Drivers Life

What your car says about you?

A car is an awe inspiring piece of engineering. On average, an American car travels 12,000 miles per year. That means that each wheel completes approximately 8,000,000 revolutions and each engine consumes 571 gallons of gas per year. Exhaust manifolds continually reach temperatures in excess of 270 degrees Fahrenheit, while the air conditioning system, also found in your engine compartment, can reduce the outdoor air temperature by as much as 45 degrees. On top of all that, the computers in modern automobiles are thousands of times more powerful than those that helped navigate Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. All these things are accomplished by a vehicle that was most likely built, start to finish, within 24 hours.

These facts are true for everything from a Land Rover to a Kia Optima, a brand new Cadillac Escalade to a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro. If all these vehicles can transport people from point A to point B with essentially the same technology, there must be a close correlation with one's personality and the car they choose to drive.

What your Choices Mean?

SUVs generally aim to express a desire to intimidate others while isolating and elevating the occupants. An obvious exception is the Porsche Cayenne, which are essentially sports cars with room for more than just one bag of groceries. Minivans, however, fit more nicely into their assigned impression. A family oriented driver that has little interest in an impressive appearance or performance. Crossovers are glorified station wagons, either purchased to accommodate a bizarrely complex car audio system or to cart children around without arousing too much sympathy from onlookers. Sedans run the gauntlet, either purchased for safety (such as Volvos), economy (Honda or Toyotas), luxury (Jaguar, Lexus, BMW, Mercedes), or no reason other than being a well priced option with good fuel economy. Compact cars attract buyers who want to express they have little interest in the exaggerated claim "your car defines you". Hybrid or electric cars implore those who can afford their high price tags to go green, while exotic sports cars scream past the Insight's top speed of 112 miles an hour with still more gears left to explore.

Classics Lovers

One variety of car rarely entered into a discussion of expression is the old car. What does a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer say about a mother of four that is different than what a driver of a Ford Explorer expresses? The meaning behind a newer car with fancy options is relatively easy to guess at, but many more complex and conscious thoughts come into play when a person chooses a "used" car. A purchase of a used car requires the same disinterest characterized by compact car owners, but it also requires a passion for something that has stood the test of time.

To love your car is to truly appreciate the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our species. It is a testament to how many individuals, from assembly line workers to automotive designers, can work together to craft something truly amazing.

It used to be we could depend on the reputation and reliability of North American cars to meet our standards - but could it be the times are changing? Here in the U.S., overseas models are continuing to rise in popularity. Find out why!

If you love your car, you’ve got treat it right – stock will never do for your hot wheels! Whether it’s for performance or just for the look, aftermarket parts can turn that car you just brought home into your own pimp ride.