The OP wrote …
I live in a very liberal college town that’s something of a hippie haven. Volvos, especially 740 and V70 wagons, and “brick” 240 sedans and wagons, are EVERYWHERE, and true to form, they’re often covered in bumper stickers for various progressive causes and political candidates.
If you’re in your 50s or early 60s, and you’re either a dude with a beard and ponytail, or a garden lady with a shoulder-length mane of gray hair, there’s going to be a 240 wagon in your life. Hacky Sack or Lunastix enthusiast? 240. The more beat up and “authentic”, the more hippie cred it earns.
Also:
Subaru: around here, more popular than Volvos, but not as iconic. This town also has a very large lesbian community, and older Foresters and Outbacks are among their favorite vehicles.
Toyota Prius: Some overlap between the stereotypical Volvo driver, and progressive environmental-minded Generation Xers. I see a lot more women driving them than men. Had one as a rental once, and it was a rather interesting driving experience.
Pontiac: Redneck, lower middle class exurban/rural, or Canadian. Sunbirds and Sunfires and popular among … ahhhh, never mind. Personally, I like the G8, and late model GTOs (Holden Monaro) are underrated.
Mazda: Canadian. (“Mazzzz-duh”) Fun cars; I’d buy one.
Cadillac: Older middle-class Rust Belt residents, many of whom will top it off with a vinyl roof (see below). Also, very popular among Italian-Americans in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
Any car with a vinyl roof: elderly resident of suburban Detroit, Cleveland or Buffalo. They still think the look is “classy”.
Saab: Non-conformist, but not too much. A bit of an enthusiast. They probably would have considered a Peugeot or Citroen if they were still sold in the US. Most Saab drivers I see are men.
Lexus: Someone who likes smooth jazz, lives in a suburban McMansion, and vacations in Aruba or the Cayman Islands. Upper middle class new money.
