You are what you drive?

[Ming]

You are what you drive
March 3, 2005
www.shreveporttimes.com

If you want to get an idea of who Don Haley of Mansfield is, you don't have to look at his clothes or hear him talk. Just look at his vehicle.



The 21-year-old quality technician at Modas in Shreveport said his white Ford F-150 easily tells the whole story. "I'm an outdoors person, a regular old Louisiana country boy," he said.

Like Haley, for many a set of wheels isn't just about transportation -- it's a reflection of the owner's style and personality.

"A lot of times people buy cars not only because the cars look good, but because they want to look good too. People want to look good driving the car," said Keith Marcotte, general manager of Morgan Automotive Group in Shreveport.

Of course, there's no exact science to how people choose certain cars. Though he's been in the auto business for 26 years, Marcotte doesn't profess to be an expert on the link between cars and personalities. However, he admits he has seen certain common patterns during his 26 years in the auto business.

For instance, some passive personality types tend to go more for the four door sedans and some of the larger vehicles or big trucks and often choose white or lighter colors, while aggressive or more forward types often go for the sports car or sporty looking sports utility vehicles and trucks and choose black or dark colors. Cheerful types seem to go more for brighter colors of any kind of vehicle, he said.

Shannonda Haskin, a sales associates at Southpoint Ford, has seen similar patterns in their customers.

"Happy, spontaneous people are mostly attracted to the sporty cars. Conservative, traditional mothers tend to go for something like the Ford Freestyle, which is a small SUV. Older, retired people normally gravitate to the Ford Thunderbird or F-150. Graduates love Mustangs, they can't always get them, but they love them. Some love the Ford Explorers. I've never seen a child in a Grand Marquis, but some teens do go for the Mercury Marauder, which is like a sportier version of the Ford Crown Victoria.

Rhonda Washington, 42, of Shreveport, always is getting comments about how her red Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is just like her, even after 14 years.

"I think it shows I'm classy and stylish and it's fast, which is like me because people usually say I'm upbeat and enthusiastic and cheerful," said the judicial secretary.

As for the car's fire red color, "Red is one of my favorite colors, but I'm not a witch or anything. But I have been known for getting people out my face either when they're in my personal space or when they're in my way on the highway," she said with a laugh.

Sometimes people have to forgo their personality car because of functionality, said Mike DeLaCerda, Honda Holmes sales associate.



"It just depends on what they're going to use it for. For example, you can have someone who likes a car that really looks good and would normally want a Honda Accord, but because of fuel prices will go for the Honda Civic because it gets better gas mileage. Some people are safety conscious or child conscious, others are more about appearance, some like reliability and comfort and other features," he said.

Betty Alford Brooks of Shreveport, a 57-year-old cafeteria manager at Mooretown Elementary, just bought her first SUV for style and convenience. "I'm planning to retire and I love to travel so I'm planning to hit the road. That's why I chose the GMC Envoy XL, plus white is my favorite color," she said. "Also, I have seven grandchildren so I needed a bigger car for them."

Mary Meece, 88, of Shreveport, said she likes her new Glacier Ice, or gray bluish, Buick LeSabre because it's just good looking, sensible and dependable, "And I'd like to think I'm that way too," she said, laughing.

Full Article Here: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/...503030301/1004

[Jay]

I gues I'm pretty cheap. My car's worht $1,000!

[camaro chris]

that pink civic is so nasty looking! unfortunatly no car for me yet. but ill be 16 in april so maybe then you can find out about my personality

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Jay

I gues I'm pretty cheap. My car's worht $1,000!

Guess I'm illiterate too!

[ViperDVMan]

I must be the rugged outdoors-type person. I drive a tough and rugged 4x4

[GM_Fanatic]

I definetly agree with this, and even more so how well you take care of your car (exteriod AND interior). I know they say not to judge a book by its cover but I can't help not trying to figure people out by their car.

[pontiaccrest]

I'm a Pontiac man!

[Kar Krazie]

I guess i'm a 2 1/2 ton road hog! Well I can't say anything about my car because I do not have 1 my parents do. Just 3 more years!

[mgescuro]

For instance, some passive personality types tend to go more for the four""door sedans and some of the larger vehicles or big trucks and often choose white or lighter colors, while aggressive or more forward types often go for the sports car or sporty""looking sports utility vehicles and trucks and choose black or dark colors. Cheerful types seem to go more for brighter colors of any kind of vehicle, he said.

How odd... both my cars are black on black... 4 door... but sporty. I wouldn't say I'm an aggresive or more forward type.

[awalbert88]

I drive a Buick Regal GS. I suppose that makes me an old geezer. Given how messed up my back is, that's not far from the truth some days. Yet I'm only 21.

[jwrebholz]

I drive a Cavalier.

Yup. Slow, ugly and makes a lot of unpleasant noises.

[SVT2888]

I drive a T-bird.

No I'm not old, 18 and cant fit in a MUSTANG! So close enough. Also cant afford a Mustang of the same year.

[powervette]

I've been trying to find a common Polish VW Golf driver and I found this picture:

Their Golfs are mostly tuned (tinted windows,big wheels etc) they also listen to disco music in their cars.A golden chain is very characteristic for them.They are ill-mannered on the road and behave rude(swearing,shouting ****************-off,showing finger)
Here's also a picture of a common BMW driver(they mostly drive older BMWs)
The only difference between them and Golf drivers is the fact they are much richer.

[GM_Guy81]

^^ the lamest thing ever

[Ming]

Originally Posted by powervette

Their Golfs are mostly tuned (tinted windows,big wheels etc) they also listen to disco music in their cars.A golden chain is very characteristic for them.They are ill-mannered on the road and behave rude(swearing,shouting ****************-off,showing finger)
Here's also a picture of a common BMW driver(they mostly drive older BMWs)
The only difference between them and Golf drivers is the fact they are much richer.

I think we have the same guys here, but they listen to Papa Roach, Eminem, or Limp Bizkit.