Face it, most of you guys out there will look at a Mazda MX-5 as it drives by and think “girlie car.” C'mon! Admit it! Clearly if you do, you know little or nothing about the car. What about a Volkswagen Beetle ? A MINI Cooper? I knew it.
You know what's really sad about this? These three cars are, bar-none, some of the best handling, most pleasurable and satisfying small cars to drive. A few weeks ago, I was test driving a MINI Coupé and got the “girlie-car” comment on a number of occasions. Granted, the remarks were made in a joking fashion but the fact remains that deep-down, those that vocalize these thoughts really think it.
This is so wrong. Get this: MX-5 owners are 56% male. That's right. Oh, you're saying they buy them for their wives? How very narrow minded of you. I bet that if we surveyed these men, safe and secure in their masculinity, that they regularly if not always drive their cars. Some might even take them to track event. How effeminate of them.
And what about the MINI Cooper? It works out to 50/50; that's half men, half women. Should you ever get the opportunity to drive anything wearing a John Cooper Works , be sure to let me know how feminine you feel being seen at the wheel of this cute little car.
The Beetle? Same. Historically, from the New Beetle on, the numbers have hovered in the 50/50 range, swinging one way or the other on occasion. Actually, the peeps at Volkswagen did admit that the last full production year of the previous Beetle had far more female purchasers, to the order of 80/20. Volkswagen, as well as many other manufacturers, are moving away from the softer lines and smoother, friendly styling. Take a gander at the 2012 Beetle and try and make derogatory commentaries.
I drove the Beetle the week following the Cooper and this is why I decided to write out this blog. Here's a little nugget of trivia: did you know that the tough-guy-friendly Mitsubishi Endeavor and Jeep Liberty have been favourites among members of the fairer sex?
I say that unless you've driven the car, keep your comments to yourself. Thanks, I appreciate it.
You know what's really sad about this? These three cars are, bar-none, some of the best handling, most pleasurable and satisfying small cars to drive. A few weeks ago, I was test driving a MINI Coupé and got the “girlie-car” comment on a number of occasions. Granted, the remarks were made in a joking fashion but the fact remains that deep-down, those that vocalize these thoughts really think it.
This is so wrong. Get this: MX-5 owners are 56% male. That's right. Oh, you're saying they buy them for their wives? How very narrow minded of you. I bet that if we surveyed these men, safe and secure in their masculinity, that they regularly if not always drive their cars. Some might even take them to track event. How effeminate of them.
And what about the MINI Cooper? It works out to 50/50; that's half men, half women. Should you ever get the opportunity to drive anything wearing a John Cooper Works , be sure to let me know how feminine you feel being seen at the wheel of this cute little car.
The Beetle? Same. Historically, from the New Beetle on, the numbers have hovered in the 50/50 range, swinging one way or the other on occasion. Actually, the peeps at Volkswagen did admit that the last full production year of the previous Beetle had far more female purchasers, to the order of 80/20. Volkswagen, as well as many other manufacturers, are moving away from the softer lines and smoother, friendly styling. Take a gander at the 2012 Beetle and try and make derogatory commentaries.
I drove the Beetle the week following the Cooper and this is why I decided to write out this blog. Here's a little nugget of trivia: did you know that the tough-guy-friendly Mitsubishi Endeavor and Jeep Liberty have been favourites among members of the fairer sex?
I say that unless you've driven the car, keep your comments to yourself. Thanks, I appreciate it.
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| 2011 MINI Cooper S JCW (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
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| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
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| 2011 Mazda MX-5 GS (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |