Why are some cars considered chick cars? (Page 1/3)
Csjag SEP 19, 09:09 AM
Why are some cars like the Miata, the Rabbit convertible and the New beetle considered "chick" cars? Is it purely because of styling and are they considered chick cars in other countries or just here?
Fiero84Freak SEP 19, 10:44 AM
I always see this as any other tiff that auto enthusiasts have. It's a lot like brand rivalry (Chevy vs. Ford). I think more so such labeling is done because it tends to be the all encompassing way to "bash" a particular model. A lot like the V6 Mustangs and V6 Camaros for example. Their performance is rather good, they're relatively affordable, and all-around good purchases, yet because they're not V8s they're not "macho" enough or they're the "girl" or "secretary" cars. Yet if you talk to someone about a new import purchase like buying an BRZ/FR-S or Genesis Coupe people revert to saying "I'd just buy a V6 Mustang/Camaro, yet PERSONALLY I wouldn't 'cause 'Murica" and all that ridiculous talk.

People who bash Miatas have never driven one; they're one of the best cars ever made in terms of pure driving enjoyment. Auto makers could learn a few things by making more cars like them. If you've never driven one you should. NA, NB, NC, doesn't matter. Just drive one. A manual. Around a lot of corners. With the top down.

Personally though I don't label cars as masculine or feminine. I also don't like personally naming them (they have names; the model the car is). It's a car. It goes from A to B. It's called a "Fiero." Or a "Bettle." Or a "Miata," Or an "F-150," or a "Charger." It's not called "Vicky." It's not called "Cindy." It's not even called "Eleanor;" it's called "Mustang." Again that's me.

Ultimately though if you're worried about if someone thinks that your car is a "chick" car then you shouldn't be in the automotive hobby. Who cares what others think? Really. Who cares? I don't make my car purchases to please the general masses. I make my car choices to please ME. Me, me, ME. I've owned tons of Fieros; all called death traps. I have a C5 Corvette, the "mid-life crisis" or "old man's car," yet I'm in early 30s. I've owned non-"macho" or I guess "chick"-ish cars. What does it matter? It's a car.

Don't take all of that as a bash. I just carry some personal hatred towards labels like "girl" or "chick" cars.
Csjag SEP 19, 10:54 AM
I take no offense, I actually own a V6 Mustang Convertible and its a great car, 0 to 60 in about 7 seconds, and 29 or 30 mpg on the highway. I also have an 85 Fiero duke that tons of people on here bash. I've done some tuning to it and used 175/14 tires on it and its a blast to drive. You make a lot of good points.
thesameguy SEP 19, 03:22 PM
Let's be realistic here - all cars have a target demographic, and all cars have an actual demographic. Cars typically get labeled in one way or another because of how they're marketed or because of how they're bought. If a manufacturer it lucky, their target is also their market, but that's not always the case... eg, Scion, which was supposed to be Toyota's youth brand but struggled for years with an average age not unlike Buick's. Similarly, the tC was marketed at young men, but ended up being a "chick car" with some monstrous portion of sales after the first year going to women. The Miata is in that camp, with a large portion of sales being to women - of course it also has a big male enthusiast market, but most sales are to women.

I personally don't see a problem with labeling a car a "chick car" or an "grandpa car" or anything else. I buy what I like - if it happens that women or grandpas also like it, hey, that's great too. I don't need to make choices based on whatever people like or don't like. Most people like Camrys and Tauruses. Clearly, most people have terrible judgment.
rogergarrison SEP 23, 08:18 PM
To me chick cars are usually faster looking than they are. They want the style, but dont care about the go as long as it gets them to the salon or mall.
Blacktree SEP 24, 09:28 AM
The irony is that even though many guys make fun of the Miata as a "chick car", they're a force to be reckoned with in the autocrossing circuit.

On a side note, I read a statistic that about 60% of Mustang owners are female. That would literally make the Mustang a chick car.

(actually, I think demographically a lot of cars would be "chick cars", because 51% of the population is female)
rogergarrison SEP 24, 09:50 AM
Yes, Id consider Mustang V6s a chick car. Even though its got pretty decent power, its still not like a V8 GT, Shelby, etc. Like I said got the looks but not really the go. The original Mustangs were first known as 'secretary' car, so they were officially chick cars at that time. I agree about Miata. They actually do pretty well on track in the same was as Healy, MG, Triump. They also have a rep as being a 'gay' guys car, probably because of the chick thing. I just personally dont like asian cars myself.
2.5 SEP 24, 01:32 PM
Dunno, small, 4 cyl, comes in pastel colors or odd shapes, soft round lines, advertising. Is not at least 8 cylinders, loud, mean looking, etc. It used to be more common women drove smaller cars. Now alot of cars are getting smaller. So these questions pop up.

Looks like a happy puppy?
Csjag SEP 24, 02:12 PM
Well...........my wife does drive our V6 Mustang convertible 90% of the time, and I have a Venture van I use for a daily driver, guess I have no room to talk
thesameguy SEP 24, 02:37 PM
It's no coincidence the old VW Cabriolet is called a ***** basket...