Why do guys love cars so much?

[StormMistress]

It feels like most guys I’ve met have a real love for cars and racing and the like. Me however have no interest whatsoever lol so I’m curious what it is that draw guys to cars so much? Why are they so special to guys?

[BullShark]

To understand why guys love cars, sometimes even more than real people, first of all, you need to know that being a car nut, doesn't have to always be about the car, but has moreso to do with the car culture in general and each of our tastes in cars. Some of us like Japanese cars, some like exotic supercars like Lambos and Ferraris, some are into the classic American muscle-y boys with big engines and an exhaust note so loud and raspy that it can make you jump in your sleep, and so on.

For a car guy, it all starts with where you developed this love of cars from, and what got you into cars in the first place. Was it car guy magazines? Was it the og Fast and Furious movies? Was it videogames like Need For Speed? Or was it just you, staring out of your window as a kid and you look up to see a shiny yellow Corvette driving down the road that instantly catches your eye. For most of us, it's like love at first sight, and this is where it all begins for us.

It's an unspoken addiction, a love, an infatuation. Something so pure and so unadulterated that just the sight of your dream car driving past you on the road can make you stop whatever you're doing and just stare at the object of your attraction in awe and in silence. You want it, but most of you can't have it, and when you finally do get your dream car, you feel like the king of the world and that you have fulfilled your purpose in life. Nothing can bring you down ever again. And even if you die right now, you know you'll die happy.

[D_Bone_Steak]

I think a lot of males' behavior stems right out of High School... think about the things that would get you "status" back then. Lucky enough to get to play sports? Were you lucky enough to get a car? Maybe it was because you had money?

I think anyone can see where I'm going with my theory...

But I won't limit it just to in Highschool... home life too... maybe hunting/outdoorsman ship... maybe you got some respect from your parents for your intelligence?

I'm just saying not all guys are obsessed with buffing/cleaning their car (some don't even give a shit about their car... I clean the inside, but I leave the mud on the outside) and I know I don't watch sports jumping around yelling like I'm winning too through some sort of parasocial relationship.

I just think some things sort of shape our interests around that age and stick with us... even if nobody else gives a shit about what we like anymore. I'm obsessed with guitar... bet a lot of dudes and people in geneal couldn't give two shits about it... but I like it still.

[strateguy632]

to db, content status i agree with u.

[jennifer_bloom]

My theory is that the same biological wiring that makes men appreciate cars is the same biological wiring that makes men appreciate female bodies, since cars look like female bodies, it’s just objectifying a car is safer then objectifying a woman who could get pregnant with unwanted additional kids, or be abusive or lazy in a relationship, or be a liability in old age, or take half your assets in a divorce, or cheat on you, or be hard to get by turning you away after you spend money on them. A cat never says no when you pay for it and take care of it.

[Count_de_Monte_Volo]

Also the sound. A lot of V12 supercars sound like women sex growls and grunts. ;9

[strateguy632]

@Count_de_Monte_Volo funny ! but engines are continuing sounds not one grunt. girls grunt?

[Count_de_Monte_Volo]

I guess I mean “exhaust notes”

[catiecatie]

Shit I’m not a guy and enjoy looking at cool cars. Classic cars hell yeah I’m there. New cars like Shelby’s count me in! I know what classic car I want, which isn’t going to be my grandpas, but I will end up with that one too and I know what newer car I want. Just not the right time. Let me get my people first.

[RavVid]

Just after birth it is found that girl babies look at faces but boy babies are more inclined to look at things. This is well before pink and blue clothing can seep into their consciousness and gender type them.

Male brains and female brains are not the same. Men have a specialized brain area for spatial things and women have a specialized area for verbal things. Mechanics is about space; things rotating around other things. These brain specializations between males and females came as quite a surprise when it became possible to measure blood flow in the brain.

We all tend to like what we are good at so I am suggesting that we like car because they are the APEX mechanical object. That doesn't mean we all strive to be engine designers or mechanics etc but I think it does mean we like a good bit of mechanics than girls. On average.

In additional male brains mature structurally at about 25 but girls are done at about 20. Guys don't appreciate this could go badly wrong till much later than girls which is why prime military age is 18 to 25. Fast cars and racing is more fun for guys accordingly.

Girls on the other hand are quite impressed by expensive cars - more than guys - are who focused on horsepower numbers. Rolls Royce just rate the horsepower as adequate so they are no fun at all.

[mstbooblover]

Interesting considerations worth to meditate upon.

[RavVid]

@mstbooblover WRT to space when I first read this, I asked my work team at the next team meeting to point to the north. Roughly 50-50 boys and girls. The boys all pointed somewhere between NNE and NNW. The girls were all over the shop, some south some west some east. Every point of the compass except north. Proof to me.

[mstbooblover]

No gender is perfect I daresay ;0)

[RavVid]

@mstbooblover No it is just that evolution caused guys and girls to develop capabilities deferentially. e. g. after chasing down a wounded animal in a hunt it was advantageous for the guys to be able to navigate back to the girls reliably.

It is positively advantageous from an evolutionary perspective that particular skills became more highly honed in one gender or the other. It is not that one gender is imperfect because the other is generally better at a particular skill.

[mstbooblover]

Yes, of course it's a matter of evolution and survival. I was only a bit kidding because in daily life those capabilities can play amusing tricks. My wife for instance, when I asked her in what direction we had to go systematically pointed to wrong directions, and very often the opposite one ;0)

[RavVid]

@mstbooblover :) I sort of got that :) In my case I've had a couple of bad dates recently with geolocationally challenged strong independent women. I might put a question up on that.

[Count_de_Monte_Volo]

Good question because I’m a car nut since birth and even I don’t know why. Perhaps it is a way to upgrade our masculinity beyond our own bodies, like clothes. You “wear” the car like a cool jacket (if it’s a cool car).
And for kids who can’t afford a cool car, they still try and aspire to be legit one day by putting upgrades onto crappy cars.
Plus, the freedom it grants can be intoxicating. If you think about our caveman instincts, the men went out to hunt so a car is like a better way to do that, or riding a horse. And maybe that’s why women are stereotyped as interior decorators more than men because the cavewomen stayed home.
I think the horse thing is making a lot of sense to me. It’s a steel horse. After that, it’s minor things that make us like cars like the shiny chrome and the pretty lights :9

[MrOracle]

As a generalization, women are primarily interested in people (and socializing) while men tend to be most interested in things. This is why women overwhelmingly choose career fields that focus on dealing with people (legal, medical, administrative, social work) and men tend to choose trades, engineering, finance, and infrastructure.

A car is a thing, and it's a complex machine that can be altered and customized to suit the tastes of the owner. It's exactly the kind of thing that you might guess would interest a big group of men.

[Sasha0426]

I can definitely say I’m not a people person 😂 I work retail and I hate it.

[Haha456]

so what? it doesn't explain why women are so obsessed over shoes. As if women can't be obsessed with things. think harder, genius.

[MrOracle]

@Haha456 I made it clear that this is a generalization, and while that doesn't mean that women can't be obsessed with things, they tend to spend far more time thinking about people (by choice), while men are more likely to think about things. That doesn't mean men don't ever think about people either, obviously, but we're talking about what people spend the MAJORITY of their life focused on - a few exceptions doesn't invalidate the rule.

[Haha456]

@MrOracle

I'm pretty sure women obsess over shoes just as men obsess over cars.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

@Haha456 it's different though. Men stay incredibly loyal to a select few cars. Women get another pair of shoes as fast as they buy the last.

[Nazgol]

Really? There are no male doctors/surgeons? You might think over your answer before once again making such a vast generalization. @MrOracle

[Haha456]

@Telekinetic-Potato

actually no. men trade in cars for newer ones way more than women. women use the same car for 15 years. men trade in their cars every 4 years.

[MrOracle]

@Nazgol of course there are, but women have taken over a lot of medicine. One exception, though, are surgeons, which remains an overwhelmingly male occupation. Why? Surgeons are more like mechanics than doctors - they have very little patient interaction.

How many females are in the building trades? How many are oil field workers, miners, electrical linemen, pipeline layers, tunnel diggers, etc? How many mechanics? Generalizations look at the big picture, not the handful of exceptions, which will always exist.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

@Haha456 wouldn't that just stand to reason since woman generally as into cars as men are. Also, where I live most woman almost can't even imagine driving an older car than they can afford.

[Nazgol]

Male nurses also exist

[Nazgol]

No not really, my surgeon now comes to the clinic once a week all day to speak to patients/appointments

[Nazgol]

Unless he had emergency surgery of course

[Haha456]

@MrOracle

surgeons are mainly male because the job of a surgeon requires high physical endurance and stamina. Standing anywhere from 6-12 hours operating on a patient is not something that is largely doable by women. Surgeons do not sit when they do surgery. Same goes for miners, pipeline layers, tunnel diggers. These aren't jobs that women are naturally physically suited to do.

[Haha456]

@MrOracle

Surgeons are doctors. there is no shortage of female doctors however there is a shortage of female surgeons. Its not that women aren't smart enough. Its just that not many women can withstand the physically demanding job of a surgeon. You need to understand that fatigue can easily affect a surgeon's performance. Being tired while you mop the floor is not the same as being tired as you cut someone open. As a surgeon, you need to be very precise on everything you do. One error can cause you your livelihood and even put you in jail.

[MrOracle]

@Haha456 I never said that women weren't smart enough. I simply said that women don't CHOOSE surgery as a career (in significant numbers) because the job is more mechanical and less social in nature, and, yes, because it's physically demanding. I'm well aware of these issues - I have family in medicine.

[Haha456]

@MrOracle

It has nothing to do with being social. Historically, doctors, Lawyers , law enforcement, politicians (social jobs) always have always been male dominated. Its only the past 17 years where it has become more common for women to be working in these fields. social has nothing to do with it.

Men tend to be better at math and science. Most mechanical, math science careers do not require social interaction. It might seem that women tend to gravitate towards more social roles. But thats cuz women tend to be better at nurturing, care giving jobs or jobs that require empathy. Professions such as teaching, day care, social work, counselors require a certain level of nurturing or empathy or compassion. It has little to do with wanting to be social or not.

why do women tend to become receptionists, cashiers, secretaries, maids? because our culture does not encourage women to do well or succeed in life. Our girls are encouraged to become wives, mothers, instead of using their talents to become CEOs. This is slowly changing as society modernizes but a lot of people still hold this type of mentality.

[PragmaticProfit]

Many men have a deep fascination with cars due to various factors. Cultural influence often portrays cars as symbols of masculinity, power, and status leading to an interest from a young age. Mechanical curiosity and a desire to understand complex engineering concepts can also contribute to this fascination is also something to consider. Additionally, the sense of freedom, control, and competitive nature that comes with driving and car racing can be exhilarating for a lot of men. Aesthetic appeal, social connections, and nostalgia also play significant roles in fostering the love for cars among men.

[razelove]

The only car I liked racing around was a police cruiser, I could go fast, was safe in it, the car and parts were cheap, also no tickets. Though I really only got it for my wife since she was bad at driving at the time... lol
I like motorcycles and vans, as long as I can find a cheap car and get it for a steal, I could care less, my only real research or obsession there is researching the prices on parts, and reliability. It's better to spend a little more on the initial price to save money on major maintenance down the line, like cars with crappy gas saving features, or CV joints that break every 2 years.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

A car has this crazy ability to make you feel connected to something in a way that is inexplicably similar to having sex.

There's so much to love about them and most guys have slightly different reasons but for me, its the fact that every one is a work of art. They all represent an idea and they each have their own unique feel. Sometimes cars are built literally to ask a question or to make a point.

So far as fast cars go, the sound of a violent, angry V8 makes you feel alive. And the act of controlling that much power is a mix of therapudic and exciting in a way that is also oddly similar to having sex.

And that's just scratching the surface.

[Fireguy17]

I have no clue, but I love mechanical things, getting the most out of them etc.
I have raced stock cars, snowmobiles, drag raced, motocross, and have 2 classic cars in my garage.
It is kind of like a hobby that I enjoy, and I get satisfaction out of knowing that I did it.
I built an engine for one of the race cars in a living room because I didn't have a garage, changed engines outdoors using a tree branch, restored a motorcycle as a present for a girlfriend in the living room, all sort of things.
But for those that do not enjoy my hobbies I did things that they liked and putzed in the garage when they were not around.
I am also not stupid so if she wants to have sex and I am in the garage I can get cleaned up pretty fast.

[stepyo99]

Men are hobbyists. Cars are incredibly complex precisely machined equipment that are a vital part of modern transportation and used everywhere. There's also a long history of them and a lot of engineering and design experimentation to perfect them.

And while cars are a very popular interest for guys, it's not the only one. Some guys aren't interested in cars and have interests in other things like wood working or electronics or fishing, etc.

[Haha456]

men like anything that is action oriented. things such as video games, martial arts, basketball, sports, CARS. Men are built to be physical. Its the same reason why men tend to get into more car accidents than women. Because men tend to be more impulsive, physical and restless when it comes to driving. Women drive to get to places. Men drive as if it is a spiderman movie.

[mstbooblover]

Guys loving so much cars must probably be linked to our prehistorical ancestors, when men were in charge of hunting. Weapons and by extension accessories allowing to move quickly can be somehow linked to the same instinct. Think about the function of dogs and horses, the latter being replaced by cars and motorcycles. Cars and motorcycles seem also to be some kind of extension of a guy's personality, as weapons are. Just take a look at playing children.

[bamesjond0069]

Fun (obvious)

Status (nice car gives a little more social standing)

Skills (learn to be self sufficient and repair or change things)

Property (for most men it's the first real thing they own of value)

Competition (men like to compete with other men, might be racing or just having a cooler car or making money with cars anything like that)

Peacocking (ie something to catch girls attention like a red sports car will have more women look at the man than a white Honda which everyone has one of those so its not unique)

[Guanfei]

It's our instinct. Guys are into things, girls into people. We're made to like logical things that can be fixed, because our instinct as protectors and leaders requires it.
It's the same thing that makes guys more attracted to things like engineering.

[TiaraGlitzNeon]

Well, I'm a woman who's into cars, I think it's mostly just the look and the functionality that we find cool.

[StormMistress]

Ah nice. I do love the look of a sleek pristine car. They’re quite aesthetically pleasing I must say.

[Leapfrog00]

It's a hobby like anything else. Cars just happen to be one of the better hobbies. We find them fascinating. It's amazing, you look under the hood of a Chevy Impala, and there are so many parts, but look under the hood of a classic 57' Chevy, and there are barely any auto parts there. Yeah, fascinating!

Plus, we like things that go fast.

[OfMiceandMen]

I used to when I was young 18-21, but soon after that initial driving stage was over, I recognized it for what it was... a pit to which you throw money.

I just like something that gets me from point A to B and is reliable. Not into what it has for a motor, how flash it is, talking muscle cars, etc.

I do some maintenance on my truck, but it isn't about souping-it-up it is just about saving coin.

[Anonymous]

my boyfriend is a car guy and it’s so annoying. i care so much about his other interests but with this i’m like 🙄 it’s a car.. it goes vroom get over it.

[StormMistress]

Haha I’m exactly the same 😂

[Uenvy694u]

Cause cars are a statement. 2 a man they show what he likes. Cause men who can afford nice cars. A car is like a woman. Proof most men want a car with fast engine. Which in turn they want a woman who looks good and has body. Another reason is a nice car usually helps a man 2 get nice woman.

[andreasderjuengere]

Such guys have no clue about the excitement of ''only'' two wheels, I'd say. Add a poor sense for balance and physics, if you please - and a dislike for rain.

Also: cars can be fitted with phallic symbols such as a big exhaust, long bonnet, or ''big'' wheels - this helps over their personal insecurities.

[EmmaMary]

It's quite simply "Boys And Their Toys", for whatever reason they seem totally obsessed as if there's nothing else in life to occupy their minds! 🤔😂

[Unit1]

Women 😍

[TooHot2Care]

Hmmm…. Well, it started back when I learned how to skateboard.

The feeling of speeding down a slope or a hill and not falling off and the ecstasy that comes from moving at that speed…..

It’s pure freedom.

I get that same feeling when speeding with my van.

But I need to go faster, I need a vehicle that handles harder and demands more skill.

So , cars.

Driving fast is fun.

Racing against a stranger is fun.

Not much else to say.