Why does this code only work if i invoke extends and create the subclass in main?

Question

I originally defined the subclass "racecars" before the main, but it gave me an error (something about static/non-static variables--an aspect of Java that I don't fully comprehend yet) when I tried to create a new "racecar" in main. Here is the working code:
public class Vehicle
{
protected String tires, color;
public Vehicle()
{
tires = "four";
color = "blue";
}
public static void main(String[] args){
class racecar extends Vehicle{
racecar(){
color="red";
}
}
Vehicle ford = new Vehicle();
racecar vw =new racecar();
}
}
Thanks in advance for your help, I'm supposed to be teaching Java in the fall so I need a firm grasp of all concepts.

Answer 1

so as to use the color variable of vehicle class you need to first extend that class i.e. inherit from that class...

Answer 2

works perfectly with me see this
https://code.sololearn.com/cHqFj2N4Ji2u/?ref=app

Answer 3

So, what is the difference between using "extends" before main, as opposed to using it in main. The way my code was written, it only worked if I created the subclass in main and I'm trying to figure out why.

Answer 4

Oh, now I see what my problem was. The first time I set it up I had "racecar extends vehicle..." inside of the vehicle class. So I just need to make sure that I declare a subclass outside of (ie. before, as in your example) the parent class. Thank you so much for your help and prompt replies!