Why are some cars considered chick cars? (Page 2/3)
Monkeyman SEP 24, 11:16 PM
The Ford Probe was designed and marketed for/to women. Lower power, curvier shape, etc than the Mustang. Or...more feminine. That said, I'd drive one. They're not bad for what they are.
RayOtton SEP 25, 10:00 AM
I owned two '89 Mustangs. First one was a 5 speed hatchback which was definitely not a chick car.

The second one was a convertible automatic which was a chick car in that the automatic defined the term "slushbox". In addition, though not 100% sure of this, the convertibles only came with the 2.73 axle. Stock I couldn't even break the rear tires loose.

After I put in a shift kit and changed the rear axle ratio to 3.57 the feel of the car changed completely. In fact, the shift kit was so effective I actually preferred it to the 5 speed.
Kitskaboodle OCT 03, 10:22 AM
My wife has a 2001 VW Cabrio (the name was shortened to Cabrio in the 90's at some point) A BIG-TIME chick car if there ever was one!
I consider a "chick" car something that is A) cute, B) smallish in size and C) generally a convertible (for the reason of showing themselves off)
Kit
Ang84Indy OCT 12, 04:13 PM
Cars tend to be labeled "chick car" by the people, but some are marketed that way, as previously mentioned, the Ford Probe. I remember when it came out, I was surprised it was marketed to women. My interest came from the concept cars named Probe, all the wind tunnel research and the low drag coefficients. The production car named Probe was a disappointment.
Marvin McInnis OCT 14, 05:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by rogergarrison:

The original Mustangs were first known as 'secretary' car, so they were officially chick cars at that time.




... as were Fieros, which were originally marketed as a "cute little commuter car" targeted specifically at the young, single, female demographic.

Then there are Subarus ...

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 10-15-2014).]

Hulk DEC 15, 07:47 PM
So many good insights here. The way I see it, if I see a car I consider a "chick" car, or an Impala with a lift and 30" dubs, that just makes me like my Mustang and Fiero that much more. After all, if we all drive the same thing, driving wouldn't be fun anymore.

------------------
Ryan

86 Fiero GT
-Project SR-71

86 Fiero SE V6

91 Mustang 5.0 LX
-Slow...

virtuetovice DEC 19, 06:30 PM
Believe it or not, a lot of that perception is directly attributed to the name. This is by design. Think of names like "Challenger" or "Camaro" or even "Grand Prix". All of them have a solid, masculine and sometimes racing or competition inspired name. It's widely noted and proven that cars with aggressive names, especially ones ending with a strong "grr" sound are more popular with males than females. Now think hard about the name "Celica", "Miata", "Beetle", and you would notice a much less aggressive, feminine sound. It's sometimes even named after something "cute" like the Rabbit. Now think of "Regal", "El Dorado", "Cutlass Supreme" and all of them sound luxurious or exotic. The target market is going to be someone looking for that.

TLDR version, its really a name game.
Fiero Vampire DEC 22, 05:19 PM
Funny thing when I bought my first Fiero in 89 (Black 85 2M4) all my army buddies made fun of me for having a chick's car, (I guess Ferris Bueller's sister driving one didn't help.) Of course they said the same thing when I bought my Fiat X1/9. I think any small European sports car properly got thrown into the same classification, and yes I think it's mostly an American trait.
jediperk DEC 22, 06:40 PM
Uh, I'm going to go out on a limb and say they are called "chick cars" because they are marketed for and primarily driven by women... At least that's what I've always thought...
carnut122 DEC 23, 11:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:
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)



Take out all of the "man" sales for pick-up trucks and the percentages for every other vehicle are already skewed into becoming "chick cars."