VIDEO: WHY Does Someone Buy An Aston Martin When There Are BETTER Cars Out There?

One of the questions that plagues journalists and critics is "Why do people buy bad cars?" And, though it seems like a difficult answer, it's actually a simple one.

People buy a lot of vehicles by emotion.

It's not always how many MPG a vehicle achieves or how the rear seat legroom is. Sometimes it's about the interior that features real metal over plastic and a howling V12 motor. That could be why someone would get an Aston Martin Rapide over, say, a Porsche Panamera Turbo but rather speculate, I'll let an owner do the talking, below.

In our second episode of I Bought One, we meet Cliff Graham from Southport. Cliff has been a life-long car obsessive, owning cars as wonderful and diverse as a first generation BMW 6 series to a series two Lotus Exige. However, it's his latest drive -- a beautiful Aston Martin Rapide - that's worthy of celebration in this film.

When we call the Rapide beautiful, we can assume everybody gathers the same sense of satisfaction. Amongst a sea of chunky, derivative luxo-barges, the Rapide stands apart as one of the most stunning four-door, four-seaters on sale and it was great to see Cliff unafraid to use it as a daily driver. We reckon it will be assured family heirloom status in no time!

TheSteve - 10/31/2013 2:17:23 AM

+3 Boost

People get what they want. They have different likes, dislikes, etc. It's really that simple. That's why we can't all agree on what the "best" car is.

vdiv - 10/31/2013 11:15:08 AM

+2 Boost

I think the answer is presence. Aston Martins are immediately recognizable and look rather striking from most angles. There is a "primal" instinct associated with the affinity to these cars -- they epitomize what a GT car is all about. Last but not least their imperfections are perceived as the intangible sense of a soul and a personality. Aston Martins are "alive" and they are never boring.

We should also not assume that people who buy an Aston Martin have only one car. But having one excites a sense of adventure that other "better" cars simply do not have.

PUGPROUD - 10/31/2013 12:43:16 PM

+2 Boost

Chicks dig it...the James Bond, I've got class panache.

VOLLGAS - 10/31/2013 11:02:19 PM

+1 Boost

What a stupid question... Agent 00R must drive a Prius.

TomM - 11/1/2013 8:59:15 PM

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First - Most people buy cars for transportation - which is why Ho-Hum Toyotas and Lexus cars sell as well as they do. For transportation - today - virtually ALL cars are good - compared to just 20 years ago. Just about ALL go faster than most drivers will drive them - stop quicker than most drivers will brake them - go around turns better than most people will drive them - and have LOTS of dodads and thingamabobs that most people will not need and likely will hardly ever use. And while your claim about emotion is noted - most people buy on their pocketbook. Most people cannot afford an Aston Martin car seat - much less the whole car. So = most people do not buy Bad cars - they buy cars that are good enough for what they need - no matter how you racers believe otherwise. So -for what most people want their cars to do - get to work - to school - to the beach on the weekend - that 10 year old corolla does it just as well as a new one - much less a Rolls Royce.

Second - People who buy very expensive cars - buy for class, and exclusivity. These people will not buy a Chevrolet Impala just because Consumer reports says it is a very good luxury car - they would not be caught dead in a MASS MARKET car. These people DO buy on emotion - as well. But just as BMW continues to become a less "drivers" car - people still buy them because a BMW is a status symbol.

There was a time when mainstream magazines and reviewers recognized a "family car" - and judged it based on an average family use. Today - those cars are considered BAD by the automotive press - but they still are among the largest sellers.

vdiv - 11/4/2013 10:12:04 AM

+1 Boost

Tom, we are not talking about most people here.