Biased 'bout beamers and benz

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm with you, OP. Especially about BMWs. Their drivers are almost always jerks.

Huh, I personally find Audi drivers to be the worst in this town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teslas suck the worst for the environment. Don't buy those things.

Most people can't afford to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a car guy, always has been...it's his curse. He reads car forums, tinkers in the garage, watches racing on tv and goes to events, all of it. He's always purchased what he could afford, which usually meant a used car (he's had Audi S4s in the past). A few years ago he finally bought his dream car - a 4-door BMW M3. I actually agree with the asshole BMW driver stereotype but there are exceptions and those who are true car enthusiasts. DH is a very frugal and practical guy, this just happens to be the splurge he plans and budgets for.

I've felt the judgement from people like OP when we're out and about in our cars, even though we both drive courteously. I truly don't care what I drive as long as it gets me safely from place to place; not sure why OP cares!

+1 We have a regular, no frills (bought used) Korean sedan and a 3 series BMW, and I can feel the judgment while driving it, although I know that we can afford it and it makes little difference in our finances. My husband thinks I'm just being paranoid, but I swear people drive differently when I'm in the BMW! It seems like drivers are more aggressive and cutting me off just to prove a point, so I don't know.
It's so bad that I'm thinking of trading it in for a used Audi, which seems to have an overall lower profile than BMW and Mercedes, and less cause for resentment from judgmental drivers.

Maybe. Or maybe they are aggressively getting in front of you because they doubt you'd ever let them in otherwise. I've rarely seen someone driving a high-end European car who follows that "rule" of each person letting one car merge so it goes smoothly and quickly.

So? Just because they have a reason doesn't mean that people are more aggressive to BMW drivers than the other way around, and it doesn't make it okay. A jerk driver in a Honda is still a jerk, even if they're aggressive against BMW drivers.

PP who drives the Tesla, what are the kinds of reactions you get when you drive it?

For the most part, people think it's really cool. We do have the occasional BMW driver that tries to out-accelerate it but still turns heads. Friends and family all want to take a ride in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor just got a BMW. I can't figure out why considering how they live.

I think they're fronting. Like living in the ghetto carrying a Gucci purse.

How do they live?

They push mow their huge 1/2 acre yard, have no privacy fence or any fence, have their dog chained to a tree living in a pet taxi for a dog house, the other dog mysteriously died. In 5 years they have had 5 cars, all were wrecked. Wife had a broken arm, broken leg, money belt I mean whiplash. Grandma owns the home and they have 8 people living there. Million dollar home so I guess they needed the dream car to go with it. BTW, it's a 2 door and no way they can fit 5 kids.

The first two years they lived in the house they had no blinds or curtains so at night you could see inside. They had no furniture but had satellite and a big screen tv. The kids were sleeping on the floor. They finally got a washer and dryer. Dad was taking the laundry to the base at night and bringing it back in the morning. He told that to my husband when he needed help putting the pair in the laundry room.

I don't get the car thing at all. If they lived better I could understand but they don't.

Good for them push mowing! Push mowers are something I can respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor just got a BMW. I can't figure out why considering how they live.

I think they're fronting. Like living in the ghetto carrying a Gucci purse.

How do they live?

They push mow their huge 1/2 acre yard, have no privacy fence or any fence, have their dog chained to a tree living in a pet taxi for a dog house, the other dog mysteriously died. In 5 years they have had 5 cars, all were wrecked. Wife had a broken arm, broken leg, money belt I mean whiplash. Grandma owns the home and they have 8 people living there. Million dollar home so I guess they needed the dream car to go with it. BTW, it's a 2 door and no way they can fit 5 kids.

The first two years they lived in the house they had no blinds or curtains so at night you could see inside. They had no furniture but had satellite and a big screen tv. The kids were sleeping on the floor. They finally got a washer and dryer. Dad was taking the laundry to the base at night and bringing it back in the morning. He told that to my husband when he needed help putting the pair in the laundry room.

I don't get the car thing at all. If they lived better I could understand but they don't.

Say NO more. Telltale way of people living beyond their means, no window treatments and no furniture. I knew a lot of people like that during the housing bubble, they had massive $4000 sq ft homes and all of the rooms were bare with builder grade paint, or had a card table with folding in the back patio.

Also, go onto any military base and it's like a car show, so the guy probably feels a bit pressured to drive a nice car.

+1 Military often overspend on cars, get into financial trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm with you, OP. Especially about BMWs. Their drivers are almost always jerks.

Huh, I personally find Audi drivers to be the worst in this town.

Nope, that award goes to Maryland drivers...regardless of vehicle type.

[Anonymous]

Weird thread. I have been driving BMW and MB for over 10 years, never noticed any glares or attitude from other drivers. Some times I would make a mistake and drive like an ass, such as not keeping up with the traffic on a turning arrow, but all of the honks and middle fingers waved at me have had a real cause.

Maybe if we lived in Richmond or Fredricksburg, or some other town with a lower income crowd, we would get more attitude. But BMW and MB are just so common in this area. My daily driver is quite exotic in comparison, but even that does not really get much attention in northern Virginia or Montgomery county.

[Anonymous]

I once got into a debate with my aunt about this. She is an exceedingly practical person, the type who never prioritizes aesthetics over pure function. I'm someone who sees the value of enjoying my purchases. My aunt didn't understand why I shelled out for an Acura when I could have bought a Honda Civic or a Korean car. She thinks a car should be bought as cheaply as possible. I think that if I'm spending the money at all, that I should enjoy my ride. I should like the look of it, and the way it feels to sit inside it, and how it drives. It should have options that add to my life. Now, I bought a lower-end, smaller Acura. (TSX.) And I've kept it for 12 years. So I'm practical in my own way.

[Anonymous]

The original TSX is my favorite, almost bought a blue one but did not follow through. Probably a good idea since I was young and poor.

[Anonymous]

Personally I'm not really a car person. I rather put my money elsewhere. My parents bought me a 1996 Honda Civic when I was a sophomore in college and I drove it until I was 30. I purchased a barely used Honda Accord to replace it, and I plan on driving it for 15 years. If all goes according to plan, I will have driven two cars from 20-45! =) I grew up in a place where many people drive luxury cars, and many of my friends drive BMWs, Mercedes or Lexuses, but I don't envy them or judge their choices. Its just not a high priority for me.

Once this car goes though, I hope to be able to buy a BMW X5, that is my dream car!

[Anonymous]

I'm extremely frugal in every area (color my hair at home, wear Costco/Old Navy clothes, have owned and driven all previous cars for 10+ years) but have always spent more for quality food. Don't eat out much but will buy organic meats/dairy and the freshest produce I can.

And I just recently got a MB and I have to say it's just wonderful. I spend a lot of time in the car and it is comfortable, feels solid and I really enjoy the stereo. I do think the MB is a worthwhile piece of machinery and made in Alabama so I feel like I'm supporting our economy. On the other hand, I am judgey about Range Rovers so I guess everyone has their "thing"!

[Anonymous]

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 agree, but to each their own. Then again, I'm 50, so expensive cars do not impress me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I completely agree with you.

+1. Several moms at our (public, not rich area) elementary school drive GL 450's. I know before I meet them I'm not going to like them. Even if they are nice enough they are very superficial and/or out of touch with reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a car guy, always has been...it's his curse. He reads car forums, tinkers in the garage, watches racing on tv and goes to events, all of it. He's always purchased what he could afford, which usually meant a used car (he's had Audi S4s in the past). A few years ago he finally bought his dream car - a 4-door BMW M3. I actually agree with the asshole BMW driver stereotype but there are exceptions and those who are true car enthusiasts. DH is a very frugal and practical guy, this just happens to be the splurge he plans and budgets for.

I've felt the judgement from people like OP when we're out and about in our cars, even though we both drive courteously. I truly don't care what I drive as long as it gets me safely from place to place; not sure why OP cares!

+1 We have a regular, no frills (bought used) Korean sedan and a 3 series BMW, and I can feel the judgment while driving it, although I know that we can afford it and it makes little difference in our finances. My husband thinks I'm just being paranoid, but I swear people drive differently when I'm in the BMW! It seems like drivers are more aggressive and cutting me off just to prove a point, so I don't know.
It's so bad that I'm thinking of trading it in for a used Audi, which seems to have an overall lower profile than BMW and Mercedes, and less cause for resentment from judgmental drivers.

Maybe. Or maybe they are aggressively getting in front of you because they doubt you'd ever let them in otherwise. I've rarely seen someone driving a high-end European car who follows that "rule" of each person letting one car merge so it goes smoothly and quickly.

So? Just because they have a reason doesn't mean that people are more aggressive to BMW drivers than the other way around, and it doesn't make it okay. A jerk driver in a Honda is still a jerk, even if they're aggressive against BMW drivers.

PP who drives the Tesla, what are the kinds of reactions you get when you drive it?

For the most part, people think it's really cool. We do have the occasional BMW driver that tries to out-accelerate it but still turns heads. Friends and family all want to take a ride in it.

mmm hmmm. sure they do. I mean they never ask, but that's just because they don't want to bother you. after all you're too busy saving the environment.
You do know it runs on a mix of coal and natural gas obtained thru fracking, right?

[Anonymous]

Actually, pp, they do ask for a ride in the Tesla--how else would we know? And we gladly oblige. You have a strange chip on your shoulder about the car.