rchrd881 Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Others see socioeconomic status. I see potential spending problem considering that one can "live the good life" for years while possessing a negative net worth thanks to credit. What do you think? I'm especially interested in hearing thoughts on young women owning these cars. I live in The OC and it's largely expected that if you pull down a white-collar salary, you need to drive a car that fits your professional image.
TaraMaiden Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I see a different problem. Dissatisfaction and desire. Wanting more and more... we obtain the state of the art luxury car, and feel it is so good-looking. After a while, we need a better car.... the perfect status symbol we had before has lost its appeal. Must have, must have, must have. My car is over 12 years old. With good servicing, care and attention, it keeps going. What need have I of the latest BMW?
Woggle Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Status symbols that serve no other purpose than that are a turnoff to me. It shows where a person's priorities are.
refurb Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Holy crap there are a lot of judgmental people here. What if the guy is just a car nut? Maybe he has been scrimping and saving so he can buy the kind of car he always wanted. I have a few co-workers who drive BMWs who drive them only because they love cars. The could care less what others thought about what they drive. And they are very financially responsible. RF
carhill Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 OC, especially down near the water (Newport, etc), is definitely "you are your car". It's how you're seen. It's part of the socio-economic dynamic of that area. Personally, as long as the young lady had the job (or family money) to support the lease (most people IME lease and replace such cars every couple years) and the associated costs (registration and insurance), I don't see an issue. Most cars are really reliable in the first five years and, honestly, Bimmers and Benzes aren't that expensive at the entry level, especially on lease. Oh, BTW, I hate status symbols, but do know enough about the area (my wife grew up there) to understand the psychology of it. Me? I drive a beat up old diesel pickup
lino Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Holy crap there are a lot of judgmental people here. What if the guy is just a car nut? Maybe he has been scrimping and saving so he can buy the kind of car he always wanted. I have a few co-workers who drive BMWs who drive them only because they love cars. The could care less what others thought about what they drive. And they are very financially responsible. RF Agree! Two months ago I bought a motorbike that I have wanted so bad since my early 20s because I finally had the money to buy it.
carhill Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I think this OP is male and is wondering about young women owning such cars. I've met my share of female "car nuts" in my lifetime but they aren't that common. My wife used to drive a BMW and now owns an Acura. They're just cars. When you're laying underneath one yanking on a constant velocity shaft to replace the wheel bearing (or some similar repair), trust me, there's no cache Oh, and I am a car nut (and racer)...
BUENG1 Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Others see socioeconomic status. I see potential spending problem considering that one can "live the good life" for years while possessing a negative net worth thanks to credit. What do you think? I'm especially interested in hearing thoughts on young women owning these cars. I live in The OC and it's largely expected that if you pull down a white-collar salary, you need to drive a car that fits your professional image. If you can afford I guess, no problem really, but if your struggling I would think it was sign of lack of responsibility and judgement. But in the beginning of a relationship you won't know about a person's financial situation.
Jersey Shortie Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Depends on the person. Some people probably do use it for status, some probably just like the car. I don't care what a guys drives, as long as it's clean when I get in it. I don't want to have to push a pile of garbage off the sheet to get in. I drive a Saturn..and I'm from Jersey. That should be my tagline.
lino Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I think this OP is male and is wondering about young women owning such cars. I've met my share of female "car nuts" in my lifetime but they aren't that common. My wife used to drive a BMW and now owns an Acura. They're just cars. When you're laying underneath one yanking on a constant velocity shaft to replace the wheel bearing (or some similar repair), trust me, there's no cache Ok, I misunderstood then I agree with what you're saying carhill. I've only ever been involved with one woman who had a 'status' car before. She was a great girl, I didn't see any problems relating to the car. It was much nicer to bonk in than mine Oh, and I am a car nut (and racer)... nice!
carhill Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 For people who don't know the Los Angeles area, the OP is talking about "OC", meaning Orange County. It's huge, and covers a significant portion of extremely expensive real estate along the coastline. There are "poorer" parts of the county, inland, but it is still, as is most of the LA basin, a thriving economic center. That, combined with the way people in the area live in their cars because of commutes and lack of public transport (and a pretty good freeway system), causes many people to feel pressure (or just necessity) to have a "nice" car.
Lizzie60 Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 No it's not a turn-off.. UNLESS.. - the guy owns a status car which is 5+ years old.. anyone can own an old 'status' car.. - the guy owns a status car but lives with roomate.. - the guy owns a status car but lives with his mother.. - the guy owns a status car but lives in a trailer park.. In other words.. the status car has to match the status..
carhill Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I loved it when the cache car companies started building SUV's for all the status soccer moms
jerbear Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Others see socioeconomic status. I see potential spending problem considering that one can "live the good life" for years while possessing a negative net worth thanks to credit. What do you think? I'm especially interested in hearing thoughts on young women owning these cars. I live in The OC and it's largely expected that if you pull down a white-collar salary, you need to drive a car that fits your professional image. I think you might want to watch "The Devil wears Prada", work for a consulting/law/accounting firm, watch "Boiler Room" and you'll get an idea of why status symbols are prevalent in society. I had to wear designer suits, get a driver, and fly someone in just to get a meeting with them. Sometimes status symbols are part of the image , business or whatever. Without looking deeper, as Lizzie's post mentions, they might actually have the means to drive a status symbol. There are some people in Orange County that have the means to pay in full and in cash.
jerbear Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I loved it when the cache car companies started building SUV's for all the status soccer moms Porche and Hummers which never go on dirt roads or in this case, will never see a blade of grass.
carhill Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Oh, come on, live a little. Drive it on the soccer field. You know you want to be naughty
TaraMaiden Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Porche and Hummers which never go on dirt roads or in this case, will never see a blade of grass. cars for the wide open spaces.... that need two parking spaces.... they are a menace. I think they should only be sold to people who will use them off-road for 6 months of the year. A weekend in the Cairngorms in June, does not count.
Lizzie60 Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Also I should add.... If the purpose of the status car is just to show-off... then it's a HUGE turn-off.. these guys are usually very easy to spot... but if it it because the guy has the money and the status.. then he has to own a luxury car.. I just can't see a successful rich businessman driving a Hyundai Accent.. ... It is what it is.. status cars are sold to people who can afford them. Some people will say it's a huge turn-off... just because they are jealous and very well know that they will never be able to afford one.. or they simply don't have the status that goes with the car.. I own a luxury car.. I don't have the status per se.. but I can afford it..
Mahatma Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 It just depends if it is beyond the person's means. My dad drives a Porsche, and he takes it to the track all the time.. in fact that is where he is this weekend. He has the money to buy one, and he actually uses it for what it was built for.
jerbear Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 No it's not a turn-off.. UNLESS.. - the guy owns a status car which is 5+ years old.. anyone can own an old 'status' car.. - the guy owns a status car but lives with roomate.. - the guy owns a status car but lives with his mother.. - the guy owns a status car but lives in a trailer park.. In other words.. the status car has to match the status.. Oh no! The above fits me! :eek:
jerbear Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 cars for the wide open spaces.... that need two parking spaces.... they are a menace. Nah... just the drivers are a menace. I think they should only be sold to people who will use them off-road for 6 months of the year. A weekend in the Cairngorms in June, does not count. Nice park!
TaraMaiden Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Yes it is beautiful, but on a wrong day, very windy, and the weather can turn around in a very short space of time.... But the views are breathtaking.
Land Shark Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 I'm not really impressed by someone who spends a lot on a car. I'm even less impressed by someone who buys a high-performance car but drives it like a Prius.
You'reasian Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 you need to drive a car that fits your professional image. Says who? lol Why does Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos drive a Toyota Carolla?
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