Recently I saw a compact car with the personalized license plate “ITSABOX”. I’m not kidding. It cracked me up, but it was a true statement. The car was totally square. And UGLY. I understand people want to do what they can to save money on fuel and help the environment and all but there’s just not a reason that cars have to be ugly to accomplish these things, is there?
Ugly compact cars aren’t a new thing, even though the market and car lots are loaded with them. Anyone remember the Gremlin? The Pinto? The Pacer? The Chevette? The Citation? The Thing? the Yugo? I do. Want to know what they all had in common, besides being old and ugly? I had friends with all of them and I wasn’t comfortable in any of them because they had no darn leg room. The odd thing is, it’s been more than twenty to thirty years and most compact cars are still ugly and uncomfortable. Heck, before I lost the weight I didn’t fit in a compact car. Twice when we rented a car we had to upgrade because I didn’t fit in the compact car. My belly was too big and my knees knocked up against the steering wheel. Maybe it’s a conspiracy on the part of the car companies – to take everyone’s money while making them think they have to be in uncomfortable, ugly cars in order to save money.
My youngest brother is about my height, just under 6 foot tall, and a few pounds heavier than me. He just got a new compact car.
I have to admit, it isn’t ugly. It’s a Hyundai. I haven’t been in it myself yet but have been assured the car has lots of room. Hyundai wants people to realize that they aren’t sheep and that compact cars don’t have to be ugly or uncomfortable. At this rate, before you know it you’ll see sheep driving cars. Imagine what that would look like if that ever happened! That couldn’t happen. Or could it? Maybe it’s already happening somewhere….
I’ll be watching the Super Bowl, more for the ads than the football since the Giants didn’t make it. Hyundai is going to be running some Super Bowl ads touching upon the “Compact Conspiracy” theory I mentioned, hoping to help people “Snap Out Of It”. Is a conspiracy theory possible? Maybe it is. It’s not like people would all have to gather together or anything. They could use subliminal advertising messages like this one that uses backwards masking.
Isn’t that something?! Hyundai made a series of ten videos, eight will play leading up to the Super Bowl and two will play during the Super Bowl. I can’t wait to see the rest of the ads.
How do you feel about compact cars? And conspiracy theories?
Some posts on this site contain an affiliate link. Affiliate links are used in an attempt to offset the operational costs incurred by running this website. Clicking on an affiliate link does not increase the cost of the product if you buy it. It does mean that I MAY make a commission if you purchase the item. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hahaha, you made me laugh when you mentioned the different compact cars! My first brand new car was a Citation–I hated it because it was so uncomfortable. I only kept it one year before I traded it in. I have also owned a pinto and a Gremlin. I now own a big 4 door pick up truck that lets me have plenty of room and will never go back to a compact.
I love these commercials.
As a shorter girl, compact cars when you are single without kids are great. Once you have a family they are just way too small!
It would be great if that could change.
I never looked at it from the shorter point of view. I’m 5′ 10″ so I need headroom and legroom.
Well I don’t know about the theory but that Hyundai is cute. I went to a car show this weekend and did notice how boxy and small many seemed. I sure do remember the Pinto too. My friend’s momn had a mustard yellow one. 🙂
Mustard yellow? Talk about adding insult to injury!
Compact cars–disposable cars–to me deathtraps.
I like them but when Taylor is old enough to drive I am getting her something big and old, back when they still made them with steel lol
Eve, actually I agree with you there, new drivers should have big honking cars. And I too remember when cars were made with steel.
Living in Europe for a while the majority of the cars were compact. Our theory on that was the bigger the person, the smaller the car 🙂 I just think some US car companies play up to people preconceived ideas. I’m glad Hyundai is making small but roomy cars!
I will be watching Superbowl Sunday to watch the commercials too! I am going to record it on DVR too. I am one that does not own a compact car, but wish my car would get the gas mileage that some of them get.
lol toooo cute. With a family of six we could never fit in a compact car but…. I love those ads.
The first thing I thought of while reading this post was the Gremlin! Now, that was an ugly car. I like your brother’s new car.
Some great comments on your blog Valerie!
Here’s a recent 80s-flavored mash-up from the same campaign (post Super Bowl). See: bit.ly/compactmash This video might resonante with those who have commented as it points good fun at compact car campaigns of the past and their claims of “roomyness”.
Bernard
Media Needle