Do the kids just want new cars? Have the kids given up on being able to afford anything beyond cars? A new survey from Mazda found that Generation Z wants to buy a new car more than its not-as-young-as-you-think cohort wants to buy a new house. And here's a twist: it's not horsepower and performance that drive their decisions when it comes to picking out that new ride. Let's take a closer look at this. The Kids Want Cars After All Mazda We've heard it over and over before that Gen Z, the group born between 1997 and 2012, isn't interested in cars or in driving. They aren't buying new vehicles and, in many cases, not driving at all. At least, that's what the zeitgeist says. But Mazda says differently.It turns out that the lack of cars isn't from a lack of desire for new cars. Mazda's survey found that 69% said that they wanted a nice new car, but it looks like they'd rather have that new car in a parking lot than in a driveway. The survey claims that Gen Z is 13% more likely to pick a new vehicle over a house when it comes to purchasing.Mazda didn't dive into why Gen Z wanted to get a car instead of a house. We have some guesses, though, including a paper by researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago that found nearly half of Gen Z has given up on ever owning a home. If you know you aren't going to have your own home, then why not have your own nice new ride at your parents' house that gives you a place of your own... and a makeshift "third space" to hang out?The Japanese automaker did dive into what Gen Z buyers want from their car, namely how they define quality in a new vehicle. The survey found that 94% of responders cite advanced safety features as a leading indicator of "quality." Another 93% put "intuitive technology" at the top of the rankings, with 82% saying that a premium-quality audio system mattered.From there, Mazda's press release dives further into the car stereo. It seems 64% of Gen Z respondents said that they judged a vehicle by its stereo and 85% agreed that a high-quality sound system means overall vehicle quality. Turn Up The Radio Mazda“As Gen Z places greater emphasis on vehicle ownership, they expect vehicles that seamlessly integrate advanced safety systems and intuitive technology to deliver confidence, peace of mind, and a more secure, intuitive driving experience every day,” said Jennifer Morrison, Director of vehicle safety at Mazda.Branded audio systems are already common across even the most entry-level new vehicles. Mazda will give you Bose in the Mazda3 and CX-30, and the audio brand seems to own the mainstream brands with Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia also using the brand. Honda and Chevrolet don't offer branded stereos on their entry models, while Toyota and Ford stand out with JBL and B&O Play respectively.Maybe with this new information, we could see some traditionally higher-end brands or younger audio brands jump into the fray. Brands that, unlike Bose, the youths are actually aware of. Hey Mazda, is it time to bring back the MP3?