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What are your various car brand stereotypes?

133 replies

Grumpafrump · 20/02/2023 12:24

Just that really. Was having a conversation about people’s perceptions of various car brands recently and found it interesting. The original conversation stemmed from a disagreement over whether Volvo is a premium brand or not; they weren’t when I was a child—they seemed to be mainly driven by university professors—but now they are quite expensive and also
nice inside. Does that make them premium, or is it more about the perception of the brand (for example, everyone acknowledges that Mercedes, Audi, BMW, RR, etc are premium) that is the defining factor? Is Tesla premium or just cutting edge tech?

OP posts:
Whoneedsleep · 20/02/2023 20:24

Surplus2requirements · 20/02/2023 18:18

...or pull you out of a snow drift

My Land Rover is shit in the snow! Maybe it’s broken 🤔 I own it to fill with dogs not drive over fields luckily but it’s useless!

I have an irrational hatred of Citroen and Peugeot. I see them and cheap and nasty for some reason despite never having owned one.

My VW has also been very unreliable. I must just have very bad luck with cars!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2023 20:29

Tesla. Owned by middleaged men in IT who identified with Marty McFly and still make comments about what would happen if they reached 88 miles per hour, but wouldn't dream of doing it.

Honda. Owned by middleaged network managers who just about manage to get to work 5 minutes late and sneak in through the back door carrying an empty toner box in case the boss sees them.

Alfa Romeo. Red. Owned by consultant plastic surgeons and C-suite women, recently divorced.

Mercs. Owned by people who want the world to know that they've made it. Thames barge sized ones, usually navy blue, by those with 4 children. The little ones that look top heavy, usually grey, owned by accountants with 2 small children.

Audi. Either insufficient money or insufficient children to warrant a Merc. Probably got a list of sales targets in the quilted laptop pouch on the passenger seat. The largest dark blue ones are owned by the CEO and CFO of the MAT that's just taken you over.

BMW. Twat. Probably that member of SLT who manages to never actually be caught doing some work.

Range Rover Evoque. Somebody who wants to be seen as edgy, a bit hard or is a five foot nothing, seven stone blonde whose husband didn't want her to get bullied when turning right into the carpark and dropping the kids off at football practice.

VW. If a splitty camper van, a married knob who thinks this is his identity. Still wishes he could spend another summer like the one he did on his gap year. If a Golf-type, it's the car the wife got when she complained that the other car was completely impractical for three kids and two labradors. If Passat type, a crunchie or godly mum with an ever increasing number of toddlers happily spreading measles around the area and carrying various instruments for worship practice. Never accept a lift unless you're prepared to remove fifteen books (five of which are bibles), two sweaters, one book bag and an inexplicable length of 2x4 from the passenger seat first.

Fiat 500s. Little old ladies enjoying their freedom, especially when obtained through Motorbility leasing. Frequently seen with eyelashes around the headlights. Probably had a Mini Cooper back in the day. Keep your distance, as they haven't told the optician that other people's cars just keep leaping out in front of them (stationary at the traffic lights) and the last time they saw a speed limit sign was sometime around 1997.

Honda Jazz. Little old men with Motorbility leases or youngsters on their first car where Mum and Dad agreed to buy one but refused to get something they might want to get themselves into trouble with.

Suzuki. Motorbility (Ignis) couple or just passed their test. Vitara. Bought by somebody who wanted a 4x4 but scared of being seen as a bit hard or subjected to a carjacking at the petrol station.

Toyota. What the Network Manager owned before he was made Manager. If 4x4 with pick up back, it's being driven to the nearest woodland with a bunch of volunteers in there to chop back feral laurel and Rhododendrons or the sound of clanking spanners and smell of sheep dip in the back is exactly that. If a Yaris and something hidous like burnt orange, it's the cheapest option on Motorbility.

Subaru. Absolute fucking knob who thinks that Fast and Furious movies are a legitimate lifestyle choice and, anyway, it's easy to drive like that and they could if they really wanted to, every Friday night in B&Q's carpark. Or a farmer who isn't doing too bad in the great scheme of things.

Volvo. Does not give a fuck. They want it to go three times around the sun and back, their children and dogs to be secure in their wheeled impregnable fortress, tow a caravan/horsebox larger than the footprint of a victorian terrace and be able to get out of the mud to go home after they've spent half term at their holiday home in the pissing rain.

Pearfacebananapoop · 20/02/2023 20:31

Starting with Volvo - I agree used to be old fashioned now some kind of middle class cool!
So -

Volvo - I'm middle class and can afford one
BMW - I'm funky and slightly aggressive and if I'm an old man driving a 5 series I'm an utter Twat
Mercedes - timeless elegance and even though some BMW traits may apply will always outclass
Audi - as above but not as good, slightly duller version
Land Rover - I have one because I can
Ford - my family have driven one since 1976 and I will continue to do so
Vauxhall - I couldn't quite afford a Ford
Kia - I brought it for the 7 year warranty then found out they get out of it I'm now begrudgingly disappointed with myself when they now cost as much as everything else
Hyundai - I have no taste but people tell me they are good so I brought one
Mini - I think I'm cool and I don't give a shit what you think

FloydPepper · 20/02/2023 20:47

declutteringmymind · 20/02/2023 19:44

Porsche = wanker

Harsh 😞

PointlessPoster · 20/02/2023 21:03

I drive a Ssangyong Rexton, if anyone has ever even heard of them! It's a pretty niche 4x4 and I definitely get judged but I love it a lot and I don't care what people think, I bought it to do a job and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a land rover.

icanneverthinkofnc · 20/02/2023 21:05

My DH wondered why I was giggling, I've just read some of the owner stereotyping..brilliant! 😅

SwedishEdith · 20/02/2023 21:07

I'm sure I read that Honda Jazzes (called Fit in the US and Japan) are boy racer cars in Japan.

What are your various car brand stereotypes?
Thesystemonlydreamsintotaldarkness · 20/02/2023 21:28

We have a dacia. Bought new about 7 years ago for £7 k and still going lol

Rinkydinkydoodle · 20/02/2023 21:31

I have driven Volvos for 25 years. I like quality scruff you can fit an impromptu wardrobe in. The styling seems to have got quite flash recently and the demographic I see driving them now has changed a bit. Fewer Barbours and wellies/ portable junkyards. I can’t imagine the super put-together glamorous mums at our school in an old 950. When I was young Volvos were seen as boring and a bit worthy.

A That said, if I won the lottery I’d just buy a slightly newer old Volvo😂

Rinkydinkydoodle · 20/02/2023 21:35

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2023 20:29

Tesla. Owned by middleaged men in IT who identified with Marty McFly and still make comments about what would happen if they reached 88 miles per hour, but wouldn't dream of doing it.

Honda. Owned by middleaged network managers who just about manage to get to work 5 minutes late and sneak in through the back door carrying an empty toner box in case the boss sees them.

Alfa Romeo. Red. Owned by consultant plastic surgeons and C-suite women, recently divorced.

Mercs. Owned by people who want the world to know that they've made it. Thames barge sized ones, usually navy blue, by those with 4 children. The little ones that look top heavy, usually grey, owned by accountants with 2 small children.

Audi. Either insufficient money or insufficient children to warrant a Merc. Probably got a list of sales targets in the quilted laptop pouch on the passenger seat. The largest dark blue ones are owned by the CEO and CFO of the MAT that's just taken you over.

BMW. Twat. Probably that member of SLT who manages to never actually be caught doing some work.

Range Rover Evoque. Somebody who wants to be seen as edgy, a bit hard or is a five foot nothing, seven stone blonde whose husband didn't want her to get bullied when turning right into the carpark and dropping the kids off at football practice.

VW. If a splitty camper van, a married knob who thinks this is his identity. Still wishes he could spend another summer like the one he did on his gap year. If a Golf-type, it's the car the wife got when she complained that the other car was completely impractical for three kids and two labradors. If Passat type, a crunchie or godly mum with an ever increasing number of toddlers happily spreading measles around the area and carrying various instruments for worship practice. Never accept a lift unless you're prepared to remove fifteen books (five of which are bibles), two sweaters, one book bag and an inexplicable length of 2x4 from the passenger seat first.

Fiat 500s. Little old ladies enjoying their freedom, especially when obtained through Motorbility leasing. Frequently seen with eyelashes around the headlights. Probably had a Mini Cooper back in the day. Keep your distance, as they haven't told the optician that other people's cars just keep leaping out in front of them (stationary at the traffic lights) and the last time they saw a speed limit sign was sometime around 1997.

Honda Jazz. Little old men with Motorbility leases or youngsters on their first car where Mum and Dad agreed to buy one but refused to get something they might want to get themselves into trouble with.

Suzuki. Motorbility (Ignis) couple or just passed their test. Vitara. Bought by somebody who wanted a 4x4 but scared of being seen as a bit hard or subjected to a carjacking at the petrol station.

Toyota. What the Network Manager owned before he was made Manager. If 4x4 with pick up back, it's being driven to the nearest woodland with a bunch of volunteers in there to chop back feral laurel and Rhododendrons or the sound of clanking spanners and smell of sheep dip in the back is exactly that. If a Yaris and something hidous like burnt orange, it's the cheapest option on Motorbility.

Subaru. Absolute fucking knob who thinks that Fast and Furious movies are a legitimate lifestyle choice and, anyway, it's easy to drive like that and they could if they really wanted to, every Friday night in B&Q's carpark. Or a farmer who isn't doing too bad in the great scheme of things.

Volvo. Does not give a fuck. They want it to go three times around the sun and back, their children and dogs to be secure in their wheeled impregnable fortress, tow a caravan/horsebox larger than the footprint of a victorian terrace and be able to get out of the mud to go home after they've spent half term at their holiday home in the pissing rain.

uncannily accurate! Just sent this to my Brownie leader mate who owns a Passat😂😂

elm26 · 20/02/2023 21:38

My dream car at 18/19 was a Range Rover. Until I met my boss and his wife.

New money, think they're better than everybody else, snobby. Now I don't look twice at them on the roads.

I have a Mercedes A Class and wouldn't recommend, it's cost us hundreds in repairs in the 2 years that we've had it.

Best car I had was my old Vauxhall Astra, lasted me 4 years and was 5 years old when we got it.

I love Volvos, that'll probably be our next car.

tuppatea · 20/02/2023 21:42

I'm an engineer and I drive a Volvo.

I'd like a Mustang and will buy one someday when the children have scuttled.

I love my Volvo, it's very comfortable and it's a lovely colour. My favourite ever car was my first Ford Focus. Best wee car and I cried when he blew up - the cost of fixing him was more than he was worth. Sad

Whichwhatnow · 21/02/2023 09:49

HundredMilesAnHour · 20/02/2023 19:54

What kind of drug dealer drives a Kia???! 😂

Unsuccessful ones? 😆

NeverDropYourMooncup · 21/02/2023 10:03

Whichwhatnow · 21/02/2023 09:49

Unsuccessful ones? 😆

It's their Nan's Motorbility car. As if stopping by three people rattling their nuts off on a street corner and being given money makes them invisible when in a Kia.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 21/02/2023 10:11

Subarus, boy racers.

BMW drug dealers.

Certain types of Audis (TTS etc) seem to be driven by younger single men and got rid of once they have a family.

I do like Alfas though only as I’ve seen a few nice ones one of my first boyfriends drove one years ago (he also had 2 MGs).

Blueberrywitch · 21/02/2023 10:17

I find Mercedes tacky but becoming trendy again due to 80s/90s aesthetic

Volvos are also sexy and the equivalent of a celine handbag in my eyes, well heeled but not in your face about it

Audis are fabulous to drive but are a bit boring now - maybe they haven’t changed it up in a while? Similar to BMW, just nothing exciting happening there.

Blueberrywitch · 21/02/2023 10:21

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2023 20:29

Tesla. Owned by middleaged men in IT who identified with Marty McFly and still make comments about what would happen if they reached 88 miles per hour, but wouldn't dream of doing it.

Honda. Owned by middleaged network managers who just about manage to get to work 5 minutes late and sneak in through the back door carrying an empty toner box in case the boss sees them.

Alfa Romeo. Red. Owned by consultant plastic surgeons and C-suite women, recently divorced.

Mercs. Owned by people who want the world to know that they've made it. Thames barge sized ones, usually navy blue, by those with 4 children. The little ones that look top heavy, usually grey, owned by accountants with 2 small children.

Audi. Either insufficient money or insufficient children to warrant a Merc. Probably got a list of sales targets in the quilted laptop pouch on the passenger seat. The largest dark blue ones are owned by the CEO and CFO of the MAT that's just taken you over.

BMW. Twat. Probably that member of SLT who manages to never actually be caught doing some work.

Range Rover Evoque. Somebody who wants to be seen as edgy, a bit hard or is a five foot nothing, seven stone blonde whose husband didn't want her to get bullied when turning right into the carpark and dropping the kids off at football practice.

VW. If a splitty camper van, a married knob who thinks this is his identity. Still wishes he could spend another summer like the one he did on his gap year. If a Golf-type, it's the car the wife got when she complained that the other car was completely impractical for three kids and two labradors. If Passat type, a crunchie or godly mum with an ever increasing number of toddlers happily spreading measles around the area and carrying various instruments for worship practice. Never accept a lift unless you're prepared to remove fifteen books (five of which are bibles), two sweaters, one book bag and an inexplicable length of 2x4 from the passenger seat first.

Fiat 500s. Little old ladies enjoying their freedom, especially when obtained through Motorbility leasing. Frequently seen with eyelashes around the headlights. Probably had a Mini Cooper back in the day. Keep your distance, as they haven't told the optician that other people's cars just keep leaping out in front of them (stationary at the traffic lights) and the last time they saw a speed limit sign was sometime around 1997.

Honda Jazz. Little old men with Motorbility leases or youngsters on their first car where Mum and Dad agreed to buy one but refused to get something they might want to get themselves into trouble with.

Suzuki. Motorbility (Ignis) couple or just passed their test. Vitara. Bought by somebody who wanted a 4x4 but scared of being seen as a bit hard or subjected to a carjacking at the petrol station.

Toyota. What the Network Manager owned before he was made Manager. If 4x4 with pick up back, it's being driven to the nearest woodland with a bunch of volunteers in there to chop back feral laurel and Rhododendrons or the sound of clanking spanners and smell of sheep dip in the back is exactly that. If a Yaris and something hidous like burnt orange, it's the cheapest option on Motorbility.

Subaru. Absolute fucking knob who thinks that Fast and Furious movies are a legitimate lifestyle choice and, anyway, it's easy to drive like that and they could if they really wanted to, every Friday night in B&Q's carpark. Or a farmer who isn't doing too bad in the great scheme of things.

Volvo. Does not give a fuck. They want it to go three times around the sun and back, their children and dogs to be secure in their wheeled impregnable fortress, tow a caravan/horsebox larger than the footprint of a victorian terrace and be able to get out of the mud to go home after they've spent half term at their holiday home in the pissing rain.

Amazing 😂😂

Whichwhatnow · 21/02/2023 10:25

NeverDropYourMooncup · 21/02/2023 10:03

It's their Nan's Motorbility car. As if stopping by three people rattling their nuts off on a street corner and being given money makes them invisible when in a Kia.

😆

For some reason many drug deals take place directly outside my flat bedroom window. Last week there was a guy with two child seats in his Kia dealing to a guy who was rattling.

And there I was thinking drug dealing was glamorous.

cravingtoblerone · 21/02/2023 10:28

Not sure I agree re: German cars. We have an elderly VW Golf, used to belong to FIL and got passed to us. About 15 years old and it's still going strong - only requiring usual wear and tear type maintenance. Wouldn't be surprised if we got another 5 years out of it.

tartlets · 21/02/2023 10:30

I drive a Dacia, I tend to think of other Dacia drivers as sensible, frugal types- ones that would much rather darn a hole in a good quality old wool jumper than buy something on SHEIN.

Anyone that drives a RR Evoque cannot park and is probably is significant debt.

Anyone with an Arval number plate- company car, beware, they don't give a fuck who they smash into.

BMW's- I think it's all been said already? Something impregnated into the seats that activates the 'twat' gene??

Corsa- boy racer

Fiesta- boy racer with a job

VW Tiguan- farmers wife fed up with driving a battered Hilux covered in sheep dip, threatened to leave, was provided with overpowered automatic all-wheel drive which is claimed back as capital expenditure through the books. Often repaired using baler twine and gaffer tape until said wife realises and takes it to the dealership. Scary when flying round country lanes.

Volvo's are good sensible family cars, solid and reliable; probably involved a spreadsheet in the buying decision.

Most merc's are leased so they've lost their status symbol.

Anyone driving a Zafira with any sort of bodykit regrets having so many kids.

cravingtoblerone · 21/02/2023 10:31

Also, I live in Essex and there's a ridiculous number of Chelsea tractors here. It's one of the flattest counties in the country - nobody needs and effing 4x4 to manage the terrain of Braintree Freeport! 🙄

ErrolTheDragon · 21/02/2023 10:47

cravingtoblerone · 21/02/2023 10:28

Not sure I agree re: German cars. We have an elderly VW Golf, used to belong to FIL and got passed to us. About 15 years old and it's still going strong - only requiring usual wear and tear type maintenance. Wouldn't be surprised if we got another 5 years out of it.

VW is perhaps the exception to German cars nowadays - it's not a 'premium' brand, it's still literally the 'people's car', to some extent, it's not flashy so it's generally in the 'sensible' category.

RobinRobinMouse · 21/02/2023 10:50

For me the stereotypes are as follows, but I do know this doesn't apply to all and is very unreasonable and likely just plain wrong. I'm not into cars really.

BMW - Hedgehog joke applies
Audi- speeders and often those with broken indicators
Land Rover - rurally =farmers/country folk, urban =flashy folks using them for the school run
Ford/Peugeot/Honda- down to earth types who just want to go from a to b
Fiat 500s (specifically) - those who don't enjoy parking.
Mini- practical but slightly fashionable conscious people
Skoda = nowadays its for the middle to older age person who just wants something safe
Volvo - very sensible safety first people, a bit dull maybe.
Citroën ds = trying to be cool
Rover = old money who have had the car forever given they aren't made anymore
Renault - mainly a family brand

These are a bit unkind however I don't believe most people are like this, it's just what springs to mind. I suppose this is why stereotyping is generally not a great idea.

Yarrawonga · 21/02/2023 10:56

Beat up Land Rover: lovely. Old school guy

One of the things that attracted me to my husband was his beaten up old Land Rover.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 21/02/2023 11:06

I always assumed RR was Rolls Royce not Range Rover.
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (flash and a bit vulgar) were bought by working class blokes made good (an upgrade from their previous Mk2 Jag).

The Bentley equivalent (T series) much more likely to be old money.

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