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Ligeti Man Meat
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 680
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | 
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Hummer
Short
Balding
Wears baseball cap backwards
Listens to Howard Stern
Yaks on cellphone
Shrimpy penis |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1096
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 11:07 pm: |
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J.B. car history:
Living in Boston, the first car I bought.
An upgrade, sort of, we camped alot.
We had a kid, time to grow up, sort of.
So, am I too compex to be stereotyped? Or am I just another liberal who sold out?
J.B.
I swear I don't have a greying ponytail. Braided or otherwise. |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 1251
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 6:46 am: |
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Maplewoody Mobile
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 760
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:26 am: |
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Bob- I thought this thread was uninteresting until I read your take on Pathfinders....which I happen to drive.
Not only do I do much work myself on our house, I also wear work jeans, ratty t-shirts with paint on them, and proudly park in the "Contractors" section of Home Depot.
I'm frightened. Time to get another car and lose the Household hobby. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11841
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:50 am: |
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Kmk, with those wheels you must have been the hottest chick in your high school.
Maplewoody, you really don't want to know the stereotype for Discovery owners. Do you call yourself Nigel and wear three piece tweed suits by any chance?
JB, welcome to adulthood. Doesn't it suck?
Pippi, didn't know you are Asian, since the only people I have ever seen driving a Scion are nice you Asian couples.
Zoe, CRVs are the ultimate chick wheels SUV. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 671
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:03 am: |
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My wheels history...what does it all mean?
1.
2.
3.
4. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 3013
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:18 am: |
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Cars express financial truths more than inner truths.
These folks are rich. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2356
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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bob k - now that I think about it, you're right!
I saw an Asian guy driving a Scion xB yesterday, in the very color we have!
hmmmm....verrrry interesting..... |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8074
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:04 am: |
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I dunno, Themp. From the number of high-end cars I see driving around, I suspect that the financial truth is often "over-leveraged" or "tied into a financially-misguided lease".
The irony is that so many people are driving "status cars" around here (Lexus pSUedoV, C class Mercedes, BMW 3 series) that they've become common and anti-status.
Therefore, to really have "status", you need a 7 series or an S class. There is the VW Phaeton which might be a cool way of saying "I drive a really expensive car but it's not a status thing because I'm bucking the BMW/Mercedes trend."
In theory, I love the Phaeton, but it's just too big. I've driven the S class and the 7 series & don't like it. I would actually love a Toureg, but they are too expensive to keep up.
Depending on safety ratings and upgrades available, I may buy a Hyundai or Saturn for my next car. Seriously. I'm tired of spending $30k & up on cars. I could remodel my bathroom for what the downpayments are on these things.
So, Bob, what say you on my BMW/Mercedes profiles? I'm no expert; you seem to have it down! |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 672
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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I'd much rather put $$ into my house or on a vacation than put it into some deranged sense of status derived from what people think about me (or I think about myself) based on the car I drive. As I tell my kids when they ask "are we rich", I say kids, even if we have $20 million dollars, we would still drive a sh*tbox and go to public school and live in Maplewood. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2463
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:47 am: |
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Greenetree you have a point. I think most high end cars are leased. Leasing has made it easier to "afford" an S class or 7 series BMW. People are too focused on the monthly payment and not what the actual cost of the car is. BMWs and C class Mercedes no longer are considered high end and in actuality were genius from a marketing perspective.
BTW, Maplewoody did you have dinner at the trattoria last Tuesday? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11851
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 11:02 am: |
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Greenie, don't take anything I say here as anything more than stereotype bashing, please!!
The larger BMWs and Mercedess are leased by people who want to impress. Most of them are either directly or indirectly (car allowance) company cars.
The 3 Series Bimmers used to be fun, sporty cars. Now they are for the wanna bes who like to be able to say, "I drive a BMW". |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 484
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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Oh my, I am an old woman with poor eyesite who goes 45 in the far left lane of the highway. I also tend to wear golf visors and enormous sunglasses. Because I am old, I feel entitled to park my car in the fire lane, even though it says "No Parking". I wear large, garish costume jewelry and am considering relocating to Florida where I can enjoy the golf and early bird specials.
In reality, I got my car because I couldn't stomach the idea of a mini-van and wont drive an SUV. My car did well in CR on safety issues, has a V-8, so its super fast, and is basically a sofa on wheels. I might be doing 80, but I don't have to worry about getting caught, because I'm sure the cops think I'm going 55. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 765
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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Why the refusal to drive an SUV? In my opinion, all cars will be versions of an SUV within the next 5 years, and American car manufacturers will exit entirely the sports, sedan and coupe market. |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 486
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 11:53 am: |
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REasons not to buy an SUV: I don't like to sit up high, when I was buying, they didn't perform as well in safety tests as the large sedans, and I think they are inherently dangerous to others when they crash into smaller vehicles.
I don't care that others like them or choose to drive them, its just not for me. |
Ligeti Man Meat
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 683
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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Dream on, Smarty Jones. SUVs give drivers a false sense of security (see "Big and Bad: How the SUV Ran Over Automotive Safety," Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker, January 12, 2004), they cause more deaths and injury in crashes with cars, they guzzle gas and help foster a dependence on oil from our enemies, on and and on. Big, powerful and stupid.
They also empower people to drive like bullies -- even family and friends I know drive like idiots when they're behind the wheel of one of these repulsive vehicles.
How is the rest of the world able to drive to the organic grocery store and kids to soccer games without an SUV? |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 660
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
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I am good friends with Gerhard Porsche who is one of the two Porsche heirs...Even he says it't a midlife crisis car...LOL
I actually bought a stationwagon to fit my dogs...isnt' that pathetic. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2467
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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I've attended quite a few PCA functions and while there are a few people who fit the description of fulfilling a "mid life crisis" the vast majority of the people I've met fell in love with these cars well before they hit mid-life. So, sorry to say that the mid-life crisis thing is a stereotype.
So much so that Porsche even used that slogan in one of its ads. It shows
a picture of a car and asks the following question:
Mid-life crisis?
No, lifelong obsession.
Gerhard should speak to his marketing group. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14734
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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Bajou, it's not pathetic. We have a greyhound. Greyhounds are tall, and he is even taller than average. Our Subaru wagon was the very smallest car we could buy and still fit him. When we have both girls in the back, the dog has to lie in the hatch. And at that point, we have no room for luggage. So we don't take trips with the girls and the dog. If I have to do that, I'll rent a minivan.
I don't get the resistance to a minivan. If you need more room, you get more room per mpg in a minivan than in an SUV. To me, they are the ultimate luxury car.
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 671
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 3:19 pm: |
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Dear Sportsnut:
As a matter of fact I used to be a Porsche Club of America member, even had my little membership card. LOL...An old boyfriend made me one..Never new why since I never drove or particulary liked his Porsche at all.
Well what would you like Porsche to change their slogan to...
Mid-life crisis?
Yeah....why else would I buy an overpriced car (USD 72,000.00) that can barely fit two people and nothing else and uses 18 mpg in city traffic and 26 mpg on highway (911 Carrera).
You could get a nice hybrid for that money...
G. Porsche could care less about the marketing group at Porsche since he is not involved in the company but spends his very valuable time, energy, intense intellect and very charitable streak on supporting very nobel causes.
Would I say no to a Porsche ....NO...LOL
Come on Sports...be a sport
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14737
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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Cool idea for the pictorial essay of all cars you have owned.
I took these from the web. They are not the actual cars I have owned.
1983 Datsun 200SX, purchased 1987:
1982 Toyota Corolla, purchased 1988:
1987 Saab 9000S, purchased 1991:
1986 Saab 900 turbo, purchased 1993:
(Cool, huh?)
1995 Saab 9000CS, purchased 2000:
2000 Subaru Legacy L wagon (non-Outback), purchased 2005:
 |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2469
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 4:48 pm: |
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Bajou - I was really kidding. Really. Ask people who know me IRL if I am the kind of person who would suffer from a midlife crisis.
And Gerhard really should care about the marketing as I'm sure while he's not "involved" with the car it has provided him with the financial wherewithall to spend his "valuable time, energy and immense intellect" on the things that he likes to do. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11854
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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I think I have a good handle on Sportsnut. He isn't the introspective type who would suffer a midlife crisis. However, male menopause happens to us all. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2870
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 6:19 am: |
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Oh, lordy, Bajou. I, too, was once a PCA member due to obsessive ex boyfriend! (911, 944 turbo, 914). Used to go to "driving events" at Watkins Glenn and similar (I believe I've been to every such speedway on the East Coast, and into W Virginia). My role? Cleaning, brake bleeding, etc. I did get to drive around a few courses, but not my thing really to drive at high speed.
What I found with the PCA was there was a real split in membership and therefore stereotypes. Bling laden dentists, lawyers and professionals who knew jack about their cars from a mechanical point of view v. guys who were grease monkeys at heart, with less money, who worked on their own cars. My old BF fit the latter. I liked him and his buds for that, and certainly cheered when they came out ahead in the, er, timed driving events (not races, oh no, no, no). |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 4012
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 1:03 pm: |
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Paint it forest green, add dents, rust, and replace driver with a road-raging peacenik, and you've got me in my car from 1980 to 1999.
-s. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1139
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 1:21 pm: |
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Lucky car owners...grr |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8091
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 3:10 pm: |
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I just priced out my Maybach with options. It's pretty ludicrous. I mean, for $380k, some of this stuff should be standard. It ended up at $550k. I hate being nickle-and-dimed. I cancelled my order. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 676
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 5:53 pm: |
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Hmmm... this does not seem to be Car and Driver in terms of reviews.
Some comments:
People with old money buy (not lease) cars beneath their means. In a recent survey some of the richest people in the country drive old Volvo stationwagons.
So if you want people to think you are rich, drive a Buick.(?)
I see a lot of older ladies that lunch drive luxury convertibles.It seems that people who drive convertibles are in their 60s. Is 60, well, the new 60?
If you want to be contrarian and smart, buy a Korean car. Their quality and warranty is up and Japanese quality is down ( too many Japanese cars built in the U.S. now).
If you don't give a crap about impressing people buy a Honda Fit. Very impressive small car with limited hp. Thinking about buying one as my everyday car. (But also thinking Maserati in my garage before I die  ).
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11863
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
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Greenie, good decision Greenie. Just because you are filthy rich doesn't mean you should let yourself be taken advantage of. See FVS suggestion for a Hundai.
Fact, Warren Buffet drives a Lincoln. A few years ago Bill Gates visited Omaha and after dinner at a local steakhouse the car wouldn't start. The thought of two of the riches men in America waiting for a cab in a parking lot in Nebraska is, well, amusing to the nth degree. |
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