Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

What do you mean by some ability to personalize and character?

Good question, for character i like stuff that has a function over form aesthetic that ends up making it look interesting. The Saab was designed primarily by an industrial designer and you can sort of see that. I know nothing about new cars and don't love Audi but always thought the A2 was a good example of this. Also Yeti and maybe the Panda 4x4. Seems harder to find in a more typical saloon package though. My dad is pushing the Octavia mk1 but struggling to find anything interesting about it.

In terms of personalisation i guess subtle factory options or well regarded after market stuff designed for long travel that won't fuck up the insurance or make it look too Max power. Winter steels, a roof rack and maybe a factory dog guard would be nice.