Cars becoming status symbols

obi_waynne

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In our materially driven society would you agree that cars and the type of car people choose to drive are any of the following.

1) A status symbol, with cost and performance indicate greater status.
2) People just get the car they like driving and appearances (status) doesn't come into it.
3) Cars just reflect the personality of the driver.
4) Other please state

How do you view your car?
 
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Well it's all about showing other people how much money you have as that's all that anyone is judged by these days.

This is why people are happy to buy underpowered, poverty spec cars as long as they have a certain badge on the front.

I've heard the saying that your house shows who you are but your car shows who you'd like to be, and for a lot of people I think that's true.

That said if I cared about what people thought of me or my cars I'd have never bought a ZS180 or a Clio 172, and I'd have missed out on a HUGE amount of driving fun.
 
Well after 6.5 years I still have my ZS180! To most it's a tarted up Rover so i have no issues embarassing much more expensively badged cars! I've also owned a 2CV so I don't actually care what people think. To me it's more to do with the driving pleasure and not following the herd. If I was concerned or of low self esteem I would probably buy a badge and blend in, probably be silver too.
 
Status cars have only appealed to me on an admiring level!
Although I have sworn to buy myself a Bentley GTC within the next five years purely because I love the looks alone and not the badge, it wouldn't bother me at all if it had a Kia badge on it. Hope that doesn't sound too contradictory but I'm sure you all know what I mean! :blink:
 
think it depends on the people themselves. Some definately buy the car just for the badge, personally i like driving the Scooby which is why i have it, am looking for an Evo but have yet to test drive one and if i dont like it i wont buy it.
i want something that is fun and has some decent power. I would love to get hold of a 205 gti 1.9 again,
 
I drive a Astra and want a diesel focus. I don't care what people think of my car too much, as long as they think it's 'nice' then i'm happy with what they think. I buy a car for me and the reasons i need and want, not for the people who will just be looking at it or sitting in it. I tell everyone my car is :)
 
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think it depends on the people themselves. Some definately buy the car just for the badge, personally i like driving the Scooby which is why i have it, am looking for an Evo but have yet to test drive one and if i dont like it i wont buy it.
i want something that is fun and has some decent power. I would love to get hold of a 205 gti 1.9 again,

I remember the 205 1.9 GTI well :love: the first time I drove one and floored it from 1st gear it frightened the living daylights out of me! :embarrest::)
 
to be honest it is all about status symbol for most people, showing off to girl/boyfriends friends and family. but really 4 me i just love my mk1 escort(and its cheap on gas and i love the stylings ov old cars) and i dont care if people think im 'cool' or 'not' its just as long as im happy with what im doing and who im with, if people point at it or stare then thats cool cause maybe they havent seen a mk1 escort for years and i hope i made their day.
 
I don't think people like Audi drivers, probably not as much as they hate BMW drivers but were still not liked! :(
 
I drive /buy what we can reasonably afford.
I have never owned a Toyota Hilux ute due to what we over here call "Toyota tax"as they are priced a fair bit higher than other makes of work vehicles.
My/our cars are a Honda Accord for HI and a 4x4 dual/crew cab Holden Colorado diesel auto that now has 115000klms on the clock that is my DD and tow car for my 85 turbo Starion.
That said should we ever come into money/win lotto then I would certainly be in the market for an M3
 
I don,t care in the least.
My car probably say nothing about me as nobody takes any notice of a mid range Vauxhall.
 

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