Public opinion, especially when it comes to cars can be strong. Sometimes those opinions form stereotypes that are either weird or unfounded based solely on well, opinion. The only way one can discover the truth behind the look, is experience the vehicle for themselves.
We asked readers what cars they thought had the weirdest stereotypes. These were their answers.
Everyone says Saab drivers are architects, but I’ve owned 7, and I’m far too dumb to be an architect.
Architects are just one of many hipster-type stereotypes associated with Saab drivers.
Submitted by: Kyle Carlsen (Facebook)
Wrangler drives never go off-roading despite having their vehicles bedazzled with any of the following: A lift kit, massive knobby tires, a recovery jack and/or a shovel mounted to their exterior, and electric winch on the bumper, lights or light bars everywhere, an aggressive brush guard, a snorkel, somewhere to attach jerry cans, brightly painted shackles/tow hooks, cargo netting everywhere.
Submitted by: Kaiser Khan
Every hybrid car comes with “save the earth” bumper stickers, the radio is pre tuned to NPR and is governed to go 10 mph UNDER the speed limit.
Submitted by: Noah Jacob (Facebook)
Owners of old Mercedes wagons are the wealthiest people in a given area.
This one is true to a certain point. In an interview with Motor Trend back in 2014, E-Class product manager Joe Stauble said E-Class estate owners have a median income of $375,000.
Submitted by: INTERROBANG
Try driving a Prius. no matter how you drive it, people are constantly going “ugh, slow car” and cutting you off. You actually have to drive aggressively to keep it from happening.
Submitted by: Luke Wollam (Facebook)
That every V6 Mustang or Camaro (especially ones from the ‘80s-’90s) were driven by secretaries and dental hygienists. I heard that one a lot reading car magazines.
If you’re unfamiliar with the history of the Mustang, it was initially introduced as a secretary’s car. So part of that is true. However, that marketing quickly disappeared when the masses discovered the power behind the boat anchor of an engine. If anything, the last decade has shown that V6 pony cars were nothing to sneeze at. They made the same or more power as their V8 counterparts from years prior, all the while being smaller and more fuel efficient.
Suggested by: dbeach84
I had a VW Rabbit convertible. Everyone called it a “chick car”. Had to tinker with that crapcan almost daily. The kind of women who would be capable of that kind of regular maintenance would beat you senseless for referring to them as “chicks”.
Suggested by: Swiss Family Bitchypants
If there is a correlation between the LGBTQ community and Subaru, it may stem from Subaru’s advertising. Subaru was one of the first companies to feature same sex couples in its advertising in the 1990s.
Submitted by: Unacceptably Dry Scones
Corvettes. Owned by old retired guys that only wear Tommy Bahama shirts, New Balance sneakers and jorts.
Okay, stereotypes do exist for a reason I guess..
I mean...this one is widely known. And true. In 2019 the average age of Corvette buyers reached 61 years old. However, the new mid-engine C8 has helped to bring in more “youthful” customers.
Submitted by: Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
That stereotype that BMW drivers don’t use their turn signals is total bullshit. I have two BMWs and use my signals at least a few times per year...
In all seriousness, driving in the NYC area, most cars do not use their turn signals because it is providing intel for the enemy. I use my signals even if there is nobody else nearby but fortunately, one of my BMWs is very tall (X5) and the other is very fast and loud (M5) so I usually don’t have trouble merging even as an avid signal user.
Submitted by: oddseth