Biased 'bout beamers and benz

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a super nice guy, loves cars, likes nice things, we both drive luxury cars... and even he has a negative reaction to BMWs. He said the reputation is generally people who drive them are assholes. So you're not alone.

+1
I've been hit twice by men driving black BMW sedans. Complete assholes!! Accidents 100% their fault. Both lied to the insurance company (oh, so my car drives sideways??)

I drive a Japanese car. Always will, even if I could afford a BMW (I can't, not unless I put my kids in public schools). BMW is a nouveaux riches car.

Modern luxury cars are passe. Classic luxury cars are where it's at....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

So WHAT? Who cares? Living in monstrosity built on a postage sized lot in whatever zip code people are killing themselves over for a chance to get into is also making a statement about their financial worth and social standing, and no one cares.

So is shopping exclusively at Whole Foods, but no one cares.

You want to rage at luxury car owners because unlike the couple living in some exclusive DC neighborhood, or the Mom spending hundreds of dollars in Whole Foods, you're confronted by them on a daily basis, and it brings out your own insecurities and self doubt because they can't be avoided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

speaking of flawed assumptions: how much is "a significant % of people..." ??? Are we talking statistically significant, or, significant enough so you can win this dumb argument? Like, 3%, 22%, or 78%? You have no clue. And clearly, just like the OP, you have neither the buying power nor the game to own such a vehicle. So you spew nonsense like this to make yourself feel better, and to cover up your own shortcomings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a super nice guy, loves cars, likes nice things, we both drive luxury cars... and even he has a negative reaction to BMWs. He said the reputation is generally people who drive them are assholes. So you're not alone.

+1
I've been hit twice by men driving black BMW sedans. Complete assholes!! Accidents 100% their fault. Both lied to the insurance company (oh, so my car drives sideways??)

I drive a Japanese car. Always will, even if I could afford a BMW (I can't, not unless I put my kids in public schools). BMW is a nouveaux riches car.

So, in your example, are blacks cars the root of the problem? Or are men drivers the issue here? "I drive a Japanese car. Always will, even if I could afford a BMW": translation: I can't afford even a new Japanese car, so I buy 'em used, and, then bitch about people whom CAN afford nicer cars. And both drivers lied - did use pursue fraud claims against these two drivers? Did you sue them? Why not? CAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO.
You have been poned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

So WHAT? Who cares? Living in monstrosity built on a postage sized lot in whatever zip code people are killing themselves over for a chance to get into is also making a statement about their financial worth and social standing, and no one cares.

So is shopping exclusively at Whole Foods, but no one cares.

You want to rage at luxury car owners because unlike the couple living in some exclusive DC neighborhood, or the Mom spending hundreds of dollars in Whole Foods, you're confronted by them on a daily basis, and it brings out your own insecurities and self doubt because they can't be avoided.

PP here. You must have missed the 8,493 threads in the real estate forum raging about McMansions. People do care about such things, and understanably so.

FWIW, I haven't raged about anyone or anything--I simply observed that people who deliberately make an ostentatious public statement about their wealth should expect a reaction. It's the nature, and indeed for many the purpose, of ostentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

speaking of flawed assumptions: how much is "a significant % of people..." ??? Are we talking statistically significant, or, significant enough so you can win this dumb argument? Like, 3%, 22%, or 78%? You have no clue. And clearly, just like the OP, you have neither the buying power nor the game to own such a vehicle. So you spew nonsense like this to make yourself feel better, and to cover up your own shortcomings.

This is simply silly. It's beyond dispute that a significant portion of people who buy luxury do so at least in part as a public display of wealth. Indeed, that's the key selling point for many luxury brands (auto and otherwise), and the reason that brands like LV, Gucci, and others have begun to struggle with brand identity--as they've become more accessible to the "common" consumer, they have less appeal to the HNW customer.

As for my "game" (note: are we 16 years old? any more People magazine lingo and I'll have to consult the urban dictionary before responding), I'm extraordinarily and perhaps inordinately pleased with myself and my life. So I'm afraid you're diagnosis is inapt or inept--your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

speaking of flawed assumptions: how much is "a significant % of people..." ??? Are we talking statistically significant, or, significant enough so you can win this dumb argument? Like, 3%, 22%, or 78%? You have no clue. And clearly, just like the OP, you have neither the buying power nor the game to own such a vehicle. So you spew nonsense like this to make yourself feel better, and to cover up your own shortcomings.

This is simply silly. It's beyond dispute that a significant portion of people who buy luxury do so at least in part as a public display of wealth. Indeed, that's the key selling point for many luxury brands (auto and otherwise), and the reason that brands like LV, Gucci, and others have begun to struggle with brand identity--as they've become more accessible to the "common" consumer, they have less appeal to the HNW customer.

As for my "game" (note: are we 16 years old? any more People magazine lingo and I'll have to consult the urban dictionary before responding), I'm extraordinarily and perhaps inordinately pleased with myself and my life. So I'm afraid you're diagnosis is inapt or inept--your choice.

Ya see, you almost made a coherent argument....but then you confused 'you're' and 'your'. PONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(First, I know this is a petty rant!) I do very well financially and have been doing so for many years. Yet I'm frugal and drive a Japanese sedan. I often see people in large BMW 7 series or S class Mercedes and really feel a strong dislike, even revulsion. This is not sour grapes: I could afford an S class if I choose to so allocate my money, but find the idea financially ridiculous in how wasteful it is. I suppose part of me thinks the drivers of those showy, quickly depreciating, gas-guzzling, expensive maintenance-loving behemoths are trying to compensate for something. Anyone else share this reaction?

I couldn't read thru the last 8 pages of responses, but let me summarize:
1) you DON'T earn enough to get yourself a nice ride, but keep lying to yourself.
2) in % terms, what do you think your car depreciated, rolling out the door, vs a BMW or Benz? So, we now know you don't make enough to afford a nice car, AND, you lack the basics of break-even analysis.
3) No one else has your insecurities, thus, no one else has this same revulsion you do.

+1000

The fact that the OP sits around stewing about this ...

Point #3 is based on flawed assumptions. A significant percentage of people who buy these cars do so (consciously or not) as an act of conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous being the operative word--the very point of driving a luxury vehicle for many (not all) is to make a statement about their relative worth, financial and otherwise. The OP and others are therefore quite correct to suggest that it is the owners' desire to make a public statement and to generate a reaction from third parties. One can hardly be surprised that some such third parties will react to said conspicuous display with revulsion rather than admiration.

speaking of flawed assumptions: how much is "a significant % of people..." ??? Are we talking statistically significant, or, significant enough so you can win this dumb argument? Like, 3%, 22%, or 78%? You have no clue. And clearly, just like the OP, you have neither the buying power nor the game to own such a vehicle. So you spew nonsense like this to make yourself feel better, and to cover up your own shortcomings.

This is simply silly. It's beyond dispute that a significant portion of people who buy luxury do so at least in part as a public display of wealth. Indeed, that's the key selling point for many luxury brands (auto and otherwise), and the reason that brands like LV, Gucci, and others have begun to struggle with brand identity--as they've become more accessible to the "common" consumer, they have less appeal to the HNW customer.

As for my "game" (note: are we 16 years old? any more People magazine lingo and I'll have to consult the urban dictionary before responding), I'm extraordinarily and perhaps inordinately pleased with myself and my life. So I'm afraid you're diagnosis is inapt or inept--your choice.

Ya see, you almost made a coherent argument....but then you confused 'you're' and 'your'. PONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigh. Evidently we are 16. I've erred in grammar, you in substance. I know which I prefer.

In addition, you used the term "poned" with 84 exclamation points. That surely weighs far more heavily on the scales of merit than any of my technical errata. Indeed, had I the misfortune to be you, it would weigh on my very soul.

[Anonymous]

PP, dear heart ...

It's "pwned".

And that phrase also hasn't been popularly used in about five years.

Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, dear heart ...

It's "pwned".

And that phrase also hasn't been popularly used in about five years.

Please stop.

True.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And it's "Bimmer" not "Beamer". Good lord, have a seat on your rickety Craigslist furniture and obsess over all of your "Vanguards".

Beamer is an urban term and still totally valid, even if it's not to your liking.

Yes, but technically it is wrong. PP was right - "beamer" refers to BMW motorcycles and "bimmer" to automobiles. Urban or not, using beamer to refer to cars is wrong.

No one cares except gearheads

Someone cared enough to use it, and further cared enough to offer an explanation why they used it.

If I ever put my foot in my mouth and someone pointed it out to me, I would take my foot out and thank them, rather than tell them to get lost and that no one cares.

I figure I would care the most if I had my foot in my mouth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a super nice guy, loves cars, likes nice things, we both drive luxury cars... and even he has a negative reaction to BMWs. He said the reputation is generally people who drive them are assholes. So you're not alone.

+1
I've been hit twice by men driving black BMW sedans. Complete assholes!! Accidents 100% their fault. Both lied to the insurance company (oh, so my car drives sideways??)

I drive a Japanese car. Always will, even if I could afford a BMW (I can't, not unless I put my kids in public schools). BMW is a nouveaux riches car.

I'd rather be "nouveau riches" than pauvre vieux.

Enjoy your "Japanese" car.

[Anonymous]

My DH was just rear-ended at a stoplight by a black Range Rover. The guy was actually very apologetic and nice. He totalled our car but he wasn't an asshole. Just thought I'd share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a vegetarian and concerned about the environment. Have always driven used Japanese sedans yet would like to now own a bigger luxury vehicle. I drove my dad's BMW for a few weeks and wow it felt so much better driving it and I would like a bigger car because it will feel safer driving my little one. I didn't think I would ever want an SUV. We were rear ended in a sedan and I know I would have had better protection in an SUV. Minivan is too much for our needs. So you never know what someone is thinking when they are getting a BMW or Mercedes. Of course I can never get a luxury car since they all have leather seats but why judge.

If you were really concerned about the environment you could have gone without a car. Frankly, having a kid did huge damage to the environment that you will never be able to make up.

I am truly unsure if this PP is serious or sarcastic or satire...

[Anonymous]

Modern luxury cars are passe. Classic luxury cars are where it's at....

Wouldn't really agree because technological advances and horsepower give modern luxury cars a distinct advantage.