I value looks first, then acceleration. Brand comes last.

I value my needs first followed by the entire package and my personal prejudices come last.

i voted other because it depends on how well the car performs on levels that it should and levels that it doesnt have to.

Exactly . You get the right car for the job . You don't get an SUV just to drop off the kids and you don't get a sports car when you want to achieve good mileage .

i say that car-based SUV's, and Minivans are just people movers and i don't expect much from them. But car-based SUV's like the Infiniti FX are VERY good handling and also very fast, like the Cayenne which is also car-based and can go offroading. Those are cars that can move things around and also give you something extra

Too bad that people that buy the Cayenne will never leave the highway .

yes i know

How about an honest salesman... oh wait, those ficticious creatures like dragons and unicorns... nevermind.

i schooled a toyota salesman once.

American salesmen are way too confident in their car's performance, a Chevy salesman said that the ZO6 could "easily" beat out the 360 Spyder in any sort of race. A Ford salesman said that the Ford GT could go 0-60 in under 3.3 seconds. A Chrysler salesman said that the Crossfire is one of the best handling coupes in it's clss.

It's the same here . A Hyundai salesman was once trying to convince me that the Santa Fe could go head to head with a Toyota Landrcuiser off-road any day of the week .

I value everything, i can't consider one more important than the other, it may be reliable but look bad, it may be fast but have relibability issues, it may look sexy but be slow as hell etc.

So, your vote was "Other"?

this is a terrible poll, every one of those things are always considered when you buy a car, at least for the people on this forum...

Bad try Raven, you fail

I value... the handling of the car. And its size. I like small cars (but not as small as a K-Car or an old Mini).

It's obvious that you consider all of those things, but there must be something you value a little bit more.

For example if you prefer one brand over another.

Terrible poll, hmm.... 16 votes and 15 replies in a few hours.

Conclusion: You fail, Goota.

this poll aint so bad for a noob.

well i just came back from the dealership because me and my dad were looking at used imprezas.. the first thing that brought me to this choice were their safety, awd drivetrain, and looks.. then after ive been in a few of my friends wrx's, ive noticed that yes, they are reallly quick lol.. i test drove a 2.5RS today... very nice

How about a balanced all-rounder, hmmm?

But I am a bit of an acceleration maven...power that is adequate to most people is inadequate to me, although I am by no means a drag racer...

Looks and handling tied in first place.

I've only ever bought used cars so the main thing I look for is how mechanically sound it is. So far my car buying decisions have been based on cars I like and are somewhat practical for where I currently am so I don't even consider that, along with performance (since I like cars that are quick, fast, or can hold their own off-road), aren't even something to consider. I suppose price would be the next thing.

Great handling, kind of small, basically a Pagani Zonda.

A Zonda is small?

Yeah, the front is tiny (for example: compare the Zonda-front to the Dodge Viper's huge bonnet).

OK, the rear is kind of fat, but otherwise it's small, right?

OMG , the first time (and only) I saw a Viper from the front it's like a big rig was coming at me . That thing is massive .

Look how small the Zonda is compared to that Mercedes (or whatever it is).

Lexus GS.

Um... the reason why the front is small... or in this case short is because the whole driver/passenger area was moved forward to make room for the gigantic engine for the mid section.

handling and/or weight. then reliability, then value, etc. like they said, it's combo of things. but handling should be on the poll

how many cupholders the car has.

How about reliability?

will it help me get laid ?

The other day i saw an NSX next to an accord at the stoplight. It was a good foot shorter. Then the guy in the NSX puts the pedal to the metal and it sounded pretty nice. The way a car sounds is important.

my car shopping priorities go like this:

1. Type of car
2. Prices in my budget
3. Looks
4. Performance (including reliability, mpg, speed, etc)
5. Manufacturer
6. Does it Suck or Not. If yes, go to 2

I value most the lap time it will do on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

My favourite car magazine does a so called "Supertest" of one car in every issue, which includes taking it over the Nordschleife. Cars which are quick on the Ring are quick everywhere.

You live in germany, right? Have you gone around the 'ring? If so, what's your best time?

Yes, I live in Germany. I've done about 30 - 40 laps with different cars over the years, but I've never timed it (if you crash and they discover a running stop watch you'll lose your insurance cover). Let me put it like this: I am not the quickest out there.

Seconded...

If I had to choose a "sporty" characteristic, I would choose handling over top speed or acceleration. But I'm one of the more boring guys on the forum, so I also value safety, reliability, practicality, and fuel efficiency.

I'm sure you weren't serious. But it always cracked me up that some people DO think this way. After all, if a woman will sleep with you because of the car you drive,
1) She's just after your money and will burn you and walk away with the dough at the first opportunity,
2) She's looser and more disease-ridden than Christina Agulera,
3) Both of the above.

Good point.

Which mag is that??

sport auto

Looks (exterior and interior), & handling.

Practicality. It has to fit my lifestyle, first, and everything else goes from there. Right now, that means something that can fit me, wife, and kid (soon) comfortably, along with whatever else I need to have in the car. Fortunately, I don't need a minivan, so a sporty 4-door hatch, manual trans, etc are still options.

hhmm.. I got some lying around in my room.. I shall take a look.

this is stupid.

other: the overall driving experience.

which is why i'm getting a 2.0L saab and not a 5.7L Camaro. Because one is better to drive than the other ALL of the time rather than more fun the 5% of the time you're flogging it.

It's all about how everything works and interacts. Must have good ergonomics, powerful but reasonable and responsive engine, great gearbox, strong reliable brakes, good stereo etc.

My top preference is the handling of the car. Why? Cuz I love them mountains... alot. ALOT!

You can't get the thrill of driving top speed on the mountain pass anywhere BUT THE MOUNTAINS!! THUS THE RX-8 IS BEST CAR EVER!!! AHHHHHHHHH rishi

Looks, cause If I'm not happy on the way my car looks,
I wont be happy period

People say don't judge a book by its cover. But that's just stupid. We all judge on looks first, perhaps unconsciously. So I would buy a car based on looks first, performance second. A lesson that Subaru has learned the hard way. Due to the complaints it received when it first launched the Bug-eye Impreza, Subaru is now surveying consumers, asking various tuners in Japan and Australia for what they want the 08 Impreza to look like. I hope someone tells them to abandon the new Subaru grille.