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

[Anonymous]

New 2025 Lexus GX460 looks great, though higher price point I am guessing

[Anonymous]

The macan is fairly rare so would stand out more over the X5. A Lexus seem more practical and holds its value more, if that is a concern.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

Meh, at a glance, you wouldn't be able to tell whether the X5 is a base model or whether the Acura is fully loaded.

OP, why are you only looking at new cars? If you really want an exotic "luxury car" and have time, money, and a god mechanic for repairs, I would buy used. A Macan or X5 will depreciate a lot -- let that be someone else's depreciation.

[Anonymous]

VW

[Anonymous]

I care about cars and I can afford just about any car I’d want.
I would not get a base bmw. Unless you order it, you probably won’t even be able to find a base model. Don’t get a base macan, that’s just sad.
Personally, I feel like the Volvo xc90 is the perfect car for this assuming you are a woman.
If you are going to buy and keep the car awhile, just get a Highlander. It’s good looking car and people will just think you don’t care about cars, if they even notice at all. Most people do not care about cars at all, and they are a big waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

Meh, at a glance, you wouldn't be able to tell whether the X5 is a base model or whether the Acura is fully loaded.

OP, why are you only looking at new cars? If you really want an exotic "luxury car" and have time, money, and a god mechanic for repairs, I would buy used. A Macan or X5 will depreciate a lot -- let that be someone else's depreciation.

They are also very expensive to fix. Do not keep a Macan or x5 out of warranty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

DC is a striver town. That said, a new X5 is an attractive, nice driving, and perfectly normal upper middle class vehicle. They are very common — for good reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I care about cars and I can afford just about any car I’d want.
I would not get a base bmw. Unless you order it, you probably won’t even be able to find a base model. Don’t get a base macan, that’s just sad.
Personally, I feel like the Volvo xc90 is the perfect car for this assuming you are a woman.
If you are going to buy and keep the car awhile, just get a Highlander. It’s good looking car and people will just think you don’t care about cars, if they even notice at all. Most people do not care about cars at all, and they are a big waste of money.

Used luxury cars are cheaper than used Toyotas after some time has passed. If you are just leasing under warranty, it's not a big concern, but if you care about it holding its value, I would go with Lexus/Toyota.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

+1

Go with a nicely packaged Acura or Volvo. Getting a base model BMW is the equivalent of going to the coach outlet and buying a purse with Cs all over it just to prove you can afford Coach.

[Anonymous]

Those are different size vehicles and are not directly comparable. X5 is bigger than Macan, and aligns with the Cayenne instead. For a BMW in the same size class, consider a X3M. As a M vehicle it is rare, and faster than even the Macan Turbo and is less expensive. Not inexpensive, admittedly.

Consider a Tesla, if your use case allows for a EV. In my neighbohood many successful entrepreneurs and physicians drive them; the X5 is the next most popular vehicle, but the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are much less expensive than the X5 models.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to judge you more as a try hard in a base model X5 then a fully loaded Acura or other less “status” brand. If a fully loaded Toyota costs more than your status car, I’m going to assume you’re a striver. Others might not, but since you seem to care what people think, that’s my 2 cents

Meh, at a glance, you wouldn't be able to tell whether the X5 is a base model or whether the Acura is fully loaded.

OP, why are you only looking at new cars? If you really want an exotic "luxury car" and have time, money, and a god mechanic for repairs, I would buy used. A Macan or X5 will depreciate a lot -- let that be someone else's depreciation.

Anyone who knows badging can tell. Get the 5k m sport package to prove you have money to burn on useless trim

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those are different size vehicles and are not directly comparable. X5 is bigger than Macan, and aligns with the Cayenne instead. For a BMW in the same size class, consider a X3M. As a M vehicle it is rare, and faster than even the Macan Turbo and is less expensive. Not inexpensive, admittedly.

Consider a Tesla, if your use case allows for a EV. In my neighbohood many successful entrepreneurs and physicians drive them; the X5 is the next most popular vehicle, but the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are much less expensive than the X5 models.

The crazier musk gets, the more judged you're going to be for driving a tesla and all op cares about is perception