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What Your Car Says About You

Whether you like it or not, your vehicle choice oftentimes speaks volumes about who you are.
By Lawrence Ulrich of MSN Autos
Certain sports cars guzzle down as much gas as the Hummer H2, but owners of large SUVs are often labeled narcissistic.
Excuse me. I don't mean to alarm you. But your car is talking. And I don't mean that husky voice on your GPS system. Instead, your car is saying a lot about your attitude and your personality. Yes, we are what we drive.
Car nuts can admit our rides are a power window into the soul. I may love driving the spectacular Corvette Z06, but I doubt I'd own one. European sports cars have always been more my speed, ever since I defied my blue-collar Detroit upbringing by plastering Lamborghini posters on my walls.
Carmakers acknowledge that minivan sales have gone flat in part because fewer of us, especially women, still subscribe to the "mommy-mobile" image. GM and Ford have given up on minivans entirely, preferring to focus on crossovers instead.
Matter Over Mind
For more than 20 years, Dr. Leon James at the University of Hawaii has researched and taught the psychology of driving. In our car culture, James says, drivers idealize their rides and even lend them human qualities. Under hypnosis, drivers will refer to their car as if it were a friend or lover. In everyday life, owners name their cars and talk to them. And whether the car is racy or outdoorsy, owners seek attributes that mirror their self-image.
"People construct an ideal in their mind of the perfect car, and those attributes are transferred to its driver as well," James said, noting how negatively we associate the drivers of dilapidated or dirty cars. Some of us get so offended we'll deliver a hand-scrawled scolding, strangely written from the car's point of view: Wash Me.
Discuss:  Does your vehicle define who you really are? Voice your opinion!
Whether this driving ideal has much to do with reality is pretty much beside the point. The obvious disconnect is with SUVs, which are forever being shown conquering the wilderness and clambering up mountainsides, even if most owners would hesitate to conquer the curb at the shopping mall.
Car Stereotypes
Speaking of sport utes, we've all seen people go apoplectic at the sight of a Hummer, ascribing all sorts of nasty personality traits to the guy behind the wheel. You might say you're only mad because he's guzzling gas, but I'm not so sure. Plenty of SUVs, or sports cars for that matter, drink as much fuel, but get a free pass. It's the Hummer's commando styling and in-your-face attitude that gets a person's dander up.
During the Ford Explorer rollover scandal, G. Clotaire Rapaille, the French anthropologist and auto-industry marketing guru, asserted that SUV owners were more vain and self-absorbed, and less likely to be community-oriented. As psychology, Rapaille's thesis was carelessly overstated, of course. The charge that an SUV was proof of narcissism could be as easily applied to anyone who buys a Ferrari, a mansion or a designer handbag.
Most of us realize that car stereotypes are just that. Just because Mazda Miatas are sort of cute, and women like them, doesn't mean the guy who drives one isn't manly. More likely, he's secure enough in his masculinity to enjoy his little convertible.
Yet while it's wrong to generalize, it doesn't prevent us from trying. C'mon, admit it: When you see a pickup truck, or a Bentley, it's hard not to speculate about its driver. Especially after they've just cut you off.

eBay Find: 1987 Yugo GV

Children of the 1980s will likely remember this week’s eBay-tastic discovery. When the Yugo appeared on U.S. shores in 1986, it was marketed as the cheapest (in this instance, least expensive) new car in America, with a base price of just $3990. Unfortunately, it also gained the distinction of being the cheapest (in this instance, well you get the idea) new car in America, with a reliability record rivaling Freddie Mac. Built in Soviet-controlled Yugoslavia using Fiat bits, the Yugo became known as the ultimate disposable car, universally ridiculed by nearly every corner of the motoring media. Even Time magazine bashed the Communist-era compact, saying it “had the distinct feeling of something assembled at gunpoint.” As such, despite a U.S. sales run of over 100,000 units from 1986-1992, finding a survivor is nothing short of miraculous.

This miraculous-looking Yugo with only 54,606 miles could well be the best example left on the planet. Provided the 1.1-liter, carbureted four-cylinder is in top condition, expect upwards of 60 horsepower which, according to the current owner, is “eager to rev.” The auction also states the timing belt was recently replaced, which is actually quite important considering the little mill is an interference engine with a self-destructing reputation. The interior looks new, underneath appears surprisingly clean as well and there’s even a sunroof for your bunny ears to stick through. Ideally, the car would come with the bunny suit shown in the photos, but if not, you can always opt for the AK-47 gun rack and the Vodka holder. For the discriminating quirky car shopper, this could well be your next ride, especially if you don’t take yourself too seriously.

What/who is Virginia’s largest private employer? 

See answer under Car Doctor.

Ask the Car Doctor

Tire Safety Tips

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your automobile. Proper upkeep and maintenance will ensure save, affordable, and effective traveling. The following tips will help you remember what to do to keep them working well, as well as how to determine when the time is right for replacements.

It is extremely important to check your pressure regularly. Tires soften over time, and they can easily become a hindrance on your driving and on your gas use. It is recommended that you check you pressure once a month, and keep them filled to the level printed on your owner's manual and the inside of your driver's door. Pressure should be checked several hours after the car has been parked, as the friction of driving can often temporarily increase the pressure. Remember that replacements often have different pressure levels and maintenance needs, so keep those in mind when caring for your vehicle.

Don't forget to keep your spare in the same working condition as the ones in use. It would be very frustrating to get a flat, only to find that your spare is flat too. Compact spares usually have the inflation pressure written on them, so use that to guide you.

Checking tread depth is an important way to determine if you need to purchase new tires or not. A simple way to do is by setting the edge of a penny into the groove of your tire's tread. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, they need to be replaced. Also, check for even wear when checking for tread depth. The inside and outside edges of your tire should be worn down equally. Uneven wear is often a sign is misalignment. Also, check all of your tires thoroughly for signs of cracks, cuts, nicks, and tears. These sorts of damages are rarely fixable, and can be very dangerous. The easiest way to avoid frequent trips and misalignment is by replacing all four of your tires at once; if this is not possible, at least purchase them as axle pairs.

If your car seems to pull in a certain direction at different speeds, it might mean that your tires have lost their balance weight. This can easily be fixed at a low cost by your auto repairman.

Consider your geographical location when deciding on which type or brand to purchase. If you live in an especially cold and snowy region, you should consider buying snow tires, which will best protect you and keep your car running. Dry and sunnier climates often go best with summer performance tires, which have a great impact on your car's handling for a long stretch of time.

Virginia's largest private employer is also the world's largest ship building yard.