S/O of stroller snob thread- are you a car snob?

[SnuggleBuggles]

Do you think you are a car snob? You can be honest. :)

eta my definition:
Do you judge other cars you see? When you see a very expensive car do you drool, wish you had it, think it was a waste of money...?

Do you think more money buys a better car? Do you think a Honda Fit is as good as a Mercedes, for example? They both get you where you need to go...

Me, I am not. Kind of surprising because I spent my childhood being one! My parents never had much money and always bought used cars. I was so embarrassed by their Dodge Omni that I wouldn't let them drop me off places. I wished that they had something like my friend's Accord.

Now, I drive my '99 Civic because it runs very well and is totally paid for. A good part of me wants a new car for lots and lots of reasons (safer, can hold more if I get a certain car...) but my practical side is winning out currently. I can not believe that now my parents own newer and nicer cars then me. Never thought that would happen!

When I see an expensive car I admit that I think they are kind of silly. No matter how much money I had I don't think I would put it in a car. There is a dad at school that advertises his investment planning services and drives an H3. To be honest, I don't think I want his advice if he is willing to spend $60k on a car, kwim?

I'm interested to hear what other people think about this. I think I am just way too cheap. :D

Beth

[egoldber]

What do you mean by a "car snob"? How do you define that?

I don't think I am a snob, but I am very particular. And I am also cheap, which is not necessarily a good combo LOL!!!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Do you judge other cars you see? When you see a very expensive car do you drool, wish you had it, think it was a waste of money...?

Do you think more money buys a better car?

I added some more to the OP too.

[pinkmomagain]

There is a dad at school that advertises his investment planning services and drives an H3. To be honest, I don't think I want his advice if he is willing to spend $60k on a car, kwim?

If it's his own company, he may likely be leasing the car under the company's name.

As far as being a car snob, I enjoy driving a luxury car and have very specific ideas about the type of car that *I* like to drive, and I enjoy shopping for cars, evaluating them, etc. However, I pass absolutely no judgement on what others drive, in fact I rarely take notice.

[maestramommy]

Yes, I am a car snob. I want want top reliability and performance for the least amount of money, and I want every safety feature I can get. AND I want the car to last forever. Which is why I have an Accord:p

[slworld]

I am not a car snob either. I mean who doesn't like a nice new car with lot of cool features but I can't justify it. I always wanted to buy a really cool first car but I ended up with a used 2000 Accord and I don't really care now. Now DH got his 2000 Accord (I know everyone thinks its funny we have the same model cars) brand new 6 years before but mine has sunroof & ABS brakes which his doesn't (he couldn't afford those extras at that time).

[gobadgers]

I think I probably am a snob in that I have a lot of respect for well-made cars (that's the engineering side of me). I also understand that some cars are fun to drive, and there is an allure to that. However, I'm way too cheap to pay for a top-of-the-line car myself. I'm interested in reliability, practicality data (from Consumer Reports, mostly) but not necessarily the latest and greatest.

Showy cars or status symbol cars are a little beyond my comprehension (e.g. the H3). Secretly I can't help rolling my eyes.

[athompson]

No, I am not. I can appreciate a beautiful car, but I cannot fathom spending that much money on one.
It seems to me that some of the biggest car snobs I know are people who really can't afford the cars they are driving anyway. Drives me NUTS to see people spend money they don't have. Why more people don't pay cash for used cars I will never understand. Doesn't everyone know that new cars lose value the MINUTE you drive them off the lot?

[egoldber]

Do you judge other cars you see? When you see a very expensive car do you drool, wish you had it, think it was a waste of money...?

Do you think more money buys a better car?

Interesting. DH and I are "car people". We love cars. DH used to be an auto mechanic. We like nice cars, which does not necessarily mean expensive. We follow European auto racing and drool over the cool engineering.

So I don't think we meet any of the above criteria, but I think a lot of people would call us car snobs.

[AshleyAnn]

Nope, my hubby works at BMW on the X6 and we both agree the fancy features and stuff do not make it worth price tag compared to my Kia SUV. I get where I gotta go in either one and all the seat warmers and nav systems don't get me there any faster/better/happier.

Now as a teenager - I HATED some of the cars they drove. My dad loved to buy and fix up cars and switched them out about every 6 months and some of them sucked. They also considered driving a Dodge Neon a punishment for when my brother totaled the cool car they gave him (He had to have a car for educational purposes so no car wouldn't work).

[sste]

I would never, ever purchase a luxury car unless there was some new and amazing safety feature that I could only get on a luxury car. I am just not into cars at all and I feel uncomfortable in anything that is highly visible and indicative of class-status. I will say that I am willing to spend a ton on cooking items because I actually enjoy those and I feel like they are in my private home so less visible.

My DH and I have actually argued about this because alot of people in his field, probably most, drive luxury cars. I keep on telling him to adopt the attitude that the one thing better than having a luxury car is to project that you are so hot professionally that you don't need a luxury car or to worry about appearances. So far I have won and he is driving a civic. :)

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

No. But I prefer Japanese, or Audi. I got a 1999 Audi Wagon for $5,400 this summer. So not a snob. I will only drive AWD though, but that is a weather issue. I do prefer leather (easier to clean), I use Method Wood Polish on it, and I love heated seats in the Winter. DH drives a 2001 Subie Sedan.

[SnuggleBuggles]

No, I am not. I can appreciate a beautiful car, but I cannot fathom spending that much money on one.
It seems to me that some of the biggest car snobs I know are people who really can't afford the cars they are driving anyway. Drives me NUTS to see people spend money they don't have. Why more people don't pay cash for used cars I will never understand. Doesn't everyone know that new cars lose value the MINUTE you drive them off the lot?

My friend complains all the time about money yet she drives a Lexus SUV. Makes me :banghead: If she didn't complain about money all the time then I would care one way or the other but she does and that's what gets to me.

Beth

[arivecchi]

DH and I love BMWs so we got one when we had the $$$ to buy one. We love our X5 and all the awesome extras (seat warmers are my fave :)) that it has. The car is beatiful inside and out and runs really well. It uses up a lot of gas but we don't care much because we don't use the car on a daily basis as we live in the city and have access to public transportation. We bought it pre-kids and I might buy a different car now just to get some more room, but I am still extremely happy with my car.

[AnnieW625]

For the most part yes, but like the stroller thing I am practical. I love cars, car magazine, car shows, car tv shows, if it's car related I'll tune in. BBC's Top Gear is currently one of my must watch shows! I have a Honda Pilot and I easily could've gotten a Toyota Highlander, but I think you get more for your money with the Pilot and even the base Honda models feel a little bit nicer. I like reliability too. So really either brand is fine, but I'd prefer another Honda when DH's 01 Corolla finally bites the dust (its only at 120K so we have a long way to go!), but then I love the stylish sophistication of the Volkswagen and Audis too, but also the praticality and crunchiness of Subaru (we love the outdoors and my first car was an 88 Subaru GL).

I had a BMW 328i as a rental car a month ago and it was nice to think people were looking up to me while I was driving, just like I do when I see people driving that car or most new BMWs in fact. Maybe later in life I'll actually get one, but not if I have to mortgage the house, and or make quality of life decisions based on a car (that is kind of popular here).

[egoldber]

BBC's Top Gear is currently one of my must watch shows!

Love Top Gear!!!

ETA: I think I would describe us as car geeks vs car snobs. :p

[BillK]

I used to be - but not so much anymore. I really want the 2010 Ford F450 crew cab, dual wheel, long bed, King Ranch edition sitting at our local dealership - but can't justify $63,000 for it. I drool over it every time I drive past. :) I'll probably look for a nice used truck when it's time for my 2003 Yukon XL to go bye bye and let someone else take the depreciation hit.

[AnnieW625]

Love Top Gear!!!

ETA: I think I would describe us as car geeks vs car snobs. :p

Ooh good there is someone who will finally understand my strange obsession with Jeremy Clarkson! I just don't get it he's 17 yrs. older than me, very British, and not the best looking guy, but I really like him! Hamster is a close second and much closer to my age.

[egoldber]

Ooh good there is someone who will finally understand my strange obsession with Jeremy Clarkson! I just don't get it he's 17 yrs. older than me, very British, and not the best looking guy, but I really like him! Hamster is a close second and much closer to my age.

Well duh! Guys with British accents talking about cool cars = hot. ;)

[Moneypenny]

I think I'm the opposite of a car snob. As long as it runs (and it's safe), it's good enough for me. I must be rebelling against my childhood because I was raised by two total car snobs. My dad nearly had a heart attack when I decided my first car would be a Ford Escort (instead of the used Mercedes he wanted me to get). I drove them both and preferred the Ford. Go figure!

[vludmilla]

Nope, not a car snob. I don't want to drive a beater but I'm not into spending a fortune on a car either. I like a good, clean, well-made car that serves my need. Flashy or impressive is not my goal.

[lovin2shop]

I think you could call me an "inside of the car" snob. First, let me say that I spend an exorbitantly high amount of time in my car. Thus, I really prefer that it be nice. I went kinda cheap on my last car and didn't get the seat warmers, a decision that I've regretted every single day since buying that car ago. Plus, it's kinda plasticy and I truly do yearn for that pretty wood grain dash.

I'm pretty sure that I'm getting a new car for Christmas since I've driven my old one into the ground. I've given DH only 2 requirements, a beautifully nice interior and all the best safety features. I'm going to hope that whatever car this comes on will drive acceptably well. If I'm spending this much time in the new car for another 7 years, it will definitely be worth whatever extra it costs. I could care less what name it sports on the back.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Yes. I am. Granted, the best I've ever had is an Acura, but I do enjoy cars a lot, hate crappy ones, tend to make judgments, etc. I always pick exactly the one I want (hopefully within my budget) and enjoy it the whole time I have it. Therefore, when it is time to upgrade, I have to be stepping up to something a little more comfortable with the features I want. Not a fan of "no frills" cars.

My FIL understands. I hope he replaces his 5-series BMW with a new 6-series just so I can ride with him.

[pinkmomagain]

Just want to jump in and say that just because someone enjoys driving a luxury car doesn't mean they are being flashy or they are trying to impress. I think it's a mistake to assume that of people, although I'm sure there are some insecure people who do. There is alot to enjoy about a luxury car (features, drive, etc.) that has nothing to do with sending a message to others.

[bubbaray]

I used to be - but not so much anymore. I really want the 2010 Ford F450 crew cab, dual wheel, long bed, King Ranch edition sitting at our local dealership - but can't justify $63,000 for it.

Bill, you are a male me. Or am I a female you? Anyway, I love me some big-a$$ trucks. DH thinks its funny.

I'm not a car snob, but I am a car geek. I used to be much more into cars before kids.

I'm also a new vs used snob. I've never owned a used car. Neither has DH. We buy new and drive them for a looooong time.

[MontrealMum]

Nope, not a car snob. I don't want to drive a beater but I'm not into spending a fortune on a car either. I like a good, clean, well-made car that serves my need. Flashy or impressive is not my goal.
:yeahthat:

I grew up in Michigan, and about half of my family - from both sides - were/are in some aspect of the car business. They range from sales, dealership owners, executives, and line workers to heavy diesel mechanics. So, I grew up exposed to a lot of cars, and car talk. My dad in particular is the black sheep of the family - he drove a Pinto at one time! This contrasts with my mom who is nuts about sports cars and classic cars.

The only thing I'm really judgemental about is listening to people complain about how expensive their car payments or gas are, when they've bought something waaaay out of their budget. I do not get beggaring yourself, and putting your family in jeopardy over needing that sort of status symbol. I know several people that have had cars repo'ed - long before the current economic crisis hit - because they bought beyond their means. I try to be less judgmental now, since I know a lot of people are suddenly stuck with more car - and house - than they can afford. But if you can afford it, I have no problem with it.

[maestramommy]

Well duh! Guys with British accents talking about cool cars = hot. ;)

Guys with British accents talking about ANYTHING = hot!:D

[MMMommy]

Yes, I am a car snob to the extent that I am picky about what I drive and prefer buying a car or SUV in the luxury category. However, I do not judge others based on what they drive. I don't think more of anyone who drives an expensive car, nor do I think less of anyone who drives an economy car.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Just want to jump in and say that just because someone enjoys driving a luxury car doesn't mean they are being flashy or they are trying to impress. I think it's a mistake to assume that of people, although I'm sure there are some insecure people who do. There is alot to enjoy about a luxury car (features, drive, etc.) that has nothing to do with sending a message to others.

I admit that I am learning the appeal of a nicer car so I can see why people would be them just because they like them, not for status reasons.

I said before that my parents have nicer cars than me now. They aren't fancy in any way. My mom has a new Mazda 3. I borrowed it one day and completely realized why people care about cars and driving! I have never, ever had so much fun driving in my life! I want to trade with her now! I just wish that I weren't feeling so practical about our Honda. I want a cute, new, fun car to drive!

Ok, so maybe I am a car snob!! :tongue5:
Beth

[arivecchi]

Yes, I am a car snob to the extent that I am picky about what I drive and prefer buying a car or SUV in the luxury category. However, I do not judge others based on what they drive. I don't think more of anyone who drives an expensive car, nor do I think less of anyone who drives an economy car.:yeahthat: No reason to judge people just because they drive a nice car.

I get the sense from this thread that I should go hide in a cave because I do not drive a "practical" car. :sulkoff:

[bubbaray]

My mom has a new Mazda 3. I borrowed it one day and completely realized why people care about cars and driving! I have never, ever had so much fun driving in my life!



Zoom Zoom

I've owned two Mazdas. Definitely fun to drive! :thumbsup:

If you like the feel of Mazdas, some of the Acura vehicles might appeal to you. Honda reliability (better than Mazda) and a tighter ride than the Hondas....

HTH

[bubbaray]

I get the sense from this thread that I should go hide in a cave because I do not drive a "practical" car. :sulkoff:


You could hide in the back of either Bill's or my truck. Heck, you could park your X5 in the bed of our trucks.... :jammin:

The vehicle I secretly covet is certainly not practical for my use. And, I'm pretty sure if I drove to work in Dodge Ram 3500HD diesel dually crew cab, the law society would recind my membership.

[wellyes]

When I see an expensive car I admit that I think they are kind of silly. No matter how much money I had I don't think I would put it in a car.

To play Devil's advocate: isn't that that is snobbery of a sort? It's feeling a little superior to others based on your consumer choices. I say this as someone who tends to be waaaaaaay to judgemental. It's a quality I am not proud of in myself.

In a sense I am a car snob, in that on the road I do tend to be critical of others choices.......I mentally roll my eyes when I see someone in an expensive car / truck / SUV. I also think it's so much wiser to buy a used reliable car than a bargain-basement new car. It's not easy to meet my standards LOL. Luckily I only feel this way about strangers cars and do genearlly manage to not care a whit about what a friend drives.

My own car buying criteria: top-rated for safety, gotta be a hatchback (weird I know, I love 'em) and must be fewer than 5 digits. This has served me well, I'm 34 and on car #3 in my life, I've never paid $10k or more and never had a car last less than 6 years.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

hmm, i guess DH & I are sort of car snobs in a sense..we both like Japanese cars only, as for us American cars have this "cheap" feel, are hard to drive, have low resale value, etc. in HS i was obsessed with reading Car & Drive, Road & Track etc. Nowadays though, I am not that into it, though I do appreciate well-made cars. I want something that lasts, that I can drive for decades without falling apart.

though i wouldn't say i look down or make judgments about ppl who have cheap/old cars...i just figure fancy cars aren't a priority for them. i once knew someone who was a VP of a company but drove a 1980s hatchback..he just had no desire to get a fancy car, plus i think he had an emotional attachment to it (it was his car in college). On the flip side, when i lived in Los Angeles i saw that there are a A LOT of people who drive very expensive cars (Mercedes, etc) but can barely afford to pay their rent or send their kids to college. So yeah, i don't really assume much about ppl (income-wise, etc) re: their cars..but it's interesting to notice.

What I find funny is that when people (usually men) spend a lot of $$$ on cars, other people usually don't bat an eye..but then when women spend $$$ on other things (shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc) some people (again, usually men) seem to get up in arms. (Maybe I just noticed this because I work in a male-dominated industry?). It seems like luxury cars tend to have more "acceptability" as something to splurge on... For example, I often used to get comments like "How could you spend $600 on a PURSE?" from male coworkers who just spent $40k on a new convertible. LOL!

[AnnieW625]

:yeahthat: No reason to judge people just because they drive a nice car.

I get the sense from this thread that I should go hide in a cave because I do not drive a "practical" car. :sulkoff:

Oh not at all. I love your car and would've jumped on one had we been able to find one used when we were looking. Gas prices weren't uber high in 06 when we bought so no good deals were to be had on X5s or even the smaller X3. Had we been looking in 2008 I bet we could've gotten one for used for close to what we paid for our car with low miles because of gas prices. We commute from the Burbs, but I bet if we lived in the city and only needed one car we'd most likely have something more luxurious than what we currently have.

I would still love to own a German car, preferably a Mercedes sometime in my lifetime; there is something about the look of that hood ornament.

It's definitely the car nerd in me that thinks I'd be more of a mom if I drove a Volvo too. Pretty sad it's come to that.

[lchang25000]

hmm, i guess DH & I are sort of car snobs in a sense..we both like Japanese cars only, as for us American cars have this "cheap" feel, are hard to drive, have low resale value, etc.

:yeahthat:Although we can afford a nice luxury car easily, we would rather be more practical at this stage in our lives. Maybe when the kids are older, we'll buy one. :)

[arivecchi]

Oh not at all. I love your car and would've jumped on one had we been able to find one used when we were looking. Gas prices weren't uber high in 06 when we bought so no good deals were to be had on X5s or even the smaller X3. Had we been looking in 2008 I bet we could've gotten one for used for close to what we paid for our car with low miles because of gas prices. We commute from the Burbs, but I bet if we lived in the city and only needed one car we'd most likely have something more luxurious than what we currently have.

I would still love to own a German car, preferably a Mercedes sometime in my lifetime; there is something about the look of that hood ornament.

It's definitely the car nerd in me that thinks I'd be more of a mom if I drove a Volvo too. Pretty sad it's come to that. Thanks Annie! Good point, we just have one car and we will be using the one car for the forseeable future! :D One thing I love about our car is that it still looks new after 5 years! BMWs age gracefully. :hysterical:

[catpagmo]

As far as being a car snob, I enjoy driving a luxury car and have very specific ideas about the type of car that *I* like to drive, and I enjoy shopping for cars, evaluating them, etc. However, I pass absolutely no judgement on what others drive, in fact I rarely take notice.

:yeahthat: Me too.

[SammyeGail]

I would consider an extreme car snob to be someone who stresses their finances to always have a new car/trade every 2 years, etc. 'Keeping up with the Smith's' kind of thing. If you can afford a luxury car, then thats great! :thumbsup:

I honestly secretly (well, not really a secret ;)) want a Lexus. I test drove one once (sedan) and it was like floating on a cloud. One day maybe, a used one, no time soon, lol!

We buy newer cars and keep them a long time. In 98 we bought a 97 Ford Explorer, the next year on a splurge I bought a 99 Mazda Miata, but it was considered used, someone bought it but brought back 2 weeks later, we got it for about 5G off of the usual sticker price. We drove the he!! out of that thing!

Both were paid for but high mileage, in 2004 we bought our first new car, an Accord (did love the seat warmers, wished they included the back). We had to trade it in 5-06 because when traveling it was haul the twins or haul their stuff. We got a 06 Ford Expedition, great dealer, good price. We sold the Explorer by owner in the Fall of 07. About 2 months later we traded in the Miata for a Mazda3. Its our putt-putt car, we really like it. The only thing I don't like about it is that the doors don't automatically lock once you start driving.

We plan to keep the Ford as long as possible, it has low miles, is big to haul stuff/long trips. It will be paid for in May 2011, ugh.

I don't know about the Mazda, we owe less than 2 years on it and have low miles. I would like to upgrade to a regular sized family sedan then. I'm tired of being kicked in the back by the boys. It won't be my Lexus, lol, but something nice, reliable and comfy, maybe 2 years old.

I am not as much of a 'car snob' as I used to be, I think it can (somewhat) be the city you live in. Birmingham, AL had alot more newer/nicer cars (you could let the pressure get to you) than where we are now, Chattanooga, TN. Lots of big trucks here, LOL!

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

The thing that annoys me are people with 4x4's that never off road, or drive in the snow. Or people that commute in an Expedition by themselves, while the nanny with the 3 kids is driving a Camry. Having more car capacity than you use irritates me.

[smilequeen]

Do I like luxury cars? Yes. Will I buy them? Yes. Do I think they are BETTER than other cars? No. More luxurious maybe. Faster maybe. Fun to drive maybe. But better? No.

Do I care one way or the other what someone else drives or make a judgment of them based on that? No.

I am pretty practical right now with my Sienna. It's nice and its the best thing for three carseats (fingers crossed). But sometimes I wish I still had my fun fast Mercedes. Sometimes I dream of trading it in and dealing with the inconveniences. But I won't for now. So I don't think I'm a car snob, but I like nice cars for myself.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Zoom Zoom

I've owned two Mazdas. Definitely fun to drive! :thumbsup:

If you like the feel of Mazdas, some of the Acura vehicles might appeal to you. Honda reliability (better than Mazda) and a tighter ride than the Hondas....

HTH

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I do have a thing for the Mazda 5 though. I could be swayed!

Beth

[ourbabygirl]

Well, I grew up in a family of MAJOR car fanatics, but not the American ones, basically the European ones. So while I did have an Accord in high school, I went on to have a Camry, Jetta, Audi, and now a Lexus... it's smaller than I'd like with kids, though, so I'm thinking of getting either a RAV-4 or Pilot. I love the looks of European cars (Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen, in particular) but hate how much they cost to get fixed and that you have to use premium, or at least mid-grade, gas in them. Our Audi's have a tendency for the check engine light to go on, so we have to take them in to some dealer or shop that only works on European imports- basically all far from where we live. I do love the interior of them, too- just so plush and comfy. That matters a lot to DH and me, we want to be comfortable and to feel as safe as we can feel... we also love the seat warmers and AWD and other features.
DH got converted into a car snob after marrying me, so he went from a Tiburon to an Audi. I'm glad we have the same taste, though, because if he were the type to get some cheapy econobox thing that's not comfortable to ride in or fun to drive, I might feel deprived :ROTFLMAO:. He's also a huge fan of Top Gear, and now he's big into Formula One races and would love to get some sort of BMW or Porsche as his daily driver :tongue5:- if he makes a lot more money, he says. It's sad, but once you get used to nice, comfortable, luxurious cars, it's really hard to go back. I like Japanese cars for their reliability and price, but European for their styling, safety, and features. We'll see if our kids follow in our family's path and become car snobs/ geeks ;).

[SnuggleBuggles]

To play Devil's advocate: isn't that that is snobbery of a sort? It's feeling a little superior to others based on your consumer choices. I say this as someone who tends to be waaaaaaay to judgemental. It's a quality I am not proud of in myself.

In a sense I am a car snob, in that on the road I do tend to be critical of others choices.......I mentally roll my eyes when I see someone in an expensive car / truck / SUV. I also think it's so much wiser to buy a used reliable car than a bargain-basement new car. It's not easy to meet my standards LOL. Luckily I only feel this way about strangers cars and do genearlly manage to not care a whit about what a friend drives.

My own car buying criteria: top-rated for safety, gotta be a hatchback (weird I know, I love 'em) and must be fewer than 5 digits. This has served me well, I'm 34 and on car #3 in my life, I've never paid $10k or more and never had a car last less than 6 years.

Yes, you are correct. I am a snob just coming at it from a different angle.

Beth

[firsttimemama]

No I'm not a car snob.

I drive an '03 accord that we bought used. my dream car is like a new model accord/camry or maybe with 2 kids, a minivan. I am not a car person.

DH is driving my 2000 Corolla without power locks or windows & it has like 150K miles. I don't enjoy riding in this car anymore but he won't hear of replacing it. It's paid off and he wants to avoid a car payment as long as possible

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ok, it is clear that I am a car snob. I may not see the need for *me* to own a a luxury car but that doesn't mean I'm not a snob!

Maybe if I ever get a job and have more disposable income or when the kids are older I'll embrace the luxury car. :)

Beth

[babychi]

Thanks Annie! Good point, we just have one car and we will be using the one car for the forseeable future! :D One thing I love about our car is that it still looks new after 5 years! BMWs age gracefully. :hysterical:


We're in the same city in a similar situation...and must have the same taste! :) We have one car and it's a BMW X3...we love it!

[vludmilla]

Just want to jump in and say that just because someone enjoys driving a luxury car doesn't mean they are being flashy or they are trying to impress. I think it's a mistake to assume that of people, although I'm sure there are some insecure people who do. There is alot to enjoy about a luxury car (features, drive, etc.) that has nothing to do with sending a message to others.

Well, since I used the words flashy and impressive, I'll respond ;). I don't assume that all people who drive luxury cars are seeking to impress or be flashy but I do believe that a good many are. I believe that *you* are not but many people that I know *are*. Certainly, the many people that I know who can't easily afford their luxury car must be trying to be flashy or impress or else why-in-the-world would they subject themselves to the stress and anxiety of the high lease/car payment that they complain about so much?

[Fairy]

Yes, I am a car snob, but my parameters of "acceptability" to my level of snobbiness are not typical. I won't name brands because I don't want to offend anyone who drives them, but there are cars I won't even *consider* owning, mainly at the high spectrum, not so much the low.

I have a bitter taste in my mouth for one car line at the top because I have a friend who is a good person but was raised on status being everything and having a real need to be sure everyone knows how much money he has. He bought a certain car becasue it would be a beacon to his wealth and, therefore, high status. Which makes me wanna throw up. So, I won't own that car brand.

There's another brand that I feel was founded on principles that I abhor. Therefore, I won't own that one, either. Another friend of mine has no problem with that.

So, yes, I am a snob, but in both directions and for wacky reasons.

ETA --> Ooh! I forgot, we did look at a "luxury" brand before we bought our Honda Pilot a few months ago, and I am forever turned off by the brand, cuz while the other dealers focused on what a great car they had to sell and what it could do and its engine and blah blah blah, this guy said, "look how great you look in this car, this is a car for a high class woman like yourself. Everyone will really treat you well in this car." To which I said, goodbye.

[elektra]

Yes, I am a car snob, but my parameters of "acceptability" to my level of snobbiness are not typical. I won't name brands because I don't want to offend anyone who drives them, but there are cars I won't even *consider* owning, mainly at the high spectrum, not so much the low.

I have a bitter taste in my mouth for one car line at the top because I have a friend who is a good person but was raised on status being everything and having a real need to be sure everyone knows how much money he has. He bought a certain car becasue it would be a beacon to his wealth and, therefore, high status. Which makes me wanna throw up. So, I won't own that car brand.

There's another brand that I feel was founded on principles that I abhor. Therefore, I won't own that one, either. Another friend of mine has no problem with that.

So, yes, I am a snob, but in both directions and for wacky reasons.

ETA --> Ooh! I forgot, we did look at a "luxury" brand before we bought our Honda Pilot a few months ago, and I am forever turned off by the brand, cuz while the other dealers focused on what a great car they had to sell and what it could do and its engine and blah blah blah, this guy said, "look how great you look in this car, this is a car for a high class woman like yourself. Everyone will really treat you well in this car." To which I said, goodbye.

Fairy, I am so curious as to which brands made you feel these certain things!
I don't work on cars anymore, but I did for 5 years at an ad agency on a luxury car brand, and I can tell you that most people ARE car "snobs", especially men. Many people buy new cars every 3 years. Car brands evoke strong emotions in people and a lot of people get paid a lot of money to research all aspects of how those emotions are formed, which people have which emotions, which media types these people consume, etc.
This thread has been very interesting for me to follow!

[vludmilla]

The thing that annoys me are people with 4x4's that never off road, or drive in the snow. Or people that commute in an Expedition by themselves, while the nanny with the 3 kids is driving a Camry. Having more car capacity than you use irritates me.

I understand that feeling!

[AnnieW625]

I have a bitter taste in my mouth for one car line at the top because I have a friend who is a good person but was raised on status being everything and having a real need to be sure everyone knows how much money he has. He bought a certain car becasue it would be a beacon to his wealth and, therefore, high status. Which makes me wanna throw up. So, I won't own that car brand.

My BIL's wife is all about status and it bothers me to no end. Back in 2001 or 2002 she said any person that can afford a $25,000 Mercedes Benz has no place owning one. She was talking about the new C Class hatchback that had just been released. Honestly she talks a good talk and still drives a 1997 Acura TL. But it is honestly annoying to me no end that she would say that.


ETA --> Ooh! I forgot, we did look at a "luxury" brand before we bought our Honda Pilot a few months ago, and I am forever turned off by the brand, cuz while the other dealers focused on what a great car they had to sell and what it could do and its engine and blah blah blah, this guy said, "look how great you look in this car, this is a car for a high class woman like yourself. Everyone will really treat you well in this car." To which I said, goodbye.

It's one thing to look at other people driving cars and think of yourself driving something really nice, but it's completely different when someone who doesn't know you tells you that just so they can sell you a car.

[SammyeGail]

My mom has a new Mazda 3. I borrowed it one day and completely realized why people care about cars and driving! I have never, ever had so much fun driving in my life! I want to trade with her now!


Yeah, our Mazda3 is fun to drive, everytime I go down the hill on our street with Noah he goes 'Whooooo!' It does have some nice get up and go.

Doesn't compair to our old Miata, sniff-sniff, but that thing could get dangerous to drive,(if careless) stick shift got old, we had fun for 8 years & 165,000 miles. Why am I getting semtimental? Life was very different before kids :tongue5:.

As great as I thought having an Accord would be, I never 'loved' it the short time we had it.

[codex57]

I dunno if I'm a "snob" or not. I definitely think there are better cars then others. I have my favorites, broken up by price class and other categories. As long it's one I consider a top of class model, I'd drive it, no matter what it cost. If it's not, then I do think it's "not good enough."

Then again, it really goes back to what I'd consider "good enough" for me. Some are good enough, some aren't. I really don't care what other people do.

[dcmom2b3]

The vehicle I secretly covet is certainly not practical for my use. And, I'm pretty sure if I drove to work in Dodge Ram 3500HD diesel dually crew cab, the law society would recind my membership.

The mental image of you bailing out of that truck in your robes and rushing into court is priceless! The law society needs to get a sense of humor . . .

[bubbaray]

Ha ha ha.

But, if I did get out of the truck (or car) in my robes, I actually *would* be in trouble. Not allowed to wear robes outside of the courthouse.... That is what the "barristers' lounge" is for! And laypeople think its for drinks, LOL.

[blisstwins]

We drive a paid for Honda and more than one person has asked why we don't drive something with a little more status. If you looked at me you would never guess our finances. We are not wealthy, but we have no status items and could put on a show if we wanted to. I prefer to gloat on the inside about our retirement savings and kids' college funds.

[dcmom2b3]

Ha ha ha.

But, if I did get out of the truck (or car) in my robes, I actually *would* be in trouble. Not allowed to wear robes outside of the courthouse.... That is what the "barristers' lounge" is for! And laypeople think its for drinks, LOL.

Now see, I didn't put two and two together, but makes perfect sense. Just like judges in the US, I have NEVER seen a barrister robed outside the courthouse. You'd think I'd have connected those dots, considering all the time I spent around the corner from the Inns of Court in London.

Silly Yank moment, brought to you by MH! :tongue5:

[dcmom2b3]

I can see both sides of this, sort of. I wouldn't say that I'm a car snob, but I do enjoy driving luxury/performance vehicles. Specifically BMWs and Porsches, though I think my next purchase will be a used VW (less pricey) or used Audi (for the AWD).

I don't judge folks who don't see the luxury/performance appeal. It's a "thing," like having a shoe "thing" or gadget "thing". And I don't judge (but I do sometimes wonder about) people who drive uber-expensive cars. I see so very many high 5 and 6 figure cars here in DC that I wonder where all that money is coming from, or whether folks are just overextending themselves, or extending themselves in ways that I wouldn't, to put it another way.

For example, yesterday I saw a young guy, late 20s at most, in a BMW M6 coupe. (And yes, he was a hottie, but the car was hotter.) Base MSRP on that car is $106,000 give or take. That's four years of private school tuition to me, and makes even my BMW-loving self scratch my head. Felt like asking "Baby, does your mama know how much you're spending on that car?"

Now, $100K on a reconditioned classic Hemi-cuda convertible? Maybe . . . once the girl is out of school.

I'll be the little old lady in the muscle car. Anyone wanna drag?

[dcmom2b3]

There's another brand that I feel was founded on principles that I abhor. Therefore, I won't own that one, either.

I think I know what you mean by this, and even though I've made different choices, I respect the he*l out of you for taking this stance. :kisscheek:

[jent]

I would have said no, but after I bought my Prius 3 years ago, I guess I do have to admit I feel smug about my car. So, I'm a car snob about my environmentally progressive car. And it totally offends my environmentally snobby self when I see people driving cars that are much bigger than they need.

Our other car is a '97 Civic, which I have been debating whether it's time to replace. It's been running well, gets good mileage, and gets us where we need to go. If we do get a car, the top criteria are reliability, mpg, and safety. In a way, I am kind of a reverse snob about this-- why would you buy a car for status/brand?

I totally get those of you who are into quality/fun cars. DH's dad is a car enthusiast, follows Formula 1, etc. He used to have a Porsche (bought used) to drive in good weather, and an old beater Civic for winter/bad weather. Now he has a BMW (again, used) that is apparently more weather-hardy to drive year-round (they use MIL's Civic hybrid for long trips).

[Clarity]

You could hide in the back of either Bill's or my truck. Heck, you could park your X5 in the bed of our trucks.... :jammin:

The vehicle I secretly covet is certainly not practical for my use. And, I'm pretty sure if I drove to work in Dodge Ram 3500HD diesel dually crew cab, the law society would recind my membership.

:bowdown: LOL I just love that you know what a dually is.

[arivecchi]

Yes, some people may not be able to afford the luxury cars they have, but many people do. They can also save money for their kids' college tuition and pay down their mortgage at the same time. Having a luxury car does not = being irresponsible. Some people just have more purchasing power and if they want to spend that on a Bentley, why not? If you don't believe in spending a lot in a car, that is just fine. I don't judge that and in fact I admire people who are conservative with their money, but I don't understand why that entitles people to judge those who spend more. We all spend different amounts in our homes, cars, schools, clothes, vacations. Spending more than others would those not automatically make one irresponsible. JMHO.

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

Yes, some people may not be able to afford the luxury cars they have, but many people do. They can also save money for their kids' college tuition and pay down their mortgage at the same time. Having a luxury car does not = being irresponsible. Some people just have more purchasing power and if they want to spend that on a Bentley, why not? If you don't believe in spending a lot in a car, that is just fine. I don't judge that and in fact I admire people who are conservative with their money, but I don't understand why that entitles people to judge those who spend more. We all spend different amounts in our homes, cars, schools, clothes, vacations. Spending more than others would those not automatically make one irresponsible. JMHO.


Amen sista!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Yes, some people may not be able to afford the luxury cars they have, but many people do. They can also save money for their kids' college tuition and pay down their mortgage at the same time. Having a luxury car does not = being irresponsible. Some people just have more purchasing power and if they want to spend that on a Bentley, why not? If you don't believe in spending a lot in a car, that is just fine. I don't judge that and in fact I admire people who are conservative with their money, but I don't understand why that entitles people to judge those who spend more. We all spend different amounts in our homes, cars, schools, clothes, vacations. Spending more than others would those not automatically make one irresponsible. JMHO.

I really do agree. It is a very personal decision. At the end of the day, even if I had enough money for a Bentley I wouldn't want one. I wouldn't want to put that much money into a car when there are so many cars out there for the fraction of the cost. I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it. Mainly, I think I could think of a lot of other ways I'd rather spend oodles of disposable income- shoes, vacations,... :) I guess car just ranks really low on my list of things but I can easily see how others would make different decisions.

Like I said before, just don't complain to me about not being able to afford something if you have chosen to buy a luxury car, like my friend did/ does. Of course, she also takes trips to the Ritz and such and complains about how expensive things are. I just don't understand other people's choices sometimes or the idea of living beyond your means.

I wonder how many people that do own or lease expensive cars really can comfortably afford them and how many are way over stretched and terribly in debt? I have no idea what those numbers are. I'd be interested to know.

Beth

[MontrealMum]

Yes, some people may not be able to afford the luxury cars they have, but many people do. They can also save money for their kids' college tuition and pay down their mortgage at the same time. Having a luxury car does not = being irresponsible.

I don't know who this is aimed at, but this certainly isn't what I meant. I do not intend to disagree with you, or judge you for what you drive. I don't drive around town making judgments about random cars/people...in fact, I am so out of the loop car-wise, I probably couldn't even tell what type of cars I might have seen. I just don't notice those things...unless you cut me off ;) I'm talking about people I do know, who complain, and who's financial situations I am familiar with - because they've told me about them. If someone has made the deliberate choice to live way beyond their means, and then wants to whine about it - I just don't have a lot of patience with that.

For example, I know a guy back home, who never finished hs and works for his dad's store, who STILL lives with his mom (keep in mind, I'm 38, so so is he), and is paying $500 + a month for a BMW. For the status of it. He thinks it's necessary to his "image" as a men's clothing salesman. That's not me saying that, that's what he's told me. Many times. Along with complaining about how much it costs. He's already lost one car to being repo'ed because he couldn't make the payments, and may lose this one too - especially w/the being sued for child support. No, I don't hang with this guy, but I've run into this sort of thing many times. That's the sort of thing I judge.

Now, my cousin who makes 6 figure salary added to her DH's 6 figure salary and owns 3 nearly brand new luxury cars (the newest being a 2 week old BMW convertible). Not the choice I'd personally make, but I have no problem with this. Like I said, if you can afford it, great. I mean that. But if you can't, AND both brag and complain...yeah, I do judge that a bit.

FWIW, I'd LOVE a Volvo wagon. I've always liked Volvos. We're due for a new car soon, but I doubt that's what I'll be getting...unless it's used.

*DH used to drive a dually. :)

[sste]

Is the "luxury" car engineered differently or somehow better is safety, performance, or reliability? My vague impression of this is as NOT a car person at all is that many of the luxury cars have very nice interior amenities but that most of them fell short of your civic/accord/camry on reliability, mileage, cost of maintenance, and in some cases safety. Perhaps the "performance" is different? I know we had to get out of our friends mercedes which could not handle the snow at all and drive my former beloved dodge shadow so it seems like even performance is not always better.

Anyway, what are the non-status elements of the luxury car that are appealing? I ask this in peace! Just curious as a person who hates to drive and gets no thrill from cars.

[Clarity]

Ariveraz you are entitled to drive any car that you like, and if you can afford it, that's wonderful.

I am finding this thread interesting, but difficult to read. It's about personal perception. I live in a mid-sized rust belt city in the middle of an economic downturn and there are HOUSES a mere mile from me selling for less than the cost of the luxury cars we're discussing. Houses, people. Liveable ones, even. Need a bit of work, not the best, not the worst of neighborhoods. But, private schools only kinda neighborhoods.

We were driving home from my grandparents the other day and I mentioned to my husband that because we live where we live, nearly everyone drives a Chevy, a Ford, a Chrysler. I think I would probably love a BMW, but I've never seen one up close, just driving away. :ROTFLMAO:

[dcmom2b3]

Anyway, what are the non-status elements of the luxury car that are appealing? I ask this in peace! Just curious as a person who hates to drive and gets no thrill from cars.

See, I'm someone who like to drive, so I may be coming from a totally different place. FWIW, overall, I like the power, the heft and the handling of the luxury/performance cars I've driven. There were spots in my commute where I'd feel my little Corolla (RIP Rosie!) start to leave the road and drift if, say, I took a curve at speed. (And let's not even talk about my mom's RAV 4. Rollbars, anyone?) When driving the BMW, at those same spots, at the same speed, the car would hunker down and stick to the road. Felt much safer. Has to do with engineering/aerodynamics, perhaps? Which may be, but isn't necessarily, a price point issue.

I'd say, based on my experience, that luxury car performance can be better, but isn't necessarily superior in all circumstances, for all cars, or for all drivers. There are luxury cars no one would think about taking out in snow, and there are some that would do just fine. Or just fine as long as the snow wasn't too deep. But that's true for all cars, really, I think. (My parents' Chevy Vega was awful in snow.) Also, some drivers aren't adept at managing a RWD car in bad weather conditions, or a difficult to handle car (e.g. classic Carrera) under any conditions.

FWIW the best compromise car I've driven -- performing acceptably well in the broadest array of conditions without needing particularly adept driving skills -- was my mom's 1980s Camry. Loved that car.

[Fairy]

I agree with M-H's assessment of luxury cars and what sets them apart. I also think that the amenities in a luxury car really are a draw if you're into that amenity. Heated cup holders. Wow. If you live in your car and live for coffee, this is big. Refrigerated glove box. Same difference. Butt warmers, but those are in alot of models now, so how about butt coolers. Everything the radio can do -- and the stuff now added to where the radio is! And there's somethign to be said for comfort. When I last sat in a Beemer, I was like, whoa, and that was before the car was in motion.

I feel like if you can afford it, great, go for it. If you can't afford it and you do it anyway, it's probalby not the only thing you're over-extended on in your life. Can say that about anything.

[niccig]

For me a car is to get from A to B. BUT, after having my parents 30 year old cars that always break down as my Dad does the repair work, I do REALLY appreciate our newer CRV or DH's Prius. I agree with DH that our old Subaru Impreza handled much better and was more fun to drive. I've been in a friend's convertible BMW as he did a crazy U-turn, and there's no way either of our cars could have done that, or maybe it was his driving, he is Italian after all.

I don't pass judgment on other people's cars except for the H3 a parent in DS's class drove on the field trip, most of us have Hondas/Toyotas or Subarus. And the judgment was on me, there is NO WAY I could park that thing. I'm really bad at parallel parking.

When we went car shopping for my CRV, and DH was looking at Volvo SUVs etc. I didn't want one as it was bigger than I needed, and it's more than I currently want to spend. DH's comment was "there's no need to impress anymore" meaning, that as he's married it doesn't matter what he drives...so I think to some people, the car you drive does matter for looks, and it did matter to DH when he was younger. It just doesn't matter to me. And he likes the CRV now. And for other people, it's not for looks, but for performance. I know some people with long commutes that have luxury cars - more comfy interior and driving experience.

[elektra]

Is the "luxury" car engineered differently or somehow better is safety, performance, or reliability? My vague impression of this is as NOT a car person at all is that many of the luxury cars have very nice interior amenities but that most of them fell short of your civic/accord/camry on reliability, mileage, cost of maintenance, and in some cases safety. Perhaps the "performance" is different? I know we had to get out of our friends mercedes which could not handle the snow at all and drive my former beloved dodge shadow so it seems like even performance is not always better.

Anyway, what are the non-status elements of the luxury car that are appealing? I ask this in peace! Just curious as a person who hates to drive and gets no thrill from cars.

There are quite a few differences actually. I know I spoke about the emotions people associate with certain brands, but even after you take the brand out of it, there can be many differences in the actual car when comparing a luxury vehicle to an "economy" car.
And reliability isn't everyone's concern. Performance is definitely a factor in what sets luxury cars apart, as is the interior. BMWs have great performance and handling, Lexuses have probably the coziest, most luxurious interiors, etc.. And then if you want to talk Ferraris, etc..... There is a huge difference. When you get behind the wheel of a car like a Ferrari or Lamborghini (per DH) and you accelerate, it's basically a rush and you can feel the power beneath you.
And then another example of a non-status appeal of a luxury car--Hyundai has what some would call a luxury car (the Genesis) it's a luxury car in performance, amenities, styling, and interior, just not in brand.

[Fairy]

There are quite a few differences actually. I know I spoke about the emotions people associate with certain brands, but even after you take the brand out of it, there can be many differences in the actual car when comparing a luxury vehicle to an "economy" car.
And reliability isn't everyone's concern. Performance is definitely a factor in what sets luxury cars apart, as is the interior. BMWs have great performance and handling, Lexuses have probably the coziest, most luxurious interiors, etc.. And then if you want to talk Ferraris, etc..... There is a huge difference. When you get behind the wheel of a car like a Ferrari or Lamborghini (per DH) and you accelerate, it's basically a rush and you can feel the power beneath you.
And then another example of a non-status appeal of a luxury car--Hyundai has what some would call a luxury car (the Genesis) it's a luxury car in performance, amenities, styling, and interior, just not in brand.

I've got to agree with this. The emotions different brands evoke in me are strong. Many tied to my childhood, actually! Like one brand owned by a childhod friend's family, not good memories of that friend, not good memories of that car brand. I love Oldsmobiles and Mitsubishi's, as they're what my family drove and remind me of good times. I could go on and on.

Poor Elektra, you're probably chompin' at the bit, here! I know where to find you.

[C99]

I don't think my car says anything about my personality, if that's what you mean. Likewise, I try not to attribute personalities to drivers of other cars. You know, minivan = soccer mom, SUV = soccer mom, VW = yuppie/DINKs, Toyota Camry = BORING, etc. :)

[Globetrotter]

Nope, we are Toyota people, all the way!!:wink2: Reliability is the MOST important factor for us. For the sake of the environment, our next car will be a hybrid.

Personally, I think expensive cars are a waste of money unless you have lots of extra cash and can easily afford it, esp. when you have kids and a tendency to trash your cars :) I used to work with people who couldn't go out to lunch until payday as they were broke but drove around in Mercedes - that sort of thing really scares me!

Strollers, on the other hand... :loveeyes:

...at least I could afford the fancy designer strollers!

[HannaAddict]

Yes, some people may not be able to afford the luxury cars they have, but many people do. They can also save money for their kids' college tuition and pay down their mortgage at the same time. Having a luxury car does not = being irresponsible. Some people just have more purchasing power and if they want to spend that on a Bentley, why not? If you don't believe in spending a lot in a car, that is just fine. I don't judge that and in fact I admire people who are conservative with their money, but I don't understand why that entitles people to judge those who spend more. We all spend different amounts in our homes, cars, schools, clothes, vacations. Spending more than others would those not automatically make one irresponsible. JMHO.

Yeah, that. I would not go into debt to drive a luxury car and I don't think I would ever drive a Bentley, that is more money than I would spend and I am not than into cars. But I have now drive a luxury mom mobile and I do love it. I love heated seats (my Trooper had them too!), my car is rock solid on the road, is incredibly quiet and smooth, safe, safe, safe, built like a tank, gets better mileage than a minivan or hybrid SUV, handles amazingly in the snow and pouring rain, and is incredibly practical for our lifestyle. The rear seats, 2nd and 3rd row, all of them, have LATCH and rear tethers and floor tethers, it is a car seat tech's dream. I can haul an insane amount from Costco or Home Depot too. The interior can take a beating and clean up great, it is a great car. (I do feel sort of guilty for liking it as much as I do, since I also loved my Accord and Trooper.) But when a fully loaded Toyota minivan is stickered in the $40s and doesn't have better performance or better mileage, it is nice to have a little luxury, again, if you can afford it.

I think many people, even those driving fully loaded minivans, often are spending more than they should on car payments. We got this car only after another driver totaled our beloved and still in great shape Trooper, so I didn't get it to boost my image. I got it in spite of the reverse discrimination that some give luxury car owners. :)

[HannaAddict]

. For the sake of the environment, our next car will be a hybrid.



Look into the diesels, seriously. Honda is supposed to be coming out with one in the US, they are all over Europe, I wish they had them here!

[wellyes]

Is the "luxury" car engineered differently or somehow better is safety, performance, or reliability? My vague impression of this is as NOT a car person at all is that many of the luxury cars have very nice interior amenities but that most of them fell short of your civic/accord/camry on reliability, mileage, cost of maintenance, and in some cases safety.

I do want to add that more expensive cars *are* often safer. My car came with side-curtain airbags as an option..... I find that a little shameful since that's the difference between 2 stars and 5 stars for safety for this model. Any Volvo, standard model, is more safe than - say - a Chevy Aveo or a Hyundai Accent. Expensive cars are much more likely to come with traction control, rollover protection, etc. And OF COURSE performance is a safety factor. Speed and handling are at least as important as size when it comes to safety.

So, yeah - for reliablility and maintenance costs, high-end cars aren't the way to go but I'd much much rather be in a luxury car than an bargain car in a dangerous sitaution or accident.


Look into the diesels, seriously.

Oooooh, I'd LOVE a diesel. Better gas mileage than a 'regular' car and they don't have the evil battery issues of hybrids. Plus I think VW makes most of the diesels in the US and they are just so darn cute.


You know, minivan = soccer mom, SUV = soccer mom, VW = yuppie/DINKs, Toyota Camry = BORING, etc.

The one that surprised me? My last car was a Subaru and when I got it a couple of guy friends joked to me that it was a "Lesbian-mobile". It was affectionate joshing, not gay-bashing, honest..... and I've since learned that yes, Subarus are unaccountably popular in the gay market. I'm actually pretty 'butch' (more so than the lesbians I know :)) and that whole situation made me laugh.

[egoldber]

Loving my new VW Jetta turbo diesel wagon. I'm getting 40 MPG on average, it it is very peppy and handles like a dream.

[truly scrumptious]

Wow! Was this thread started because of my stroller snob = car snob comment in a previous post? What a response!

Yes, we are car snobs - from the perspective the OP asked. We own a Mercedes and a BMW and we love them both. We also bought them both used and saved a packet. We also comfortably make our car payments each month.
For us, a car is a quality of life thing. Some people are willing to splurge on a side-by-side fridge with ice in the door because they feel the extra money is worth it. Some are willing to spend on a luxury car because they feel the quality of driving experience, amenities, etc. are worth it. We live in an area where both BMWs and Mercedes are a dime a dozen, so driving one does not confer much status on you (and we aren't interested in that anyway.) The reasons we bought my Mercedes (CPO) were because of the AWD which could handle the snow, how smooth the suspension was (important when DS was young and I drove a lot with him) and the extra services like included roadside assistance, and they pick up your car and drop off a loaner if you need repairs. That was a HUGE plus for a nursing mom in the winter who didn't want to schlep a little baby to the dealership to give it in for repairs and get a loaner. No other dealer we spoke with offered that option. Just citing an example of a "luxury" you may get in a luxury car that goes beyond the usual cup-warmer stuff. Although the reasons for buying the BMW were the butt-warmer (poor DH was tired of freezing all the way to work) and the driving experience for DH. I thought he was exaggerating at the time, but now I have driven it and I know the braking is to die for (no pun intended.) And yes, it does feel good to "vroom" - and this coming from someone who isn't a driving enthusiast at all.
Do I think some people probably are "impressed" by our cars? Yes. Do I care? Not really.
Do I think some people judge us for being irresponsible for owning those cars (without ANY knowledge of our financial situation)? Yes. Do I care? Not really.


Just want to jump in and say that just because someone enjoys driving a luxury car doesn't mean they are being flashy or they are trying to impress. I think it's a mistake to assume that of people, although I'm sure there are some insecure people who do. There is alot to enjoy about a luxury car (features, drive, etc.) that has nothing to do with sending a message to others.

I totally agree. It is like someone choosing to buy any luxury item (underwear, appliances, phone, etc.) because of how it makes THEM feel - not for what other people think.


I would still love to own a German car,
We test drove a lot of cars when shopping and basically realized that we really ENJOY driving German cars - all the others felt a little like just a means to get from point A to point B. But the Germans were actually fun for us to drive. Just our preference. When we were shopping, DH was considering buying another car new for a little less than we spent on the used BMW. I asked him if it had all the features he wanted. He said some. I told him, no point spending 80% of the money to get 50% of the experience. That way you'll just get tired of it and want to trade up in 2 years. Which I think is MORE irresponsible.

[egoldber]

FWIW, I think some people may be surprised at what some of these luxury cars actually cost. A BMW 3 or 5 series is comparable in price to many Japanese cars not considered luxury (Accord) and probably less than some here have spent on their Odysseys.

DH currently drives a Mercedes sedan that I KNOW cost less than a fully loaded Odyssey or Sienna. BMW and Mercedes certainly make cars that cost $100K, but the VAST majority of the cars they sell cost $25K-$45K and can be had for less used. They also hold their value very well, which is another consideration. Our 11 year old BMW 5 series was worth more than many cars are after 2 or 3 years.

[spanannie]

FWIW, I think some people may be surprised at what some of these luxury cars actually cost. A BMW 3 or 5 series is comparable in price to many Japanese cars not considered luxury (Accord) and probably less than some here have spent on their Odysseys.

DH currently drives a Mercedes sedan that I KNOW cost less than a fully loaded Odyssey or Sienna. BMW and Mercedes certainly make cars that cost $100K, but the VAST majority of the cars they sell cost $25K-$45K and can be had for less used. They also hold their value very well, which is another consideration. Our 11 year old BMW 5 series was worth more than many cars are after 2 or 3 years.

ITA. I have a lot of friends who buy brand new Suburbans and they think their car is much more (financially) sensible than my Mercedes station wagon. I am fairly certain that my gently used Mercedes purchased on ebay cost much less than their brand new Suburban. A couple of years down the line, my car will have depreciated less than theirs, as well.

[baymom]

Yes, I am a car snob to the extent that I am picky about what I drive and prefer buying a car or SUV in the luxury category. However, I do not judge others based on what they drive. I don't think more of anyone who drives an expensive car, nor do I think less of anyone who drives an economy car.

:yeahthat: I'm definitely the same way. DH and I don't spend all that much time, comparatively, in our cars, but still prefer luxury cars, but would never purchase a car that we couldn't easily afford. DH rides his bike to work most days but loves his Lexus. I'm shuttling the kids all over town everyday and love the comforts in our minivan. It would NEVER cross my mind to judge someone by the car that they drive, ever. ...except people with hybrid vehicles--they are AWESOME! :-)

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

I do want to add that more expensive cars *are* often safer. My car came with side-curtain airbags as an option..... I find that a little shameful since that's the difference between 2 stars and 5 stars for safety for this model. Any Volvo, standard model, is more safe than - say - a Chevy Aveo or a Hyundai Accent. Expensive cars are much more likely to come with traction control, rollover protection, etc. And OF COURSE performance is a safety factor. Speed and handling are at least as important as size when it comes to safety.

So, yeah - for reliablility and maintenance costs, high-end cars aren't the way to go but I'd much much rather be in a luxury car than an bargain car in a dangerous sitaution or accident.



Oooooh, I'd LOVE a diesel. Better gas mileage than a 'regular' car and they don't have the evil battery issues of hybrids. Plus I think VW makes most of the diesels in the US and they are just so darn cute.



The one that surprised me? My last car was a Subaru and when I got it a couple of guy friends joked to me that it was a "Lesbian-mobile". It was affectionate joshing, not gay-bashing, honest..... and I've since learned that yes, Subarus are unaccountably popular in the gay market. I'm actually pretty 'butch' (more so than the lesbians I know :)) and that whole situation made me laugh.

Subies are probably 20-30% of cars driven here, no joke. They are popular with Lesbians of which we have more than a few.... You see Subie's most in mountain towns. My town Flagstaff, AZ, Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe, etc. They are SO good in the snow!

[daniele_ut]

I don't think I'm a car snob. My family didn't even have a car growing up outside NYC, so cars weren't even part of my life until I moved to the midwest for grad school. My parents and grandparents never even had drivers' licenses.

The first car I bought was a 1 year old Plymouth Neon (in 1996) that I couldn't really afford when I was in school full time. It was a stupid purchase since I didn't make enough to pay for it. It got replaced with a 1988 VW Jetta that I drove for 10 years. I paid $3500 for the car and got waaaay more value out of it. We only replaced it 2 years ago because the brake system went out and the repair was more than the value of the car. It got replaced with a boring, safe Chevy Malibu with side airbags that we paid cash for. It hasn't had a single problem in 2 years. Dh drives a 2001 Subaru wagon that we'll replace when it dies. It's a Subaru, though, so that could be many years from now.

Honestly, if I could afford it, I might have bought a nicer car, but we just don't *need* it and at this stage in our lives it was more important for us to have a car that was paid for. I always say that if money were no object I would want a Volvo XC90 or a v70 wagon.

Now strollers, OTOH, are different story. I've owned a Mac Techno, a Mac Volo, another Mac Techno, a PP P3, a MBUD, a Joovy Ultralight, a P&T Sport and another MBUD. Weird priorities, I guess!

[klwa]

Not a car snob, but I DO drool over a Mustang. Any mustang. Although, preferably one from the 60s. Definately an "Ooh, baby!" car in my book.

[niccig]

Not a car snob, but I DO drool over a Mustang. Any mustang. Although, preferably one from the 60s. Definately an "Ooh, baby!" car in my book.
:yeahthat: I don't normally go for cars, but this is one I want. DH agrees. Maybe one day we'll have our Mustang.

[kijip]

Car snob? No. Debt snob? I will plead a little guilty. I will admit to not grasping why anyone would want to have a huge car payment. If you can afford the payment, you can afford to save up and not need to have a payment. Even if the payment is easy to make, it is still a payment and represents a debt. I am pretty averse to debt. I get it if it is the only way to get a needed car, but I know people with 2 or 3 huge payments who could just as easily have paid cash for a reliable older car. I also know plenty of people with huge payments on what people would consider practical cars, like an Odyssey so I don't think that it correlates to luxury cars.

And I don't mind the Camry = boring label. I embrace my boring. And we have never owed anyone a penny on it since the first day we bought it. We will drive it till it falls apart. Which given that it is a 2005 Camry with 60ishK miles on it will be awhile.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Car snob? No. Debt snob? I will plead a little guilty. I will admit to not grasping why anyone would want to have a huge car payment. If you can afford the payment, you can afford to save up and not need to have a payment. Even if the payment is easy to make, it is still a payment and represents a debt. I am pretty averse to debt. I get it if it is the only way to get a needed car, but I know people with 2 or 3 huge payments who could just as easily have paid cash for a reliable older car. I also know plenty of people with huge payments on what people would consider practical cars, like an Odyssey so I don't think that it correlates to luxury cars.

And I don't mind the Camry = boring label. I embrace my boring. And we have never owed anyone a penny on it since the first day we bought it. We will drive it till it falls apart. Which given that it is a 2005 Camry with 60ishK miles on it will be awhile.

I feel a lot of the same thoughts. I have a question though...

We are of the use it as long as possible mindset which is why we have a '99 Civic with 130K on it. But, in the decade since the car came out there have been significant safety improvements. I listen to Car Talk on NPR and they tell people to only consider cars with certain safety features, some of which my car doesn't have. I figure if they (who I consider practical and informed) are telling me that it might be wise to get a newer car for safety reasons then I have a dilemma. One that I imagine you will have as well if you plan to drive your Camry as long as possible.

If there is some major safety leap, would you replace your car before it was done? I feel so much guilt for not having already done this but dh remains unconvinced. me? I think "what if??" since we could afford a new car that has the safety features we would want. It seems like my stubbornness and practicality about keeping the Civic as our primary car is not really a good trade off. Your thoughts? (or anyone else who might be in a similar position or mindset!)

Beth

[SkyrMommy]

Hmmmm... I think that DH and I would also be considered car 'geeks' not really car 'snobs'. Both of us love watching Top Gear - European supercars are amazing.

I've always driven a Honda and DH currently has Land Rovers (1 really old and 1 really new). Although many of the other Land Rover drivers in our area look at what we do with our Rover in horror. We use it to haul things (our tractor) we drive it off road (alot) and we've taken it out west and drove it over some pretty harsh mountain roads and passes. That's what it's for and why we paid more for it. Most of the others we've seen around here run errands and are never dirty!

I adore amazing cars just simply because of what they can drive like and sound like (my dream lottery car is an Aston Martin DB9 :bowdown:).

[daniele_ut]

The one that surprised me? My last car was a Subaru and when I got it a couple of guy friends joked to me that it was a "Lesbian-mobile". It was affectionate joshing, not gay-bashing, honest..... and I've since learned that yes, Subarus are unaccountably popular in the gay market. I'm actually pretty 'butch' (more so than the lesbians I know :)) and that whole situation made me laugh.

Subarus are a dime a dozen here, as BelleoftheballFlagstaff mentioned. The only one here that people often associate with being popular in the gay market is the Baja, and I know at least 2 gay men that drive one, lol! The Outback Wagon is the soccer-mom vehicle of choice for tons of small families here, but there are SO many larger families that the Suburbans way outnumbers the Subies.

[kijip]

I feel a lot of the same thoughts. I have a question though...

We are of the use it as long as possible mindset which is why we have a '99 Civic with 130K on it. But, in the decade since the car came out there have been significant safety improvements. I listen to Car Talk on NPR and they tell people to only consider cars with certain safety features, some of which my car doesn't have. I figure if they (who I consider practical and informed) are telling me that it might be wise to get a newer car for safety reasons then I have a dilemma. One that I imagine you will have as well if you plan to drive your Camry as long as possible.

If there is some major safety leap, would you replace your car before it was done? I feel so much guilt for not having already done this but dh remains unconvinced. me? I think "what if??" since we could afford a new car that has the safety features we would want. It seems like my stubbornness and practicality about keeping the Civic as our primary car is not really a good trade off. Your thoughts? (or anyone else who might be in a similar position or mindset!)

Beth

I see what you are saying. However, before the Camry we had a Corolla with side airbags, the model Tom and Ray are always recommending for high school kids (though side airbags were a lucky and hard to find used option). For me I think that if my current car, which has side airbags front and back, is safe enough now, it will be safe enough in the future. We passed on cars that did not have the safety features we were looking for. Also, we mitigate the risk of driving at all by living such that we don't have to drive as much. The latest and greatest, even in safety features, is not worth the cost of a new car to me every few years. A new car every 2 years (even if I just got the same cost of car each time as I have now) is roughly $75,000 for 10 years just for the vehicle, to say nothing of taxes and higher tab fees and assuming I pay cash. I spent $15,000. Saving $60,000 (7,500 a year) and investing it over that time is worth in excess of $90,000 in 10 years if I average a 4% return. Given that we are 25-30 years from an early retirement and about 40 years from what will likely be full retirement age when we are older, that money has a lot of time to grow. $7500 a year, quite apart from the other resources we have financially is over $430K at an early retirement by the time we retire at modest returns. Buying 1 car every 10 years or so helps to ensure that we have a comfortable nest egg even on modest salaries. I am 29 and make not considerably more than an moderately experienced teacher and my husband shortly more than triples that total for us combined. If I bought a new car every 2-3 years, I could technically "afford it". But I would quite simply have less time with my family from working more, less security in my later years and more vulnerability to economic hardship. When I took 10 months to care for F and my mom, we didn't have to sweat car payments or wonder how the mortgage would be paid even though my husband works pt and and is still a student. Maintaining a very low monthly outflow gives me something pretty valuable- security, time with my mom in her last months etc. If we were making payments or had spent much of our reserves on a $$ car, I would not have had the freedom to do so. I own a house in a relatively high COL area and comfortably afford a house, a family of 4 and can choose to work in a modestly paying field that I love at an age where many of my peers are still figuring out how to balance a checkbook or pay off high student loans. For me, I won't be trading those freedoms for either the latest and greatest safety features or a really cool ride. Good enough is good enough for me. And plus, think how great the newer car feels after being in an older car! Our Camry might have well as been Cinderella's Carriage to us, it seemed so awesome. :P There are always the things that can happen that you don't think can happen so that plays into it for us. What if I became disabled earlier than retirement? What if my husband is injured and does not finish school? What if a child has a major medical need? Very practically, I feel better prepared to handle life's uncertainties with $$ in the bank than I would with the benefit of owning new cars every couple of years. Certainly some people buy cars for cash that are more expensive, and that is fine but I refuse to pay a premium and trade that for what I have. Even working with a higher budget as we soon will be, I just don't think it's worth it. Seriously, this board has a lot of families with incomes in the upper tiers of wage earning families. I know a ton of people who make around the median or less in my area who "afford" a very fancy car. I would rather afford security and I am in about that median earning bracket now (median in my area is actually quite high compared to the nation as a whole).

[wellyes]

We are of the use it as long as possible mindset which is why we have a '99 Civic with 130K on it. But, in the decade since the car came out there have been significant safety improvements. I listen to Car Talk on NPR and they tell people to only consider cars with certain safety features, some of which my car doesn't have. I figure if they (who I consider practical and informed) are telling me that it might be wise to get a newer car for safety reasons then I have a dilemma. One that I imagine you will have as well if you plan to drive your Camry as long as possible.

If there is some major safety leap, would you replace your car before it was done? I feel so much guilt for not having already done this but dh remains unconvinced. me? I think "what if??" since we could afford a new car that has the safety features we would want. It seems like my stubbornness and practicality about keeping the Civic as our primary car is not really a good trade off. Your thoughts? (or anyone else who might be in a similar position or mindset!)

My husband is an auto safety engineer (his company makes sensors for air bags, fuel line shutoff, etc) and he is pretty emphatic that new cars are exponentially safer than 10 year old cars. Having said that, we both drove our 1998s until they died - replaced his last year & mine this year. It didn't make sense to get rid of the cars until we needed to - but when we did replace them, we got '06 or newer due to increased safety features.

[maestramommy]

I had a 94 Prizm with 200K miles on it before Dora was born. It was my commuter car, and I LOVED it. But we decided to get the 05 Accord because it had all those airbags. My Prizm had only front airbags. I didn't feel bad passing on to my lil bro, who continues to commute 60 miles one way in it. We are hanging on to our Accord until it dies, or until we absolutely have to get a minivan.



I feel a lot of the same thoughts. I have a question though...

We are of the use it as long as possible mindset which is why we have a '99 Civic with 130K on it. But, in the decade since the car came out there have been significant safety improvements. I listen to Car Talk on NPR and they tell people to only consider cars with certain safety features, some of which my car doesn't have. I figure if they (who I consider practical and informed) are telling me that it might be wise to get a newer car for safety reasons then I have a dilemma. One that I imagine you will have as well if you plan to drive your Camry as long as possible.

If there is some major safety leap, would you replace your car before it was done? I feel so much guilt for not having already done this but dh remains unconvinced. me? I think "what if??" since we could afford a new car that has the safety features we would want. It seems like my stubbornness and practicality about keeping the Civic as our primary car is not really a good trade off. Your thoughts? (or anyone else who might be in a similar position or mindset!)

Beth

[kozachka]

I am not sure if I am a car snob or not. Guessing that I am but not the way OP described it.

What makes me a car snob:
- I like sport and classic cars;
- I would only buy a German or Japanese car;
- I think BWMs are the most fun cars to drive.

What does not me a car snob:
- I would not buy a car unless I can pay cash for it;
- I don't understand why people buy new cars when there are so many good, newish used cars;
- I do not judge people based on what car they drive (unless, of course, they complain about how expensive it is and how they can't afford it without a major life changing even to explain their change of finances)

[kijip]

It didn't make sense to get rid of the cars until we needed to - but when we did replace them, we got '06 or newer due to increased safety features.

I think that is very wise. We bought a 2 year old car when we bought, so that brought most safety things quite a bit up to date. I suppose I could save more by never spending more than $3000 on a car but I don't have time or energy for the hassle/putzing with repairs, quite apart from safety issues.

[egoldber]

We drive our cars for a long time (7-12 years has been our span) and we pay cash. Just because someone drives a Mercedes or BMW does not mean they have a car payment. I appreciate that we have been fortunate in many ways.

[smiles33]

Interesting thread. We're not car snobs. DH drives a 2004 Honda Pilot and I drive a 2006 Nissan Altima (given to us free by DH's grandparents when they stopped driving). We don't care what other people drive and we have had exposure to nicer cars but choose to spend our money on other splurges. DH's parents both drive Lexus cars and my parents both had Mercedes (until they "downgraded" to Toyotas in their retirement!).

We pay cash for our cars and plan to drive them into the ground. Frankly, I DO like German cars more (I had a VW Passat for 7 years until the Altima was given to us and I sold it), but we prefer to save our money for other splurges (like eating really well!). It's possible we might splurge on luxury cars when the kids are grown and we have much more discretionary income, but for now, we don't want to make the sacrifices it would take to save up cash to buy a luxury car.