feeling peer pressure driving my old banger

seatbeltnoob · 28 June 2016 at 11:17AM

I am first owner of a 15 year old ford focus. I have driven it from new and loved it and drove it all through the years.

It is looking quite dated but the way I see it, it hhas served me very well and is very cheap to run.

I have been quite successful in business recently and my peers are fairly well off and they drive jaguars, 5/7 series BMWs S class mercedes etc.

I am of the belief that buy into things that appreciate, avoid things that depreciate. So the car is just functional for me. But I cant help but feel everyone is judging me when I drive up in my crummy old focus.

I really dont want to update for the sake of updating. What are your thoughts?

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burlington6 · 28 June 2016 at 11:20AM

The people I know who are the most successful and wealthy don't care what they drive

Herzlos · 28 June 2016 at 11:22AM

What he said. Wealthiest person I know of drives a Rover 820. She liked them so much she bought 10 when they shut down and keeps them in a barn, replacing them as they run out.

Just think; your motoring is almost free, whilst your peers are presumably all paying £400+ a month just to keep up.

Also, unless they've made comments, I doubt they really care what you drive either.

[Deleted User] · 28 June 2016 at 11:24AM

burlington6 wrote: »

The people I know who are the most successful and wealthy don't care what they drive

The most successful and wealthy people I know drive Maseratis, Jags and Lexuses..

Do you want to take the money to the grave? Other than showing a better impression, these high end cars are much nicer inside and should drive better.

I was driving my kid today to school and the guy driving in front of me had a red Bentley convertible. It looked magnificent.

Mojisola · 28 June 2016 at 11:28AM

seatbeltnoob wrote: »

I am first owner of a 15 year old ford focus. I have driven it from new and loved it and drove it all through the years.

It is looking quite dated but the way I see it, it hhas served me very well and is very cheap to run.

I have been quite successful in business recently and my peers are fairly well off and they drive jaguars, 5/7 series BMWs S class mercedes etc.

I am of the belief that buy into things that appreciate, avoid things that depreciate. So the car is just functional for me. But I cant help but feel everyone is judging me when I drive up in my crummy old focus.

I really dont want to update for the sake of updating. What are your thoughts?

How you feel is your problem - have some therapy to build up your self-esteem.

The only reason I would replace an older car is because of the improvements in safety.

foxy-stoat · 28 June 2016 at 11:31AM

seatbeltnoob wrote: »

I really dont want to update for the sake of updating. What are your thoughts?

I think you should think about your current finanical situation and buy a new car if you can afford it and want to.

Without knowing how much your peers have spent or are spending its hard to recommend what car you should get to keep up with the current trend in your area.

Compared to your 15 year old focus running costs, you will probably have to spend another £500-£750 a month to either buy and run suitable car or rent one.

What car you afford to spend?

pogofish · 28 June 2016 at 11:36AM

burlington6 wrote: »

The people I know who are the most successful and wealthy don't care what they drive

This - and there are some seriously wealthy people in my part of the world.

The ones who try to show their value or status via cars, houses, clothes, trophy-wives etc are mainly the wanabees.

seatbeltnoob · 28 June 2016 at 11:42AM

heh, we were talking about the cost of fixing our cars, one of the guys spent £2500 with mercedes to fix a VERY slow oil leak that needs top up every 6 months on his s class coupe.

They didnt fix the problem at all and now want another £120 for diagnostics.

He was complaining how the oil, air filter, oil filter and brake fluid service cost him £900.

I was poor for most of my life and I learnt to do services myself so I told him I spend £17 on oil and filter, £8 on air filter and £12 for 1 litre brake fluid. Costs less than the meal we were having.

seatbeltnoob · 28 June 2016 at 11:52AM

it's really stupid trying to say "real wealthy people do this", "wannabes do this". etc.

people are different for every "real wealthy" person that does not flash their wealth there is another that likes to be really obnoxious and show off their wealth.

dcouponzzzz · 28 June 2016 at 12:11PM

Go and test drive a car you can afford that's up to date with the latest safety standards, and has a good reliability history. You'll know when you're driving it if the difference is worth it. If you decide to keep the focus then that's a respectable choice, and you should place less value on the opinions of anyone prepared to mock you for it.

I suggest the Tesla

If I had money I know that's what I'd have anyway.

caprikid1 · 28 June 2016 at 12:18PM

Ignore them OP, use the money you are saving every month and get your Pilots License (-;

Where I'm going I don't need roads.

Some times I find people with money feel jealous of their peers who resist the trappings of wealth allowing them to be mortgage free sooner, less borrowings , less pressure.

Are they desperate for you to conform so they don't feel stupid for their extravagance and your inverse one upmanship ?

feeling peer pressure driving my old banger

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