Sometimes I feel a little guilty driving this car especially I consider that a senior partner of the real estate company I work for (who has more money than God) drives a 94 Volvo 940 wagon or when clients of mine drive lesser or much lesser cars. My best response is that I'm saving $500 per month with my E500 vs. leasing an 03 Audi A4 and an 02 Boxster S combined (the cars I dumped to get the E). It's a little uncomfortable when you feel the need to explain to people who probably think I'm nuts for getting a 60K car when a $40K car would more than do, or associate MB's with ostentatious people (which I'm not at all).

I don't think it sends out the wrong image. I think everyone is into thier own thing and that is where they prioritize. Some people like cars, some like boats, some like horses...etc. I don't think you should feel guilty at all. Excellent choice on the E500 BTW

You've no doubt worked hard to have what you have...you've earned it so don't let anyone deter you from liking certain luxuries. If other people want to govern what you and I drive then those people should pay for our cars.

I find from being a real estate broker that people like to deal with someone who the feel is successful. A fine automobile helps create that image.

I agree, it does not send the wrong image. I have the bottom of the barrel Benz, and I get grief for driving it all the time and mine is well below the 40k mark. I really think that people see the star and assume way too much. I do not however feel guilty or the need to justify my purchase to anyone. I just let them speak their mind and carry on. Someday I will upgrade and it will be another Benz, as I think that I may be an owner for life.

I can tell you from first hand experience that is very true. My wife is in real estate and as silly as it may sound, when your clients see you drive up in the Mercedes, they trust in your abilities more and don't question your expertise or your experience.

Truer words were never spoken.

When my former wife used to set up open house in Westlake Village with her White 450 SLC sitting in the driveway, people knew she was successful! She used to call that car part of her image. Her new 240D before the SLC was not good enough according to her thinking, so she insisted we trade.

This is a very interesting thread. I'm getting an e500 which I can comfortably afford, and yet guilt is killing me. I hate that my car is more prestigious than my boss and some of my co-workers. I hate to give the impression that I'm showing off. My wife believes that as long as you don't pay rent on your home or own a subsidized home, any car is fair game.

Funny thing is this..

When I visit clients that are super wealthy I ALWAYS drive my bad car.. If they see that you are too successful then they don't like it.. Funny eh? (Eh? - I am in Canada).

A recent thread ( https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...8&page=1&pp=10 ) ranged over a variety of reasons why people drive a M-B, from the pure "prestige" motivation to the "engineering" to the "long-term economy" and various stops in between. Some people don't care what other people think of their car while others care a lot - consider how many threads in this forum are about pure cosmetic bling. Of those who do care, some are very happy with the "message" of affluence and prestige that they see their car as sending, while others (count me among them) are a little uncomfortable with that message. The reasons for discomfort, in turn, range from fear of having the car vandalized, to the sense that it's not nice to flaunt it, to "liberal guilt" over how many Third-World families $60,000 would feed. I guess what I'm trying to say is that people on this forum range all over the spectrum on whether they see their cars as sending a "message," and if so, what they perceive that message to be. The question posed is a good one for stimulating discussion, but the responses say a lot more about the values and life-experience of the individual than they do about the car. Puzzi's boss apparently has sense of what's important that differs from Puzzi's, but it's not my business to pass judgment on either of them.

I used to get a lot of grief for my previous car, but that was my first foray in to the luxury market, so my family was a little up in arms. By far, I have the most expensive car in my immediate and extended family, and at my office, even though I am not the boss, nor do I make a huge sum of money. But, I have always justified it by saying that you spend money on things that are interesting to you. I think everyone got used to the fact that luxury cars and me are here to stay, so the response was much better than it was the first time around. Everyone was able to see that I didn't pass in to financial ruin because I spent too much on a car.

Being 23, it doesn't matter what image I'm trying to convey. Most people think that my parents bought my cars for me. It's even worse when I drive my Viper.

But, I enjoy my cars more then anything with a nice Cuban cigar a close second. If I'm happy that's all that matters. I'll let everyone else hate on me.

I say, Fogetaboutit!

Donnie Brasco 1997: "Forget about it" is like if you agree with someone, you know, like "Raquel Welsh is one great piece of *** forget about it." But then, if you disagree, like "A Lincoln is better than a Cadillac? Forget about it!" you know? But then, it's also like if something's the greatest thing in the world, like Mingrio's Peppers, "forget about it." But it's also like saying "Go to hell!" too. Like, you know, like "Hey Paulie, you got a one inch pecker?" and Paulie says "Forget about it!" Sometimes it just means forget about it.

No guilt whatsoever. I work for the money, do everything I am supposed to do for work, family, and children... and this is what I choose to drive. Are there people who cant afford one? Yes. Are there people who can't afford a new Toyota? Yes. Are there people who drive an 8 year old car? Yes. We are all not making the same money, nor are we all living in the same neighborhood/house. The guilt is instilled in some because of some views on wealth redistribution within this Country. You can NOT redistribute the money so that everone has the same amount of money, cars or "things".

Some people are driving cars that dwarf my E Class, or have a garage full of expensive iron. I am not jealous, nor do I think I should have one also. I worked hard and smart, and chose to have this car.

I feel you on the dynamics of having a nicer car than your boss. We recentyl purchased an E320 and have decided against driving the thing to the company picnic b/c it WOULD be the subject of a few whispered conversations amongst the more senior people. Sad. That's okay b/c my enjoyment doesn't result from the reactions of any colleagues.

My wife always has this guilt complex with the car. She sometimes would avoid people in her office so that they won't see her driving or getting out of the car...I don't understand this guilt thing and I always joke with her and say that maybe she should have bought a Ford Taurus instead! Maybe we all should rethink our enthusiasm for MB and drive less-expensive domestic cars so that we won't offend anyone... Bottom line is that I refuse to feel guilt because of what I drive, I've worked too long and too hard in order to have that tri-star sitting on my hood. We should be proud not guilty to be able to drive these fine automobiles.

I probably have one of the better cars in the parking lot here at work...certainly better, or at least more expensive, than my boss's and her boss - the CEO! In my book, it's all how you chose to spend your money - in a lot of other ways I live more modestly than these folks - I don't have a big fancy home out in the western suburbs of Boston, my vacation home is up in Maine (not out on the "gold coast" of Cape Cod), and anyone will tell you that I certainly don't spend a lot of money on new clothes (I could care less!)

I've always loved cars, and I think my Mercedes is one of the best treats I ever could have given myself. I drive it proudly and so totally enjoy it - but I'm certainly not pretentious about it at all, and I think people know that and respect that. My advice is just to enjoy it - most people will be happy for you!!!!

"If I'm happy that's all that matters ..."

"The guilt is instilled in some because of some Socialistic views permeating the Country."

...must keep fingers off keyboard ..... must resist impulse to start off-topic political flame war .... sooooo hard ....

Outstanding topic. I too have felt the guilt of driving a new MB yet I am passionate about cars. To explain how hard I have worked to get to this stage in my life would do no good in words. I do feel better though knowing I placed my priorities first: 401K, Kids education 529's, bought my home and have my own business. The MB is a want not a need. I have worked hard and now is the time to enjoy. If others want to judge me, then there is nothing I can do to chanmge their preconceived notions but I do have solace knowing that I am having fun while I'm still breathing LOL!
BTW, anyone read "the millionaire next door". :p

In order to avoid the Mercedes Tax when service people come to call at our house for services or estimates, the car ALWAYS stays in the garage.

And yes, I've overheard "Don't worry, they can afford it. Did you see that car in the driveway?"

"most people will be happy for you!!!!"

True. I must balance out my comment by saying that my long-time friends have gushed over the car in part b/c they knew what it meant to me and the sacrifices that went into it. But strangers and mere acquaintances still will have mixed reactions. You know, a lot of people don't realize how close in costs, a MB is. We weren't sure what were going to get until we priced some mid-level SUVs that were coming in around $40K and decided to add some cash to get what I really wanted.

Ha!, you get grief. Try being 23, and having an E500, and then every person around me that is my age, is bumming me for money. Seriously, there is a problem if you feel bad, for other people. You should be proud to have that car. For instance, I feel that the E500, is around the mean area for a Benz. I see people driving S600's and CL55 AMG's and I don't feel like they are snooty. I appreciate the taste for the car, and I can see that they have succeded enought to even have the car. Those who cannot afford it, or choose not to purchase one...... Who cares, what they think. It should give them incentive to be succesful

Wow, congrats on being so successful at a young age. When I was in my 2nd year residency, I remember an older mature nurse driving back then a 190E. It was funny to see all the young physicians knocking the car saying it wasn't really a true MB. More so, it was their jealousy that they would be years away from affording anything similar with more than $100K in student loans. My take is enjoy life yet be fiscally responsible. You have one chance to enjoy the fruits of your hard labour might as well have fun while your working hard.

Agreed...not the place for a political discussion. I have modified my post to soften a possible incindiary political hot potato, which has no place in THIS world wide forum comunity.

I applaud your restraint.

Hmmmm.... can't recall the last time I saw a S600 or a CL55 driving around Sacramento. Maybe vananron lives in Granite Bay (the Beverly Hills of Sacramento). Where I live, the mean/median Mercedes is a C-class, not an E-class - and most definitely not an E500.