Do Stereotypes Influence Your Car Buying?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 05/12/2016 at 22:56 • Filed to: Questions

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I have never bothered shopping the Chrysler 300 because I know I would get endless amounts of bovine excrement for owning one (and buddies remembering I owned one). I know for a fact that I would love it though! I also really like the Escalade, but that’s the same issue of knowing all my buddies and coworkers would razz me endlessly. As I’m getting older, I’m definitely getting over it, but stereotypes have completely stopped me from even looking into these cars even though I know they would be great for my tastes and price points. Thank goodness for the Hyundai Genesis Sedan and the GMC badge options.

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 22:59

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You know, I can honestly say I don't care what anyone else thinks. I do want something interesting to look at inside and outside. I like the 300, too, btw. Especially with the latest revision.

d15b > Chariotoflove 05/12/2016 at 23:00

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Likewise. I’m using it, not them.

Big Bubba Ray > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:02

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Nope. Not one bit. I wouldn’t have bought my Outback if stereotypes influenced my purchases. Most people think of middle aged lesbians driving Outbacks, not a 24 year old jabroni. I give zero shits haha

My friends used to make fun of me for buying a station wagon. The joke was on them when the didn’t have a car of their own or couldn’t afford one. I’d be the one schlepping them all around in a car that I purchased with my own money opposed to them who were still driving their mom’s minivans and beat to shit ford Taurus.

MUSASHI66 > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:03

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What’s the 300 stereotype? I would skip them for legendary unreliable Chrysler transmissions, that’s about it.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:03

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I will say that my civic ownership was frustrating because people would try to race me all the time, I would get pulled over all the time, once because I asked the cop and he said “we have lots of civics stolen around here.” Well there’s my registration and ID right in your hand, asshole. Oh, and people don’t like to yield to civics. Also I was hit from behind once and the people who hurt me tried to spin the whole “family sedan vs punk college kids in a civic” angle.

That being said, I would not turn down an opportunity to own a clean Ek DX if the price was right. Maybe it’ll be different this time around.

Wobbles the Mind > Chariotoflove 05/12/2016 at 23:04

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Yeah, though Ralph Gilles could sell me on a Ferrari ice cube dispenser. It’s one of those times a person influences an entire brand for you in a positive way.

Die-Trying > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:05

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dont let your buddies’ circumstances keep you from a good car.

Land_Yacht_225 > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:06

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It depends on whether or not you want to be associated with the stereotypes. Personally, I like the criminal overtones associated with my Mercedes and the Lincoln I had before. Makes me seem like way more of a badass than I actually am. And if people accuse me of having several dead hookers in the trunk, so be it. My only problem is that people go to geriatric patients quicker than they go to the Sopranos and John Gotti when you’re talking about Cadillac or Lincoln.

And I’ll never buy a Honda or a Toyota because the stereotype is that they are for boring people. So, I guess the stereotypes affect how I choose a car a lot. I guess I’m just lucky that what I like and what has the kind of stereotype I want attached to it are the same thing.

El Rivinado > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:11

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Mostly, I don’t care about stereotypes, but in some cases, the cars I don’t want to buy are a direct result of the stereotype.

Escalade: Spoiled white skinny douchebro who thinks he’s Jay-Z

Lexus RX: Inattentive housewife on her cellphone merging dangerously in the whole foods parking lot.

Land Rover: Trophy wife who’s only off-road experience will be getting on a steep incline to get her nails done.

Lamborghini: Rich douchebags.

Prius: Environmentally smug Liberal Douchebags.

Teslas: A combination of the previous two stereotypes.

Porsche: Pathetic lawyer trying to convince college jailbait he was a navy Seal and his wife doesn’t understand him.

Lancer Evo/WRX STI: “DO YOU EVEN TRACK DAY BRO!! LOOK AT MY FUCKING MONSTER STICKERS BRO!!! CHECK OUT MY BITCHIN STEREO SET BRO!!

BMWs: The Ultimate Leasing Machine. Turn signals optional extras.

Buick Century: Reeks of Old Spice and Goldbond. Comes with a built in walker.

Mustangs: Do I even need to explain this one?

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/12/2016 at 23:11

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No one would win in a street race against Jesus.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:13

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No. Not at all. I’d gladly drive a Smart, Prius, Mustang. As long as it’s not one of those horrible Buick crossovers.

Matt Nichelson > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:15

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At some point you have to tell yourself that you don’t care about the stereotypes. You own the car because you love it and can’t be swayed by what others think. Just because certain types of people own certain cars, it doesn’t mean everybody that owns that car is that way.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go double park my car.

El Rivinado > Land_Yacht_225 05/12/2016 at 23:19

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I often joke that because I’m a young, white, non Italian guy. I’m the only person who drives a Cadillac to break all three stereotypical driver images associate with it.

fintail > El Rivinado 05/12/2016 at 23:24

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I suspect you don’t live near Seattle, but that holds true for the most part here, too.

I know Tesla uses MB switchgear, but I think they get their turn signal modulators from BMW.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Land_Yacht_225 05/12/2016 at 23:25

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What about a not boring Honda?

Sneaky Pete > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:25

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Not in any way. Otherwise, I’d be an old fart with a tiny wang. Er...hmm.

El Rivinado > fintail 05/12/2016 at 23:25

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I live in San Diego, so you could say I live near Seattle-lite.

Land_Yacht_225 > El Rivinado 05/12/2016 at 23:26

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As a fellow young, white, non-Italian: I had no business driving my Lincoln.

fintail > El Rivinado 05/12/2016 at 23:26

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It has become SF north, so close enough yeah.

Dru > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:27

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Yes and no. 300's for example always carried some kind of stigma and I more or less swore off of them. But then I rode in a 300C. Mind changed. Awesome car.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:29

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The amount of shit Honda owners get, and even I get from the FP, Oppo, or the group chat, doesn’t change me from owning one or continuing to buy them.

I don’t care about stereotypes.

Opposite Locksmith > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:29

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I drive a wrx and i hope I’m not a douche

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:30

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I give exactly zero cares about stereo types cars and their owners might have. If I buy a car it’s my car. I may try to add some personal touches that prove that I am not “insert stereotype”

I will say I used to care though. For example a few years ago I never would have considered owning a Camaro. Especially a fourth gen. Because it’s a “redneck” car, for tools who have small penises, or old men who can’t afford Corvettes. However now I’d totally buy one, because with a few mods and the right engine/trans it can be a awesome car.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:33

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The only stereotypes that really affect my decisions are of the law enforcement variety. I would love a bright orange Focus ST or bright blue Civic Si, but let's be honest, the gray GTI is going to get the benefit of the doubt when the radar gun comes out.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:34

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Yup

CRider > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:35

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Your friends would gibe you less shit about buying a $50,000 Hyundai than they would for a Chrysler 300?

MonkeePuzzle > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:37

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hahahahab, nope!

I hate ricers, and I am one now :)

Chariotoflove > d15b 05/12/2016 at 23:49

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Exactly.

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:53

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That’s a bit different from a stereotype, but I see what you mean.

Alfalfa > Wobbles the Mind 05/12/2016 at 23:58

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Sometimes yes, hate to say. I just see waaaay to many Subaru bros out here in Utah to get a WRX. That’s really the only one that readily comes to mind, though.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Land_Yacht_225 05/13/2016 at 00:17

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I agree with the criminal overtones make me want certain cars. I’d love a black Audi, Mercedes or Maserati since they’re sometimes referred to as hitmen cars. It would work nicely with my face as people always seem to think I’m angry when I’m just sitting at a desk minding my own business.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 00:18

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It has some effect on my car choices. I for instance wouldn’t want a Camaro, Corvette or Mustang as I do not want to scream “‘Murica!” everywhere I go.

DanZman > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 00:31

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It definitely influences my selling of cars. Thats a big part of why I got rid of my 350z.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Alfalfa 05/13/2016 at 01:07

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Thats why you get a Saab-aru

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DanZman 05/13/2016 at 01:12

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#50Z do tend to be driven by tools, but they also usually modify them in the worst ways.

Darkshoe (With Straight 6) > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 01:14

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Personally I love the big-body fat-wallet stereotype which comes with the cars I drive (I have 2 7-series). I also adore the 2nd and 3rd generation 300s. I think they’re just fantastic. I rented a 2nd generation AWD V6 model for a trip into northern Vermont during the winter a couple years ago and it was everything I wanted and more. Spacious, luxurious, whisper-quiet-ride-ious. I’m a firm believer that you should drive what you love unless you love disgusting bloated CUV/SUV/trucks. I hate those.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 01:52

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for certain cars, yes. I absolutely refuse to own a Civic Si, a white E92 M3, an audi A5, and an all black E60 M5 because the stigma with those cars has me permanently thrown off. i actually bought my GLI over an Si becasue the Si just felt like a rice-rocket, and not a comptetent hot-hatch

DanZman > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/13/2016 at 02:09

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I can't say that I wasn't guilty of it too, eBay exhaust and all. I just needed to wash my hands of the whole thing.

DipodomysDeserti > El Rivinado 05/13/2016 at 02:37

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As an Italian, I can tell you that we stopped driving Cadillacs when the Escalade dropped.

DipodomysDeserti > El Rivinado 05/13/2016 at 02:40

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San Diego is in no way Seattle Lite. San Diego is the complete opposite of Seattle.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/13/2016 at 02:44

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Funny, because when I had my WRX, I always had kids in civics revving their engines at stop lights.

DipodomysDeserti > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 02:47

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I have a ‘66 GMC rat rod, an Abarth, a newer model BMW, and a 70's Honda motorcycle in my driveway. What stereotypes do I fulfill?

DipodomysDeserti > Land_Yacht_225 05/13/2016 at 02:48

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I only associate retirees with Mercedes and Lincolns. You must not know very many criminals.

DipodomysDeserti > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/13/2016 at 02:49

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If you want a non boring Honda you’re going to need somethings with two less wheels.

random001 > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 03:07

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IT does, and it doesn’t. It used to a lot more, but in my old age I’ve learned to get over it a bit. I still make some mistakes, but I look for different things now. A nice drive, power, reliability, etc. over flash and what people think. It’s something you can grow out of if you want, but you don’t have to. It’s ok to buy based on stereotypes, just as much as it’s ok not to. No big, man.

random001 > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 03:11

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Genesis!

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 06:12

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Do those stereotypes even exist in real life? I would think most people would just glance at you and then move on with their day.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 07:53

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Stereotypes, no. Prejudice, yes.

I will freely admit how I like certain cars from certain brands which I historically dislike (it’s honest praise and anyone who knows me knows that, since I don’t like the brand), but I wouldn’t buy one.

Tristan > MUSASHI66 05/13/2016 at 09:17

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You mean the Mercedes NAG-1 5 speed auto that’s extremely overbuilt and serves reliably in many heavy duty applications? Yeah, what a piece. Stereotypes based on some 90s garbage...

Tristan > DipodomysDeserti 05/13/2016 at 09:23

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Diversity! I’ve got a lifted ‘97 Cherokee, an ‘02 Grand Cherokee, a ‘94 Miata, a ‘63 Ford Galaxie 500 fastback and a ‘57 Studebaker President. What do I win?

Roundbadge > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 09:25

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I’m way late to the party, but:

I’m 41. I don’t care what anyone thinks about what I drive. I drive a leased ‘15 Accord EX. When shopping for it, we cross-shopped a Camry (I hated the seats, but WOW what a deal), a Fusion (way too expensive for what it was), an Altima (everything about it felt cheap), and a Mazda 6 (loved it, but not for that price). If I listened to the Jaloppo hive mind, I should hate myself for making a boring choice. I don’t. It’s an outstanding car.

The only person I listened to when shopping was my insurance-adjuster gf, who knows what happens to car values and repair costs after a couple of years. Her knowledge is what kept me away from Hyundai, Kia, Dodge and Chrysler. My own experience kept me away from Chevy.

I also have an ‘05 Chevy Malibu Maxx and an ‘05 Toyota Tacoma. I love the Tacoma, even though it’s a 4cyl. I sort of regret the Maxx, but it’s paid for and still has <100K miles on it...so we’ll keep it until it dies.

DipodomysDeserti > Tristan 05/13/2016 at 09:45

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You win a high five for that Galaxie and Studebaker!

DipodomysDeserti > MUSASHI66 05/13/2016 at 09:45

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Where I live the older body styles were pretty much only driven by drug dealers.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > El Rivinado 05/13/2016 at 10:10

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Offend all the people! I approve of universal offensiveness.

Autofixation > Wobbles the Mind 05/13/2016 at 10:27

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Yup, girlfriend wants a truck to haul things with, you know, to use a truck like a truck, I know that is becoming rare. Anyways I told her I won’t get a Chevy because when I worked in the automotive parts industry the most inconsiderate, impatient, know-it-all customers drove Chevy trucks. That, and where I grew up in WV all the hicks drove them. I want nothing to do with anything with a bowtie on it.

MUSASHI66 > Tristan 05/13/2016 at 11:30

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Um, that’s why they are called stereotypes

MUSASHI66 > DipodomysDeserti 05/13/2016 at 11:31

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When they came out, but that was a decade ago. I don’t think 300 has that stigma any longer, at least not around Denver, and not the new models.

DipodomysDeserti > MUSASHI66 05/13/2016 at 11:50

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It's definitely not true with the newer ones.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DipodomysDeserti 05/13/2016 at 12:32

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I agree, and disagree with you at the same time. lol. Manual steering, light weight, and a well designed chassis make old Hondas super fun to drive. I’ve never had a CRX but I had a 4th gen hatchback for over two years and it was a blast, every day. Was it fast, not at all, but that just means you get to drive the snot out of it every where, all the time.