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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:
Squirrelsnut · 07/08/2023 08:39

KvotheTheBloodless · 07/08/2023 08:07

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

This, 100%.

tallsmallmum · 07/08/2023 08:39

yes; 7 seater scrapped and keep getting turned down for finance I do have 2 jobs so no car because my status is very poor

Hoppinggreen · 07/08/2023 08:41

I think that these days with the various finance options you can’t tell how much money anyone has from their car.
I know people with very little money who have flash cars for a relatively small monthly payment but they will never own it. People like to spend their money on different things

Namechangedforthis2022 · 07/08/2023 08:41

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.

I think we have the same car!
I too drive it because I love it...it makes me smile every day, couldn't care less what other people think about it 😃

RudsyFarmer · 07/08/2023 08:44

I judge people with flash cars 🤣

NewCracker · 07/08/2023 08:46

I think it depends on what sort of person you are. Some people buy a certain car because they really like that particular car, not a status symbol or a look at me. It's because it brings them joy. My husband has a BMW estate, it has a very very hefty engine in it and he has spent a lot of time and some money into tweaking it and making it exactly how he wants it. He wanting that particular engine and spec, but it's an estate so you'd think just a run of the mill. He's been a car man since very young and it brings him joy. He doesn't particularly care what others may think, he just said that every day that he sees it, it brings a smile to his face.
Some people are just car people, I'm sure there are people who do buy cars for a sturdy symbol but I don't think we should tar everyone with the same brush.

Sigmama · 07/08/2023 08:46

I definitely judge people with flashy cars

boobot1 · 07/08/2023 08:46

SabrinaThwaite · 06/08/2023 23:57

Or are they just aggressive pricks in general?

Yes. And don’t expect them to ever use the indicators - they rely on every other road use to have ESP.

Everytime I see someone driving like a lunatic, they are ALWAYS in a BMW. Dont know what it is about them.

Squirrelsnut · 07/08/2023 08:49

And Audis.

ActDottie · 07/08/2023 08:49

Pointless spending money on a flash car. We could easily afford a fancy car but instead have one car between us a Vauxhall Astra.

Cloudsandyoghurts · 07/08/2023 08:51

RudsyFarmer · 07/08/2023 08:44

I judge people with flash cars 🤣

Me too! Very often round here they are owned (or essentially rented) by the people who can least afford them. Its a very short-term view to spend £500 per month on something that is worth less every year. I'm talking specifically about people I know obviously, not your situation OP as sounds like you could easily afford the car alongside better investments.

FloydPepper · 07/08/2023 08:57

PeggyPoggle · 06/08/2023 23:34

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’m a bit like your husband. Love cars, always have, and have a few that could be considered flash. I like them for what they are, not what people might think.

Drive what you like, enjoy it. People will always comment. You get comments if your car is too cheap but also because c it’s seen as too flash. For some people the only acceptable car you can drive is one not quite as nice as theirs.

FloydPepper · 07/08/2023 08:59

KvotheTheBloodless · 07/08/2023 08:07

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

True, but that’s not a bad thing. Nothing wrong with having things you like and deciding that’s what you’d like to spend on rather than something else..,

Seaitoverthere · 07/08/2023 09:01

I have worked out the answer to the BMW not indicating, the indicators are a crap. Maybe that is just mine thought to be fair but if they are standard on all BMWs then I’m not impressed. We have an i3 as wanted electric and a decent height to make it easy for me to get in and out with bad leg. The indicators do this thing where a quick push does 3 blinks and you have to push harder to get them to stay on and then they often don’t turn off and when you try to you indicate the other way. I’ve gone from automatically indicating to thinking here we go again and can see why people don’t (though I obviously do).

Currently have hire care from insurance company as someone hit ours, I love the fact that the indicators are sensible and just work without hassle. Last car was brilliant for transporting furniture which I miss but looked like shit and the scrap man thought it was scrap and offered £150 for it. I agree car says more about priorities.

BitOutOfPractice · 07/08/2023 09:01

AngeloMysterioso · 06/08/2023 23:52

I have a 2008 fiesta that became mine when my Mum died. She was a terrible driver and it shows… dinged up to crap, scratches everywhere, big old dent in the rear passenger side door… but I don’t care. It’s a good car, it’s really got low mileage for its age, gets me from a to b. I only learned to drive last year and apart from my instructors car it’s the only one I’ve ever driven so admittedly I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but I think it’s great.

I have noticed a difference in the way other drivers are around me compared with when we’re in DH’s car… drivers of BMW/Mercedes/Tesla/Audis or any kind of 4x4 reaaaaally can’t stand being behind a Fiesta for any length of time can they?! Or are they just aggressive pricks in general?

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the people on this thread with BMWs are the most snippy 😁

megletthesecond · 07/08/2023 09:03

To be fair, a Mini is a lot classier than a BMW. Your friends are daft.

Sonolanona · 07/08/2023 09:04

I drive a little Fiat Panda 4x4.
That could mean I'm poor, or not interested in cars.
Or it could mean I have the perfect vehicle for me, my dog and grandson that can get out of muddy fields when the big (fake) SUVs are struggling.. yes I've towed a few out of the mud Grin I've had minis, I've had two seater sports cars... but I LOVE my Panda and will keep it til it dies.. 10 years old and counting. I would never lease a car as I'd rather have something older that's mine outright.

DH couldn't care less about cars and has just acquired an old Mercedes Vito with intention to turn it into a day van for his kayak trips..not exactly a status symbol :D

Sigmama · 07/08/2023 09:07

Cars are a pain in the ass

SpentAllMyMoney · 07/08/2023 09:09

🤣🤣 I have no idea what people think a car says about them! "Here I am with my flash car, I'm better than you.." urm... If that's why people want flash cars, I already think the opposite about them!

A car is a car!! If you've got the money and want a super duper one, great!! If youve got the money but want an old banger, great!! If you haven't got much money, just getting what you can afford, great!! If you drive a flash car to impress people, not great! Not cool :(!!

Sigmama · 07/08/2023 09:15

Or no car at all also great

ladyvimes · 07/08/2023 09:20

The wealthiest people I know drive midsize oldish car!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 07/08/2023 09:23

If you mean financial status, ours certainly don’t.
But for so many people it really is a thing. We have a neighbour for whom it’s absolutely essential to have a flash car on the drive - she’d be terrified otherwise that people might think she couldn’t afford one.

She’s brought up her dd (friend of my own dd) the same - poor girl ‘had’ to drive a newish Mercedes sports even when she was in tears to dd about £30k of cc debt. But give up the flash car - never!!

Boomchuck · 07/08/2023 09:31

People who buy cars (or other items like handbags, etc) purely to telegraph ‘status’ are cringe, imo.

Yesabsolutely · 07/08/2023 09:35

KvotheTheBloodless · 07/08/2023 08:07

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

So true !

kitsuneghost · 07/08/2023 09:37

In this day and age even if you see a posh car you wouldn't know if it was their's or a PCP.
Also you only have too look at how paranoid people are of scratches and dents to realise many many people drive a car beyond their means.