Does your car show your status?!

[Dibbydoos]

I was a BMW X3 for 7 years - a prowling beast of a thing, fast like heckers! I loved that car! But it's now retired and I didn't want another big SUV, so I bought from the same stable, a Mini Countryman and everyone is giving me stick! I keep getting with your money you could afford better etc etc.

It's jarring.

I blinking love this Mini. It drives like my BMW even the general controls - cruise, nav, wipers are the same.

Why are people so fixated on spending more money than you need?

Am I being unreasonable to not waste money on a flash car?

Er - I was going to say YABU to the Q 'Does your car show your status?'

But YANBU to not waste money on a flash car.

Definitely not unreasonable to not waste money on something someone else things you should have. We have a C4 Grand Spacetourer (the boot is amaaazing). Everyone (school mums) always seems surprised when they see our house…. as if the two don’t marry up. I’m happy with it though and no plans on changing just to fit in with others. Some people (in their lease cars) are real snobs. Everyone round here wants a Tesla. They’re nice but sooo expensive.

Absolutely not. I wouldn't judge anyone for driving a car that is well within their means. I'm more twitchy about people buying or financing cars they can't even truly afford just to fit in. I've never once scoffed at a car that isn't top of the range. Old banger or not, they're all bloody expensive to maintain and run.

DP earns over double what i do and could pay the mortgage off in cash tomorrow for many reasons including but not limited to the fact that until recently he drove an old 2005 3 series. And I spent over £300 a month on a car (company and lease and then loan)

With the mentality that a car defines you, I'd be the wealthy one.

Unless they are paying for your car, they can keep their opinions to themselves.

Yep it's very old and a bit loose at the seams but manages to start and do it's duty every time it's asked 👍

I have a bashed up car. I'm talking big dent, deep scratch down the side. I got it off a friend for peanuts because she said no one would buy it with the damage, so just asked for the scrap money. Garage says it's fine, just looks like shit.
I live in Cornwall where I'm frequently reversing down tiny lanes and not giving a crap if I get too close to a wall.
I love parking next to fancy cars in carparks! In my experience people with swish cars can be a little uptight. Total waste of money in my opinion.

Sounds like having visible indications of wealth are important to the people making those comments.
Loads of people don't live this way though.
I know wealthy people who feel zero need to make sure their car advertises their financial health.
Plenty of people just view a car as a means to get about.
People who see cars as a way to show they're are doing well financially also exist as you know.
Personally, I think anyone who leans on someone else for doing things differently to how they do/would u are often insecure, certainly closed minded and just tiresome.

I guess it depends how you view cars.

If you just see them as a useful means of getting from A to B and your main requirements are things like reliability, decent boot space, can you park it, then they are not status symbols.

I can't imagine spending oodles on a car. Mind you, car before last I drove until it was 16 years old and then it literally fell to bits while I was driving it. I wouldn't like to be in that position again.

Loads of people do see cars as a status symbol but equally loads see them as a waste of money.

Don’t old money country estate types drive the scruffiest of cars?

Who are these boring people commenting on your car liked this? No-one ever comments on my car, apart from the decorator recently who asked me how I got a particular dent.

Don’t old money country estate types drive the scruffiest of cars?

i think that trope is outdated. Aplenty of old money likes to flash the cash too

Well it has lots of seats so it probably shows my status of parent of many children.

Your morals define you as a person, not your possessions. I'm my view.

I mean, the Mini Countryman isn’t exactly a cheap car!?

I drive a 67 plate Fiesta, could buy something more expensive but I don’t see the point! To each their own though.

Came to say this 😂😂

The OP reeks of humblebrag.

My husband is a car enthusiast and has got an electric Porsche, a Ferrari and a lightweight racing car he takes on race tracks regularly.

Yes it screams 'look at me' but he is genuinely a car enthusiast. He has them because he can afford them, has always dreamed of having them, and likes driving fast on racetracks.

I however drive around in an old Volvo estate because it's a decent car, and I'm not fussed about racetracks.

I guess what I'm saying is, just because you have money doesn't mean you're going to spend it on flashy cars. You spend it on what you like! Most people don't really give a shit anyway, and neither should you.

I love my knackered old car. Goes like a dream, and no one will ever bother to nick it. At my kids’ school, there are some very swish cars. I have a hatred of 4x4s, esp in the city, but for a lot of people they are a clear marker of status.

A mini countryman is pretty expensive for what it is, anyhow, isn't it? It's hardly a bargain basement option.

Everyone’s opinion on what a flash car is different I reckon, depending on budget.

i have a Jazz and I get stick for it. I think I’ll stick to a Jazz next time too. I love it.

I’ll have to bow to your superior knowledge @dramoy since they are most certainly not my demographic!

I couldn’t care less. That’s not why I own it.

I drive a BMW convertible, with a 3 litre twin-turbo engine. It is a fantastic car, very powerful and very quick. My previous car was an equally good Mercedes Benz convertible. I own these cars for me, because I enjoy driving them and I appreciate the performance, handling, refinement etc. I don’t buy them to impress others. In fact, I couldn’t give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks because most people have never driven comparable cars so their opinions are of zero consequence.

Proper premium cars (as opposed to runabouts with premium badges stuck on) are more than just pointless status symbols, they are amazing machines to be driven, enjoyed and appreciated.

Around here most monied people have beautiful houses and understated old bangers. There are a good few with electric cars but they tend to be the sort to wear their wealth

We have the archetypal Toyota that's gone round the clock, BTW. Dread the time the MOT moves on from "rust bucket" to "knackered".

Cars are a liability I run mine until it no longer gets me where I want to go safely and reliably. My motorbike is worth twice as much as my car and will hold it's value much better. Including our rentals we have over a million in property, my car is worth a few grand. We're investors and property makes money, cars depreciate it's that simple. I never judge anyone by their car.