2004 E55 reliability vs. my current car
#26
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'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
While your point is true, its quite unfair. As a young professional, i was chastized by peers for driving a Lexus ES300 (when they first came out) because folks thought it was too nice, and suggested I either was paid too much or a show off. Always irked me, since its my business how I spent my own money.
The funny reverse of that is true as well. After rather unexpectedly selling my last 7-series BMW (private sale to an enthusiast who made an offer I couldnt refuse), I was without a car, and trying to figure out what to do rather quickly. A friend of mine took me to an MB dealer a town over to look at a CLK63 convert. I wasnt wild about it, but while there, saw a Mini Cooper S - 6mt, loaded, etc., with very low miles. It was "only" $15k, as they'd had it for 90 days after a trade and were ready to send it to auction. The price was actually $2k less than NADA trade value (as they had hosed the guy who traded it to them...lol). After driving it for 15 minutes, I bought it and LOVED driving it for the 6 months I owned it [and I got more money at a different MB dealer on trade than I paid 6 mos earlier). Really a fun little car for the money. However, I bet I had 15 people ask me if things were okay with my business, as they didnt percieve it to be a car suggesting professional success, and presumed I must be having money issues to be driving such a car. How funny was that? Anyhow, once I found the e63 which I had been searching for, I ended all the speculation that I was broke. (Even thought the e63 was used, people still assumed it was a new $100k car...and my image as a "baller" was quickly restored, for whatever its worth.) Funny thing is now I have people tell me they've heard about my car and want to see it....its the only AMG car in my little sleepy midwestern town.
Anyhow, I digress.
The funny reverse of that is true as well. After rather unexpectedly selling my last 7-series BMW (private sale to an enthusiast who made an offer I couldnt refuse), I was without a car, and trying to figure out what to do rather quickly. A friend of mine took me to an MB dealer a town over to look at a CLK63 convert. I wasnt wild about it, but while there, saw a Mini Cooper S - 6mt, loaded, etc., with very low miles. It was "only" $15k, as they'd had it for 90 days after a trade and were ready to send it to auction. The price was actually $2k less than NADA trade value (as they had hosed the guy who traded it to them...lol). After driving it for 15 minutes, I bought it and LOVED driving it for the 6 months I owned it [and I got more money at a different MB dealer on trade than I paid 6 mos earlier). Really a fun little car for the money. However, I bet I had 15 people ask me if things were okay with my business, as they didnt percieve it to be a car suggesting professional success, and presumed I must be having money issues to be driving such a car. How funny was that? Anyhow, once I found the e63 which I had been searching for, I ended all the speculation that I was broke. (Even thought the e63 was used, people still assumed it was a new $100k car...and my image as a "baller" was quickly restored, for whatever its worth.) Funny thing is now I have people tell me they've heard about my car and want to see it....its the only AMG car in my little sleepy midwestern town.
Anyhow, I digress.
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
#28
While your point is true, its quite unfair. As a young professional, i was chastized by peers for driving a Lexus ES300 (when they first came out) because folks thought it was too nice, and suggested I either was paid too much or a show off. Always irked me, since its my business how I spent my own money.
The funny reverse of that is true as well. After rather unexpectedly selling my last 7-series BMW (private sale to an enthusiast who made an offer I couldnt refuse), I was without a car, and trying to figure out what to do rather quickly. A friend of mine took me to an MB dealer a town over to look at a CLK63 convert. I wasnt wild about it, but while there, saw a Mini Cooper S - 6mt, loaded, etc., with very low miles. It was "only" $15k, as they'd had it for 90 days after a trade and were ready to send it to auction. The price was actually $2k less than NADA trade value (as they had hosed the guy who traded it to them...lol). After driving it for 15 minutes, I bought it and LOVED driving it for the 6 months I owned it [and I got more money at a different MB dealer on trade than I paid 6 mos earlier). Really a fun little car for the money. However, I bet I had 15 people ask me if things were okay with my business, as they didnt percieve it to be a car suggesting professional success, and presumed I must be having money issues to be driving such a car. How funny was that? Anyhow, once I found the e63 which I had been searching for, I ended all the speculation that I was broke. (Even thought the e63 was used, people still assumed it was a new $100k car...and my image as a "baller" was quickly restored, for whatever its worth.) Funny thing is now I have people tell me they've heard about my car and want to see it....its the only AMG car in my little sleepy midwestern town.
Anyhow, I digress.
The funny reverse of that is true as well. After rather unexpectedly selling my last 7-series BMW (private sale to an enthusiast who made an offer I couldnt refuse), I was without a car, and trying to figure out what to do rather quickly. A friend of mine took me to an MB dealer a town over to look at a CLK63 convert. I wasnt wild about it, but while there, saw a Mini Cooper S - 6mt, loaded, etc., with very low miles. It was "only" $15k, as they'd had it for 90 days after a trade and were ready to send it to auction. The price was actually $2k less than NADA trade value (as they had hosed the guy who traded it to them...lol). After driving it for 15 minutes, I bought it and LOVED driving it for the 6 months I owned it [and I got more money at a different MB dealer on trade than I paid 6 mos earlier). Really a fun little car for the money. However, I bet I had 15 people ask me if things were okay with my business, as they didnt percieve it to be a car suggesting professional success, and presumed I must be having money issues to be driving such a car. How funny was that? Anyhow, once I found the e63 which I had been searching for, I ended all the speculation that I was broke. (Even thought the e63 was used, people still assumed it was a new $100k car...and my image as a "baller" was quickly restored, for whatever its worth.) Funny thing is now I have people tell me they've heard about my car and want to see it....its the only AMG car in my little sleepy midwestern town.
Anyhow, I digress.
Image and perception can be both beneficial and detrimental, especially in your line of business. Personally I would recommend however an Acura TL, good looks, reliability, and a bit luxury all in one package that wont break the bank.