View Full Version : Politics of volvo wagon drivers
gibbons
04-23-2004, 08:28 PM
At work the other day, a guy jokingly said that since I bought a Volvo wagon, I must be a political liberal. Huh? I am actually pretty conservative. My very well read 17 year old, now he's a liberal. But the XC in mine.
So, without starting a political debate, where do you think you would fit in the poll? Do you think Volvo implies liberal?
Raynald
04-23-2004, 09:41 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gibbons @ April 23 2004,20:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">(...) So, without starting a political debate, where do you think you would fit in the poll? (...)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yeah, right! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif <span style='color:blue'>Winter</span> hasn't the same meaning in Alaska and California! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif
I'm sure Canadian members we'll know what I mean when I say that, at this point in time, being a liberal in Canada is not necessarily an enjoyable status http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif !!!
Sorry, "anarchist" is not in your list... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
LOL...Good one Raynald! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Here in Canuck land, Liberals are referred to as 'Grits' and Conservative as 'Tories'. Alberta is almost exclusively tory property. Not sure about the 'wagon' theory, but I know for a fact that our own premier drives around in a PT Cruiser. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
oceanblue
04-23-2004, 10:34 PM
I personally think that it's silly to think that the type of car you own could imply anything about your political affiliation.
I live in California, called the left coast, and yet conservative Arnold Schwarzenegger is Governor, so go figure.
I voted moderate - there are things I feel liberally about and things I feel conservatively about.
I find voting difficult http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Although I vote in [/I]every[I] election.
Oceanblue
AWD*V70XC
04-24-2004, 02:24 AM
Well here we go, boy this should run and run and http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleeping.gif
I think Geroge W is a wonderful guy and the moon is made of cheese
Presently stuck here in England I have heard a saying that who ever you vote for the Goverment <span style='color:red'>always wins</span> so, for the last two elections I have left it to the masses to decide who they want to up the taxes. So when the time is right I will up & go to a greener pasture.
I don't think cars represent any sort of political status (in the UK) half as much as the size and location of your house. The car is used more as a status symbol in the UK by groups rather than politics. For example (I know I am about to put my foot in it and not being PC but here I go and no offence for saying the wrong thing) The young Blacks like to drive around in BM's, even better if the hood is down and you can blast, thump thump thump, to all in a 50 yard radius. The Asians see the Merc as their status symbol, regardless of age of the car, just having the 'sights' on the front is status enough. The young English lads enjoy driving around in two door hatchbacks, plastered in go faster stripes and having those silly neon lights underneath. There is also a new breed of driver in the UK called White Van Man who does not have any respect for man nor beast or the law, they park sorry, abondon it where they want and they drive like a bat out of hell and they must get to their destination as soon as possible regardless of what is put in front of them. Then you have the mothers on the school runs who must have a 4x4, any 4x4 will do, because it suits their kind of driving, mount the kerb when pulling up at school, knock that shopping trolley out of the way in the mall carpark. You also have the British Gentleman who drives a ROVER any rover will do because rover is seen as British. The rest seem to drive what they can afford and if it stops or breaks down they leave it there and get another one.
So, I don't see cars as political symbols more of status symbols, in the UK anyway. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/music.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
I always vote and always read all issues--on this topic will not vote--reason being this is such a respectful group and forum that I would not want any extraneous subject to cause conflict. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
gibbons
04-24-2004, 10:40 AM
Do the demographics of car buyers indicate a general trend? I actually think so. The REI (US outdoor sporting goods chain) parking lot always looks like a Subaru dealership. In general, the REI clientel are outdoorsy type Sierra Club'ers, Green Peace'rs, etc. Those folks tend to be liberal. And lots and lots of them drive Subarus.
So, does that mean if you drive a Subaru, you're a liberal? Obviously no. I drive a Subaru, and I am a conservative. But I do believe there is a trend.
John@CdnRockies
04-24-2004, 04:44 PM
LOL - particularly AWD*V70XC's comments. Guess we should just vote and remain anonymous, eh (the last two letters constitute a famous Canadian response)? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
asilverm
04-25-2004, 11:51 AM
I'm liberal...liberal...liberal.
My apologize to our friends up North and on the other side of the pond for the last 3 1/2 years. We'll do better in the future.
MD-Daddy
04-26-2004, 06:00 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (oceanblue @ April 23 2004,22:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I live in California, called the left coast, and yet conservative Arnold Schwarzenegger is Governor, so go figure.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I will drive (picking it up on Friday at the factory!http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif a Volvo for one and only one reason...my daughter. Ok, my family since we're expecting another one this summer.
The Volvo is not a banner of my politics. Its a symbol of my care and conern for my family. Not my politics.
Sorry, but Arnold's not a right coast conservative. He looks good and all, but like most label-only conservative politicans when you listen a little harder over time he's NOT for predominant (US perspective) conservative values of less government and more individual accountability. But then, politics and humanity were never ment to intersect. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Nowhere else in the US does politics infect ones personal life more than here in the DC area. One cannot carry on a daily conversation without mentioning a current issue in DC politics. As such, political polarization has aflicted most of the areas residents creating a culture of children all shouting "I know you are but what am I?!?!"
If anything the Volvo is a reminder to me that my priorities are with my Family. Not my political dogma.
NeuDaddi
04-26-2004, 06:55 AM
I agree with the idea that each individual's ownership of a Volvo does not have a direct link with their political leanings, but there are general trends that marketers have tracked that do link things like political belief, hobbies, clothing, cars, etc. At least in the US, marketing agencies have categorized us down to a fairly specific level. I've heard some of the categories, but I can't remember any of the actual linkages. They are things like "The Eddie Bauer-TiVo Guy", items that don't seem to have an obvious connection, but which marketers have found being purchased by the same people over and over.
As for my wife and I, we bought a Volvo for a number of reasons, but I can't say that some of the choice wasn't influenced by politics. We are traditional Northeastern liberals, albeit transplanted to Virginia. While we have gotten more conservative as we have gotten older, we still hold some basic liberal values and make choices every day based on those values. So, a car company that is good to its workers is an attractive reason to buy that company's car. A car that uses lots of recycled materials and helps improve air quality is a very attractive car to us. Of course, a dealership that treats us well and gives us a good price is important, as is finding a car that fits our needs and makes us feel good. All of these were things we found with the XC70, which is ultimately why we bought one.
One additional thing I would add is that my wife and I had kept asking ourselves the following question, "Are we people?" before we considered buying a car. We didn't think we were Volvo "people", but we thought we could be "Subaru" people. Then we drove both cars and realized that what we are is people who really like Volvos.
ebreo
04-26-2004, 03:06 PM
The results of this poll might somewhat correlate to the results of "what is your age" poll. As Churchill once said: "if you are young and not a liberal - you have no heart, if you are old and not a conservative - you have no brain" But all jokes aside - Volvo station wagons in the US are associated with bleeding heart liberals. We know several families who proudly carry that label, and drive Volvo wagons. We could not have considered buying an SUV without our friends disowning us http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
AutoMonkey
04-26-2004, 05:30 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrb @ April 24 2004,07:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I always vote and always read all issues--on this topic will not vote--reason being this is such a respectful group and forum that I would not want any extraneous subject to cause conflict. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
With this being election year in the US, I was expecting (dreading?) this topic coming up, and I heartily second mrb's comment...
One of the great things about this forum is that it comprises people from all over the world, both sexes, and a wide range of ages and incomes (q.v. other recent polls). No doubt there is also a diverse range of political inclinations, religious beliefs (or lack thereof), sexual proclivities and any number of other factors that have the potential to engender high emotions, argument and discord. Nevertheless, we meet here and exchange thoughts and advice based on a common theme - our ownership or interest in Volvo XC's, and the result is an uncommonly friendly and helpful forum. I, for one, would prefer not to know your political leanings, and I too decline to state mine.
Hoping that this thread doesn't devolve into a political flame war,
AutoMonkey
Raynald
04-26-2004, 08:06 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AutoMonkey @ April 26 2004,17:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">(...) Hoping that this thread doesn't devolve into a political flame war,
AutoMonkey[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Word of wisdom! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
For the time this thread has been going on without starting a feud is IMHO a sign of our respect for each other on this forum. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif
Peace (of mind) to all! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/yin-yang.gif
Oh, and BTW, Art, our premier drives... a Volvo S80. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
bouvier
04-26-2004, 08:07 PM
I think the webmaster should move this to the "off Topic" section. Political stuff has made a mess of many a good BBS. What are we going to be asked to vote on next .... "If you have a booster seat what do you think about a woman's right to choose? " ... "Are Volvo xc70 owners for or against same sex marrage?" Let's get back to cars!
Al
AWD*V70XC
04-27-2004, 06:58 AM
I have to agree with AutoMonkey and other comments about the responses. I do agree this should have not been in this forum but sited in Off Topic but then to non registered members it will show them how civil, adult and mature we can be on subjects that do not directly relate to the nature of the site or why we joined. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif and to all of you I salute your restraint in not making this an excuse for allout war http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif Such simple tasks have turned into a full scale riots elsewhere. (enough said about that)
An just to add a little humour into the situation I offer the following, the joy about this is the fact you can change the names to your local people and it still raises a laugh.
An Irishman died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone in the universe has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's St. Patrick's. The hands have never moved, indicating that he never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St.Peter responded, "That's Daniel O'Connell's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that he told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's Bertie Ahern's clock?" asked the man.
"Bertie's clock is in God's office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
BTW Bertie Ahern is the Goverment leader in Ireland but it could also have been the name of Bush or Blair shown in there. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
I thought it was funny anyway http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
gibbons
04-27-2004, 07:59 PM
Sorry to cause a stir by starting this. I didn't intend for it to be a political forum, I was just curious if the car had any connotations. No one seemed to mind when I did the poll on owner incomes, which is not very Volvo either, and a bunch more intrusive.
So, back before I bought the car, I posted a question asking if anyone had any performance data on the car. Now that was a real life Volvo topic, but nobody replied! But on this topic that is on the fringes of Volvo-ness, it looks like 27 people have voted to date on this survey. Hmmmm.....
AWD*V70XC
04-28-2004, 12:53 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gibbons @ April 28 2004,03:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sorry to cause a stir by starting this.
I posted a question asking if anyone had any performance data on the car. Now that was a real life Volvo topic, but nobody replied! [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Gibbons, I have had a few like that as well, I could never understand the reasons behind it. If you remember I asked about bull bars and got ... well read it yourself. But for some other questions I got nothing back at all. Funny Old World we live in http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif
I am sure a poll about how many times you ride your bike would attract just as much reaction, but more serious questions go unanswered http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif maybe it is because we are just a bunch of ordinary everyday folk and we need the help of some qualified people to help out. I noticed a question in the 99 section about a fuel leak and no replies, which in a way is sad because the guy has a big problem and nobody can offer any assistance http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/unhappy.gif
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_136v.gif
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Besides driving a Volvo I use a Mac, so I must be liberal, right?
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/rednecks.gif
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