Make sure you have the right car for your personality

By dpa | 4 January 2018


BERLIN: Cars mean many different things to different people. For some, they are merely about getting from A to B. For others, they are a status symbol, or a collector's item.

Whatever our relationship with our four-wheeled friend, the car we drive can say a lot about our identity.

That's why German researchers have come up with a quiz that will tell you whether your car is the right fit for your personality - or whether it might be time to move on to pastures new.

Respondents are asked to state how much they agree with statements such as "I prefer traditional brands," "I pay attention to detail on the dashboard," "I never stay in my car longer than necessary," and "a car should above all be practical."

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The quiz is part of a project by researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum in western Germany, who are examining what drivers look for in a car from a psychological point of view.

Plenty of drivers receive their car as a gift or inherit a used one from a relative or friend. If that's the case, they might be driving a car that doesn't reflect their values, says psychologist Ralf Buchstaller from the Tuv, a German vehicle inspection agency.

If you've chosen the car yourself, it's more likely to be a good fit. "Within our budget, we'll buy the vehicle that best meets our needs," says Buchstaller.

He adds that people tend to associate certain characteristics – whether consciously or unconsciously – with certain carmakers or brands, such as social status, a particular attitude or an outlook on life.

The quiz is only available in German, so you might have to enlist the help of your best German friend, or Google Translate.

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