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To many, the type of vehicle one chooses to drive will matter. It will furthermore be an issue of concern not only to the individuals themselves, but also to those who will see them roaming the streets and highways. As human beings, we have an inborn tendency to stereotype others; particularly if they don't fit into our personal mold.

There are some men who wouldn't be caught dead behind the wheel of some dilapidated beater. They instead insist on driving the most expensive car that their budget will allow. Perhaps this is a vital component necessary to fulfill an imagined vision of grandeur. These types of people believe they are superior to the Average Joe in every respect. They expect and even demand preferential treatment. They are almost always wealthy to begin with. This becomes apparent when the more common among us see them pulling up in a Ferrari, Jaguar, or Bentley while we work to keep up the payments on our Ford Taurus or Chevy Cobalt. They expect women to swoon over them. And sadly, the superficial ones will. Like a guitar slung low on some emaciated rock star adorned in spandex, a man's car can become a symbolic phallic symbol.

In other cases, we have the classic example of the midlife crisis. The man will typically be around 50 years old. His physical appearance can range anywhere from that of a few crow's feet and graying hair to being bald with a gut that hangs six inches below the beltline. Either way, he misses the days of his youth and virility, so he goes out and buys a sleek sports car such as a Corvette or Porsche. Oftentimes, he has been married for 25 years, but this doesn't matter. He still wants to be noticed by the ladies; and preferably, those who are considerably younger. The sports car in effect has replaced any physical deficiencies and thus serves as a compensation of sorts.

Then we have the opposite scenario. We see some guy driving a piece of junk that couldn't have cost more than $700-800 on some lot that advertises: We Finance, No Credit Check. He's usually 40 or younger, has a hairstyle that hasn't been popular since Ronald Reagan was in office, smokes generic cigarettes, and lives in a trailer park. He probably commands $8.00 an hour at some menial job; most of which is squandered at the bar. In the meantime, his three children from three different mothers lead a dreadful existence.

As for the rest of us, we will drive cars that were produced in this century as we spend about a week's wages on monthly payments. We are the guys who fall between the extremes listed above. We are the Average Joes who live in modest but nice homes, maintain manageable credit card debt, have 401K's, and are saving for our children's college education. We drive anything from Volkswagen New Beetles all the way up to SUVs in the $40,000 price range.

One will find that the stereotypes listed above are quite accurate. We as a species form impressions of others; and quickly. At times, such assessments may be unfair and biased. Obviously, there will always be exceptions. But as a whole?

A man's car choice can speak volumes about his character.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Sills.
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