What are your various car brand stereotypes?

[Grumpafrump]

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?

Yes, I think you are right that RR is probably usually used in reference to Rolls Royce (considering that’s actually their logo)!

I love these, I have a RR and promise you I'm not in any debt, I'm actually a good saver (and it's not on credit), I can park and I also let people out at junctions. I do get flashed at night though so I think the headlights are too highly aligned which probably makes people think I'm a dick but apparently I can't dip them any further. My DH has a volvo so hopefully that helps undo some of our bad PR!

Range Rover - knob end
BMW- drug dealer (fairly good one)
Skoda - substance over style
VW - boring middle class
Seat - previous raver now middle aged
Audi - a bit classy
renault/Citroen- can’t read car reviews
Nissan - can read car reviews
Toyota - can read and process car reviews
Lexus - well paid and well informed
Volvo - ditto
Ford - struggling teachers

Well in general you all think im a pretentious, knob head, drug dealing, wanker for owning my RR Sport Hybrid.

I think you;re all just jealous tbh. 😁

I have a Skoda Fabia. Which is basically a very good sound system attached to a couple of mopeds strapped together and given a roof. Perfect for playing Rammstein, not quite so good at keeping you warm in a northeaster. Because the engine is so tiny, it takes 20 minutes for the heating to come on. Also small enough to get into Grainger Town MCP without scraping the walls.

I drive a mini , and you're spot on....cool (or so I think), and don't give a shit 😛

@RobinRobinMouse spot on re Peugeot 🙂

@Ihateboris so does DH - he went from C Class to a Paceman and is like a 17 year old with an XR3 in 1988.

My father drives an Audi TT. He's 80. 😂

In my experience, the Honda Jazz is driven, by and large, by the elderly. A Ford Fusion for the 21st century, if you will. Male elderly drivers must wear flat caps and sit so they are barely peering over the steering wheel.

Audis and BMWs are the vehicle of choice for your everyday arrogant bad driver knobhead. A shame really, especially as both brands were once to be aspired to, a bit special. Now both just an everyman Executive car.

I think Volvo has yet to shake off its staid, sensible practical image. But the 145, 240, 260 and 700 estates were like houses on wheels. Do any police forces still use them ?

How can you find out whether you can fit a German car in your boot? By driving at the speed limit on the motorway.

I drive a Mazda 3, and I love it. Chose it because it had the sleekest, tidiest interior dashboard I'd seen in my price range.

I haven't seen anyone mention Mazda yet.

Skoda is Czech for 'it's a pity'.

White Range Rover- desperate social climber, horrible.
vauxhall Corsa-teenage boys
volvo, sensible middle aged person

My elderly neighbours have one, apparently it's easy for her to get into.

That surprises me - it's rather low.

@Johnduttonsbuttocks I think of Mazda as a kind of Japanese Audi these days, except without the negative connotations. Tech-driven, design focused, aiming for premium, not mainstream.

I still would love an RX-8 someday. Fascinating, unique and curiously beautiful things.

Sorry... some sort of Mazda. No idea which, probably a different model.

I’ve got a Volvo, I love it but I don’t think it’s a premium marque like Audi, BMW, Merc. I think it’s the next step down along with VW maybe

People who drive big cars like 4x4s and suvs are selfish.

I drive a Mercedes but is an old compact models which was discontinued probably because it wasn't flash enough for Mercedes! So I also probably make stereotypical judgements about Mercedes drivers!

That's interesting, I went from Audi to Volvo and found everything a level up. From the service in the dealership to the build quality of the car and the features that came with it. Have since had another Volvo, same model but new generation and I love it. Feel really safe in it, it works, it's comfortable, nippy when it needs to be and I can fit everything in it (including the obligatory lab!). Plus I think it looks really good, my model still turns my head, the equivalent Audi, BMW, Merc etc don't. Oh and price wise I think it was near enough on par with the others but our dealer worked some magic.

Will never understand the appeal of the the urban Range Rover, why buy a car that's in the garage so often and too big for a city/town?? My family have had the LR work horses of old but they're not what I'm talking about.

These observations are giving me a laugh, most are pretty much on the button!

I concur with all of these.

I tend to assume that a BMW or Audi is on finance, as well as anything with a plate less than three years old.

Driving a Mini just means you're someone who loves a fun car, but also values safety and lots of gimmicky gadgets with it 😄
I too drive a Mini! Owned lots of other cars previously, none of them have been a patch on the enjoyment of driving the Mini.

Minis are prestige cars.