I would say it depends on the state in question, but assuming a person is buying a car and they're married, would you rather have two names on the loan or one? If either doesn't pay, there's still one to go after. Husband or wife, I'd try to get both signatures.

Again, I don't know how community property states work, but if you qualify for the loan, no matter your gender, you can buy whatever car you choose. I'm not aware of a case where a woman was REQUIRED to have her husband's signature, if she qualified on her own.

Where I think women get generally hosed is on the price of the car - especially on trade-ins.