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You Are What You Drive? - READ ONLY

440 messages,  Last post on Oct 20, 2011 at 1:38 PM

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Messages Page 1 of 44

#1 of 440 You Are What You Drive!? by hpmctorque

Dec 16, 2005 (2:59 pm)

True or false, and why.
 
In an earlier time it was said that Buicks were popular with doctors, Cadillacs were favored over Lincolns by the nouveau rich, those who placed a higher priority on engineering over flash drove Chryslers, college professors liked Volvos and MGs, and counter-culture types bombed around in VW buses. More recently, the new VW Bug has been labeled a chick car, the Mazda Miata is frequently driven by girlie-men, Hummers are the ride of choice of macho guys (or macho wannabes), and, well, you get the point. Are these largely urban legends, or can you indeed improve the odds of guessing the type of person in the lane next to you by checking out the vehicle that he/she drives?

#2 of 440 Re: You Are What You Drive!? [hpmctorque] by carlisimo

Dec 16, 2005 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 16, 2005 2:59 pm)
Stereotypes are always based on some reality. You just have to remember that only a significant minority is enough to create one, which leaves a lot of room for bad assumptions.
 
Those cars tend to be good at something, but are popular for a totally different reason. Like the Miata and Mini being cute in addition to driving well, and BMWs being good cars but also prestigious.
 
But yeah, I make assumptions. Especially if the car's parked and I see what kind of transmission it has. I just try to force myself to be skeptical of my first thought.

#3 of 440 Re: You Are What You Drive!? [carlisimo] by john_324

Dec 16, 2005 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: carlisimo (Dec 16, 2005 3:59 pm)
You make a good point re the transmission...
 
I'm willing to forgive a lot/not stereotype as much if the vehicle in question has a manual transmission.
 
Base Mustang V6 coupes with automatics are often derided as "secretary's cars"...but if I see one with a 5 spd, it makes me forget that and think the owner is a genuine enthusiast, just on a budget.

#4 of 440 It's conditional by marika

Dec 16, 2005 (5:35 pm)

If you have the money to make a purchase from a wide variety of late model cars, well then, maybe the car you drive is a reflection of your values.
 
But, if you are so tight and demanding that you can't even be bothered to purchase anything currently on the market and you drive a gift junker that does not say anything about who you are except that it is not expensive, well, maybe not.
 
At least, that is the case with me. My car is old and worthless but it is fully loaded with every optional nonsense that I would never dream of buying and is a full size. It still looks very good and somewhat expensive. It is almost entirely antithetical to my value system and is one of the models that I would be least likely to purchase If I had to make a purchase.
 
But, it was free, and that overrides a lot!

#5 of 440 I wonder... by andre1969

Dec 16, 2005 (6:17 pm)

how I would get stereotyped, with the types of cars I have? Multiple personality disorder?
 
Lessee, we have my...
 
1985 Silverado, to satisfy my inner redneck
2000 Intrepid, to display my conservative working stiff side, I guess? One of my buddys said it also screams "family"
1979 New Yorker, for when I'm feeling pimpy and need to slap mah ho's
1976 LeMans, for when I feel like putting on some gold chains, unbuttoning my shirt to show off my chest hairs (I'd have to glue some on!), and heading out to the local disco for retro saturday nite
1967 Catalina convertible, I dunno...my inner beach bum? It's kind of a good car to take to the beach
1968 Dart, I have no idea what personality that would reflect...back when it was primer black and had the amp in it, it looked kinda rough and thuggy
1957 DeSoto...gawd only knows what type of personality this would reflect.
 
So, multiple personality disorder? Or just a well-rounded individual?

#6 of 440 You are what you drive... by fintail

Dec 16, 2005 (7:13 pm)

For car enthusiasts it's a true statement...otherwise, it might not be. A lot of varied people drive beige Camcords.
 
Hmmm....what would the fintail express...that I am a low level 60s cold war spy or the descendant of 90 year old retired doctor from Beverly Hills (where the car lived when new) who is taking it out for a spin.
 
The W126 expressed that I am a lower level drug runner with car-cleanliness OCD or the descendant of a 70 year old retired doctor taking the car out for a spin.
 
The C43 expresses that I am...I don't really know...a MB enthusiast, yeah.

#7 of 440 You Are What You Drive by jchan2

Dec 16, 2005 (9:36 pm)

I believe in this... Let's see..
 
My Odyssey: I LOVE my family. No doubt about it.
My Civic: I just want something that gets me from A to B cheaply and affordably.
 
My Infiniti I35: hmmm... this is a tough one to put in few words... Maybe a middle aged boomer who's finally reached affluence?
 
Funny how they say professors like Volvos and Saabs. I am a professor and none of my collegues drive Volvos or Saabs. I've only had 1 colleague ever own a Swedish car, and she was an Accounting professor who bought Saab after Saab. (she bought a new 2002 9-3 SE hatchback in 2002)

#8 of 440 It's a mixed bag. by jefferyg

Dec 17, 2005 (12:05 am)

I live in the Deep South and while there are some you know right off, there are others that will fool you. For instance:
Here if you drive a Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, or Town Car you are either old, a highway patrolman, or a banker. Suburbans are always driven by soccer moms, but anyone might drive an Expedition. A really old pickup is almost always a farmer, a compact pickup is almost always a young man between 16 and 25, however, anyone is liable to get out of a newer full-sized pickup. And if you exclude work trucks, you will see about as many women as men driving F-350 King Ranch Duallies.
 
While I'm not sure that you are what you drive, I do believe that what you drive says something about who you are and what your values are.

#9 of 440 Re: It's a mixed bag. [jefferyg] by jchan2

Dec 17, 2005 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: jefferyg (Dec 17, 2005 12:05 am)
While I'm not sure that you are what you drive, I do believe that what you drive says something about who you are and what your values are.
 
I agree.

#10 of 440 Disagree somewhat by pf_flyer HOST

Dec 17, 2005 (1:51 pm)

I think how you take care of whatever you drive says a lot more about you than the brand or model does.

Messages Page 1 of 44

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