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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BMW X5 is a classic striver choice. Really nice car all-around with classic looks.

I would bet the car driven by the most millionaire parents around the country is a new Tahoe or Yukon. Just a quintessential upper middle class mom or dad of 2 to 4 kids vehicle.

Some of the other recommendations in the thread are empty nester boomer cars, ex Lexus RX and Volvo XC 60.

Classics looks? BMWs weren't supposed to be SUVs. Also, who would want to look like they're making a "striver choice"? Cringe!

Striver choice put another way: the BMW X5 (and the Tesla Model Y?) is probably one of the most popular choices for smart college educated professionals who make six-figures. It's a handsome looking crossover SUV, not flashy, drives really well, great dealers, and if you're driving a new X5, people will assume you're a college educated professional making decent money.

It's also the perfect size. Porsche Macan is too small, Porsche Cayenne is overkill sporty and too expensive. Range Rover Sport and Range Rover (big, classic) are too showy. Audi SUVs are snoozers. Mercedes SUVs are ugly and have that garish logo in the front grilles. Tesla Model Y is probably the perfect car if you want electric, but I'd hold off for the refresh. If you want a gas engine car, X5 is pretty much perfect.

I had an X5. I really liked driving it and it was the perfect size for me (I have 2 kids). But it had so many problems. I got rid of it after 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Jeeps is the poor quality according to JD Powers & to Consumer reports.

My family has owned probably a dozen Grand Cherokees since the 90s. They are amazing vehicles and the bread and butter of Chrysler/Stellantis. We don't want or need a showy European car to prove to strangers we have great careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Jeeps is the poor quality according to JD Powers & to Consumer reports.

My family has owned probably a dozen Grand Cherokees since the 90s. They are amazing vehicles and the bread and butter of Chrysler/Stellantis. We don't want or need a showy European car to prove to strangers we have great careers.

Do you think they looked better in the 90s? They are so rounded out now. The grill in that pic also looks really small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Jeeps is the poor quality according to JD Powers & to Consumer reports.

My family has owned probably a dozen Grand Cherokees since the 90s. They are amazing vehicles and the bread and butter of Chrysler/Stellantis. We don't want or need a showy European car to prove to strangers we have great careers.

Do you think they looked better in the 90s? They are so rounded out now. The grill in that pic also looks really small.

I love the evolution. But maybe I’m biased.

[Anonymous]

Funny, BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne just posted by the most insightful car reviewers on YouTube.

[Anonymous]

Porsche Macan and Cayenne look awful in lower specs with their base wheels.

[Anonymous]

I owned a 25 year old Mercedes SL convertible. Not that expensive but it gave an old money vibe. I was 29 when I bought it. And had 126,000 miles when I got it.

You can imagine picking up a girl on a date at her parents house who is 26-27 with top down.

Shortly after I got it I was on a second date girl who lived at home and the blue collar Dad was staring at it weirdly. I just asked do I have a flat. He goes point blank I never have actually been in a Mercedes convertible. I took him for a spin. I offered to let him drive. He was afraid to.

Here is funny part I paid $7,500 for car and he had a pickup truck worth like $30,000. Somehow his head could not understand his truck was worth 4x my car.

[Anonymous]

X5 is perfect. Rivian’s SUV has some cachet too.

[Anonymous]

Dodge stratus is the perfect car to signal a little success - let’s say you’re a division manager that is in charge of 49 people. Get a dodge stratus.

[Anonymous]

I like my Honda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Jeeps is the poor quality according to JD Powers & to Consumer reports.

My family has owned probably a dozen Grand Cherokees since the 90s. They are amazing vehicles and the bread and butter of Chrysler/Stellantis. We don't want or need a showy European car to prove to strangers we have great careers.

A dozen? They don’t sound like very good cars.

My family has owned like 3 Nissans since the 90s. They seem to go kaput every 20 years or so. That’s more up my alley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dodge stratus is the perfect car to signal a little success - let’s say you’re a division manager that is in charge of 49 people. Get a dodge stratus.

49 is a lot of people. I make $600k and have no direct reports.

[Anonymous]

My sister just went though this. Considered BMW, Audi and Volvo for the status. Didn’t want to pay much and likes smaller cars, and got a loaded up 2025 X1 for under $50K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Jeeps is the poor quality according to JD Powers & to Consumer reports.

My family has owned probably a dozen Grand Cherokees since the 90s. They are amazing vehicles and the bread and butter of Chrysler/Stellantis. We don't want or need a showy European car to prove to strangers we have great careers.

A dozen? They don’t sound like very good cars.

My family has owned like 3 Nissans since the 90s. They seem to go kaput every 20 years or so. That’s more up my alley.

Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted in 1993, so 32 model years ago. A dozen new Grand Cherokees over 32 model years is buying or leasing a new one every 2 to 3 years. Pretty standard for successful people who want an under warranty new car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BMW X5 is a classic striver choice. Really nice car all-around with classic looks.

I would bet the car driven by the most millionaire parents around the country is a new Tahoe or Yukon. Just a quintessential upper middle class mom or dad of 2 to 4 kids vehicle.

Some of the other recommendations in the thread are empty nester boomer cars, ex Lexus RX and Volvo XC 60.

Classics looks? BMWs weren't supposed to be SUVs. Also, who would want to look like they're making a "striver choice"? Cringe!

Striver choice put another way: the BMW X5 (and the Tesla Model Y?) is probably one of the most popular choices for smart college educated professionals who make six-figures. It's a handsome looking crossover SUV, not flashy, drives really well, great dealers, and if you're driving a new X5, people will assume you're a college educated professional making decent money.

Yeah, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are good with money.