| Author | Message | ||
     Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11829 Registered: 5-2001 |
Actually, I kind of believe that people assume the stereotype of the car (or truck) they drive. While a chicken and the egg paradox a bunch of college kids in Germany were shown pictures of people and pictures of several cars and were asked to match the people and the cars. They were correct in their choices over 75% of the time. In honor of this trivia I am going to start posting some stereotypes of what people become when they purchase a certain type of vehicle. I think I will start with women who drive Subarus, men who drive Miatas (for Las) and then women who drive XL SUVs such as Suburbans and Excursions. Any resembelence to people, living or dead, is purely coincidental. I will be happy to take suggestions. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave  Post Number: 9891 Registered: 4-1997  |
I'm concerned about fuel conservation, so when I start riding an R-series what will I be?  | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 3431 Registered: 9-2001  |
I'm seriously considering going bio-diesel for my next SUV. What does that make me? | ||
| sac Supporter Username: Sac Post Number: 3513 Registered: 5-2001 |
I'm not sure I like being a minivan ... | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8054 Registered: 5-2001  |
The type of Subaru a woman drives is very important. You must be more specific. The gay-Miata thing doesn't hold up so much, really. It is the most sensible convertible sports car option for someone who really wants one that comes in standard shift & can't/doesn't want to spend more than $25-$30k. There is the Mustang, but that's a bit "young/muscle car" for a grown-up. I'm afraid that my car does say who I am. It's got lots of bells & whistles, upgraded engine and is the top of the line for its model. But at the end of the day, it's a 4 door sedan.  I like to envision myself as wild & spontaneous, but, like my car, I am still very analytical, sensible and reliable. Although, I do have my flaky, unique perspective on the world. Does that translate to my heated seats and sunroof? | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 2459 Registered: 7-2003 |
Greetree is sounds as if you should be driving a Lexus, suspended from a zeppelin, but that’s just my take. | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1861 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think I will start with women who drive Subarus Would anyone find it shocking to learn I drive a Subaru? Would anyone find it shocking to learn my late, gay husband picked it out for me? | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11830 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dave, that is easy. Not as easy as a Harley, but easy anyway. You will find yourself becoming more European in looks and outlook. You will start growing your hair longer and combing it straight back with a lot of Brylcream. You will begin to think you look really good with a three day growth of beard and will start shopping for clothes at trendy European shops in SOHO. You will figure out where to carry your wallet once you move into the tight black pants with no back pockets, although I don't have any idea where that is. Instead of Guinness you will be ordering a nice Mellot when you stop into the Pub. You will start wearing a very heavy cologne because you will no longer find the quaint American habit of bathing daily something you want to put up with. You will develop a uncontrolable urge to kiss women's hands and maybe their feet. Actually Greenie, I am not going there with Subarus, partly because, as I have said before the demographic you are thinking about I see more as driving Ford F250 pickups with a diesel engine and the dualie rear wheel option. Unfortunately, by driving the Passat, you have now become a Passat person. Yah shoulda bought a Jaguar. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6321 Registered: 5-2001  |
Honda Prelude 1996. I liked the name because it rhymes with Qaalude. I haven't made car payment in seven years. Who am I? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8056 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mem - funky 'cause ya wanna be; not easy to read from your exterior. People make assumptions about you that are usually wrong. Bob, what's a Passat person? The Jaguar/Lexus/Zepplin thing would be indulging my diva tendancies. The Passat is that pesky sensibility thing. Unfortunately, I've been able to keep those under control more in the last 2-3 years, mostly because I would like to actually retire some day. The things that I've given up are quite sad. Bob - that demographic is now split. Especially as the LWC population grows. The F250 is the mid-life crisis red sports car of that demographic. Or, strictly for LWOCs. TS, for example, wants the F250. Or a Miata. She hasn't decided yet. It's a Gemini thing. Actually, if she had her way, she'd get both. In the meantime, she drives a 1991 Navajo. No car note for the past 12 years. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11831 Registered: 5-2001 |
Actually, I do better with what you want to drive as opposed to what you actually drive.  But, you are a free spirit who likes to spend her money on things other than impressive wheels. A trip to Greece? Great! $500 shoes? Great! Car payments, no way. You probably are kind of, well, random and jump from entuhusiasm to enthusiasm very quickly. You probably move very quickly and spend a lot of time pushing your hair out of your face. You probably misplace things pretty regularly. | ||
| Scully Citizen Username: Scully Post Number: 644 Registered: 8-2005 |
So is a Saturn sedan just totally below the radar? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14709 Registered: 1-2003  |
I had three Saabs in a row because I loved the car, but I didn't enjoy the image (I think) it portrayed, of someone pleased with himself because of what he bought. Also, the repair records were pretty bad overall. Now I have a Subaru wagon, and I like the middle of the road, practical image. I also like the rock-solid reliability. I just wish I liked the car more. It's not all that comfortable. The funny thing is that it handles better than any Saab I had. This car is a sleeper if you like to corner hard. Wow. They don't market this aspect. What am I? las, you have a sedan, not a wagon, so yours is a rare Subaru around here. I'm not sure that fits into normal Subaru stereotypes. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8059 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tom - you are a lesbian. Bob - you pretty much have me down.  | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14710 Registered: 1-2003 |
 My girlfriend (before I met Carol) called me a lesbian, too, since I was so feminist. She meant it affectionately, and I accepted it. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11832 Registered: 5-2001 |
Actually, my point in starting this thread was to make fun of the stereotypes, not try to pyschoanalyze anybody. My stereotypical woman Subaru Outback wagon owner is as follows: Overage hippy, wears long peasent skirts which is a good idea because leg shaving is forbidden in her branch of feminism. Wears Birkenstock sandals. Dirty feet. Long graying hair worn in a braid down her back. Big round glasses. Burned her bra and never looked back, although nursing three babies has had an effect. Has a weathering Kerry/Edwards '04 bumper sticker on her car. She is quite thin because of the organic macrobiotic diet. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14712 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ford Explorer driver: Votes Republican. Talks on cell phone, oblivious to traffic. Takes turns too hard and is always at risk of rolling his SUV over. Tailgates incessantly and is unaware of this. | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 651 Registered: 2-2006 |
Ok I drive a Suzuki Forenza Wagon.....I am screwed ...  | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 709 Registered: 7-2004  |
I drive an old, beat-up piece of •••• that spews toxic fumes out of the exhaust.  | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 2461 Registered: 10-2001  |
Oh this should be really good - Nissan Pathfinder Porsche 911 Audi A4 - really my wife's car but I drive it more than she does. Have at it. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11836 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pathfinder - men who want a real SUV, but don't want to go to extreme about it. This demographic reads Consumer Reports, especially the reliability ratings. Understands that Pilots, etc. are car based, and not real SUVs. Tends to wear jeans, down vests, flannel shirts and workboots on weekends for those trips to Home Despot and hopes to be mistaken for a contractor. 911 - Guys in midlife crisis. Tend to wear golf attire while driving. Audi A4 - Men and women who want an all wheel drive ride, but hate the Subaru demographic mentioned above. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6326 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bobk, I rarely misplace things unless I'm drunk. | ||
| The3ofUs Citizen Username: The3ofus Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2006 |
How 'bout these, Bobby: Volvo Cross Country XC70 Audi Allroad BMW 325i I'm single. | ||
| Zoesky1 Citizen Username: Zoesky1 Post Number: 1561 Registered: 6-2003  |
What am I: Honda CRV Saab 9-3 (pre-GM, hatchback style) | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2864 Registered: 9-2003  |
I'm driving a black on black Pacifica, which is relatively reflective of me. My secret self is an old Jag or TR(like in the 60's movies) or a Volvo wagon with many mod cons. I am definitely not: a Jeep, Suburu Outback, Cadillac, new Beetle, any kind of Pontiac, Miata, Suburban. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1287 Registered: 5-2001  |
Can I be my old "teenage" car? '65 Mustang convertible (handed down to little brother who still has her) '66 Sunbeam Alpine (As in Maxwell Smart's car! My parents recently traded it for an exterior paint job on thier house - ouch!) Today: Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Black with all the bells and whistles (to make up for lack of a manual transmission) and a booster seat. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2346 Registered: 8-2003  |
I drive this...what does it mean?  | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2865 Registered: 9-2003 |
That you're really cool, and vaguely European (my take, but then I like your car!). | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 2245 Registered: 11-2001  |
Bob K, et al -- I am a female Subaru Outback driver, and I am delighted to say that I don't fit that description in the least (other than wearing long skirts, but I do shave my legs, since we are all oversharing). When I bought the car five years ago, I did so after loads of research on price, reliability, etc. At the same time, two women friends of mine -- also married moms of two -- purchased Subaru Outback wagons. Now, I would rather see myself as one of the cars I would love to be driving -- a Porsche 911 with that fantastic rear spoiler (read into that what you will) or an Audi A6 with all-wheel drive. I would drive any Audi, actually, in a heartbeat; what a fantastic car. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2347 Registered: 8-2003 |
thanks Cynicalgirl! I'd be happy to be thought of as such. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3384 Registered: 5-2004  |
On a related note, I saw a SMART car in NYC yeterday. First time I've seen one in The States. I wish I could fit into one. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8062 Registered: 5-2001 |
Baj - I'm thinking about your car and the hockey-pockey and pissing myself. BTW - one of the most comfy pair of shoes I've ever had are Birks. I am quite selective about where I wear them in public (even my casual sandals have at least 1.5 inches on them), but I have killed them. I cannot find the old-fashioned, granola-crunchy Berks anymore. Seems that they have gone out of style. So, random thought: if people are their cars and look like their dogs, is there a relationship between the car and the dog? Hate to say it, but any mom who drives a big SUV is just kidding herself about not driving a mini-van. Sorry. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 2461 Registered: 7-2003 |
My dog had relations with my car just yesterdy | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 2251 Registered: 11-2001 |
Greenetree - Birks are everywhere. My daughter insisted upon getting them, albeit the clog style and not the sandal style. They are actually sold at Nordstrom, and several different styles and colors are available. They are always in style and never in style, if that makes any sense. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8069 Registered: 5-2001 |
I want the old-fashioned, two-strap sandals. I'm seeing everything but.... Part of my problem may be my allergy to the Mall. | ||
| Soparents Citizen Username: Soparents Post Number: 1044 Registered: 5-2005  |
My Husband says I drive him mad, so what does that make me??????? Hey, that was a retorical question..... no input needed!!!!! | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11837 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ess, the purpose of my "profiles" is simply to show how silly stereotypes are. Please don't take anything here seriously, and, especially, don't be insulted. However, you seem to be moving in the direction.. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 9894 Registered: 4-1997 |
I'm going to buy you a Mellot sometime and see how you like it. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 2252 Registered: 11-2001 |
Bob K - not insulted at all! In fact, I wish I were "quite thin from the organic macrobiotic diet", but alas, ice cream is neither organic nor macrobiotic. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2867 Registered: 9-2003 |
greenetree, my kid got fake Birks at Target. And, I think landsend sells a version (so you wouldn't have to go to the store). Lately I've been dreaming about my old earth shoes. Must be a midlife thing! But then I'd have to change my car to go with them... |
