, that a 4 pot Hyundai is a better choice? Maybe from every possible standpoint, but it just wouldn't make me happy in the end.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

What, that a 4 pot Hyundai is a better choice? Maybe from every possible standpoint, but it just wouldn't make me happy in the end.

No, that while one person would see it as "a few more dollars", knocking something like 10mpg average across the entire country's consumption would have drastic effects on not just peoples' wallets, but exponentially so in no time, as the increase in demand would raise prices.

 

[White & Nerdy]

I'm going to be incredibly stupid here and say "1971 Plymouth Duster 340". Farily sure they had 4 seats, and they do kind of fit the 325 HP rule (as rated, no idea how much power they actually had).

And if you think about it, a coupe actually makes more sense as a family car than a sedan - why bother with childproof locks when you can just not have a second pair of doors for a child to accidentally open?

 

[Wolfe]

Subaru Legacy Wagon (BD) - Badasp5.0

If we're gonna list the code, the tall roof wagon is the BG and the flat roof wagon (pictured) is the BK. Also @Badasp5.0 -- the wagon would work better as a people's car without a flat tire.

I'm going to echo MedigoFlame and GT5Redsucker23 with a Subaru Forester or Outback. Relatively inexpensive, versatility of AWD, with a balance between practicality and the economy of a four-cylinder engine. And not bad to drive for those of us who enjoy it. I also like SlipZtrEm's nomination of the 318d touring.

 

[Slash]

No, that while one person would see it as "a few more dollars", knocking something like 10mpg average across the entire country's consumption would have drastic effects on not just peoples' wallets, but exponentially so in no time, as the increase in demand would raise prices.

Ah I get it. That is definitely true. Still want that Bronco though

 

[NoobMan DS]

If we're gonna list the code, the tall roof wagon is the BG and the flat roof wagon (pictured) is the BK.

Oops...sorry, will edit that post.

I did some googling, and apparently the one pictured was also the US-exclusive 30th Anniversary Edition variant. I didn't find any info on whether its production was limited to certain units, so for the time being I'll assume that it wasn't.

 

[niky]

I'm going to be incredibly stupid here and say "1971 Plymouth Duster 340". Farily sure they had 4 seats, and they do kind of fit the 325 HP rule (as rated, no idea how much power they actually had).

And if you think about it, a coupe actually makes more sense as a family car than a sedan - why bother with childproof locks when you can just not have a second pair of doors for a child to accidentally open?

Funny you should say that. Veloster advertising actually pointed out the rear suicide door's being linked to the front door as being a positive.

The RX8 could fit the bill, rear suicide doors making it a "four-door coupe" (more like two and two half-door coupe) but it drinks gas like a hog for not all that much power. Good ride, though.

Except for the lack of headroom, the back seat of the Genesis Coupe (which has more legroom than the Mustang or the Camaro) is indeed an excellent place to put kids in. Lots of glass area, deeply padded seats, soft ride (without the track suspension). Some markets still get the 300 hp V6 in the new body with the new transmissions. The new 350 hp V6 doesn't fit the requirements.

The Mustang I posted on the first page, however, does. Terrible back seat, though.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

This ticks all the boxes.

http://[domain blocked due to malware]/instances/500x/45998895.jpg

 

[GranTurismo916]

This ticks all the boxes.

http://[domain blocked due to malware]/instances/500x/45998895.jpg

That was what I originally said, but I thought it would be too expensive for everyone to deal with.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

That was what I originally said, but I thought it would be too expensive for everyone to deal with.

Nothing in the OP about people price ranges.

 

[GranTurismo916]

Nothing in the OP about people price ranges.

I know, but I'm saying the STi is a bit expensive to maintain.

 

[Turtle]

Ahem.

1.) The car must have second row seats. Sure, you'll have to be a contortionist to fit in them, but they're there.
2.) The car must at least have four seats. See above.
3.) The car can't be something that is or was limited to certain units produced. Some models were, but not the base model.
4.) The car can be something from the present or the past. (if the car was actually discontinued, you may imagine or assume that the manufacturer is still producing it today) It existed at one point, so I guess it's eligible.
5.) The car's motor must produce a power output of around 325bhp or less. 3.6 liter models made either 272 or 285 HP, depending on year. 3.8 engines made 300. Other versions, such as the 400+HP Turbo, made more, but I'm not talking about those ones.
6.) The country's speed limit is 100mph. That's unfortunate, but okay.
7.) The country has no racetracks. As above.

I'm joking of course, most people have difficulty maintaining their Kia Souls or whatever, let alone an air-cooled sports car. Plus, a "people's car" needs to get good gas mileage (Or should, at least), so I think an MPG requirement set up (Not that these get terrible mileage).

In all reality, I'd choose either the Mazda 3 or 6; both are great fun, get good gas mileage, and are quite practical.

 

[NoobMan DS]

Nothing in the OP about people price ranges.

I thought about putting a price limit, but after all in some countries the same car can worth three times the original price, so that can be hard to judge. Nevertheless, most features of the country are actually imaginary and they're up to the poster.

I already had the thought that after I started the thread, people are still gonna post sports sedans like Evos and WRX STIs, V6 pony cars like a fifth-generation Camaro RS or Mustang V6, and even upmarket models like 911 Carreras. These are allowed, but as I said, sensibility and thoughts for the people as a whole are encouraged.

 

[Turtle]

...and even upmarket models like 911 Carreras.

Hey, I said I was joking.

 

[NoobMan DS]

Yeah I saw that, I wasn't pointing that out specifically to you. There may be some people that get too excited by the room for allowances and seriously suggest that those are the people's cars they'd have in a country.

 

[Turtle]

I should have thought of that, sorry.

 

[NoobMan DS]

That's alright.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, going for the title of "People's Car," at least in my mind, brings up a blanket quality of "adequate." Nothing more than you need, but most of the things you'd want. Styling would have to be generally accepted to be decent, not bad, but not excessively good looking. Engine and transmission options that get the job done, and require little attention. Wheel and tire options that don't break the bank, and don't break your back by worsening ride quality.

In my mind, on the current American market, two cars come to mind:

2014 Chevrolet Malibu LT - 2.5 6AT

The recent updates have made the Malibu a better car, but it's only good enough to be an also-ran in the segment. It's initial debut in 2012 was a disaster, poorly received style inside and out, poor ergonomics, and poor overall performance put it far behind the pack for a car that should have been a hell of a lot better. The current model is at best an okay car, and at worst, just an okay car. The styling won't win any beauty contests, the interior has a solid feeling that is adequate - but not much more. The seats are hard, but reasonably comfortable, and there is a reasonable amount of space in the back seat given the smaller size of the car compared to it's competition. The trunk carries a good amount of stuff. It can get more than 30 MPG. The engine and transmission can be found in almost everything now, and they seem to be very reliable. Performance is adequate. Acceleration gets you up to speed, the brakes work well enough to stop you safely. Handling is there, but it won't make the car seem darty to those who want a subdued experience.

2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL CVT

Once again, it is style by committee. Nothing is offensive about this car, but nothing is really going to win any awards, either. If the Malibu is as standard as white bread, the Altima in my mind is like that wheat bread that isn't much different. Just like the Malibu, the parts have been around seemingly forever, and appear to be very reliable overall. Quality is adequate, and the feeling is nice where it needs to be. Although, Nissan does get a bit bourgeois on one thing - the seats. God damn this car has some of the most-comfortable seats I've ever been in. Maybe that makes it a better everyday car for every person? Literally nothing outstanding, but a nice place to sit while you commute.

 

[homeforsummer]

In fairness, the 911 is basically just a VW Beetle, aka the original peoples car...

For this to be truly realistic some form of budget constraint or fuel efficiency limit probably should have been included in the OP, though. Not much point in a "people's car" that regular people can't afford to buy and run. A good 50% of the cars mentioned so far are probably beyond the reach of average Joe as something to drive every day.

 

[Roger the Horse]

In People's Republic of Alice, we make sure that citizens are happy. We do many things for citizens, such as giving them guaranteed job and showing kinder Eraserhead at end of primary school. There are many reasons People's Republic of Alice is best country, and we want to make sure the car is a reason why, just as we do not want to have to sell catholic to Russians, so we give them good car.

 

[NoobMan DS]

For this to be truly realistic some form of budget constraint or fuel efficiency limit probably should have been included in the OP, though. Not much point in a "people's car" that regular people can't afford to buy and run. A good 50% of the cars mentioned so far are probably beyond the reach of average Joe as something to drive every day.

Alright, I suppose it's better to put some of those in, for the sake of the thread's betterment. What would you suggest for the price limit (preferably in US$ or £) or fuel efficiency limit, (preferably in mpg) or for both of them? Or, do you think it's better to state the country in particular instead, only with some rules changed, so it's gonna be easier for posters to put everything into perspective, by already having a big picture of the country's characteristics? Or, should I just tell people to state a country of which the people's car is being suggested for, (not completely imaginary) only with the new auto-related rules?

 

[homeforsummer]

Well put it this way, in the U.S. half the cars sold are pickups. So whatever the going rate is for a truck, it's probably a suitable price point for a people's car. In the UK, the Ford Fiesta is the highest-selling car, and a few models aside you'd struggle to spend more than £15k-£16k on one of those, so again that's another good people's car target.

I suppose the truck thing rather screws up me setting a fuel economy target since most struggle to break 20 mpg. But, I dunno - my view of a people's car is something that basically everyone can afford to buy and run. Realistically that means a used car in most countries unless you want to get up to your ears in finance payments. There's a very good reason the original Beetle sold so well basically everywhere - cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to fix, cheap to repair, yet provided enough seats for a family and wasn't overly taxing to drive. In theory a modern-day people's car would have similar characteristics.