Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the GLC 300. The little crossover SUV sort of Mercedes. It is my favorite car of any I have owned out of: Pilot, Highlander, Suburban, Tahoe, Pathfinder (close 2nd), Accord, and maybe others. I love the way it drives and it is so pretty inside - white leather with walnut wood accents.



I don't think I would buy the super expensive Mercedes but I could see myself going up a size for my next car. I was just getting sick of the big SUVS and wanted a change.

You’ve owned a lot of cars.

Why so many?

7 cars in 35 years? Not so many.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buying stuff feels good. Buying expensive stuff makes you feel good and successful.

That dopamine hit!

Emm.. sitting for 2 hours at the dealership, being ushered between the salesperson, the finance manager, etc.. is hardly a great experience to deliver dopamine.

Compare that to buying a Rolex. They bring out champagne and chocolates, and a white-gloved attendant "presents" the watch to you in a nice box.

They treat you like a rockstar at well run luxury dealers. That’s why people trade in every year or two. They love that feeling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buying stuff feels good. Buying expensive stuff makes you feel good and successful.

That dopamine hit!

Emm.. sitting for 2 hours at the dealership, being ushered between the salesperson, the finance manager, etc.. is hardly a great experience to deliver dopamine.

Compare that to buying a Rolex. They bring out champagne and chocolates, and a white-gloved attendant "presents" the watch to you in a nice box.

Getting a new car is without a doubt a hit of dopamine for many. More so than buying a Rolex.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buying stuff feels good. Buying expensive stuff makes you feel good and successful.

That dopamine hit!

Emm.. sitting for 2 hours at the dealership, being ushered between the salesperson, the finance manager, etc.. is hardly a great experience to deliver dopamine.

Compare that to buying a Rolex. They bring out champagne and chocolates, and a white-gloved attendant "presents" the watch to you in a nice box.

Anonymous wrote:Buying stuff feels good. Buying expensive stuff makes you feel good and successful.

That dopamine hit!

I don't think you are missing anything. I drive a base model Subaru. I chose it after test driving about every small suv, including the luxury ones. I did have leather seats put in.

In this area, I don't judge though -- I feel like with all of us having these horribly long commutes (we recently moved somewhat south and OMG the commute up 95 to DC is horrific), if someone wants a luxury car, they should by all means get one. Anything to make the commute feel better.

Delaers usually giev the same make of car that they sel and you're bringing in for service. It's usually a new car, then they sell it off as a used car 6 months later.

I think it's to encourage you to buy a new car, like "Hey, that new X feature in the loaner is really nice... maybe I should upgrade my car."

Anonymous wrote:I have the GLC 300. The little crossover SUV sort of Mercedes. It is my favorite car of any I have owned out of: Pilot, Highlander, Suburban, Tahoe, Pathfinder (close 2nd), Accord, and maybe others. I love the way it drives and it is so pretty inside - white leather with walnut wood accents.



I don't think I would buy the super expensive Mercedes but I could see myself going up a size for my next car. I was just getting sick of the big SUVS and wanted a change.

You’ve owned a lot of cars.

Why so many?

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get this. How many people even see your car? No one cares about a car. The people with fancy cars have them because they like fancy cars.

I agree past a certain point people don't really care. As long as you're driving something new and clean, it will just blend in in any premier town. But there are tons of strivers who are are hyper-obsessed with status and projecting a certain image. As for who sees your car:

Clients
Extended family
All of your neighbors
Friends you socialize with
Everyone in the school pickup line
Kids' friends' parents; play dates, travel sports and car pooling
Everyone who parks near you at work
Everyone at restaurants you go to (valet) and/or country club

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A dealership would actually loan out a brand new $130k car?

Of course because the people who bought a $90k Mercedes are in the target market for that car.

It’s ironic. “We acknowledge that our brand is so unreliable and high-maintenance that you’re going to need a long-term loaner so please sample a more expensive version of our money pits.”

Dude, relax. Luxury dealerships will give you a loaner for a routine oil change & tire rotation, random recalls and software updates. It doesn't mean your luxury car left you stranded anywhere. You can also get a loaner for a windshield repair or if you ding a door or bumper in a parking lot and it's at the dealer body shop for a few days.

I have the GLC 300. The little crossover SUV sort of Mercedes. It is my favorite car of any I have owned out of: Pilot, Highlander, Suburban, Tahoe, Pathfinder (close 2nd), Accord, and maybe others. I love the way it drives and it is so pretty inside - white leather with walnut wood accents.



I don't think I would buy the super expensive Mercedes but I could see myself going up a size for my next car. I was just getting sick of the big SUVS and wanted a change.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A dealership would actually loan out a brand new $130k car?

Of course because the people who bought a $90k Mercedes are in the target market for that car.

It’s ironic. “We acknowledge that our brand is so unreliable and high-maintenance that you’re going to need a long-term loaner so please sample a more expensive version of our money pits.”

I get a Mercedes loaner whenever it goes in for service, even if it’s the annual check in, and only a few hours. That’s one of the perks of owning a luxury car.

Is there a small car that is also high quality?

Because I don't like driving not-small cars. I've been driving cheap Japanese cars all my life, and yes, the road noise, the seat comfort, the cheap plastic, all bother me. Conversely, maintenance on my Toyota Corolla has been a dream. This car will not die and won't take my money. It's 20 years old and I haven't paid much for maintenance over the years.

But what's high-end in the small car category?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A dealership would actually loan out a brand new $130k car?

Of course because the people who bought a $90k Mercedes are in the target market for that car.

It’s ironic. “We acknowledge that our brand is so unreliable and high-maintenance that you’re going to need a long-term loaner so please sample a more expensive version of our money pits.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s because you are telling the people around you that you have moneys, ergo you be better than them.

Are you slow or something?

I don’t get this. How many people even see your car? No one cares about a car. The people with fancy cars have them because they like fancy cars.

My kids’ friendly frequently comment on how cool it is the first time they get in. I grew up with parents who drove cars into the ground. I won’t ever drive a junker car out of warranty again. At least until I’m old.