Can someone tell me where I can find the “them” that will take me more seriously if I own a luxury car? In what industries does that work for? Sales? Real Estate? Others where a potential client might have to go for a ride along with someone? I worked for over 10 years in Marketing and Database Analytics and I can’t think of one time where someone judged me on my car, let alone probably even saw it in the various garages or lots where I worked.

Will – I will respectfully disagree. I think that a BMW may only makes young people look more “mature” or “responsible” (even though Mo & I have known enough people to own luxury cars in their teens). But once one gets older one realizes that it doesn’t matter the cost of the car. In the end all it becomes is a tool to help a person get from Point A to Point B. I don’t think people look at Tomas, Red, or Carl and say, “Boy, I wish they were more serious. They need to grow up and get a real car.”

Goldfinger – First, I’m glad that you posted! I like to see people that are here for the community aspect and debate versus a because of a particular make/model.

But I also must disagree here. Because any 16-year-old can own a BMW 3 series as well. You are mistaken in thinking that a luxury brand name will ever make you more money or improve your life. “Status” is only a term for people who are trying to work their way up the ladder in keeping up with the Jones’ and not a term used for people already up there and looking down. A 3-series or C-class are looked at just like a Camry or Accord. I don’t turn my head just because of the brand name. In order to really get my attention on the “WOW, they must be in the big-time” one would have to be driving a car like the brand new Maserati GranTurismo I saw at my dentist’s office a few months ago (https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...serati#2543124).

My husband will soon hit 29 years old, he is married, helps raise a teenage foster child, has his own child on the way, is finishing up his MBA, is in upper management and oversees a regional grid (Calgary to Phoenix and westward) of servers and other networking technologies, makes more than others his age (he’s going to kill me for saying that), and has everything he needs or wants in life. He also owns a tC and loves it. Does it hold him back from his potential? No. Does it keep him from getting promotions or raises? No.

Why did he get that when he could have easily purchased a GS, LS, or even the new IS-F? Because it was economical in terms of gas, was equipped with great safety features, has better insurance rates, had nice dealership options available, lower overall cost of ownership, high resale value, and he just loved the way it looked/drove. In the end I don’t think that neither he nor I have ever felt marginalized because of what we drove. In fact, I find that what I drive brings me enjoyment and camaraderie that I feel other brands may be lacking. And that is more important than any “status” I might mentally gain from owning a luxury car.

 

WOW!!

I read this thread from the first post and have been watching it.

I don't think the OP meant anything other than it was time to sell the "fun" car and move to more of an adult car.

I love my xb and probably will never sell it. It's a fun car that I get tons of enjoyment out of making it my own. I don't care if anyone else likes it or not.

CA, there is a perception in some circles that if you don't drive a certain type of car you are looked down upon. Personally I feel sorry for those people. Some people judge me because I'm fat, so that must mean I'm a lazy bastard that sits around shoving food down my hole all day.

It's the same group of people that judge you for the car you drive. Again I feel sorry for them and am glad that I don't value their opinion, I have many friends that I can hang with and know that they know who I am and what I am and don't need validation from People I don't know.

Anyhoo, enjoy your new car and maybe we will see you around.

 

BMW's are definitely nice and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My M3 is probably the most fun car I have ever owned

 

lol this whole topic is funny as hell. why people care to much about how much they spend or how much the car they drive costs. as for me i can care less about how much my clothes cost or how much my car cost me.

but to say that you need this car type to be grown up is just a joke. anyone know what kind of car bill gates drives around?? the car he drives around a lot is the car he drove when he started microsoft. i believe it is a corolla. does that ment he is poor or is not grown up?? nope

one of the people i worked with drives a 7 series bmw. but can't seem to pay the bills each month goes paycheck to paycheck. this person is not anymore successful then me.

 

A few years ago I saw an interview on 60 minutes with the CEO of Amazon.com Jeff Bezos he is worth several Billion dollars and he was driving a 1997 Honda Accord. The reporter asked why he was driving a Honda, he replied it’s a perfectly good car.

 

I'm sorry guys for my sour notes above. It was the rant of a woman who's 8 months pregnant and couldn't sleep at 4 am. Forgive me if it was negative.

I agree with the light-hearted nature of Doug's response. I'm just glad that I don't feel the need to get validation for the car I drive.

 

Good luck with your new BMW - hope you really enjoy it! :D

As to Scions being kids cars, that's the way they are marketed, so owners have to expect folks to view them that way.

(Personally, I'm not a kid, and it has been 40 years or more since I was. I specifically chose an xB because an xB was what I wanted, regardless of price or marketing. Ya just never know, eh? To me the xB is an excellent exercise in ergonomic design and efficient engineering - an "engineer's car.")

Hope to see you around in your new Bimmer!

Tom

 

I could care less what you meant by your comment so all I have to say is congrats on the new BMW! I absolutely love them and can't wait for the 1 series to come out in the spring. Hope you enjoy your new vehicle!

evette

 

^ Well put!

 

I still say he totally didn't mean to offend and totally didn't mean the comment in the way that caused several diatribes in this thread.

 

Well said, Evette.

A serious person can be taken seriously pulling up on a Vespa...

It's not one's ride that makes the difference, except to the people who's opinion doesn't really matter anyway. :D

Tom

 

Since he has not come back to clarify we will not know what he meant. It could have been an intended insult, or some of us could have read too much into what was posted and taken it personally. I am not looking for a fight but I did want to call out that I felt insulted and others who read the post did take it as I did. Yet others have no problem with what was posted.

I always give people the benefit of the doubt I really hope it was me reading too much into it. This did make for a good discussion

 

x2 Jenna

Well said Mo. I think a lot of people read that post in many different ways and it was blown far out of proportion. I have debated about posting a more detailed reply but for now I think staying in the sidelines to watch the sparks that are still in the air fall.

 

Ya I was going to post sooner but waited too. There were some good points expressed on all sides. I think we can all safely move on to more fun stuff.

 

lock it up

 

Locking a thread up is not always the answer. I wanted to post that earlier, but this thread really has no reason to get locked in my opinion. Really locking is good when there become personal attacks and naming of names and then people chime in with their own 2 cents that really didn't have anything to do with the initial post.

I honestly would like to see this thread remain open to get the authors explanation of what he really meant in that statement as there are far to many ways it could fly.

 

Mo, I don't think there's anything wrong with someone speaking about how they feel, regardless if I agree with them or not. And non-car talk is refreshing!

x2 on what Will said about locking this thread. However, I've seen threads locked for a lot less on SL .

I'm not sure if the author will be back too much. He wasn't really here to begin with if I remember right.

 

This thread did make for some great discussions though if you ask me

 

just like the other post... bet the OP wasnt expecting this kind of debate/thread jack.... gotta love it.....

 

(There's nothing here to warrant locking the thread unless the OP requests it be locked.)