# Let's draw superficial conclusions about people based on their cars. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 25, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466 "2014-08-25T17:10:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/81 "2014-08-28T15:36:12Z")
I used to walk to a mall every day, and my route went past two church parking lots. One Sunday, I did a count. Asian-make cars were about twice as likely to be parked at the mall, as in the church lots, and American-make cars were twice as likely to be in church parking lots, as at the mall. Sample size, maybe 200 cars. This led me to conclude, assuming that 200 is a valid sample, that there is a strong correlation between regular church attendance and owning a domestic car. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/82 "2014-08-28T15:39:07Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > This led me to conclude, assuming that 200 is a valid sample, that there is a strong correlation between regular church attendance and owning a domestic car. Church attendees tend to be older, more culturally conservative and poorer than daytime mall traffic. I see nothing too surprising here. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/83 "2014-08-28T15:43:38Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > This led me to conclude, assuming that 200 is a valid sample, that there is a strong correlation between regular church attendance and owning a domestic car. Perhaps just because both correlate with being old? Which reminds me: Cadillac in the high school student parking lot - Grandma just died. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/84 "2014-08-28T15:57:20Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Subaru…I actually spend a lot of time driving in bad weather, and have the dents from at least 6 other people who don’t know how to. So you’ve seen my car, have you? > [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](#): > > Subaru: What’s the point of a car wash? It’ll just as dirty as it used to be after the drive home. Man, everybody’s seen my car! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/85 "2014-08-28T16:33:20Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Nobody’s mentioned mine yet, and I’m not sure if I want to know. 80’s panel van: I’m not permitted within 1000 feet of any school, or playground. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/86 "2014-08-28T16:58:59Z")
VW Beetle - I love cute little baby kitten videos too. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/87 "2014-08-28T17:46:52Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > 80’s panel van: I’m not permitted within 1000 feet of any school, or playground. Bingo. And hey man, you wanna buy some speakers? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/88 "2014-08-28T18:24:51Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Church attendees tend to be older, more culturally conservative and poorer than daytime mall traffic. I see nothing too surprising here. I didn’t say it was surprising, I implied that it is a conclusion that can be drawn from the kinds of cars people drive, which is, I believe, on-topic. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/89 "2014-08-28T18:29:11Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Or just gay. > Corvette - an asshole slowly losing his hair > > Subaru Forester with 2 or more ladies in it – lesbians Hey!I drive a Corvette, and my hair is just fine, thank you very much! (Of course, I shave my husband’s head every other day to keep the horseshoe from standing out.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/90 "2014-08-28T18:32:09Z")
I’ve never met a Hummer owner/prospective owner that I didn’t want to punch in the face. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/91 "2014-08-28T18:41:51Z")
What if you own multiple vehicles that seem to, based on comments so far in this thread, be at cross purposes? My garage has a Subaru Outback, and a Porsche Boxster. Also own a 23 year old Mitsubishi pick-up that I paid $800 for. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/92 "2014-08-28T18:47:30Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > What if you own multiple vehicles that seem to, based on comments so far in this thread, be at cross purposes? > > My garage has a Subaru Outback, and a Porsche Boxster. Also own a 23 year old Mitsubishi pick-up that I paid $800 for. Hi, [Sybil](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybil_%28book%29). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/93 "2014-08-28T18:51:41Z")
I have a dark -blue 4-door 1992 Taurus GL. I’ve sunk quite a bit of money into it in the last two years, to keep it running. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/94 "2014-08-28T18:58:11Z")
1992 Taurus GL: My ex-wife got the good car, along with the house and all the money, in the settlement. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/95 "2014-08-28T19:20:58Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I used to walk to a mall every day, and my route went past two church parking lots. One Sunday, I did a count. Asian-make cars were about twice as likely to be parked at the mall, as in the church lots, and American-make cars were twice as likely to be in church parking lots, as at the mall. Sample size, maybe 200 cars. > > This led me to conclude, assuming that 200 is a valid sample, that there is a strong correlation between regular church attendance and owning a domestic car. Nah, more like a correlation between driving an American car and frequent, fervent prayer. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/96 "2014-08-28T19:29:30Z")
> [@Beelzebubba](#): > > I like to think that my Mazdas (2012 CX-9 GT SUV and 2014 Mazda6 GT Sedan) say that I enjoy driving and I buy cars that are fun to drive! =) I looked at the Acura MDX and a few other ‘premium’ brand SUVs before buying the CX-9, but I liked the Mazda better. > > A lot of the ‘upscale’ brands just scream “douche-bag”… Preach on, brother. The most fun car I’ve ever owned was my 1996 Miata. Now that my faithful Accord is reaching the end of its life, I am filled with a lustful desire for a Mazda 3 sedan. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/97 "2014-08-28T23:10:36Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Subaru - sensible mundane who doesn’t need a Volvo nameplate to drive in a bad weather zone. Hey! I represent that comment! 😛 > [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Honda Accord: Sometimes, when we’re really feeling kinky, we leave the lights on. OMG, I can’t stop giggling! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/98 "2014-08-28T23:27:29Z")
Kia Soul - I’m growing sod on the roof, and I ordered a vanity plate that says KIA PET. This one’s from sad experience. Volvo - Volvos are really really dependable, but mine is the only exception to that. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2014, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/99 "2014-08-29T10:18:47Z")
Dodge Ram: No one told him the HEMI was invented in 1901; And perfected in 1972 with Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion, first known as the CVCC. CVCC is difficult to say, so today we call it the “Civic”. You may have heard of it. (From a conversation with an auto mechanic. Hopefully the experts here can confirm this) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466/100 "2014-08-29T14:29:11Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Kia Soul - I’m growing sod on the roof, and I ordered a vanity plate that says KIA PET. > > This one’s from sad experience. > Volvo - Volvos are really really dependable, but mine is the only exception to that. In Esperanto, \* Kia \* means “What kind of” or “What a…!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-draw-superficial-conclusions-about-people-based-on-their-cars/696466.md?page=6)