Why a chap’s flashy car can drive women away

IT is bad news for the man who has just bought a flashy car. Despite his best efforts, it may leave women unimpressed.

Men who drive attention- seeking cars in loud colours are not seen as good long-term partners, a study has found. Women think they will be poor potential fathers, who are interested only in a brief fling.

US researchers from the University of Buffalo asked 375 people to rate two men on their choice of car.

Both men had the same budget, but while one spent the money on a reliable new vehicle, the other blew it on a cheaper used car and used the rest of the money to repaint it, get larger wheels and a more powerful stereo.

Male and female participants gave the man with the flashy car high marks for effort in trying to attract women, but felt he would not be a long-term committed partner.

In contrast, the man who made the frugal car purchase scored much higher as a potential life partner, parent and provider.

Dr Daniel Kruger, lead author of the study published in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science, said: ‘Men may simply be investing in [flashy] cars to try to attract mates, for a short-term brief sexual relationship. This study suggests that if this is their motive, women can tell the difference.’