A car is a tool. It's an extremely powerful, expensive, and dangerous tool for getting from point A to point B across a road network. And yet most of the people I know, when shopping for one, take things like the
color of it into serious consideration. Because we have a
ridiculous car culture.What are you transporting? Yourself? Maybe 1-3 passengers? You need a 4-cylinder, manual vehicle that's reliable and will retain its value. You don't NEED "extra horsepower to get up to speed on the highway" or "4 wheel drive in case it snows." A 4-cylinder, FWD car will do just fine in the snow with the right tires unless you live in extreme conditions. Can't drive a stick? You can get an automatic, I
guess. They're less reliable.
Are you hauling cargo? Routinely? No? You don't need a truck. You definitely don't need an F-150 to commute back and forth to your office job, with absolutely nothing in the cargo bed, day in day out. I've met people who do this.
Are you climbing steep inclines? No? You don't need an SUV or a Jeep Wrangler. You definitely don't need a Jeep Wrangler to commute back and forth to your office job while you pay back your mortgage. You also definitely don't need a Hummer because you "need absolutely the
safest vehicle for your child" the safety difference is marginal compared to, like,
not driving places. I have met people who do this.
Kinda seems like you get this already, so extrapolate backwards. What's a
smart car? Gets you from point A to point B in relative comfort and safety for the least cost. Ideally, also, you like it.
P.S. I think this is a really great question, by the way.