Not all car culture is the same. In fact, there are many different kinds of automotive subcultures. From muscle cars to lowriders and everything in between, these are just a few examples of how people express their love for cars (and sometimes how they express their love for other things).

Different Car Cultures Around The World | The Build Sheet

Takeaways
Car culture encompasses a wide range of subcultures, including lowriders, hot rods, and muscle cars.
Competitive car cultures, such as street racing and drifting, are still popular today.
Car culture has evolved significantly since the early days of motor vehicles, and continues to adapt to changing trends and technology.
Iconic cars, such as the Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Beetle, have had a significant impact on car culture history.
Outrageous and over-the-top cars, such as towering trucks and neon-lit lowriders, are an important part of car culture.

Muscle Cars

“Muscle car” is a term that applies to any high-performance version of a standard car. Muscle cars are American, and were popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

A muscle car is designed to go fast, not necessarily for comfort or luxury. These types of cars have powerful engines that can get up to high speeds quickly, as well as large tires for traction on the road.

There’s no room for creature comforts like air conditioning because it would reduce performance drivers would have to sacrifice cooling down their bodies in order to drive faster!

There were two main categories of muscle cars: sports cars and pony cars (or “ponycars”). Sports cars were generally smaller vehicles with smaller engines than ponycars, with the exception being the Ford Mustang Mach 1 which was both small enough not be considered a true sports car while still having more horsepower than most other ponycars thanks to its 302 cubic inch V8 engine under its hood (that means it had 302 cubic inches).

Car culture is more than just an interest, it’s a way of life. If you’re curious about the many subcultures that make up the car enthusiast community, check out our comprehensive guide on understanding car culture and its subcultures. From hot rods to lowriders, we cover it all.

Exotic Sports Cars

Exotic sports cars are high-performance vehicles that are generally very expensive. Most exotic sports cars are rare, and many of them are modified to compete in racing competitions.

Exotic sports car collectors often buy these cars to show off, but they also collect them because they’re beautiful works of art.

Exotic sports cars often sell for millions of dollars and feature technology that is decades ahead of what most people will ever experience in their lives.

You won’t need an exotic car if you’re driving around town during your daily commute or going on a family vacation; however, if you want a vehicle with unparalleled performance capabilities that can make all your other friends jealous, then owning an exotic might be for you!

The best part about owning an exotic is that once it’s yours (and assuming it wasn’t purchased as part of someone else’s collection), there’s nothing stopping you from taking it out whenever the urge strikes without having to worry about breaking down on the way home from work!

If you’re a fan of fast cars and high-speed thrills, you’re not alone. Competitive car cultures have been around for decades, and they’re still going strong today. For a closer look at the different forms of competitive car culture, check out our article on drifting, racing and more.

Luxury Sedans

Luxury sedans offer a good choice for car enthusiasts who want to drive a high-end car. These vehicles are typically large and expensive, with many models costing well over $50,000.

They often have the latest technology, including touchscreen displays and navigation systems that can be accessed through voice commands or by using buttons on the steering wheel. They also tend to have leather seats that are more comfortable than those found in other types of cars (such as small hatchbacks).

Brand	Model	Interior Features	Horsepower	MSRP
Mercedes-Benz	S-Class	Leather seating, ambient lighting, premium sound system	469 hp	$94,250
BMW	7 Series	Heated and cooled seats, panoramic sunroof, Wi-Fi hotspot	335 hp	$87,800
Audi	A8	Dual touchscreens, 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated steering wheel	335 hp	$86,500
Lexus	LS	Semi-aniline leather upholstery, 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, massaging seats	416 hp	$76,000
Cadillac	CT6	Bose Panaray sound system, surround vision camera, rear camera mirror	500 hp	$59,900

These luxury sedans are the epitome of upscale style and sophistication. From the Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the Cadillac CT6, these cars offer advanced features, premium materials, and powerful engines. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge technology or the ultimate in comfort, these luxury sedans deliver on every level.

Lowriders

Lowriders are cars that have been modified to lower the body and raise the suspension. Originally created by Mexican-American gangs in Los Angeles, lowriders were often customized with hydraulics, which allows the car to be lowered and raised.

Lowrider culture is still thriving today, with cars that range from late 1950s Cadillacs to modern Cadillac Escalades, with custom paint jobs including intricate murals or even gold leafing on some of the parts of the car.

While muscle car culture began when hot rodders started modifying their cars so they could go faster at drag races, lowrider culture had different roots.

The first lowriders were built for cruising rather than racing; this means that their bodies were not only lowered but also extended through stretching or widening them out so they could fit more people inside (hence why there’s sometimes more than one person driving each vehicle).

Car culture has come a long way since the early days of motor vehicles. From DIY car mods to luxury supercars, the industry has seen countless innovations over the years. To learn more about the evolution of car culture, check out our article on 15 surprising ways it has changed over time.

American Classics

American Classics are the kind of car that you can spot from a mile away. These are vehicles that have been around for decades, and they’re often used as daily transportation.

Some people buy American classic cars specifically to restore them and sell them for a profit. Others buy American classic cars as an investment, knowing that their value will only increase over time.

The most iconic American classics include the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or Corvette, Dodge Charger or Challenger, Buick Grand National/Regal Turbo T Type (GNX) and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (TA).

Daily Drivers

A daily driver is a car you drive every day for mundane, everyday tasks. It’s more than just a car to you—it’s your mode of transportation, it’s your home away from home, it’s how you get around town.

A daily driver is often used as a commuter vehicle and may be modified to suit the driver’s needs. The idea behind having a daily driver is that it should be practical while still being fun to drive and comfortable enough to use as an everyday car without any fuss or hassle.

In order to make your vehicle a true daily driver, you’ll want to do some upgrades that aren’t necessarily going to make it faster or look cooler but will help improve its usability as an every day ride:

Get better tires

Install better brakes (if possible)
Add fog lights (to help with visibility in inclement weather)
Install daytime running lights (for safety purposes so other drivers can see you)

Daily Drivers

Brand	Model	MPG (city/highway)	MSRP	Passenger Capacity
Honda	Civic	32/42	$21,050	5
Toyota	Corolla	31/38	$20,025	5
Volkswagen	Jetta	30/41	$19,990	5
Mazda	Mazda3	26/35	$20,650	5
Hyundai	Elantra	31/41	$20,995	5

These daily driver cars are perfect for commuting, running errands, and everyday use. They’re designed to be comfortable, fuel-efficient, and easy to drive, with features like Bluetooth, touchscreens, and advanced safety technology. From the Honda Civic to the Hyundai Elantra, these cars are reliable and practical choices for everyday life.

Hot Rods

Hot rods are a type of car that have been modified for speed and performance. Hot rodders typically go by the motto “go fast, turn left”—a reference to their focus on going in a straight line as quickly as possible.

Hot rods are usually older cars that have been modified to be more powerful and fast. They’re often associated with the 1950s and 1960s; however, they can be found in many eras throughout history.

For example, hot rods have played an important role in drag racing since its inception around 1950; however, the idea of modifying cars dates back at least 100 years prior to this time period!

Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles are designed to go off-road. These vehicles are usually used in rough terrain and need to be able to take on a wide range of different terrains and conditions.

Off-road vehicles have a low center of gravity and high ground clearance, so they can handle steep inclines and declines.

Every car lover has their favorite make and model. But which cars have had the biggest impact on car culture as a whole? To find out, check out our list of the top 10 most iconic cars in car culture history. From the Ford Mustang to the Volkswagen Beetle, these cars have captured the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world.

Racing Cars And Street Racers

Racing cars and street racers are two types of racing cars. They are the fastest and most expensive cars in the world.

They’re also very exclusive, and they’re known for their superior power, which comes from their engines.

Street racers are a type of car that’s designed to go very quickly on city streets or highways. These vehicles can be modified by adding things like body kits (parts that make the vehicle look different), spoilers (parts that improve its aerodynamics), rims (the wheels) and exhaust systems (the pipes that carry fumes away).

Street racers usually have powerful engines but may not have as much customization as racing cars do because street racers aren’t used for competitive races like their more sophisticated counterparts.

Racing Cars and Street Racers

Brand	Model	Top Speed	Acceleration	Horsepower
Bugatti	Chiron Super Sport 300+	304 mph	0-60 in 2.4 seconds	1578 hp
Lamborghini	Huracan Performante	202 mph	0-60 in 2.2 seconds	631 hp
McLaren	720S Spider	212 mph	0-60 in 2.8 seconds	710 hp
Nissan	GT-R Nismo	205 mph	0-60 in 2.5 seconds	600 hp
Dodge	Challenger SRT Demon	203 mph	0-60 in 2.3 seconds	840 hp

These racing cars and street racers are designed for speed, acceleration, and performance. From the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ to the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, these cars are built to push the limits of what’s possible on the road.

Vintage European Sports Cars And Compact Sports Cars

The term “European sports car” is often used as a blanket term for any car built in Europe with sporting intentions, but it’s actually more specific than that.

A vintage European sports car is one that was designed and manufactured before the end of the 1960s usually around 1960 or earlier.

These cars typically feature sleek designs, powerful engines, and lightweight construction all hallmarks of performance-oriented automobiles from those days.

Complementing those attributes is another common trait among vintage European sports cars: their compact size.

They’re usually not too big (they might be somewhat larger than your average sedan) but definitely smaller than many American muscle cars or large luxury vehicles you see on the road today.

The smaller size makes these cars easier to drive around city streets and parking lots; it also helps keep things like fuel efficiency up while still delivering enjoyable performance behind the wheel.

Vintage and Compact Sports Cars

Brand	Model	Year Range
Porsche	911	1963-1989
Alfa Romeo	Spider	1966-1994
BMW	2002	1968-1976
Triumph	Spitfire	1962-1980
MG	MGB	1962-1980

These vintage and compact sports cars are beloved by car enthusiasts around the world for their sleek designs, responsive handling, and thrilling performance. From classic Porsches to stylish Alfa Romeos, these cars are sure to turn heads wherever they go.

Modified Japanese Imports

These are cars that have been modified to perform better than factory versions, but without sacrificing the car’s aesthetic appeal.

The advantage is that you can make your car stand out from the crowd by installing a new body kit or adding some aftermarket rims, but it will still look like a stock vehicle.

The downside is that you won’t be able to transform your Honda Civic into an off-road beast like you would with other types of cars, so if that’s what you’re looking for then this isn’t the right option for you.

Modifying Japanese imports involves making changes to the engine and suspension components as well as installing aftermarket parts such as flares and spoilers (but not too many).

A good rule of thumb is: don’t go overboard when modifying these types of vehicles stick with subtle changes so they don’t attract too much attention!

In the world of car culture, bigger is often better. From towering trucks to neon-lit lowriders, some cars are designed to stand out. For a closer look at some of the most outrageous and over-the-top cars out there, check out our list of the top 10 most outrageous cars in car culture.

Conclusion

So let’s take a look at the different types of car culture. Like we saw above, each type will have its own unique characteristics that make it stand out from the rest.

Some of these cars are strictly for the street and some can be raced on tracks, but they all share one thing in common: they’re fun to drive!

FAQs

What is car culture?

Car culture refers to the shared interest and appreciation for automobiles and vehicle customization. It encompasses a wide range of subcultures, from hot rods to lowriders to racing enthusiasts.

What are some popular car subcultures?

There are many popular car subcultures, including muscle car enthusiasts, lowrider owners, hot rod builders, vintage car collectors, and more.

What is a lowrider?

A lowrider is a customized car that is lowered closer to the ground than typical vehicles. They often feature hydraulic or air suspension systems, custom paint jobs, and unique wheels and tires.

How did lowrider culture originate?

Lowrider culture has its roots in Mexican-American communities in California in the 1940s and 1950s. Early lowrider cars were often older, affordable vehicles that had been modified to look more stylish and unique.

Why is car culture important?

Car culture represents more than just a shared interest in vehicles – it can also serve as a community and a way of life. Car enthusiasts often bond over their mutual love of cars, and many use car culture as a means for creative expression and self-discovery.