Variation — they buy into popular myths (such as, it is safer to have AWD in snow) and will not listen to your advice.

1. Ford Fiesta ST. - “Hey, I followed your advise and bought a fiesta with an automatic.”

Or people buy the Camry and then ask if you like it.

Normal person : I need a versatile family car that will accommodate4 persons and a dog, we are skiing in winter, towing a small boat in summer. Need something under warranty, weekly commute of 400 miles, must be automatic.

I could go for a Dart:

I have a related but slightly different problem - people will come to me with the most unrealistic requirements. For example “2010 or newer Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4 with under 100,000 for under $10,000.” Outside of a salvage title, it ain’t happening.

ME TOO!!! They NEVER take my advice. It’s not to say they make bad choices but they tend to go in the complete opposite direction of what I suggested. Now when non-enthusiests ask me what car they should buy I tell them, “just buy a Prius.”

Or the ones that want you to validate their shitty choices. This is was circa 2010:

When they ask you what car to buy, nobody EVER wants a real opinion from a knowledgeable enthusiast. The choice has already been made, maybe even long ago, and they ONLY want validation of that choice. But even when they don’t get validation of their choice, they still go ahead with what they were planning on doing. I…

I always recommend Toyota. When asked why I don’t drive one, I point out how often I am working on my daily driver. I then point out my project car has been immobile for 12 years.

Other car enthusiasts and the rampant dick thrashing that it entails. “Oh, you can’t rebuild a small block? You’re not a car guy. Oh, you don’t drag race? You’re not a car guy.” etc etc etc

When friends and family ask me for advice for what car they should buy. I give them several really good, interesting options. Then, they ignore those choices and end up buying a Camry.

A far easier approach is to NOT COUNT unbelted fatalities as auto fatalities. Instead create a new “idiot” category for them. Lumping them in with belted occupants unfairly penalizes the auto industry and leads to idiotic things like automatic seat belts.

I don’t even read comment sections and yet the suggestion of “DON’T BUY A CAR” on a car website was so dire that I found myself summoned as if by a brace of wizards.

I’m going to have to ask you to leave now, please. Don’t make a scene.

Mine’s sitting on my driveway. Pretty much the same as yours, except for some differences which I put down to the different market (UK here). I think it’s the same colour, and it amuses me how every single one has the different colour/fading mid-door and wing (fender) trim.

Cosign. My first car was that exact one in black. We still have it. Over 175,000 miles and my mom uses it as a backup car to her Camry which has 355,000 miles. It’ll never die haha.

They did Nazi that coming.