Your Car

You Will Be Judged By What You Drive

(Draft -- You are looking at an early draft of this topic. It has not yet been proofed, and it will now doubt be massaged many times over for context, grammar, and clarity)

I had once read a survey printed in a large National newspaper that concluded something to the effect that most Volvo drivers are Democrats while most Porsche drivers are Republican. Most Hummer drivers are Republicans, most SUV drivers are Republicans – but Democrat drive SUVs too, only the smaller foreign ones. Men who drive Miatas, Saturns, and Jeep Wranglers are often Gay. Likewise for women who drive Ford F150 pickups.

Then there are the less scientific stereotyping done on some cars – like old people drive Buicks, “punks and Gangstas” drive 2-door Acuras with the 5” coffee can mufflers. Rappers and basketball players like to put on the Bling with Escalades and rednecks like diesel dually crew cab 1-tons.

While all of those stereotypes may or may not correct with the percentages of drivers to cars, one thing is for certain – what you drive does create as much of a first impression as how you dress.

If you drive an expensive and well cared for car – then the first impression many have of you is that you experience above average success. If you drive a cookie cutter and non-distinctive car – you will be thought of as an average Joe. Drive an old dented beater with Big Mac wrappers all over the floors – and you’ll be thought of as a slob.

Moreover, if you drive a Lincoln, Cadillac, Mercedes or Lexus four door – you give the first impression of conservative success. A BMW or Jaguar tells people you are a Yuppie. A Corvette or Viper says money who likes excitement. Pickup or Hummer says Outdoorsman as a first impression. An economy car gives people the impression you are cheap – not a bad impression if you are an accountant – but not the impression an executive will want to give.

Television plays to “the car says who the driver is” more than anything. Columbo drove a ratty old car and wore a wrinkled raincoat. The impression they wanted to give you was that he was a disorganized man – so you would be surprised in the end. On the old Dallas series – Jock Ewing drove a Lincoln Mark IV, which was a “Personal Luxury” car – usually driven by the people wanting to say “Hey look at me – I’m a rich Texan that takes no crap”. Bobby Ewing on the other hand drove a Mercedes 450SL (two seat convertible), which screamed “Rich Playboy”. JR Ewing originally drove the Top of the Line 4-door Mercedes that said “Rich Snob” – but later drove a Cadillac Allante (2-seat convertible) to soften his image a little. Miss Ellie drove an all white Volkswagen Cabriolet – which said “I’m an innocent sweet old lady”.

Movies are also like to help you get a quick impression of person. The cars that Joe Dirt, Ace Ventura, even Cheech and Chong drove helped you to quickly have an opinion of the person.

It works this way in life. The Impressions you give others goes a long way to how you will be treated. Cars give impressions. It makes sense to think hard about the impression you want to give others – and the types of cars you have noticed that those people drive. Then find a way to have a vehicle that gives the impression of you that you want others to have. At the very least – drive a car that is rust-free, dent-free, and clean inside and out. If you don’t care about what you drive – you will be thought of as a person who doesn’t care about details.