WHAT MEN DRIVE
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
1. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Through sheer statistical might, we fully expected the Ford F-150 to come in at the top of the male list. The F-150 is the top-selling vehicle in America and has been for the past 28 years, yet there must be something just a bit more manly about the Silverado 1500, because it outranks the F-150 when it comes to the number of male buyers by volume. But regardless of model, it's hardly surprising that pickups number five of the top 10 male vehicles by volume. Pickups are practically painted with testosterone, and scream to anybody who's listening that the guy behind the wheel is ready to do some heavy hauling. The Silverado is plenty butch, with its oversized grille, enormous fender flares and available Vortec 6.2-liter V8 engine. But we're guessing that the Silverado also appeals to the guys' practical side (yup, we've got one, too) since it has the most affordable starting price, at $19,375.
Read: Car and Driver: Ram vs. F-150 vs. Silverado
2009 BMW M6
2. BMW M6
We detect a statistical anomaly here. Sure, the BMW 6-Series is a beautiful 2+2, 360-horsepower coupe that goes a long way toward assuaging the pain of a midlife crisis. And the $102,100, 500-horse 5.0-liter V10 M6 variant that occupies the top spot in the automotive maleness index is like a 6-Series with Cool Whip and hot fudge on top — more of a good thing. But what's so macho about an M6 that, according to the Strategic Vision study, it attracts zero interest from women? Plus, the M6 is a low-volume car, yet it shows up as both a coupe and convertible in the male top 10 index. We're stumped, but now we want one even more.
Bing: Photos of the 2010 BMW M6
2009 Dodge Viper
3. Dodge Viper
We're actually slightly more curious about the women who have bought the Dodge Viper (starting at $91,220) than the men. The Freudian implications of this loud and proud American supercar are clear: The Viper is a vehicle as male compensatory device. Yet statistically speaking, some women are driving this thing. Now there's no reason women shouldn't drive powerful cars (no threatening e-mails, please), and there's no questioning the Viper's raw power — it has a 600-horse V10 engine that can push it from zero to 60 mph in less than four seconds. But the Viper is so wild, squirrelly and difficult to handle, we'd wonder why the small number of women who reported buying this vehicle would want to undertake the profoundly unfeminine task of keeping it on the road. Keeping this beast from chasing its own tail seems like a task for a man with something to prove. [Editor's note: Mr. Foley's cavemanlike views on this car are not necessarily those of the MSN Autos staff. But we'd like an answer to his query.]
2009 GMC Savana G2500 Cargo Van
4. GMC Savana Cargo Van
Oh, baby . . . nothing says stone cold love machine like a van. Sure, we know most of the male buyers who sent this puppy up to No 2. on the index of vehicular maleness needed it for work — plumbers, carpenters, exterminators, etc. But we hope at least a few of these fellas have given their Savana (starting at $24,365) the "if-this-van's-a-rockin'-don't-come-a-knockin'" shag-rug, built-in-couch-and-disco-ball treatment. Because we'd hate to think the only action the inside of this incredibly useful, configure-it-any-way-you-want-it vehicle sees is hauling plumbing supplies.
2009 Corvette ZR1
5. Chevrolet Corvette
To be honest, we're shocked that the Corvette indexes seventh on the male vehicle list. We figured Corvettes were at least the second-most-fantasized-about things on the male mind and expected it to score much higher. Why? This 400-horsepower sports car starts at $48,565. Based on that relatively affordable sticker price, most men actually can imagine themselves owning such a vehicle if the stars were to align just right. And if those stars were to align just a little bit better, those guys could find themselves behind the wheel of a $73,925, 505-horse Z06, or — since we're dreaming — the $103,970, 638-horsepower ZR1. The top trim levels of the Corvette play with the fastest vehicles in the world, bringing to life the delightfully democratic scenario wherein Vinnie, the hard-working electrician, leaves Chad, the Ferrari-owning bond trader, choking on his dust.
Watch Video: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
Sam Foley is a Connecticut-based automotive journalist who has written for GQ, Forbes, USA Today, the New York Post and various other publications.
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