Least expensive new car that projects a bit of professional success and status?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy whatever you want. I'm a low mileage driver and rarely have passengers, so I'm fine driving my 2015 Ford Fusion until it starts having major problems. I paid cash for that car in 2015. My next car will likely be a Toyota camry hybrid, which I'll buy new and pay cash for. I'm 45 and have a net worth of $1.7M plus a fully paid off condo, which I don't count in my net worth. I'm a mid-senior government employee with nothing to prove.

I care much more about someone's character than their possessions. Please don't go in to huge amounts of debt to impress people you barely know with an expensive car.

Well, that's good. Because you aren't going to be able to prove very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister just went though this. Considered BMW, Audi and Volvo for the status. Didn’t want to pay much and likes smaller cars, and got a loaded up 2025 X1 for under $50K.

Low end luxury cars typically feel cheaper than a basic Toyota.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a domestic vehivle is too pedestrian and lacking status to OP, but I love the lines of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, ideally in Overland trim. They are sharp and cozy and Jeep is not going to make you look like a pretentious status seeker. American made, as well. I remember the young striver gal in Clooney's "Up In The Air" (2009) said her dream was to get married soon and drive a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. (lol)

And ... that line was supposed to make us laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister just went though this. Considered BMW, Audi and Volvo for the status. Didn’t want to pay much and likes smaller cars, and got a loaded up 2025 X1 for under $50K.

Low end luxury cars typically feel cheaper than a basic Toyota.

Especially bmw. The 3 series used to be bottom of the barrel, but now apparently they have a 1 series that costs $50k!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I owned a 25 year old Mercedes SL convertible. Not that expensive but it gave an old money vibe. I was 29 when I bought it. And had 126,000 miles when I got it.

You can imagine picking up a girl on a date at her parents house who is 26-27 with top down.

Shortly after I got it I was on a second date girl who lived at home and the blue collar Dad was staring at it weirdly. I just asked do I have a flat. He goes point blank I never have actually been in a Mercedes convertible. I took him for a spin. I offered to let him drive. He was afraid to.

Here is funny part I paid $7,500 for car and he had a pickup truck worth like $30,000. Somehow his head could not understand his truck was worth 4x my car.

OMG. You are embarrassing yourself. Dating "girls"? Like 12 year olds? Calling people "blue collar"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:X5 is perfect. Rivian’s SUV has some cachet too.

Rivian is the best suggestion here. If you can wait, their new R2 and R3 SUVs are available for pre-order now with delivery in 2026. They're good looking and start around $45k.

I don't think a deposit to reserve one is very much. You can spend the next two years saving up a bit more for a higher trim level and telling people that you pre-ordered. As a new midsize SUV from a hip new electric brand, something like this will do a better job projecting financial well-being than a base level Macan, Q5 etc. I assume half of those were purchased used or are being driven by someone who's stretching.

Next best options for you would be the Tesla Model Y and things like Tahoe, Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder. Definitely do NOT do Acura MDX or Lexus as others have suggested. These brands just aren't cool anymore. Volvo's also played out now due to the XC90 becoming too popular a few years ago. Anyone who switches to that brand now is trying too hard to look stealth wealth, smart money, etc etc. They drive like shit anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know many wealthy people couldn't care less about cars and I know 'millionaires next door' drive under the radar pickups and Hondas. I don't want anything obnoxious, just respectable and rung above normal, if that makes sense? Leaning towards BMW X5 or Porsche Macan, both about around a $65k base MSRP. Anything less expensive than that?

The problem is, if you buy a car as a security blanket, how will you survive when you have to get out of the car?

Everyone who cares about cars will know you bought the "least expensive one" to try to fake looking the part. Won't that eat you up inside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know many wealthy people couldn't care less about cars and I know 'millionaires next door' drive under the radar pickups and Hondas. I don't want anything obnoxious, just respectable and rung above normal, if that makes sense? Leaning towards BMW X5 or Porsche Macan, both about around a $65k base MSRP. Anything less expensive than that?

The problem is, if you buy a car as a security blanket, how will you survive when you have to get out of the car?

Everyone who cares about cars will know you bought the "least expensive one" to try to fake looking the part. Won't that eat you up inside?

Lol. I hope OP doesn't care about this so much that OP would be "eaten up inside." OP, since you are asking about the "least expensive" options, I would not get something new. Get something used and put some money aside for repairs. Luxury cars (with the exception of Lexus) depreciate a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister just went though this. Considered BMW, Audi and Volvo for the status. Didn’t want to pay much and likes smaller cars, and got a loaded up 2025 X1 for under $50K.

Low end luxury cars typically feel cheaper than a basic Toyota.

Especially bmw. The 3 series used to be bottom of the barrel, but now apparently they have a 1 series that costs $50k!

No experience with BMW, but a Mercedes C300 drives much much better than a Honda sedan (Accord and Civic). I have experience with owning all. The interiors could not be more different either. And these days, the prices are really not that different if buying used, both in the high 20s range. Personally much prefer the C300 and I don't care if that makes me a striver, it's a pretty car and drives well.

[Anonymous]

Blacked out chrysler 300

[Anonymous]

There’s no such thing as low end luxury.

Luxury cars become luxurious if you get all the options and upgrades.

If you plan to cheap out then just buy a Honda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s no such thing as low end luxury.

Luxury cars become luxurious if you get all the options and upgrades.

If you plan to cheap out then just buy a Honda.

But this guy wants to project success, doesn’t seem to care about any of the rational things that go along with depreciating assets.

Go buy a 2 year old luxury car with a salvage title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only the high-end of the luxury brands project success and status. BMW - M, Audi - RS, Mercedes - AMG.

Only strivers worry about stuff like that. Be smart, buy inexpensive, good cars and ensure your retirement and long-term well being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of fairly wealthy people who drive a Tesla Model Y and those sell in the 40s new. I think the Model Y might be the cheapest car that projects a relatively high SES. Also have to own your own home to charge the thing, right. But the current generation is a bit dated and due for a refresh.

When a car is as ubiquitous as the Tesla Model X and Y, they are solidly in middle class territory, definitely no longer the status symbols they were 10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Any Volvo. Newest updated Tesla model Y. Ford Mustang Mach E GT.