Spending a lot on cars

[ClawsandEffect]

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?

Because maybe they’re not dropping £50k as you say. It’s all about appearances and so many people lease cars rather than buy these days

Right, but you must be aware plenty of rich people do have cars which show they are wealthy. Your small sample size isn’t standard, it’s just a small sample.

We didn’t spend 50K but it was not far off. We buy new and a particular make that we always have had good luck with. My last car of the same make I’d had for nine years and hadn’t been in the shop at all except for tires and oil changes!
We pay cash because every time we buy a vehicle we start saving for the next one out of every paycheck. We do make good money but we didn’t always, and we started doing this from day one, 25+ years ago.

I have a friend that is always buying American cars and I swear half the time they are in the shop and costing them big money to fix them. Our way saves us so much time and money!

I love cars, I drive a classic Porsche 911 that I’ve wanted since I watched flash dance at 8 years old and I’ve spent my life wanting to own one and finally at 50 I bought one. I personally drive it and couldn’t care less if it was invisible, I don’t give a hoot what anyone thinks of me smiling like a looney with my roof off and the engine noise, she’s beautiful. 😍 and is a massive treat to me.. I’ve worked my entire arse off.

I also have a 70K company Landrover, it costs me £900 a month and is hybrid and I run it via the business to reduce my corporation tax, I have huge dogs, live in the country and again don’t care less if nobody ever knew what I drive or owned it’s just my car, I also only have it on lease for 3 years so will never pay £70k just renting it for a time.

I also drive cars form the 90s proper old bangers and over my life have owned Porsches, landies, lotus and raced on tracks.

if you met me for a wine and a whizz in the 911 you’d understand car people, what you are describing is maybe a car idiot like me or maybe someone who’s showing off but you’ll never know.

I get your confusion but people who don’t get cars don’t take up any of my headspace, so maybe free up your headspace. Maybe they have saved forever or maybe they are a show off. You’ll never know 😍

This is exactly me

Sorry meant to add our cars are not showy at all. Stodgy is more like it!

We just had this thread yesterday. Honestly at least try to come up with new ideas
or wait a week before posting the same crap.

Just as well you don’t see our garage. 2 Porsches and 2 BMWs. All paid for.

Yanbu op.

Buy seven year old Honda or Toyota and be done with it.

People with 60k+ AMG mercs and M3’s on pcp still living with their parents or in a one bad rental flat is pretty sad let’s face it.

We have a paid off ten year old Honda Civic. Love it to bits, it’s a practical beast. DH drops that he would love a Tesla every once in a while (we drove one on holiday a couple of times) but I am not paying for a new car when we don’t need one, Tesla or not.

I did say if he doubled his salary he could get one though. Hasn’t happened yet (mainly because he would never want the extra responsibility and work)!

I do think there are 2 types of people who spend a lot on cars; people who actually like and appreciate cars as a hobby/interest and people who want to keep up with the Jones's. The first type I totally get, my hobby is horses and I spend a ridiculous amount on them. Ive got some mates who bought expensive cars, do all detailing, go on car forums etc and it isn't for me, but its very understandable. I feel really sorry for the people who dont really care about cars but feel they have to spend a tonne of them (and other things) to look rich/good, then have less money for the things they actually value.

Careful, or we'll have a new thread about people who have big garages.

YABU

I have zero interest in cars. I drive a twelve year old hatchback.

However, I understand that some people prioritise cars. They probably don’t understand why I spend such a large proportion of my disposable income on holidays. So what?

I’m not at all into cars however I recently bought a fairly decent SUV for around 50k. It is a decent size for what I need and is incredibly comfortable to drive. I really like it.

I get a car allowance of 14k pa so it’s easily affordable.

Quite a few parents at DS’s school have similar cars but those I know all have decent jobs so they don’t feel like disproportionate purchases.

Ha you’re probably right 😂

It is a decent size for what I need and is incredibly comfortable to drive. I really like it

Strange, as I get all of that from a civic that’s worth 4 grand😄

£50k isn’t a lot to spend on a car these days. If you want something brand new and nice you’ll be spending more than that.

One of the stipulations linked to my car allowance is that the car can’t be more than 5 years old meaning if I drive an old Honda Civic I’m immediately 14k pa out of pocket.

I'm with you OP, I'd rather landscape the holiday home grounds, or get triple glazing, than curate a big awkward SUV for a car lease company.
An old 2nd hand car costs no way near the yearly leasing on a new car.
People should do whatever they like really...if they can afford it...but I feel a bit sorry for them 😢

Buy a new type R?

Thats what I’d do if I had 50k to spend. Nurburgring times would tend to agree with this…

Can you image the BIK rates on that.. but good fun 😊

BIK is irrelevant if you get an allowance. Fewer people have company cars these days as the tax position is poor for both employer and employee vs a car allowance.

It's an interesting topic & one I find myself wondering. I guess we all have our own ways to spend money - I personally prefer spending on holidays/trips away. But I've got friends who both have high end cars & that's their thing.

So people are somehow better if they are old money and drive shit Volvos?

Some very odd responses on this thread. It comes to something when someone having what you perceive as a”fancy” car makes you feel somehow superior?
I have driven and owned everything from a crapped out old banger to a £££ luxury vehicle. It was what I wanted/could afford at the time and I gave and still give, zero fucks what anyone else thinks about it? Why would I? My money, my choice. If you judge me for the car I drive, whether it’s a banger or a super car, you aren’t the type of person I’d want to know.