City speedsters still choose performance over planet

It’s not your gender but where you live that determines the car that you drive, new research by AA Personal Loans suggests.

The findings show that city dwellers are more likely than their country cousins to buy a brand new car that has ‘sex appeal’, offers greater speed and power and is equipped with added features and gadgets such as satellite navigation.

Those living in the country, however, regard economy, size and safety as the most important factors in their car-buying decisions.

The findings also suggest that the increasing tax burden for owners of gas guzzling 4x4’s does seem to be having an effect. The Government’s push for greener motoring is leading 17% of car buyers to consider the green credentials of their next car when making a purchase – an 11% increase since March 2006.

As part of its Deals on Wheels quarterly tracker which looks at actual demand for new and used cars, AA Personal Loans asked a GB representative sample of 4,000 motorists about their car buying plans for the year ahead and why they would replace their vehicle.

Sex in the city – speed and thrills

One in ten (10%) city dwellers are looking to buy a car that has more sex appeal, compared with just 4% in the country.

Gadgets appeal to city car buyers: almost twice as many (11%) choose on-board toys than those in rural areas (7%).

Despite urban congestion, 14% of city slickers will opt for a more powerful or faster car compared with just 10 per cent in the country.

However, a third (32%) of city types will opt for a small family car such as a VW Golf or a Honda Civic.

The Green, green grass – economy and safety

Safety is of greater concern to people in rural areas (16%) than those living in urban
areas (11%).

Rural folk are not all driving 4x4s. In fact, as rural affluence increases, drivers in the countryside are twice as likely as urban dwellers to consider an executive high-spec car such as a Volvo V80/S80 or Lexus IS300 than people in towns and cities (8% compared to 4%). Only 2% will buy a people carrier.

Motorists in rural areas are most aware of car running costs. A third (30%) say a car that is cheaper to run and with lower insurance would sway their buying decision compared with 19% of city people, for whom economy seems to be less of an issuedespite the high fuel consumption associated with urban stop-start motoring.

What people in the regions are driving:

19% of Scots want a brand new car and 45% of those living in the North of Scotland want a small family car, such as a VW Golf or Honda Civic.

11% of Londoners want a car that has added features and gadgets.

Of those living in the Midlands, 6% will buy an environmentally friendly car with low/no emission like the G-Wiz.

In Yorkshire, 18% will be purchasing a small multi purpose vehicle like a Renault Megane Scenic or Vauxhall Zafira.

In the North East 17% will be opting for a super mini such as a Renault Clio or Nissan Micra.

Lloyd East, general manager of AA Personal Loans says: “There are some interesting regional variations in car choice and stark differences between city and country. A car is one of the most important purchases we make and despite an individual’s personal tastes, it is important to consider how much a car will cost and also the best way to finance it.

“It’s pleasing to see that the green message seems to be getting through in these latest findings. But whatever you buy, getting a good deal on your finance can mean more car for your money.”

AA personal loans come with a free six-month warranty, regardless of whether bought from a dealership or a private vendor.