Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Agreed! And even as a wine snob, we don't just open a $125+ bottle every night. We know how to find great bottles in the $30-45 range. That is our "everyday" wine, and when we have friends/family over or we just feel like a treat we have the "better" bottles. And sometimes we do open a $125 bottle and sit at home, just the 2 of us and enjoy it with a nice pizza

However the analogy would be paying $10 for a Honda bottle, $45 for a Mercedes bottle, $125 for a Porsche bottle and then $5,000 for a Ferrari bottle.

Do people even read what they write?

Didn't read the entire thread. Retired couple here with about $15M in investments. I drive a 3 year old luxury Japanese car and DH drives a 12 year old luxury Japanese car. I know...very boring, but fancy cars not our priority at all...I do like comfort and reliability though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Agreed! And even as a wine snob, we don't just open a $125+ bottle every night. We know how to find great bottles in the $30-45 range. That is our "everyday" wine, and when we have friends/family over or we just feel like a treat we have the "better" bottles. And sometimes we do open a $125 bottle and sit at home, just the 2 of us and enjoy it with a nice pizza

And I wouldn't know the difference in a blind taste test so why waste the money? I'd rather spend it on my kids, travel, or donate it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Agreed! And even as a wine snob, we don't just open a $125+ bottle every night. We know how to find great bottles in the $30-45 range. That is our "everyday" wine, and when we have friends/family over or we just feel like a treat we have the "better" bottles. And sometimes we do open a $125 bottle and sit at home, just the 2 of us and enjoy it with a nice pizza

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rich enclave in the south (~$3M average home value) and expensive cars are the norm. Cars in the range of $200k+ for the adults and $100k+ for the kids aren’t the average but they are common. No one is driving around in a beater Honda. My husband is in finance and all the guys he works with (old and new money alike) constantly talk about cars and buy new cars.

Oh yeah, well, the South has a big car culture. You have to drive a lot.

Plus the South is gaudy, tacky and showy and that includes the wealthy. We were just down South and I couldn’t believe how many men and women had on cowboy hats in a nice restaurant. Are they not taught etiquette down there?

I’m in Texas and the only time I really see people in cowboy hats are high school and college kids who sometimes wear them with boots to dances.

I’ve lived all over the country and Texas is the only place I’ve been where lots of restaurants have a “no hat’” policy.

I also don’t think the people here are any tackier than in DC. I do think the wealthy people here tend to enjoy having money a lot more than you’d see in DC—nice clothes, cars, watches, jewelry, going out, taking vacations, etc.

That's just Dallas. In Texas both the wealthy and the poor drive $80k pickup trucks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rich enclave in the south (~$3M average home value) and expensive cars are the norm. Cars in the range of $200k+ for the adults and $100k+ for the kids aren’t the average but they are common. No one is driving around in a beater Honda. My husband is in finance and all the guys he works with (old and new money alike) constantly talk about cars and buy new cars.

Oh yeah, well, the South has a big car culture. You have to drive a lot.

Plus the South is gaudy, tacky and showy and that includes the wealthy. We were just down South and I couldn’t believe how many men and women had on cowboy hats in a nice restaurant. Are they not taught etiquette down there?

I’m in Texas and the only time I really see people in cowboy hats are high school and college kids who sometimes wear them with boots to dances.

I’ve lived all over the country and Texas is the only place I’ve been where lots of restaurants have a “no hat’” policy.

I also don’t think the people here are any tackier than in DC. I do think the wealthy people here tend to enjoy having money a lot more than you’d see in DC—nice clothes, cars, watches, jewelry, going out, taking vacations, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

Mercedes is a full line automaker. In the US they used to only sell their mid and high end models, thus the reputation as only a luxury car maker. That is no longer the case, they now sell A,B, and C class cars. No way OP drove a E class or S class and thinks they are similar to a Toyota. The A class starts at $40k, definitely not a luxury car.

A C300 and a Honda Accord do not feel the same. The C300 is quieter, better sound system, different interior, and it's a heavier car and drives differently. So they may not be luxury in terms of price or compared to an E class, but you can get a 2023 C300 for cheaper than you can get a 2026 Accord and will get a different experience. Whether someone cares or notices or prefers that experience and design is a different issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rich enclave in the south (~$3M average home value) and expensive cars are the norm. Cars in the range of $200k+ for the adults and $100k+ for the kids aren’t the average but they are common. No one is driving around in a beater Honda. My husband is in finance and all the guys he works with (old and new money alike) constantly talk about cars and buy new cars.

Oh yeah, well, the South has a big car culture. You have to drive a lot.

Plus the South is gaudy, tacky and showy and that includes the wealthy. We were just down South and I couldn’t believe how many men and women had on cowboy hats in a nice restaurant. Are they not taught etiquette down there?

Where were you? I live in Texas and never see this.

Same, OP must have been in Oklahoma and didn't know what she was getting into. Texans sometimes dress down, but they aren't wearing their cowboy hats during a fancy meal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I honestly do not get the difference. I'm a woman driving a newish Volvo SUV and I drive my FIL's Benz when I'm there and there is zero difference in my comfort level. Like none and I'm a high maintenance person.

A Volvo is much closer to a luxury car than a Honda.

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I honestly do not get the difference. I'm a woman driving a newish Volvo SUV and I drive my FIL's Benz when I'm there and there is zero difference in my comfort level. Like none and I'm a high maintenance person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

Mercedes is a full line automaker. In the US they used to only sell their mid and high end models, thus the reputation as only a luxury car maker. That is no longer the case, they now sell A,B, and C class cars. No way OP drove a E class or S class and thinks they are similar to a Toyota. The A class starts at $40k, definitely not a luxury car.

Anonymous wrote:The generalizations on this thread are hilarious.

New money.
2 Toyotas — one is 18 years old, the other 25 - both run like new, little to no maintenance. Not dinged up
Love these cars and all new cars are less comfortable comparatively.

Don’t feel any need to impress anyone. And if a flashy car is what impresses you, you’re not my type anyway. Btw, there are many others like me. Iykyk.

I also have a 20 year old Toyota and I can't bring myself to replace it. I haven't found a new car that I like as much. I hate how electrified all of the new mechanisms are (doors, dash buttons etc). I hate the subscription model on features. If someone can make me a simple, well-running car, I'll do it.

Im not a car payment person and have plenty of money in the market to pull out for a car (though that was another good point someone brought up -- maybe those of us who pay cash for cars are more inclined to be economical. Because it's in the market I also need to think about the lost growth opportunity cost -- if I buy a car for $50,000 but that $50,000 would turn into $100,000 in a few years, what have a lost? Definitely makes me want to spend $30,000 instead).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.

DP here. It’s like wine. If a $25 bottle tastes fine to me, why do I need to buy $100 bottles just because someone else tells me it’s better? Maybe they are right but I’m happy with what I have. Same concept. Works with houses, clothes, anything really.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rich enclave in the south (~$3M average home value) and expensive cars are the norm. Cars in the range of $200k+ for the adults and $100k+ for the kids aren’t the average but they are common. No one is driving around in a beater Honda. My husband is in finance and all the guys he works with (old and new money alike) constantly talk about cars and buy new cars.

Oh yeah, well, the South has a big car culture. You have to drive a lot.

Plus the South is gaudy, tacky and showy and that includes the wealthy. We were just down South and I couldn’t believe how many men and women had on cowboy hats in a nice restaurant. Are they not taught etiquette down there?

Where were you? I live in Texas and never see this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread is crazy... you can have money and choose to drive an old beater, good for you - all it shows is that you don't care about being more comfortable. I don't really get someone driving an old subaru when they can drive a brand new benz, porche, whatever - these cars are just more comfortable to drive, it has nothing to do with status (unless you make it about status). Drive what you like, enjoy life and enjoy your money while you still can

I've driven a new benz and a new toyota and they seem the same to me? Like, maybe the materials are nicer? Maybe if I drove really a lot more? Idk.

This just shows that you don't understand (or care to) anything about cars. That's ok, not everyone is a car person. Ive been poor and now I'm not - I have driven econoboxes and new toyotas and there is no comparison -unless you drove one of the new low end model mercedes, but even those are nicer to be in.