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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:
NotMeNoNo · 12/10/2025 14:14

Most people don't own the flashy cars. They are leased or PCP deals which are presumably a much lower monthly payment than buying the car outright over 3 or 4 years.

I don't get the "depreciating asset" issue. You also get the use of the car while you own it which offsets the depreciation. Surely that's better than paying a monthly lease fee for a car you won't ever own? I'm happy to buy a used car though.

FreyjaOfTheNorth · 12/10/2025 14:14

I know their living situation and income bracket (jobs)

Good grief! Have you always been so nosey about others? Clearly your detective work isn’t as good as you think as you don’t know their living situation and how they afford cars. But who cares? What does it matter to you? Just leave others to live their lives the way they want to and find a better use for your time than obsessing over how much money other people have/spend. None of your business. You sound very jealous.

SwarmsofLadybirds · 12/10/2025 14:14

Crochetandtea · 12/10/2025 14:12

And 5 bedrooms doesn’t mean very much tbh. It’s square footage we need to know. 2000sq ft - meh! 5000 or over - more impressive.
I hope you pat yourself on the back daily.

😁 since you asked, its just under 4000 sq ft and an acre of ground. So yes we're doing fine. And I love my merc and won't be changing it for a 'battered old estate', regardless of the views of randoms on the Internet.

Crochetandtea · 12/10/2025 14:19

SwarmsofLadybirds · 12/10/2025 14:14

😁 since you asked, its just under 4000 sq ft and an acre of ground. So yes we're doing fine. And I love my merc and won't be changing it for a 'battered old estate', regardless of the views of randoms on the Internet.

Show quote history

I doubt you’re the intended audience the op was referring to. It was simply an observation that those with the least have a tendency to spend the most trying to look more affluent than they actually are.

SwarmsofLadybirds · 12/10/2025 14:20

Crochetandtea · 12/10/2025 14:19

I doubt you’re the intended audience the op was referring to. It was simply an observation that those with the least have a tendency to spend the most trying to look more affluent than they actually are.

Show quote history

But this has been the case for generations, it's not a new phenomenon.

Crochetandtea · 12/10/2025 14:24

It’s incredibly sad. Such is human nature I suppose.
There’s a saying ‘ The poor plan for the weekend , the rich plan for the next generation.’

Dishwater · 12/10/2025 14:45

oakpie · 12/10/2025 14:02

Most cars depreciate in value, ironically the more expensive cars can retain their value better. But I don’t know why people talk about cars as assets like houses etc, people spend £5,000 on a holiday and won’t make money from it, but it’s the enjoyment you take from it, why is a car different to that? I don’t expect my car to appreciate anymore than I do my clothes, holidays, etc. I invest in other ways for that purpose.

Show quote history

Thanks for sharing x

oakpie · 12/10/2025 14:49

Dishwater · 12/10/2025 14:45

Thanks for sharing x

Show quote history
Flowers
Ledwood85 · 12/10/2025 14:58

reversegear · 09/10/2025 20:38

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 😍

Absolutely love it.

I'm about to take my flat-6 Porsche out to grab coffee in a few minutes. The only thing I love more than driving it (rarely) is cleaning it.

Like you and the other Porsche drivers here, it's our "thing". I make no apologies for having a "thing". Others travel a lot, wear designer clothes, are foodies, whatever.

I also worked my arse off for it (and my other car, which also wasn't cheap) and will continue to enjoy it, no matter what others think.

Elsvieta · 25/11/2025 16:36

It's like high fashion or jewellery or posh watches or whatever else - some people just like them, some don't, and for some it's a status symbol.

You should perhaps bear in mind that you might know what people's jobs are but you don't ever really know their financial situation - sources of income outside their jobs, inheritance, their debts, their expenses, their good or bad habits. Some of the people you think surely can't afford their cars probably bought them for cash after an inheritance or whatever. Even if you think people have told you about their finances, people don't always tell the truth.

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