Stoopid Car Commercials

elSicomoro · 12-08-2002, 11:02 PM

Though I have cut back on my TV viewing, I still see enough to see all the Xmas commercials that are infecting the airwaves right now. And there is one set of commercials that, for some reason, just irritate the hell out of me. They've been on the air for a few years now, and I'm sure many of you have seen them.

They are the ones done by Lexus and Jaguar, where people give their significant others a Lexus or Jaguar for Christmas. The guy whose eyes light up when he sees a Lexus LS 400 (Don't know if that's actually it or not...I'm guessing) sitting behind him in the driveway. The woman that swoons when she is given a set of keys by her husband (via their dog), and then she runs out to see her brand new LX 430 SUV.

Now, I realize that some people just have $50,000 to run out and buy a Jaguar XJ-5, and that I only have enough money to buy Krispy Kremes. But, it just seems so incredibly unrealistic to me. The economy is still sputtering right now, and seems to be hitting people of all income strata. Not to mention, buying a $50,000 car could be pretty hard to hide, especially if you share bank accounts with your significant other. And who actually pays for that car if it's bought on financing? You (the purchaser) or the receiver? And what if you have good intentions, but then you go belly up money-wise a few months later? Then the car gets repo'd and your s.o.'s car is gone...and they're hating you.

I know I know...it's just a silly commercial. The questions I asked are primarily rhetorical, and I'm not THAT jealous. But if any of you were planning on buying me a Xmas present and were planning to spend $30-50k on it, I'd like a Lexus SC 400 Convertible or an IS 300. Thanks.

blase · 12-08-2002, 11:18 PM

Sigh, and my $5,000 car is the only asset I have. Add to that the fact that it just got new tires (there was my Christmas) and still needs a new clutch.

12-09-2002, 06:08 AM

Jenni's Sentra was totaled (weeee!) and they gave her ~$2,000 more than the KBB value. So we put that toward a '99 Beetle (silver, but sadly, not the Turbo model). It's cute, and roomier than you'd think. She's happy with it.

I think we both still miss the Sentra (I know I do), but the Beetle is quickly becoming "her" car.

Here's a little picture of it, stolen directly from the dealer's website (and cropped):

No, that isn't a scratch by the headlight. I'm not quite sure exactly what's going on in the picture, but it's not there now.

Griff · 12-09-2002, 06:27 AM

Dave, don't let us catch you slipping behind the wheel of Jenni's new rig. Its cute and it remains a chicks car.

The thing that annoys me about those stooopid car commercials or those diamond ones for that matter is the idea that you make a financial decision like that without consulting your partner. "Here are the keys to your new Lexus, oh by the way that trip to Europe we were talking about, thats off. You'll also be picking up a second job but only for the next five years or so."

12-09-2002, 06:36 AM

I tell you what, I used to hate the new Beetle. It just irritated me. But over the last year, it's grown on me. When they make a 4WD, 200-hp version - I'm on it.

jaguar · 12-09-2002, 06:57 AM

The new beetle was terribly designed.
I wanna new Mini, now thats a real man's car.

12-09-2002, 07:20 AM

The Mini is the new trendy car around here. Personally, I think it's ass-ugly. I see about 12 of them every day and man... honestly, I think it takes the "Now That's An Ugly Car!" Award from the PT Cruiser.

I wouldn't say the New Beetle was terribly designed; after spending about 6 hours riding in it so far, I've found a lot of really great ideas in the design (for example, how the seats fold forward). The only thing I really take issue with this point are the pathetic drink holders. They're good for holding an iPod or a 12oz can, but not much else. There's really no excuse for such poor cup holders. At least there's a decent one in the middle, but the main two really fucking suck.

For those who don't know, the center control area (stereo, heat, etc) hangs over the cup holders, meaning anything taller than about 6 inches is not getting in there.

warch · 12-09-2002, 02:53 PM

There is a new beetle commercial that I really like (Mr warch sez the spot is stupid, obtuse, and afterall, its for a GIRL car!) Its the campaign for the upcoming convertible but you dont know that til the last frame. This guy (hipster doofus, ptewy!) wanders around an office, unsure what is missing from his life until he looks out the window and sees...Ahhh suspense!, all to "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO. - they know my demographic.

Griff · 12-09-2002, 03:33 PM

It nailed Mrs. G. as well.

Undertoad · 12-09-2002, 03:58 PM

VW's marketing people are just brilliant, which is I suppose one reason why I run a GTI and have the VW Speed Racer poster on my garage wall.

They do the same thing with a lot of spots: they run the 60 second version a few times, and then they run the 30 second version, to save money but still evoke the full emotional whop of the 60 second version.

I know this has been done for a lot of other spots, like Pepsi during the Super Bowl, but it never seems to work as well as it does for the VW ads.

wolf · 12-09-2002, 05:41 PM

Hey, I really like the one where the guy is all grumpy about getting a toy car and the chick takes the poloroid and gives it to him while he's being all moany and whiny ...

Makes me cry ...

Now those "zoom-zoom" ads ... those I hate.

Actually caused me NOT to go shopping for a Mazda.

I just bought a car. Did so irrespective of advertising. Walked into a dealership that was chosen solely because it was the closest one to my house. Drove first car I saw.

Got a major awesome deal. Signed papers. Bing-bang, Done.

wolf · 12-09-2002, 05:49 PM

This is an awesomely sweet car, if I do say so myself. (and yes, I am aware of the edmunds.com review that points out the "forgettable rental car persona." They are wrong.)

Leus · 12-10-2002, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wolf
Now those "zoom-zoom" ads ... those I hate.

Actually caused me NOT to go shopping for a Mazda.

Now that's interesting... I'm tired of that stupid song. I live in Chile, and didn't knew that we get the same commercials...

perth · 12-10-2002, 02:50 PM

i like the colour, wolf. and i have a car with that forgettable rental car'' persona, but i love it.

~james

elSicomoro · 12-10-2002, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Leus
Now that's interesting... I'm tired of that stupid song. I live in Chile, and didn't knew that we get the same commercials...

I'm sure some of the commercials you get down there are much like our own...maybe with a different voice.

Wolf, what is that? It looks vaguely like a Ford Taurus, but it has a grill, so scratch that.

12-08-2002, 11:02 PM	#1
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Stoopid Car Commercials Though I have cut back on my TV viewing, I still see enough to see all the Xmas commercials that are infecting the airwaves right now. And there is one set of commercials that, for some reason, just irritate the hell out of me. They've been on the air for a few years now, and I'm sure many of you have seen them. They are the ones done by Lexus and Jaguar, where people give their significant others a Lexus or Jaguar for Christmas. The guy whose eyes light up when he sees a Lexus LS 400 (Don't know if that's actually it or not...I'm guessing) sitting behind him in the driveway. The woman that swoons when she is given a set of keys by her husband (via their dog), and then she runs out to see her brand new LX 430 SUV. Now, I realize that some people just have $50,000 to run out and buy a Jaguar XJ-5, and that I only have enough money to buy Krispy Kremes. But, it just seems so incredibly unrealistic to me. The economy is still sputtering right now, and seems to be hitting people of all income strata. Not to mention, buying a $50,000 car could be pretty hard to hide, especially if you share bank accounts with your significant other. And who actually pays for that car if it's bought on financing? You (the purchaser) or the receiver? And what if you have good intentions, but then you go belly up money-wise a few months later? Then the car gets repo'd and your s.o.'s car is gone...and they're hating you. I know I know...it's just a silly commercial. The questions I asked are primarily rhetorical, and I'm not THAT jealous. But if any of you were planning on buying me a Xmas present and were planning to spend $30-50k on it, I'd like a Lexus SC 400 Convertible or an IS 300. Thanks.

12-09-2002, 06:27 AM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Dave, don't let us catch you slipping behind the wheel of Jenni's new rig. Its cute and it remains a chicks car. The thing that annoys me about those stooopid car commercials or those diamond ones for that matter is the idea that you make a financial decision like that without consulting your partner. "Here are the keys to your new Lexus, oh by the way that trip to Europe we were talking about, thats off. You'll also be picking up a second job but only for the next five years or so." __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-09-2002, 06:57 AM	#6
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	The new beetle was terribly designed. I wanna new Mini, now thats a real man's car. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

12-09-2002, 03:33 PM	#9
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	It nailed Mrs. G. as well. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-09-2002, 05:41 PM	#11
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Hey, I really like the one where the guy is all grumpy about getting a toy car and the chick takes the poloroid and gives it to him while he's being all moany and whiny ... Makes me cry ... Now those "zoom-zoom" ads ... those I hate. Actually caused me NOT to go shopping for a Mazda. I just bought a car. Did so irrespective of advertising. Walked into a dealership that was chosen solely because it was the closest one to my house. Drove first car I saw. Got a major awesome deal. Signed papers. Bing-bang, Done. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-08-2002, 11:18 PM	#2
blase Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 91	Sigh, and my $5,000 car is the only asset I have. Add to that the fact that it just got new tires (there was my Christmas) and still needs a new clutch.

12-09-2002, 06:08 AM	#3
dave Guest Posts: n/a	Jenni's Sentra was totaled (weeee!) and they gave her ~$2,000 more than the KBB value. So we put that toward a '99 Beetle (silver, but sadly, not the Turbo model). It's cute, and roomier than you'd think. She's happy with it. I think we both still miss the Sentra (I know I do), but the Beetle is quickly becoming "her" car. Here's a little picture of it, stolen directly from the dealer's website (and cropped): No, that isn't a scratch by the headlight. I'm not quite sure exactly what's going on in the picture, but it's not there now.

12-09-2002, 06:36 AM	#5
dave Guest Posts: n/a	I tell you what, I used to hate the new Beetle. It just irritated me. But over the last year, it's grown on me. When they make a 4WD, 200-hp version - I'm on it.

12-09-2002, 07:20 AM	#7
dave Guest Posts: n/a	The Mini is the new trendy car around here. Personally, I think it's ass-ugly. I see about 12 of them every day and man... honestly, I think it takes the "Now That's An Ugly Car!" Award from the PT Cruiser. I wouldn't say the New Beetle was terribly designed; after spending about 6 hours riding in it so far, I've found a lot of really great ideas in the design (for example, how the seats fold forward). The only thing I really take issue with this point are the pathetic drink holders. They're good for holding an iPod or a 12oz can, but not much else. There's really no excuse for such poor cup holders. At least there's a decent one in the middle, but the main two really fucking suck. For those who don't know, the center control area (stereo, heat, etc) hangs over the cup holders, meaning anything taller than about 6 inches is not getting in there.

12-09-2002, 02:53 PM	#8
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	There is a new beetle commercial that I really like (Mr warch sez the spot is stupid, obtuse, and afterall, its for a GIRL car!) Its the campaign for the upcoming convertible but you dont know that til the last frame. This guy (hipster doofus, ptewy!) wanders around an office, unsure what is missing from his life until he looks out the window and sees...Ahhh suspense!, all to "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO. - they know my demographic.

12-09-2002, 03:58 PM	#10
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	VW's marketing people are just brilliant, which is I suppose one reason why I run a GTI and have the VW Speed Racer poster on my garage wall. They do the same thing with a lot of spots: they run the 60 second version a few times, and then they run the 30 second version, to save money but still evoke the full emotional whop of the 60 second version. I know this has been done for a lot of other spots, like Pepsi during the Super Bowl, but it never seems to work as well as it does for the VW ads.

12-09-2002, 05:49 PM	#12
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Oh ... Nearly Forgot. I took pictures. This is an awesomely sweet car, if I do say so myself. (and yes, I am aware of the edmunds.com review that points out the "forgettable rental car persona." They are wrong.) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 12-10-2002 at 01:39 AM.

12-10-2002, 02:50 PM	#14
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	i like the colour, wolf. and i have a car with that forgettable rental car'' persona, but i love it. ~james

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