REASONS WHY PEOPLE HATE CERTAIN CARS

People can love or hate certain cars for a multitude of reasons. Some of the reasons are rooted in history, like an LA Car staff member's Jewish American father who, for years, refused to purchase any German cars. Or another staff member's late Chinese American father who refused to purchase any Japanese cars for similar reasons.

One of my relatives has a fondness for old Toyota Land Cruisers. Why? Her childhood years were spent in Africa, and Land Cruisers used to roam the countryside of her home.

Some people hate certain cars because of their perception of the owners who drive them (e.g., see Are BMW Drivers A-Holes?). Reader Robert James wrote in to explain why he hates old Camaros and Datsun Z cars:

"I had an immediate hate for the Datsun Z. It was a wannabe sports car when it first came out. I know many people liked it, but I just had the perception that it did not measure up to the other sports cars of its time."

As for the Camaro, James writes, "I didn't like it because I saw a bunch of high school and college age kids consumed by the car - to the point where it became their identity and measuring stick for what's important in life. It was like a phallic symbol or gun, but on wheels."

"These were just gut reactions, with no real thought or analysis behind it, says James. "But even to this day, I don't like these cars."

One wonders if there's a whole generation of Honda Civic "rice rocket" haters that will hold similar sentiments 35 years from now.

- LACB, October 12, 2005