First car ranks over first kiss

We're also more likely to treat a new car nicely, but less likely to let someone else drive it.

And people primarily buy a new car because they know its history and can trust its reliability. These not-so-surprising findings come from latest GIO research into what cars, and new cars in particular, mean to people.

While 18 per cent of the people quizzed in NSW and Victoria can remember getting their first car, only nine per cent remember their first pay cheque and only six per cent their first kiss.

“Our first car is often our first real taste of freedom and I think this creates a strong and ongoing association for many of us,” says GIO spokesman, Duncan Bone.

He also says this attachment continues during our car life, with 68 per cent of drivers saying new cars provide a special feeling and 84 per cent saying they would treat a new car differently to a used car.

“Our research found drivers are more likely to park a new car more carefully, get it serviced more often and repair minor dings,” says Bone. “Perhaps less charitably, we’re also not as likely to let family and friends drive our new car.”

The GIO research finds the most important reason drivers buy a new car is trust, followed closely by the ability to get exactly what they want. The latest safety features or the latest styling are less important, but 19 per cent of people say they like the new-car smell.

“The number one reason people buy a new car is trust. As the only owner they feel they can be sure of its history and trust its reliability,” Bone says. GIO says it is recognising Australians love of cars with a new Platinum package that includes lifetime new-car replacement for eligible customers.

“We wanted to replace not just the car but also the new car feeling, whether it was written off or stolen six months or twelve years after it was bought,” Bone says.