Survey: One in ten Brits have gotten romantic as a result of the car someone drives
Now that another Valentine's Day has passed, we can offer a little advice to those of you who might have avoided Cupid's arrows another year. If you're struggling to find that special someone, maybe you should stop searching on eHarmony and start looking in your garage. A new survey by British insurance specialist Diamond puts some numbers to what we've known all along, namely that people are more attracted to others who drive nice cars. The company polled 3,000 people and 36% admitted that they judge someone's attractiveness based on the car he or she drives. Even more to the point, one in ten admitted they would date someone with a nice car, even if they found the driver unattractive, and 20% said that the more expensive the car, the better looking the driver.
It should come as no surprise that men are more superficial than women from these results, with men twice as likely to date an "ugly" woman because of her car, and 50% admitting the car's price makes the driver more attractive. The makes of cars that bring the most positive reaction are, unsurprisingly, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, although men chose a Ferrari-driving lady as tops. Unless you're extremely attractive, the report says its best to avoid being seen in a SEAT, Chevrolet, or Skoda, which were the lowest rated brands in the survey. And God forbid your ride is brown, as that hue was voted the least attractive colo(u)r. If you're stuck with a brown SEAT, at least consider painting it black, the sexiest color on the list. Maybe by next Valentine's Day, you'll be lucky enough to be James Bond in a black DBS, or Christie Brinkley in a red 308.[Source: Easier.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
notYou 10:24AM (2/18/2009)
AB: "It should come as no surprise that men are more superficial than women from these results, with men twice as likely to date an "ugly" woman because of her car, and 50% admitting the car's price makes the driver more attractive."
Whoa, I was nodding my head along with every point the author made until I got to that one.
I'm not trying to indite the fairer sex but I would have bet money on the opposite. Being the male chauvinistic pig that I am (and secretly suspect most others to be), the woman's car has nothing to do with her attractiveness to me*. However, I have seen lots of women who fawn over men with nice or expensive cars because (I think) they infer that it's an indicator of their net worth ([cough] leases [cough] upside-down [cough]).
Maybe that experience (or maybe me!) is the exception and not the rule, I'm but I'm stunned that research shows the opposite.
(*honey, I know I'm taken, I'm referring back to my younger, wilder days!)
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Matt 10:43AM (2/18/2009)
The survey should read, 20% of people are aware that they judge this way and are willing to admit it. I'd wager there's another group that either does this subconsciously, or is unwilling to say so.
Mazda FTW! 10:20AM (2/18/2009)
I'm a car guy but what kind of car the girl drives has never been a deciding point for me.
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Chase 10:27AM (2/18/2009)
The first R8 I saw in person was parked next to my friend's apartment. I gawked at it as I was walking in (doing the mandatory walk-around). When I was heading home, it was still parked outside. As I was turning the car on to leave, a very hot woman came out, and walked up to the R8, producing a key. I reckon she was the hottest woman I'd seen all day ... but perhaps it was just the R8?
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eightyd 10:31AM (2/18/2009)
I drive a civic Si, which I love dearly, but if I went out on a date or two with a girl and found out she drove a new 911, I think i'd suddenly have little-man-syndrome, and be a bit insecure about it.
Then I'd realize that I could possibly ride that gravy train all the way home.
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chconline 10:32AM (2/18/2009)
Oh crap I drive a Civic... it's technically black but with all the mud and snow out there it's brown :|
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Smegley 10:36AM (2/18/2009)
I'd much rather date a hottie chick who drives a Corolla than some nasty pig who drives an Aston. (marriage to gain access to the pig's money is a different story - I'm talking dating here)
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kevin 10:46AM (2/18/2009)
Im 17 and I drive a black Mustang GT that I paid for myself, so not worried about this article.
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some1 11:02AM (2/18/2009)
you want a cookie?
mkevin88 11:24AM (2/18/2009)
+1 to some1
Ben 1:12PM (2/18/2009)
No, he wants a date that's not his cousin. ;)
ALEXDB9 11:15AM (2/19/2009)
I'm 20 and I drive a DB9 beat that! Haha
I attract tall, skinny, brunettes...my favorite
John P. 11:02AM (2/18/2009)
If she drives a mini-van with the back seats taken out it's a tip.
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Mazda FTW! 11:05AM (2/18/2009)
Haha. You should take that one extra step and work the hatchback into it.
mkevin88 11:30AM (2/18/2009)
i dont think i would start dating a woman because of her car but if i was starting to like her and found out that she drove a driving enthusiast's car (like a porsche or a lotus) it would DEFINITELY be a plus. I would probably skip liking her and just jump into infatuation
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USCGTO 11:33AM (2/18/2009)
I stated driving extremely slow on account of a few speeding tickets I piled up in a short gasp of time. As I drove much much slower (speed limit vs traffic speed in CA), I observed a lot of things, namely hidden cop cars and what people are doing in their cars.
I have/drive many cars, and fortunately all are different.
Heres the reaction I have seen/experienced from both the sexes, when me or my GF is driving. Not that I am looking for it, but here you go.
06 GTO (Red, Rebadged as a Holden, with no Pontiac arrow/name):
Women: Normally just stare and ONE in last two years actually commented, at a gas station. However whoever has ever sat in it is blown over (by Power? Or may be by uniqueness in interior).
Men: “Most” of them compliment or ask is that the new Mustang..(LOL), the others just race.
I “scored” one date in the GTO.
07 E550 (Dark Grey)
Women: Taken it to a few dates and its kinda “impressive”.
Men: Just Race (GF doesn’t get to drive).
Also I am only 28 and people expect someone in mid 50s to step out of the limo tint.
Many many successful dates.
96 Acura TL
Women: Don’t care
Men: Look back if GF is driving..LOL .
Cops: Care a lot, all my speeding tickets in here.
No dates.
08 CBR 600RR “Graffiti”
Chicks: Love it, I have had gazillion chit chats on the lights and some pretty hot chicks too. Maybe because they can’t see my face thru the helmet. LOL. Men: Love it, whether at local starbucks or on the streets. Everyone likes sick sport bikes in flat black color.
Did score a few dates which were “converted” successfully with the help of the E550.
ALL THIS WAS FOR FUN AND 90% OF THIS is BS.
This was just to show that cars/bikes do have a significant effect on the opposite sex, but them again I am in LA. It’s a way of life here.
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imoore 11:34AM (2/18/2009)
Best to avoid being seen in a Chevrolet? Depends on which Chevy you're driving (Aveo, for example). Otherwise, it doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, as long as it runs. (Notable exceptions: Daewoo, Yugo, pre-1995 Hyundai, Geo Metro, Pontiac Aztek, and anything with 20-inch and larger wagon wheels.)
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SOXSR9808 11:44AM (2/18/2009)
Can't be true with the chevy's cause I drive a Vette and I get so many looks and the women love it. Guys want to race it.
Dazza 11:56AM (2/18/2009)
In case you're unaware, in Britain all Chevrolets in the current line-up are rebadged Daewoos. The Corvette is sold as a brand in itself.
Trent 12:29PM (2/18/2009)
girls don't like boys girls like cars and money.....................
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