Growing up in Southern California,

Growing up in Southern California, I've always admired cars. Automotive design is one of the things that made me fall in love with art and design at an early age, and I think it's because it was the first real example of design that you're immersed in and can admire every day, for much of your life. It also encompasses different facets of design: mechanical - how parts and technological features influence the look, interface - how the doors, knobs, and handles function and how you interact with them, artistic - design for design's sake, fins, bulges, and the curve and flare of a fender.

When I was young my parents would get a new car every 3-5 years, and it was always fun to watch them pick a car and then interact with the new design. I also paid close attention to all the new models that would come out each September. I can't recall ever hating a car design back then, as there was always something new compared to earlier models, and companies were pushing the bounds.

I went on this thought wander today because I noticed for the first time that I really, really hate some new car designs, and it came as a shock. Am I growing old and not accepting where auto design is heading? Or are they really that hideous?

I think it's the latter, because I just see no redeeming design qualities of the Echo, the Focus, and the Aztek. Good god, that Aztek is an atrocious piece of garbage.