A
male
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Here’s a bit of a strange question. Does the type of car a guy has make him more attractive or less attractive? Does it have an influence on women? The reason I am asking this question is because of this,I used to have a classic BMW, one with chrome bumpers, neat wheels, not pimped out or anything but really original. The car was not super expensive but it was a great looking car. When driving this classic, girls and women walking in the street would always look at me, I would smile and they would (not always but very often) smile back. I thought that this was perfectly normal interaction, nothing to do with the car but now I'm thinking that I might be wrong.Although my BMW was a lovely car it was a German built, so rather unreliable. So recently I sold it and looking for reliability I opted for Japanese and bought a new Suzuki. The car is great, super reliable and all BUT I’ve noticed now that I don’t get looks anymore and I mean none at all. I really notice that all those girls in the street are totally oblivious to me now!Maybe it’s all in my head but tell me, can a guys car make him more attractive (or less attractive)? Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (19 November 2011):
 Semiotics :) We live in an universe of signs and symbols, and, whether you want it or not, anything you wear, use, own, show and consume sends a message about you. The shoes you wear, the dog you walk, the car you drive... they say something about you.
The problem is that the message is different according to the context :
I am with Miamine , here where I live ( famous European art city ) we are suspicious about fancy cars. A Porsche Cayenne driver would be authomatically seen as a drug dealer or a pimp, or , best case, a nouveau riche . And big , solid , expensive looking German car, BMW or Mercedes ?...= very often ,(illegal ) alien immigrant worker who has been willing to survive on Ramen noodles for YEARS in order to get himself a second hand big car and LOOK successful to his relatives at home.
So, you see, it all depends....
In general, though, yes, people like to look at nice objects and they infer something about you ( right or wrong ) because you are the one who chose it. I don't find it surprising at all. If you wear a beautiful cachemire sweater , you'll probably catch my eye more than with a ragged wifebeater on. It's not that it makes you more attractive, your body and face stay the same with whatever you put on, it's that I attach different subliminal messages to different garments.
Of course it works at first sight only, if I get to know you I can decide that you are a jerk in cachemire, or a wonderful person in a wifebeater- but since "decodifying " objects is not a rational, totally conscious process I don't see how it can be avoided.
A
female
reader, thinkb4  +, writes (19 November 2011):
A successful woman will have a nice car of her own.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (19 November 2011): The car itself doesn't impress women nearly as much as your ability to buy it.
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A
female
reader, Miamine +, writes (19 November 2011):
 You can't tell nothing from a mans car. In my area, the guys with the nicest cars are either drug dealers or are living in their bedroom of their mothers house. That's probably why I like bikers. They seem to think for themselves, aren't worried about popularity or impressing people, care about the environment and are usually into philosophy. Guys I know that ride bikes, own their own homes, with very little mortgage and have tons of money in the bank. And yes, I'm above the age of 30. But here in the city, only idiots who like the stress of parking like cars. Everyone rides bikes, or takes public transport, even our Mayor ride bikes.
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reader, anonymous, writes (19 November 2011): It depends on the person i think, I once knew a guy who had a BMW and he tried so hard to get me to be interested in him, and trying to entice me by using his BMW to peak my interest. it didn't work because I couldn't care less about cars, in fact my boyfriend now doesn;t even have a car. Although some of my friends are impressed by cars, I'm not, so it's an individual thing. But really who wants a girl to be interested in you just because of your car?
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female
reader, natasia +, writes (18 November 2011):
 Absolutely.
There are certain cars that would make me feel that even if he had up to that point seemed like the best guy in the world, if he drove any of those cars I would immediately go off him. Seriously.
And there are other cars that if he drove, I would start to think 'hm, this guy has got some serious bases covered ... looking good'.
Your choice of car, especially as you get older, says a huge amount about you. Kids don't know anything and can't really choose. But anyone over 30 ... should have begun to realise what cars mean.
They are like your hair or clothes or shoes or body, only almost more so.
Basically, a beautiful / cool / interesting / car reflects well on its driver.
BMW = money, taste, solidity, safety, power.
Suzuki = one up from tamogotchi.
Sorry, but that's it. And having an ordinary car is the worst thing ever. It really just doesn't add anything to your style and appeal.
I know that ultimately cars don't matter, but on our day to day level, when there is nothing more serious to worry about, they do.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2011): Of course it matters, if she if a gold digger.
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female
reader, moon river +, writes (18 November 2011):
 depends on the girl, if i saw a guy with a van who had had it converted for travel i would be like thats hot he must be a cool guy.
but it wouldnt make much difference at all.
if a girl was a gold digger then yep it may make a difference
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A
female
reader, maverick494  +, writes (18 November 2011):
Personally I don't give a damn. If it has 4 wheels, 2 seats and a steering wheel, I'm fine with it. I'm not really in a position to be picky when it comes to these things anyway; I don't have my own car because I can't afford it (yet).
However, all that said a BMW is considered to be a fancy car and Suzuki does not have that same image/reputation. Also, I don't get the reliability issue. I found BMW to be one of the most reliable brands out there. It was the only car my family owned that never had any big issues. German brands are very popular where I come from (which is not the US) not just for their reputation but reliability as well. Oh well, it must be a personal thing.
As for the looks, both women AND men will look if you're driving a fancy car. The higher the reputation, the more glances you'll get. When a porsche drives by in a street full of common brand cars, it's going to draw attention just for the fact it stands out. Cars make guys more attractive because it suggests you make more money than a lot of people. Which suggests that whatever you're doing, you're succesful at it. So the quick math means guy with BMW = guy + money + good career. Which is more attractive than the same guy without from a financial and status POV.
Ofcourse this is a very superficial way to look at it.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2011): About a years ago on dearcupid, in response to the question "How can I lengthen my penis?", a woman responded:
"There are mechanical devices that will assure that the woman has a pleasurable experience with you.
May I suggest a Mercedes 450 SL"
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (18 November 2011):
 Sorry for the confusion. The car doesn't make YOU look better. But the car makes the total picture look better, the car, as with a uniform, is supplementary. It doesn't alter the way you look, or highlight the way you look, it doesn't photoshop you. So no, YOU don't become more attractive. But the IDEA of a man in uniform in general, or the idea of a nice car in general, is attractive. And then naturally, the man who comes with this uniform, or this car, will get secondary attention.
The thing with women and cleavages, well, I don't know for sure if it works the same way as I am not a man, but I think the idea is the same. Whether you show off your cleavage or not doesn't give you smaller or bigger boobs, the boobs are a constant (as with the man, you are a constant, you don't change how you look based on the car). But, the idea is that men love boobs, and if you show off the cleavage, even though as a woman you are constantly with boobs whether you show them or not, you get more male attention. See where I am going? Showing off the cleavage doesn't alter how you look, doesn't "make" you more or less attractive, your body looks like what it looks like regardless of your clothes. But you draw attention your way.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2011): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionMarieclaire, these women always made eye contact, they didn’t just look at the bumper or something. Now if what you’re saying is correct, that people only looked at the car and not at me, then guys should have been looking too and they weren’t, and even if they were, they sure as hell never made eye contact!
Chigirl, so what you’re saying is that women are attracted to a nice car regardless of the guy inside. Well I guess that I can go with that. But you also say that “It’s with cars as with men in uniform… guys in uniform are hot… nice cars are a turn on” Now Chigirl I’m really confused :-) can a car make a guy more attractive or not? Lol! And what about women and a low cleavage? your saying it’s to get more attention but I can tell you that it doesn’t only make them more noticeable, it’s makes them more attractive too, WAY MORE! Btw if you look after that micra it’ll keep on going for many many years to come.
KC! You thought that was funny did you :-) lol well I suppose it was. I used to work in the industry also, hands on that is, I’m a hobby mechanic also. Although beamers have been my main passion (last one I sold being my fifth beamer and I still have another classic bmw in storage), I’ve had my fair share of motorcars over the years. Fords, mazdas, subarus, Australian Chryslers, Renaults, citroens, Saabs, Toyotas and a few Mercedes, I’ve had a bit of everything and worked on all of them. Now the brands you’ve mentioned, Audi, VW, BMW, Mercedes do indeed have the reputation for being cars of reliability and durability and they have this reputation throughout the whole world. You mention those brands to the ordinary man and he’ll agree that these Gerry cars do represent best in reliability and quality. But you talk to the experienced mechanic and he’ll tell you different. These germen premium brands are mostly more reliable than your average Renault or opel (Vauxhall for you in the uk) but only marginally. But what isn’t marginal is the price difference. You pay often 70% and even more for these premium cars which in reality are only a bit more or often less reliable than the cheaper cars. However in other areas the premium German cars will be much better than the cheaper cars, particularly in performance, and mileage and comfort, just not in reliability. If you’re looking purely for A to B reliability then a japmobile is the way to go. Of all the cars I’ve had, it’s been the Japanese cars which I have been able to count on. If looked after, a good jap car truly does last a lifetime. My old Mazda with 350k on the clock was 10 times more reliable than any of my BMWs.
Anyway enough of that german-jap talk. Just this lunchtime, whilst on my regular walk, a stunning black Porsche Cayenne drove slowly past, and straight away I noticed the beautiful blonde woman at the wheel. Was she attractive? God yesss! Did her sexy Porsche make her more attractive? For me it certainly did! OK so every one’s different but now that I have actually though about it, then yes for me a car can make a girl more attractive! Just like a pair of sexy shoes or a nice cleavage can!
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A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (18 November 2011):
 I agree they were looking at the car not the guy.
as long as he and his car are neat and clean and maintained I don't care what he drives..
my man was driving a 1989 plymouth sundance that was his grandmother's before he had it... he's still my man... who cares what he drives.
I've dated guys who drove and owned several Lotuses, Guys with pickup trucks, guys in jeeps, sedans, compacts... etc.
nope cars do not impress women... and to be honest if a woman is impressed by material things is she really the sort of woman you want to have to maintain?
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female
reader, Abella +, writes (18 November 2011):
 I am one of those rare people who does not get excited about cars. It is a running joke that the children can identify car brands better than I.
And I recall when I worked with a group of much younger girls a few years ago. They sussed out that i was seeing a guy (who I later married) and the conversation went like this:
the girls: So what car does he drive?
me: a blue one.
the girls: (gave me withering looks) the brand?
me: brand? IDK?
the Girls (snide tone) Is it old?
me: Don't think so
the girls: (exasperated) find out what car he drives
Following Monday
the girls: did you find out what car does he drive?
me: (triumphant, I knew!!) A Ford
I will admit I had scanned everywhere inside the car for a sign but there was nothing. And i did not like to ask, it seemed too shallow. Then while he went into a shop to pick up some things I got out and looked around the car to see if there was insignia that told me what I needed to know. But before I reached that he returned from the shop and asked if I had lost something? But then he was intuitive enough to say, just in passing, "ït's a Ford" .
the girls: (by now giving up on me and with eye brows raised at me) Find out the year and the model will you?
me: no, it's a blue Ford, surely that is enough?
And it had to be enough. Cars just do not excite me. And I was certainly not going to ask him the year and the model.
Any car buying does not excite me. I admit I like the dear little Smart cars. But they are almost a one person cars. For some reason I like pick-up trucks, but never intend to buy one. And I love the look of vintage cars but the maintenance of one would horrify me.
I am much more impressed by intelligent witty guys with good legs, and gentleman through and throught. Thank goodness I married him. if he wants a new car he chooses it and just arrives with the new car. Basically I like silver or yellow or blue cars. Black or orange or red cars don't impress me. Brands? That is too hard.
And model and year - Surely one needs to belong to Mensa to work out such things? I like to Keep ot simple :)
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female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (18 November 2011):
 For me personally, no.
Now if I get to look inside... then yes. A guy with a car full of trash is a lot less attractive then a guy with a tidy car.
Though, with that said BMW Suzuki if I were to buy me a new car.. Actually Audi all others
Maybe the women who smiles at you in the BMW were smiling at the car.....
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female
reader, Miamine +, writes (18 November 2011):
I'm a like men who ride bikes myself. Push bikes, makes them fit and sexy, stops them from getting fat. Never understood the car thing. It's got four wheels and moves, who cares who it's made by. But most women I know, do have a thing for men in fancy cars.
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male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (18 November 2011):
 Of course "the car makes the man"!!!!!
When I drive around in my 1967 Avanti (pics available, on request), I have to all but beat the ladies away with a stick!!!!! You can IMAGINE, no doubt, where THAT leads. I have spent many an hour in the back seat with a lucky maiden, watching submarine races out at Makeout Point!!!!
Good question....
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A
female
reader, chigirl +, writes (18 November 2011):
We're all crazy for Toyota here in Norway. It's the most reliable thing ever, and when buying a used car you are encouraged to buy Japanese as their engines last forever. Audi is popular when you buy newer cars, same with BMW. Mercedes is some luxury thing still. I have a friend who swears she can orgasm from being in a Lexus.... Opel and Ford are common old cars you see on the road from the 80's or early 90's.
I got me a Nissan Micra 98'. It's small and feminine, so suits me well, plus it's a bright green colour, haha. Guys always laugh when they see it and think it's cute.
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female
reader, k_c100 +, writes (18 November 2011):
 It can have an influence yes, but not on all women. I must admit when I first see a guy's car I will be influenced by it - if its a nice car I assume he is succesful, works hard and has good taste. Whereas if it is a run-down old car, or if its a cheap run-around then I will think he is lacking in ambition, doesnt have many prospects for the future and doesnt really care about cars (I am very much into cars, I work in the automotive industry so someone who has no interest in cars is hard for me to deal with).
In a man I look for someone who is ambitious, works hard, has prospects for the future, earns a good amount of money (I earn quite a lot for my age and have good prospects so I expect the same if not more from a man) and likes the finer things in life (as I do). It might sound shallow, but I think these are important qualities in a man, I have these values so I expect the man I date to share them too otherwise I know the relationship wont work.
Hopefully that explains the logic behind a car's importance to women for you! But keep in mind not all women care about cars, so this isnt the same for everyone.
And one thing that I found very funny, I dont know what country you are from but here in the UK German cars are the most reliable cars you can buy! In fact that is true for the whole of Europe, modern German cars (Audi, VW, BMW, Mercedes) are the best you can buy if you want reliablity, the cars last forever! Toyata are also seen as good but Suzuki have a terrible brand image over here, they are known for motorbikes and nothing else, you wouldnt be seen dead in a Suzuki! Often the cars from the far East are considered cheap and cheerful here in the UK, they are mass produced with poor quality materials hence they are cheap, and they might last a few years but they defintely are not long term investments!
I hope this helps and good luck!
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female
reader, chigirl +, writes (18 November 2011):
Yes. The car matters. To some women that is, some women don't care. But tons of women have a car preference. It's with cars as with men in uniform. It's a chick thing, we can't explain it, but men in uniform is hot, same with a nice car. Nice cars are a turn on.
But don't get me wrong, the car doesn't MAKE a GUY more attractive or not. It's the car itself, not the man who's in it. Women are attracted to a nice car, regardless of the man inside. Likewise the not so nice car won't make YOU less attractive, but the car in itself wont help bring attention your way.
It's the car, it's all about the car. The women were turning heads to look at the car, not you. It's a nice way to catch extra attention though, as you can easily shift the attention they give the car onto to yourself. For the same reason women wear low cleavages... To get attention.
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