Dude, you bought a girl car?
May 15th, 2007 by Will ThompsonDisclaimer:

Please note that we here at AutomotiveBlogger.net are not recommending cars for girls, nor are we recommending men don’t buy the following cars. This blog is written in the United States of America, and for the time being we are all free to buy whichever car we wish. If I happen to name the car that’s in your driveway and you suddenly feel insulted, well, lighten up, Francis. My aim with this post not to insult, but rather it is to point out that at some point after buying one of the cars on this list that you will most likely hear a comment about your car being a “girl car”. If you’re a “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” kind of person then not only do you have my admiration and respect, but you are also free to read on, Admiral Farragut. If you are not and you buy one of the cars on this list, then don’t say I didn’t warn you.

5.) Mazda Miata



When the Mazda Miata was introduced in 1989 as a 1990 model, it was meant to herald the second coming of convertible sports cars that were small, handled great, and were sparse on conveniences. Sports car guys were giddy, especially the editors at car magazines like Car and Driver and Road and Track, who saw the Miata as a return to cars like the Lotus Elan and the MGB of the mid 1900s. Unfortunately, they were really cute and affordable and became the epitome of a top-down-at-the-mall girl car. The Miata is pretty far down the list due to a seriously fanatic group of supporters at places like Miata.net, a pretty hardcore racing series, and the awesomely badass Monster Miata conversions.

4.) Toyota RAV4



With as many soccer moms as you see driving tank-like SUVs down the road, you’d think picking a girl-SUV would have been easier than I found it to be. Since Marge Simpson’s Canyonero isn’t a real car, I picked the small SUV that I’ve never known to have been bought by a guy for himself (including the one I looked to buy - not for myself): The Toyota RAV4. Just look at it. If it were smaller, you could totally picture it in a woman’s closet, couldn’t you?

3.) Volkswagen (New) Beetle



I have to confess: I love Volkswagen Beetles. Older ones, that is. I have all the Herbie movies on DVD, and I even have a Herbie Rides Again paperback book. For being as groovy and cult-worthy as the old ones were, the newer ones just don’t look right with a man behind the wheel. Volkswagen may as well embrace their image and make a Hello Kitty edition of this car.

2.) Mustang Convertible (especially the four and six cylinder versions)



Cute sister of the more macho Mustang GT, this is the car that car guy dads get for their daughters and drive themselves around in on the weekends while the daughter is “grounded”. Suuuuurrrre it’s your daughter’s car, car guy dads of America. Whatever you guys need to tell yourselves to sleep better at night. It’s her car.

1.) Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf Cabriolet



This is the quintessential girl car. It’s impossible for a guy to drive one for a week and not hear comments about how “girly” it is from guys and “cute” it is from girls. As if they just plain gave up on any semblance of masculinity, Volkswagen even used the French word for “car with a folding top”.

If I ever saw a male construction worker jump into one of these after a hard day on the job, I would have an immediate coronary.

There you have it. Anybody remember one I missed?

–Will Thompson

girl car, miata, mazda, volkswagen, golf, rabbit, convertible, escape, ford, mustang, toyota, RAV4

Top 10 Cars for Women
From Aaron Gold,
Your Guide to Cars.
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Women tell us they prefer a car that's agile, has good visibility, and isn't a chore to drive. Many like to sit higher and most rightly insist on plenty of storage space, reasonable prices and low running costs. Space for growing families is essential in many cases and safety is a major factor. Furthermore, many women tell us that a high fun-to-drive factor is important.
The ten cars listed below meet these criteria while allowing for different tastes, lifestyles, and incomes.

1) Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is just one of a handful of subcompacts now on the US and Canadian markets, but few others can match the Fit's balance of front seat, back seat and trunk room. The Fit is especially handy in urban areas, where its small size allows it to nip through traffic and squeeze into tiny parking spots. Its fuel-efficient 1.5 liter engine has plenty of get-up-and-go, even with an automatic transmission, and Honda quality means it'll last an eon.
Read Review
2) Mazda 3
Mazda's new compact brings with it a combination of style, space, and driving pleasure not often found in this class. The 4-door costs less initially but we recommend the 5-door for all-round practicality, not to mention a little elbow room for a growing family.
Read Review
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3) Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is a great set of wheels for a woman who doesn't have a family, and an excellent second car for one who does. Few cars deliver the Miata's combination of fun in the sun and raw driving thrills, and even fewer deliver such great fuel economy while doing it. Though trunk room is tight, the Miata offers just enough room for a romantic weekend getaway for two. And on a day-to-day basis, it's a great way to put a little sparkle into your commute.
Read Review
4) Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen's compact sedan offers up enough individuality for an independant woman, enough cachet for the up-and-coming executive, and enough room for a growing family. We're especially enamoured of the hot-rod turbo version, which has the same engine as VW's boy-racer GTI. (We like the other versions too, especially the super-frugal diesel-powered Jetta TDI.)
Read Review
5) Ford Focus
The Ford Focus has a markedly different character than most Ford products sold in the US and Canada. That's because it was developed by Ford of Europe -- that's right, this is an honest-to-goodness European car. The tall cabin, upright driving position, roomy interior and trunk and smile-generating driving experience all come courtesy of the Focus' old-world roots, but with the humble Ford badge on the boot -- er, trunk -- you aren't paying for a fancy European name.
Read Review
6) Subaru Forester
The Forester toes the line between car and SUV, but unlike most crossovers, the Forester does everything well. On the road it offers invigorating handling and performance; off road it'll keep up with many bigger, brawnier SUVs. And when the weather turns foul, the Forester is one of the best vehicles of any size for safely negotiating slick roads. All this plus lots of cargo space and good fuel economy. The downside? Awkward looks and a tight back seat. Overall its an outstanding package.
Read Review
7) Toyota Camry
There's a reason the Camry is the best selling car in the US, and has been for years: It does just about everything well. It's roomy, quiet, comfortable, and built like the proverbial brick outhouse. With the new-for-2007 redesign, the Camry offers more choice than ever. Most buyers will opt for the well-priced and well-equipped Camry LE, but don't overlook the fuel-efficient Camry Hybrid, luxury-oriented Camry XLE and sporty Camry SE.
Read Review
8) Mazda 5
Mazda's answer to the minivan is the 5 -- a one-box minivan-like design (complete with sliding doors for the back seats) built on the platform of a subcompact. The result: A 6-seater that's fun to drive and gets great fuel economy.
Read Review
9) Honda Civic
Civics are everywhere, and with good reason: They're economical, easy to drive, and they run like a Swiss watch. With their blue-chip resale values and impeccable build quality, Civics are good investments both short- and long-term. Innovations like a totally flat passenger floor (no center "tunnel") make the Civic comfortable and practical. Hybrid and natural-gas powered versions are perfect for the cost- and environment-conscious. Without question, this is the compact-class leader.
Read Review
10) Mercedes-Benz E-class
You've worked hard. Now enjoy it! The Mercedes E-class offers more prestige of the three-pointed star. The E is ideally sized, big enough for the family to ride comfortably (without a chorus of "Mom, he hit me!" "She hit me first!" from the back seat), but small enough for easy parking and urban handling. The E is the practical way to treat yourself right.
Read Review

The Top Ten Cars for Women has been one of the most popular articles here on About.com Cars for as long as I can remember. No, it's not a list that highlights visor mirrors and places to stick your purse. Women tend to be more practical when it comes to buying cars (just as men tend to be more practical when it comes to buying shoes), and the Ten Best Cars for Women is a guide to practical buying.
In the interests of equal time, I decided to publish this list. For guys, it's not about what we need, but what we want. Are these cars practical? Some of 'em. Sensible? Maybe. But they're cool -- and that's what counts.

1) Chevrolet Corvette
While there are no doubt plenty of women who are Corvette owners, the 'Vette always has been, and always will be, a guy's car. Not only is it the symbol of the male mid-life crisis, but its wide body and over-the-top V8 engine make it an ode to excess that the male members of our species are hard-wired to appreciate. And then there's the Corvette's inherent patriotic appeal -- and the fact that Chevy has improved the chassis to the point that the newest 'Vettes are serious track cars, makes it all that much more rewarding to thumb one's nose at Porsche owners.

2) Chrysler Sebring Sedan
Guys are not known for our taste in furnishings -- witness such brilliant creations as the wagon-wheel coffee table. So while the Sebring's plethora of interior materials, all joined together in one disharmonious bowling-shirt-like whole, may cause women to retch, it's just the sort of more-is-better décor that guys like me love. The Sebring isn't great to drive, but it's wonderful to sit in.
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3) Dodge Magnum
For years, the station wagons were the mommymobiles of choice -- but the Magnum shows us that wagons can be manly, too. With engine choices starting at 190 horsepower and going all the way up to the 340 hp and 425 hp Hemi V8s, plus big wheels and magnificently menacing styling, the Dodge Magnum practically drips testosterone. Each time I drive one, I look underneath for a pair of… well, you know. I haven't found them, but I'm sure they're under there somewhere.
4) Dodge Viper
510 horsepower now, 600 horsepower coming in 2008. 'Nuff said.
5) Honda Accord
The stereotype says that men are supposed to know all about cars, but the truth is that many of us don't. That's where the Honda Accord comes in. To the world, it says, "This person is beyond all this go-faster nonsense! He wants sensible, reliable transportation for himself and the family." To us, it says, "Just enjoy the V6 and the leather, and I'll keep you out of the repair shop. Your wife never has to know that you don't understand a thing your mechanic is talking about!"
6) Honda S2000
The S2000 is the Mazda Miata for guys. Not to knock on the Miata -- I mean, let's face it, in terms of pure driver appeal it's one of the best cars on the market. But why have 166 horsepower when you can have 237? Why have a 6,700 RPM redline when you can have an 8,000 RPM redline? Why have manual operation for the absurdly light top when you can have power? The S2000 is like a Miata with extra cheese and extra bacon. Do you need it? Nah. Is it good for you? Probably not. Are you gonna get it? Hell yeah!
7) Infiniti G35
There are plenty of rear-wheel-drive sport-luxury sedans on the market, but it's the G35's 350Z DNA (see below) that gives it its guy appeal. The G35's 306 horsepower makes cornering with finesse a little tricky -- it takes a light foot when exiting corners to avoid incurring the traction control system's wrath -- but this car jets away from the traffic lights like nobody's business. And the rear-wheel-drive layout may rob rear-seat and trunk space -- but, hey, that's why they invented the two-car family.
8) Lexus LS 460
Gadgets and guys just naturally go together -- do you think it's a coincidence that they both start with the letter G? The LS has long been the showcase for Lexus' latest and greatest, with gadgets like radar cruise control that automatically keeps a set distance from the car in front, push-button starting, and even a self-parking feature. For those who can afford to have someone else drive them, the LS460 even offers an extended-wheelbase model with optional reclining rear seats (complete with electric massage) and dual-screen video system. Add chips and a Godfather DVD and it's the ultimate rolling living room!
9) Nissan 350Z
My dearly-departed Uncle Ben was one of the manliest men I know -- not in a body-builder-Marine sense, but in a women-love-me-and-men-want-to-be-me sense. He discovered Nissan Z-cars in the mid 80s, and after he bought his first one (a 300ZX) he never bought another type of car. All Zs, past and present, have a few things in common: They look cool, they go fast, and they rarely break. They have flashy exteriors and business-class interiors that always suited my Unc just fine. Besides, among car guys, there's just something about a Z that commands respect.
10) Volkswagen GTI
Thinking of all the people I know who really love to drive, I'd say the number of women is at least equal to the number of men. So what is it that gives the GTI -- one of the most fun-to-drive cars on the market for two decades running -- such a strong guy appeal? Beats me, but while women seem to be drawn to the sensible Jetta, the GTI just feels like a guy thing. The 4-door is especially appealing to men like me who have families; the two-door is the GTI for purists.