Talk to your car? Love your car? Is this you???

DETROIT, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Talk about car nuts!
A survey released on Friday showed the extremes to which some U.S. auto enthusiasts will go in pursuit of their seemingly never-ending love affair with cars and all things automotive.
Among other results, sure to warm the hearts of Detroit's Big Three automakers, the survey found that 78 percent of respondents admitted to "loving" their cars and that 63 percent actually talked to them.
That's right. Do not assume the driver -- talking while sitting apparently alone behind the wheel of that vehicle alongside of you -- has a small child or pet in the back seat or is chatting away on a hands-free cell phone.
Forty-three percent of respondents said they considered their cars to be "part of the family," according to the survey. Twelve percent said they valued their wheels more than anything else in their lives, including their children or their home.
The No. 1 response from men was "buy something for my car," when asked what they would do if they had an extra $500, the survey said. The top response from women, when asked the same question, was "buy something for my spouse/significant other."
The online survey by Ohio-based Progressive Insurance, the fourth-largest U.S. auto insurance company, was conducted between Oct. 26 and Dec. 3. A company spokeswoman said 657 drivers across the United States participated.
((Detroit newsroom, 313-870-0200, fax 313 875 4255, [email protected]))

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Friday, 8 February 2002 15:27:17
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