| Author |
Message |
    
Paul Hayslett
Advanced Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 764
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 05:21 pm: | 
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So what's the deal with middle-aged men and red cars? It's Friday before a holiday weekend and the first decent, sunny day of Spring. So, working in my home office near the beach, I'm watching the fair-weather-only cars cruise by. So far, I've counted 1 Ferrari, 1 Maserati, 1 Porsche, and 3 Miatas. Every one driven by a paunchy, middle-aged guy. And every one bright, flaming red.
Now, I'll admit that I don't really understand the sports car thing. As I approach my own mid-life crisis I find myself hankering after a flatbed Ford F150 with a lot of rust (something I need exactly as much as I need a 2-seater sports car). But what's the deal with red? You might as well tattoo a sign on your forehead: "Mid-life crisis in progress!" I just don't get it. |
Ron Siddall
Member
Username: Listerdister
Post Number: 233
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 06:01 pm: |
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Paul, I am 48 but not in the least bit fat. My wife and I recently bought a 2005 Vet that is bright red. She wanted the bright red one because she likes that color. I like it too.
Why now? Because our kid is finaly on her own and we can afford to spend some money on something nice for ourselfs. We could not of afforded this luxury earlier.
Where is the harm? |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 3142
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 06:45 pm: |
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I don't know, Paul. Cars are mostly only transportation to me. In 37 years I've owned just six of them. Four were green (including my current ride) and two were red (a boxy maroon Japanese sedan and a passably attractive American red coupe). I can't say that any of them got me any more attention or made me feel any different.
I do, however, recall the red VW Karmann Ghia convertible I drove for one summer back in the '70s when the owner (my brother) was out of the country. It did seem to be easier to find girls who wanted to go for a ride. |
Joseph Listan
Advanced Member
Username: Poonstab
Post Number: 697
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 07:10 pm: |
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They are out there preventing cavities.
You should thank them, even though you have no choice in the matter. After all, it is for your own good... trust us. |
Marlon Lang
Intermediate Member
Username: Marlonlang
Post Number: 494
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 11:24 pm: |
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FWIW, red cars get more traffic tickets - fact! |
Mike Huss
Advanced Member
Username: Mikhu
Post Number: 677
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 04:12 pm: |
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Marlon, you are indeed correct. I don't think it's because they are red and stick out though, I think it's because there's this thing with people with red cars that makes them think they have a super coupe or something. What I've noticed is most red cars are two door small things driven by horrible driving young girls.
Joseph, are you sure the movie "Conspiracy Theory" wasn't written by you?  |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 4681
Registered: 01-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 05:16 pm: |
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I'm a paunchy 53 year old with a green Civic and a gold CRV. Several of my friends are going through "midlife crisis". One just got divorced and found a young girlfriend...another just spent $60K on a car. Me, I decided both of those were too expensive and too much hassle. I decided to grow my hair out to my waist, like it used to be! 
LIfe begins at 60...1.060, that is.
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Paul Hayslett
Advanced Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 766
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 09:49 pm: |
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Ron,
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply there was harm in it. I just couldn't figure out why all the little sports cars I saw were red. I think you provided the answer and Bill corroborated -- WOMEN like red cars and men want to be driving cars that women notice and like. There you go.
As for the extra tickets, maybe it's like a peacock's tail. Scientists think that some male animals intentionally make themselves more attractive to predators as a way of signalling fitness to the ladies. "Hey, look at me! I'm so tough that I can take all these extra risks and still survive!" So maybe the extra tickets are part of the draw. |
Ken Anderson
Advanced Member
Username: Ken75
Post Number: 852
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:27 pm: |
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Along with the mid-life crisis sports car is the mid-life crisis Harley-Davidson. I was at the Erie H-D showroom today, and are those babies sweet! Thinking seriously about it...
 |
Ron Siddall
Member
Username: Listerdister
Post Number: 235
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 02:04 pm: |
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Marlon, red cars get into fewer accidents as well. That is a fact also.
Paul, no problems. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 01:06 pm: |
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We were in Washington DC this weekend for our son's soccer games. There was a motorcycle "ride" that starts at the Pentagon's parking lot and goes to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. I heard that 10,000 bikes take part in this each year. All very well and nice. But it occured to me, seeing all these bikes around town, that the typical image of a bike gang member is starting to become the image of an old man.
Listermann Mfg.,Co. www.listermann.com
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Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 3161
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 01:17 pm: |
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Dan, the annual Memorial Day weekend Rolling Thunder rally in Washington attracts more like 100,000 riders. And the demographics of motorcycling are not lost on Harley-Davidson. Their advertising is clearly targeted at those in their 40s and 50s who have the discretionary income.
(Message edited by BillPierce on June 01, 2005) |
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