Car Ownership: How Does It Relate To Social Status

Cars have been a status symbol since their inception. There have been a few note-worthy cars that were the ultimate status symbol. Truly, if you want to know how much of an impact cars can make on social standings, just take a look at James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder. It was his first car and he worked for it till he died in the car. After all these years people are still using this as one of their favorite symbols of success and wealth. Cars don’t come cheap though so they should only be bought when you’re financially stable enough to afford them which will help maintain your reputation as someone who has everything together even if it’s not always true. If you do own or plan on buying a car then here are some tips to consider when thinking about the type of car you are going to buy.

Used vs New

There’s a debate over whether it’s better to buy a used car or a brand new one. New cars have all the latest features and their numbers are limited so they’re more expensive. On the other hand, when you buy used you have a higher chance of getting something reliable because most people who sell their old cars will keep it in good condition even if it is an older car. According to Redlands Mazda, if you buy a used car from an accredited provider you are more likely to get a good deal. You will be able to find parts and it will likely be in better shape than purchasing it from a sketchy online website (or even Facebook). If you buy used, you might get a chance to negotiate the price down too which will help you save some money. You shouldn’t be afraid of buying used but also shouldn’t assume that they are always better because new cars have warranties and guarantees that protect buyers in case anything goes wrong.

There are benefits to buying either one depending on what your goals are. If you buy a used car then the repairs become cheaper because chances are that mechanic has already worked on that model of car before and knows exactly what needs to be fixed and how to fix it.

What Does Your Car Say About You?

Cars say a lot about who you are as a person. If you drive an expensive car with many imported features, people will assume that you’re classy and have expensive taste. On the other hand, if your car has dents and scrapes all over it, people will assume that you can’t afford something better, and that you’re a terrible driver. If you buy a flashy car like a red sports car then people might see you as someone who likes to show off and isn’t really wealthy or doesn’t care about money because they’re already rich enough to drive their expensive cars around. Each type of car has a different reputation attached to it, that’s why when you think of getting a car people will always have their own opinions on what you should get.

If you buy an inexpensive car, you might assume that they are unreliable because there are so many mechanical things about the car that can go wrong and cause problems. They also need to be maintained regularly and take a lot of money and extra time to maintain and run.

Cheap vs Expensive

There’s an ongoing debate over which cars are better: expensive or cheap. If you buy a cheap car you never really know whether it will break down on the way home from the dealership. Sometimes those $2,000 used cars can be just as reliable as those $20,000 brand new cars. If you buy a used car and break down the side of the road, it is going to cost an arm and leg just to get back on the road. However, if you buy a $70,000 brand new BMW then it would be embarrassing to break down in that car because everyone will know that you can’t afford the repairs on it.

Should You Really Care About What Others Think?

When you’re thinking about your car, you shouldn’t really think about what others will think of it before you decide to get it. Get the car that is right for you, your needs and what you can afford. Shop around for something that fills your needs and is reliable. Likewise, if you have the budget and you just like cars, get whatever you want. It doesn’t matter if it is considered a really flashy car. If you like it, get it.

There are many different perspectives on what a car says about its driver. Some may say that if you have an expensive, new sports car then they’ll assume you’re flashy and don’t care about money because you already have plenty of it to buy the extravagant cars with. Other people would say that if your old beat-up car doesn’t work all the time or is unreliable, they will think less of how successful you might be in other areas of life too. Whether someone has an inexpensive used vehicle or a high-end luxury model, there’s always going to be assumptions made by others who see them driving around town. Get what is right for you.