riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 Why do men define themselves by the kind of car they choose? Do you think it has anything to do with a sexual reference? Do you think women do this as much as men? What's the difference between the way the genders look at it? Just asking. -Rio
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I don't care what car I drive as long as it's functional. But I think men do. Mostly to make up for some kind of self-perceived inadequacy or covert insecurity.
Mz. Pixie Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I think that as a rule traditionally women are defined by their families and men are defined by their jobs.
alphamale Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 Why do men define themselves by the kind of car they choose? men like nice/fast/expensive cars because good-looking women like nice/fast/expensive cars.... Do you think it has anything to do with a sexual reference? No Do you think women do this as much as men? Yes, I consistently see attractive women driving nice/fast/expensive cars... What's the difference between the way the genders look at it? There isn't one. A nice car is a mobile status symbol. Period.
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 Actually, Alpha, I agree with your statements, in a general sense -but I see a shift in the choices of both genders (mainly, men) during particular life stages. For instance, -after divorce, it appears to be, mostly, men who go from the SUV to the sports car. (I realize it's normally the EW who winds up with the kids...therefore, she's still in need of the family-type vehicle.) Maybe it's just part of recovering a lost sense of esteem and confidence in, finally, being 'allowed' to own what they've always secretly dreamed of owning. And sure, hot vehicles always get second -and third- looks. There's nothing wrong with giving yourself something you've worked very hard for -and deserve. It's a 'boost' to the way you feel. But it's interesting how some of our purchases, especially with autos, do reflect on our idea of the kind of romantic life we're looking for. -Rio
alphamale Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 And sure, hot vehicles always get second -and third- looks. For the same reasons hot people get 2nd and 3rd looks. The human brain and eye love to look at attractive things. In addition, attractive "things" are expensive to get and expensive to keep.
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 (Smile) Yes, they are, Alpha. -Rio
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I think I disagree with you guys because I am in a markedly younger age bracket.
a4a Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I think I disagree with you guys because I am in a markedly younger age bracket. coffee spew!!!
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 b_o, you do have a point: it's much more important when the age range is around your age...it matters. -Rio
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 b_o, you do have a point: it's much more important when the age range is around your age...it matters. -Rio What can I say? I think cars are stupid. I think they serve a purpose nothing more, and that putting value on something that only depreciates in value is kind of wacked. House? hell yeah, status symbol. Land, property? Sure. A car, which is most likely leased and traded out, which does nothing but suck money and does not increase your net worth, not even amongst your tangible assets? Nah.
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 High school and college kids (guys, esp.) are all about what they drive. For example: the 'first car' excitement...but even if it's an old clunker they wind up with, the new owner (kid) will have it looking like something from Mars by the time they 'enhance' it a bit...speakers, stereo...you name it...they'll figure out a way to make the car define their personality...and, mainly, bearing in a sexual sense that it reflects their virility, masculinity, or assumed wish-to-be-attained 'powerful; gender status. -Rio
SmoochieFace Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 Blah... I think the *car as a status symbol* thingy is overrated. Seems like there is some overcompensating going on when people use their means of transportation as an ego-boosting prop.
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 High school and college kids (guys, esp.) are all about what they drive. For example: the 'first car' excitement...but even if it's an old clunker they wind up with, the new owner (kid) will have it looking like something from Mars by the time they 'enhance' it a bit...speakers, stereo...you name it...they'll figure out a way to make the car define their personality...and, mainly, bearing in a sexual sense that it reflects their virility, masculinity, or assumed wish-to-be-attained 'powerful; gender status. -Rio I'm just gonna have to disagree with you. This wasn't my experience in high school or college. I mean, it was great if someone actually had a car, but no one in my social circle cares what kind. Sorry. I don't see it. Haven't experienced it. Don't value it.
SmoochieFace Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 High school and college kids (guys, esp.) are all about what they drive. For example: the 'first car' excitement...but even if it's an old clunker they wind up with, the new owner (kid) will have it looking like something from Mars by the time they 'enhance' it a bit...speakers, stereo...you name it...they'll figure out a way to make the car define their personality...and, mainly, bearing in a sexual sense that it reflects their virility, masculinity, or assumed wish-to-be-attained 'powerful; gender status. -Rio That's a stereotype that doesn't apply to all guys.
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I personally think SUVs are horrible. Hello, global warming? The earth? I dunno man. I think it's pretty dumb.
Art_Critic Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 I drive an SUV B_O... A big one.. 3 rows of seating and guzzles gas... But I need one ... or at least I tell myself I do...
johan Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 men like nice/fast/expensive cars because good-looking women like nice/fast/expensive cars.... Correction: SOME men. The majority of guys I know who like cars, just like the cars. That's the one thing that has little to do with women. My ex never liked my Porsche, but I love it. I LOVE it. I wouldn't define it as either very nice or very fast, but I just really like the workmanship. It feels good to drive it. To corner in it. I love the sound the motor makes. I put down the windows in covered parking areas so I can really hear it. Fast maneuvers always made her feel sick. What a dilemma that was for me. I am a generalist: I have a sports car, an econobox car, and a 4x4 truck. But they don't define me. I chose them.
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 If I could get by without owning a car, I would. I don't like them. But I do own one, in order to get around.
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 I think men, especially, never outgrow their love of automobiles...it kind of gets easily transferred even into adulthood... Maybe it has as much to do with feeling/being a part of 'the club' -the rest of male society-...representing the male gender as a whole as it does with their sexual identity as an individual. -Rio
Author riobikini Posted April 11, 2006 Author Posted April 11, 2006 Does anyone here, think we, sometimes, equate the worth of a car to the human value of the person driving it? -Rio
blind_otter Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 Does anyone here, think we, sometimes, equate the worth of a car to the human value of the person driving it? -Rio I don't. But the car pod people probably do.
alphamale Posted April 11, 2006 Posted April 11, 2006 equate the worth of a car to the human value of the person driving it? of course....princess diana (RIP) being chauffered around in her Rolls has a much higher perceived value than ,say, some average joe tooling around town in his Korean made econobox.
Recommended Posts