It’s No Urban Myth. Your car can be the key to getting you connected with the opposite sex.

Whether you’re going the distance, looking for speed or just want to spend some quality time in the backseat, a new survey and buzzworthy dating expert agree that a Smart way to find the person of your dreams may be to start looking at who is sitting inside the car of your dreams.

Not only can a good car make a better impression than even the best of pick-up lines, it may also have an equal affect on both men and women. According to Ford’s “Life in Drive” survey, 58 percent of men and women said that the condition of their date’s vehicle would at least somewhat impact their on-going attraction to that person.

Better yet, Evan Marc Katz, a leading dating consultant and guru in the art of making a good first impression, says that securing a hot set of wheels may actually be one of the best methods to secure a hot date. As the CEO of online dating consulting service E-Cyrano.com, and author of Why You’re Still Single: Things Your Friends Would Tell You If You Promised Not to Get Mad (Plume/June 2006), Katz says “”Like joining a rock band, there’s something about a fast, shiny vehicle that simply exudes sex appeal.”

One truth behind the “chick magnet” concept is that certain cars create an air of excitement, thus suggesting infinite possibility. “Really, whose heart isn’t pounding just a little bit harder after watching Steve McQueen’s Mustang fly around the corner in ‘Bullitt’?” asks Katz.

In fact, it turns out that the ability to get your heart racing truly is an important quality for car designers and engineers. “Part of our job is to understand exactly what elements make a car attractive to both men and women,” says Marilyn Parrett, Ford’s Customer Intelligence Manager. Ford’s research shows that women, for example, are undeniably drawn to cars that are “reliable.”  Exterior styling – how it looks -- ranks as a very close second for both genders as well.  “It makes perfect sense,” adds Katz.  “Women want a car that, like a good man, makes them feel safe and beautiful”

Ladies…Start Your Engines

Female drivers who want to invest in a dependable dude magnet, however, may also want to think about acquiring a nicer set of wheels – maybe even a brand that is sexy not only by design but because of the way its marketed.

For instance, the Mercury brand features Jill Wagner, an “It Girl” actress (about to co-star in the SPIKE TV series, “Blade”) in some of its advertising.  Wagner is the current beloved of the blogging starlet-watching male community.  One clever lad titled his ode to Wagner… “The future Mrs. Casselberry” and said  “Sis will say this is a sign that I watch too much TV, but I''ve been keeping a close eye on commercials lately, hoping I''ll get to spend another 30 seconds with... the Mercury spokeswoman.”  Jill’s one reason why men are saying “yes, I’d be interested in a Mercury” (or at least in the surrogate woman driving one!). 

It must be working as 49 percent of the customers buying the new Mercury Milan sedan turn out to be female – and those women indicate 85 percent “satisfaction” with their choice.

Katz says that a good car can be an equally effective magnet for both men and women as it serves as a tangible vehicle for self-expression. “While there’s nothing wrong with driving a mini-van” says Katz, “but isn’t the woman with the sleek shades who has the top down in a Mustang convertible more likely to get a second look?” 

Wanna Go All the Way – More Findings from the Life in Drive Survey…

A whopping 89 percent of males and 95 percent of females said they were somewhat likely to notice their date’s car

Nearly all males and females are impressed when their dates pick them up in nice cars (84 percent male respondents, 89 percent female respondents)

What’s Your Favorite Thing to Do in a Car with Your Date?

Three times more men than women said that ”kissing” was their favorite date activity in a car (24 percent male respondents, 8 percent female respondents).

Nearly 50 percent (49 percent) of women say that “talking” is their favorite date activity to do in a car, only 8 percent say “kissing.”

In-Car Milestones

Almost one quarter (24 percent) of the men asked declined to tell us what their most significant milestone was that happened inside a car.  Some things a gentleman does keep to himself….

Other big moments were ranked as follows:

…Or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

Most embarrassing thing that happened in a car during a date? It seems that most of us are successfully discreet after all…