Why do people buy expensive cars?

fred246

No. I just think that they wouldn't be happy to be told that their expensive motor wasn't actually very good at doing what they bought it for. IE going fast.

Kim_kim

AndyMc..... wrote: »

No snobbery, read the context of the quote. Rented house rented car.

It wasn't just that one quote - there were a few sniddy comments about buying a car on finance.

motorguy

fred246 wrote: »

No. I just think that they wouldn't be happy to be told that their expensive motor wasn't actually very good at doing what they bought it for. IE going fast.

Who says they bought it to go fast?

Maybe they're happy sitting in absolute climate controlled comfort on nice comfy leather seats.

Why would they want to ride around a city on a bike? Perhaps they're coming from work and they're heading on home to some mansion in the country therefore a bike is not a solution?

motorguy

Kim_kim wrote: »

It wasn't just that one quote - there were a few sniddy comments about buying a car on finance.

There always are.

vikingaero

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

I don't understand why people buy cars which they know aren't likely to be either the cheapest to run, or safest? What's the point in a car that's so powerful it's dangerous and expensive to fuel and insure, or with rare parts? What don't we all drive corsas and fiestas? People carriers i could understand for large families, or a land rover if you need to pull a heavy trailor on a farm, but not for the school run.

I don't think it impresses anyone, nobody really cares how anyone gets around, and "brand new" just translates to me into willing to pay a premium to drive off the forecourt. Expensive cars are highly vulnerable to vandalism too as well as depreciation

Going back to the original question. I have 1 car on lease and 3 private cars. I can see the benefits of ownership/leasing.

People buy expensive cars because they can afford to. Some 86% of cars sold in the UK are leased/PCPed/financed. Leasing offers a cheap way into a particular car, whether you agree with having a car at the end of the lease or not.

Leasing benefits those who manage their finances well. If you are are start up one man company and need a decent reliable vehicle then leasing will get you a new car/van for minimal upfront outlay. It suits people with a vanilla lifestyle - reliable paying job etc etc.

Most people only look at the cost of leasing and compare it to renting a house. That leased vehicle will enable you to reliably commute to work to earn £xx,000, it will allow you to visits friends and family, go shopping, indulge in leisure activities from taking your dog for a walk or dogging... Not everyone has the mechanical aptitude to run a banger.

Again. Some people will buy flash cars to lord it over their neighbours - it's a very British trait. The British are also highly susceptible to branding and lifestyling - something car makers prey very well on.

simonineaston

I was mulling over this very question t'other day - well TBH, I wasn't... I was actually thinking about a different Q, which is "Why do people buy new cars?" but it contains the same sort of arguments!
A friend of mine, who is well used to being careful with her money, has bought her last two cars new, and I was deliberating over the attraction of this approach - something I'd never do in a million years! So, what's different about us two, that makes us take such different approaches to getting hold of the cars we want. Well, I can't really speak for her, but there's two things that stop me buying any car new and they're these: firstly I couldn't bear the thought of losing a significant percentage of the new price the moment I put the key into the lock... (8% - 10%...15%, even!!) and second, I can't stand the smell of the damn things! It takes a good couple of years for the pong of all that plastic to waft away!!

motorguy

simonineaston wrote: »

I was mulling over this very question t'other day - well TBH, I wasn't... I was actually thinking about a different Q, which is "Why do people buy new cars?" but it contains the same sort of arguments!
A friend of mine, who is well used to being careful with her money, has bought her last two cars new, and I was deliberating over the attraction of this approach - something I'd never do in a million years! So, what's different about us two, that makes us take such different approaches to getting hold of the cars we want. Well, I can't really speak for her, but there's two things that stop me buying any car new and they're these: firstly I couldn't bear the thought of losing a significant percentage of the new price the moment I put the key into the lock... (8% - 10%...15%, even!!) and second, I can't stand the smell of the damn things! It takes a good couple of years for the pong of all that plastic to waft away!!

Cant help you with the new car smell but RE: the depreciating as soon as you turn the key in the lock, well, has anyone ever done that? Depreciation is the difference between what you've bought it at, and what you sell it at. If you havent sold it, it hasnt depreciated. (a bit tongue in cheek, i know)

Also, noone pays list price these days for cars, so the big discounts you get often offsets the "savings" on buy a pre-reg or ex-demo car.

Also, very few people actually buy new with cash, so its down to a monthly sum. The monthly sum for a new car might not be wildly different to the monthly sum for a used car, so to some people that bit extra could be worth it for the warranty, etc.

Kim_kim

I know NOTHING about cars. If I buy a new car I can be as sure as I can be I'm not buying a dud.
I then know it's condition & how it's looked after.

That peace of mind when you know no knowledge or expertise is why I like buying new.

Gloomendoom

vikingaero wrote: »

People buy expensive cars because they can afford to. Some 86% oAgain. Some people will buy flash cars to lord it over their neighbours - it's a very British trait]. The British are also highly susceptible to branding and lifestyling - something car makers prey very well on.

Car buyers in general are susceptible to branding and lifestyling. It's not a particularly British trait.

Neither is keeping up with the Jones'...

Tiddlywinks

fred246 wrote: »

No. I just think that they wouldn't be happy to be told that their expensive motor wasn't actually very good at doing what they bought it for. IE going fast.

But did they buy it to 'go fast'? Or for the comfort of 'the ride'? My OH drive thousands of miles a month all over the country - he chose his car for comfort - the expensive extras are worth much more than money when they mean you can gt out of a long haul trip without being achy, sweaty and bad tempered.

Plus, just because you can't 'go fast' on public highways doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the car's performance at club level. Think outside of the box!

simonineaston wrote: »

.... "Why do people buy new cars?"

..... firstly I couldn't bear the thought of losing a significant percentage of the new price the moment I put the key into the lock... (8% - 10%...15%, even!!) and second, I can't stand the smell of the damn things! It takes a good couple of years for the pong of all that plastic to waft away!!

I've bought both second hand and new cars... each have their merits.

The depreciation is what it is - a fact of life.

Every time you see a smoker do you feel the urge to ask why they pay good money on something that they just literally set fire to? Or do you ask someone buying steak why they don't just each dry bread or plain rice?

Why live in a house when you could live in a cave or a tent?

Life is just full of choices - I make my own for myself and noone else.

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Car buyers in general are susceptible to branding and lifestyling. It's not a particularly British trait.

Absolutely.

Advertising is a multi-billion dollar worldwide market that covers everything from food, alcohol, lifestyle choices, holidays, charitable giving etc etc etc.

Again, it's just a fact of life that we have money and companies are vying for our business.

So - in conclusion - people have personal choice - democracy is a marvellous thing :rotfl:.