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AIBU?

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Original poster

Does your car show your status?!

244 replies

Dibbydoos · 06/08/2023 23:10

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?

OP posts:
recyclemeagain · 07/08/2023 00:19

Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:15

Thanks for all the comments everyone! It's refreshing to know that cars aren't your status symbol! 😁

The guy who delivered my mini was surprised I'd gone from an X3 to a Mini. I said that I wasnt paying >£60k for a car. He said you should have got an X1 then. WTF.

My DS is not happy - it's a (younger) woman's car. He keeps asking me to get a used X3, euro VI with 70k miles since I know they'll go for more than 200k miles now! But I don't need another car.

My DD told her best mate, he said your mum can afford a better car why's she bought a Mini? My DD said cos that's what she wanted obviously.

My sister and her partner and friends are all asking the same. My sister even said with your money you could afford any car, why did you buy a Mini? Like a Mini is the pits 😔

Get yourself on Mini Girls UK on Facebook and get talking to other women who love their Minis.
Willing to bet the people slagging you off have never had the fun of driving a Mini so they can't really relate.

WhereshallIwander · 07/08/2023 00:19

Almostwelsh · 07/08/2023 00:17

Volvos are expensive. Old volvos hold their value well. And old volvo estate just screams "old money".

People who really don't care about cars drive a middle aged Ford or similar.

I associate Volvos with elderly people.
Maybe because my grandad had one IDK but that's one car I wouldn't particularly like to have.

Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:21

Fairydustandsparklylights · 06/08/2023 23:18

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.

Tesla are lovely cars, but my insurance quote was £4500 and I have 18 years no claims bonus 😱

I really should have bought the 2011 Renault Megan CC I saw advertised in the Spring shouldn't I?! That was my car before I tried out a BMW and I loved it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:22

FlamingYam · 06/08/2023 23:21

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.

@FlamingYam you are spot on!

OP posts:
Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 07/08/2023 00:23

I would love to know where these people, kids included, are buying their cheap minis from as I have been driving minis for years and never bagged a cheap one yet.

SabrinaThwaite · 07/08/2023 00:24

Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:15

Thanks for all the comments everyone! It's refreshing to know that cars aren't your status symbol! 😁

The guy who delivered my mini was surprised I'd gone from an X3 to a Mini. I said that I wasnt paying >£60k for a car. He said you should have got an X1 then. WTF.

My DS is not happy - it's a (younger) woman's car. He keeps asking me to get a used X3, euro VI with 70k miles since I know they'll go for more than 200k miles now! But I don't need another car.

My DD told her best mate, he said your mum can afford a better car why's she bought a Mini? My DD said cos that's what she wanted obviously.

My sister and her partner and friends are all asking the same. My sister even said with your money you could afford any car, why did you buy a Mini? Like a Mini is the pits 😔

Not sure what you’re looking for from this?

An X3 isn’t anything particularly special, and your family (both kids and wider family members) should keep their own counsel.

If you like the Mini then they can STFU.

Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:25

Newname211 · 06/08/2023 23:32

Came to say this 😂😂

The OP reeks of humblebrag.

Show quote history

It wasn't a brag, I do a lot of work miles so wanted worry free driving for a while. It's a lease car. I'm not buying it just paying for the depreciation 🙄

OP posts:
ConsuelaHammock · 07/08/2023 00:25

Do you have £60k in the bank to buy a new BMW? If you do that would be a dreadful waste of money. Perhaps your friends think you have more money than you do ?

Moneynewpence · 07/08/2023 00:26

Nope. Crappy 12 year old Astra. Gets us from A to B.

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 07/08/2023 00:26

I drive a jeep because we needed it for towing power. I love it and will be very sad when it eventually dies. It’s 2016 model and running great as I look after it. I’m not interested in cars and wouldn’t be able to tell you any models of BMW, Audi or Mercedes as I’m not interested in them.

Dh drives a 1970s Beetle. It’s hilarious. He drove it today with dd, came home and it had these little side windows open which he then pushed back in. Similar to this.

Does your car show your status?!
ConsuelaHammock · 07/08/2023 00:26

You didn’t buy the mini? Just tell you friends you can’t afford the mini either 😂

Elfer13 · 07/08/2023 00:26

Nah do they heck, I drive a second hand astra with about five grand but you want to see my house, that's second hand too but worth over a million and the fridge is full. Hope everybody is impressed.

Moneynewpence · 07/08/2023 00:28

WhereshallIwander · 07/08/2023 00:19

I associate Volvos with elderly people.
Maybe because my grandad had one IDK but that's one car I wouldn't particularly like to have.

Show quote history

And truly terrible driving. Cut up twice in one journey the other day, didn't even have to look to guess the badge as it happens so regularly

Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:29

BarelyLiterate · 06/08/2023 23:35

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.

Great car choices @BarelyLiterate. Love the attitude too. They are great to drive.

OP posts:
VibrantGreen · 07/08/2023 00:29

BitOutOfPractice · 06/08/2023 23:25

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

FIL is one of these people.

He doesn’t even buy second hand but instead prefers ‘write offs’, that he can fix.

You would never know that he lives where he does, so you can’t judge and never should.

Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:31

Jubaju · 06/08/2023 23:39

X3 is just a normal car, it’s not exactly a status symbol😂
A countryman isn’t exactly cheap at over 30k, hardly an old banger.

Exactly!

I never bought either for status.

Both are great to drive. The X3 was what I needed at the time and I don't need anything that size anymore.

OP posts:
Mumski45 · 07/08/2023 00:31

How do you define status?

DH drives DD's cast off 2006 Yaris worth not much more than a couple of hundred quid. He has a high salary and our mortgage is paid off.

But is it his salary, his assets or his car which defines his status.

Woopzies · 07/08/2023 00:31

YABU for saying an X3 drives the same as a Countryman!

SamW98 · 07/08/2023 00:33

I have zero interest in cars. Most I’ve ever paid is 7 grand. My current car is a Fist 500 which cost about 4 grand and it serves its purpose getting me from a to b. I only drive around 4-5000 miles a year.

I have a long list of things I’d spend money on before a car. They don’t interest me at all.

SamW98 · 07/08/2023 00:33

Fiat*

Original poster
Dibbydoos · 07/08/2023 00:35

Tunnocks34 · 06/08/2023 23:41

So funny you post this as I’ve just had a disagreement with my husband, as he wants to get an Audi A6 for our next car and I want a Kia. My reasoning is I don’t really care for brands, Kia’s have a great warranty and are cheap to run. He won’t say it himself but his reasoning is ‘it’s an Audi’

That is funny! I'd suggest test driving them to compare.

Kia's warranty is hard to beat!

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 07/08/2023 00:36

TBF I’d go Fiat Abarth 500 over a Mini any day.

ReginaRegina · 07/08/2023 00:36

BitOutOfPractice · 06/08/2023 23:25

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

I think that's just a mumsnet trope tbh. Working for a construction company I see a lot of big expensive houses and there's usually a BMW or two on the drive and a sports car in the garage. Sometimes they will be driving an old jag or land rover though tbf.

babbi · 07/08/2023 00:37

I have a Tesla , most overrated car ever but my company gave me it . They have gone green .
I would love an SUV type Volvo … but I am old !

Would never dream of spending my own money on a Tesla ( haven’t got £60 k anyway 🤣- if I did I’d spend it on better things )

Starseeking · 07/08/2023 00:38

YANBU.

I was recently in the market for a brand new electric car. I looked at Peugeot, Audi, Volvo and Tesla.

I couldn't believe the price of the last 3; for the deposit I would have paid for them, I paid outright for my Peugeot which I love and goes like a dream.

People may think I should be driving something more expensive given my job (Finance Director) and earnings (£££), but I couldn't care less. The way to keep money is not to spend it all on extra vim when good is good enough.

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