This discussion reminds me of the discussions about dressing for corporate America, and women who move in circles where they are judged by their clothes and jewellery, when at that point in their lives the judgment of these other people matters.
To me the Mustachian way of dealing with this is like judo - go with the flow but control it - buy the older car in great shape and have it looking like a collector car (gorgeous paint job, sparkling clean interior, smooth-running engine) and if anyone comments, blab on about how wonderful it is, they don't make cars like it any more, etc. My first car was a 1960s something Chevy Impala and I could get my bicycle in the trunk with no problem. I miss that roominess, so I am sure you can find things to praise. Just like getting designer clothes at the second hand store, or estate jewellery. Just like I wore a skirt and jacket to work the days I had important meetings, when normally Biology teachers dress only slightly better than their students.