The importance of the status symbol aspect of vehicle ownership.

[shp4man]

Is the status symbol aspect of vehicle ownership more important than the function or cost/performance ratio to you?
Are the luxury brand vehicles actually worth the added cost? Is a Lexus better than a Toyota? Lincoln better than a Ford? Is a Mercedes really a better vehicle than a Buick? Or even a Dodge?
My feeling is that the luxury brands are taking advantage of peoples need to feel superior in some way. Of course, that's an age old game with the manufacturers. I'm surprised some people can't see through it.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I drive a gay hairdresser's car.

So no, status/symbol doesn't mean anything to me.

[CALL_911]

I think luxury cars are a great way for the elite to exert their superiority on peasants

[shp4man]

I drive a gay hairdresser's car.

So no, status/symbol doesn't mean anything to me.

Actually, the Miata is a performance vehicle design. The perception of it being a "gay" car is kind of ridiculous.

[12,000 RPM]

I drive a gay hairdresser's car.

So no, status/symbol doesn't mean anything to me.

In some ways, "anti-status" is a form of status in itself. Look at how popular Subarus, Priuses, old diesel Benzes etc are in the PNW and New Hampshire. If what a car represents brings its owner a sense of pride it is a status symbol.

I am not a big fan of speaking via car. I always felt a little silly driving the Z. I mean I loved the way it looked and it drove OK, but I feel like the image it portrayed was very silly. YEs, I am a douchebag bro, but I don't want to wear that on my sleeve. I kind of like that the Civic is "just a car". TBH though next go round I could do a Bimmer.

[ifcar]

Is the status symbol aspect of vehicle ownership more important than the function or cost/performance ratio to you?
Are the luxury brand vehicles actually worth the added cost? Is a Lexus better than a Toyota? Lincoln better than a Ford? Is a Mercedes really a better vehicle than a Buick? Or even a Dodge?
My feeling is that the luxury brands are taking advantage of peoples need to feel superior in some way. Of course, that's an age old game with the manufacturers. I'm surprised some people can't see through it.

 

As with most luxury goods, they're in most cases objectively better to someone with a discerning taste. They're then frequently bought by people who wouldn't notice those advantages or don't especially care.

[AutobahnSHO]

I don't care at all, but I find myself drawn to the slightly less-popular cars.  Which emphasize function over form/popularity.

I would LOOOOVE  a Baja right now, for no good reason.

[shp4man]

I don't care at all, but I find myself drawn to the slightly less-popular cars.  Which emphasize function over form/popularity.

I would LOOOOVE  a Baja right now, for no good reason.

A Baja? 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I fucking hate 99% of people, so I don't care what they think as long as they leave me the fuck alone.

[Laconian]

I was kind of happy to trade the Acura for a Subaru. And my car after the G37 won't be a luxury brand either. I don't want to put on airs, even if that wasn't our intent when we bought the cars in the first place.

[CALL_911]

I was kind of happy to trade the Acura for a Subaru. And my car after the G37 won't be a luxury brand either. I don't want to put on airs, even if that wasn't our intent when we bought the cars in the first place.

Why? In your region, neither are particularly flashy cars, and if you get your car serviced at the dealer, luxo-marques typically treat you better

[Rupert]

Yeah, I don't think politeness of the dealer service relationship is really a factor when buying a new car for very many people.

[CALL_911]

Yeah, I don't think politeness of the dealer service relationship is really a factor when buying a new car for very many people.

You don't think the dealer experience is a factor for people buying a new car? Anecdotally, my folks are replacing my mom's A4 and the fact that the BMW dealer has made maintenance/servicing a cinch for them, while Audi has made things more annoying, is a factor in why she'll probably end up with a 3 wagon.

Also, whether it is or not makes no difference in Laconians case. He mentioned he was happy to get out of a luxo brand, and I don't think cost was the issue. I'm guessing image isn't a huge problem, considering where he lives and what he drove. I'm wondering why he'd be happy to get out of a car with a premium badge with all that said

[CALL_911]

Dealer experience was one reason why Lexus did so well from the get go. There is a difference in service at premium dealers vs the more mainstream marques. It matters for the people buying these types of cars.

[Rupert]

He said he didn't want to put on airs, i.e. image was the problem.

Did I touch a nerve or something? You clearly do place a lot of importance on the status symbol aspect of car ownership...

[CALL_911]

He said he didn't want to put on airs, i.e. image was the problem.

Did I touch a nerve or something? You clearly do place a lot of importance on the status symbol aspect of car ownership...

Lol u ok dude? Don't flatter yourself

All I'm saying is I find it kinda weird, considering he didn't/doesn't drive anything particularly flashy, especially given what he does and where he works/lives.

[Rupert]

Uh huh.

[Soup DeVille]

Whether or not you call it status, almost everybody cares to some extent about the image the car they drive projects. That doesn't mean necessarily that everybody's a badge snob, but just as one chooses to dress a certain way, one chooses to be seen in a certain kind of car; and most of the time practicality is at best a second thought.

almost every pair of pants serves the same practical purpose; just as nearly every car will serve the same basic purpose. But we don't want just utility; we want something more than to keep our ass covered and we want something more than basic transportation- even if we don't necessarily need it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'm glad I'm not almost everybody.

[veeman]

Whether or not you call it status, almost everybody cares to some extent about the image the car they drive projects. That doesn't mean necessarily that everybody's a badge snob, but just as one chooses to dress a certain way, one chooses to be seen in a certain kind of car; and most of the time practicality is at best a second thought.

almost every pair of pants serves the same practical purpose; just as nearly every car will serve the same basic purpose. But we don't want just utility; we want something more than to keep our ass covered and we want something more than basic transportation- even if we don't necessarily need it.

Also, in Wimmer's words, history/heritage means something and you can't separate that sentiment from badge snobbery.  It's just that someone who appreciates history/heritage doesn't have a negative connotation whereas someone who is a brand snob does have a negative connotation.

I'm not a wine snob but I won't buy wine in a cardboard box.  And I prefer a wine bottle to not have a twist off top.  It cheapens the experience. 

[MexicoCityM3]

The snob factor is relevant to me, yes. I'd love to say that I only care about the driving or the car or whatever but I'd be lying.

[Soup DeVille]

Also, in Wimmer's words, history/heritage means something and you can't separate that sentiment from badge snobbery.  It's just that someone who appreciates history/heritage doesn't have a negative connotation whereas someone who is a brand snob does have a negative connotation.

I'm not a wine snob but I won't buy wine in a cardboard box.  And I prefer a wine bottle to not have a twist off top.  It cheapens the experience. 

That's why I buy the boxed wine and pour it into nice bottles.

Also, I take the plastic wine bag out of the box, put it under my arm, poke a hole in it and spray it at people.

[Cookie Monster]

Dealer experience was one reason why Lexus did so well from the get go. There is a difference in service at premium dealers vs the more mainstream marques. It matters for the people buying these types of cars.

+1

That's also why Hyundai offers crazy service on the Genesis (picking up the car, dropping it back off, etc) to try to differentiate themselves from their mainstream lineup.

[Rupert]

Also, in Wimmer's words, history/heritage means something and you can't separate that sentiment from badge snobbery.  It's just that someone who appreciates history/heritage doesn't have a negative connotation whereas someone who is a brand snob does have a negative connotation.

I'm not a wine snob but I won't buy wine in a cardboard box.  And I prefer a wine bottle to not have a twist off top.  It cheapens the experience.

Heh, hate to break it to you, but that is the very definition of wine snobbery.

[Eye of the Tiger]

That's why I buy the boxed wine and pour it into nice bottles.

Also, I take the plastic wine bag out of the box, put it under my arm, poke a hole in it and spray it at people.

I take my boxed wine and pour it into a pint glass. Drink it like beer.

[MrH]

+1

That's also why Hyundai offers crazy service on the Genesis (picking up the car, dropping it back off, etc) to try to differentiate themselves from their mainstream lineup.

That's only the eequs. I get treated like shit for having a Genesis

[12,000 RPM]

Dealer experience was one reason why Lexus did so well from the get go. There is a difference in service at premium dealers vs the more mainstream marques. It matters for the people buying these types of cars.

I dont have much experience with luxury service operations but I get the feeling mainstream brands have largely caught up. Plus with many luxury marques good dealer service is paramount..... since you will be there a lot

I just took my Civic in for an A/C problem and I can't see what more they could do. They gave me a rental and kept me informed of what was going on. Maybe a luxury dealer would have free croissants and leather couches instead of cheap chairs and vending machines.

[12,000 RPM]

The snob factor is relevant to me, yes. I'd love to say that I only care about the driving or the car or whatever but I'd be lying.

No swipes, but why?

[giant_mtb]

I take my boxed wine and pour it into a pint glass. Drink it like beer.

Mah man. 👌

[Laconian]

Why? In your region, neither are particularly flashy cars, and if you get your car serviced at the dealer, luxo-marques typically treat you better

Few of my family or peers drive luxury cars. I don't like being the guy that does (even if it's a pseudo-lux Nissan )