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?

My car says middle aged person with dogs and children, which is what I am.

I give no thought to looks or status when buying cars, just which best suits the functions I need it to have.

I haven't got a car...

My car is 22 years old, cost me 500 6 years ago, passes it's mot every year, gets me where I want to go and looks fine. I genuinely don't care! I could afford a wankpanzer, but to be honest, I'd be terrified of being able to park it, manoeuvre it and look like an idiot.
I'd rather be laughed at than be a driving clone

People that I have known over the years with money, have had scruffy cars, lots of people want flash cars that are on hp so not a symbol of status.

In my job I come across many people with wealth and more who don't. A large majority of those with wealth wear noticeably old clothes, have an old car and prefer to live simply. Those mostly in serious arrears drive very flash cars on finance and wear in your face designer clothes. I've always found it very interesting.

Of course, not all are like this but it's scary how often I come across it.

I wouldn't think less of him because of what he drives but I also wouldn't think more of him if he has a fancy house.

It's who people are, how they add value to the world and how they treat others that matters to me.

Wealth (or lack of) isn't relevant (not least because so much of it comes down to inheritance or good fortune)

My theory is that if you have the worst car on the street your house is less likely to be robbed as you probably also don’t have the latest tv etc.

People on mumsnet see having an older car as a badge of honour and think spending money on a new car is FRIGHTFULLY WASTEFUL and bad taste.

Whereas in real life, most people I know finance newer cars and enjoy the peace of mind that one monthly payment gets them a brand new car under warranty and no surprises of breakdowns/huge garage bills etc. Some people (shock horror) also actually enjoy their cars and want a nice model, and it's one of things they work for.

It's not demonstrative of your status, but it is evidence of your priorities.

My wealthiest friends and family have the oldest, scruffiest cars. I think they have nothing to prove so stick with what is practical, reliable and prudent.

I find that in my social circle it's the wannabes who drive the new flash cars.

You can have a new reliable car under warranty without needing a huge showy off car . There's a happy medium

What I find funny is people who spend a fortune on a fancy car and then are constantly telling me they can't afford to do activities/holidays . They can't see where their disposable income is going

Yes, quite

I mean we've got money and "flashy" cars. Yes in my parents generation they all have battered land rovers and old Volvo estates as the stereotype but those are the cars for the dogs and the country, they still have nice cars too.

I love cars. I enjoy the way ours drive, the sound, the speed, the handling, the way they look. If you're into your cars then you're into them. I think lots of people see "high status cars" and "flashy" cars and think about the money - if I see a nice car I think about the design, the engine and the 0-60 speed 😂 there's a whole car community of like minded people who love cars.

I always find lots of people who claim to have no interest in cars seem to be the people who spend the most time bragging about their 10 year old car and judging everyone else for their cars 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m not sure where I would fit in because my cars tend to be at the flash end of the scale when new, but then I keep them for years until they die of natural causes.

We bought a year old Hyundai i30 10 years ago in cash. I guess that makes us middle class according to another post.

Sometimes I get car envy, but we can't justify the cost of a fancy car. We live in a community in which people have modest homes and fancy cars. I think it's silly to own a Bentley and live in a 2 up 2 down, but as someone said, it's about priorities. Everyone's will be different. I once spoke to a woman who lived in her Porsche. It was her pride and joy.

I'd rather have a really lovely house than a fantastic car. The house will go up in value but the car will depreciate every time I use it.

Why spend a shed load of money on something that is going to lose it's value? Neighbour bought a BMW for over £80,000 and sold it for £11,000. True, they should have traded in regularly as that is an extreme example, but that is £70,000 just wasted.

I am secure enough not to need a status symbol as a car. Anyone who knows my financial situation knows that I could buy a fancy car in cash but I just don't see the point.

Used to be hung up on what car we drove. Then we lost our business during covid and have had to reinvent our life. We're all good now. One of the best things about going through that was that we found we no longer give a shit about cars. Our car is very run of the mill, 10 years old. But it's reliable and comfy and we have zero interest in changing it. Would rather spend money on stuff like holidays that we'll always remember.

Mine gets me from A to B.
I have friends with nice cars as that's how they choose to spend their money
It's not for me

I'm not fussed about cars so I'll drive my 2016 plate until it dies or needs too many repairs. I don't see it as a status thing, I could buy a bigger or fancier one. I spend money on other things that people would consider a waste so each to their own.

We've got one car and DH takes the train to commute to work. It's a 2014 C4 Picasso. I really like it. It's got loads of space and I like the little family-friendly features. Granted, it's not one of the posh cars parked outside DS's independent school at drop off. It's all massive Mercedes, BMW and Tesla when we turn up. Most of those people live in the city. It's a bit ridiculous.
I've come to really like mine. The only thing I would change for the next one is to get four-wheel-drive. We live out in the sticks and it can get tricky in winter. We "upgraded" from a 2004 Peugeot 307SW last year.
I wouldn't want to pay £300 or whatever to pay off a posh car every month for several years. We paid cash for ours and it's fully paid.

Indeed.

I just don't listen to anyone who says things like that if I don't agree with it. I hate 'status' SUVs so would never have one.

I currently have a tiny petrol car that I bought a couple of years ago and intend to drive until it collapses and as it happens, just today I decided that my next 'dream car' (as in I don't think it currently exists) will be an electric Mini Countryman.

My last car was a Mini of the old and knackered variety and I bloody loved that car so, if the planets align correctly, in 10 years' time I'll get a lump sum from my pension and there will be some sort of decent scrappage scheme that will pay me a decent amount for what will be my worthless 14 YO petrol Skoda to take the edge off the cost of a new electric Mini Countryman in a bonkers colour like turquoise or bright orange, which by then will actually exist.

My 1st late DH owned a large auto dealership so I drove a different new car daily.

Now, I don't own a car but use a hired car and driver.

I realise these are unusual circumstances.

I think it depends on what part of the country you are in. I have a Countryman S and get the opposite comments to you.

Dp is very wealthy and drives a 2012 plate Ford. His other car is an ancient pick up. My dad is a millionaire and he drives a 2018 disco. Mine is purely a workhorse pick up (though i do love my car). On the other hand, my friend, who doesn't work but married very well, drives a 23 plate big porsche (the suv model) and she definitely has it for the status. I think cars can reflect how confident people are about themselves (flashy car = insecure maybe?), but mostly they are a tool to make our lives easier, just like a hoover or a dishwasher..