When did a Volvo become a status car?

[Anonymous]

tl;dr

Who cares ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:tl;dr

Who cares ?

Obviously OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was mentioned in The Preppy Handbook, 1980.

Volvos then were low key “luxury” for Old Money types.

I used to see a lot more of them than I do now. Maybe people are skeptical of the quality?

Many people who used to drive Volvos in the 80s-90s now drive Subaru Forresters/Outbacks. I do think it's interesting how perceptions of the car has evolved over the years. In the 80s-90s heyday it was a car with two major buying demographics: 1) affluent families with children in private schools (aka preppies) and 2) prosperous liberal coastal families with a touch of the crunchy-granola and often at least one parent who was a college professor and yes, who often did have kids in private schools too. These were the 740 vs the 240 crowd and the mom with a Volvo covered with school decals was a phenomena that I remember too well.

The 240 crowd has now almost entirely moved onto the Subarus or Priuses. That's why you don't see as many Volvos around but also why you see many more Subarus in those same suburbs/towns.

[Anonymous]

Volvo had status as a WASP car in the 70s and 80s. I don't regard it as a status symbol today. The G wagon or a Range Rover are status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was mentioned in The Preppy Handbook, 1980.

Volvos then were low key “luxury” for Old Money types.

I used to see a lot more of them than I do now. Maybe people are skeptical of the quality?

Many people who used to drive Volvos in the 80s-90s now drive Subaru Forresters/Outbacks. I do think it's interesting how perceptions of the car has evolved over the years. In the 80s-90s heyday it was a car with two major buying demographics: 1) affluent families with children in private schools (aka preppies) and 2) prosperous liberal coastal families with a touch of the crunchy-granola and often at least one parent who was a college professor and yes, who often did have kids in private schools too. These were the 740 vs the 240 crowd and the mom with a Volvo covered with school decals was a phenomena that I remember too well.

The 240 crowd has now almost entirely moved onto the Subarus or Priuses. That's why you don't see as many Volvos around but also why you see many more Subarus in those same suburbs/towns.

Pretty much this. The Saab 900 followed a somewhat similar trajectory.