With That Saucy Swagger, She Must Drive a Porsche

New York Times ^ | June 13, 2006 | BENEDICT CAREY

[Sabramerican]

With That Saucy Swagger, She Must Drive a Porsche

Some people seem a perfect fit for the cars they drive, like Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Hummer, Michael Jordan and his Ferrari. Yet most drivers' faces and bearing give away clues that tip off their favored model, a new study has found.

Psychologists at Julius-Maximilians University in Wurzburg, Germany, report in a recent issue of the Journal of Individual Differences that students correctly matched photographs of male and female drivers to pictures of the cars they drove almost 70 percent of the time.

The drivers' age and wealth were the most helpful cues, the researchers reported.

...

In the study, the psychologists took photographs, from the waist up, of 60 men and women at a rest stop who agreed to participate in the study. Their cars, also photographed, included luxury models, modest family sedans and compact cars, from BMWs and Audis to Opels, Fords and Volkswagens.

The students looked at 60 sets of three photos, matching one of a driver to one of two car pictures — either the correct one, or one belonging to another driver.

[LizardQueen]

I wonder what Helen Thomas drives? ,

A Pontiac Aztek.

LQ

[FreedomCalls]

Didn't "Click and Clack" once predict that anyone calling on to their radio show named "Donna" would ask a question about their Toyota Corolla?

[LizardQueen]

The first car I learned to drive had a stick and I hated it. Once I got it down, I was hooked.

Same here. I've never owned an automatic. I get bored when driving a rental with one and start birdwatching when I shouldn't be :lol:

LQ

[Fatuncle]

My second car.

[phantomworker]

John Deere might be interested in your design.

[durasell]

I have a poker face when traveling...

(I ride the subway)

[phantomworker]

Hot Rod Lincoln?

(HI, MILLEE!)

[DCPatriot]

Heck...I average 30K miles per year.

In congested Washington DC/Maryland region.

It's called DRIVING...not steering!

To hell with resale value. ;^)

[motzman]

NOT a "girly car", though it has been labeled as such.

There are no "girly cars" only "girly drivers".

That's me in my '91 NOT being a "girly driver"

[Navy Patriot]

I'm in trouble, I drive a Pinto.

[ASA Vet]

Yep, My dad wrecked it while I was away in the Army. All I have left is memories and 3 hub caps, (the 4th got stolen.)

[Fatuncle]

Actually, I stole both those from an email sent to me as a joke.

I have 481,700 miles on a '92 Toyota pickup, which is at the moment sitting in the drive waiting for the money to rebuild the trans, and am driving a '06 Tacoma.

[antiRepublicrat]

I've seen a Miatas at the tracks. They do well even when they don't have the aftermarket sports gear (and I mean sports gear, not ricer flash garbage).

[motzman]

Easy and relatively cheap to upgrade, Miata's are great autocrossing cars with superior handling characteristics.

My '91 is stock, just backroad burnin' around for me.

For now....hehe

[phantomworker]

LOL! Well, you sure know quality cars! ;)

My fav is an '05 Celica.

[brooklin]

WHY ARE YOU STANDING IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSES CAR LIKE THAT?

[Roses0508]

I've alway thought my 3 inch heels and power suits (work costume) go well with my Ford pickup truck.

I will NEVER buy another car. I am a pickup truck kind of girl forever.

[brooklin]

sorry about the caps lock, he said sheepishly.....

[cmsgop]

Dude, You Gotta come up with one for me please.

[cmsgop]

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