"luxury" cars - why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would someone buy a 70-150k car when a 35k car gets you around just fine? Seems like a waste to me. I have a friend who just bought a Mercedes and I don't think k I could bring myself to do it. I know everyone's values are different but if I got a raise, I would go on vacation and save some.

I bought a 1975 450Sl Mercedes convertible in 1992 for $7,500 and it got totaled in 2012. I had it 20 years, put around $12K worrth of repairs and maint in it over 20 years. My insurance was on average $100 a year as a collector car. When totaled it was appreciated so I got paid out $18,500. I also paid like $25 bucks a year registration and inspection as a classic car.

Net cost was $3,500 to keep it on road with insurance, maint and registration for 20 years. I laughed so hard at neighbors leasing cars for like $350 a month who were impressed at my mercedes. They spend $84,000 on lease payments alone over 20 years.

[Anonymous]

There are many people who shop at Target/Kohls for their clothes who would say the same about those of you who buy clothes at ANYPLACE located in Tysons Corner Mall (not Galleria).

[Anonymous]

If money was NO concern, meaning I didn't have to worry about kids college or retirement I would buy one. Why the heck not. Better leather seats, more fun to drive (sport/great acceleration), smooth ride... this isn't Russia.

[Anonymous]

I always tell myself that one day i'm going to buy a nice new shiny car but I know i'll probably back out. Mostly because i'm cheap and idk if i actually drive enough to pull the trigger.

[Anonymous]

Ive owned a Lexus es350 and a BMW 325. They are just too small and uncomfortable for my six foot arthritis laden body. I have a Tahoe now and have plenty of room and the seats are very comfortable. Want a sedan so I'm going to look at the bigger BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. Comfort is my main concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If money was NO concern, meaning I didn't have to worry about kids college or retirement I would buy one. Why the heck not. Better leather seats, more fun to drive (sport/great acceleration), smooth ride... this isn't Russia.

Welcome to our world.

[Anonymous]

We just can't do it though we can afford to buy just about any car. I drive a 7 year old Subaru SUV and my DH drives a used Mercedes. They are both fine cars and meet our needs. My DH jokes that the interior my car always looks the inside of a waste basket so why spend a lot of money on an expensive waste basket. It's a safe car and runs well so I'm fine. I did ride in a Bentley convertible recently and it was to die for! A luxury car is often viewed as a status symbol and that's just not our thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:-Comfort (seat warmers, softer ride, don’t feel potholes, etc)

-More features, including safety features

If you look at cars now, they have come a long way from cars with back-up cameras. DH just bought a $65k car because he has a ridiculous daily commute and it has features like auto drive in traffic (it slows down and speeds up, brakes for you if someone brakes fast), and sensors all around so you always know if there’s someone in your blind spot, or if a kid runs out into the street when you’re backing up, thinks like that. ..

Relying on auto drive is a bad idea. Sounds like he wants the car to drive for him. That's dangerous. He should take the train!

I have one like this. You have to keep your hands on the wheel or it will disengage. The car has faster reflexes than a human.

In the market for a new car. What kind of car is this please?

Lexus RX. I love this feature. And like the pp said, you still have to keep your hands on the wheel, but not only does it slow down, speed up, and brake for you, it also stays in the lane (I rest my hands on the wheel and can feel it adjusting based on the painted lines separating the lanes). I don't rely on these features but they are very nice to have when driving long distances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who spends that much on a car is bad with money. Full stop.

Good God, you're an idiot.

Look, people like different things, and are willing to pay for different things. I am sure there are things in your budget that you feel fine spending on, but that many of us would look at and think are frivolous.

For me, I drive a Honda, and intend to drive it for 10+ years. I'd rather not spend money on an expensive car. But I love to eat out, and to travel. I've made the choice to drive that Honda and indulge myself in other ways, but I could easily have decided to forego a couple of expensive meals a month and buy a Tesla. That someone made a different choice doesn't make them bad with money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would someone buy a 70-150k car when a 35k car gets you around just fine? Seems like a waste to me. I have a friend who just bought a Mercedes and I don't think k I could bring myself to do it. I know everyone's values are different but if I got a raise, I would go on vacation and save some.

I bought a 1975 450Sl Mercedes convertible in 1992 for $7,500 and it got totaled in 2012. I had it 20 years, put around $12K worrth of repairs and maint in it over 20 years. My insurance was on average $100 a year as a collector car. When totaled it was appreciated so I got paid out $18,500. I also paid like $25 bucks a year registration and inspection as a classic car.

Net cost was $3,500 to keep it on road with insurance, maint and registration for 20 years. I laughed so hard at neighbors leasing cars for like $350 a month who were impressed at my mercedes. They spend $84,000 on lease payments alone over 20 years.

this is the most obnoxious post I've read. You laugh at people that are impressed by you? It makes you sound more materialistic then you (think) they are. Someone walks by and says "Wow, nice car." and you laugh at them for what... being "stupid" enough to buy what's typical and common in the market? You bought a piece of junk and fixed it up and maintained it. It became a classic - by definition.

What are you driving now? Did you dig around craigs list to find another "classic" for $10,000? If you're driving any type of reasonable car, the joke's on you. I'm "laughing so hard" at you for totaling your classic car. Now you're stuck driving a Honda or Nissan or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who's been riding in luxury vehicles a lot (other people drive me), I can definitely tell the difference in ride quality between a Toyota Highlander and an Acura RDX or Mercedes GLS. It adds another layer of insulation between you and the elements, so to speak. You also get all the nifty little things that's "shit this is nice" but not "my life depends on having this!" (panoramic roof is magical in the Model 3 and some other brands).

Now whether that is worth it is up to each person. I personally am not at the income level to feel comfortable dropping more than $30k on a vehicle, so I don't. But I don't fault people who make 5x what I do to drop 3x what I do on their cars.

This exactly. Of course there's a difference, and people who suggest otherwise either haven't experienced it or have a point to make in denying it. The question is really whether it's worth it to you to pay for the differences. For me, with my 15 minute commute, it isn't - I just bought a high trim level Honda, which has all the additional features but is in no way a comparable ride to the Mercedes and Audis my closest friends drive. I'd rather spend that money elsewhere, or save it. If I was in the car for an hour+ each day, I might feel differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who spends that much on a car is bad with money. Full stop.

My wife’s 1st cousin is a self-made man. He owns 3 companies that each do over $100 million in sales. He owns 3 Mc-mansions in different parts of the U.S.
He owns his own jet. And, to get to the cars he owns, he has 2 identical S Class Mercedes (1 in Boca Raton & the other in NY), he has a new AMG SL that goes between Florida and NY (via enclosed truck) and he just traded his 2 year old Bentley convertible in on a Rolls Royce. He’s very rich, but PP above would call him “bad with money”???
We’d all like to be that bad with money.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean "luxury" like Lexus or luxury like S class Mercedes? Huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just bought a luxury car, a Tesla S P100D. Paid cash. We don’t have a mortgage, education is fully funded, etc. Retired.

Can’t take the money with you when you are dead so why not?!? Love our new car! Worth the money.

Great choice!

Thanks! I never thought I can love a car this much. Not a car person at all but I get a kick out of being able to able to beat a Lamborghini Huracan in a quarter mile race in a freak’n full size sedan. Hilarious! Super fun to drive! I keep it on ludicrous mode

I have friends who have owned Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, BMW, etc and they ALL very loudly recommended Tesla. Never going back to a gas car again.

Love our Tesla and we are planning on buying the Tesla roadster when it comes out in 2020.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I bought a 1975 450Sl Mercedes convertible in 1992 for $7,500 and it got totaled in 2012. I had it 20 years, put around $12K worrth of repairs and maint in it over 20 years. My insurance was on average $100 a year as a collector car. When totaled it was appreciated so I got paid out $18,500. I also paid like $25 bucks a year registration and inspection as a classic car.

IIRC, if your car is registered as a classic, it can't be your daily driver. How many miles did you put on it a year?