<p>Of course, I am still alive, unlike Pelle Lindberg, James Dean, and I think a not-that-short list of other porsche drivers. Not to mention Corvette drivers like Jerome Brown, among others. </p>
<p>One wonders if this research regarding the testosterone levels can be correct. If so, imagine what motorcycles and planes must do.</p>
<p>^^^ So true, VH! Which is why, many years ago, I took an evening adult ed course in basic auto mechanics. I always felt as if the repair guys would just start rubbing their hands with glee when I brought my car in. When I was shopping for my first car, I got up and walked out of a dealer that was pushing a certain exterior color because it was “one all the women like.” Oh, please!!!</p>
<p>The last time DH and I bought a new car (a loooooong time ago, I’m afraid), the salesman asked if I would be bringing the car in for service. I said No, I work full-time; it would be my husband. “Oh,” the salesmen answered, “because this is where all the women sit while their car is being serviced. They always balance their checkbook while they’re here.”</p>
<p>And this makes me want to buy your car why?</p>
<p>My last job was with one of the mega “auto dealer consolidators” (think Autonation, but smaller). An interesting statistic was that women are involved in the decision of which new car to buy something like 60% of the time – as a woman alone and as part of a couple. Yet the salesmen always try to sell to the man.</p>
<p>You mean I’m not supposed to read H’s “Car and Driver” magazine every month? And I wasn’t supposed to test drive cars he was interested in before he had time to, and give my opinion on their features after doing as much research as he does? Or take his for oil changes, car washes and fill the washer fluid, etc?</p>
<p>When I was 16, my mother took me to buy a car that she and I would share. We decided together and I watched her as she did the deal. It was a 1967 white Pontiac Cutless supreme. It was such a great car. So when I started my first really big job, I went out to buy a car and the dealer kept pushing the phone at me and telling me to call my husband?!? I left and bought the car at a different dealership. The first dealership guy call me up a week later and ask if my husband and I were still interested in buying a car. I had the supreme pleasure of telling him I had already had bought one! The only time my husband has bought a car during our marriage is one time, when I made him, in order to show our son how to do it. Now I’m back to buying all our cars again.</p>
<p>My ex went to a dealer where he knew a friend had bought a car. He didn’t realize what brand his new car was until he wrote the check. He thought it was a different brand.</p>
<p>I always start out with “Before you try to game me, I’m an engineer.” Their faces always fall. ;)</p>
<p>I learned that trick after one mechanic tried to convince me that my exhaust leak (which increased in volume whenever I stepped on the gas and stopped entirely whenever I took my foot off the accelerator) was “just the license plate rattling.” Puh-leeze!</p>
<p>It was always irritating to me that when I was shopping for a car, they’d talk to my H. He would smile & say that he was just along for the ride (& he was). When I was serious, I would return without him & my price quote for purchasing the car I wanted in OR & having it shipped to me in HI. The salesman was not happy but I got his manager to agree to match the price so I could purchase from them.</p>
<p>The only other new car we bought, I worked out a deal with the fleet dealer & got a deal we found to be fair. H didn’t even come with me that time. In the time we’ve been together, H has never purchased a new car & the used cars we acquire are via mutual consent. Our kids have not purchased any cars (heck, D still doesn’t even have a license).</p>
<p>I only go to mechanics I totally trust; most of them we have been seeing for over a dozen years. Sears would ALWAYS try to pressure me to fix things that were perfectly fine when I went in for routine pre-paid maintenance (as verified by my independent mechanics). I’m glad they were sued for their deceptive practices!</p>
<p>When Happydad and I were car shopping in 2001, I did massive research before settling on the make and model. We went to one dealership to look at the specific car, and were met by a gentleman with a big shiny stone in his pinky ring, and multiple “salesperson of the year” awards on his wall. When he told us “Oh you don’t need that traction control feature here in Maryland.” I knew we’d never buy a car from him. We bought it through the Credit Union car buying service at a dealership 15 miles away. And yup, less than a month after the purchase, going up a gravel lane the traction control system turned on. This winter we’ve needed it multiple times with all of the snow we’ve had!</p>
<p>I can’t stand car salesmen in general. Although they are not alone in this, it seems I always know more about their car than they do. Also, of the ten new cars I’ve purchased, seven of the salesmen were gone from that job or dealer with 30-60 days after I bought the car.</p>
<p>A dealer in DC quoted my older child $700 to do the rear brakes ( he wanted to include turning the rotors). $100 worth of pads and an hour and a half of labor and the brakes are now new and fine. The original need for the work was in passing state inspection, the dealer wouldn’t pass it and said it was dangerous to drive. A complete crock. Son found the pads had about 1/3 or so left, and was quite angry at the deception.</p>
<p>The reason behind my op was the potential (tragic) connection between the research, if accurate, and the accidents that occur in those cars.</p>
<p>He must be one lousy salesman. What kind of salesman tries to discourage a customer from buying a car, especially if the salesman honestly believes it has an “unnecessary” feature? I would have let you buy the car with the rear-mounted heat ray and the road salt cannon if you thought you needed it.</p>
<p>I wish i could but i don’t have any…lol (testosterone i mean…minivan and kids i have covered)</p>
<p>btw-until recently my other car was a mazda mpv which proudly hauled my two children, pets, friends, various family members, and sports gear. It valiently gave it’s life to be traded in for a suburu for my daughter.</p>
<p>Great thread! Laughed out loud when I read the article… It made perfect sense to me. </p>
<p>I’m sure it would be fun to read the results of a similar test with women. I have to admit, I’ve only driven a Porsche once, and it was a kick. I’m sure that men found me more attractive behind the wheel of that car than the Gremlin that was our family car at the time. </p>
<p>Hmm, I also get a kick when I’m driving a pick-up, but it’s not quite the same feeling as a sports car.</p>