Trim choices such as this is extreme even for a mainstream family sedan. For the record, Honda Accord has 11 variations (14 if you count the Crosstour). A great car like the 911 shouldn’t need this many trim choices. Marketing gimmicks like this will only bring down the image and ultimately the brand itself. The only 911 models you really need are the base Carrera, Cabriolet, Turbo, and GT2. Make everything else an option such as 4-wheel drive, additional horsepower. Also, why is the Black Edition a separate model at all? It’s basically a value package deal that only comes in black.

Would you drive a 10-year old BMW 7-Series if you had money?

Same goes for the upper echelon Audi, Mercedes, Range Rover, etc… These once envy-of-everyone luxury cruisers just can’t seem to hold on to their resale value even after only few years. There’s a good reason for that. And why you shouldn’t be tempted into buying one thinking you’ll look rich in it. First of all, you need to know why this class of cars exist in the first place. They are not bought on the basis of quality, performance, durability or their technical advancements. True, there once was a time when luxury meant quality and durability, but not anymore. These cars are mere status symbols for those who have the means.

Now, would you drive a 10-year old BMW 7-Series if you still had money? Hell no. Driving one most likely means one of two things. Either you went broke at some point during the last 10 years or you bought one used. In either case, it doesn’t scream “I am rich”. You’re fooling no one. Think and research carefully about insurance, maintenance, gas consumption before you decide that one of these used are for you.

People with money do not hang onto them once they’re replaced with a new model. Car makers know this. Yes, they know it all too well. They are smart enough not to waste unnecessary effort to make these cars last longer than they need to. Will the power operated seats on a $100,000 Mercedes last five times longer than the one in a Camry? No. I kid you not, they actually have shorter life span then the one in the Camry.

Again, people with money do not hang onto these cars. Because, a. they can afford to upgrade, b. they realize the ridiculous upkeep cost are not worth it. Chances are if you’re considering one used, you probably are not loaded as the people who bought one new. Think about what those upkeep cost will do to your wallet.

Remember, top luxury cars lose their point entirely as soon as the next face-lifted model rolls out. Don’t fool yourself into thinking luxury used cars make you appear rich. They don’t. Save your money, time and sanity and make the right statement.

These companies are confident that people will recognize the brand by the mere presence of the logo by itself the same way that people do with brands like Apple, Nike, McDonald’s. And they’re right. Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen have all done a great job of building a name for themselves. But the instant recognition also has lot to do with the design of the logo itself. These memorable logos usually consist of easily recognized simple shapes and lines.

Mazda and Chevrolet are among the few that recently decided to ditch the text on some of their models. However, I think Mazda is not really ready to do this yet. Mazda’s identity as well as its logo is somewhat weak in my opinion.

I’m not counting the ones that have small writings in the logo such as; Ford, BMW, Rolls Royce, Porsche or Nissan.

From the late 70s and throughout the 80s Volvo received notable recognition by emphasizing the “safety” of its cars in their then very successful marketing. That was pretty much what shaped the image of Volvo in the minds of car buyers. But now such safety claims are no longer unique to Volvo. Everyone has caught up. Now every other car on the market is pretty much as safe as any Volvo then or now. Actually, there may be a lot more cars out there that are safer than Volvo.

Well then, if people no longer buy Volvo for safety, why do they buy them? They don’t. It’s been downhill for Volvo for some years now. Volvo tried and failed sporty, failed at luxury, practicality and ruggedness has been overtaken by Volkswagen and Subaru, respectively. What else is left? Pretty much nothing. It’s not economy or style either.

It’s terribly obvious that Volvo is faceless along with brands like Saab or Suzuki. No one in any particular demographic takes Volvo seriously or even think of a Volvo at all. That’s big trouble for any car maker.

Lately Hyundai has set a new standard in styling and design in mid-size family sedan category with the Sonata. It has done it again for the sub-compacts. Another rarity in this category besides the good looks is the new Elantra can be had with heated seats for both front and back!

The TSX Sport Wagon is essentially a Euro version of the Accord Wagon (the TSX is the Honda Accord outside of U.S.). The Euro Honda Accord wagon was always a sharp looker. It’s a smart move by Honda to bring this redesigned version into the U.S. despite being badged as an Acura. Even smarter if Honda would offer an all-wheel-drive version of this wagon sometime down the line to seriously battle the Outback and the Volvo XC.

2011 Honda Accord
Here’s an example of a mindless mid-cylcle facelift. While the latest Honda Accord isn’t something that was designed beautifully to begin with that can be ruined by something like this, it just goes to show how thoughtless these facelifts can be. For 2011, strips of fake taillight trim pieces are tacked onto the trunk lid. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the taillight extensions on the trunk lids. But this particular one just looks so out of place. None of the lines flow with the design, no effort was given to make it look like it’s part of the original design. It was simply just tacked-on. I strongly believe Honda has hired bunch of GM and Chrysler designers who were laid-off.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Here’s an example that fixed the initial design mistake. The tacked-on body-colored taillight strips on the original design was one of those what-the-hell-were-they-thinking variety. But German car makers never admit their faults, at least not right away. So after four years of producing an eyesore, Mercedes finally decided to do away with the silly tack-on taillight strips. About time.

2010 Ford Edge
Here’s an example that has made something good better. The Edge was never a strikingly good looking car but it isn’t ugly either. It’s a solid design. The 2010 facelift, however, made the Edge look really sharp. This is one of those rare cases when a facelift actually works. Quite impressive.

Years ago I used to joke about some crackhead coming up with a convertible SUV. But no car maker ever did. After all, what kind of car company would be so brave and so stupid at the same time? I thought we had the last of the SUV absurdity with the Porsche truck and BMW X6 and that the SUV fad will finally come to an end. But little did I know what an oddball Japanese car company under the influence of Frenchman’s twisted imagination was capable of. Don’t these goofballs do any type of market research? It’s just amazing how dumb some of the people working at these companies are. Not only are they messing with a segment that is losing interest, experimenting with a model that wasn’t even popular nor good looking to start with is just plain retarded.

Recently, I gave the BMW X6 the thumbs up for being the most useless piece of crap. But hey, it’s still a BMW and that must count for something. The BMW X6 has no game compared to the Murano convertible when it comes to absolute stupidity.

There is no rule saying family sedans must look like home appliances. Hell, even home appliances now don’t look like home appliances. The new Sonata brings a sense of style, aggressiveness, and just simple good looks to otherwise humdrum family sedan segment.

The new Ford Fiesta is not only the best looking car in its segment, it’s a strikingly well designed car period.

Ferrari has not produced a decent design worthy of an exotic for last few decades. Most were just mindlessly put together lines and bulges with the Ferrari signature round taillights tacked on. But the new 458 is different. Looks like somebody finally gave a damn about the design.

Prepare to see a lot of these on the streets. It’s one really handsome SUV.