A co-workers husband purchased a Prius. She made a statement and used a term, that I won't repeat on this forum, that basically questioned his masculinity. The Prius commercial "a Prius for everyone," uniquely markets the car. Some people laugh or raise their eyebrows when informed that I drive a Prius. I immediately counter by stating my MPG and the high tech features offered by the Prius. If a man fix is needed, I just fire up and ride the Harley-Davidson. It's a nice complement to owning a Prius, but it only gets 42 MPG.
Cars are inanimate machines that are neither feminine nor masculine. People that are insecure about their sexuality can become confused about the distinction between their identities and their cars.
The Prius is in fact part of an evil conspiracy to take away our manhood, read this: The hazards of a middle-aged man driving a Toyota Prius, taking over where comedian Jeff Dunham left off. Sub-titled: Japan’s flanking movement on the US economy | Small Round Tables
Yap, the way Toyota markets the car, no wonder everyone is afraid to purchase one. But, I would not call Prius a chick car. It doesn't have cute shapes and there is no flower vase installed.
The Prius is definitely not an Alpha male car. Even with added "manly" upgrades, my car still falls somewhere in the gray area. Prius is similar to "Metro-sexual" it triggers homophobia in many sexually insecure and confused people
Fast cars like a Mustangs and Corvettes are masculine. Small cars like a Miata or a Beetle is feminine. A Prius leans towards the feminine side... and I don't really care what others think about my masculinity and the vehicle I commute in.
The Big Lebowski: What makes a man, Mr. Lebowski? The Dude: Dude. The Big Lebowski: Huh? The Dude: Uhh--I don't know sir. The Big Lebowski: Is it being prepared to do the right thing, whatever the cost? Isn't that what makes a man? The Dude: Hmmm--Sure, that and a pair of testicles
I wouldn't call the Prius masculine as it carries a bit of meme baggage. However, to all of the guys I know, they are slowly changing their perception as they actually learn about the car. In my opinion, it is one of the geekiest car-geek cars out there. While I like cars, I'm beyond caring so much what others think...
I had been told that just tight a white rope to the back of my BP Prius and drive it around like a giant tampon. I had a ripping good laugh but did not act on the rope part as it will likely drop my MPG.
I work with a lot of people (men) that feel that if you do not drive an American made, truck or muscle car your vehicle is irrelevant. Well the way I see it, I think it is more masculine to take initiative and attempt to make a difference in the continually worsening environment because of the close minded people that feel that driving a vehicle that gets 9 MPG is what "makes a man". Why worry about what others think... be the change you want to see in the world... don't let others determine what that is for you.
What's funny is that "Exotic and Fancy cars" have the opposite effect what is often intended. Check out who is more interested in the Lambo...
If external image is that important to you then it seems to me that others control the way you live your life. What does that say for about masculinity?
Everybody is entitled to have their perception of male Prius drivers. But there is no more satisfactory feeling than when I fill up my Prius with 9 gallons of fuel while a 'more masculine' driver is still pumping his fuel long after I drive away. The act of spending our hard earned money to fuel our vehicles will define who we are and how some are more pro-active to lower their costs than others. +$100 for a fill up for me is not a smart economical decision, but using the same $100 to make my car payment is smart.
If it takes a car to prove you are "a man", then you have other issues. That being said, if you've ever seen the movie "The Other Guys", I did find Mark Wahlberg's comments the first time he got into Will Farrell's Prius pretty funny...
