Not Enthusiasts, But Not Indifferent

Several years of rising gasoline prices have surely taken some zest out of Americans’ love affair with the car. A poll by Mediamark Research Inc., though, makes it clear that people aren’t reconciled to viewing cars as merely utilitarian. It’s true that just 10 percent of men and 4 percent of women endorsed the statement, “I consider myself to be an automotive enthusiast.” And surprisingly few—12 percent of men and 8 percent of women—said having a vehicle that’s “fun to drive” is “a top consideration in my purchasing decision.”