AllAboutPrius.com
GreenCarReports.com
AllCarsElectric.com
AllSmallCars.com
HondaInsightReviews.com
ChevyTruckReviews.com
PickupConnection.com
GMCReports.com
FordF150Reviews.com
MotorAuthority.com
LuxuryCarReport.com
AudiReports.com
BenzConnection.com
LexusReports.com
MINICooperReviews.com
BMWMonitor.com
PorscheReports.com
RangeRoverReviews.com
LotusConnection.com
FerrariReports.com
AllMinivans.com
FamilyCarGuide.com
VolvoReports.com
FordReports.com
ToyotaMonitor.com
HondaReports.com
ChevroletReports.com
VolkswagenReviews.com
AcuraRatings.com
NissanReports.com
KiaReports.com
CadillacReports.com
MustangBlog.com
CamaroBlog.com
ChallengerBlog.com
Forums
RSS
Dealers
Marty Padgett
It's taken the grey lady, the New York Times, just 38 or so years to realize there are "gay cars" in the world. This morning, they've canvassed the world of gay car writers and engineers in a quest for the skinny on the prime players - MINI, Miata and Beetle, Wrangler--along with the stalwart lesbian vehicle of choice, the Subaru Outback.
In the process of outing cars, the Times invus two of our favorite homosexualists, who point out that even in the gay world, gay cars sometimes carry a stigma. Joe LaMuraglia, Gaywheels.com titan, told his partner he wanted to buy a MINI--and his partner reminded him that in gay ghettos around the country, a MINI is pretty much "a gay cliché.”
Markus, who tech-directs the newly sheeny Motor Trend, debunks the clichés of a guy in Jeep “to show off his hot body,” and offers instead that “If you could actually push a button and see what every gay person drives, it’s probably not too different from what the average person drives, but it might skew higher in price.” To that point, one of Gaywheels.com's most popular searches is not the fabulous New Beetle or the very, very gay Wrangler - it's the Toyota Yaris.
What's totally gay to you, in the best possible sense? Tell us. Maybe we'll buy one next when we trade in the exceedingly versatile Element. Keep your comments "nice," in the non-Imus sense.
Gay by Design, or a Lifestyle Choice? - New York Times
Listen to Joe LaMuraglia of Gaywheels.com talk about "gay" cars on XM:
What makes a gay car? Other than being parked in TheCarConnection.com's SE HQ driveway, a car becomes gay (unlike people, who're born that way) when it acquires a gaggle of fans in the rainbow community. It's taken the grey lady, the New York Times, just 38 or so years to realize there are "gay cars" in the world. This morning, they've canvassed the world of gay car writers and engineers in a quest for the skinny on the prime players - MINI, Miata and Beetle, Wrangler--along with the stalwart lesbian vehicle of choice, the Subaru Outback. In the process of outing cars, the Times invus two of our favorite homosexualists, who point out that even in the gay world, gay cars sometimes carry a stigma. Joe LaMuraglia, Gaywheels.com titan, told his partner he wanted to buy a MINI--and his partner reminded him that in gay ghettos around the country, a MINI is pretty much "a gay cliché.” Markus, who tech-directs the newly sheeny Motor Trend, debunks the clichés of a guy in Jeep “to show off his hot body,” and offers instead that “If you could actually push a button and see what every gay person drives, it’s probably not too different from what the average person drives, but it might skew higher in price.” To that point, one of Gaywheels.com's most popular searches is not the fabulous New Beetle or the very, very gay Wrangler - it's the Toyota Yaris. What's totally gay to you, in the best possible sense? Tell us. Maybe we'll buy one next when we trade in the exceedingly versatile Element. Keep your comments "nice," in the non-Imus sense. Gay by Design, or a Lifestyle Choice? - New York Times Listen to Joe LaMuraglia of Gaywheels.com talk about "gay" cars on XM:
Responses (40 total)
By jack c #21, Posted: 4/13/2007
I think perception is skewed in SF because everyone notices the two guys in the miata going north on a friday to the Russian River but doesn't see the two guys in the SUV right next to them.
What about the Prius? MAJOR gay car!
By Kevin #22, Posted: 4/13/2007
We own a 2007 Jaguar XK and a new Range Rover...but I have to admit that I have owned several miata's.
The mini is really the only car that comes to mind that really screams gay to me..(I'm gay, so I can say that)...
By Jason #23, Posted: 4/14/2007
I think Michael T hit it on the head when he said basically 'anything that could be considered a premium brand' probably has a stronger appeal to the style-conscious (aka 'brand queens'). BMWs and VWs have proliferated for years in the gay ghettos of Atlanta- and more recently Acura TL/TSX and anything Lexus. The truth is that often gay couples have more disposable income AND want something seen as stylish and appealing.
The majority of gay guys I know are a little more frugal, especially the single ones, because they are a one-income household. Honda Civics and Scions are very popular choices, as they are for any practical person wanting to keep costs down. More recently, the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are following their bigger siblings.
The lesbian/Subaru stereotype is amusing and not altogether untrue. The reason? They're practical, tough as nails, the wagon versions offer cargo space similar to an SUV and, with 4wd they'll never need a man to pull them out of a snow drift! =) A wise choice by any standard, so more power to them! Wonder what Melissa Etheridge drives?
For the record, I am 32, gay and single. When I was car shopping in 12/05 I seriously considered a previous-gen Jetta GLi, MINI and the Civic Si. According to my best friend, I'm not 'gay enough' to pull off a MINI or the Jetta. In the end, I chose a Mazda3 5-door. My friends gave me crap about picking the 5-door over the sedan but it just made sense to me....guess some of that lesbian sensibility has rubbed off on me.
By Mark #24, Posted: 4/14/2007
Has to be a toss up between the Miata and any Chrysler convertible.
Oh yo Pam... it's okay to ask "what's a real gay car." But asking "what's a real black car" or mexican car could find the editor following Don Imus's footsteps. Go figure.
By CadElak #25, Posted: 4/15/2007
No way to stereotype cars for gays and lesbians - but I guess the NY Times feels the need to try in the name of 'all the news thats fit to print.' As a gay NYC man... Current car: 2006 Cadillac DTS - there is a little Liberace in all of us. Car before that was a 2003 Infiniti M45, before that was a 2000 Camaro SS.
Next car will likely be a 2007 Corvette or a Cadillac XLR.
By BigBlock454 #26, Posted: 4/16/2007
With respect to everyone out there...whether you are lesbian, gay, straight, female, male, young, old, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, purple, green or whatever...you should buy what you want and/or need. Who cares what anyone else thinks of your purchase?
By Vic and Dale #27, Posted: 4/16/2007
I'm so glad to see that the majority of comments here are from other enthusiasts who happen to be gay or lesbian. I was counting on seeing a whole lot of nonsense here but am pleasantly surprised!
My partner and I own a Volvo 850 Turbo and a BMW 3 series. We just acquired for his daughter a Toyota Corolla GT-S. I'm currently in the market for a Porsche 944 Turbo as a summer toy. I doubt anyone would classify any of the vehicles I just mentioned here as gay cars.
What makes a car gay? I'd have to agree with Jeff who says that a gay car is one with a Pride sticker anywhere on it. Guess that would make my Bimmer a gay car since I proudly display my sticker on the rear window.
That said, while all the manufacturers are considering us as a viable demographic, it's still noticeable which cars we flock towards. Mainly those cars with high sex appeal! My partner chose his Volvo for practicality. I chose the Bimmer for style.
Cars that appeal to the gay populace? The new kid on the block would have to be the VW Eos. I can't tell you how many I've seen in the gay ghetto out here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. So true the Mini, Miata, VW Cabrio, anything Jeep, and above all, Saab 9-3 (coupe and convertible).
I've been a huge car guy for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I dreamed of having a big ol' pussy chaser such as a Pontiac Trans-AM, a la Smokey and the Bandit. Maybe it was because of my infatuation with Burt Reynolds - who knows?
By Bobby #28, Posted: 4/16/2007
In Dallas, its BMW 3 series by far. That's followed by Honda Civic, any smaller convertible (Miata, Z4, Mercedes SK), Honda Accord, Mustang, and trucks...F-150's are huge for gay men and women. For smaller trucks, its Toyota Tacoma.
By James #29, Posted: 4/16/2007
I have always been a Toyota fan since I was 10 and I recently read an article that Toyota will be focusing it's Lexus and Scion brands on gay marketingd, which was a good feeling. I've been noticing quite a bit of advertising as of late on gay.com especially. I recently purchased a Lexus IS250 and I'm in love with it. I owned a Camry, a Scion TC , and now my tiger baby.
It's a good feeling when a car company you love supports you back. My partner and I are environmentally conscious and are planning on our next vehicle to be the Prius.
By King #30, Posted: 4/16/2007
What makes a car gay? I would have to say style and status. Being a young gay guy (21) i would have to say foreign cars are a hot topic with my generation. Anything nissan, honda, toyota or any of its luxury divisions. I would also have to say the sebring convertable. In my few driving years i've owned a 90 nissan stanza, 96 nissan altima, 99 dodge avenger v6 (aka mitsu eclipse), and currently a 00 mustang v6. I only got the mustang because the dealer wouldn't compromise on a solara. My eyes are really on the Scion Tc and the upcoming altima and accord coupes, just something to spoil myself with after college. After all it not like i have children or anything lol.
Post a comment