QOTD: Frequently Jumping to Car Conclusions?
We’ve all been there. It happens so often we don’t even realize it. Somewhere on the horizon, something appears — a vague shape, some sort of vehicle. Within seconds of said vehicle entering your field of vision, you’ve already made up your mind about its owner.
You’re so judgmental!
Today’s inquiry was inspired by a Twitter conversation the other day. What started out as a quick comment on the Chevrolet SS turned into a multi-party exposition on the life and times of Monte Carlo owners. There were comedy moments and photos, a coworker story from Chris Tonn, and Adam Tonge might have angered a NASCAR fan.
Reading through the thread (which continued late into the evening, past my bedtime), I realized the strength of the judgment put upon Monte Carlo owners. With such wide-ranging assumptions on a single car model, I knew the question which needed asked on these pages. Which vehicles most often cause rapid-fire judgment of their owners? Guilt by association.
These judgments are likely wrong at least some (most?) of the time. But in the case of the Monte Carlo, the peanut gallery’s judgment was consistent and not subject to much dissenting opinion.
Realizing how this subject might instantly fall into a pit of unpleasantness, we’re not asking for an explanation of the specific reasons you judge owners of the vehicles you’ll put forth, just the vehicles which cause such reactions. For example, I have a few knee-jerk judgments when I see BMW X5s in particular.
Let’s hear about the vehicles you judge the most; we’ll see if any come close to the Monte Carlo.
[Image: General Motors]
Interested in lots of cars and their various historical contexts. Started writing articles for TTAC in late 2016, when my first posts were QOTDs. From there I started a few new series like Rare Rides, Buy/Drive/Burn, Abandoned History, and most recently Rare Rides Icons. Operating from a home base in Cincinnati, Ohio, a relative auto journalist dead zone. Many of my articles are prompted by something I'll see on social media that sparks my interest and causes me to research. Finding articles and information from the early days of the internet and beyond that covers the little details lost to time: trim packages, color and wheel choices, interior fabrics. Beyond those, I'm fascinated by automotive industry experiments, both failures and successes. Lately I've taken an interest in AI, and generating "what if" type images for car models long dead. Reincarnating a modern Toyota Paseo, Lincoln Mark IX, or Isuzu Trooper through a text prompt is fun. Fun to post them on Twitter too, and watch people overreact. To that end, the social media I use most is Twitter, @CoreyLewis86. I also contribute pieces for Forbes Wheels and Forbes Home.
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--Challenger/Charger/Camaro/Mustang: Every auto rag ever claims these are the darling of Boomers trying to relive their youth. That's maybe 5-10% true. As a Challenger owner and member of a handful of enthusiast groups/clubs, the biggest market for these seems to be military veterans aged mid 20s to late 40s. --Jeep XJ with offroad mods: Poser, OR new generation of offroad enthusiasts --Subaru sti/wrx, Mitsu Evo, Focus RS/ST: flat brimmed hats turned sideways, white framed sunglasses, TapOut clothing, vapes. --Any midsize or under sedan: IDGAF about cars or driving. --Any crossover CUV: Frumpy soccer mom --Any hybrid or electric car: Projected image: "I'm saving the world. Look at me, I'm hip and forward thinking". Real image: old, out of touch, nerdy. --Lifted pickup or Jeep: Done up properly with style and engineered with intent of actually using it: Cool! On 22" rims with lots of chrome: Poser with no taste.
I only really seriously look out for cars with obvious collision damage as a way to avoid those who have busy bumpers. However, the stereotype which usually proves correct is that people in Toyotas do not know what they're doing. It's best to pass them as soon as possible if you plan on getting anywhere.
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The only cars I judge (possibly unfairly) are Honda Accord coupes. To me it seems like they tend to fit more of the BMW driver stereotype. They'll tailgate you when traffic is moving slowly, camp in the left lane when traffic is moving quickly, generally don't use turn signals, and change lanes without looking to see if anyone's there. Oddly enough I typically don't notice these sorts of issues with BMW drivers.