44 Votes

Dude or Dud? What Does Your Car Say About You?

Agent009 submitted on 6/29/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 4:59:53 PM

51 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.usaweekend.com

It's a notion as old as the chariot: Like it or not, what you drive sends a message to the world.

In today's information age, you can now find out what your car says about you on Internet joke sites:

Volvo 740 Wagon = "I'm very frightened of my wife"

or get your "Car-O-Scope" from NPR "CarTalk" gurus Tom and Ray Magliozzi

You're a bit too 'touchy-feely' for a Passat; consider a BMW 328i instead

"I've spent my entire adult life amazed by the way in which people judge others based on the auto they drive," says Michael Marsden, a pop culture expert and Eastern Kentucky University professor who has taught a course on "The Automobile in American Society" for years. (He drives a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.) "The auto is perceived as an extension of ourselves.

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Dude or Dud? What Does Your Car Say About You?

About the Author

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

User Comments

Acura, Infiniti & Lexus are for hacks and wannabees.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 6:04:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Infiniti is benchmarking? For what?
— Agent004 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 7:53:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

mitchell = douche... lolz
— cl0wn (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 11:54:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

yes Mitchell.. coz u were passenger and you drove with your 'Grandmother' - a ferrari would suck in handling and power!! Your friends a racer and he/she drove a G37 - get him/her drive the BMW and then post your comment.. I am not degrading Infiniti.. but get your facts straight - Infiniti and for that matter everyone - has set BMW has benchmark at least in this segment if not anything else .. doesnt matter even if your car is sooper awesome - you got to be a better driver for that - the topic asks for driving judgement and not passenger judgement!! :P

You cant get a better drivers car in this segment than a BMW 3 series..
— Bimmer3er (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 11:04:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

cadillac did make the CTSV - which is a sick car.
— SportsCarAdvisor (View Profile)

Posted on 7/1/2009 9:50:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

BMW= Sporty, avatguard
Audi= Refined
Mercedes= Old, too much money, not enough taste
Infinity= BMW with value
Lexus= Enjoys anesthesia
Acura= honda in a cheap suit
Honda= reliable
Ford, GM, Chrysler= clearly not smart enough to buy a honda
Toyota= would have bought a honda but has an odd sense of style
— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 6:06:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -11

What types of people buy what types of cars? The individual types of vehicle says more about a person than the brand. A Mitsubishi Evo owner is different type of person than say a Galant owner.

Here goes:

Acura = Dweeb car. People who drive Acura’s were stupid enough to believe that an Acura is a better performer/car than a BMW. The sad part is that they still believe that crap.

BMW = BMW Buyers for the most part are posers. There are plenty of BMW enthusiasts but they are not enough for the brand to survive.

Lexus = Old folks who want soft luxury, or clueless younger folks who can’t tell the difference between a luxury car and a performance car. Of all the Japanese makes (Nissan/Toyota/Honda/Etc...) Lexus has by far the worse fans.

Mercedes- Are for people who still believe that MB makes the best cars in the world. Sadly they do not. When I see someone with a new C300 I see a fool who paid a premium for cheap, weak, underperforming car, that doesn’t offer any real luxury.

Infinti - People who want a premium car but they want to save money. Of all the Japanese makes, Infinti has the best fans.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 6:09:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -12

"When I see someone with a new C300 I see a fool who paid a premium for cheap, weak, underperforming car, that doesn’t offer any real luxury."

Thank you for showing us how narrow minded you are. Just because someone buys a C300 doesn't mean they're "posers". Not everyone cares about performance. Oh, and the C300 performs quite nicely.

And what do you expect of the C300? The luxury it offers is adequate and more than satisfactory to most people. If you're not satisfied you can go to a different brand. Very f_cking simple.
— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 6:17:53 PM | | Votes: 7

"Not everyone cares about performance. Oh, and the C300 performs quite nicely. "

- Its all relative I guess. IMO the C300 doesn't really "perform" at all.

"And what do you expect of the C300? The luxury it offers is adequate and more than satisfactory to most people."

- That doesn't sound like anything worth paying a premium for.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 9:55:45 AM | | Votes: 1

It's crazy, but I see why some of you see these makers in certain types of ways.

I've seen too many people ditch their beloved Lexus RX or ES for a new Buick Enclave.

I own an FX45, but only got b/c not many people have them in my area. It's been a great road-tripper and was unexpectedly confident in a December snow storm in Ohio that dropped more than 2 feet of snow on the highways.

But don't let the car somebody drives fool you into think they are more important than are or better than you. It's only a perception of the person who gives it meaning....and therefore value. Unlearn & re-educate.
— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:31:00 AM | | Votes: 2

Gee. Thanks so much for the up-to-date info. THE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN IN 2002!
— grysko (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 6:55:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

The concept is still pertinent
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 9:59:18 AM | | Votes: 0

Jaguar= Old Money, Old Farts...just plain old, redifining its style, Anal Retentive

Audi= Young Bucks, Sporty, Luxury

BMW= Performance, Athletic, Lawyers, Doctors, over achieved, Anal Retentive

Mercedes= Luxury, Lawyers, Doctors, over achieved, Anal-Retentive, Snobs, Business Owners

Acura= Wannabe luxury, Fugliness, Tries to hard

Lexus= Bank Employee

Land Rover= Adventurous, Military, Upgraded Ford Model, The Queens Whip, L.A's Expensive grocery getter

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 7:07:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Porsche - Snob
Ferrari - Rich, enjoys life, but probably knows none of it's technical details or will ever push the car out of the linear tire range
Bentley - Rich, wants to set an impression.
Mazda - Middle Class, want a sporty reliable everyday car
Toyota Supra - Early 20's "I wanna go fast" mentality, willing to hack and chop and destroy their car.
Toyota Anything else - Middle class, wants a no hassle car along with a no hassle buying experience that gets them from point a to point b.
Chevy Truck - Red Neck, or red neck soccer mom
... there are plenty of others, but I don't wanna get too many deboosts.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 7:28:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

So true about the Ferrari owner and so sad! They average only 1500 miles a year on the new ones.
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:48:29 AM | | Votes: 1

Dude or Dud? What Does Your Car Say About You?

LOL, how sad.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 7:32:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

WTF 009, this is an 02' article!!!?????

Maybe you should change it to "What does your post say about you?"

LMAO
— BondMI6 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 7:58:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

LOL!!!! good job oo9. going back to the archives since we ran out of things to write about eh? i love it when oo9 just acts a fool lol
— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 9:14:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

This site has been bit dry for a Monday.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 10:58:45 PM | | Votes: 6

All of these associations are negative. How about some positive:

Acura: Technologically savvy individuals who want a nice mix between practicality, luxury, and sport.

Audi: Want a strong performing, well built, well-mannered luxury car that has a great interior and are understated in appearance.

BMW: Favor performance and fun-factor over luxury, amenities, and value.

Infiniti: Favor sporty cars that sacrifice some practicaility and luxury for value and speed.

Lexus: Luxury comes first, these people want to be coddled by their cars and care less about its performance.

M-B: Luxury is important with solid build quality and less sportiness.
— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 10:15:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 13

naw man, not negitive. just straight up lol
— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 9:38:38 AM | | Votes: -1

97 Toyota Land Cruiser Diesel = No Hassles.

Go anywhere, laughs at potholes and bumps, one click even after 2 months not used, no major problem whatsoever after 95,000 kms for a 12 year old, still a great everyday car in the city or off road. No other vehicle comes close.
— wins555 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/29/2009 11:58:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The new land cruisers come close
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:46:54 AM | | Votes: 0

Porsche: Sporty
MB: Classy
Audi: Sophisticated
BMW: Perfect balance of sporty & sophisticated
Lexus: Can't afford MB
Infiniti: Can't afford BMW
— rumnyc (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 1:32:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Who cares...
— theman440 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 1:42:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Your brain is boring, because you don't have one...Audi boring?! It's nice to be boring like Performance Car Of The Year 2007 & 2008, Design of The year 2008, Topgear car of the year 2008 and so on... like bmw "does" right?:))) You are stupid moron in front of all stupid idiots who hit the trees and dies in a very "Smart" and "Safe" BMW...BIG MONEY WASTED!
— SuperstarDriver (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:03:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Easy, in my country it goes exactly like this:
Porsche=Someone with A LOT of money
Mercedes=Classic and old guys, criminals in high position
Lexus=Classic and sometimes younger people. Lot of rich ladies and almost no criminals.
BMW=Criminals and lawyers. Most of the time get stopped by police or get shot in an assassination attempt.
Audi=Rest of the high profit professions that want a decent car
Honda=Criminals, young and old people. Usually med-high profit professions
Mazda=The mainstream, leasing cars, high tech and low-med profit professions
Infinity=Just arrived here, people with money that hate/doesn’t want to support German cars.
Acura=Not arrived yet, but if so, BMW will disappear here since our criminals like Honda more.
Hummer=Guys that had money and now can't find anyone to buy this crap
Jeep/Cadillac=Older guys with money
Subaru/Suzuki=People that like Japanese but can’t afford Honda.
Seat=Very young guys (18-25)
— DoctorC (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:18:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Shemp, when you use the term "Jap", was your intent to use the derogatory form of the word?
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 8:41:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

"Well if you drive a Jap car it says your stupid"

Pot meet kettle...FYI, you should have written it "you're".
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 9:22:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Good catch Coexist. I guess Shemp would prefer we drive a Canadian car.

Oh wait, Canada doesn't have any car companies. Never mind.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 9:29:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Invisible, please excuse that guy, he gives Canadians a bad name.
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:30:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

My car is a dud. I have a 2002 Toyota Camry XLE 4cyl. with 276,000 kms.
My car from the outside says dud, but with the year and mileage I have only spent $130 on my car in repairs (rear sway-bar bushings).
NOW THAT SCREAMS DUDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My car is comfortable, fuel efficient and luxury appointed. Tell me that your car has been as good. That is why I am a Toyota fan. My old Corolla had 626,000 kms when I sold it for $600 and it is still bombing around town. Eat your hearts out GM, Chrysler and Ford, YOU MAKE CRAP!!
I may be ready for a new car this year, just as a want, not a need, and it will be a Toyota or Lexus. Camry Hybrid? Possibly.
— pageman (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:37:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

If you think a camry is "luxuary appointed" by all means go ahead enjoy!
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 7/1/2009 8:32:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

If you think a 4 cylinder Camry is "luxurary appointed" by all means go ahead enjoy!
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 7/1/2009 8:33:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BMW = cock
Lexus = Housewife
Mercedes = More clueless housewife
Land Rover = Even more clueless housewife that thinks expensive = good
Porsche = Old rich man mid life crisis
Corvette = Pizza shop or Gym owner that does not have a pot to pee in
New Ferrari = Neuvo Rich person with issues about masculinity
Classic Ferrari Owner = old money, taste, charm, godlike coolness
Aston Martin = Who has one in the us? Is that a jag?
Jaguar = Loves style, and his mechanic
Audi = a cross between a BMW cock and a Mercedes housewife
Subaru = likes gronala bars and has bad shaving habits
New Subaru WRX and WRX STI= People who value a rally car they can drive everyday and are tired of paying high line bills
Old Subaru WRX and WRX STI/ old EVO= should be incarcerated for street racing

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:44:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

lol
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 10:58:03 AM | | Votes: 1

That is too funny!
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:32:17 PM | | Votes: 2

Acura = Dentists
Audi = Cool but overpriced
Bentley = LA, Dubai
BMW = Metrosexual, gym, sushis
Cadillac = RnB
Jaguar = Old rich lady
Ferrari = LA, Dubai, Mafia
Infiniti = One hit wonder (G)
Land Rover = Issues, overpriced
Lexus = Electric wheelchair
Lincoln = Airport taxis
Maserati = Mafia
Mercedes = Wine spectator readers
Porsche = Racetrack
Rolls-Royce = Dubai
Saab = Sabotage
Volvo = Small, medium or large

— MSP6 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 12:44:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Good Lord, I can't wait for Auto Show season to start, so we don't have any more of theses nonsense blogs.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:11:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Acura = young and tech savy
Audi = euro trash with some intelligence
BMW = vehicle of choice for Michael Jackson's "kevorkian" doctor
Cadillac = retirees
Jaguar = money with no class
Ferrari = new money through tax evasion
Honda = same as Toyota owners but want some sport
Infiniti = active lifestyle with disposable income but passes the
A-hole quotient test

Land Rover = wife of Ferrari owner
Lexus = rich with intelligence
Mazda = want more sport than Honda at the expensive of some reliability
Mercedes = rich with some intelligence and a lot of self-importance
Porsche = new money through ponzi scheme or other corporate fraud
Toyota = want value, reliability and dependability
VW = pro-aryan brotherhood who's dream car is a Benz/BMW
— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 6/30/2009 4:19:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Cadillac = class, old people
BMW = people who think they are cool
PORSCHE = people who think they are cooler, euro-trash
AUDI = racer
Lexus = foreigner
— susanw85 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/1/2009 5:25:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

BMW: People in car pool think they are cool ...
— SuperAgent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2009 12:56:36 PM | | Votes: 1

Buick... owners always have gray hair... stay way back or pass them when it's safe
Cadillac Escalade... sports figures that finally have some money
Cadillac (all others)... used to have Buicks but cashed in their annuities to show off to their friends
Corvette/Porsche/Ferrari... coffee shop cars for Buick owners
BMW... trying hard to look cool, but now everyone has one... hey the maintenance is free
Mercedes... my dumb friends are impressed... and hey, it was cheap to lease
Audi... used to have a Mercedes, but I needed something more unique... and got a better deal on the lease
VW... very hip and stylish... and don't worry, I got the extended warranty
Volvo, Saab, Jaguar, Land Rover... oh, I don't care about resale value
Hyundai, Kia... laugh all you like, it's the cheapest car I can drive for 10 years
Toyota... I'd like to buy another one because this one is so boring... wish something would go wrong with it
Prius... I know it's a goofy looking car, but I bought it to make a statement
Honda... I just bought it to drive it... and never have to think about it
Dodge, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Suzuki... 0 down, 0%, 0 car payments for a year, and now it's worth zero
Hummer... believe it or not, it was cheaper to buy than viagra
F350, Silverado Duramax, Ram Cummins... I don't care that it won't fit in my garage... I need to tow my toyhauler and speedboat over to the ARCO station to show the package off once in awhile.

— Superglide (View Profile)

Posted on 7/1/2009 6:57:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Dude or Dud? What Does Your Car Say About You?

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