Nothing like being accused of being ‘the lowest common denominator’ - geez!
SMART people (exponential numerator types) buy Camry’s and Accords.
SMART people minimize their expenses on transportation, which is a cost center, not an investment. Camrys and Accords will do that, but the up-front cost is considerable. Consumer Report will tell you how to manage it at a lower price point.
No, we’re all the lowest common denominator.
I live in my home, not my car, and I prefer something efficient, reliable, safe, and comfortable for the occasional long trip. I don’t care too much about styling, though I do think the average sedan (Accord/Camry/Altima) looks nice enough.
I’m reminded of the people in high school who lived in a three-room trailer but had a pair of shiny new Trans Ams parked out front.
Here’s what one writer had to say:
“I happen to like vanilla ice cream. Especially those premium kinds from the companies with the fancy names. But “vanilla” has another meaning in Webster’s Dictionary. If you look it up, the word “vanilla” is also listed as an adjective with descriptions like “lacking distinction”, “plain” and “ordinary”.
Many people use that adjective to describe the Toyota Camry. It may be the quintessential family sedan, but it is also a prime example of a plain, ordinary, generic car. People who buy a Toyota Camry do so because they feel it is a safe choice. They know that it is a car that does everything right, lasts seemingly forever with only basic maintenance, and doesn’t call attention to itself. Camry owners think of themselves as sensible people with good taste who make smart buying decisions. They are generally not automotive enthusiasts and consider their car as another appliance just like their refrigerator or vacuum cleaner.”
The fact is that mass market products ARE designed for the lowest common dominator. That does not mean the car is not well designed, but simply that it is designed to be bland. Previous Camrys were just that but I think that Toyota’s designers took it one step further with the latest incarnation. it is not hideous, IMHO, but just a tad homely this time.