If redzed is so concerned over style, maybe he should have re-thought the Armada purchase muckz, he didn't buy a Pathfinder...that choice was too tasteful for him

In any event, I'm glad guion made this post...good to see things are moving along on the RWD and coupe front. As someone who never, EVER wants to own a 4 door, I like that my favorite car manufacturer is dedicated to the style of car I prefer...

 

Wife and Kids will change that. Unfortunately it did me.

Although, I still have my toys

 

Corvette C3s were pretty "questionable," but not in styling. When it came to build quality, C3 Corvettes had major issues from the very beginning - not just from the mid-70s.

In my "not-so-humble opinion" the C3 got better looking while the build quality and power decreased and even the last 1982s were attractive cars. I'd also state that the C3 was the last generation of Corvette that actually had an decent looking interior, by the standards of the day.

 

You're right, I especially enjoyed the optional trunk lid-mounted luggage racks. Very sporting. I like the C3's, they were certainly more visually "interesting" than C4, but as C3 grew longer in the tooth it also got progressively worse.

 

C3 was easily the low water mark in terms of Corvette styling. Its exaggerated proportions were barely more sophisticated than a high school study hall doodle. Such a sophomoric, clownish design was surely the genesis of the term "***** extender".

IMNSHO, C4 was by far the best Vette from a styling standpoint. Confident, taut lines, perfect proportions, and subtle muscularity. It was handsome without having to shout to the world that it wanted to be a sports car.

Comparing the C3 to the C4 is like comparing Marilyn Manson to George Clooney.

 

We all have our opinions. In my opinion, the C3 Vette was the best looking ever - especially 68-70 and 81/82.

I like the C6, except for the headlights. I cannot get used to em - looks ricey to me.

 

My fiance and I have already discussed this. So long as I breathe and can drive a car, I will own 2 doors. She can have the 4 door, and likely will...she loves the look of the '06 Torrent, and we may actually get one after GM gets rid of the Chinese engine...

4 doors are not entirely necessary for family haulers, just easier. For example, from '85-'89 my mother drove an '85 Olds Calais coupe. Then an '89 Camaro, obviously a coupe , until 1995. So for 10 years, she had 2 small kids and drove coupes. I don't remember it being a bother at all, even with car seats in the Calais!

 

If the Camaro has plenty of room, i.e. GTO-esque, who needs a 4dr?

 

Do you have kids? Have you ever compared strapping a small child in the back seat via a rear door vice via a front door?

 

BINGO!
Hey Jason, things are a little different today than they were in the '70's and '80's... you'll need a 3-week training course on how to strap the toddler into the space-shuttle-rated child seat these days. Until they are 8 years old and/or 80lbs weight, you will be strapping the yard-apes down. That's a TON of back-breaking twists and stretches to reach accross and pull seatbelts down and buckle. And if you have 2 or 3 kids... well it becomes a full time job to go anywhere sometimes. You'll see...

The OTHER side of the fence is when you have the kid(s) AND you also want to go out to eat with your parents or neighbors and not have to drive 2 vehicles. I couldn't ask my 70 y/o, 6'5" father to croutch and finnagle his way to the back of a 2-door coupe that has questionable rear leg room to begin with, nor my mother with back problems.
A 4-door (like their Lincoln Town Car, our Explorer, etc) is mandatory in a case like that.
(Unless you want to go for minivans, which BTW are deemed sacriledge in my driveway. I even harass salesmen when they drive up in a minivan! )

You "youngsters" will see one day that your nimble bodies are not going to stay that way forever, and as life goes on - things change... and so will your view of what a "nice car" is.

I think as a general rule, people will forego the sporty 2-door for a foor door once the family alarm goes off. If you are lucky (or plan accordingly) though, you will use the family truckster on a daily basis and have a "toy" to play with on weekends and the occasional night out. Such is my case. I can not ever envision me and the wife without an SUV until we die. They are just too darn practical for us on a daily basis. Now the 5.0 Mustangs are another story... great for occasional road trips for work, commuting, and joy-rides (things when I am solo), but not worth a dookie for hauling the entire family to dinner at the Red Lobster or going to the funeral home in either. Just values as I see them - no mo, no less.

 

I understand the value of the SUV, believe me. I've been a home owner for 9 months now and have borrowed my dad's TrailBlazer more times than I can count. That's why I say my fiance and I will always have ONE 4 door-type vehicle, but never two She likes SUVs, and I can't stand them. Let her have the SUV...I'll take a Solstice

Seriously though, I am not aware of the changes in car seats in the last 15 years. If they're that much harder, that's interesting. I never remember my mother having a moment's trouble with the Calais taking my sister in and out of the car seat. By the time she had the Camaro, neither of us were in car seats anyway. But you'd be amazed how much stuff you can stuff in a third gen for a 7 day vacation with 4 people. It can work, it does work, my family did it 5 times, we're still alive to tell the stories and I have pictures as proof

God bless the 4 door, but I will fight to the bitter end to avoid one. Its too practical, and that's the problem

 

Hence why I have an SUV (the wife's car). The "toys" are for me and the kids.

 

wow, this thread degenerated into "daddy day-care" pretty quickly.

 

Agreed...but if it came down to that, the first 4-door on my list would be the '06 Infiniti M45

 

It follows...
Practicality sells probably 2/3 to 3/4 of the vehicles on the road.
The vehicle has to suit needs first, and wants second.
Wanna know why GM is more bent on selling 200,000 Impalas over 30,000 Camaros?
Wanna know why trucks and SUVs get attention before cars like Camaro and FIrebird?

"Daddy day-care". "Mommy chore-runner". "Family trucksters".
That's why.

Even all of us "old dudes" in this forum (which probably is every one over 23 y/o as I take it) have primary drivers and SUVs that are typical "practicality-first" type vehicles. Doesn't matter if the wife drives it or not, you own one (or more).

Back to the thread topic (and how it relates), this is EXACTLY the reason Ford, GM, and Chrysler are all more bent on selling appliances rather than spirited icons like Camaro. They go where the money is. The good news is that more makers are now able to integrate performance and styling into their appliances. Toyota needs to study that concept, and try applying it to the Corolla and Camry IMO. (Actually, no they don't. They should leave them bland and homely. )