What Does the Car You Drive Say About You?

Valerie Raskovic

Nov 27, 2024

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For a lot of people, a car is more than just a mode of transportation - it's a reflection of their personality, lifestyle and values. The type of car you drive can convey a lot about who you are and what you're about, whether you like it or not. A car can serve multiple purposes beyond your basic transpiration.

• Car as a Status Symbol

Certain high-end luxury and exotic vehicles can serve as a status symbol resonating the owner’s wealth and possibly status within the community. People attracted to these high-end vehicles from various Italian brands such as Maserati, Ferrari as well as German brands such as Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The motivating factor for buying these vehicles is to convey a sense of wealth and success to others. These status symbol vehicle’s owners tend to be more concerned with vanity than with the actual vehicle brand and are not always car hobbyists and fanatics.

• Car Hobbyists

Car hobbyists are attracted to a large variety of vehicles from classic pick-up trucks to high end exotics. However, unlike status symbol buyers’ hobbyists tend to be driven by their passion for cars as well as their passion for certain brands or a certain automotive culture. For example, a car hobbyist may be more attracted to the Porshe 911 for its amazing handling and track performance. Typically, they will want the car to be equipped with a manual transmission and enjoy taking it on spirited drives and occasional track racing. Unlike the Status Symbol owner, the hobbyists will typically have more interest in the car itself rather what the car says about them to the public. Since we are generalizing here it is safe to say the hobbyists tend to be more hands on and mechanically savvy than any other category of car owners.

• Utilitarian Car Owners

Utilitarian car owners tend to gravitate towards cars as a unique tool that reflects their lifestyle and daily habits. For example, someone who drives a pick up truck like a Ford F-150 or a Chevrolet Silverado may be using that vehicle for work such as construction, plumbing, hauling or other trades. Similarly, people involved in outdoor and nature activities may gravitate to off-road SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler, Subaru Crosstreck, Toyota 4Runner and similar off-road capable vehicles. Someone who drives a compact car like a Honda Fit or a Toyota Yaris may be seen as someone who lives in the city and values convenience and fuel efficiency. These individuals are usually not hard to spot because they may have modified the vehicle with a lift kit or have construction equipment in the bed of their trucks or have kids piling out of the back of their mini vans as they drop them off at soccer practice.

• The Car as a Statement

Your car can also be a statement about your values and interests. For example, someone who drives a hybrid or electric car like a Toyota Prius or a Tesla may be seen as environmentally conscious and forward-thinking, while someone who drives a classic car like a Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Camaro may be seen as nostalgic and appreciative of the past.

• Car as an Experience

There are those of us that experience cars more emotionally, they invoke our sense of adventure and our desire for excitement. There is a wide range of vehicles designed to offer diverse experiences from luxurious comfort to exhilarating performance, catering to our love for speed and our appreciation for refinement and convenience. For instance, someone driving a powerful car like the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon likely enjoys the adrenaline rush provided by its formidable V8 engine. It's worth noting that many high-performance versions of manufacturers' standard models often have higher accident rates and encounter more issues over time. This is largely because they tend to attract buyers who seek extreme performance and the thrill of driving such vehicles and tend to get into a higher risk situation causing damage or excessive wear to the vehicle’s components.

On the other side of the equation, you will find individuals that value the luxury driving experience that may prefer a Toyota Avalon for its refined driving experience and smooth suspension.

What Does Your Car Say About You?

So, what does your car say about you? Are you a speed demon who loves the thrill of the drive or a practical parent who values safety and reliability? Do you drive a car that reflects your personality or one that reflects your lifestyle and daily habits?

Take Our Quiz

To find out what your car says about you, take our quiz:

1. What type of car do you drive?
   a) Luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz or BMW
   b) Affordable brand like Toyota or Honda
   c) Sporty car like a Porsche or Corvette
   d) Family-friendly car like a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna
   e) Hybrid or electric car like a Toyota Prius or Tesla
   f) Classic car like a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro
   g) Truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado
   h) Compact car like a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris
2. What is your favorite feature about your car?
   a) Speed and performance
   b) Comfort and convenience
   c) Fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability
   d) Style and design
   e) Safety and reliability
   f) Technology and infotainment
   g) Space and versatility
   h) Other (please specify)
3. How often do you drive your car?
   a) Daily
   b) Several times a week
   c) Occasionally
   d) Rarely

Get Your Results

Add up the number of As, Bs, Cs, and so on and look at the key below to see what your car says about you.

• Mostly As: You're a speed demon who loves the thrill of the drive. You value performance and style, and you're not afraid to show it off.
• Mostly Bs: You're a practical parent who values safety and reliability. You prioritize comfort and convenience, and you're not afraid to sacrifice a little style for the sake of your family.
• Mostly Cs: You're an environmentally conscious individual who values fuel efficiency and sustainability. You're forward-thinking and always looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Mostly Ds: You're a classic car enthusiast who loves the nostalgia and charm of older vehicles. You value style and design and you're not afraid to stand out from the crowd.
• Mostly Es: You're a tech-savvy driver who loves the latest gadgets and features. You value convenience and innovation and you're always looking for ways to stay connected on the go.
• Mostly Fs: You're a space-conscious driver who values versatility and practicality. You prioritize functionality and comfort and you're not afraid to sacrifice a little style for the sake of your passengers.
• Mostly Gs: You're a rugged outdoorsy type who loves the freedom of the open road. You value adventure and exploration, and you're not afraid to get a little dirty.
• Mostly Hs: You're a city dweller who values convenience and fuel efficiency. You prioritize practicality and affordability, and you're not afraid to sacrifice a little style for the sake of your wallet.

I hope this article has given you a better idea of what your car says about you.