# Can Driving a Too-Sporty Car Make You Look Like a Tool? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 17, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482 "2009-09-17T19:37:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/81 "2009-09-18T20:19:04Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Here is the question. When people look at you in your car, do they see a successfull man enjoying the fruits of his labor? Or do they see a douchebag who is trying to impress people with his toys? It’s going to depend a lot on who you are, what you do for a living, where you live, what you look like and who your friends are. > > Also keep in mind that if you are driving a $90,000 sports car, the kinds of people who are going to think you are a tool are probably people you don’t give a shit about anyway. Totally depends on how he drives it. If he revs the engine so he can pull in front of me, cut me off, and then slow down = Tool. If he drives like he friggin’ knows how to drive = not so much. I come from the midwest (where I live and what I do are irrelevant, as is my appearance and friends) and was raised at the race track, where my dad raced motorcycles. I’ve been hanging out with gearheads and race car drivers my entire life. I can tell the difference (from the way someone drives) between more-money-than-brains vs. skilled driver. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/82 "2009-09-18T21:11:54Z")
Y’know, screw this performance car thing. Get a classic 50’s pickup, and command real respect. Plus you can haul stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/83 "2009-09-18T21:46:55Z")
> [@ianjohnson](#): > > The problem with the Porsche is that in movies and TV it is the archetypal “rich asshole” car. If he has money, blond hair, a sweater around his neck and is trying to get your girl, then chances are he drives a Porsche too. Most likely a 911. [Steff](http://www.imcdb.org/images/002/554.jpg) getting out of his car in _Pretty in Pink._ Yes, it’s a 911. ---
**Author:** ![Discipline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Discipline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discipline)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/84 "2009-09-18T22:02:01Z")
This: > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > To the OP: just nix the convertible top. Instead of a Boxster, get a Porsche Cayman. Plus this: > [@msmith537](#): > > Also keep in mind that if you are driving a $90,000 sports car, the kinds of people who are going to think you are a tool are probably people you don’t give a shit about anyway. Should equal the exact opposite of this: > [@stuthehistoryguy](#): > > I saw a guy in a Porsche yesterday. Said Porsche was stalled in the driveway of a gas station, \*\*hood \*\*up, with the owner (a young, neatly-coiffed, “bro”-looking guy) quizzically trying to discern the problem. Bro also had a cast on his hand. I’d like to think most people who know me don’t think I’m a tool for driving [this](http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ubp7v9RlV2hL-uVIgwPhGQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCP790cOTwP7FsQE&feat=directlink), maybe because I balance it out with [this](http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WrjQYHOMiSrWNaWXDQYYw?authkey=Gv1sRgCP790cOTwP7FsQE&feat=directlink), but I am the sort of ass who posts pictures of his car on message boards - so they probably do. Guess how much I care. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/85 "2009-09-18T22:56:35Z")
> [@Serenata67](#): > > Classic cars are the way to go. My father in law just bought an early 80s Corvette and is fixing it up. The first midlife crisis car he bought was an 09 Celica, traded it in, bought an 05 Subaru SRX, sold it and now has the Corvette he always wanted. He actually bought a 2009 Toyota Celica? My husband would love to get an updated Celica, but as far as I can tell, they don’t exist yet. As for the OP, Jim calls the next car he wants to get his “Midlife Crisismobile.” 😃 He is well-aware of what he might look like driving it around, but he doesn’t care. He wants a sports car, and if we can afford it, he’ll get one. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/86 "2009-09-19T00:53:54Z")
Buy what makes you feel good and forget the rest. I was a single father raising two boys and taking care of my mother at the same time. Not a bad life but 15 years of responsibility without much reward. I drove beat up old VW’s and crap cars and always dreamed of what I would do ‘someday’. When the boys were in high school and mom went to live with my sister, I married again. My new wife encouraged me to no longer wait to get what I want, but to do it now. One day we saw a beautiful blue 2002 Pontiac Trans Am, a car I always wanted, in mint condition. We stopped to look at it and all the way home I kept talking myself out of buying it, and she just listened. By noon the next day she came by my work place with preapproval from our bank and we went to get the car. Got a great deal, it now has it’s own little garage. This is how you tell if your wife loves you. The payments ended up being about $200 per month, same as for a beat up old Toyota. When I drive it I feel soo good I wish the drive was longer. Kids at the gas station oooh and aaah. I go to car shows and have entered a few and won a few. It is impossible to drive the car and feel bad at the same time. And yes, sometimes the T-tops are off and the Def Leppard is blasting out. …And I don’t care. Maybe they are calling me a ‘tool’ , but all I hear is ‘cool’. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/87 "2009-09-19T01:02:46Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > Buy what makes you feel good and forget the rest. > > I was a single father raising two boys and taking care of my mother at the same time. Not a bad life but 15 years of responsibility without much reward. I drove beat up old VW’s and crap cars and always dreamed of what I would do ‘someday’. > > When the boys were in high school and mom went to live with my sister, I married again. > > My new wife encouraged me to no longer wait to get what I want, but to do it now. One day we saw a beautiful blue 2002 Pontiac Trans Am, a car I always wanted, in mint condition. We stopped to look at it and all the way home I kept talking myself out of buying it, and she just listened. > > By noon the next day she came by my work place with preapproval from our bank and we went to get the car. Got a great deal, it now has it’s own little garage. This is how you tell if your wife loves you. The payments ended up being about $200 per month, same as for a beat up old Toyota. > > When I drive it I feel soo good I wish the drive was longer. Kids at the gas station oooh and aaah. I go to car shows and have entered a few and won a few. It is impossible to drive the car and feel bad at the same time. And yes, sometimes the T-tops are off and the Def Leppard is blasting out. …And I don’t care. > > Maybe they are calling me a ‘tool’ , but all I hear is ‘cool’. There’s your answer. Close the thread now, we’ve sorted it out. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/88 "2009-09-19T01:04:19Z")
Pictures of car. [![](https://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u90/ghardester/0516091604a-1.jpg) ](https://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u90/ghardester/0516091604a-1.jpg) [![](https://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u90/ghardester/IMG_0848.jpg) ](https://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u90/ghardester/IMG_0848.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/89 "2009-09-19T01:51:36Z")
Yes, when I see an old bald guy driving a sportscar, I think “tool.” If he has a hat on, I’m fine with it. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/90 "2009-09-19T01:56:41Z")
What I don’t get is - when you’re young you probably want some badass $60k sports car, so why is it toolish to just continue that desire into adulthood but then finally have the means? Are you a tool if you buy the house you’ve always wanted too with a nice big pool? ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/91 "2009-09-19T02:10:38Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > What I don’t get is - when you’re young you probably want some badass $60k sports car, so why is it toolish to just continue that desire into adulthood but then finally have the means? When you’re young, you don’t want the car, you want to get laid. Getting the car is the means to the end. When you are older, assuming you are married, getting a sportscar to get laid is just gross. > [@SenorBeef](#): > > Are you a tool if you buy the house you’ve always wanted too with a nice big pool? Buying a house -\> Taking care of the family. Buying a family car -\> Taking care of the family. Buying a sportscar -\> Trying to get laid. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/92 "2009-09-19T02:12:14Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days, after I’ve won the lottery/gotten a fat book contract/collected an inheritance, I’m going to buy a convertible of some kind. Preferably a two-seater coupe. Something like [this](http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/I/S/2007_pontiac_solstice_gxp.jpg) or [this](http://www.zcars.com.au/images/2009-bmw-z4-coupe-roadster22.jpg) or even [this](http://porscheboxter.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/porsche_boxter_frontangle_highright_red.jpg). > > Mrs. Homie is having none of it. She says that I’d look like a middle-aged man who’s trying to overcompensate for a small dick, and that I’d look like a tool. > > I contend that if I’m buying the ride because I enjoy driving it, what difference does it make? > > What say you, Dopers? Does a middle-aged guy driving a sporty coupe make you think “Tool”? No, and people who think that _by itself_ a “middle-aged guy driving a sporty coupe” is a tool either have a serious inferiority complex or else are just assholes. FTR, my **Fierra** owns a 1-year old shiny Corvette with all the options, 436hp, open exhaust bypass option, heads-up display, 1G handling, the works. And she even lets me drive it; when I do I feel like I’m Queen of the Road.\* And everyone else can kiss my ass too when I drive it. We studied hard, worked our asses off, and deserve it. - Sure, I’m the old person driving 44mph in a 45mph zone in the badass car, whatever. It’s like Mr. Myagi said: “You learn karate so you _don’t_ need to fight.” ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Harley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Race\_Harley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Harley)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/93 "2009-09-19T02:24:16Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days, after I’ve won the lottery/gotten a fat book contract/collected an inheritance, I’m going to buy a convertible of some kind. Preferably a two-seater coupe. Something like [this](http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/I/S/2007_pontiac_solstice_gxp.jpg) or [this](http://www.zcars.com.au/images/2009-bmw-z4-coupe-roadster22.jpg) or even [this](http://porscheboxter.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/porsche_boxter_frontangle_highright_red.jpg). > > Mrs. Homie is having none of it. She says that I’d look like a middle-aged man who’s **trying to overcompensate for a small dick** , and that I’d look like a tool. > > I contend that if I’m buying the ride because I enjoy driving it, what difference does it make? > > What say you, Dopers? Does a middle-aged guy driving a sporty coupe make you think “Tool”? So, what type of car are you looking to get after the divorce? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/94 "2009-09-19T02:26:17Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > When you’re young, you don’t want the car, you want to get laid. Getting the car is the means to the end. When you are older, assuming you are married, getting a sportscar to get laid is just gross. So you can’t get a cool car because you like cool cars? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/95 "2009-09-19T02:42:15Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > You know that song that goes “_Boys like girls, girls like cars and money_”? Man, did I get to experience that up close and personal one night when I took a friend’s car in order to replace a tail light bulb and pick up some grub at the local Burger King. Her car is a dark green BMW convertible, similar to pic 2 in your OP. I’ve never been smiled at so much by attractive women in my life! (I’m 60 now, btw, and was around 58 at the time.) At almost every stop light or just cruisin’ down the boulevard, women – and sometimes even couples – smiled, nodded and sometimes even asked me how I was doin’. Cute little 18-year-old girl at the Burger King drive-through smiled and smiled and made sure I knew she put extra salt and ketchup in my bag. > > All in all, quite a positive experience! I wouldn’t care less what people might think if I were you. In all likelihood, middle-age fuddy-duddies will think you’re a tool, and hot young and thirtyish women will think you’re cool. Your wife probably knows this, too – hence the dick-compensation argument 😉 (And I would point out that while keeping your marriage secure and happy may well be an overriding argument against buying such a car, I’m just pointing out that I wouldn’t decide against it based on what other people might think.) These words are wise! When I was a teen-35er, if I saw even an old man in a hot car, I would be envious. If he was a dork w/a combover, I would say he was a dork w/a combover, and he must have more on the ball than me, so I would wish that I was him. When I realized that i was a true loser, that was when I would resort to calling them tools. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/96 "2009-09-19T02:48:36Z")
One final word from me, in re an earlier post on owning classics; I say, buy rich new and hot over old classics. What young babe cares about vintage cars? They don’t even know what a 57 Bel Air is, let alone a 67 Camaro. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/97 "2009-09-19T03:00:02Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > So you can’t get a cool car because you like cool cars? If the cool car is cool because it takes care of your family, I’ve got no problem with it. If the cool car was purchased as a pussy magnet, I think that person is a tool. If the car was purchased because a 50 year old is fulfilling a dream they had when they were 17, they’re a tool. If you collect cars, you’re not a tool. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/98 "2009-09-19T03:23:43Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > If the car was purchased because a 50 year old is fulfilling a dream they had when they were 17, they’re a tool. I believe it was no less a light than Hugh Hefner who defined success as the achievement of one’s childhood dreams. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/99 "2009-09-19T03:59:14Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > If the car was purchased because a 50 year old is fulfilling a dream they had when they were 17, they’re a tool. > > If you collect cars, you’re not a tool. So when exactly are we supposed to give up on our dreams? I believe I was 9 when I first dreamed about getting a convertible sports car… is this better or worse? You do realize that every collection begins with one don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482/100 "2009-09-19T04:13:32Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > So when exactly are we supposed to give up on our dreams? When you’re in the grave, and not a minute sooner. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-driving-a-too-sporty-car-make-you-look-like-a-tool/510482.md?page=6)