Is this why men in a midlife crisis buy supercars? People who drive premium cars are seen as better mates and being more intelligent, study finds

• Researchers found owning a supercar can improve how people see you
• READ MORE:  Why most men feel they lost their ‘spark’ before 47

Many men have purchased a supercar once they reach their 40s to feel ‘more alive’ as they navigate their newfound midlife crisis.

While some believe the more than $100,000 purchase does nothing for an individual’s turmoil of being middle age, a new study reveals driving a premium car can boost one’s self-confidence.

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil found that men who own luxury cars like a Corvette and Porsche are perceived as having higher levels of mating values and social dominance and are seen as more competent.

The results are likely due to men and women believing there are benefits to being a partner of someone who owns a high-priced vehicle.

Men who own luxury cars like a Corvette and Porsche are perceived as having higher levels of mating values and social dominance and are seen as more competent. Pictured is Brad Pitt, 59, driving a $200,000 electric Porsche Taycan

‘The results indicate that stimulus subjects with premium cars were evaluated with higher mating value and dominance,’ researchers shared in the study published on Science Direct.

‘Similarly, participants who owned a premium car exhibited higher levels of mating value and social dominance. 

‘The findings suggest that the consumption of luxury products influences social perception that matches with self-perceived characteristics.’

The team conducted the study in two parts, with the first examining whether the evaluation of mating value and social dominance is affected by consumption choices.

A total of 171 participants were asked about the mating value and social dominance when looking at people of the opposite sex who owned supercars.

Approximately 93 subjects were women, and the rest were men who looked at four fabricated people who were created to show information related to their profession, hobby and car – either a luxury or popular vehicle.

The results also determined that people of higher status are viewed as more competent and favored in job selection. Pictured is George Clooney, 61, driving one of his classic Corvettes in 2020

The stimulus subjects were duplicated: two had premium cars, and the other had popular vehicles. The descriptions of professions and hobbies had equivalent content regarding social status. 

‘Confirming the first hypothesis, it was observed that both women and men attributed higher mating value to stimulus subjects who owned premium cars,’ the study reads.

‘Similar to other luxury items such as apartments and clothing, premium cars indicate an individual’s position in the hierarchy.’

The results also determined that people of higher status are viewed as more competent and favored in job selection.

‘It is likely that individuals with premium cars were considered more attractive due to the potential benefits associated with high status,’ researchers shared.

The results are likely due to men and women believing there are benefits to being a partner of someone who owns a high-priced vehicle. Pictured is Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, with a $100,000 Fisker Karma hybrid supercar

‘Overall, both men and women can benefit from relationships with partners who possess these attributes.’

The team’s second hypothesis was also confirmed: People with premium cars were described with higher levels of social dominance.

The second portion of the study looked at how a person who owns a supercar perceives themselves.

A sample of 409 participants, 206 females and 203 males, who had luxury and popular vehicles were asked to report their self-perception of social status, social dominance and mates.

Participants with a premium car showed higher levels of subjective social status than those with a popular or no vehicle.

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