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What’s the Car Equivalent of a Mac?

Peyton Crump
Peyton Crump, ON THE TOPIC OF General
Mar26 28

Driving home from Viget yesterday, I was behind an old green Volkswagen bug that had Apple stickers on the bumper and a license plate that read “MACBUG.” I dig geeks that like their Macs and express some personality via their cars. The question I had, however, was that if this guy were to go for current design, technology, and performance over nostalgia and bring his “Apple II” car up-to-speed, to which maker/car would he go? Would he stick with Volkswagen, or is there an automotive company/product that fits the Apple/Mac model more closely? I drive a silver 2005 Volkswagen Golf by the way, and I’m not a car enthusiast. Just curious.

Mike said on 03/26 at 08:51 AM

BMW

Samantha Warren said on 03/26 at 09:14 AM

There was a time where I would have said a VW Beetle, but I think now it is definitely a MINI. The MINI closely follows the Apple model with their concept of packing high performance into a fresh design with brand loyalists forming communities online and offline to celebrate their love of MINI.... similar to that of Apple enthusiasts. If only I could get a mac inside of a mini....

Rob Soule said on 03/26 at 09:21 AM

@Samantha - Lucky for you there’s the Mac Mini! HAHA… haha… ha… ok… that was lame.

shay said on 03/26 at 09:37 AM

i’m going to pretty much guarantee that person would instead be driving the AUDI ICAR

http://digg.com/apple/The_Audi_iCar

Jim Basio said on 03/26 at 10:26 AM

I feel that the Scion brand would also fit the bill (hey, standard aux inputs for Ipods!) Their cars all have a very unique design and marketing model that has set them apart from other car manufacturers in recent years. Their car prices are also a bit easier on the wallet than Audis. And being a sister company of Toyota, there is brand loyalty due to the reputation product reliability (something that VW has failed in recent years).

@Samantha
how about a Subaru w/ a mac instead?
http://gthing.net/carputer-5-final/

Peyton Crump said on 03/26 at 10:49 AM

Hm, ok, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW were the ones that originally came to mind for me. Nice argument for the Mini. I’m not sure about the Scions Jim. Feel more like Dells to me.

Justin Reidy said on 03/26 at 03:44 PM

Apple’s actually done some design work on cars—most notably the Jaguar XF. Check out the Gizmodo article: http://tinyurl.com/2prsxs The car hardly reflects the “theme” of Apple design, though; I think the Mini analogy is spot on.

Jim Basio said on 03/27 at 03:28 AM

@Peyton
To me Dell is more generic and plain, something like a Honda Accord or Buick.

Ole Martin Kristiansen said on 03/27 at 04:24 AM

I would have to say Audi. Their cars have awesome design, without over doing it (just like Apple) and super performance.

Jim Cook said on 03/28 at 04:41 AM

I haul my 17” MacBook Pro around in a ‘91 Jeep Wrangler with only a bikini top and big knobby tires. How’s that?

Clinton R. Nixon said on 03/28 at 10:27 AM

Peyton, why do you have to hate on the Scions?

I think a Mac lover drives a blue 2006 Scion xA with a sunroof.

Boris said on 03/29 at 07:14 AM

What about a Citroen C4 Picasso. I recently got one and it’s an amazing car

Jon said on 03/31 at 11:19 AM

Saab. Technologically ahead of its time in previous years, form follows function design, popular overseas, and making a come back in the states.

Nathan said on 03/31 at 11:55 AM

Hm, ok, Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW were the ones that originally came to mind for me. Nice argument for the Mini. I’m not sure about the Scions Jim. Feel more like Dells to me.

This question keeps up coming up, and the answer remains Volkswagen.  Good on you, Peyton, for the Golf!  Mine’s a 2004 Jetta Diesel and I’ll part with it when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.  Note that, since Audi and VW are owned by the same company and every Audi model (except the TT) maps to every VW (Jetta : A4, Passat: A6, Phaeton: A8, etc.), Audi is also an acceptable response.

I was driving the other day with my MBP on the seat and, while listening to Radiohead, thought “My, aren’t I the hipster cliché?”

Jared said on 04/01 at 11:55 AM

Subaru. Definitely Subaru. No group of car enthusiasts are more zealous than Subaru drivers. The parallels to the “cult of Mac” are almost creepy.

Cam said on 04/01 at 01:54 PM

Mac + Alfa Romeo is a great blend

Mr.WannaB said on 04/02 at 07:02 AM

I can’t beleive nobody mentioned the Smart car!!
Well, in the USA it’s not common, but here in Europe it’s great!
I own a silver Smart ForTwo Cabrio, with an apple sticker on the back! It’s a breeze to drive, park, and enjoy! ;)
Cheers from Lisbon, Portugal!

Michelle said on 04/03 at 10:50 PM

I would say it’s the MAC-cedes Benz.. hahahahah.. yep, cornyyy. LOL.

Rob Soule said on 04/04 at 04:35 AM

@Michelle - LOL! A W E S O M E. Corny, but so great.

pipo said on 04/09 at 09:48 AM

I would say an Audi A4 because it’s a simple and good looking design.

Haiming said on 04/10 at 02:10 AM

I still like Dell…

mee said on 04/10 at 06:08 AM

I’ve got an BMW CSi 3.0
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E9
:-D

Timo said on 04/10 at 06:59 AM

I would go for the Audi. They have sleek design, and are kind of like the underdog, similar to Apple.

Marko Novak said on 04/14 at 08:21 AM

I think BMW is more DELL kind of car. VW Beetle is more Macish.

Cool Cars said on 04/16 at 11:34 PM

The Mac go well with an Audi, especially the new Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept. The smooth designs from Apple and the Audi blend well together.

Cars India said on 04/26 at 12:55 AM

I think, I will go with Audi and BMW, both should go well with Mac, they both are having great, smooth and innovative designs and both are unique and stylish in its own kind. What say?

Andy's Auto Sports said on 04/29 at 02:00 AM

i say both! i have been a computer and car enthusiast since then.

Car Paint Protection said on 05/02 at 07:42 AM

I would have to say a Mercedes Smart Car !

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