Cool cars

Cool cars may no longer be status symbols, but they may still be the key to the heart of some girls. As petrol prices increase past the £1 mark, and drivers consider cheaper vehicles and cutting back on car insurance, it might seem like the days when the majority of UK motorists cared about the look and model of their vehicles are behind us. However, research from used car specialists, motors.co.uk, suggests that men should not be so quick to put car style to the back of their minds – at least, not if they are hoping to be at all popular with the opposite sex.


A survey conducted in May revealed that, in comparison to men, three times more women are concerned about what type of car their prospective partner owns. Additionally, when asked, a third of women admitted that they were likely to turn down a man if the car they drove did not live up to their expectations in terms of style and status.


The research also showed some interesting findings regarding how much people really care when it comes to the opinions of loved ones about their vehicles. One in fifty claimed they love their car more than their partner.


Although the findings of this particular survey might seem humorous, it follows similar research conducted earlier in the year by an insurance specialist that suggested the credit crunch had killed the notion of the car as a status symbol. In a survey of UK motorists, 36 percent of those asked claimed that having limited budgets affected what car they would buy. Additionally, reliability was said to be a much more important factor compared to style or look, with one in five drivers buying certain vehicles because they trust the manufacturer.


Such research is risky, primarily because it tends to lead anyone who analyses it down routes of gender generalisation. However, it does seem to suggest some intriguing things about the automotive market currently. Whilst more drivers are seemingly less eager to focus on the superficial aspects of a new car, those who are impressed by a type or style of vehicle seem more likely to make car-based assumptions because it is now more likely that a nicer car will belong to an owner with considerable financial security.