My rental car is a cheap base model, cloth interior — how do people drive cars like this?

[Anonymous]

It's one of the most popular cars you see driving around and sure, it gets me from "point A to point B," but it's seriously demoralizing. How do you penny pinchers do it?

There's something so cozy about driving in a beautiful new car, the technology, the comfy leather, quiet engine, all the creature comforts. And sure, maybe some status. Today has reinforced my outlook that it's so freaking worth it to splurge a little on new wheels.

[Anonymous]

Is it a Ford Focus?

[Anonymous]

Probably because a lot of people are smarter AND classier AND have more common sense than you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably because a lot of people are smarter AND classier AND have more common sense than you?

NP.

Umm, no. Having a nice car isn't stupid or low-class.

Bragging about it is, though, so OP -- stop being a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Is your name Joe? Or Mike?

The two most obnoxious people I know are named Joe and Mike, so just checking.

[Anonymous]

Hah. I rented a base model Corolla a few months ago. I had actual trouble going up a non-steep hill. The cars were all passing me and honking and I was flooring it. They put the crappiest engines on rental cars for sure.

[Anonymous]

B/c some people need a car to get from Point A to Point B. Creature comforts are not needed. And not everyone wants to waste their money on them.

[Anonymous]

I drive a 12 year old van. It gets me from A to B. I honestly don’t care about any of the other stuff you listed. I also don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I can’t wrap my head around worrying what random strangers on the street think of my car! So bizarre.

[Anonymous]

What “status” do you think you achieve with your new car and from whom?

[Anonymous]

I have a pretty new base model RAV4 and it’s perfectly nice and fun to drive and has plenty of standard features. I could easily afford something nicer, but I’d rather spend money on experiences over a depreciating asset someone could crash into at any moment. You sounds like a total snob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably because a lot of people are smarter AND classier AND have more common sense than you?

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably because a lot of people are smarter AND classier AND have more common sense than you?

Amen! OP, you are horse's patoot.

[Anonymous]

The wealthiest person I know (also one of the smartest) once told me he never, ever buys brand-new cars. "Once you drive off the lot--boom, you're driving a used car."

Which is not to say he didn't drive a nice car. He just knew how to be smart (and chill) about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a pretty new base model RAV4 and it’s perfectly nice and fun to drive and has plenty of standard features. I could easily afford something nicer, but I’d rather spend money on experiences over a depreciating asset someone could crash into at any moment. You sounds like a total snob.

This is the tier of rental car I have. It's tragic. Have you driven a more upscale car recently? It's just night and day. I know there's something to be said about being frugal but at what cost? This car this week has hurt my mood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drive a 12 year old van. It gets me from A to B. I honestly don’t care about any of the other stuff you listed. I also don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I can’t wrap my head around worrying what random strangers on the street think of my car! So bizarre.

I just think driving a nice new car is a happier experience is all.