1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I never said every BMW driver is in need of self-affirmation nor did I ever state the BMW lacked dynamic handling characteristics or was a terrific car for in Mediterranean climates.
However, drive any BMW over the Dolomites or Rockies in the snow and tell me you think a SAAB with snow tires in not superior. My point is in North America, a BMW is generally not marketed or purchased in the same manner as Suburus, Audi Quattros or SAABs and Volvos. The BMW, especially the 3 series has become a rite of passage for people with aspirations of self-importance that can best be achieved via what the Norwegian Sociologist Thor Vleben called "conspicuous consumption".
Now I like nice cars and I respect other who do as well, but I don't think I could ever buy a rear wheel (only) drive BMW. SUre the 330 is a great car with AWD, but what did your freind pay for it. BMWs are to our highways what designer jeans were to discos in the 70s or what stock Bull market Rolexes 90s were to boardrooms in the 90s.
The SAAB is simply not an ostentatious purchase unless you buy a Viggen, and even then most people won't know what it is. Its like this, do you choose to drink brands of beer and wine becuase they are in vogue and public consumption of such makes a statement or do you just drink what you like? I think SAAB owners are on avergae more introspective, value conscious and socially aware than the "herde" of BMW owners on average.
SAAB owners tend to be on average possessed of more erudition, cosmopolitanism and financial austerity than the owners of competing brands. The SAAB is the Automotive embodiment of Yankee work ethic wonderlust which fueled the econmic growth of NEw England via whaling and other sea base commerce.
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