Form or Function

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Thu 8 Sep 2005 09:54
Form or Function - Cardew
This thread is a follow on from the thread on "Britain's Favourite Car" namely the Toyota Yaris Verso. In particular the posts by Renault Family and PeterB where they state:

"no one wants one as its offensive on the eye and utterly pointless."

"I've not been able to take these seriously since I saw them described as "a cut and shut between a supermini and a greenhouse"!

Mrsb is embarrassed whenever she sees one because it's so ugly and yet is related to her beloved Yaris."


Just about every road test I have read has been less than complimentary about the Yaris Verso's appearance but praised its many virtues; and of course it came top of the latest Which survey on owner's satisfaction.

A tiny car with a versatile and cavernous interior, easy access, great visibility, Toyota reliability etc; it has everything you want in a runabout and is available with a petrol or very economical diesel engine with manual or auto gearbox. Could be an icon but looks like a breadvan.

So apparently to RF that makes it pointless and it is dismissed by Peterb simply because it is not aesthetically pleasing - Mmm.

Well I never could understand why people bought a cooking Capri instead of the Cortina, a Tigra instead of a Corsa etc, and were prepared to pay more money for less room and all to have a car with dubious style.

I suppose I might be a Philistine but when it comes to cars I'll take function over form every time.






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Thu 8 Sep 2005 10:40
Form or Function - Happy Blue!
I agree.

Too many people miss the point about certain cars. Having elderly parents, I understand the need for cars which are easy to get into and get out from, simple to drive, easy to see out from, easy to use the boot, and be able to sling awkwardly shaped items into with fiddling.

This means that cars which are generally slightly higher than regular cars, have more upright windows and doors, and have simple interiors will see well into the 'grey hair' market.

My mother loves her Suzuki Wagon R+. It meets all the above requirements. At 80 she has no interest in 0-60 times or even fuel economy, as the car does 3,000 miles pa, but it means she keeps her independence and is safe on the road as there are few blind spots. Yes, it has a hard ride, but its actually fun to drive in the conditions for which it was designed. I wouldn't go to London in it (from Manchester) but for tootling around our suburban area, its far better than a Smart.

Yes, I would love to drive some low slung coupe, but occasional back twinges etc, mean that I much prefer a higher car, and if that means ugly to some backroomers, then get a pair of dark glasses!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Thu 8 Sep 2005 10:41
Form or Function - Happy Blue!
I mean without fiddling!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Thu 8 Sep 2005 10:52
Form or Function - Garethj
Are you complaining that there's too much choice in the market?

Just be happy there are cars available for us wherever our priorities lie, we're not being forced into a 3 box saloon if we have no need for more than 2 seats.

If you want a Focus but would really prefer a bit more headroom for easier access you can actually go out and buy one, and you don't have to drive something that looks like a Transit van with electric windows
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Thu 8 Sep 2005 10:58
Form or Function - AngryJonny
Exactly. Something that's best for one may not be best for another. Some prefer substance. Some prefer style. But everyone's entitled to their opinion. And my opinion is that it's possible to make a good looking tall car if you design it as a tall car in the first place. Bolting a greenhouse to a Yaris ain't going to do it.
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