The August 6, 2009, issue of the Edmonton Journal ran a story about the hormonal boost for young males provided by high end performance vehicles. A Concordia University study determined that “endowing [yes, endowing] the men with a vehicle few people could afford tripped an endocrinological response—measured using saliva samples—mimicking the one elicited during competition for female mates.” As a guy who used to be young, I could have saved the academics a few bucks. Of course hot cars raise testosterone levels. That’s a fundamental part of a guy’s reason for life. It’s the selfish gene on wheels: hot cars > better babes > better babies. But all is not exactly as it seems . . .
The eggheads handed over a $150,000 Porsche to a study group of university students (median age 24.7 years) for an hour’s worth of driving in two separate environments: urban and rural.
Now one would think that a young guy behind the wheel of a high end German legend would experience a significant hormonal overload in the city world where a bountiful crop of hot city women would fawn over the hot wheels. If you aren’t responsible enough to own a cute little puppy, at least be rich enough to own a Porsche in the honorable pursuit of women. Both car and dog will attract female attention, thus an increase in testosterone would seem imminent.
Here’s the kicker in the Concordia study: Even a drive in the country well out of range of available women made the subject males horny. The Porsche raised these guys’ hormone levels well into the naked Jennifer Aniston range without a naked Jennifer Aniston. Now that’s a car!
This aspect of the study intrigues. It suggests that male happiness is not a warm Colt Mark IV Series 70. Nor is it a toasty Marissa Miller. It’s a smoking hot supercar. While you can’t share a hot tub and margaritas with a Ferrari, the study suggests you’d be better off with a high-strung Italian car than a high-maintenance Italian babe.
That said, the Concordia study is full of holes. For one thing, it fails to take into account the exotic car’s role vis à vis the average male’s basic philosophy. He may have spent half of his time behind the wheel on a deserted road with no available women, but he was worked-up by the knowledge that the Porsche gave him the potential to meet hot women. Now that’s a car!
The other half of the experiment involved an equal amount of time behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry with 180,000 miles on it. You guessed it: the net result was “a slight deflation in testosterone.”
This finding probably won’t find its way into a new Toyota ad campaign, but it makes perfect sense. Toyota built the Camry’s reputation upon reliability and practicality. Men with high testosterone levels tend to view the Camry as the kind of car guys own when they get married. When the supermodel dream is dead and buried.
Yes BUT—there are plenty of men who wouldn’t want a supermodel. I’ve got five words for you: bulimia, cocaine, prima donna, money. Anyway, natural selection says that if all men wanted supermodels that much all women would be supermodels.
By the same token, there’s an entire population of women who don’t want a bad boy/show off/fast driver to father their children. Sensibly enough, they seek sensible men who can assure their progeny’s long term safety, security and prosperity.
Bottom line: the Camry offers that driver access to a different class of genetic material. It’s neither good nor bad. It just is.
The study assumes that high testosterone levels are inherently positive, when, clearly, they’re not. From a Darwinian point-of-view, the chances that a Camry driver will take themselves out of the genetic pool by dangerous driving are far less than the those of the Porker pilot. In other words, the bad boy only gets the hot girl if he lives long enough to do so.
In any case, the choice of a Porsche for this study is a problem in and of itself. On one hand, Porsches keep the supermodel dream alive: $150,000 two-seaters capable of kissing 200 mph say, “I want to get there insanely fast and in style,” and, “If I can afford this I can afford to put our [future] children through Yale.”
On the other hand, Porsches are reliable (enough), easy to park and built to withstand massive accidents. It’s not for nothing that the 911’s known (at least amongst high testosterone males) as the “practical supercar.”
So a Porsche is a highly evolved supercar that sends a mixed message that appeals to both sides of a female’s genetic needs: high achiever and high security. And succeeds.
Now that’s a car!
[Click here for more of Jim Sutherland’s work @ mystarcollectorcar.com]
It is hard to decide what to say about cars attracting women. Especially as I have been married over thirty years. I would say having a dog or cat, and being kind to it in a public place such as a park, does more to win women over than having a hot car. Although having a nice car is a plus. Having the social skills to approach a woman and ask her out in a thoughtful manner is more important than having a hot car. Having a nice car is vastly over-rated in terms of persuading a woman you are interested in, to date you. But, if I were a bachelor, I would pass on the Camry and go for a Vette. If you are a bachelor, you are by definition rich, and yes you can afford one.
In college, having any motorcycle was a better attraction for getting dates, than having a car.
Note to self, 2006 Carrera bests 1990 Camry (Saad and Vongas, 2009).
I anxiously look forward to the follow-up study investigating whether the effects are mitigated at all when said Camry driver places a NOS sticker, wing, new tires, etc. on vehicle… or if there are any significant interactions between the Cayman and Cayman S… hell, Ferrari bodykit on Mazda… :)
Overall though, the article just reconfirms to me that Top Trumps still serves an effective decision support system for my car purchases.
Anyone looking for the article’s source:
Saad, G. and Vongas, J.G. (in press). The effect of conspicuous consumption on men’s testosterone levels. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
It’s also well established that a heterosexual man is far more likely to impress other heterosexual men with a “desirable” car under the guise of impressing women, so I don’t think anyone comes out ahead here.
Most people do not care about cars (more men are interested in cars than women, but the Camry and F150 certainly do not sell to anyone interested in driving), and are as likely to answer with the brand as with the color when asked what kind of car they drive.
As Matt51 said above, if you want to meet potential mates, get a dog and go to the park. That will get you a lot more action than a Porsche.
I don’t see why you say the study assumes high testosterone is a good thing.
also, some women would actually be repelled by a very expensive sports car. One friend with a 3 series was nonplussed to find out that the woman of his dreams was NOT impressed. He ended up with a Toyota.
As a single guy, I would be impressed by a woman with a fun-to-drive car if she appreciated that aspect of the car. I would not be impressed if she had the car for status; in fact, quite the opposite. (For perspective on my views of this stuff, my family is pretty egalitarian on the role of the sexes. My maternal grandmother was the first female Coloradan to earn a PhD.)
“My puppy’s name? Porsche…”
Owing a Porsche (I have) is like dating a supermodel with a bad cocaine habit (did that too). You know it’s going to break down, you’re just not sure when or where. But when it does, you know it will be expensive. They are both nice for show and go (for a while).
Twotone
I bought a new Vette when I turned 55.
Didn’t do squat for my sex life…
“the study suggests you’d be better off with a high-strung Italian car than a high-maintenance Italian babe”
Having had both, I’ll take the Italian car; it will cost less in the long run.
(NB: The next and future Ms. “UnclePete” is not a car person — she drives an Alero — but appreciates the subtleties of the fun to drive cars I own; that works :) )
I agree with matt.
I’ve been married a couple years & women on the road seem much more interested in talking with me or asking for a ride when I’m on my sportbike, rather than in my STi.
I’m pretty sure that testosterone spikes are exactly that. Levels will be lower than normal for a while after the high wears off. So you know, if you want to waste all your testosterone when you can’t really do anything about it, then knock yourself out. Come to think of it, wasn’t there a survey years ago that showed that Porsche drivers get less sex than other drivers? Coincidence?
Then again, having a Porsche to drive to and from the gym for heavy lifting twice a week might be helpful in the long run. Someone should do a study on that. If somebody wants to supply me with the whip for the study I’ll gladly volunteer.
I don’t think the study was about attracting women, but the ego and testosterone boost a hot car provides. This is absolutely true. Women’s attraction to the car is secondary, and I would think that they are more attracted to the confidence te car inspires.
Jim- is this picture at PPIR in Colorado? The mountains look familiar.
commando1 :
Try buying the Vette at 23 like I did, it’s definitely picked up a whole lot of girls for me in the 2.5 years I’ve had it. An old(er) man in a Vette is too cliche, you’ll probably need at least an Audi R8 or Lambo to appeal to the young ladies
It would have been interesting if the study included women riding with the men in Porsches and Camrys, then having them rate the men’s sex appeal.
It would also be interesting to compare PDK and non PDK Porsches as this would allow the women to observe how the male touches their buttons.
Wow the wonders of science. All I can say is, watching porn probably also does wonders for your testosterone levels, but who cares, really.
Is there any correlation whatsoever between testosterone and success in life or love? I doubt it, as a matter of fact I remember dimly reading somewhere (can’t be arsed to look it up) that there is a correlation between criminality and testosterone levels.
Haying said all that, this article is a really nice read.
Working in an industry were guys go from 23yo making 36k to 28yo making 360k+ I can say, without reservation, that the quantity and quality of available females rises to the square of the income multiple i.e. if you make 10x as much the quantity and quality of available females rises by a factor of 100.*
* I’m gay so I offer this bit of advice as a disinterested third party.
I would think that they are more attracted to the confidence te car inspires.
No, they are attracted to the possiblity of being a stay at home mom with a nanny and an X5.
Among wealthy men I’ve known with expensive, performance whips, the smart ones have consistently stressed that you don’t develop anything long term with any woman swooning over your car. Those with less intellect tend to be (often multiply) divorced.
That said, money and confidence do work.
As a somewhat involuntarily committed bachelor, I can admit more girls like my Honda Accord over my Ford Mustang.
And I will confirm that having good “game” is miles better than having a good car and having bad game. But we can’t be bitter about the rules of said game, so why not tip all the odds in your favour?
” ….story about the hormonal boost for young males provided by high end performance vehicles…”
Would it not be more accurate to say high price vehicles? Comparing a $150,000 Porsche vs beat up old Camry doesn’t exactly control for non performance variables, to put it mildly. $150,000 Porsche vs $150,000 Bentley would have been more interesting from an effect of performance on testosterone perspective. As would $30,000 Prius vs $30,000 Evo.
Cheevie Jim- is this picture at PPIR in Colorado? The mountains look familiar.
Judging by the license plate on the Porsche, I’d say it’s somewhere in Europe.
When thinking back I miss the wild and crazy days a lot more then the sensible days. In fact hardly ever think about the latter at all.
jmo :
What do you do for a living? I was going to guess investment banking or hedge fund, but those guys don’t make that little when they’re starting out
thetopdog,
Consulting. I’ve really been struck by how many people are making crazy money doing jobs most people have never even heard of.
The “connection” between women and cars is overblown.
I have loved good cars for 50 years. For me, “good” means fast and powerful, good handling, attractive styling. “Practical” is limited to reasonable reliability and maintenance costs and enough comfort for a long day at the wheel. If a woman disapproves of my definition of “good”, to hell with her.
I get the same pleasure driving a good car on a challenging road that I get riding a good horse cross country. Some of the best horses I have ridden have been mares.
jmo:
It’s funny because I work in consulting. I started at a lot more than $36k at 23 but it looks like I won’t be making anywhere near $360k by the time I’m 28 :(
You say cocaine like it’s a bad thing…
From the microsite;
Fuel consumption down 16% via DI and PDK.
PDK based 0-100km/hr with overboost 3.4s (“man pedal” manual 3.7s).
Torque: 650Nm (previous ~620Nm).
Power: 368kW (previous ~353kW).
I’m selling everything, cancelling the GT-R order and ordering mine on Monday.
(I wish).
you’d be better off with a high-strung Italian car than a high-maintenance Italian babe.
Sounds like my ex-wife. High Maint? – check. Italian? – Check. Looks good but lots of issues under the hood? – Check. Gonna cost me a lot of money? – Check.
Trouble is, she took my good car when we split. But the car was German, not Italian. Looking back, I should have just stuck to nice cars. I’d be better off today.
I have three Porsches and the infamous Lime Green S5. The Porsches do almost nothing for most women with whom I speak. The S5 is, and I hate to use this phrase because it’s disrespectful, a “panty-dropper” of the highest magnitude. I kid you not. Women cross parking lots to ask me about it, and rarely are they my age or older (I’m 37).
All things equal, no woman wants a guy in a beater Toyota… at least no woman who is attractive enough to have options. A guy in an expensive car is intriguing to women, and that is a foot in the door. But if you drive a Porsche, you’d better have Josh Duhmal looks, an IQ of at least 130, perfect manners and bank. Or else the Porsche’s douchebag stigma will only work against you.
I started at a lot more than $36k at 23 but it looks like I won’t be making anywhere near $360k by the time I’m 28
What are you billing out at?
I hope you’re not still working W-2. W-2 is the worst way to make money – it’s all about the 1099.
The worst I’ve seen: Kids making 64k being billed out at $225/hr… and these kids are working 50 to 60 hours a week plus 10 hours a week on a plane. That’s 675,000 a year in revenue and the firm only pays 65k to the kid.
If you’re working W-2, you’re only a phone call a way from taking 50% of that $675,000.
jmo: I am working W-2 and getting paid a LOT less than my billing rate (~$250/hr, I think). It sounds like I have a lot to learn, this is way off topic but do you have an email address I could reach you at? I would love to discuss this further
This whole thread just took a turn for the worse…
Now I’m really depressed.
LMAO
There have been other studies showing the connection between expensive cars (not necessarily fast ones) and female desire:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/5042640/Women-more-attracted-to-men-in-expensive-cars.html
The study here is flawed in many ways–might be nice to disentangle “expensive” from “fast”, for instance–but there’s no doubt that at least one PART of the female mind is attracted to 1) risk-taking, and 2) wealth and power
Whether that part of women’s minds overrides the other, more practical side is a matter of character.
In other words, the bad boy only gets the hot girl if he lives long enough to do so.
A car that helps eliminate the uncoordinated, the ignorant, the incompetent, and the stupid BEFORE they can breed?? Now THAT’S a car we need a lot more of!
James Hunt drove an Austin A35 Van…nuff said.
James Hunt drove an Austin A35 Van…nuff said.
Not quite, He drove a Formula One race car to a championship first… now’s nuff said.
the infamous Lime Green S5
I looked at the Audi website and it didn’t show that colour as an option on the S5. Was that a special order, Mr. Baruth?
As far cars and testosterone, driving something interesting makes me feel better, I never really thought of it is a testosterone thing. I figured it was the ‘break from monotony’ thing.
As for cars and women, in my experience, any hallmark of wealth or success is an attraction to women. The desire to be emancipated seems to be applied very selectively.
Anyway, natural selection says that if all men wanted supermodels that much all women would be supermodels.
———————————————
There are two flaws in your statement.
1) “Wanting a supermodel” doesn’t create enough of a selection pressure on how women look. Most guys end up mating with an average looking woman.
If guys choose to “mate with a supermodel and absolutely no one else”, then we will be there much faster.
2) Your statement treats the term “supermodel” as something static, non-changing. And that’s wrong.
The definition of supermodel (or very attractive woman) changes over time. The change is much faster than human body can evolve. So, the way women look today reflected how “supermodel” was supposed to be a while back in the evolution history (think in terms of thousands of years).
wsn,
In addition, the class of “supermodels” in and of itself implies exclusivity. Assuming we don’t get to a stage where every woman does nothing but walk up and down catwallks and pose for cameras; regardless of how women may look in absolute terms, only a small fraction will be models, and amongst them, only a few will be supermodels. Every woman becoming a supermodel is about as likely as every woman looking better than the average woman.
“Wolven :
August 10th, 2009 at 4:52 am
James Hunt drove an Austin A35 Van…nuff said.
Not quite, He drove a Formula One race car to a championship first… now’s nuff said.”
Which is precisely the point.
Porsches are unfortunately greatly stigmatised being associated with compensation for inadequacies – at least in the UK and Australia, I’ve never lived in the US so can’t comment. A big fast car being driven by a diminutive wanker is a commonly used cliche in advertising.
James Hunt having nothing to prove on the driving front, was happy for his vehicle choice to be entirely practical (although an A35 was slightly unusual even in the 1980s) in this case to transport his budgies. That fact that he chose to drive such a feeble car is remembered more than had he driven a Ferrari or something – so in that respect it was a bigger statement.
But, as it happens I would hazard to suggest that the average chick would find an A35 van more appealing anyway with its dumpy almost comic shape especially if you mentioned “yeah it’s the car out of Wallace and Grommit”.
http://www.parishlink.org/Austin%20A35%20Van%2002.jpg
If a car is going to attract girls (which I’m not convinced of) it will be something quirky and cute looking like a Morris Minor.
I’ve always been on the fence about this issue. Sure, all straight guys want to be attractive to girls, and therefore don’t want to be in anything embarrassing, but that could be a high-end car for the douchebag factor or a low-end one for a variety of reasons.
Overall, you’re probably best off driving what appeals to you. I put up with some crap from insecure guys when I drove a Miata but women generally liked it. And most importantly, I enjoyed driving it. Maybe I’ll get another one.
And I hang out in places (Manhattan) where nobody cares what you drive anyway.
All things equal, no woman wants a guy in a beater Toyota… at least no woman who is attractive enough to have options
Obviously, you have not explored the options offered by the two-word descriptor “hippie chicks”.
There’s a girls-and-cars correlation that’s being missed here: it’s true that some people (girls, guys, etc) may drop their linens** for a vehicle, but it’s also true that the people I’ve met who are into vehicles have a certain type of potential mate in mind, and that type generally does not include a lot of otherwise attractive who don’t fit that mold.
** thank you, Bill Paxton.
The Cute Pet as female attractor and Car as female attractor converge in the guise of the (original) Volkswagen Beetle convertible, at least it did for me.
I’ve driven a ‘Vette, an Audi,an Accord EX,two Mustangs, a vintage T-bird, a F-150, a Celica, etc., and NEVER did I get more attention from females as when I drove my ’71 Super Beetle convertible, in Sunflower Yellow. Never. Chicks, excuse me, ladies would positively SWARM to it, like moths to a blue light. Hot ladies. Young ladies. Middle aged ladies. All races. They appeared to just love the car, wanted to ride in it, wanted me to let them drive it. I was only too happy to accomodate….during the three years I owned it, whenever I was….lonely…..I would buy a six-pack and head to Elizabeth Park in the downriver Detroit area. Park the Bug, and start to wax it. Within an hour, usually within a few minutes, I’d get a fine hook-up, several phone numbers and/or a date for that evening….
That car was the most awesome panty-removing tool I have ever experienced. That car got me laid more often than Matthew McConnaghey at a cougar convention….
…saw a stone cold MILF-ish supermodel type in Starbucks this morning. She was none too interested in my 335 coupe. But the dude in the Gran Turismo with male pattern baldness and spare tire under his shirt got the number, methinks.