Most S-Classes are leased since it's a business expense for the owner.

Luxury cars are simply nicer inside -- quieter, more features, and often safer too. If you spend a lot of time in your car, or enjoy cars, it's worth it. It's all a matter of what's important to you. We drive Audis as I think they don't have a "reputation" like BMW, but are also good, solid vehicles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, I completely agree with you.

Household income over $1M and I agree with you, op.

Ditto.

In the end, why does the OP care? I believe that the OP does because it gives him/her a way to label such drivers as "less than" the OP.

While I'm sure that I'd enjoy a luxury car (really, I would), my frugal mindset won't allow me to make such a purchase even though I can easily pay cash. I look at it this way, I'm very well off because [b]I didn't/don't indulge in such wasteful spending. Financial peace of mind is worth far more to me than a rapidly-depreciating luxury car. If I wanted a toy - and that's what it is - I'd buy a classic Mercedes 2-door convertible or comparable luxury vehicle. They're much more rare, often feature better engineering/quality parts and will hold their value. Such a car would not be my daily driver to/from work. Nor would such a car be my weekend errand car. In both cases, the DC drivers would end up trashing the body with dings, dents and even accidents. A classic luxury car isn't easily replaceable, so why put it in a situation where this is even a possibility?

Anonymous wrote:Op, I completely agree with you.

Household income over $1M and I agree with you, op.

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?

And it's "Bimmer" not "Beamer". Good lord, have a seat on your rickety Craigslist furniture and obsess over all of your "Vanguards".

Anonymous wrote:I assume people who feel revulsion about how others spend their money are insecure and need validation for their lifestyle choices. They also seem to generally be suffering under the delusion that everyone has to scrimp and save for a purchase like that.

And similarly, I assume 12:29 must be my douchey, bloviating gasbag colleague with the Mercedes who got his feelings hurt by OP. So it all works out.

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.

I think you should just worry about yourself and not put so much time and energy on how others choose to spend their money. You literally have no idea what kind of financial situation the drivers are in, and honestly, you can buy nice, super luxury sedans at a pretty reduced price once they're a few years old. You also have no idea how long they have to sit in a car every day, not everyone wants to commute in rusty Honda Civics. If you can afford the maintenance on a German luxury car, why not drive one?

OP, I was having brunch the other week in a pretty pricey and trendy restaurant where we had to book our reservations two weeks in advance. At the table next to us, a young hipsterish guy was holding court and bragging to his friends that he had a standing reservation at this restaurant every single Saturday, and boasting about how he'd tried everything on the menu.

The monthly amount this guy spends eating at this restaurant is probably what the average American spends on a car note. Should he be judged for his indulgences? What about women (and men) who love handbags, cigars, and expensive wines? Do they fill you with rage too?

What kind of luxuries do *you* have in life? Tell us so we can all sit around and judge you for being stupid and/or overcompensating for something.

Anonymous wrote:I assume people who feel revulsion about how others spend their money are insecure and need validation for their lifestyle choices. They also seem to generally be suffering under the delusion that everyone has to scrimp and save for a purchase like that.

This PP's daddy bought her a little bimmer!

Anonymous wrote:My DH is a super nice guy, loves cars, likes nice things, we both drive luxury cars... and even he has a negative reaction to BMWs. He said the reputation is generally people who drive them are assholes. So you're not alone.

If you live in DC Metro area, not sure how you can really tell the difference. Everyone drives like assholes here.

Speaking as someone who was nearly driven off the road yesterday by a determined Mom driving a Honda CRV this morning. She could not be tamed!

Everyone has different priorities. I'm sure even the OP has their own little indulgences. Some people may like designer cars, some designer clothes, some designer golf clubs or other sporting equipment, some hip and trendy restaurants, ......

Everyone, I mean everyone, has their indulgences.

I think they're gauche, but secretly I want one just so I can be all like

I completely agree. I really dislike these cars. No incentive for me to ever own one.

I like nice cars, even though I drive a 12-year-old Acura. (by choice - I don't like throwing money away on depreciating assets.) The only time I get annoyed at nice cars is when the person driving it is driving like a complete idiot and I assume they're driving daddy's car because someone that dumb couldn't afford a mercedes without help.

I assume people who feel revulsion about how others spend their money are insecure and need validation for their lifestyle choices. They also seem to generally be suffering under the delusion that everyone has to scrimp and save for a purchase like that.