Anonymous
08/02/2025 14:01
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:People on this board are always saying other people are obsessed with “image” but I don’t think that’s it at all. It’s more that they’re having a conversation with themselves and car companies are marketing to them.
A minivan is practical for a family. But maybe the SUV, which might cost $20k more, makes them feel better. The minivan makes them feel like parenting slog is their whole identity. The SUV makes them feel like they might go on adventures. It makes them feel prepared for foul weather or other vague emergencies, which dials down their anxiety just a little. They like riding high up because it makes them feel safer. I don’t think it’s as deep as thinking about what other people think. It’s just people responding to a product like any other.
My fully loaded Odyssey was $50k. A loaded Suburban is double. It isn’t just $20k more. And no one is fooled that a Suburban/Expedition is anything more than a mom car.
Anonymous
08/02/2025 11:43
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
People on this board are always saying other people are obsessed with “image” but I don’t think that’s it at all. It’s more that they’re having a conversation with themselves and car companies are marketing to them.
A minivan is practical for a family. But maybe the SUV, which might cost $20k more, makes them feel better. The minivan makes them feel like parenting slog is their whole identity. The SUV makes them feel like they might go on adventures. It makes them feel prepared for foul weather or other vague emergencies, which dials down their anxiety just a little. They like riding high up because it makes them feel safer. I don’t think it’s as deep as thinking about what other people think. It’s just people responding to a product like any other.
A minivan is practical for a family. But maybe the SUV, which might cost $20k more, makes them feel better. The minivan makes them feel like parenting slog is their whole identity. The SUV makes them feel like they might go on adventures. It makes them feel prepared for foul weather or other vague emergencies, which dials down their anxiety just a little. They like riding high up because it makes them feel safer. I don’t think it’s as deep as thinking about what other people think. It’s just people responding to a product like any other.
Anonymous
08/02/2025 11:29
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Minivans were designed for families and gear. No need for 80K mega SUVs to serve a family. It’s just about image and excess.
Anonymous
08/02/2025 11:26
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:I got statistics by googling "Average house price in Potomac" and "Average house price in McLean". Yes numbers vary. But they are in the right ballpark of $1MM-$2MM house prices with $250K+ incomes, and two car payments adding up to half the mortgage payment.
Anonymous wrote:Why are you confused op? We all have choices.
Teaching is noble and emotionally rewarding. But many teachers are financially naive and don't understand how other people make more than twice their salaries.
This reminds me of the girl who lamented that she is spectacularly beautiful but sees plain wives living lavish lifestyles on the Upper East Side.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChoosingBeggars/comments/7ytntb/girl_wants_to_live_in_central_park_west_because/
The obvious answer is that those wives met their husbands long before they were rich. The rich investment banker's reply is hilarious.
Unless they married old dudes, most aren’t rich yet by early 30’s.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 21:15
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
I got statistics by googling "Average house price in Potomac" and "Average house price in McLean". Yes numbers vary. But they are in the right ballpark of $1MM-$2MM house prices with $250K+ incomes, and two car payments adding up to half the mortgage payment.
Teaching is noble and emotionally rewarding. But many teachers are financially naive and don't understand how other people make more than twice their salaries.
This reminds me of the girl who lamented that she is spectacularly beautiful but sees plain wives living lavish lifestyles on the Upper East Side.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChoosingBeggars/comments/7ytntb/girl_wants_to_live_in_central_park_west_because/
The obvious answer is that those wives met their husbands long before they were rich. The rich investment banker's reply is hilarious.
Anonymous wrote:Why are you confused op? We all have choices.
Teaching is noble and emotionally rewarding. But many teachers are financially naive and don't understand how other people make more than twice their salaries.
This reminds me of the girl who lamented that she is spectacularly beautiful but sees plain wives living lavish lifestyles on the Upper East Side.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChoosingBeggars/comments/7ytntb/girl_wants_to_live_in_central_park_west_because/
The obvious answer is that those wives met their husbands long before they were rich. The rich investment banker's reply is hilarious.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 14:20
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Some are leased, others are pre-owned, and some just eject to spend $80k on an suv. Why are you confused op? We all have choices.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 13:07
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:People spend a lot on vehicles. 10-15% of income after taxes is recommended by a lot of financial advice websites. So if you make $300K around here (prob below average for mid 30s professional in lobbying, law, tech, etc) your car payments could be up to $2625 a month.
I personally think that’s INSANE but I’ve come to realize a lot of people in the DC area spend as much as they can afford (eg they’ll go for the max 28% DTI mortgage ratio, max car payment, etc).
$2600 a MONTH on cars??! The auto lobby is insane. We make $500k and drive a Toyota and a Subaru.
Not everyone wants to drive around in crappy cars. I'm in the car for 3 hours a day. I want it to be luxurious and if anything happens, I want to push a button and have them come and help with whatever I need. If I bring it to the shop for an oil change, I want a loaner.
Being in a car for 3 hours a day is damaging to your health. Better to spend your money on a home that’s closer to your place of work.
Thanks but I don’t work. I drive my kids around.
You could skip the fancy car and pay someone to drive your kids around.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 13:04
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:People spend a lot on vehicles. 10-15% of income after taxes is recommended by a lot of financial advice websites. So if you make $300K around here (prob below average for mid 30s professional in lobbying, law, tech, etc) your car payments could be up to $2625 a month.
I personally think that’s INSANE but I’ve come to realize a lot of people in the DC area spend as much as they can afford (eg they’ll go for the max 28% DTI mortgage ratio, max car payment, etc).
$2600 a MONTH on cars??! The auto lobby is insane. We make $500k and drive a Toyota and a Subaru.
Not everyone wants to drive around in crappy cars. I'm in the car for 3 hours a day. I want it to be luxurious and if anything happens, I want to push a button and have them come and help with whatever I need. If I bring it to the shop for an oil change, I want a loaner.
Being in a car for 3 hours a day is damaging to your health. Better to spend your money on a home that’s closer to your place of work.
Thanks but I don’t work. I drive my kids around.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 12:43
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
there is no such thing as a cheap full size suv anymore.
Ford Expeditions are getting close to 100k at the top ends..wild
Ford Expeditions are getting close to 100k at the top ends..wild
Anonymous
07/30/2025 10:00
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:SAHM running errands with 3+ little kids getting into a brand new looking Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, etc. These moms look 35 or less.
Suburban, Tahoe, and Expedition are not luxury models, just large SUV's costing $60K-$80K. Large families need that room.
Average age of first marriage and fatherhood in DC is early thirties. The median age in Potomac and McLean is 47. Fathers with multiple school-age kids are usually at least in their forties, often in a second marriage with blended families. Perhaps the SAHM had a previous career or divorce settlement. Both parents might have sold starter homes with capital gains to make a down payment on an average $1.4MM house in Potomac or McLean. FWIW, the median household income in Potomac is $237K, and the median in McLean is $250K. A $200K annual pre-tax income is 94th percentile for a 35-year-old and $300K is 97th percentile nationally. So there are definitely young men in this income bracket. But most self-made men were too busy with graduate/professional school and careers to have multiple school-age kids by 35.. Also, you don't see these fathers because they are busy at work.
Where are you getting these stats on McLean and Potomac from?
Anonymous
07/30/2025 09:33
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:SAHM running errands with 3+ little kids getting into a brand new looking Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, etc. These moms look 35 or less.
Suburban, Tahoe, and Expedition are not luxury models, just large SUV's costing $60K-$80K. Large families need that room.
Average age of first marriage and fatherhood in DC is early thirties. The median age in Potomac and McLean is 47. Fathers with multiple school-age kids are usually at least in their forties, often in a second marriage with blended families. Perhaps the SAHM had a previous career or divorce settlement. Both parents might have sold starter homes with capital gains to make a down payment on an average $1.4MM house in Potomac or McLean. FWIW, the median household income in Potomac is $237K, and the median in McLean is $250K. A $200K annual pre-tax income is 94th percentile for a 35-year-old and $300K is 97th percentile nationally. So there are definitely young men in this income bracket. But most self-made men were too busy with graduate/professional school and careers to have multiple school-age kids by 35.. Also, you don't see these fathers because they are busy at work.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 08:28
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Warren Buffett, the sixth richest person in the world, drives a discontinued 2014 Cadillac XTS that he bought with hail damage. His choice of car reflects his preference for practicality and value over luxury and status symbols.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 08:27
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:People spend a lot on vehicles. 10-15% of income after taxes is recommended by a lot of financial advice websites. So if you make $300K around here (prob below average for mid 30s professional in lobbying, law, tech, etc) your car payments could be up to $2625 a month.
I personally think that’s INSANE but I’ve come to realize a lot of people in the DC area spend as much as they can afford (eg they’ll go for the max 28% DTI mortgage ratio, max car payment, etc).
$2600 a MONTH on cars??! The auto lobby is insane. We make $500k and drive a Toyota and a Subaru.
Not everyone wants to drive around in crappy cars. I'm in the car for 3 hours a day. I want it to be luxurious and if anything happens, I want to push a button and have them come and help with whatever I need. If I bring it to the shop for an oil change, I want a loaner.
Being in a car for 3 hours a day is damaging to your health. Better to spend your money on a home that’s closer to your place of work.
Anonymous
07/29/2025 21:16
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
The CRV is a compact SUV. I can barely take two small children to the beach in my midsize Subaru Forester. I will probably get a 3-row SUV or minivan eventually.
$50K ... for a midsize 3-row Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorrento, or Honda Pilot. Lexus TX, Acura MDX, and Land Rover Discovery can cost almost $80K.
Anonymous wrote:That PP was being ridiculous. Also she said she "can barely" take her kids to the beach in the Forester.
I'm quite happy with my Subaru, merely noting that it is inappropriate to compare a $40K compact Honda CRV to more expensive midsize SUV's.
But the Forester is squeezed with two car seats, bassinets, linens, and beach gear. Eventually I'll need something larger to carry little cousins and friends, maybe the cute VW ID Buzz electric van. Meanwhile wifey is saving money for lessons to parallel park a larger vehicle.
We have three kids under 7 and 2 medium sized dogs and have a Honda pilot and a Honda CRV. The CRV can fit two booster seats and one car seat. We’re very neat and clean, but the reality with three kids (and two dogs) is that you are hauling kids, goldfish, and sand everywhere. I don’t understand why anyone with young children would spend $80K on a car.
Anonymous
07/29/2025 15:21
Subject: How do so many young families have $80k SUVs?
Anonymous wrote:
The CRV is a compact SUV. I can barely take two small children to the beach in my midsize Subaru Forester. I will probably get a 3-row SUV or minivan eventually.
$50K ... for a midsize 3-row Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorrento, or Honda Pilot. Lexus TX, Acura MDX, and Land Rover Discovery can cost almost $80K.
Anonymous wrote:That PP was being ridiculous. Also she said she "can barely" take her kids to the beach in the Forester.
I'm quite happy with my Subaru, merely noting that it is inappropriate to compare a $40K compact Honda CRV to more expensive midsize SUV's.
But the Forester is squeezed with two car seats, bassinets, linens, and beach gear. Eventually I'll need something larger to carry little cousins and friends, maybe the cute VW ID Buzz electric van. Meanwhile wifey is saving money for lessons to parallel park a larger vehicle.