If you’ve worked with as many cheap used cars as I have, you start to develop a sense of whether a car can be trusted or not, just by driving it a few hundred feet. The noises it makes, the smells it emits, and the vibrations it translates through the steering wheel and seat can tell an entire story within the span of a few minutes. It’s the same way with people. Hang around with enough different folks, and it’s easy to tell who can be trusted and who can’t.
After reading Jason Torchinsky’s Cold Start on the inefficiencies of the Wonka Mobile, I don’t think I’d trust him or his car to drive me around the factory (or anywhere, for that matter). Sadly, the kids in the movie didn’t have that survivor instinct. Moonball96 makes a good point:
Anyone else ever notice that the Wonka Mobile only had enough room for 4 passengers and a driver? Almost like Wonka knew…. there wouldn’t be some kids and adults joining at this point in the tour….
Hell, even if I did decide to make it into the Wonka Mobile, I probably wouldn’t last long. From ChefCJ:
Come with me, and you’ll be, in a world of safety violations
Jason also wrote a rebuttal to a competitor website regarding the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, arguing that while no one really wanted it, that’s part of what made it so interesting. Personally, I think there’s definitely a market for a true crossover convertible—why else would Land Rover build the Evoque convertible? Jason Weigandt agrees with me and makes another good point at the same time.
I always get mad when people bash on the concept of the CrossCab. I can tell you exactly who would want a vehicle like this: My mom, who wants a convertible, but also wants the height of a SUV. And she doesn’t want a tiny two-door sports car, either. Also, there’s no way someone like my mom could ever figure out how to operate the soft top and windows in a Wrangler or Bronco.
Too often we forget that not everyone is an enthusiast.
Speaking of the Murano CrossCabriolet, the entire reason I’m writing COTD is that Mercedes Streeter is out on the road with The Autopian’s CrossCab right now, driving from Los Angeles to Texas. Unsurprisingly, she ran into what sounds like wheel bearing trouble early on in her trip. The noise prompted 5VZ-F’Ever and Ever, Amen to ask a question we’ve all probably thought before:
Would you rather experience “what’s that noise?” or “what’s that smell?” while road-tripping?
On that front, I’ll have to agree with GENERIC_NAME:
I think I’d prefer a noise. Smells are usually more urgent.
Have a great evening, everyone!
Top graphic image: Warner Bros
The post I Don’t Trust Wonka Or His Mobile One Bit: COTD appeared first on The Autopian.
