champaigntaste

I have always liked driving a nice car. When I was very young I think some of that had to be an image thing. I don’t believe that’s true anymore since at some level like PUZZ1 I fear that cars like an E500 leave the impression that the owner is overpaid, privileged, arrogant or extravagant. That isn’t what I want people to think about me, but I decided I shouldn’t get a car based on what people think about it, but what I believe is the best car for me based on the car buying criteria I established.

I decided I wanted something that handled well, had good acceleration, looked nice insight and out, and was well built. You can get something besides a Mercedes that fits those criteria but after driving many cars and SUV’s I decided I liked the E500 best, so that’s what I bought.

That doesn’t mean it’s the right or wrong thing to do, but like DWP’s post #10 earlier in this thread indicates, it does say something about me. I don’t believe it should be what I am judged by. I think words and deeds are much more important.

codex57

My family looked like the poorest family in the neighborhood for quite a while before we got the E. That's cuz we dumped the 85 S class a few years ago and only had a coupla Hondas and $13,000 when new Caravan when every other house had at least one luxury car. Now we're merely bottom of the rung again. Only bad image I think the MB sends is if I drive it, I look like some young drug dealer who's possibly gay. Mom's fault, not mine. B/c it looks the way it does, I try to drive my personal car as much as possible and try to take the E out only to make sure the battery stays charged.

Gunther

Codex....

don't drive the car then. If you're too worried about how others may perceive you then you don't need to be in the driver's seat at all.

I have an 04SL. I love it. I don't care what anyone thinks when I am driving it. It's a stunning car that is a hell of a lot of fun to drive. But I bought it for those reasons - not worrying about what other people, that I don't know, think. If someone is offended at my car - or has any issue with it being showy - then the issue is theirs, not mine. I didn't tell them how to earn or spend money so any problems they are root from a sense of jealousy cause they can't buy what I have.

The only thing to worry about is whether you can afford it when you buy it. If you can't afford it, keep walking or take the bus.

lig

why is it your mom's fault that you look gay? :LOL:

j/k

ajm0824

After just getting my first MB, something unexpected happened. Those who know me best often reiterated the same thing when they found out. They said “The best thing about you getting a prestigious and flashy car is that I know your not the showy or snotty.”



Which I think makes a valid point:

Worry less about who people you barely know think about you and concentrate more on who you really are.

ATS

HAHAHA.. Possibly..?

codex57

I don't care what others think. If it really bothered me that much, I wouldn't have the most seat time behind teh car. I didn't choose teh color combo or any of the aftermarket additions (cept the clear floor mats), my mother did. I'm secure enough in my manhood and status in life to drive it as much as I do and not lecture people about situations they don't fully understand whether in this thread and then go chasing after them again in PMs. Is it that important to you for me to see your comments?

Gunther

if you not worried about it...then don't post.

ps - you brought up the gay card...not us.

Gunther

and just for the record and the others on this thread...my pm was that a white/stone 320 isn't very masculine and the only person I know who has
that car with that color combination is gay.

lig

hmmm... Does Black/Stone make me a metrosexual?

Lakerholic

To each his own I say. My in-laws are millionaires and drive a 96 Ford Explorer XLT and an early 90's Infiniti J30... they choose to spend their money differently than I do. It was hard to get this point across to my wife when we were getting her Lexus RX300 (because she now would be driving a better car than her dad), but after 3 years of ownership, she (and her dad) both understand where I was coming from in terms of reliability, safety, etc...

Prestige is a factor for me, but not the only factor.

Bottom Line? Enjoy your car.

AirBenz919

I, personally, don't see any reason to feel guilty. You work for your $$$, and if you like cars, and see one you can afford and it just happens to be better than those of your seniors, don't refrain from getting it because of that. For example, a dentist who works next door to my dad has a few practices in SoCal and earns quite a bit more compared to my dad only has a '02 325i, '93 Legend, and an old, old, old Benz. But his house is absolutely exquisite and huge, must be over the $2,000,000 mark. Whenever my dad drives up in his E320, the guy doesn't feel bad at all. What I'm trying to say, is that other people have different likes and they think that they should spend a lot of $$$ on what they think is important and on what they feel like, you shouldn't feel guilty at all.