I just never heard the term "car" coat. Is it not quite as warm and this should be worn in the car in winter?
I'm not the type to put on a red coat but
It was a first for me hearing "car" coat, Men's Wearhouse had a sale on them so I bought it, I always thought of it as a long wool coat. I do wear it in the winter even with our cold temps (Cleveland, OH), it is lighter and more flexible then my other coats. It also has that zip up liner which is perfect for keeping cold out. I rock it with same brand/color wool hat and wool gloves. I switch it out with that red one I posted and 2 other peacoats.
They might look similar but there are some minor differences that set car and pea coats apart, with this article examining everything both.
nextluxury.com
"In general, car coats are jackets that fall around the hip or thigh. Being that they were originally created so that men could remain warm while driving cars that were convertibles or had open-air tops, they are rather flexible and easy to maneuver around in. The slight A-line cut along with the wide cuffs are intended to give the driver ample range of motion so that their driving would face no inhibition or impairment.
It is custom for a car coat to be made of heavy wool similar to a peacoat, and it also features a flat front placket over its closure to shield from harsh weather such as wind and rain. Though car coats almost always feature a straight collar and two welt pockets, the closure can be either a zipper or buttons. If you’re wanting to stick with something that is a bit more traditional, go with buttons."