You are what you drive?

[caddmannq]

In another thread, someone observed:

...the type of vehicle you own should be everything you want it to be or you will be waiting for the perfect car forever.

Does the car industry have everyone convinced that a car is the public emblem of our selves?

I've owned a lot of cars, but I've never owned an exotic car of any kind, because I'm not into throwing money away in buckets.

I have 4 kind of ordinary cars, and one old hobby car, but none of them are really expensive or impressive vehicles.

Yet some would say that I'm shortchanging myself by not buying the perfect car.

But I don't find myself waiting around, pining away, because I don't own "it."

What do you think?

[SEALTEAMTHREE]

I don't care if its flashy or fast, just as long as it'll get me from point A to point B without a major breakdown. I'm driving a '93 Ford Ranger (extended cab V6 4.0 liter) that has 124,000 miles on it (if you also included how far I've had it hauled it in a C-130, it'd probably be more like 400,000). It still runs great, and only has a few minor rust spots that I plan on removing when I get the time to do it. If you spend more on a car than most people make in a year, you're just being a rich showoff. My friend from back home lived in a upper-middle class neighborhood and his dad made more than $200,000 a year, but he drove around an old '94 dodge ram, and didn't have a luxury car. Your car is not the emblem of yourself. If you think you're better than the next guy because you're driving a German luxury sedan and he's driving an american made truck, you have some serious problems.

[Agent_Embryo]

I've had 2 cars so far.

#1 "(The not so lean and not so mean) Green Machine"

An '83 Opel Kadett Luxus (Dieselpowered!) with rust everywhere. It was, in a way a reflection of me at the time. It wasn't pretty or had much muscle but it did the job. Sometimes it had trouble starting on cold mornings...so in some ways it was alot like me.

#2 "White Lightning"

An '88 Opel Kadett GT. 115hp(may not seem like much but it's a light car, and probably more than double the hp's of "Green Machine". I really like this car, except for the fact that the lock on the driver side is broken and can't be used from outside. But I don't think it reflects me as a person tho...

I want a 1970 Orbit Orange Pontiac GTO Judge. That's one of the coolest cars built (IMO).

"Here in my car, I feel safest of all. I can lock all the doors and that's the only way in, in cars."

I entirely agree. I drive a 1990 Honda Accord DX with 93K. I want to lease a 2002 BMW 540i for the following reasons:

1) It is a pleasure to drive this car. Handles beautifully.
2) Interior is very plush and comfortable for long drives
3) All remote controlled accessories, audio/cd controls on the steering wheel
4) Long lasting and very reliable engine and transmission.

I'm 47 and half my life is over, the way I figure. At least. The last 15 years will be spent as an invalid and not in good health (beer ).
So, while I still can, why not indulge myself, the wife and boys in some luxury?

That's my reason for wanting to lease this car and I probably will later this year.

It was a toss up between this and a Cadillac Seville. But GM cars still have quality problems compared to BMW, IMO. Anyone agree/disagree with my views?

[charmler]

I don't know if it is the automakers that attempt to get us to identify with a particular type or make of auto but I do know of some perceptions I have observed in their ads that would lead me to believe that is their goal. Look at some of the ads on TV. The luxury car ad that starts out with (paraphrasing) 'you worked hard to get here, isn't it time to get a Benz' or the so-called soccer moms driving minivans. I am sure there are many more examples on different channels that are targeted towards the wealthy or the family types or even the commuter. All ad campains have one goal, get as many people as possible to identify with your clients products. Auto manufacturers are no exception. However, if you really are what you drive, I am poor. I drive a '76 Chev P/U with 285k miles on it. To make the statement a little more accurate, I would say 'you are what you want to drive'. If you are driving the auto you most desire to drive then you probably can identify with other owners of the same model. You probably have a lot in common with other people who choose to own that particular vehicle. Am I a Redneck? I have been called that by my wife, and I have heard the phrase 'beat-up 4-wheel drive pickups with a gunrack and empty (beer)cans' associated with rednecks quite often. I do not have empty beer cans in my P/U. They are diet Coke cans. Is the rig the one I want to drive or the one I have settled for. I want to own 2002 35th anniversary Camaro, or a new Trailblazer. Will I? Probably not because I can't handle buying a new rig. I prefer to spend money on less visible luxury items.

[crystaldragon]

caddmannq

That kind of opinion is right in line with how a lot of people feel. Looks are All that matter to many.
Before everbody gets on my case don't get me wrong! There are a great many real reasons to have the vehicle of your choice, comfort and reliability at the top IMO. But to decide on a vehicle just because you think it makes you look a certain way just doesn't make sense to me.

I guess that is really an extension of my attitude about myself too. Who, with any common sense, that I work for really cares about my looks? I let my workmanship speak for me! Same with vehicles. I don't care what it looks like, reliability first!

[skuz]

I hope not. I don't want to be compared to a '89 Toyota Tercel for anything else other than that it's reliable.

I have another older car (read : pile of rust) that I'm restoring with a friend. I'm hoping for the day it will be finished and taken to the road.

I'll post a pic when it's over, I do like it quite a lot.

[SPEEDO]

You are what you drive?

Oh no! I'm a 1987 Ford Tempo with 151,00 miles on me! Sounds about right!

My wife on the other hand is brand new!

A to B is good enough for me!

SPEEDO

[Music2LiveFor]

Many of the things we look for in a vehicle, DO reflect our desires, whether for looks, popularity, practicality, whatever. Currently, I'm in a financial crisis, and drive a '95 Geo. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Good reliable car. Is it my dream car? No, but it DOES do what I need right now.

Sure, I want the new Mercedes, or BMW, or whatever the heck else is the "popular" car. Who doesn't want everyone's head to turn when they drive by.

Granted, this is ALL simple IM(H)O

[Knothead]

If I am what I drive, ('83 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham,) then I better go be somebody else!

It's a 4-door medicare sled that I drive too fast, but no cop has EVER pulled me over in it...they just know it's somebody's grandfather...who couldn't possibly be driving that fast.

Had a SCHWEET '94 Beemer, hate to think about it, ex-wife got it in the divorce. I was ALWAYS getting pulled over (2 speed tix in 1 year! )

But the Olds is pretty comfy, not too fast, and I put a good stereo in it. Plus, an ex-g/f once rammed it (long story) and messed up the front, and it really didn't bother me that much!

Try that with a fancy BMW!