Hero. I graduated in 85 but my wife graduated in 80.

 

We got our first machine in the late 70's. Top loader, baby. We lived in the country and couldn't get cable so the folks splurged for us kids.

I recall that the beta was the better format. Once again, superior marketing trumps superior product.

 

This is why I will always drive old cars that nobody likes and why I only marry children.

 

Fah! I remember 8-tracks...

 

Nov 5, 1955?

 

It's the result of a thousand constraints and compromises.

It needs to have x amount of arts, occupants, trunk space, drag co, cost, crash protection, marketing 'appeal' etc.

Do you bitch about clothing irons all looking the same?

Pony up the dough for something special or suffer from mediocrity.

90+ percent of automotive design is proportionally constrained, the remaining percent is a billion dollar bet on how different you're willing to be - ask Mada how that's working on the new 3.

-Zach

 

Yup, with all the various laws regarding bumper height and headlight height, fuel economy, etc. There are only so many ways to design a 3-box sedan, and regulations and design constraints don't create diversity. That being said, while the side profiles in a 2D photo are similar, in real life being able to see all angles I doubt that many of these cars would be confused. the

Additionally, we're talking about bread and butter economy cars. It doesn't pay to be different in this market segment. People cross shopping the Corolla don't want stylish and bold, they want a boring reliable appliance available in 3 shades of old man tan. Move into other market areas and you'll find more to distinguish various vehicles.