Now that we all know how OPPO are cars are (or in my case how oppo my cars aren’t) I’d like to try something a little different. Having a quirky car, a fast car, or something different is nice, but what about those of us who need a little practicality in our lives? Being an automotive enthusiast doesn’t mean you can only like super cars, exotics, or sports cars. I appreciate those cars for the engineering marvels that they are, but I still prefer cars that are useful in our everyday lives. How does your car add up?
1: Engine
Rotary: - 42 points
8-Cylinder or larger: -50 points
6-Cylinder: 25 points
5-Cylinder: 26 points
4-Cylinder: 50 points
3-Cylinders or less: 22 points
Hybrid: 75 points
Electric: 100 points
1.b: More engine
Carburetor: -100 points
Diesel (if more fuel efficient than gas option): 10 points
Diesel (if less fuel efficient than gas option): - 10 points
If no gas option: 0 points
2: Aspiration
Turbo returning worse fuel economy than NA option: -20 points
Turbo returning better fuel economy than NA option: 20 points
NA returning worse fuel economy than Turbo option: -15 points
NA returning better fuel economy than Turbo option: 15 points
If no comparison engine: 0 points
3: Body Style
0-doors: -40 points
2-doors: -35 points
3-doors: 10 points
4-doors: 35 points
5-doors: 55 points
3.b: Bonus Points
Truck: 15 points
Hatchback: 25 points
SUV: 30 points
Wagon: 35 points
Van (all sizes including mini): 50 points
Motorcycle: 5 points
Moped: 25 points
4: Wheels Driven
Rear-wheel drive: -10 points
Front-wheel drive: 15 points
All-wheel drive: 16 points
4-wheel drive: 12 points
5: Engine Location
Doesn’t matter unless:
Makes the car more fuel efficient (location optimized for less drag for example): 5 points
Increases the interior volume (cab-over minivan for example or front-wheel drive that allows for a flat floor): 15 points
6: Transmission
Auto returning better fuel economy than manual: 10 points
Auto returning worse fuel economy than manual: 5 points
Manual returning better fuel economy than auto: 15 points
Manual returning worse fuel economy than auto: 0 points
Bonus:
Auto with better performance than manual: 10 points
If no option: 0 points
7: Country of Origin (Home Country of Automaker, not factory location)
Japan: 20 points
Korea: 19 Points
Sweden: 10 points
America: 2 points
Australia: 1 point
France: 0 points
Germany: -15 points
Britain: -20 points
Italy: -25 points
Eastern Bloc: -30 points
India: -40 points
Other: -41 points
Final Assembly in country other than origin: -5 points
8: Horsepower
0-100 hp: 15 points
101 – 200 hp: 50 points
201 – 330 hp: 25 points
331 hp or more: -50 points (unless fuel economy is 30 mpg or greater, then add 50 points)
9: Age
5 years or newer: 20 points
6 – 20 years old: 10 points
21 – 30 years old: 5 points
31 – 45 years old: 0 points
46 years or older: -20 points
10: Fuel Economy (Actual or EPA rated, your choice)
51 mpg or more: 100 points (50 point bonus if not hybrid or electric)
40 – 50 mpg: 75 points
30 – 39 mpg: 50 points
25 – 29 mpg: 25 points
20 – 24 mpg: 15 points
15 – 19 mpg: -5 points
14 mpg or less: -50 points
11: Cup holders
0: -100 points
1: 1 point
2: 15 points
3: 16 points
4: 20 points
5: 25 points
6 or more: 35 points
12: Other (Bonus Points)
Sliding doors: 25 points
Power windows: 5 points
Remote power door locks: 5 points
Power driver’s seat: 7 points
Power passenger seat: 3 points
Air conditioning: 40 points
Dual zone climate control: 30 points (in addition to A/C points)
Heated seats: 20 points
Heated side mirrors: 15 points
Remote start: 10 points
Massaging seats: 50 points
Folding rear seats: 20 points
Seats fold flat to make a bed: 30 points
Video entertainment system for the kids: 30 points
Under seat storage: 15 points
Optional Safety (lane departure, etc.): 15 points
Point Key:
Negative Points: Yeah, you drive an insanely cool car, impractical, but we’re all a little jealous anyway.
0 points: How with all these options and variables could you end up with exactly zero points?
1 – 100: It’s a start but there are better options out there.
101 – 200: You’re trying to balance practicality with other needs.
201 – 300: Passengers love riding in your Civic.
301 – 400: Modern luxury SUVs are fantastic.
401 or more: Minivans and Priuses are awesome, aren’t they?