motoring days

What women really think. I think.
By Shamsul Yunos
05/09/2007

I had an engaging discussion with a young lady about cars today. We were test driving the Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel and she started off by asking me what the difference is between diesel and petrol cars.

Obviously, I figured that the explanation should begin with the absolute basics. She is not what you would describe as car savvy but she confessed to a certain love of classic motors and anyone who likes oily MGs counts as a good person in my books, so we got on quite well.

On a drive to Kuantan, three of us were in the car, the young lady, a journalist from a well known localised international title, Danny, and myself. We started talking about what kinds of cars she liked and she listed the Nissan Murano and March as possible chart toppers, but her hot favourite was the Suzuki Swift.

The two men in the car nodded in agreement, for the Swift is a good car and universally acclaimed both on Venus and Mars.

Then Danny asked her what car she thought looked good on men, and she first gave the politically-correct answer: "Any car is fine as long as it is not in the habit of threatening to abandon me by the roadside".

Danny rephrased the question for clarity and she said that she thought a guy, her age (in the low mid 20s) would be dapper in a Toyota Vios.

Now that was an answer that floored me. I mean, the Vios is as close you can get to a John Doe of a car without actually having a toe tag. She said that such a young guy would look like he was sensible, responsible and a reliable person with a steady job and a good income. Husband material. Self made.

"What of guys who drive cars like the Alfa Romeo?" we asked in chorus.

"Those guys are probably uptight," were the words that marched confidently out of her lips, like well drilled soldiers.

She was definitely sure of her answer, so we sought for her reasoning.

"Well if they are young and can afford fancy or flashy cars, then they probably come from a rich family or are working for a successful family business, or something like that," she explained.

I have always thought that girls would be impressed by guys choosing an Alfa Romeo because it is a sign of individuality and confidence, but clearly there are those who can see the flipside of the choice.

I am not suggesting that the verbiations of a single Venusian is the accepted rule, but it is certainly something to ponder.

It is true that a Toyota has all the traits that the company would like people to think it has but to have them attached so firmly to the driver as well is nothing short of a marketing coup.

So what car should I drive? I am a thirty-something male, married, with children and wants to project a youthful, energetic and vibrant image but yet be seen as mature, confident, sophisticated and not showy. A Lexus GS300 perhaps? Or is that too Nouveau Riche?