Where does this notion come from that wealthy people don't drive nice cars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Agreed! And even as a wine snob, we don't just open a $125+ bottle every night. We know how to find great bottles in the $30-45 range. That is our "everyday" wine, and when we have friends/family over or we just feel like a treat we have the "better" bottles. And sometimes we do open a $125 bottle and sit at home, just the 2 of us and enjoy it with a nice pizza

"a nice pizza" -- lol. you do sound like a snob, i'll give you that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rich enclave in the south (~$3M average home value) and expensive cars are the norm. Cars in the range of $200k+ for the adults and $100k+ for the kids aren’t the average but they are common. No one is driving around in a beater Honda. My husband is in finance and all the guys he works with (old and new money alike) constantly talk about cars and buy new cars.

Oh yeah, well, the South has a big car culture. You have to drive a lot.

Plus the South is gaudy, tacky and showy and that includes the wealthy. We were just down South and I couldn’t believe how many men and women had on cowboy hats in a nice restaurant. Are they not taught etiquette down there?

I’m in Texas and the only time I really see people in cowboy hats are high school and college kids who sometimes wear them with boots to dances.

I’ve lived all over the country and Texas is the only place I’ve been where lots of restaurants have a “no hat’” policy.

I also don’t think the people here are any tackier than in DC. I do think the wealthy people here tend to enjoy having money a lot more than you’d see in DC—nice clothes, cars, watches, jewelry, going out, taking vacations, etc.

That's just Dallas. In Texas both the wealthy and the poor drive $80k pickup trucks.

Naw, Houston as well. BTDT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Agreed! And even as a wine snob, we don't just open a $125+ bottle every night. We know how to find great bottles in the $30-45 range. That is our "everyday" wine, and when we have friends/family over or we just feel like a treat we have the "better" bottles. And sometimes we do open a $125 bottle and sit at home, just the 2 of us and enjoy it with a nice pizza

"a nice pizza" -- lol. you do sound like a snob, i'll give you that.

Sometimes people say something that is so insignificant yet tells you everything you need to know about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Looking at you caymus drinkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Looking at you caymus drinkers.

Oh how sophisticated of you

[Anonymous]

In west Texas, the poor people drive Chevy or Ram pickups. Middle class have an F-150, but it is at a lower trim level than the wealthy folks, and it might be King cab or single cab rather than double cab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the entire thread. Retired couple here with about $15M in investments. I drive a 3 year old luxury Japanese car and DH drives a 12 year old luxury Japanese car. I know...very boring, but fancy cars not our priority at all...I do like comfort and reliability though.

Thank you for letting us know you and your husband drive 2023 and 2014 LUXURY cars (presumably Lexus). You sound modest and not pretentious in any way.

As long as they’re properly maintained, very clean and low miles, a 2023 or even a 2014 Lexus are still luxury cars that fit in in any top rung neighborhood. A 2026 Lexus is just going to have fancier screens, more airbags, and a bumper to bumper factory warranty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The humble millionaire next door seems like nonsense to me; rich people are not driving 25 year old Volvo station wagons. And everyone with a nice new luxury car obviously isn't broke and overextended. I'm currently in a swank town and every car is a new Range Rover, Porsche crossover, Tesla, or Audi-BMW-Mercedes (they all look alike). The worst car I see are new Chevrolet Tahoes, which are like 80 grand. If that humble old money thing ever existed, it certainly doesn't anymore.

I’m in the 1 percent we do not drive nice cars

Wealth carried from generation to generation

Nor do we go out for fancy meals waste of money

We travel first class and we wear jeans and sweats.

Once I bought a store and and then fired the staff for not serving another customer because of the color of their skin. That was a great use of our money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your premise began with Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, who drove an old pick up truck, I believe. Also, there is plenty of "old money" that live off of trusts that are specifically designed to not allow such purchases or the trusts are no longer spinning off as much income due to dilution over generations.

I have family money from a trust and recently bought a car. One of the stipulations was that it had to be reliable and "appropriate." My family would rather not have people talking about our money and making snide comments regarding my car, so it was determined that a Japanese car would fit the bill and that's what I got!

[Anonymous]

They don't. Most people living pay check to paycheck in a cheap apartment have nice cars. Wealthy people drive cheaper reliable cars like hondas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the entire thread. Retired couple here with about $15M in investments. I drive a 3 year old luxury Japanese car and DH drives a 12 year old luxury Japanese car. I know...very boring, but fancy cars not our priority at all...I do like comfort and reliability though.

Thank you for letting us know you and your husband drive 2023 and 2014 LUXURY cars (presumably Lexus). You sound modest and not pretentious in any way.

As long as they’re properly maintained, very clean and low miles, a 2023 or even a 2014 Lexus are still luxury cars that fit in in any top rung neighborhood. A 2026 Lexus is just going to have fancier screens, more airbags, and a bumper to bumper factory warranty.

They are actually Acuras. But be that what it may, we still think they are boring even though they are nicer than the average car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the entire thread. Retired couple here with about $15M in investments. I drive a 3 year old luxury Japanese car and DH drives a 12 year old luxury Japanese car. I know...very boring, but fancy cars not our priority at all...I do like comfort and reliability though.

Thank you for letting us know you and your husband drive 2023 and 2014 LUXURY cars (presumably Lexus). You sound modest and not pretentious in any way.

As long as they’re properly maintained, very clean and low miles, a 2023 or even a 2014 Lexus are still luxury cars that fit in in any top rung neighborhood. A 2026 Lexus is just going to have fancier screens, more airbags, and a bumper to bumper factory warranty.

They are actually Acuras. But be that what it may, we still think they are boring even though they are nicer than the average car.

PS I think you are actually more triggered by our wealth, bit whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The generalizations on this thread are hilarious.

New money.
2 Toyotas — one is 18 years old, the other 25 - both run like new, little to no maintenance. Not dinged up
Love these cars and all new cars are less comfortable comparatively.

Don’t feel any need to impress anyone. And if a flashy car is what impresses you, you’re not my type anyway. Btw, there are many others like me. Iykyk.

I also have a 20 year old Toyota and I can't bring myself to replace it. I haven't found a new car that I like as much. I hate how electrified all of the new mechanisms are (doors, dash buttons etc). I hate the subscription model on features. If someone can make me a simple, well-running car, I'll do it.

Im not a car payment person and have plenty of money in the market to pull out for a car (though that was another good point someone brought up -- maybe those of us who pay cash for cars are more inclined to be economical. Because it's in the market I also need to think about the lost growth opportunity cost -- if I buy a car for $50,000 but that $50,000 would turn into $100,000 in a few years, what have a lost? Definitely makes me want to spend $30,000 instead).

[Anonymous]

My father-in-law and his entire Billionaire family. They have more $$ than anyone can ever spend and they all drive civics, highlanders, mazdas etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't read the entire thread. Retired couple here with about $15M in investments. I drive a 3 year old luxury Japanese car and DH drives a 12 year old luxury Japanese car. I know...very boring, but fancy cars not our priority at all...I do like comfort and reliability though.

Thank you for letting us know you and your husband drive 2023 and 2014 LUXURY cars (presumably Lexus). You sound modest and not pretentious in any way.

As long as they’re properly maintained, very clean and low miles, a 2023 or even a 2014 Lexus are still luxury cars that fit in in any top rung neighborhood. A 2026 Lexus is just going to have fancier screens, more airbags, and a bumper to bumper factory warranty.

They are actually Acuras. But be that what it may, we still think they are boring even though they are nicer than the average car.

I don’t know what point you’re trying to make. You claim you’re rich and retired. It’s common for elderly boomers to hold onto original owner cars because modern tech is overwhelming and you have faded from the rat race. If you live in a ritzy area, an original owner 2014 Acura SUV is a little dated but nobody is looking twice. But again, you’re retirees. Presumably you bought the car new 12 years ago in your working prime (?), which proves the thread’s point: You made good money in 2014 and bought a new Japanese luxury car.