Let's Talk About Perception 

"Dru" (therealkennyd) 09/29/2016 at 19:59 • Filed to: None

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I love cars. I love all kinds of cars. Performance and driving dynamics take precedent over looks, for me. I’ll take an ugly duckling if I can have a hoot driving it.

Have you ever felt compelled to own a vehicle that “fit your station” in life, more than owning the vehicle you wanted because of how others might perceive you?

I’m using the STI as an example, but I’m not addressing typical stereotypes of flat bills and vape.

The STI (all generations) are on my short list of “cool cars that you can daily,” but I work in a rather conservative, semi-white collar environment. I park next to the CEO who drives an XKR convertible. Were I to own an STI, I would legitimately be concerned if people would take me as seriously if I daily drove something with such aggressive lines and arguably “boy racer” accents.

That said, have you ever modified your own vehicle purchases for fear of crafting yourself the wrong image?

CaptDale - is secretly British > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:03

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No, I would never allow people’s perception to sway my car buying. That’s how I got my GTO. Fit my car requirements like a glove and people are polarized about them (at least in the Pontiac world), but I like it, it’s a hoot to drive, and I think it looks great.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:08

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I couldn’t care less if people judged me for what I drive. It’s a pretty difficult picture to paint if you’ve seen me in both of mine though.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:09

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I almost ended up doing something like this. When I was working at the Ford dealership I seriously considered getting out of my Honda, and into a Ford Truck, a more suitable vehicle for a north woods man. I ended up buying a Civic coupe instead,

PlasteredClover > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:11

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Fuck all that. Buy and daily that STI if you want to, and if people look down on you for driving one then put a giant cannon on it!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:11

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Nope. I love my Mini and I don’t care what you think about it.

Dru > PlasteredClover 09/29/2016 at 20:18

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I like this answer.

Dru > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/29/2016 at 20:19

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Minis are cool tho. I learned to drive stick on my dads 2002 Cooper S

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:21

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My wife factory this in for sure. I almost got her to look at this blue 335i sedan that’s she really liked, but she didn’t want to own it because she didn’t want to be seen in a newer BMW. In the small town we live in driving a BMW, any BMW means you’re showing off, trying to look better than every one, or you live in Minneapolis and you have a 300,000 dollar “cabin” here. Even though a lot of people drive 40-60,000 dollar pick ups.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:23

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You could always put a sticker on it that says “I am very mature, and serious.”

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CaptDale - is secretly British 09/29/2016 at 20:26

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I have a question about your GTO. Does it feel heavy? It’s always surprised me that they’re over 3700lbs, it has the look of a much lighter car, if that makes any sense. I also thought they were smaller though I was surprised to find that they are actually a. It longer than a Mustang of the same era.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:29

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They are awesome. People just love to hate them though.

jimz > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:30

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nope, I drive the vehicles I like. when I got my first “real” engineering job, I had a ratty old ‘84 diesel F-250. I kept it for a while because I put a lot of time and effort into that truck. after that, I had a couple more trucks (a 2000 Ram 4x4 turbodiesel, and a 2003 Dakota) then I got an SRT-4. Later I added a 2010 Mustang GT, then sold the SRT-4 and replaced it with a 2011 Ranger, while trading the 2010 Mustang in on a 2012 GT. Then I sold the Mustang so I could buy a motorcycle, and basically DD the Ranger.

Dru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/29/2016 at 20:30

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I am consistently amazed at how normal people are amazed at that roundel badge.

Dru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/29/2016 at 20:31

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But I am neither...so...

AkursedX > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:31

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http://akursedx.kinja.com/10-months-with-a-ford-escape-a-lesson-in-compromise-1723534225#_ga=1.224152025.312721139.1475182757

I did it once. I tried to be a grown-up, responsible adult. It was such a huge mistake.

Dru > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/29/2016 at 20:32

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They’re a blast. That’s what they are.

CaptDale - is secretly British > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/29/2016 at 20:32

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The only time I truly feel its weight is when I am bonzing down hill. Sharp downhill turns you feel the weight. But with all the power in makes and looks and feels like a lighter car, she is a hoot to hoon. But then again I have never been one for going hard down hill. I think that is more fear than anything else. Surprisingly agile through the curves, but that’s down to it having a real suspension and not a drag race setup.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:33

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I think a big part of the mystique is that the closest dealership is three hours away. Plus my area is still pretty um... It’s Trump Country,   

nermal > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:34

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People will judge, it happens.

Even if you drive a beige Camry, you’ll still get crap from the “I ONLY BUY ‘MERICAN!” redneck driving a made-in-Mexico pickup.

So, screw what anybody else thinks. Drive whatever you want and can afford.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:35

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Not really, no. At 29 with a good income I should be driving a newish sports car, but instead I choose to maintain a fleet of rapidly depreciating luxury sedans. People at work call me gramps. And I love it!

Dru > AkursedX 09/29/2016 at 20:37

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I like you. How’s the STI?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CaptDale - is secretly British 09/29/2016 at 20:38

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Good to know. They are are high on my list of “reasonable dream cars” but being a Handling is important to me. I’ll have to give one a test drive for sure. I am a bit scare that a car like that would bring out the stupid in me though,

Dru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/29/2016 at 20:39

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Ah. Me too! I guess that’s what happens when you’re outside of large cities.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:40

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But you want your boss to think you are. I’m way past that he’s seen we doing donuts(well snownuts)in the parking lot.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:40

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Mine is an R50 and even with only 110HP it still puts a huge smile on my face. It has so much character and the basic cone filter intake put on it by the previous owner makes wonderful grumbley noises.

Dru > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/29/2016 at 20:43

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Ah. See I drove the non S after only driving the S and I was kind of let down. Still a fun car but I really had to work to get it moving.

Invinciblejets > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:50

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No.

Dru > Invinciblejets 09/29/2016 at 20:50

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Go on...

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:53

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It’s very much a momentum car. Still noticeably quicker than my 2001 Outback.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:53

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FunNY I was just talking to my boss about this today. No is the answer. He was bagging on a z4 for being a penis extension (totally accurate perception, imo) but then I said I want one.

“You see there are some cars you just can’t drive, like a miata”

I want a miata, and I’d have one if my wife was okay with three cars...I don’t even care about the image...I’m having fun

AkursedX > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:54

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I like it. It’s a pretty nice DD. I haul my wife and kids around in it comfortably. It is a bit on the loud and harsh side, but no one complains. And the kids love when I Hoon around in it.

wiffleballtony > Dru 09/29/2016 at 20:55

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Screw what people think. My Mustang parks next to someone in HR with a Drag Mustang GT. Straight pipes, meth injection, supercharger. Fight the man.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dru 09/29/2016 at 21:13

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I’m very much the drive what makes you happy type in terms of my auto POV. My general life outlook is also similar.

What being said, my 2009 Accent is a product of the ‘drive what I can afford’ ideology, but I am perfectly happy with it. Once I import my 126p from Poland, people will probably think I’m nuts for importing a small, slow, unsafe Polish-communist/Italian built city car, but.....don’t care. I will have a hoot. :P

WRXasaurus > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/29/2016 at 21:48

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If you don’t mind me asking, do you live up by Duluth. I’m up in the Mesabi Iron Range and know of no other oppos near me.

Orange Exige > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/29/2016 at 22:20

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I don’t think Mini’s have bad perceptions. If anything, maybe feminine? Because they’re on the “cuter” side of cars? (This is presuming you are a man or a woman who prefers aggressively designed cars)

Now that I think about, I feel like I do see a lot of women driving Cooper S’s (I don’t pay attention to non-S’s, sorry* lol), but hey, maybe they’re all on Oppo too like us.

*lol just remembered you do have an R50 - no offense! All Mini’s are family (except maybe the Countryman) :)

Orange Exige > Dru 09/29/2016 at 22:25

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I’d be real curious to drive a non-S now after owning my S (with some mods) for over a year now. I can completely imagine the work needed to get a non-S up to speed. Not even half an issue in my car at most any speed or gear, but an economy-tuned 1.6L from 2002 is just that - it’s a bit hard to pretend it’s not there.

Orange Exige > HammerheadFistpunch 09/29/2016 at 22:31

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Z4's are gorgeous cars. The coupe is one of the best designed modern sports cars imo. Don’t hear too much about them performance-wise, but I have no doubt they’re no slouch. I actually passed a slightly weird yellow colored Z4 this morning and I liked it. A lot.

I’m completely fine with most people having those perceptions about cool cars like Z4's and Miatas because they don’t deserve to have them. Z4's are still far too expensive to be trashed at least - I’m sure 90% of them are mid-life crisis and/or mid-tier manager/executive cars that are babied because they’re shiny BMW’s... I’m interested to see the market in 5-10 years.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > WRXasaurus 09/29/2016 at 23:41

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Ashland Wi, an hour east of Duluth.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Orange Exige 09/29/2016 at 23:47

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(other comment first) no offence taken. I am pretty sure R53s massively outnumber R50s. Not to mention the number of R50s lost to CVT failure.

For perceptions you mostly just hear people banging on about how they aren’t British and aren’t small. Two statements which are false. I have yet to hear it my self but I know people who have had theirs called gay but whatever.

The engine in the R50 is actually rather nice when you keep it above 2k. It is quite happy to rev and pulls really nicely in 2nd. It doesn’t accelerate for shit in 4th or 5th but thats when you knock it down a gear and let it rev. Only thing that bugs me is that it likes to hang onto revs when you put the clutch in making fast shifts a bit tricky.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Dru 09/30/2016 at 03:04

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yes. for example i refuse to, and will never own a Honda Civic Si. not to be racist, but the negative connotation of a hispanic 18 year old in one with a really loud exhaust and on cut springs is basically why i wouldn’t own one. add to that the fact that every hispanic “car” guy in my high school had a beat Mk4, a beat integra or a beat early 2000's si, you can see where i get this from.

I would also never own a minivan, for obvious reasons

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > AkursedX 09/30/2016 at 03:54

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I’m with you on that one, I bought an A4 because it gets good gas mileage, is reliable, and is an all around decent car.
It bit me in the ass. It got major problems not long after I got it, put a lot of time and money in it, and on top of that, it is about as exciting than doing your taxes.
I get the same feeling you describe every time I take the Mazda (you can’t really daily them here because gas prices)

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/30/2016 at 03:58

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MINIs are fat, the old ones were awesome, he new ones are just like any other hatchback

Dru > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/30/2016 at 10:18

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I don’t disagree. I’ve wanted an Si since it was age appropriate for me to own one. Okay that was 10 years ago. But I’d still take one. Don’t know if I could spend my own money on one.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 09/30/2016 at 10:55

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Minis weren’t the smallest cars back in the day either. Cars such as the Fiat 500 were much smaller. People don’t hate on the new 500 for being huge even though it is scaled up about the same amount as the Minis. Minis are consistently on the small side of their classes.

I also don’t get the argument that Minis aren’t British because they are owned by a German company. People still consider Jaguar British even though they are owned by the Indians.

I don’t get why they get singled out for doing things that most other car companies also do. I my mind they are small, British cars and there’s nothing you can tell me to change that.

CaptDale - is secretly British > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/30/2016 at 12:14

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You know, I bought mine with a cam and exhaust. Had it dynoed and tuned to pass CA smog and maked 385 at the wheels. Every now and then I do do stupid things, but those are those times you would do it in any car. Most of the time I just commute and cruise at 75.

Orange Exige > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/30/2016 at 22:00

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Ah ok - I can see where you were coming from now...

I wouldn’t say they’re (just) British, but I also wouldn’t say they’re not British. They’re a German-English hybrid in my mind - English heritage with German parts. And that definitely counts as British in my book. I have Union Jack center caps on my wheels and I’ve done the Union Jack in chalk before too :)

Also, they’re not original Mini small, but literally nothing is that small anymore. Relatively, it’s small for sure. In the US, there’s hardly any (not sports) cars as small as the 3 door Mini besides the Smart and maybe 3-door Yaris?

Axial > Dru 10/01/2016 at 01:38

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No.

I work for one of the largest defense companies in the nation. Most everybody is driving some sort of sedan or SUV in boring, sedate colors like white, black, burgundy, and navy blue. Usually Toyota, BMW, Audi, or Hyundai.

Then there’s me. I daily drive a Bright Red 1990 ZR-1 and I don’t give a shit. There’s somebody else who drives Challenger Hellcat in that neon green color. I high-five that person in my imagination.

Dru > Axial 10/01/2016 at 11:06

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Nice.

WRXasaurus > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 10/01/2016 at 22:48

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Cool, I’ve driven through there a few times.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Dru 10/02/2016 at 16:17

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Take one? Sure. Over a GTI? nope!

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 10/04/2016 at 04:51

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It’s less the size than the spirit that bothers me.
The mini, as for the 500 or the beetle, was once a car for the masses, simple, cheap, and expendable. The new iterations are mostly a fashion statement, built to surf on the vintage wave.
The old 500 was a peoples car. In Fiats current European lineup, the base 500 is priced like a Tipo, it costs 1500€ more than a Punto, and 3000€ more than a Panda. In a way, the Panda is more 500 than the 500.
The same thing can be said of the Beetle, which is placed above the up!, the Polo, and the Golf.
If you put the mini in the BMW lineup, it can be considered as a “peoples car” but it’s still moved way upwards.
I can understand the appeal to the cars in itself, it’s just that they don’t correspond to their heritage.

And I wont try to change your mind about it. In the end, everybody drives what makes him happy, I just prefer the old ones. Now, if I could fit in these...

Vimto > Dru 12/28/2016 at 08:50

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I bought a Mercury Grand Marquis at 17 year old. I was frequently ridiculed for owning a grandpa’s car for the year that I owned it but I absolutely loved everything about it. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

random001 > Dru 12/28/2016 at 09:04

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Funny thing is, almost nobody actually cares. I know, I’m late to this party, but it showed up on the sidebar. But seriously, I’ve DD’d everything from a MINI Cooper S to a Corvette Z06, and it’s never once come across as weird or uncomfortable. It has, however, become uncomfortable that I switch cars more times in a year than anyone I work with has in their lives. That’s a bit weird...