When it comes to cars, it�s style versus substance for both men and women, we discover in part four of our six-part series on buying a car.
UNLIKE what some may think, men and women concur on many counts when it comes to buying a car.
Both sexes look for the same thing � safety, practicality and price, although the last is the determining factor. If price isn�t an issue, then looks, engine capacity, speed and luxury head the list of what they look for.
Johan Murison, an engineer who studied the different personalities of men and women for his masters degree, noted several types of car buyers.
The first type is the Driver, he says. �And I don�t mean the guy or gal behind the wheel.
�Driver buyers are very driven both in their work and personal life and are only interested in what they want and how they will get there. They are typically domineering and dictate rather than discuss options.�
The second type, Analytical, is driven by data and numbers. They are inquisitive and have a keen eye for detail.
Then there is Expressive, Murison adds. These buyers are open, talkative and very visual. They make good presenters and can clearly paint a picture with words.
Finally, there is Amiable, the easy-going, quiet types who are not fussy and go for the simpler things in life � they don�t really care what vehicle they buy.
Looking at overall mass market sales, he observes a link between the type of buyer and the car he/she goes for.
Drivers opt for status vehicles like BMW and Mercedes, while Ferraris and sport cars are typically bought by the Expressive types. Mr Analytical will pick a Volvo or Audi for performance and reliability, while Mr Amiable prefers a Ford, Proton, Nissan or Honda.
Women follow the same profiling, but when it comes to selecting the cars, certain factors come into play, Murison adds: are they single, married or divorce; do they have children; have the kids left home?
Kamil Fazrin Rauf, creative group head of Krakatua:ICOM says he looks at the wow factor (what makes a car stand out); cost (fuel, maintenance, road tax); engine performance; space (due to his job and lifestyle which means carting equipment, road travel and family) the little things (paddle shift gears, electronic seats, Ipod interface, etc) and perks (what he gets with the vehicle).
�If money wasn�t a factor, I�d go for the Volkswagen Touareg R50. If some debts were cleared and the wife won�t mind, the Volkswagen Tiguan 147TSI. If pigs could fly, the Hummer H1 and H2 to amuse my wife. If I�m being sensible, it would be the Mitsubishi Triton 2.5L.�
Aemel Nordin, managing director of a manufacturing company, says comfort and accessories (functional items like the Bluetooth Ipod) are important.
�So are engine size (it does matter) and bling like big rims, sporty looks, spoilers. Plus the perceived sex appeal the vehicle exudes. Actually, you can get all that for any price; even the Proton can be accessorised. You see it all the time.�
For women, one of the biggest gripes when choosing a car is the lack of a proper place for handbags.
I can so relate to this: why isn�t there any space for our bags? Putting one on the passenger seat would tempt someone to break the window and grab it. The floor is out, especially for expensive totes, and the glove compartment is way too small �have you seen the size of handbags today?
So how come none of the car manufacturers have come up with a solution for this?
Working mum Nora Ahmad says that she would need a car that�s low on fuel consumption. �As a mother of four who has to do the school run and errands, and drive to work, I can�t afford a guzzler.
�In fact, the Atoz, Pinto or Kancil will do just fine. For travel, the MPV can fit in the whole platoon.�
What if she did not have to consider the price or practicality?
�For personal satisfaction, it�s cruising in a convertible,� Nora says.
Rusnita Noor, a lawyer, adds: �Like everything else that I buy, my car has to look nice first � stylish, streamlined and chic. No chunky-looking vehicles. It needs to be easy to handle on the road, with everything motorised � from seats to windows (rear ones too) and anything else that needs to be adjusted. The car must also have good resale value.�
Businesswoman Farah Kassim prefers a car that�s reasonably priced and easy to maintain, plus easy access to a service centre.
�I am pretty simple when comes to choosing cars. I�d go for a Japanese model � I find them more reliable. I�ve driven continental cars before � had to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Shah Alam to get it fixed or serviced. So no more continental cars for me.�
Lawyer Ella Basir likes solid cars as her priorities are safety, and good after-sales service.
�I need to feel comfortable in a car, hence my propensity for 4WDs. I like to glare at bullying minibus drivers from their height and feel safe enough to ram potential criminals should I get cornered at a roadside. Serious.�
There you go. Men and women do look for the same things when buying a car. More or less.
> If you have questions about buying a car, go to smartwheels.com.my for tips and more information; you can also post questions at the site that will be answered by an independent car reviewer. This initiative is brought to you by Honda Malaysia.
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