A Torrent in a Teapot
Opinions about cars are just that: Opinions. Today I just got more proof about that. Phil Powell, one of my fellow reviewers on About.com, reviewed the 2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD on the same day that I reviewed the 2006 Pontiac Torrent FWD. In essence, the same car, he just had two more driven wheels than I did. Well, he gave the Torrent four stars out of five. I gave it two and a half stars — begrudgingly. I really disliked the Torrent. I thought it was behind the times, sloppily built and amazingly underwhelming. Phil thought it was a snappy little wagon substitute.
I respect Phil's opinion — he's a very smart guy, good writer and knows more about cars than I ever will. How can our opinions differ so widely? It's all about taste, I think. I do think that both reviews are useful if you're thinking about buying a new Torrent (don't) though.
Which brings me to my theory of criticism — well, not mine, actually. It's something I learned in grad school from one of the fathers of literary criticism, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832).
I approach a car or SUV with the following three questions:
1. What is the car trying to do?
2. How well does the car achieve its goals?
3. Were the goals worth achieving in the first place?
By approaching a car in this way, and by acknowledging my personal tastes, I can provide a picture of the car that is useful. You may agree with my opinion, you may not agree, but I've given you a good basis to make up your own mind. I don't believe in The Myth of Objectivity, and I'm careful not to pretend that I come to my opinions in a vacuum.
How important are car reviews to your buying decision? Do you have favorite reviewers whose opinions sway you more than others?
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One Response to “A Torrent in a Teapot”
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Jason, I agree with everything you wrote. But I try to put myself into the shoes of prospective buyers, whose tastes will be different from mine. Not easy, because it has been decades since I was a family guy with family needs. The versatility of this vehicle is outstanding and from the POV of one who values handling above all, it’s an acceptable if unexciting ride. The problem, as I mentioned in my About Cars review, is that the Torrent is a Chevy in Pontiac clothing. Who needs it?