Whoops. That should read: “I’m actually surprised the Miata is #3.” The Beetle is #1. I would have expected the Miata to at least be #2, although I can see how the general “any minivan” would cut in there. I was thinking specific makes and models.
I bought a Honda Fit hatchback in 2012. Since then I have seen more and more Fit hatchbacks around the Capital Region; it’s easily one of the most popular cars, driven by men, women, old people, etc.
Why?
- it’s cheap as hell. I got mine for $17K after taxes and fees.
- it’s the largest Hatchback in its class
- it has great gas mileage
So I don’t think you should worry about being “gay”. I mean that’s kind of a douche thing to say! Instead you should worry about cost or fuel economy.
y’know, if you’re going to say he doesn’t “owe you anything,” why would you phrase the question such that you’re basically demanding he justify himself? He owns a car you don’t like, deal with it.
I don’t think you realize that the PT Cruiser was a smash hit when it first arrived. they sold a (literal) million of them in six years. they even sold 10,000 of them in Japan, which was pretty remarkable for a USDM car. The only reason it turned into a joke was because the 2010 PT Cruiser was barely any different than the 2001.
Umm, other than asking in a humorous way and explicitly stating that they don’t owe an answer, how else should I “deal with it” if I am curious as to what attracted to them to the car? If they never answer, or answer in a humorous manner, I assure that I will not pester them as if they are a witness and I am a prosecutor. If panache45 takes offense at my questioning the reasoning behind their automobile purchase, I promise that none was intended.
I know it was a smash hit. I still see them on the road, and they were purchased in droves. The HHR had a nice run, as well. I don’t really understand why they sold in droves though, and stating that they sold thousands overseas doesn’t explain the situation further.
Maybe best avoid the Audi TT.
You’re right to wonder. You can’t give them away.
When I was in college I drove anAMC Gremlin. See how the hot chick in the ad is checking out the car? That proves hatchbacks are chick magnets!
Seriously, if I could get laid while driving that car – if I could get*** married ***while driving that car – it must prove that heterosexuality is strong.
Amusingly enough, the Dodge Le Femme, with exterior/interior color schemes and trim specifically designed to appeal to the ladies of the 1950s (didn’t quite work that way) nowadays would be considered by most non-gear heads as just another of those funky 1950s cars with garish paint colors - no gender preference present…
…Well, unless you carry around the “keystone-shaped, pink calfskin purse that coordinated with the interior of the car. The purse could be stowed in a compartment in the back of the passenger seat,[2] and its gold-plated medallion faced outward” with you, then people might raise eyebrows :dubious:.
Me, I’m a manly man*, and I’ve owned a Chevette hatchback in the late '80s (hey, I was a poor college student who needed a practical car - it did have a fender painted in primer, if that helps), and I am considering one of the current crop of sub-compact hatchbacks (Fit, Yaris, Fiesta, et. al) as I need a practical second car which gets very good fuel economy and can haul some supplies (I won’t be going for any funky lime or electric blue colors - no fenders in primer only either).
*NOT a lumberjack who may or may not be OK, however. :eek:
One day, as I was watching Queer As Folk, I was surprised by the episode where Michael was getting a Miata and it was considered a gay stereotype car (as was Brian’s Jeep. A Jeep, a “gay” vehicle? In what universe?), as I drove one at the time (though not gold, that would have been too much, but I digress…). Was I in denial? Was my choice in car secretly sending out a “hey, sailor” signal that I couldn’t see? I could never be sure, so I sold it and got a Mini. No one would ever question my sexuality or penis size again! No siree.
Sure, I can see New Beetles and VW Cabriolets as “chick cars”, but a Miata? Even without the “manlier” moniker MX-5, (which did not stand for Man seX) I don’t see it. It’s a sports car.
As for PT Cruisers, and their cousins the Chevy HHR, I can’t speak for** panache45,** but I like the styling. A good “retro” feel for each, a throwback to the 50s vintage pickups. Well done retro. Like the Challenger and the Mustang, they looked like modern versions of old cars (and not like the new Camaro, which never seemed to “get” it). I ultimately never got either because I thought they were underpowered, not because of styling issues.
Here’s my unscientific prejudicial breakdown of vehicles and their personal use drivers in the US:
Most Sedans: Boring or practical folks.
Pontiac coupes/sedans: Women that would fight other women and sometimes men. Most likely smokers too.
VW coupes/sedans: Women on their way to pilates class after visiting their homeopath.
Subaru: Lesbian
Hatchbacks in a very urban area: Smart folks. They know that parking can be a premium and are hedging their bets on finding a small spot
Hatchbacks in a suburban/rural area: Poor people.
Prius: A shitty, shitty driver.
Hybrid, small: Eco-ego. Most of my ideas will be displayed via bumperstickers that will piss you off.
Hybrid, large: Yeah, I’m “all about the environment” but it shouldn’t mean I have to sacrifice anything because look at all the other people.
Trucks in a rural area: Practical, utilitarian, dude.
Trucks in a suburban area with two doors: Probably a practical, utilitarian, person.
Trucks in a suburban area with 4 doors: Asshole.
Trucks in an urban area: A person who is going to complain about always being used by his friends for his truck but secretly loves that.
SUV in a rural area: Practical, utilitarian, person
SUV in a suburban area: If woman: soccer mom. If dad: “at least this isn’t a minivan”.
Minivan: Poor woman since she can’t afford an SUV.
Sports car: Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude. I have nothing to offer the world except my purchased ego.
Convertible: If male, totes gay. If female, “free-spirit” meaning that the pinnacle of her life was getting wasted in Cabo.
Of course all of those have a ton of asterisks. Someone can easily raise their hand say “but I’m X and I drive Y” and that won’t change my overall perception. I’m a gay guy and have driven a truck in the city and a Prius hatchback now. I don’t really fit some of my stereotypes anyways.
The PT Cruiser I think is one of those cars that makes way more sense looking at it in 2015 than it did when it came out. It basically was a car-based SUV that, confusingly at the time, made absolutely no pretensions at ruggedness. That’s pretty much the dominant crossover paradigm these days. If it came out with it today, people would complain it was boring and derivative, not weird and ugly like they did back in the early 2000’s. See also the Pontiac Aztek.
I don’t know… the Gremlin only had a small liftable rear window and even that was optional. The wild impracticality of that might disqualify the Gremlin from really being a “hatchback” and might have let you retain your heterosexual card.
I know you’re just doing stereotypes but where or when did this come from?
In the 60s, plenty of manly men drove convertibles:
Seriously, when did it become a stereotype?
Heck, if they’re good enough for Steve McQueen that’s manly enough for me!
But a minivan on the other hand…
This. Hatchbacks are practical as hell. Maybe that’s why you think it is girly as women tend to be practical about their cars. A VW GTI is a hatchback and not at all perceived as girly. You only have so much money. Get the most bang for your buck by buying the hatchback.
He’s not serious, those are just jokes…
They’re not always. I’d heard most of his stereotypes in real life (and on this board - how many time have you read a post describing a sports car or big pickup as a penis substitute?) so someone is thinking them. So unless he created the convertible one up just for his post, it must have a number of believers as well.
I hear that if you’re thinking of getting one it makes you buy-curious.
I drive a very small hatchback. I just tell people I’m compensating for something.
Jesus. That is the dumbest article I’ve ever read. It’s like the author was given a list of names and told to make up stuff about each car (except the PT cruiser, which is more or less accurate.)
Heh, heh… you said “woody.”