Stepping Out Of The Norm

Recently I was chatting to a friend who was looking at changing his car and it got me thinking about how we always go for the safe option when it comes to buying a new car.

It seems that we have this "Safe Mode" built into us that makes us have to go for a car that either everyone else has, or marques that we're accustomed to.

With the various models out there, we all seem to go one way or another;
We have:
• The German Crowd (BMW's/ VW's/ Mercedes Benz's)
• The British Crowd (Vauxhall's/ Ford's)
• The Japanese Crowd (Nissan's/ Toyota's/ Mazda's)

I almost fell into this trap when considering changing the wife's car. I thought maybe it's best we should change the car for something like an Audi, BMW or something of the sort.

Then I thought again. It's not like we're planning to have kids for a while, or needing a big family car for everyone, so why should we go for the safe option?
So I started looking at other options available and then came to the conclusion that why not get something different? I mean there's only 2 of us and who cares if our car isn't big enough to take anyone else on journey's?
I already own a VW Passat which the parents use and when necessary I use it for either going to family events, going out with friends and family.

That got me thinking. Why do we do it? Is it because we don't like taking risks? Stepping out of the norm? Or is it simply that we don't know much about other cars?

Personally when buying a car I look at ALL the available options out there to suit my needs, but why doesn't everyone else?

I think in the Asian community owning a BMW, Merc, VW or Audi is a status symbol. Owning such a car means your doing well. But doesn't owning a Jap or foreign marque (to the ones mentioned) mean that either? Doesn't it say that your being an individual? I think so.
Never owning a BMW, Merc or Audi and never really wanting to for the simple fact of "following the crowd" due to simply always driving into a car park at a function and seeing the usual cars lined up, all the same, all in the same body-style and range.

Now I'm not saying these cars are rubbish at all. I've had the opportunity to drive all these cars, and they are truely fun to drive, excellent inside and all-round good cars. That's the reason why people buy these cars. But there are so many other, different cars out there!

So why do we continually buy these cars? Is it because we're lazy? Going for the safe, easy option? Or is it ignorance? Is it that people don't know about the other cars, or are scared? Scared to be different? Scared of the unknown?

Personally, I've always been one to go against the grain. Never owned a "Normal" car, and going for something different, I've always liked other cars. With my knowledge in the Motor Industry, when it came to cars, I've always looked in the other direction. So why do so many people in the Motor Industry still go for the safe option?
I just think its the easy option. I mean there isn't too much to check on your VW/Audi/Merc/BMW's, as opposed to the more unique, different cars out there.


I hope this entry makes people think and change their opinion on the cars out there.

Go on, be different, I Dare You!!!