What Does Your Car Say About You?

Some people believe that type of car you have can say a lot about you as a person. This can go as far as your personality, appearance, cleanliness, and even preferences. 

There are classic stereotypes such as a Rolls Royce is a symbol of old money or “daddy’s money,” but what about the state that the car is in, or the accessories people have?

Some people let their personality shine through with aesthetic things. On the other hand, some show who they are by the state of the inside. It might be messy, while others have a spotless interior. 

“My pink fuzzy steering wheel represents me as a person because I think I'm very happy and fuzzy, and I think that being pink and fluffy is exciting. It's a convo starter, and then when they [friends] see it they know it's my car and they think of me,” NHS senior Corynn Hettenbach said. 

The state of a car could mean the outside, like dents or scratches, but also the amount of random stuff like water bottles and eyelash curlers lying around on the inside. 

As for accessories, this could include bumper stickers, magnets, and things hanging from the rearview mirror. Some types of cars even have niche traditions with certain accessories. 

“I think those people are trying to show they are focused on one aesthetic and don’t branch out from that,” NHS senior Phoebe Jones said. “Like the rubber duckies in Jeeps, I feel like people try to go with what’s typically on theme with their car.”

But other people see these accessories as a way to show their true self, and even stand out compared to other people who may have a similar car to theirs. 

“In my opinion, having a pink bedazzled license plate reflects on myself as someone who is bubbly and charismatic. I also believe that my license plate shows that I want to be perceived as someone who is deemed recognizable,” NHS senior Jiavanna Ruzza said.

In speaking to various NHS students, owner stereotypes fit a BMW, silver pickup truck, and red mini van to name a few.

For a BMW, everyone agreed that the driver is most likely wealthy and privileged. Some even said that it is most likely a teenage boy or young man who wants to be able to say they have a fancy car. 

As for a silver pickup truck, everyone agreed it is most likely owned by a construction worker or farmer from the country. 

“If it's a sparkling, top-of-the-line, brand-new pickup truck that is not being used as a truck at all, it’s definitely just a regular car,” NHS junior Cassie Pickering said. 

Regarding the red minivan, every person on the poll believes the driver is usually a soccer mom with a maximum of four children, a blue collar husband, and sometimes two dogs. 

“I think if you own a BMW you are above the age of 40 and have 3 or more kids,” NHS Freshman Amiah Anderson said. “If you own a red minivan, think you are a mom with a bunch of kids to drop off to school every single day.” 

Given this poll, stereotypes for these three vehicles are very prominent, similar to some other factors. 

“Electric white cars are usually what girls have when they want to appear eco friendly and they have an all pink interior. Very tik tok girl core,” Jones said. 

Some even use these details of someone's vehicle to aid them in their first impression for things like their values or interests. 

“Cars serve as a first impression for someone because it is often the first thing you will see about them. The outside shape of someone's car affects the way I think of them because a person's car is a reflection of their mind and the way they can act,” NHS sophomore Remy Plummer said. “I would think that if someone has a rounder smaller car, I would assume them to be nicer and more soft, whereas someone with a big, bulkier car I would presume them to be more rigid, and maybe even be more uncomfortable with.”

Determining factors like finances most likely have a big effect on what type of car you buy, but accessories and cleanliness of your car can be supported by psychological studies and theories. 

“There are some fun older theories that hypothesize that if you drive a large car, you are trying to compensate for some other weakness or inferiority based on the ideas of psychologist Alfred Adler. But I think it can say something about your thinking and views...like you drive a smaller car because you care about the environment,” NHS Psychology teacher Thomas Pescarmona said. “I think personality and organization do correlate. Some people are more organized and have higher levels of the personality trait conscientiousness so they will have cleaner and organized cars.”

However, some believe that your car can mean nothing in regards to your personality, and that your car is solely based on what your finances allow. 

“I don't think it says anything about you as a person because you're just getting what you like for the money you have. It doesn’t say what type of person you are,” NHS junior Aiden Napolitano said. 

So what do you think, does someone's car or accessories mirror the type of person they are?