Is a fancy car really worth anything?

[BrownTown]

So, just for fun I was looking at fancy cars today (not the really crazy ones, just like the 30,000$ ones). Now in reality I could probably afford such a car easily (as point of fact I could write a check for that amount this second if I really wanted to), but I just don't understand the reason someone would pay twice as much for a car that doesn't do anything the basic model can't do? I mean I kinda get a laugh every time my Ford Focus flies by a Ford Mustang on the road because in reality they can both go plenty fast given speed limits. So, what is the point of even having such a car? I guess my question is whether or not anyone here can explain why a person (even if they can afford it) would ever want to buy a fancy car other than to PROVE they can afford it?

 

[Scouzer]

My penis is bigger than my neighbours because I drive a more expensive car. It's only logical.

 

[JohnCU]

i dunno, some days i regret spending $500 a month on a car but then when i go out and see it again every morning (especially if it's clean and waxed) i don't mind the $500

 

[RedArmy]

You can apply this same rationale to everything in life. This is a troll thread plain and simple.

 

[Crono]

Anything that doesn't keep you alive is just gravy.

 

[imported_Imp]

E-peen, oh wait, mental/social-peen.

The most expensive car I would buy is the Prius, and my main justification would be its size and fuel efficiency. To clarify, yes, I like the brand too.

 

[vi edit]

No doubt there is a badge appeal to luxury brands, but they also do have objectively quantifiable improvements over your vanilla volume brands. They usually have quieter, more comfortable interiors, the materials (leather, dash materials) are higher quality. And they typically are the flaghsips in technology advances for a brand.

They also may have some drivetrain layouts (RWD or AWD) that most mainstream non-luxury sedans/coupes will not come with.

Then there is also the higher attention to customer service that some people want.

Some people want and can appreciate those difference. And have the money to afford them.

 

[lxskllr]

A car is a tool, just like a hammer is. I buy what suits my purposes(a Jeep Cherokee atm), and what I like to look at. I always buy used, and there isn't a car made over $25,000 that I feel I need to own. The most expensive car I'd consider is a Mini Cooper, but they're really too small for my purposes.

 

[Jumpem]

Larger, roomier, safer.

I'm looking at an 2010 Outback. Large, AWD, and still gets 29mpg.

 

[Insomniator]

Its just something nice to have. You worked hard for your money and spend a lot of time in a car, its nice to drive something that grips the road, sounds beautiful and surrounds you in leather/wood.

Sure you can get a civic or accord... but an Acura might make you a little happier every time you sit in it.

There is no REAL practical reason, but life isn't all about practicality and saving money.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Apart from the prestige (which is important to some people), higher end models tend to have better safety and extra features like GPS, TV, better stereos etc. Higher end models also typically have more powerful engines (though not always) and more expensive running gear giving them a smoother ride. Then there are things like leather seats and the like to give a bit more comfort.

For myself, I wouldn't buy into those features unless I really had money to burn, but I can certainly understand why people buy them.

 

[rh71]

So you're a point a to point b guy, that's fine. You do not see a value in creature comforts or the little things the expensive cars do for you like dim your mirrors from headlights automatically, sense rain & dry brakes automatically, dial for help in case of an accident, radar-control your cruise control speed, give proper road feel & balance, etc... that's fine too.

Hell, why buy an Accord over a 4-dr Civic or the biggest 3-or-4-banger available for the lowest amount of money right?

 

[DAGTA]

I have the car I have because it gets me where I need to go and it's fun. I definitely spent more than I would have needed just to get from a to b to get the fun but I'm very happy with it. I don't care what my neighbors drive. My car is not about showing off, it's about fun and transportation.

 

[overst33r]

Because believe it or not, some people actually see something more in a car besides a mode of transportation.

EDIT: rh71 got it

 

[amdhunter]

It's not fancy until the 40k mark...and that's the low-end fancy.

 

[yhelothar]

Sometimes it's not just about speed or performance either, but the entire driving experience.
Sure your focus could go as fast as a mustang, but you ain't gonna get all that power without revving it up to 5k RPM or so, when the mustang gt would easily have the power available to it at 2500 RPM, and that really changes the ride quality.

Or in my case, I love miatas even though half the minivans out there can go 0-60 faster than me. But they don't get a nimble, lightweight, RWD sportscar that feels like a glove to drive, rather than navigating a huge boat.

And sure both a performance sports car and your taurus can adequately hit the speed limits, but what is pertinent in that case would be how fast it could hit the speed limit, in which the former would be giving you a shot of adrenaline while you feel the G's of acceleration while the car throws you to the back of your seat, and the latter, you'd barely be feeling a thing.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
My penis is bigger than my neighbours because I drive a more expensive car. It's only logical.

It's simple math, really.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've always wondered that. Personally, I rather just buy used. Cars don't last anymore. Why pay so much money when it's only going to last you 3 years anyway? May as well just buy used for 10 times cheaper, then fix it and not feel like you're throwing money away. I bought a used car for 5k and I put maybe 2-3k into it so far, but I'm still ahead as if I had bought new I'd be putting money into it by now anyway.

The only place I'd ever buy a new car is if I lived in the south where there's no snow which means no salt. But when it's winter 10 months out of 12 there's no point in a new fancy car. I laugh at the people who get a low body kit. No point doing that here where you'll just sink right in the snow, or hit potholes in summer and rip the drive shaft and transmission right out while doing other undercar damage.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
It's not fancy until the 40k mark...and that's the low-end fancy.

A matter of perspective.

 

[OUCaptain]

You're Jewish right? Only the jewish or my dad are that cheap. $30,000 isn't fancy.

OK, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume by "fancy" you mean anything above cheap and sensible. As for your mustang vs focus question. Well the focus looks and drives like ass. The mustang can sort of corner well, or at least better than the focus. Cars are like anything else, you get what you pay for. I snapped or bent three axle shafts in my old Wrangler Sport thanks to the tooth pick Dana 35 axles they put in it. My newer Rubicon on the other hand is pretty much bullet proof with Dana 44's front and rear. Again, you get what you pay for. For the record, I know Dana 44's aren't actually bullet proof. I only push it past what the 35 rear and 30 front were capable of but not much past the 44.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Because believe it or not, some people actually see something more in a car besides a mode of transportation.

EDIT: rh71 got it

winner winners tv dinners

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: RedArmy
You can apply this same rationale to everything in life. This is a troll thread plain and simple.

but see, my fast computer can actually play games better and my HDTV clearly has better quality than my old one, and a good steak clearly tastes better than a cheap one. Same isn't really true for cars though, there is a speed limit that caps them all out at a point even the cheapest can reach (so why have 300 horsepower?). I can understand more comfortable seats or a better sound system though. What I was really trying to ask (although it apparently didn't get across) is how much income would you need to make to buy a 35,000$ car for example? See, I would need at least 150,000 a year before I would consider that, but the guy who sits next to me owns two cars like that and only makes 75,000 a year. What would be the cutoff for people here where a car stops begin a "point A to point B" expense and starts being something you spend money on. Its obviously relative the first paycheck I got out of college I bought a new computer with, whereas for someone else they put down payment on a car.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: RedArmy
You can apply this same rationale to everything in life. This is a troll thread plain and simple.

but see, my fast computer can actually play games better and my HDTV clearly has better quality than my old one, and a good steak clearly tastes better than a cheap one. Same isn't really true for cars though, there is a speed limit that caps them all out at a point even the cheapest can reach (so why have 300 horsepower?). I can understand more comfortable seats or a better sound system though. What I was really trying to ask (although it apparently didn't get across) is how much income would you need to make to buy a 35,000$ car for example? See, I would need at least 150,000 a year before I would consider that, but the guy who sits next to me owns two cars like that and only makes 75,000 a year. What would be the cutoff for people here where a car stops begin a "point A to point B" expense and starts being something you spend money on. Its obviously relative the first paycheck I got out of college I bought a new computer with, whereas for someone else they put down payment on a car.

but see my fast(ish) car can pass people without staying too long in the other lane. zoom zoom. safety first

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: RedArmy
You can apply this same rationale to everything in life. This is a troll thread plain and simple.

but see, my fast computer can actually play games better and my HDTV clearly has better quality than my old one, and a good steak clearly tastes better than a cheap one. Same isn't really true for cars though, there is a speed limit that caps them all out at a point even the cheapest can reach (so why have 300 horsepower?). I can understand more comfortable seats or a better sound system though. What I was really trying to ask (although it apparently didn't get across) is how much income would you need to make to buy a 35,000$ car for example? See, I would need at least 150,000 a year before I would consider that, but the guy who sits next to me owns two cars like that and only makes 75,000 a year. What would be the cutoff for people here where a car stops begin a "point A to point B" expense and starts being something you spend money on. Its obviously relative the first paycheck I got out of college I bought a new computer with, whereas for someone else they put down payment on a car.

Speed isn't the only determinant for performance when it comes to cars. Acceleration, brake time/distance, handling, safety features, reliability...

 

[RedArmy]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: RedArmy
You can apply this same rationale to everything in life. This is a troll thread plain and simple.

but see, my fast computer can actually play games better and my HDTV clearly has better quality than my old one, and a good steak clearly tastes better than a cheap one. Same isn't really true for cars though, there is a speed limit that caps them all out at a point even the cheapest can reach (so why have 300 horsepower?). I can understand more comfortable seats or a better sound system though. What I was really trying to ask (although it apparently didn't get across) is how much income would you need to make to buy a 35,000$ car for example? See, I would need at least 150,000 a year before I would consider that, but the guy who sits next to me owns two cars like that and only makes 75,000 a year. What would be the cutoff for people here where a car stops begin a "point A to point B" expense and starts being something you spend money on. Its obviously relative the first paycheck I got out of college I bought a new computer with, whereas for someone else they put down payment on a car.

Ok, so people have different priorities than you. If you really wanted this thread to be what you just described, you could've made a poll of salary ranges and asked where people would have to be in that range in order for them to consider having a 35k car. However, I can tell you right now that you'll get varied answers so that would probably be a waste of time. There is no definitive answers to your question, everybody is different.