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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Spending a lot on cars

110 replies

ClawsandEffect · 09/10/2025 19:58

I don't get it. I know cars aren't my thing. To me they are transport. A-B safely and on time.

I do get wanting a reliable car. So not a banger. Safe for the children definitely.

But I am just mystified at why anyone would drop 50K on a car. I understand if you're very wealthy. Because it doesn't make a dent in your finances.

But the parents I see at the school drop off in super expensive / flashy cars when I know their living situation and income bracket (jobs). Why would anyone want to either dump a small fortune into something that depreciates so quicky OR saddle themselves to a small mortgage for a piece of kit that is just going to rust and decay.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
teees · 09/10/2025 20:09

I mean it’s because people are different. Some people have more money than others. Some people like to buy more expensive cars than others. Some people like to save their money and not have a car. Some people just get a bike. Whatever.

UnderMedicatedMum · 09/10/2025 20:09

Here’s a new concept for you, sometimes people do things because they want to.

Sirzy · 09/10/2025 20:10

Each to their own. How people legally spend their money is nobody else’s business

AhBiscuits · 09/10/2025 20:13

People like different things. I don't care about cars either. I also wouldn't dream of spending loads of money on a handbag. That doesn't mean other people shouldn't if it pleases them.

Homephonea · 09/10/2025 20:15

Normally down to insecurity sadly. They think that’s what wealthy people do. It’s not,

Scottishlassie10 · 09/10/2025 20:17

Their money, their choice. I inherited money and bought a “flash” car I’d always wanted. Some people get pleasure from holidays, I get pleasure driving my car.

FairyRobot · 09/10/2025 20:19

We’re not loaded by any means, but we have a £40k car. It’s leased, as I expect are the vast majority of new cars that you see. Our reasoning is that we’re not interested in owning a vehicle, as it’s an unreliable asset that will only depreciate.

After a few bad experiences with 2nd hand cars costing us a fortune in unexpected major repairs, we decided that we’d rather have the predictability of a regular monthly payment on a new car, that’s under warranty and isn’t going to surprise us. And after 4 years you swap it for a new one using the equity as the deposit on the next car.

Original poster
ClawsandEffect · 09/10/2025 20:20

Homephonea · 09/10/2025 20:15

Normally down to insecurity sadly. They think that’s what wealthy people do. It’s not,

Yeah, I worked for a couple of millionaire families (one British, old money etc, aristos, one American oil money). Neither had cars that announced wealth.

OP posts:
icouldholditwithacobweb · 09/10/2025 20:20

Because many people think expensive cars = status, and because a lot of them are happy to spend ridiculous sums of money on monthly payments for something they do not and will not own rather than buy an older car outright and drive around in that. You likely already know this. Most people won't admit to that vanity, though.

I earn more than all my immediate family members and I drive the oldest car out of everyone because I don't particularly care what I drive, I'm not very careful with my car so it gets scratched often, I would resent monthly payments on a car that depreciates at a rate of knots and to be perfectly frank, I'd rather have money making money in investments than evaporating in my driveway. One of my immediate family members grumbles about not being able to afford her own house, but she spent the same on her (leased) car in the 5 years it took me to save my deposit. We just have different values.

thisishowloween · 09/10/2025 20:21

I don't get it either OP. As long as my car is safe and can get me from A to B, I don't care what it looks like or how much it cost. My parents had plenty of money but always bought very modest cars and ran them into the ground.

DH and I both have 2nd/3rd hand cars.

cheeeesy · 09/10/2025 20:22

I enjoy cars. I'm not really into fashion or makeup. I hardly ever drink and don’t smoke. It's been years since I went on holiday. I work full time and don't have any kids to support. So, that's how I spend my money, and I like it.

My friend has no interest in cars, but she buys new clothes all the time and enjoys travelling.

Everyone's different.

Almost2026 · 09/10/2025 20:24

I think most people who fall in this bracket lease them because it means you know exactly where you are financially for 3-4 years.
When we leased, we had one payment that covered the car, insurance, all maintenance & repairs. It came off my salary giving tax benefits and the only thing we needed to do was add petrol for 3 years.

Rosebold · 09/10/2025 20:25

I'm not really into cars, they aren't something I notice I just want something safe and reliable. I do have other things I like and will probably spend £100's on skincare in the upcoming black sales.

Sausagescanfly · 09/10/2025 20:27

I've currently got a lease car, but it's a one-off treat and I will go back to buying cars and running them into the ground. My car is lovely, but it is very hard to justify the cost.

I used to live in a village with cute, but tiny terraced houses and quite a few had cars parked in front of them that seemed to be longer than the houses were wide. I found that puzzling, but I am not sure if it easier to get car finance than a bigger mortgage.

Bushmillsbabe · 09/10/2025 20:28

As long as people aren't moaning about being 'broke' and not paying their way, and ensuring their children have everything they need, after that its their business. DH would love a nice SUV, but at the moment he gets it's not a priority for us, our house is, and paying for tutoring. My Dad was same, had very sensible cars until my brother and I through uni. Then he bought a top of the range land rover for about 50k, he had worked hard all his life, why not buy it if it .makes him happy, my mum likes it too as she feels safer in it.

GaIadriel · 09/10/2025 20:28

Fast cars are fun to drive. I'd understand that better than somebody spending a few grand on a rug.

Nottodaty · 09/10/2025 20:28

My car is my sanctuary, I spend a lot of time driving to and from work, I travel a lot to see parents and throw the dog in the back for muddy walks. I can sit in it a play loud music - it’s my space away from the work stress and family stress at times!! We don’t have a second car but will be buying a small older car when my youngest turns 17.

I’ve had old bangers, more than once broken down & costly repair bills, Now with my job I have a car allowance- I choose to spend that on a leased car. If I changed jobs I would need to reconsider but would buy something similar if finances allow.

I don’t judge others and what they choose to do it’s none of my business. Why would you judge me with choices I have made - if it doesn’t affect you?

SeaAndStars · 09/10/2025 20:30

I drive a van that is so decrepit people point and laugh at it.

My other car is a bike my dad found in a hedge in the 80s which I've upgraded with a blue mushroom crate. Does this make me British old money aristo or one American oil money?

JanetareyouokareyouokJanet · 09/10/2025 20:32

I had friends who would get a Range Rover but couldn’t afford the petrol. Some people feel the need to have flash things and they value them over other things like nice food and heating.

JanetareyouokareyouokJanet · 09/10/2025 20:33

SeaAndStars · 09/10/2025 20:30

I drive a van that is so decrepit people point and laugh at it.

My other car is a bike my dad found in a hedge in the 80s which I've upgraded with a blue mushroom crate. Does this make me British old money aristo or one American oil money?

British old money for sure.

Scottishlassie10 · 09/10/2025 20:34

GaIadriel · 09/10/2025 20:28

Fast cars are fun to drive. I'd understand that better than somebody spending a few grand on a rug.

Exactly. I’m a petrol head and love my Porsche

cheeeesy · 09/10/2025 20:34

Nottodaty · 09/10/2025 20:28

My car is my sanctuary, I spend a lot of time driving to and from work, I travel a lot to see parents and throw the dog in the back for muddy walks. I can sit in it a play loud music - it’s my space away from the work stress and family stress at times!! We don’t have a second car but will be buying a small older car when my youngest turns 17.

I’ve had old bangers, more than once broken down & costly repair bills, Now with my job I have a car allowance- I choose to spend that on a leased car. If I changed jobs I would need to reconsider but would buy something similar if finances allow.

I don’t judge others and what they choose to do it’s none of my business. Why would you judge me with choices I have made - if it doesn’t affect you?

People are weirdly judgemental about cars. I don’t understand it either. They can spend thousands on new clothes, beauty appointments, holidays etc, but cars? Nope.

Bluevelvetsofa · 09/10/2025 20:35

We have to spend money on essentials, which include housing, food, taxes, utilities and other stuff. After that, we’re all free to spend anything left over on what is a priority for each family.

I know people who spend around £50k a year on holidays. I can’t comprehend that, but that doesn’t matter. I know people who spend 2K on a bag. I can’t comprehend that either, but again, that doesn’t matter. Some people will spend tens of thousands on new kitchens or bathrooms. That’s their priority.

Who is to say who is right or wrong.

Threadreplier · 09/10/2025 20:37

60k car here and probably fit the bill of your post. Would never buy it myself, other car is not desirable at all. It's a company car and company car allowance we used to get is awful now and car options currently brilliant. So we've got it for 4 years. Also great to not need to think about insurance, servicing, tyres etc as company sort it. So that's my reason....

Trickabrick · 09/10/2025 20:37

Nottodaty · 09/10/2025 20:28

My car is my sanctuary, I spend a lot of time driving to and from work, I travel a lot to see parents and throw the dog in the back for muddy walks. I can sit in it a play loud music - it’s my space away from the work stress and family stress at times!! We don’t have a second car but will be buying a small older car when my youngest turns 17.

I’ve had old bangers, more than once broken down & costly repair bills, Now with my job I have a car allowance- I choose to spend that on a leased car. If I changed jobs I would need to reconsider but would buy something similar if finances allow.

I don’t judge others and what they choose to do it’s none of my business. Why would you judge me with choices I have made - if it doesn’t affect you?

This is why I spend money on a nice car. I spend a fair chunk of time in one and can afford to do so in a fancy (to me!) car.