If Apple Were a Car Company...

[Squire]

Okay. I'm sure this has been posted in the past but with all the Apple-Car comparisons (see 15" PB thread) I figured it was time for a whole new thread on this.

If Apple were a car company, which company would it be?

(Disclaimer: I apologize if this list is incomplete but I did try to get most of the major makes.)

Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Citroen
Daewoo
Daihatsu
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Fiat
Ford
GMC
Holden
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Lancia
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Matra
Maybach
Mazda
McLaren
Mega
Mercedes-Benz
Mercury
MG
MINI
Mitsubishi Motors
Morgan
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Opel
Peugeot
Pontiac
Porsche
Renault
Rolls-Royce
Rover
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Seat
Smart
Ssang-Yong
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
TVR
Vauxhall
Volkswagen
Volvo €
Other

Squire (That's me, not an obscure car manufacturer.)

[eyelikeart]

they've often been compared to BMW...

but I'm thinking it'd be someone more...innovative...hmm...

[Mr. Anderson]

I don't know if there is any one car company that would capture all of Apples qualities. They're an innovator, ahead of the crowd - they'd be more of a concept car company that actually produces vehicles that everyone wants and loves to be seen in. One that all the other car companies copy when they can.

D

[howard]

PORSCHE

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by Squire
Okay. I'm sure this has been posted in the past but with all the Apple-Car comparisons (see 15" PB thread) I figured it was time for a whole new thread on this.

If Apple were a car company, which company would it be?

(Disclaimer: I apologize if this list is incomplete but I did try to get most of the major makes.)

Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Citroen
Daewoo
Daihatsu
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Fiat
Ford
GMC
Holden
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Lancia
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Matra
Maybach
Mazda
McLaren
Mega
Mercedes-Benz
Mercury
MG
MINI
Mitsubishi Motors
Morgan
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Opel
Peugeot
Pontiac
Porsche
Renault
Rolls-Royce
Rover
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Seat
Smart
Ssang-Yong
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
TVR
Vauxhall
Volkswagen
Volvo €
Other

Squire (That's me, not an obscure car manufacturer.)

At this point, i'd have to say Saab.

And not because I own a brand new 9-3. :D

More because Saab is innovative (the key in the wrong place, the use of all turbo engines back in the day, heated seats, safety feature before they were chic)

Saab owns a niche market, just like apple.

They're seen as over-priced (though really not, pound for pound)

They both believe is design that follows function but has a sexy form (from the key thing... done to prevent keys from being embedded in your leg should you wreck to the refrigerated glove box to "keep the wine chilled for that picnic with that special someone)

Also.... in some sense, Saab's are always seem as underpowered but can keep up with most any production car on the road.

Just like the g4.

Durability- You see TONS of Saabs on the road from the 80's and 90's. Just like you see tons of old macs. :) They're both built like tanks and last as long as you take care of them.

Gosh. I could keep rolling. :)

But when i bought my Saab....They sent me a COOL tabletop book. And there's a pic of the rear light fixture from the 9-3.

On the following page of the spread... there's a pic of the ruby iMac. It was like a "separated at birth" thing. I'll try and scan it later... btu my scanner isn't hooked up at the moment. :(

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by eyelikeart
they've often been compared to BMW...

but I'm thinking it'd be someone more...innovative...hmm...

BMW? Not Innovative? Hmmm. i'd have to disagree there.

One needs only to look at the 7 series to see some innovation:

http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/models/0376/0376_equipment.cfm

Specifically in instruments and controls.

And hell, if we wanna compare:

The 3 series: The eMac
The 5 series: the iMac
The 7 series: The G5

Z4: Powerbook

etc etc etc

[OutThere]

G5: Ferrari Enzo

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0211_enzo1_L.jpg

[Squire]

Saab? Well, the only thing about Saabs is that the styling is more traditional (I mean, traditional Saab) than cutting edge.

BMW? A lot of people think Bangle has mangled the styling. I think the new 5-series looks great, though. The only kicker: iDrive, by Microsoft.

I like Lexus but they've always been too conservative on the styling end of things. (I guess the new RX330 and SC430 are slightly more radical.)

So, we need the following attributes: innovative, stylish, expensive, rare, good-performing.

Audi anyone? How about Infiniti?

Squire

[iGav]

Audi...

[OutThere]

Aston Martin? (Stylish, rare, good performance....british;) )

[tazo]

BMW; a higher-cost car that reaps the benefit of owning such a vehicle; not everyone can afford a bmw, although many secretly aspire to owning one; the people who own them are fanatic about them and swear by them as the "Driver's car".

[iGav]

Originally posted by OutThere761
Aston Martin? (Stylish, rare, good performance....british;) )

Ford Mondeo switchgear though... :eek: :eek: :p

[Powerbook G5]

I'd go for either BMW or SAAB, but probably learn towards the SAAB end since they are both niche, think different, damn sexy, and those who own them are die-hard fans and loyal to their brand.

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
I'd go for either BMW or SAAB, but probably learn towards the SAAB end since they are both niche, think different, damn sexy, and those who own them are die-hard fans and loyal to their brand.

Smart man! ;) The Saab definitely has all the qualitities.... if only i could scan that pic of the saab and the iMac....

m

[TEG]

Cadillac and here's why;

Limited Models, but used to maintain many others
High Performance
Recognized Symbol
Stylish (Before it was Cool)
Will run Forever (With regular Maintence)
Fighting many other makers with Cheaper Cars
Gets Many Components from "Big

CTS = iMac
DeVille = eMac
Seville = iBook and PowerBook 12"
XLS = PowerMac G5
SRX = Powerbook G4 15"
Escalade = XServe
EscaladeESV = PowerMac G4
EscaladeEXT = PowerBook G4 17"

BTW: Ferrari would be Sun
Porshe would be SGI
Lexus (Toyota with features) would be Alienware

TEG

[patrick0brien]

-Mercedes Benz

They invented the car. - Apple invented the Personal Computer

Concerned with "making it right" - Apple is concerned with "making it right"

Continuing innovation - Apple is continuing innovation

Far too much to list...

[RobVanDam]

TEG beat me to it.

[Powerbook G5]

If Microsoft were a car...

[Powerbook G5]

Apple :)

[edesignuk]

In terms of design, Aston Martin, they ooze the same design quality, sophistication and (more so now, G5!) power!
In terms of innovation....hmmmm....I dunno.

edit: oh! and a bit of Lamborghiniin the mix too, those things are just nutz!

[RobVanDam]

Lambo's break easy though.

[wdlove]

My vote would be for Volvo. They are a very innovative care also made in Sweden. A very safety conscious car company. They have added a steel to the car that will withstand 5 times its weight!

[jefhatfield]

apple inc = lamborghini

fast, best design, attention to quality, but pricey but worth it

but like lamborghini, apple inc does not pay attention to the bottom line and could one day be bought by the chrysler of the computer world...ie) microsoft

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by wdlove
My vote would be for Volvo. They are a very innovative care also made in Sweden. A very safety conscious car company. They have added a steel to the car that will withstand 5 times its weight!

good comparison...and volvo got bought out by a giant, too, called ford motor company

sometimes good quality doesn't pay attention to the fact that the company also has to make money and sell a lot of units to stay in business and grow

i don't think apple will ever think like a business...but if they did, then they might be microsoft, being rich but putting out second rate product or first rate products with a giant hole in them:p :p

i though a giant asteroid would make the biggest hole, but windows xp has proved otherwise...i hope this whole business with xp and security holes will end soon...even if it's the dark side:rolleyes:

[xpormac]

Originally posted by OutThere761
G5: Ferrari Enzo

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0211_enzo1_L.jpg


An Overpriced waste of money? lol No way. Saab is what I think of if they were a car. Nice, safe, overpriced. ;)

[TEG]

Originally posted by edesignuk
In terms of design, Aston Martin, they ooze the same design quality, sophistication and (more so now, G5!) power!
In terms of innovation....hmmmm....I dunno.

edit: oh! and a bit of Lamborghiniin the mix too, those things are just nutz!

There is no way that Apple is a rehashed Ford. Apple is more cunning than anything that has come out of Dearborn, MI. Therefore, what ever you think, Apple cannot be any of the following; Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Mazda, or Land Rover. All Ford, and all unworthy.

(BTW: My opnion on Ford Motor Company is based on personal experience, knowledge I discovered on my own, and knowledge that comes from people that have worked and currently work for Ford and its sibling Companies)

TEG

[edesignuk]

If you have the money, the Enzo is not a waste of money. It's a Ferrari, looks amazing, and is one of the fastest most exclusive cars in the world. I'd snap one up in a second if I had Steve Jobs bank balance :)

@TEG - Quit slating Aston, they may be made by Ford these days :mad: but they are still Aston Martin. They look great, have great class, go VERY fast, and IMO are a true gents sports car, regardless of their new owners (Ford).

edit: such a shame we can no longer post our own polls, this would've been perfect for it :rolleyes:

[MrMacMan]

Volkswagen Of Coarse!

Look at the style!

Heck they even teamed up with apple on that iPod/Beetle Ad!

:o


For the iMac and PowerMac I think Apple really is a nice BMW, the 5 Series or the 7.

But those cars are Niicee. :)

[Moxiemike]

Originally posted by MrMacman
Volkswagen Of Coarse!

Look at the style!

Heck they even teamed up with apple on that iPod/Beetle Ad!

:o


For the iMac and PowerMac I think Apple really is a nice BMW, the 5 Series or the 7.

But those cars are Niicee. :)

Volkswagen and it's HORRID customer service, bad warranty policy and crappy QC.... :rolleyes:

[Alte22a]

Audi or Saab....

[xpormac]

Aston Martin is an awsome car, speed + luxury . This troll wants one so baaaaaaaaaaad :D



Seriously, the enzo is a crazy great supercar, but for the around the price, you can have a Bugatti 16/4 Veyron. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the thought of having a Quad Turbo W16!! 4 turbos and 16 cylinders with a top speed of 252 miles per hour! Sorry.......love this car....hopefully one day, I will own one if all things go as planned lol.

[QCassidy352]

acura. Rock solid stability (you may never have to get either of them serviced!) and underrated performance. Not appreciated by the general public for the superior machines that they are. And they look damn sleek. :cool:

[BrandonRP0123]

Originally posted by Moxiemike
BMW? Not Innovative? Hmmm. i'd have to disagree there.

One needs only to look at the 7 series to see some innovation:

http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/models/0376/0376_equipment.cfm

Specifically in instruments and controls.

And hell, if we wanna compare:

The 3 series: The eMac
The 5 series: the iMac
The 7 series: The G5

Z4: Powerbook

etc etc etc


It's just a damn shame that the 7 series and the (new) 5 series use Windows CE, isn't it? :)

[BrandonRP0123]

Originally posted by howard
PORSCHE

Over priced, under equipped.

[BrandonRP0123]

I don't think a single car company would make up Apple.

I say this because:

The most reliable cars out there lack unique style (made by Lexus, Acura, Volvo), and the most stylish cars out there (made by Chrysler, VW, Ford) lack reliability.


Volkswagon gets points for style:

The VW Beetle is a very `stylish' car, but loom on almost unreliable (I know 7 or 8 people that own them and have had problem after problem). Think Alienware PC.

The Jetta, Golf, and Toureag are all very stylish and innovative - but overpriced. Think 20th anniversary Mac.

Chrysler gets points for style:
The PT cruiser is indeed stylish - along with the new Pacifica and Crossfire coupe. A rental PT Cruiser driven by a friend of mine left a car-high-up and cheap plastic feeling when driving it though. Lacking performance. Think Dell.

Lexus/Toyota and Acura/Honda get points for reliability/durability:

My boss has a 1993 Lexus SC400 with 207,000 on it, I have a friend with an 89 Honda civic with 252,000, etc. Consumer reports gives both standard car (Honda/Toyota) and both luxury car (Acura, Lexus) an ``excellent'' in the reliability department.
For the money, Acura provides the perfect combination of luxury and reliability - whereas lexus is a bit more expensive. They all lack raw performance desired in their respective markets to blow the other car makers away once and for all - and thus not widely purchased for such.

Volvo makes the safest car out there, and they win in safety innovation but that is about it.



BMW gets points for style and innovation:

You cannot get a Z4 or 3 series (even
M3) with a navigation system unless you purchase the high-end model. In the 3 series this bloats the price from the low 30s to the upper 40s. Given they associated Microsoft with the ``Ultimate Driving Machine'' scares me though. I've heard all sorts of stories about the iDrive system screwups.


Ford gets points for market share.

Ford sells more F-150s a year (in the US) than Camrys and Accords combined, but ranks under both said company's offerings in small cars (corolla, civic versus Focus). The F-150 isn't the most economic vehicle out there, but certainly appears to be more reliable than the rest of the trucks out there.


These are just examples.

It would take a few car companies to equal Apple - which is my point.

[aethier]

and the most stylish cars out there (made by Chrysler, VW, Ford) lack reliability.




You had got to be kidding if you think thosse three compainies have the most stylish cars.

Ford: who the heck owns a Tauress or whatever its called, the mustang is a Corvette wannabe, there pick ups are Chevy wannabe. Ford sells lots of F-150s for a reason i cant understand.

Chrysler: The PT cruiser has got to be one of the ugliest things i have ever see, as for thier convertables and "Luxury" models, well they just try to hard. Unless you are talking about DaimlerChrysler and all the companies they own, well then you have apoint, because Mercedes and MAybach are one of them.

VW: Well they are nice you have a point, but i would put them at the top for style. as for reliability, i think they are very. I see many rather old VW still on the road.

now as for my opinion of what car companies Apple would be I'd say... *thinking...hard*
(i origanly thought infiniti but they are a great bang for your buck) Apple is a High end mercedes.

aethier

[job]

I agree with iGav:

Audi.

Sure, their staple sedans (A4) may not be the fastest or the cheapest, but they sure have style.

Don't get me started on the RS6...**drool** :D

It has G5 written all over it.

I actually don't like the concept cars Audi has been designing, but then again I'm not in the market for a new car.

[job]

Originally posted by aethier
I see many rather old VW still on the road.

Yep, my 1976 Super Beetle is still going strong. :p :D

[pseudobrit]

I think Apple went through a VW Beetle phase back during the early CRT iMac era with the cutesy-wootsey designs.

I would venture to say they're more along the lines of M-B pre-late-90's era, when they were built to a standard and not a price.

The closest car company today would have to be Audi, with its subtle and stylish industrial design, understated power, impeccable quality (ask anyone who knows; Audis are the most solidly built cars shy of a Roller) and a price point reputation that makes Joe Sixpack ignore the company's entire lineup completely in his shopping.

[pseudobrit]

Originally posted by BrandonRP0123
Over priced, under equipped.

Whaaaaa??? If you had to have one car for the rest of your life, it'd be a Porsche 911 Turbo.

How is the equipment level on any Porsche lacking exactly?

[pseudobrit]

Originally posted by Moxiemike
Volkswagen and it's HORRID customer service, bad warranty policy and crappy QC.... :rolleyes:

Yup. Their dealers suck. I found a very good one, but have to drive more than twice as far than I would if I'd go to the suckier ones near me.

You'd be surprised how much an awesome dealer makes you enjoy your car owning experience, regardless of make. IOW, I'd rather have a VW from an awesome dealer than an Audi from a crappy one.

[Powerbook G5]

The VW dealer here is actually a Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, SAAB, VW, Mitsubishi, and Audi dealership and they are amazing with customer service. They are primarily a GM oriented dealership I believe, but they have an incredible selection of all makes and they are quite knowledgable and friendly.

[OutThere]

Driving down the street in Greenwich CT a few years ago in the space of a few thousand feet there was a Maserati, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, and a few other fancy car dealers. My expression exactly::eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :cool:


Edit: Exactly has one a.:D

[xpormac]

I never saw what was so great about Bentley's to represent their price, anyone able to enlighten me? please :D

[OutThere]

Originally posted by xpormac
I never saw what was so great about Bentley's to represent their price, anyone able to enlighten me? please :D

The price is ridiculous, but I think that buying one is mainly paying for the name.........and the kid glove leather seats, tropical wood panelling, V-12 super-smooth engine, etc. etc. They are the world reknowned (sp?) gentleman's car, bought by the people who have so much money they couldn't care less about the price.....:)

[Powerbook G5]

They seem like ugly 3 ton tanks to me. Unfortunately, they are loads of them around here.

[Squire]

Originally posted by edesignuk
such a shame we can no longer post our own polls, this would've been perfect for it :rolleyes:

Funny you mention that. I suggested this for a poll but didn't get any response. (It's probably too long for a poll.)

<edit: added more info after reading other posts>

Originally posted by job
I agree with iGav:

Audi.

Sure, their staple sedans (A4) may not be the fastest or the cheapest, but they sure have style.

Don't get me started on the RS6...**drool** :D

It has G5 written all over it.

I actually don't like the concept cars Audi has been designing, but then again I'm not in the market for a new car.

I think I'd have to say Audi as well. The Audi TT is the 15" TiBook- It was amazing when it came out, still is pretty good, but a lot of people are waiting for updates.

By the way, Audi is in control of Lamborghini now.


Squire

[Geetar]

Brandon, your ideas of which companies embody "style" are too comical for words.

As for your Porsche comment..... well, maybe one day you'll actually drive one.

Then you MAY understand.


As an almost unrelated aside, the oddness of BMW's current direction (cf: the arse-end of the newish 7-series) reminds me of Apple in its more rudderless moments .

Still, we can enjoy the thought that MS, if it were a car, would until recently have enjoyed a 0-60 of 3.9 seconds, followed by a terminal wipeout on its first decent corner.

[Waluigi]

Come on, it has got to be Subaru! When every other car on the road (think windows machines getting hit with viruses) can't get up a hill with 6" of snow, any subaru with their world renoun AWD can (think macs not getting hit by viruses, because it is a mac!). These things run forever, are extremely fast, and very much worth the value. I still have my beautiful 1991 subaru (pimped out with chrome hubcabs) running perfect as ever, and it just turned 150,000 miles. I love subarus, and will be buying a new WRX...to go with my Dual 2GHz G5!

--Waluigi

[Powerbook G5]

Subaru is great. I swear, if I had the money to build my dream garage, the first two cars I'd start out with would be a WRC blue Subaru Impreza WRX STi and a metallic red Corvette C5 convertible.

[judith]

Originally posted by TEG
Cadillac and here's why;

Limited Models, but used to maintain many others
High Performance
Recognized Symbol
Stylish (Before it was Cool)
Will run Forever (With regular Maintence)
Fighting many other makers with Cheaper Cars
Gets Many Components from "Big

CTS = iMac
DeVille = eMac
Seville = iBook and PowerBook 12"
XLS = PowerMac G5
SRX = Powerbook G4 15"
Escalade = XServe
EscaladeESV = PowerMac G4
EscaladeEXT = PowerBook G4 17"

BTW: Ferrari would be Sun
Porshe would be SGI
Lexus (Toyota with features) would be Alienware

TEG

Hmmm, I think HUGE when I think Cadillac. Maybe a 23" Cinema HD display would help me see it your way;)

[Squire]

Originally posted by xpormac
I never saw what was so great about Bentley's to represent their price, anyone able to enlighten me? please :D

Does this enlighten you?

Anyone else think this bears a resemblance to the G5? :)

Squire

[iGav]

Originally posted by Squire
Does this enlighten you?

Anyone else think this bears a resemblance to the G5? :)

Squire

It looks like an overgrown Rover, that's what the new Bentley looks like... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[edesignuk]

Originally posted by iGAV
It looks like an overgrown Rover, that's what the new Bentley looks like... :eek: :eek: :eek:
heh, it does look a bit 75 ish I guess, but I'd still give my right arm for one. I love bentley, I'd take one over a roller any day :D

[iGav]

Originally posted by edesignuk
heh, it does look a bit 75 ish I guess, but I'd still give my right arm for one. I love bentley, I'd take one over a roller any day :D

Exactly, I didn't want to mention which Rover, but you sure did nail the clit on the head bud!! :eek: :p :p

The reviews I've been reading about it have all said it's a fantastic car though, infact almost to the point where it's too good to be Bentley...

I'd like to see them stick the Toureg V10 TDI in it though for true GT cross-continental capability.... apparently in W12 form, it gets considerably less than 200 Miles from a brim full when you exercise that right foot alittle... although the TDI lacks in BHP it has a HUGE torque output which would make it great on the way to Geneva!!

The Bentley and Roller argument is moot.... Bentley make fine, gentleman's sporting carriages.... :D Roll Royce make cars for tomorrows pimps.... heh-heh!!

[iGav]

Apple = Audi.... (Again)

And to reinforce my point... :D

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally posted by iGAV
Apple = Audi.... (Again)

And to reinforce my point... :D

Ha, nice one. And I would say Audi or BMW would be close. Why? Because like most other computer companies, they want to have the look of Apple. Look at how the iMac and its non-beige approach changed the computer industry and others.

Audi, BWM, Mercedes and maybe Porsche have traits that other car companies want to have as well. I don't think anyone is saying we want to be more like Ford or SAAB....;)

D

[judith]

At COMDEX, Bill Gates reportedly compared The computer industry with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they painted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to re-install the engine.

4. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five percent of the roads.

5. New seats would force everyone to have the same size butt.

6. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

7. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps (now a GM subsidiary), even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car''s performance to diminish by 50 percent or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Dept.

8. Every time GM introduced a new model, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

9. You''d press the "start" button to shut off the engine.

[shecky]

i would have to say VW / Audi (VW owns Audi & shares resources)

innovative marketing, innovative styling, top engineering, a company that evokes an emotional response from its customers, a VERY loyal and somewhat fanatical customer base

Not to mention VW Vortex, a premiere enthusiast site, notes clearly that it is developed and maintained on Apple computers :)

[pseudobrit]

Originally posted by judith
At COMDEX, Bill Gates reportedly compared The computer industry with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."

Bzzzt!!

You've been snopes'd!!!

http://www.snopes.com/humor/jokes/autos.htm

[judith]

Originally posted by pseudobrit
Bzzzt!!

You've been snopes'd!!!

http://www.snopes.com/humor/jokes/autos.htm

Yes, this has been evolving for years, I thought that much was understood. My apologies to anyone who did not already know of this being complete and utter nonsense. Just intended to stir some thoughts- that's all - with regards to the thread topic.

I personally can't quite decide on which if any one specifically could. Lots of hybrids come to mind though.

[void]

Lotus. They are the minority, have great performance, and people think they are more expensive than they really are. (Lotus Elise only costs 27K)
-v

[RugoseCone]

Apple and Audi. Lots of similarities here....


First both start with A and end with a vowel.

Second they have a similar naming scheme ie G3/A3, G4/A4, G5/A6, ??/A8.

They have very similar design elements, both are very miniamilist in style.

Buzz words. Apple is praised as having a very "intuitive" OS. The new Multimedia Interface (aka MMI) in the Audi A8 is also being hailed as "intuitive" and many reviewers are saying it's everything BMW's iDrive (I think that's the name for it) should have been. Sounds kind of like OS X and XP to me.


Too bad I only own one of them. I do have Apple stock though, so maybe that counts...

[Mav451]

Originally posted by judith
At COMDEX, Bill Gates reportedly compared The computer industry with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they painted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to re-install the engine.

4. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five percent of the roads.

5. New seats would force everyone to have the same size butt.

6. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

7. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps (now a GM subsidiary), even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car''s performance to diminish by 50 percent or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Dept.

8. Every time GM introduced a new model, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

9. You''d press the "start" button to shut off the engine.

Bill does have a point.. American cars, yes domestics, easily could get 30mph and get their 300hp at the same time with engineering of the diesel engine. Proof of this is through any kind of engineering program at top universities.

http://www.rit.edu/~rsn3231/fischetti.pdf

These contests take American cars, not hondas, and increase their mileage while also increasing performance (hp/torque). The sad part is that the industry refuses to budge, even after 30 years. Even the 1975 scare with the oil crisis didn't wake up car manufacturers enough. Just sad.

[Powerbook G5]

I love that GM response :) If I were GM I would have smoked Bill the best way I could, too. I am personally a GM fan as far as the domestic side of things. They seem to be much more on the game than Ford and Chrysler have been in a long time. As far as foreign, I tend towards Subaru, SAAB, and Audi.

[etoiles]

Originally posted by pseudobrit
Yup. Their dealers suck. I found a very good one, but have to drive more than twice as far than I would if I'd go to the suckier ones near me.


I have a VW dealer really close and it SUCKS ! I brought my GTI in for a standard service and had to go back 3 times because they messed something up and failed to fix it twice... other than that, I am really happy with my car, hopefully I can find a better dealer.

As for Apple/car, I'd agree with the AUDI choice: clean and elegant yet dynamic design, good quality... aluminum ;)

What kind of car does Steve Jobs drive ?

[Powerbook G5]

I don't know, maybe he just takes his Jet through McDonald's drive through, the store, to work, etc :D

[OutThere]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
I don't know, maybe he just takes his Jet through McDonald's drive through, the store, to work, etc :D

This is probably one of the worst photo editing jobs that i have ever done, but I couldn't resist...:D :D :D

[Durandal7]

If Apple made cars they would take a special type of gas that is hard to find and would have to be mail-ordered often. Having said that, I will go with Audi.

[Squire]

Yeah, I just read a review of the new A8 then saw a TT convertible. It's Audi.

So the frontrunners...

1) Audi
2) Saab

Was any other manufacturer mentioned more than a few times?

Squire

[OutThere]

Originally posted by Durandal7
If Apple made cars they would take a special type of gas that is hard to find and would have to be mail-ordered often. Having said that, I will go with Audi.

But apple's cars would get 150 miles to the gallon so then again it wouldn't matter.:)

[AhmedFaisal]

Originally posted by Moxiemike
BMW? Not Innovative? Hmmm. i'd have to disagree there.

One needs only to look at the 7 series to see some innovation:

http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/models/0376/0376_equipment.cfm

Specifically in instruments and controls.

And hell, if we wanna compare:

The 3 series: The eMac
The 5 series: the iMac
The 7 series: The G5

Z4: Powerbook

etc etc etc

Sorry, nope. With the arrival of this moron Chris Bangle in the BMW design team they went down the tubes. I come from a family of BMW drivers but the new stuff they came out with is absolute crap. (and I live in Munich, too, wich is BMW homeland). The 7 series now looks as overblown and tank like as the old S Class Mercedes did during the 90ies. And don't even get me started on the trunk and the Dame Edna style front lights. No comparison to the previous 7 series which was more Apple style, simplistic elegant design which was yet sporty and high class. The new 7 series is just another US style limousine tank without a heart & soul. The 5 series is the same, if not uglier. The Z4, OMFG! I mean the Z3 was sex on wheels, and so was the Z8 which was a perfect mix of modern style and retro design. The Z4 is just not a BMW anymore. The front looks like a Viper, the back like a Ferrari and the side of it like an Alfa Romeo Spider. And a cheap copy of the 3 it is too. I already cringe at the thought of what they will do with the new 3 series that is going to come out next year. :mad: But hey, BMW had it coming, if they had looked at the other Bangleations @ Ford with a sane mind they would not have hired him. I would not put BMW and Apple into the same sentence anymore. Mercedes would be a more fitting candidate. My entire family including me switched to mercedes because of Bangle, that's 8 cars less they sold, and we are not the only ones in Germany who think that way. BMW once stood for Bavarian Motor Works now it stands for "B angle M uss W eg" (as in Bangle must go). Or more simply put http://www.pagenstecher.de/images/icon/kotz.gif

Cheers,

Ahmed

[AhmedFaisal]

... Mercedes.

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/home/news/news_slr_roadster.htm

Its a true beauty folks.
Cheers,

Ahmed

[zach]

i think apple is best represented by audi, although no one company can fully represent them. audi, like apple, is innovative (for instance, they invented quattro), and stylish.

and then the major reason. they both start with "a".

:D

[stylum]

Maybe we are inclined to very direct comparison because of the market share percentage concept in cars and computers as presented by apple in the switch campaign


i´d actually compare apple to a hyundai atos prime, a swatch-mercedes smart, or even this very different aproach in design,
http://www.carver.nl/home.htm
all of them real innovative

[OutThere]

Originally posted by stylum
Maybe we are inclined to very direct comparison because of the market share percentage concept in cars and computers as presented by apple in the switch campaign


i´d actually compare apple to a hyundai atos prime, a swatch-mercedes smart, or even this very different aproach in design,
http://www.carver.nl/home.htm
all of them real innovative


Those carver cars are sooooooooo cool. I watched some of the video clips and its really awesome. Thats really cool! Thanks for the link. I agree about the innovation, with market share its too easy to compare apple to car companies, you can just select the lower market share companies, but really apple is much more than just that 6% market share....

[mad jew]

Definately a Pagani! Fast, expensive, chic, well-made, kind of exotic and INCREDIBLY user friendly. :)

[bartelby]

EDIT: meh! just noticed how old the thread was...