# Cars That Show You Bought Base Model

> User answers reveal cars that scream base model.
- Title: Cars That Show You Bought Base Model · Jalopnik | Shortify
- Summary: User answers reveal cars that scream base model. Readers identify vehicles with obvious base model features like unpainted bumpers and steel wheels.
- Keywords: tesla, toyota corolla cross l, ford pickup, saturn sl1, nissan stanza, subaru, porsche panamera, alfa romeo giulia, ford probe, jeep wrangler, cars, culture
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2287210/cars-make-it-most-obvious-you-bought-base-model-reader-answers
- Author: Logan K. Carter
- Published: 2026-10-16T14:25:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tesla, toyota corolla cross l, ford pickup, saturn sl1, nissan stanza, subaru, porsche panamera, alfa romeo giulia, ford probe, jeep wrangler, cars, culture
## User Answers
Readers shared cars that scream base model with features like unpainted bumpers and steel wheels.

> hoser68 really nailed it when they called the Toyota Corolla Cross L the Mennonite Special
## Toyota Corolla Cross L
Toyota Corolla Cross L has matte grey black plastic instead of shiny black plastic on LE models.

> Like the Grill is a matte grey black plastic instead of the shiny black plastic on the LE
## Ford Pickup Trucks
Ford pickup trucks show base model with black bumpers, steel wheels, and rubber floor mats.

> Most pickup trucks make it SUPER obvious which ones are the fleet specials
## Saturn SL1
Saturn SL1 had gray plastic bumpers, manual transmission, and no power steering.

> The Saturn SL1, gray plastic bumpers, manual trans and window, it didnt even have power steering
## Nissan Stanza
Nissan Stanza base model had half cloth/vinyl seats and no tach or stereo.

> The base XE had half cloth/vinyl seats, no tach, no stereo, no a/c, no trunk carpeting
## Subarus with Dual-Screen
Subarus with dual-screen setup instead of larger touchscreen show base model.

> Any of the Subarus with the dual-screen setup instead of their larger touchscreen
## Tesla Models
Tesla Model Y and Cybertruck have tiny wheels and no light bars for base models.

> Tesla does base models pretty badly, the Model Y and Cybertruck with tiny wheels and no light bars
## Porsche Panamera
Porsche Panamera base model lacks S or 4 badges and has rectangular exhaust tips.

> For luxury, the Porsche Panamera, without question. The badging alone gives it away
## Key takeaway

Readers identify vehicles with obvious base model features like unpainted bumpers and steel wheels.