It's instinct, isn't it, which allows one to say a particular model is a girls' car.
I don't think size is the only determinant. Cabriolet Volvos and Saabs are, to me, girlie cars, as are BMW 1s; and Capris (apart from the 2.8 and 3.0) used to be.
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Stevie
Lakland 44-02 Sunburst
Yamaha YTS-23
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I used to get good natured wind-ups from some of my mates when I drove the MX-5. One of my mates in particular who is a keen driver was among the worst offenders until I gave him the keys one day at the beginning of one of our favourite bits of road and told him to go for it. At the other end he had a huge grin on his face, and actually apologised and took it all back.
It's a classic example of how image drives the car market. This is just one keen driver who would have dismissed a brilliant little sports car without even driving one because "it's girly". The same principle applies across the car market. I know people who drive base spec BMW's and Mercedes not because they want a BMW or Mercedes particularly, but because they "won't drive a Ford".
People are interesting creatures. I understand we Brits are among the most image obsessed motorists in the world. In mainland Europe, a BMW is a family runabout, and a Mercedes is a taxi. Over here, they're something quite different.
People are funny creatures.
Cheers
DP
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I can't pretend to know exactly why, but it is true that these sort of cars attract women and gay men by the boat load, I'm sure some straight men must buy them, but I don't know any. Some of you may remember me mentioning just the other day that one of my mates bought a new Tigra, he can't explain why he loves it, he just does.
I've often wondered about my own car buying tastes though, I am gay, but not particularly camp, and I like the biggest most powerful cars that I can find. Out of all of my gay friends, not one of them drives a car like mine, they're all in Micras, Bravos, Fiestas etc. I only have one gay mate (a nightclub doorman) who likes cars as big as mine but he doesn't own a car at the moment so doesn't count! The only mates I've got who drive cars as big or powerful as mine are all straight. Oh and yes, if I had my way I would be driving a 300C but sadly can't afford one at this stage in my life, byt the time I can afford one I'm quite sure that cars that size will be illegal or something.
I would like an MGTF as a second car to run alongside the Beemer though... Guess that just helps prove the popular throry about this type of car!
Blue
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>>Thankyou for your highly logical and intelligent answer Cardriver, I think you'd make a good high court judge; 'he's guilty, just look at him!'<<
Thanks freybentos - I pride myslef on common sense and logic when answering queries - you asked for an opinion on why the car looks girlie and I replied. I post the 4car comments below for reference that may help in your assessment of the car - you could always put your foot down though and show your good lady who's boss.
>>It's handsome from the front, too: less obviously girlie than before, with its slanted headlights and wide mesh grille, it may well get the vote from boys who need to share their girlfriend's car (just 12% of 206 CC buyers were male). It's more masculine than the Micra C+C, anyway. <<
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All these answers but still NO objective reason why this car may be seen by some people as a girls car! Thing is, we'll probably buy one as there doesnt seem to be any viable alternative.The SLK is a bit dear,the Audis only got a fabric roof, the meganes too old,the EOS leaks,and the Focus cc has just has a recall due to malfunctioning roofs! If however we buy something more 'manly', when 'er indoors drives it ,is everyone gonna think(as if we care) shes a lesbian! You just can't win.
Fray.
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Fantastic response freybentos. I like it - although I will not be showing it to my wfe as she will think I am making her look like a lesbian with the car I chose for her.
In all seriousness (previous posts were friendly banter) - if you do get one- enjoy it to the full especially with the good weather coming and with the top down and please keep us posted on what you do and your experience.
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with the top down and please keepus posted on what you do and your experience.
But don't bother to list all the wolf-whistles and suggestive comments from builders and white van men :o)
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>All these answers but still NO objective reason why this car may be seen by some people as a girls car!
And yet you keep bumping the thread up, hoping against hope that someone will come and say "it's ok, you can buy one, we approve and we wont think you're a woman if you buy one."
>You just can't win
I'm not sure what you think you can/can't win. If you want the car, and you like it, buy it.
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I think there is NO definitive answer as to why the car may be gay/girly, that's if the usual answer of "because they're mainly driven by women and gays" isn't definitive enough! :-)
It's like trying to say why any particular thing is gay or girlie, take the image of a rainbow for example, the only reason that I can think of that makes it a bit gay is simply because it is used by so many gay organisaions in logos etc.
Now take the colour pink, that used to be worn almost exclusively by girls and gays, no longer, I see as many if not more straight lads wearing pink t-shirts around the city than I do gay ones, the only thing that makes pink a "straighter" colour now is purely that more straight people are wearing it now, it's not as if the colour itself has changed, just it's popularity amongst different people.
I'm not sure that I've explained my point very well with this parituclar ramble, I hope others get what I'm saying, all i'm trying to say is that there is no physical characteristic that makes the car girly, just that it's status is decided by what popular fashion dictates. If you don't care about the opinions of other then why worry?
Blue
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FreyBentos, I have to agree with PG that you seem to be dragging this one out.
Check out this
www.rethinkpink.com/latest+news.asp
look down and you'll see the 207cc there and then look at the heading of the website
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