why the crappy cars?
Lemmon's character is driving a Lada and Fonda's is driving a beat up VW. They were both gainfully employed.
shareMaybe they just didn't give a shit and felt a car is a way to get from point A to point B. Cars weren't important to them as far as it being a "status thing".
shareIt is unusual for middle class professionals to have such crappy cars. I don't know what the thinking was.
shareMaybe now, but 40 years ago things were different. Also, serious journalists were often known for living a slovenly lifestyle back then.
shareOr you could say "bohemian". I'm from the era, and I view my car like a Hammer With Wheels. If it has slight imperfections, I don't care what it looks like, I want it to drive me - safely - to Point B.
But others are into the whole presentation. I get that. I'm kinda like that too, but to a different degree.
Jane Fonda's character was a news presenter whose whole life was based around how she looked. She even says in the movie how great it was to have a high paying job.
shareCould be due to the fact that we had an energy crisis back when the movie was made and people were more interested in economy rather than luxury. To use a car as a showpiece maybe would have been considered obscene. Other than that, I am at a loss trying to come up with an explanation.
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She didn't say she had a high paying job. She said she was not ashamed of having a good job and she had every intention of getting a better one.