My new car -- The Blue Toaster!
After 11 years of loving my Toyota Corolla wagon, I succumbed to pain, or rather the relief of pain while driving (details provided upon request, many versions are available) and bought, on the recommendation of Steve, The Mechanic, a Scion XB.
The Scion line is made by Toyota (a Corolla engine underneath) and marketed to the 18-25 year old set. Gen Y? Gen Z? Gen ...? Ergo the iPod connection, the sound system, the options that include flames on the sides and neon-lit foot pedals. However, blogs for Scion XB owners reveal a different story: the older folks are the strongest advocates!
It's the inside space.
It's the way the seat helps you Sit Up.
It's the great visibility.
It's the height.
So, the Toaster angle. Susan, a 30-something, said it was "cool, BUT reminded [her] of a toaster." This comment, unfortunately, I heard the day before seeing a couple of Wallace and Gromit films. These multiple exposures to the "toaster" concept became fixed in my mind. It now becomes part of how I, er, "explain" the car.
OK, this is a picture of Wallace's toaster-tv, an idea whose time has not yet come, but the concept is communicated: Square. A box.
Now when you're driving in a car that people stop and look at (as in "That car is weird! It looks like a toaster!), you tend to not be aware that they're actually pointing to or indicating YOUR vehicle. I was, like most of us, used to driving a pretty typical car, hard to describe since there are so many on the road. Certainly no one stopped me and said, with my previous car, "Hey! Is that your car?" Now, however, they do.
My identity has never been tied up in my car. I didn't even have a car the eight years I lived in Asia. (Although there is a story of a carjacking in the Philippines to tell someday.)
I love my car! I give people rides. Comments range from:
* "It's so...minimlist!" (Jim)
* "Cool!" (Terence)
* "I like it!" (Jose)
* "Can you take me to school tomorrow morning at 7:30?" and "Can all my friends go for a ride?" (Suzie)
* "Cool car, isn't it?" (A neighbor who has one)
* "I think it's pretty cool. Where's the iPod connection? Good sound!" (Thomas)
and
* "It reminds me of a toaster!" (Susan)
Heh, heh.
dw
The Scion line is made by Toyota (a Corolla engine underneath) and marketed to the 18-25 year old set. Gen Y? Gen Z? Gen ...? Ergo the iPod connection, the sound system, the options that include flames on the sides and neon-lit foot pedals. However, blogs for Scion XB owners reveal a different story: the older folks are the strongest advocates!
It's the inside space.
It's the way the seat helps you Sit Up.
It's the great visibility.
It's the height.
So, the Toaster angle. Susan, a 30-something, said it was "cool, BUT reminded [her] of a toaster." This comment, unfortunately, I heard the day before seeing a couple of Wallace and Gromit films. These multiple exposures to the "toaster" concept became fixed in my mind. It now becomes part of how I, er, "explain" the car.
Now when you're driving in a car that people stop and look at (as in "That car is weird! It looks like a toaster!), you tend to not be aware that they're actually pointing to or indicating YOUR vehicle. I was, like most of us, used to driving a pretty typical car, hard to describe since there are so many on the road. Certainly no one stopped me and said, with my previous car, "Hey! Is that your car?" Now, however, they do.
My identity has never been tied up in my car. I didn't even have a car the eight years I lived in Asia. (Although there is a story of a carjacking in the Philippines to tell someday.)
I love my car! I give people rides. Comments range from:
* "It's so...minimlist!" (Jim)
* "Cool!" (Terence)
* "I like it!" (Jose)
* "Can you take me to school tomorrow morning at 7:30?" and "Can all my friends go for a ride?" (Suzie)
* "Cool car, isn't it?" (A neighbor who has one)
* "I think it's pretty cool. Where's the iPod connection? Good sound!" (Thomas)
and
* "It reminds me of a toaster!" (Susan)
Heh, heh.
dw
posted by Dianne at 4:02 PM
2 Comments:
Hey... we need to arrange a time ...for a ride. We don't have to invite Speeder.
Let me know! We can go and take a look at Treasure Island for a view of the City and the north Bay!
dw
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