Does a cars image matter to you?
Discussion
A bit of a silly thread, I suppose, but anyhoo....
It does to me. I know its [extremely] shallow, but how a car is perceived does go a long way as to whether I'll like it, or keep it long term, now I do see people on here saying "I don't care what anyone thinks", but I bet more people do than would let on.
For example, I could never own something like BMW Mini because to me, they just look like a car a girl would drive - small, cutesy, and with the usual bling inside and out that girls would love. Same goes for a Beetle. Also, small noddy car like hatchbacks, I'm thinking stuff like Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai ATOZ, Micras that sort of thing. If I was to drive one of these, I'd feel embarassed to be seen in it, and feel as though some other road users would laugh / bully you.
Stuff like MX5s and Pumas are borderline to me - they can also look very girly in the wrong colours and / or in standard spec, so for that reason, if I was to buy an MX5 or Puma it would have to be in a colour that would offset its girliness, like black. An MX5 in the right colours with the right wheels and other subtle mods can look very good indeed, but on the flipside, ones in bright colours and with things like the standard daisy alloys do look very girly.
Now I've had an MX5, mine was a sort of blue colour, but even so, I have to admit I did at times feel self concious in it.
On the flipside, I feel a lot more at home driving bigger more aggressive looking cars. Its partly why I picked my Primera GT as although not the last word in flair, it at least looks a bit purposeful and aggressive. Same I felt for my E36 328i, my black MR2 Turbo and my DC2 Integra Type-R. I dunno, cars like this give more of a "don't f
k with me" attitude which I prefer.
I know its extremely shallow, but I can't help it! Is anyone else like this?
It does to me. I know its [extremely] shallow, but how a car is perceived does go a long way as to whether I'll like it, or keep it long term, now I do see people on here saying "I don't care what anyone thinks", but I bet more people do than would let on.
For example, I could never own something like BMW Mini because to me, they just look like a car a girl would drive - small, cutesy, and with the usual bling inside and out that girls would love. Same goes for a Beetle. Also, small noddy car like hatchbacks, I'm thinking stuff like Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai ATOZ, Micras that sort of thing. If I was to drive one of these, I'd feel embarassed to be seen in it, and feel as though some other road users would laugh / bully you.
Stuff like MX5s and Pumas are borderline to me - they can also look very girly in the wrong colours and / or in standard spec, so for that reason, if I was to buy an MX5 or Puma it would have to be in a colour that would offset its girliness, like black. An MX5 in the right colours with the right wheels and other subtle mods can look very good indeed, but on the flipside, ones in bright colours and with things like the standard daisy alloys do look very girly.
Now I've had an MX5, mine was a sort of blue colour, but even so, I have to admit I did at times feel self concious in it.
On the flipside, I feel a lot more at home driving bigger more aggressive looking cars. Its partly why I picked my Primera GT as although not the last word in flair, it at least looks a bit purposeful and aggressive. Same I felt for my E36 328i, my black MR2 Turbo and my DC2 Integra Type-R. I dunno, cars like this give more of a "don't f
k with me" attitude which I prefer.I know its extremely shallow, but I can't help it! Is anyone else like this?
Primera says "Hounslow Mini-cab" to me, though, so you might not be having quite the impression you think! 
I don't care. If I like a car, I don't give a st what anyone else thinks - Surely that's how it should be?
I've had a Puma and loved it. I would've kept it much longer if it'd had more space in the back too. Some people I worked with said it was "Girlie Purple", I thought they were stupid
M
I don't care. If I like a car, I don't give a s
t what anyone else thinks - Surely that's how it should be?I've had a Puma and loved it. I would've kept it much longer if it'd had more space in the back too. Some people I worked with said it was "Girlie Purple", I thought they were stupid
M
Reading about your cars I suspect this may be a troll but I guess everyone has their own idea of image.
My own cars are quite diverse. One of them may make some think I'm gay, another makes me look like I drink real ale and another just make me look like I'm a DH.
I guess I do care what others think as my favourite car for image was my Vuaxhall VX220. When people ask what my car is I'd say "oh it's just a Vauxhall".
My own cars are quite diverse. One of them may make some think I'm gay, another makes me look like I drink real ale and another just make me look like I'm a DH.
I guess I do care what others think as my favourite car for image was my Vuaxhall VX220. When people ask what my car is I'd say "oh it's just a Vauxhall".
I don't care what anyone else thinks, I'm on my second red mx5 with standard wheels and don't feel like it's girly. I've owned Micra's and a KA and love driving the girlfriends Twingo.
What is quite amusing in people who worry about the image of a car is that different cars have a different image to different people. You think the Primera is "purposeful and aggressive" but I think 90% of people think it looks dull generic so it's not giving off the image you think it does.
If you put image high on the list of priorities then I think you are missing the point and worse, missing the opportunity to own and drive some fantastic cars. There isn't a car out that doesn't have a poor image to someone so it's pointless worrying about it.
What is quite amusing in people who worry about the image of a car is that different cars have a different image to different people. You think the Primera is "purposeful and aggressive" but I think 90% of people think it looks dull generic so it's not giving off the image you think it does.
If you put image high on the list of priorities then I think you are missing the point and worse, missing the opportunity to own and drive some fantastic cars. There isn't a car out that doesn't have a poor image to someone so it's pointless worrying about it.
None of my cars have ever had much image. Started off with a Fiesta Ghia, then bog standard Mondeo, then a Peugeot 406 then for three years i had my mk2 Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia which is probably the best car ive owned, when that was on the verge of dying i got my 2.0 zetec Mondy which i still have.
Im looking at the BMW 6 series now, and would also be interested in a decent E46. Im used to driving the typical 'invisible' cars and would like something newer and nice but theres so much to choose from its difficult.
Im looking at the BMW 6 series now, and would also be interested in a decent E46. Im used to driving the typical 'invisible' cars and would like something newer and nice but theres so much to choose from its difficult.
another one that, on the whole, doesn't care what people think. coming up to 40 years old and if it suited me i'd be quite happy to drive a saxo vts about as i remember reading about them in magazines when they came out that they're a good drivers car.
similarly, if it suited me, i'd drive a "chav" mk1 audi TT or an E36 M3 or whatever else people here term "chavvy".
similarly, if it suited me, i'd drive a "chav" mk1 audi TT or an E36 M3 or whatever else people here term "chavvy".
Nope, we had a Sportka up until recently and I used to love driving it - despite my workmates calling it a Ford Handbag, and me looking ridiculous when driving it being 6'5".
I now have an Evo, which has got to be the Chaviest car ever made. But it goes like stink down a b road and good fun with it, and I can fit a childseat in the back which suited our needs when I bought it.
I now have an Evo, which has got to be the Chaviest car ever made. But it goes like stink down a b road and good fun with it, and I can fit a childseat in the back which suited our needs when I bought it.
rhinochopig said:
Nope, we had a Sportka up until recently and I used to love driving it - despite my workmates calling it a Ford Handbag, and me looking ridiculous when driving it being 6'5".
I now have an Evo, which has got to be the Chaviest car ever made. But it goes like stink down a b road and good fun with it, and I can fit a childseat in the back which suited our needs when I bought it.
Evo's are 'proper chav' - worst one being the Evo X. I now have an Evo, which has got to be the Chaviest car ever made. But it goes like stink down a b road and good fun with it, and I can fit a childseat in the back which suited our needs when I bought it.
Yeah ok I suppose a primera is a bit taxi 
but mine has nice alloys and that chroma flip paint so to me at least it manages to look quite decent.... But I think what I'm saying is I just don't feel comfortable driving girly looking cars... Not a troll post at all.
I'd rather have bland than something that makes you look like a homo (que the "I'm comfortable in my sexuality" replies), basically. Still looking at the reply I guess I'm the only one who thinks this. Hey ho....
but mine has nice alloys and that chroma flip paint so to me at least it manages to look quite decent.... But I think what I'm saying is I just don't feel comfortable driving girly looking cars... Not a troll post at all.I'd rather have bland than something that makes you look like a homo (que the "I'm comfortable in my sexuality" replies), basically. Still looking at the reply I guess I'm the only one who thinks this. Hey ho....
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 15th October 17:02
I don't care what people think of me, so I drive what I like. I could afford a much "better" car that my old elise, but it suits me just fine.
Same goes for my family car, which is a Mondeo. Its 10 year old, and has 1 steel wheel and 3 alloys, but its a nice car to drive, and is a decent work horse. I will change it when it stops working, or I need something different.
Same goes for my family car, which is a Mondeo. Its 10 year old, and has 1 steel wheel and 3 alloys, but its a nice car to drive, and is a decent work horse. I will change it when it stops working, or I need something different.
martin84 said:
Can you define a 'homo' car please? I am curious - not that sort of curious...i mean...oh god its all gone wrong.
Well stuff like beetles with flowers on the dash, pug 206cc, streetka's and that type of thing really.Mx5s and pumas are girly rather than gay. Although I do think minis are gay... Especially convertible ones!
TameRacingDriver said:
Well stuff like beetles with flowers on the dash, pug 206cc, streetka's and that type of thing really.
Mx5s and pumas are girly rather than gay. Although I do think minis are gay... Especially convertible ones!
I saw a Citroen Saxo in pink the other day, pink seats, pink steering wheel, pink wheel trims etc as well. Now either thats a really girly girl, a really girly boy or (and this i feel is most likely) a woman who wanted to make sure her boyfriend never borrowed her car again.Mx5s and pumas are girly rather than gay. Although I do think minis are gay... Especially convertible ones!
98elise said:
I don't care what people think of me, so I drive what I like. I could afford a much "better" car that my old elise, but it suits me just fine.
Same goes for my family car, which is a Mondeo. Its 10 year old, and has 1 steel wheel and 3 alloys, but its a nice car to drive, and is a decent work horse. I will change it when it stops working, or I need something different.
Nowt wrong with your cars though.Same goes for my family car, which is a Mondeo. Its 10 year old, and has 1 steel wheel and 3 alloys, but its a nice car to drive, and is a decent work horse. I will change it when it stops working, or I need something different.
Elise screams petrol head to me, and mondeo is a very good steer for a practical car.
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