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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Where the heck did you even find this thread? It’s from last August and your comment is certainly not worth revisiting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I recently got a GLC 300 as a rental. It drive very nicely. If o didn’t have kids and gear, I’d get it. The gla and glb were total junk.

[Anonymous]

Most definitely a new Tesla.

[Anonymous]

BMW X5

[Anonymous]

Toyota RAV4 was the best selling vehicle in the U.S. last year. A loaded RAV4 is a really nice under the radar crossover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toyota RAV4 was the best selling vehicle in the U.S. last year. A loaded RAV4 is a really nice under the radar crossover.

Gutless and soulless. Torture to drive even as a weekly rental car from the airport.

[Anonymous]

A Dodge Stratus.

[Anonymous]

all the cars on the first few pages that I managed to read do not convey any sort of status in this area. you might be able to reflect a certain level of personality with your car choice, or lack of one, if you're considering a bmw/porsche suv. how about a civic type R?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:all the cars on the first few pages that I managed to read do not convey any sort of status in this area. you might be able to reflect a certain level of personality with your car choice, or lack of one, if you're considering a bmw/porsche suv. how about a civic type R?

because it looks like a set car from the fast and the furious and it would still get smoked by a base X5 or Cayenne?

[Anonymous]

We literally just went through this. If you’re a DINK or only 1 or 2 kids, the BMW X5 is legitimately perfect. If you have more than 2 kids or do a lot of car pooling, get something bigger.

[Anonymous]

Is new non-negotiable? Because a vintage Land Cruiser is really the only answer.

[Anonymous]

Rivian is the it car at the moment with yuppy strivers. I also still love the Model S Tesla. I know sedans are sort of passé but it’s such a sexy elegant car.

[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?

You're trying too hard.

A new BMW X5 is the furthest thing from trying too hard. It will hardly be noticed in a premier town and OP isn’t asking to stand out. X5 just checks the box as nice and stylish and signals you have some taste, good credit, and probably a master’s degree.

[Anonymous]

X5 is as inoffensive as it gets. Even people who think imports and BMW are snooty won’t be put off by it and will likely even admit it’s pretty handsome.

[Anonymous]

This threads reads as a list of cars I would never want for the same reason all these strivers want them. Puke.