I guess a bit of all.

In Formula 1 or cars such as the Caparo T1, definately option 2.

On more average cars, perhaps option 1.

On a pretentious brand, defiantely option 3.
For example BMW design has some absolut or quasi absolute musts, that go back to the 1930s.
Tough I'm siner, for example I like the MB CLS even tough it's not your traditional Merc.

These are very complex questions and really should be understood from a designers point of view to give the most logical answers.

I strongly believe in number 2 but we must understand that "form follows function" is a design principle. These are scientific principles that can take an automotive company a life-time to master! Once these design principles are understood and achieved (developed) thay can be fashioned
anyway the designer chooses. Form Follows Function is no longer a "strict"
principle and really never was. It has just taken some car companies time to fashion the scientific principles of their designs.

Form Follows Function = McLaren F1

... 'nuff said.

This poll is too complicated!

Anyways, I guess I'm a mix of 2 and 3 but mostly 2. I love cars that are well designed and follow heritage and other good design principles but I love it when a car is designed with it's performance/potential/theory in mind and still can follow good design principles.

#2 FTW!

Good points Imhotep. The level of sophistocation and style of execution varies from marque to marque. There definitely is a different recipie required for different products.

Take a young start-up brand like Scion. The only thing that matters for Scion and its audience is "Option 1." The cars needed to be compelling, that's all. There was a stronge dash of "Option 3" in the sense that the cars were very aware of the "J-Factor" appeal that was desired by the import tuner community. Ok, I'm already talking myself out of this thesis... Scion is equal parts 1 & 3.

Toyota, on the other hand is all 1. The bulk of their American range has hopped from style to style without much of a common thread to tie their product to the past. Nor is there much in the way of congruent styling within the family. It's more or less "just make it work for today's audience." Toyota has never had the vision or wherewithal to go the extra mile with "Option 3." In fact, it may be an effort to overstyle and overthink that has led to the brand's image paralysis. (Toyota Trucks, on the other hand, are doing much better in their effort to carve out a unique identity)

Some brands, in this post-Bangle design climate, have erroneously persued "Option 3" when they never had a grasp on "Option 1" to begin with. Subaru comes to mind.

In some cases, "Option 2" can lead to an "Option 1" which eventually opens the door for a "Option 3" style design, if properly executed. Honda is one company which is alway on the brink, but not quite there. Their cars have always been a very "Option 2" product. But there is a true beauty in the consistency and blunt competency of it all. I think of the new Civic Hatchback as Honda's first foray into gaining the kind of design credibility that could open the door to "True Option 3" product. I don't think they'll ever quite get there, especially when they're stealing other designer's riffs (Poor Audi), but they're opening the door for that opportunity at some point... if they stick to their principles.

Why am I writing all this? I should be ordering BLTA right now.

I'm a hybrid, 1, 2 and 3. I want elements of all of those. But in the end I went for nr 1. I like timeless designs.

I think I am more of a number 2.

IMHO, trying to box people's taste in design into a few options in a poll is too restrictive and will probably end up misleading people - both those who look at the results and - more dangerously- those who vote.

For example, show me a Porsche/Mini and I'd go with 2. Form follows function. Show me a Lamborghini and I'd probably go with 1.

So I will desist from voting

well i knew it would be hard..
especially as im not a pro in the area of design..
so im sorry if its to complicated..
but i still think its interesting.. and is a good base for interesting discussions atleast..

interesting poll u created here artist
personally I'm a nr 1, where I give anything a chance if it looks good
examples....never cared or had much respect for Hyundai but with the introduction of the new Sonata that changed that
others include Subaru Legacy.