Can respectable professional like me really buy a cheap "beater" car?

[BeardWannabe]

So I am thisclose to consummating a deal on a late 1990s GM sedan (limited edition!) with 39,000 miles (verified), brand new tires, new brakes, clean service history, etc.  airbags, OK safety ratings, great A/C, great heater, windows pristine, interior seats with a few tears, paint is sundamaged on hood and trunk. Belonged to older folks who will no longer be driving. About 30mpg on HWY, 19mpg in city. Looking at $2,200 - $2,800 (negotiatin'). My commute in average traffic city -- 18 miles each way, 5 days a week, mostly interstate driving. Sometimes need to ferry two tweens to practices, friends, etc. Just bought the wife a gently used (20k miles) large family chariot (2015 minivan).

Just recently caught the YNAB and MMM bug. Trying to keep perspective on it. Gotta live my life, deal with my own craziness and anxieties, etc. But do need to start thinking about saving money in a serious way.

Firstly, this would be the smoothest driving car I've ever owned. My mechanic is looking at it now, and his assistant, it turns out, has the same exact car and has put 200K miles on it. "If I had that $2,500, I'd buy it right now myself."

I have never, ever cared about what kind of car I drive. My current ride must go (170K miles, transmission slipping, front tires overdue for replacement). But being very honest -- biggest hurdle to overcome is perception, of my colleagues and my family. Majority of me wants to make this my first statement of new Bad-assity attitude, buy it, DIY fix seats and polish out paint issues. Send a strong message especially to me and my family.

Other factors creating reluctance -- newer models have many, many stronger safety features. I spend nearly an hour a weekday (minimum) in vehicle ... shouldn't I drive something that is a little more luxiourious (I know ... weakness ... but all ye holy Mustachians, lo, I am weak), that is safer, that makes my wife a little more likely to want to go out with me in MY car (and then come home with me, too), that makes my kids not ashamed (they go to public school so it's not a huge deal ... but they'd cringe, no question).

Anyway, you get the picture. I could pay cash up to $8,000 without financing, and I have found some newer things with more miles that would be more ... respectable. But then I think I could buy this, sell my current ride and have dropped only a net $1,000 on a car that ought to last me 7 more years, at minimum.

Only other factor to mention ... there's an awesome story I can tell about how I came to find the car and the guy selling it and some unknown connections.

Thanks for any thoughts/advice. I really mean this as much of a way to provoke some discussion on issues those of us in the "real" world face when it comes to making radical decisions needed to truly be MMM badass.

[Nick_Miller]

I'm an attorney, make over $100K, and drive an almost 14-year-old Jeep worth maybe $4K. I'd buy the car, fix a few of the cosmetic issues, and enjoy all those years of free driving.

[Jrr85]

I'm an attorney, make over $100K, and drive an almost 14-year-old Jeep worth maybe $4K. I'd buy the car, fix a few of the cosmetic issues, and enjoy all those years of free driving.

I am basically in the same boat except my jeep is 23 years old.  But you can't compare driving an old Jeep to an old sedan.  There is a cool factor to an old jeep that is not there with an old sedan.  Not that I disagree with your advice, which I think is spot on, but I can't (and you can't) pretend that it's some sort of sacrifice to drive a car everyday that most people like enough to buy as an "extra" car. 

[snogirl]

Go for it and laugh all the way to FIRE!
Do what is right for you.
As I have gotten older, I care less and less what anyone thinks because I know I am kind person who has worked hard.
Enuf said.

[snogirl]

ps safety features can kill you too.
airbags, didn't a Jeep just slip into gear & roll back and crush some famous actor?
If a car is deemed safe and inspected that is really all we can do.
Sometime things are out of control when it comes to getting you heaven ticket punched.

[Midwest]

I drive older jeeps and am in a professional position.  Client complimented my "classic" car.

[chemistk]

I assume you are talking about a mid 90s Buick, no? From a functional (car-as-an-appliance point of view), you can't do much better. You'll need to be diligent about routine maintenance but if you are, you'll have very few issues.

You have to ask yourself two questions: do you care if family/coworkers poke fun at you for driving a beater (you'd be surprised how many people don't even care)? Would you be at risk of losing a future promotion or fall out of favor at work for your car? (If so, look for another job).

Most people don't really care. Those that do don't matter. Those that matter and do care need a lesson in personal finance.

Buy it. Maintain it.

P.S. Your insurance will almost assuredly be lower.

[BeardWannabe]

Correct. Buick.
Also agree that Jeep is not the same issue. Very easy to feel "cool" and respectable in a Jeep. Also, honestly, my first choice before eliminating the financing option was a Chevy Volt from Carvana. Not thrilled about this Buick's fossil fuel consumption and CO2 belching, but it's actually an improvement over current car's mpg, by about 20%. 

[Midwest]

Correct. Buick.
Also agree that Jeep is not the same issue. Very easy to feel "cool" and respectable in a Jeep. Also, honestly, my first choice before eliminating the financing option was a Chevy Volt from Carvana. Not thrilled about this Buick's fossil fuel consumption and CO2 belching, but it's actually an improvement over current car's mpg, by about 20%.

One of mine is a cherokee.  A lot less cool factor than the wrangler.

[GhostSaver]

I work in finance and have a Suby wagon and a Leaf between me and my wife. I could "afford" a Maserati if I wanted to work until I'm 70, but I don't. Mostly, my colleagues respect my approach to cars. If anything, my sensible approach to personal transportation is a positive for my reputation. But I also usually work from home and never take clients around in my car. YMMV.

I feel like I already spend too much on cars because we live in the boonies and thus own two of them.

I say go for it. Sounds like you found a nice deal.

[trailrated]

CJ-7 ftw!

[thd7t]

What is your profession? I need to be convinced by this"respectable professional" thing!

Note: I am an architect working for a University. I just unloaded a '93 Subaru and got a '97 Mercury.

[CheapskateWife]

When I was a young Army officer, my vehicle was a 1983 Chevy Silverado that was blue and grey and rust.  When promoted and assigned to be a general officer's aide, I was asked not to park my truck in the designated parking spot because it reflected poorly on the commander.  Damn right I parked in my spot with my ugly old truck :)

Drive what makes you happy and don't worry about looking respectable.  By sticking with your admirable frugality, you are respectable.

[BeardWannabe]

I work closely with executives on communications issues in national nonprofit space.

[Tjat]

I think some clarity is needed around the "beater" term. There are old cars and there are old beaters, which I visualize as covered in rust with mismatched paint, smelly, with one or more components held together by duct tape. Like this



If your car looks like that, the no, a professional could not own that and be considered respectable. However, it sounds like with a little DIY TLC, you will have a low budget, mechanically sound, fine looking older car, which IMO is perfectly respectable.

[RetiredAt63]

Sometimes I see really old cars in good condition and go "wow" and I am not a car person.  If the car looks good and runs well, go for it.  Plus we are past the models changing drastically in looks every year so everyone can tell the model year, so only a real car buff is likely to know the year of your car.

Full disclosure, I am driving a Mazda3 2010 and I only have about 270,000 km on it.  I know, practically brand new, eh?  Good for at least another 5 years.

[ketchup]

My dad is a "respectable professional" (optometrist) and until last year was driving a '94 Buick.  He'd still be driving it if it hadn't started falling apart (rust).  He kept it looking nice (patched paint as needed, and replaced the rocker panels twice when they got rusty and shitty-looking), and the interior was literally like-new.  That goes a long way, of course in addition to regular mechanical maintenance.  And 90s Buicks are the right kind of boring (low maintenance and reliable).  My '92 Buick finally died at 200,775 last weekend after a long and happy life.

I drove a 1996 Volvo in perfect condition for a while (2013) and it got many compliments.  Then I started driving a very-crappy-looking 1999 Metro to work and nobody complimented me on that.  Condition matters a lot more than age in the perception department.

[Blonde Lawyer]

At 25 years, doesn't it become eligible for an antique plate? Could you spin it that you are cultivating a classic and you are almost there?

One thought though.  I almost bought a 1996 mustang convertible with very very low miles (19,000 I think) at a steal price.  My friend who is a mechanic said there is such a thing as TOO low miles on an old car.  I don't know the technical terms but it had to do with sticking and corrosion I believe.  He advised me not to get it.  I'd ask your mechanic a few questions about that issue.  Sorry I can't give you more precise terms.

[BlueHouse]

Yeah, I have a problem with the cheap cars too. 

My car is kind of a spendy car, but it's a 2006, and it has a shape that no one can really tell what model year it is (I think). Low mileage and I keep it in great shape (inside).  But since I've been parking on the street, it's gotten a bit beat-up looking - scrapes on the bumpers and fenders and small pieces of rust are starting to form. 

I bought the car new and I still feel it did a lot to build an image of success at a time when I was making a jump into consulting and banking on selling my level of expertise.  That was pretty important when people want to hire successful people.  Now, I have a few long-term contracts working with a lot of frugal people and I don't think anyone cares about what I drive.  But if I had to go pound the pavement again searching for new contracts, I would either fix up the body of the car or buy a newer model. 

I also understand the part about your family.  School age kids care a lot about fitting in, and if their dad drops them off in a true beater, they will be embarrassed about it.

I think there are ways to mitigate this though. 
1.  Kids may decide they want to use alternate transportation to avoid being seen in your car.  Great.  Walk, bike, get a ride.  It saves your gas and saves you from having to play taxi-driver.
2.  Kids may eventually get beyond caring.  This would be ideal.
3.  Instead of focusing on the cost of the car, turn it into a passion.  More people will get behind you if you say you're a car nut and you like to buy old beaters to fix them up, than if you're just thinking about the cost. 

[Capsu78]

If you can handle " ...Oh Look, Mr BeardWannabe's father just pulled into the parking lot...Oh wait, its Mr BeardWannabe driving his fathers Buick to work!"   or "Hey Uncle Buck, watcha doing this weekend? " from your co workers, you should be fine!
 

[BeardWannabe]

The appearance is what I would call "OK to pretty good" while the mechanical condition appears to be very, very good. It is not a beater by MMM standards ... but it would be considered pretty rough "looking" as it pulls into our employee parking garage. I certainly would NOT be volunteering to drive people to lunch in it (not that I would in my current rig, either).

[thd7t]

The appearance is what I would call "OK to pretty good" while the mechanical condition appears to be very, very good. It is not a beater by MMM standards ... but it would be considered pretty rough "looking" as it pulls into our employee parking garage. I certainly would NOT be volunteering to drive people to lunch in it (not that I would in my current rig, either).

Definitely buy this car. It will reduce how much you chauffer your kids around and prevent you from ferrying people to lunch at work. Further, it doesn't represent a change at present. A "nicer" car invites expensive changes.

[ketchup]

If you can handle " ...Oh Look, Mr BeardWannabe's father just pulled into the parking lot...Oh wait, its Mr BeardWannabe driving his fathers Buick to work!"   or "Hey Uncle Buck, watcha doing this weekend? " from your co workers, you should be fine!

I got called Chevy Chase more than once with my giant old faux-wood-paneled Buick station wagon. :D

[bestname]

Definitely buy it! It's a caper and a story. I would buy it just to embarrass my kids to be honest. That would be worth 1000s of dollars of satisfaction.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

How much do you drive? You might be able to justify the Volt...and Carvana's Volt prices are high.

(Personally if you want an EV and you have another car, I'd go with a used Ford Focus Electric.)

[tomsang]

I work closely with executives on communications issues in national nonprofit space.

I think you should just embrace that you are being frugal to keep their fees down.  Nonprofits are notorious for being frugal.  I don't see this as a problem.  I work in a CPA firm and have no issues with my cars.  I have driven up in my $3,000 CRV to prospects.  My first managing partner made it a point that the office partners and employees should not buy expensive cars.  You don't want clients thinking that the billing rates are going for bling.  He was making high 6 to low 7 figures. 

I am now a partner and in that range of compensation, but drive around a $12k Leaf for my fancy car, but have been known to sport the $3k CRV on a number of client calls.  It is how you embrace it.  If you come across embarrassed it will be portrayed as a bad thing.  If you spell out the bargain that you got, people will be interested in the story and the logic. 

My main friend group are professionals making $200k to $400k.  They used to buy/lease cars every two years.  Now we all drive older inexpensive cars.  My wife and I were a big driver in convincing them to drive them until the drop.  No keeping up with the Joneses.

[Frankies Girl]

This makes me laugh. I seriously don't give a flying fuck what anyone thinks about the car I drive. I would be laughing at anyone that commented on it. 

It has become so ingrained that you're somehow the car you drive, the zip code you live in, the clothes you wear, the labels, the brands... why do you give two shits about what someone might in passing think about your car? You are not a constant topic of conversation and wonder for most people - they are more concerned about what you and all the other people think of them. You do realize that if anyone does notice it, it will be something mentioned at most one time or thought about for 1-3 seconds and then back to "me me me" in their head, right?

Embrace the "don't give a fuck what others think" lifestyle and you'll be much, much happier.

Buy things because you like them and they are a good deal, not because someone might make fun of you or your kids might be embarrassed. They're kids, they are embarrassed by just being in the same car as their parents. :D

[BeardWannabe]

Honestly, really appreciate the advice but moreso love the more philosophical discussions of perceptions, etc. Great stuff. I'm hooked. Keep them coming -- especially from those willing to challenge conventional MMM principles. I agree with most of the MMM ... but feel like it's a more dynamic and "real" community when people acknowledge certain realities. It's kind of like how I hate it when economists just want to follow the "rational" consumer theory. Humans (and our families) are not rational. Better to acknowledge some of the very real forces some of us must balance very single day.

[The Money Monk]

[BeardWannabe]

Question on the Volt (or Focus EV for that matter): How could I make that work? I've run the numbers. Would love to justify it, over 3 or 5 or 7 years or whatever.

It's about 18 miles to the office (via interstate), more like 12 thru the city. Same going back. Sometimes need to stop and get kids. In an EV, I'd probably avoid the interstate ... although I might road trip my ride more often (inlaws 225 miles away, we visit 5x a year or so) if it were the more fuel efficient option (minivan gets 22ish MPG on average, mix of hwy/city).

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

Question on the Volt (or Focus EV for that matter): How could I make that work? I've run the numbers. Would love to justify it, over 3 or 5 or 7 years or whatever.

It's about 18 miles to the office (via interstate), more like 12 thru the city. Same going back. Sometimes need to stop and get kids. In an EV, I'd probably avoid the interstate ... although I might road trip my ride more often (inlaws 225 miles away, we visit 5x a year or so) if it were the more fuel efficient option (minivan gets 22ish MPG on average, mix of hwy/city).

Well, it's a spreadsheet problem if you're asking if it would save you money.

Is the cost difference between an EV and another car you'd actually buy greater than the difference in how much it costs to run? You can't get exact numbers, but you can get pretty close. Pure EVs are going to have much lower maintenance costs (ideally) because they have a lot fewer parts. PHEVs like the Volt or my C-Max Energi still have gas engines but if you only use them for long highway drives that you do rarely, you're not putting many miles on the engine. Then, electricity is a much cheaper way than gas to run a car.

Here's a calculator that makes more assumptions than I like but is a good start.

[crispy]

This makes me laugh. I seriously don't give a flying fuck what anyone thinks about the car I drive. I would be laughing at anyone that commented on it. 

It has become so ingrained that you're somehow the car you drive, the zip code you live in, the clothes you wear, the labels, the brands... why do you give two shits about what someone might in passing think about your car? You are not a constant topic of conversation and wonder for most people - they are more concerned about what you and all the other people think of them. You do realize that if anyone does notice it, it will be something mentioned at most one time or thought about for 1-3 seconds and then back to "me me me" in their head, right?

Embrace the "don't give a fuck what others think" lifestyle and you'll be much, much happier.

Buy things because you like them and they are a good deal, not because someone might make fun of you or your kids might be embarrassed. They're kids, they are embarrassed by just being in the same car as their parents. :D

Pretty much this.

When I was in college in the 90s, I drove a 25 year old Chevy Malibu with a V-8 engine, a working 8-track player, and a CB radio including huge antenna. Instead of being embarrassed by my crazy old car, I decided to have fun with it.  I bought 8-tracks from Goodwill, and my friends and I would jam to Tom Jones and the BeeGees.  All the guys liked the huge V-8 engine. I could fit 8 people in the car comfortably so it ended up being the go-to car for some crazy adventures.  By the time I graduated, a local radio station did an ode to my car (seriously...the DJ was a fellows student).

All that to say, instead of stressing about what other people think, own your choices.  I have found if you are comfortable with your decisions, it gives other people permission to step out of their own box.  Another instance is shopping at thrift stores. I own it and am proud of it. I am sure some people look down on me for it, but most people think it's cool and I have had many tell me they started shopping there after seeing the cute clothes I get there.  It really is all in the attitude.   

Frugal is the new black, baby!

[lizzzi]

Yeah, be the one who starts the vibe at work where everybody is competing to see who can have the worst-looking, oldest, smoke-blowing car in the parking lot--over the years that happened where I worked--and I think the higher the professional position, the worse car the person drove. Mostly college educated professionals with some ancillary support staff--secretaries, building maintenance, etc. My old '93 Toyota Tercel could always be identified by the smoke coming out of the tailpipe. You couldn't see the car, but that big cloud of smoke was me.   : D   Embarrassed by the insult to the environment, but funny as all get out.

[Eric]

I park my bicycle with the milk crate attached to the back right next to Teslas, BMWs, & Porsches all the time.  The fact that I love my bike must show though.  Anyone who comments to me hears about how much I love riding and how I couldn't imagine driving anymore after previous horrible commute.  You can do the same thing.  Any comments can be addressed by gushing about how much you love the car, what a great deal you got, etc.  If the kids complain, I'm pretty sure that's just a bonus.

In short, you'd be a fool to pass this up.  Get it done!

[Eric]

All that to say, instead of stressing about what other people think, own your choices.  I have found if you are comfortable with your decisions, it gives other people permission to step out of their own box.  Another instance is shopping at thrift stores. I own it and am proud of it. I am sure some people look down on me for it, but most people think it's cool and I have had many tell me they started shopping there after seeing the cute clothes I get there.  It really is all in the attitude.   

Oh, I guess I should've read this before posting.  Perfectly put!

Own it!

[hoping2retire35]

This makes me laugh. I seriously don't give a flying fuck what anyone thinks about the car I drive. I would be laughing at anyone that commented on it. 

It has become so ingrained that you're somehow the car you drive, the zip code you live in, the clothes you wear, the labels, the brands... why do you give two shits about what someone might in passing think about your car? You are not a constant topic of conversation and wonder for most people - they are more concerned about what you and all the other people think of them. You do realize that if anyone does notice it, it will be something mentioned at most one time or thought about for 1-3 seconds and then back to "me me me" in their head, right?

Embrace the "don't give a fuck what others think" lifestyle and you'll be much, much happier.

Buy things because you like them and they are a good deal, not because someone might make fun of you or your kids might be embarrassed. They're kids, they are embarrassed by just being in the same car as their parents. :D

Pretty much this.

When I was in college in the 90s, I drove a 25 year old Chevy Malibu with a V-8 engine, a working 8-track player, and a CB radio including huge antenna. Instead of being embarrassed by my crazy old car, I decided to have fun with it.  I bought 8-tracks from Goodwill, and my friends and I would jam to Tom Jones and the BeeGees.  All the guys liked the huge V-8 engine. I could fit 8 people in the car comfortably so it ended up being the go-to car for some crazy adventures.  By the time I graduated, a local radio station did an ode to my car (seriously...the DJ was a fellows student).

All that to say, instead of stressing about what other people think, own your choices.  I have found if you are comfortable with your decisions, it gives other people permission to step out of their own box.  Another instance is shopping at thrift stores. I own it and am proud of it. I am sure some people look down on me for it, but most people think it's cool and I have had many tell me they started shopping there after seeing the cute clothes I get there.  It really is all in the attitude.   

Frugal is the new black, baby!

You just have to own it. immediately start offering to drive everyone to lunch "come'on, wanna take my new ride to xxx?", or when your kids and their friends need a ride announce "let's all get into BW's car!", "Everybody can fit."

Also get one of those Rd-Kng front plate tags

[TheSimpleLife]

I'm a CPA in private practice. Most of the business owners whom I serve on a monthly basis make well into the six figures.

I drive a 2006 Toyota Camry LE (it is an ugly maroon color). I drive to client's locations all the time and to new prospect meetings. No one has ever said anything about it.

I think the public perception that accountants are stingy/frugal probably helps with my scenario.

I do think there are professions where it would matter what you drive. You were kind of vague with what exactly you do, but unless you are in a position of high importance, I don't think many executives or business owners would care at all what an employee of the company providing services to them drove.

Are you taking clients out in your vehicle on a regular basis? Or were you more worried with the perception of coworkers?

Honestly, unless you are in a major role with yo

[Kiwi Mustache]

Warren Buffett buys cars that have significant hail damage to save money.

Do you think people respect him less or more for buying these cars as opposed to the latest model BMW?

[TheSimpleLife]

I'm a CPA in private practice. Most of the business owners whom I serve on a monthly basis make well into the six figures.

Is this meant to establish your bona fides?  Carry on then.

I drive a 2006 Toyota Camry LE (it is an ugly maroon color). I drive to client's locations all the time and to new prospect meetings. No one has ever said anything about it.

Sounds like a dependable car for a respectable professional.  But perhaps they are secretly making fun of you for not having a 2016 Camry LE in an ugly maroon color.  What does the LE stand for? 

I do think there are professions where it would matter what you drive.

Like driving a limo (where you would need a limo)?

unless you are in a position of high importance...  Honestly, unless you are in a major role...

So out of curiosity if you become "high", "important", and "major" what car are you planning to upgrade to and why?  When do you become important enough to just drive what makes sense and not try to please others?  Maybe I'm more major than I thought I was...

;)

I can't really tell if you're trying to be funny or what, but I think you got the wrong impression or just enjoy being an ass.

To answer some of your questions:

1. The LE is the most basic model of the Camry (I believe).

2. In many large CPA firms and some law firms, the firm dictates what type and how old the vehicles can be for partners. I guess they believe a client (or potential client) cares about those type of things.

3. I don't plan on upgrading cars as mine is in good shape and works just fine.

4. You really don't think there are professions or people who would judge a person (or your business/service) by appearance (including the type of car they drive)?

Maybe I just misunderstood the tone of your post...

[hoping2retire35]

What does the LE stand for? 

trim level

[Dicey]

IMHO, people who expect their cars to make some sort of statement about themselves are generally lacking in important mustachian strengths of character. Are you one of them?

I drive a nice (used) car now that I'm FIRE, but not in my pre-FIRE days, nosiree!

And yes, one of them was a medium blue Jeep Cherokee with the orange and red pinstripes. I wax nostalgic for that sweet old gas hog whenever I see one that's still on the road.

I'd make sure I was paying a fair price and then protect my investment by repairing/covering the seats and seeing to the paint, which directly affects the lifespan of the vehicle. Call it the "Classic" that it's soon to become and focus on more important things, like learning the best route to ride a bike to work.

[MoonLiteNite]

But being very honest -- biggest hurdle to overcome is perception, of my colleagues and my family.

While not 100% for your case, 1/2 of this can be implied to you

[BlueHouse]

Maybe I just misunderstood the tone of your post...

Just poking a little fun, six figure accountant.  You seemed not to perceive my true message while you were busy getting your hackles up so I will recapitulate my most important point more explicitly.

you may want to take some lessons in communication. As the transmitter, it is your role to ensure that the receiver receives the message as you meant it. But it's so nice of you to blame the receiver for a message that was so obviously meant to poke a stick in his eye.

  In contrast I don't think there is EVER a reason to buy a clowncar like that.

I think there are many people here who don't recognize that sometimes the decision affects more than just what people think of us. I bought a car that is fancier than I need solely to impress clients and my boss. It worked. I show up looking successful, and I get the better assignments. I take the CEO and CFO out to meetings in my car. That gives us more time to talk about what else needs to be done and there I am saying "oh, I can do that for you".
Fancy car?  Acura. Clown car?  Prob not, but way more money than I would have spent if I wasn't trying to impress that I was serious. Would I buy new again?  Not since finding MMM.
But I'm kind of sick and tired of hearing how buying a fancier car pegs ME as missing something internally. Rather, I have recognized that preconceptions exist in the world and I am leveraging them to my advantage.

[Ishmael]

Personally, I think keeping your car clean, neat and well maintained is what reflects on a person, not how new or fancy it is.

Also, I am generally disgusted by the amount people waste on cars, and how grossly oversized they are for a person's needs. Vehicles are the equivalent of sticking a vacuum in your wallet, after all. So I think it works both ways.

I drive an 11 year old econo-box that gives me 42mpg, and I couldn't give 2 fucks what people think about it.

[Ishmael]

I think there are many people here who don't recognize that sometimes the decision affects more than just what people think of us. I bought a car that is fancier than I need solely to impress clients and my boss. It worked. I show up looking successful, and I get the better assignments. I take the CEO and CFO out to meetings in my car. That gives us more time to talk about what else needs to be done and there I am saying "oh, I can do that for you".
Fancy car?  Acura. Clown car?  Prob not, but way more money than I would have spent if I wasn't trying to impress that I was serious. Would I buy new again?  Not since finding MMM.
But I'm kind of sick and tired of hearing how buying a fancier car pegs ME as missing something internally. Rather, I have recognized that preconceptions exist in the world and I am leveraging them to my advantage.

I think this is a really valid point. Perception IS important in certain areas of the world, whether we think that makes sense or not.

But, then one needs to look at it like any other "business" expenses - does it ultimately result in a net gain of money? Someone in another thread was trying to decide whether or not to take their MBA, and if the payoff would be worth it. I don't see this as being much different, IF there's a reasonably quantifiable way to measure the net gain.

I'm sure there are lots of ways to convince oneself there would be a net gain because that's what they want to believe, but I believe a mustachian would need to be able to quantify it somehow, and measure their results.

[BeardWannabe]

In general, as a newbie, I would say that the "Ask A Mustachian" voices that attempt to convey tolerance and empathy are more effective than those voices mocking rookies or others for not having a full coat of "I don't give a fuck" armor. Think of another scenario, an obese guy showing up at a Couch-to-5K running group and fed scorn for an inability to run 5 minutes without stopping.

Lookit, all of us have our character flaws and strengths, financial and otherwise. I'm digging the MMM way, but when confronted with what can come across as intolerant ideology, moralizing and condescension ... it comes to feel a bit like an unforgiving utopia that mortals like me cannot attain so why bother?

I'm feeling more of the former than the latter, and realize that on the intertubes, being smartass and clever and snarky often drowns out more reasonable, sympathetic, tolerant, welcoming voices. Much appreciate all the feedback. 99% sure this deal will happen now -- a bonus was that I washed the hood and roof and much of the "bad paint" really was just ground-in grime.

[TheSimpleLife]

Maybe I just misunderstood the tone of your post...

Just poking a little fun, six figure accountant.  You seemed not to perceive my true message while you were busy getting your hackles up so I will recapitulate my most important point more explicitly.  I think your major/important thing is a flawed way to look at the world for the reason I satirized.  To be decisively clear and not funny, I believe the "better" you do in the world the more important it is than ever to take a stand up for what you believe in by NOT buying a fancy car.  Your implication that you must conform more as you climb the corporate pyramid is to me a pretty awful thing to say.  The world will never change if people follow the behavior you seem to accept instead of pushing back.  There is no godly reason why a CEO can't drive a used practical hatchback to work, for instance.  A person of true character tries to change perceptions not conform to them. 

The tone of your post seemed all about "getting by" and it seemed like you would move to the Lexus SUV camp in a heartbeat if it was expedient.  In contrast I don't think there is EVER a reason to buy a clowncar like that.

You misread the tone of my original post and I didn't give it a quick review before hitting post, so probably partially my fault. I could see how you would come away with that impression.

Before FIREing from your career in finance, did you spend most of your work time with your corporate co-workers or with clients? Just curious.

Seems like your view of the world is shaped by your decades of working in corporate America. I did two years in a large CPA firm and knew I had to get out. Kudos to you for sticking with it that long and achieving financial independence!

You do seem awfully judgemental about the types of cars people should drive for a guy planning on $100k/yr of spending in retirement (or whatever you want to call it) 😉.

[TheSimpleLife]

In general, as a newbie, I would say that the "Ask A Mustachian" voices that attempt to convey tolerance and empathy are more effective than those voices mocking rookies or others for not having a full coat of "I don't give a fuck" armor. Think of another scenario, an obese guy showing up at a Couch-to-5K running group and fed scorn for an inability to run 5 minutes without stopping.

Lookit, all of us have our character flaws and strengths, financial and otherwise. I'm digging the MMM way, but when confronted with what can come across as intolerant ideology, moralizing and condescension ... it comes to feel a bit like an unforgiving utopia that mortals like me cannot attain so why bother?

I'm feeling more of the former than the latter, and realize that on the intertubes, being smartass and clever and snarky often drowns out more reasonable, sympathetic, tolerant, welcoming voices. Much appreciate all the feedback. 99% sure this deal will happen now -- a bonus was that I washed the hood and roof and much of the "bad paint" really was just ground-in grime.

BeardWannabe,

Congrats on the pending purchase!

My dad bought a late 90's Buick and drove it over 100k miles before giving it to his mom (they didn't have a car). Still says it was his favorite car he ever owned!

Keep us posted on the purchase.

[former player]

If you buy it, you will have enough cash to spare to do an awesome new paint job on the sun-damaged paint on the roof and trunk.

Purple?

Flowers?

Cogs and wheels?

(Also, if you buy it you will consolidate your "in" with those connections who found you the car.)

[pbkmaine]

Flames!