Why do people buy expensive cars?

Sam_Fallow

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

I'm guessing you're not a 'petrol head' are you.

Jonesya

Few things to consider:

A lot of new cars are company cars, the drivers don't own them and the cost to the driver isn't that much more, sometimes even less, than an average run-about.

Most new privately owned cars are now bought on finance, like PCP plans, so the driver is just renting the thing for a few years. Most people couldn't stump up £20, £30, £40k in cash to buy them, but can scratch together a deposit and few hundred each month to rent one. And that's why you see so many luxury vehicles, because ironically the high residual values make the monthly costs competitive than average brands that depreciate more heavily.

You should be grateful to these guys, they're paying the depreciation for you, so you can pick up a nice 3 year old car for a song. Imagine if everyone bought used cars, the prices would soar!

liltzero

Because I can and life is too short to drive a boring car.

BeenThroughItAll

liltzero wrote: »

Because I can and life is too short to drive a boring car.

What on earth are you driving this week?

liltzero

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

What on earth are you driving this week?

Corsa vxr in limited edition black

AndyMc.....

liltzero wrote: »

Corsa vxr in limited edition black

Custard test on that.

Hoof_Hearted

I have some sympathy with the OP. As I walk the dog through the streets, I always find it surprising that people with quite modest houses often have very expensive cars outside and that the reverse is often true. To me, a Ferrari driver always looks like a bit of a knob.

People choose how to spend their money but I couldn't bring myself to spend a fortune on a car. The novelty wears off too soon.

neilmcl

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

What's the point in a car that's so powerful it's dangerous and expensive to fuel and insure, or with rare parts?

Do you want to give us examples of these powerful and dangerous cars with oh so rare parts?

For the record a Fiesta can be dangerous in the wrong hands, in fact I'd hazard a guess that the majority of road accidents involve the more "mundane" models of car.

Joe_Horner

worried_jim wrote: »

Why do people skydive, swim with sharks, fight with bulls.

Why do birds sing so gay?
Or lovers await the break of day?

System

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?

Why don't you live in a cave or a tent? Why do you eat food you buy from a shop instead of just eating grass? Why do you drink anything other than water?

People drive expensive cars because they want to and want something other than the basics. They drive them because they see them more than just a tool to get from A to B.