The Old Dog Asks: Should I Drive The Cheapest Car That my EGO Can Afford?
The other day while washing the windows at a BMW dealership my eyes fell upon a sleek, shapely, shiny and extremely powerful looking car. Wow what a beauty! VROOM! BABOOM! My eyes were drawn to it like a moth to the light, and no wonder, it was designed to cause just that reaction.
I had all of these feelings, all of this admiration without even seeing a single ad about the car. Imagine the pressure on my psyche, my ego, if I had! According to ads, with that car you get the perfect girl, the perfect family, lot's of friends, vibrant health, a better world and unlimited happiness and LOVE!
Here you can see the price. Lets just call it $170'000. At my stage in life do I deserve that car?
Was I building an inner desire to work towards purchasing that or a similar car as a goal?
Absolutely Not! Here's Why?
Buy The Cheapest Car That Your Ego Can Afford!
I love proverbs. When a saying or expression strikes me as wise I write it down and try to apply it. One good one that I read many years ago was: “Buy the cheapest car that your ego can afford.” That’s profound!
It struck me as not only wise in terms of saving money for my family but it would also allow me to remain humble and to share more with others. With my personality I'd actually be embarrassed to drive a car like that. You may be different and that's Ok. I'm just telling you how I feel.
I run a small business with 15 employees and most of them drive nicer and newer cars than me and spend a large percentage of their salary to do so. That’s their choice. I drive a 2008 VW that I bought second hand for $2,000. I love it!
Sure some people have the “disposable” income to purchase a luxury car and some people “need” a certain “class” of car because their customers demand it of them. For me, I want to get from point A to point B comfortably and safely.
“Teaching” Children to Desire a Luxury Car!
Have a look a this little ad promoting a BMW kiddie car. What are they actually trying to "teach" children or rather what do they want parents to instill in them?
A luxury kiddie car. What's the end goal?
Points to Ponder
- Do you find that saying wise?
- Do you have a passion for luxury cars?
- Does having a luxury car change your personality?
- Does it change other peoples perception of you?
- Do you have some favourite proverbs?
- @papa-pepper just wrote an article where he states that he can build a house for his family of 7 for $30,000. Maybe he should just keep saving and get the car instead!
I hope that you enjoyed this look at one of my favourite secular proverbs!
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, I reward the best comment(s) on each of my posts with my "The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone" program! So please re-steem and follow so that we can spread the wealth!
It's a wise saying in my opinion! I've only had my drivers license for little over a year now (I was afraid to drive, so it took me almost 10 years to build up the courage). I eventually knew I needed the license if I were to look for a new job.
When I got my license, I had a boyfriend who lived over an hour away from me, so I kind of needed a car for that (he now lives with me!). I did some research and then looked for the cheapest car I could find in both initial costs and monthly costs.
It is a small, red, Daihatsu Cuore, and it drives great! It's not a real looker (though to me, it's cute!), but it gets me where I need to be. It might not be the most comfortable car, but I feel very comfortable, knowing it doesn't eat my money.
I understand the need for luxury cars in today's society when you need to look sharp for your job. Many consultants drive business cars for that reason. Other than that, though, I would probably feel uncomfortable around people in expensive cars. They would probably not have the same priorities in life as I do.
My wife has a Daihatsu Sirion. Great little care for what she needs!
Yes! And if we would ever want to go on a vacation and drive there, there's always rentals for such a moment. Even better if we were to visit the UK, since they drive on the wrong side of the road there ;-)
@kus-knee I like your post and the questions you throw in the bottom ! they make your writing authentic and relateable
Yes, if you want to get out of the rat race .. better invest your money in real estate or crypto that rises in value. Unless the car is a ferrari with a price that goes up on a yearly basis then go ahead indulge. If there's one thing I learned from a few millionaires - they've simplified, lived in a small house, drove a cheap car they bought in cash and invested in several investments that brings them profit till they didn't have to work anymore cause money was pouring even while they were sleeping. Had they bought cars to impress they would have still be in the rat race.
I like luxury cars like tesla or ferrari or porsche but I only bought model cars hahaha and one porsche I could drive with a remote control :D
it could enhance your real you - it could either bring a humble or a show off real person that's being suppressed inside you if that's what you are asking about
It could yes, some people who has a mini me looks up to those who has expensive looking cars but if they only knew .. it's owned by the bank unless the owner bought it in cash.
Yes, Lao Tsu's .. one is be content with what you have , rejoice in the way things are.. when you realize nothing is lacking .. thats when the whole world belongs to you .. and many more of Lao Tsu's principles .. am a Christian though :D
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Many years ago, for my second anniversary (I've passed 32 now) my boss gave me his Porche for the weekend as a gift! Man did I feel cool. It was fun!
Well, that's a nice topic! (like always)
I see people here in my town going abroad to work hard (sometimes on shitty jobs) to earn money then return here with a $10.000 car just to show us how they "did it" or even worse I also have friends who made a 20 years loan to buy a car which now costs half of that money !! That's sick but it's true.
At the end you put your money in some irons which only eats and never pay back your money :)
To be honest my dream car costs about $15k (second hand) and looks like this :
Honestly I had the money to buy but like @papa-pepper wants I bought a house instead of my dream car :)
I have 0 regrets because I didn't bought the car, I feel more comfortable now leaving in my own apartment then living with my parents at 30 !
I changed my entire life, I'm more responsible now and I think different.
An expensive car can change your life too, but not all the time in the good sense ! More false people will be around you (just for the money) , lots of girls will love you because of car and also you will get a lot of attention !
Wow what a great reply with a personal experience! Thanks!
I like one of the statements "don't wish for health and wealth and wish for good luck, because on the Titanic they were all rich and healthy, and fortunate were the few!" And this is true.
Wealth is a relative concept. For someone important spiritual wealth. And for someone important material benefits.
And I learned one very important thing. Never we do not need to imitate others. We always have to be yourself. This is very important!
Envy is ignorance and imitation is suicide.
Thank you @kus-kneefor your interesting post.
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Thank you @madlenfox for your lovely comment!
Always nice to get a big bone from @Kus-knee. It is always highly valued. Thank you for rating. All the best!
I think it is a good saying. But, it might be even wiser to buy a car that your ego cannot afford. One that you will feel embarrassed to be seen in. Because after a while, you will get used it, and you will find that your ego is no longer able to hold you hostage. That would be very useful for several other aspects of your life.
Great post, and I do find it sickening to see how children are being indoctrinated into this life of consumerism and valuing people on their material wealth rather than their lasting qualities.
Great comment, thanks for sharing!
Since we were children my family has driven seconhand cars.
Only now has my dad started spending money on new cars, rightly so, he waited years to buy the cars he really wanted. Not for girls or attention, but because he enjoys driving them.
I have also owned only used cars, most bought at auctions requiring repairs or ongoing maintenance - this is not for everyone!
We recently moved to a different country and when it came time we bought a new car, albeit heavily discounted because the new model comes out soon.
For the price we paid we have a cheap, reliable and most important, safe, car.
Not big, not fancy but safe and with kids thats the utmost of importance.
I will have sporty car one day too, but it will be a wreck that I fix ;)
Thanks so much for your experience and your thoughts. Very valid points!
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Thanks so much!
I buy a car for the purpose of getting me from point A to point B safely. I have been in sales my entire working life and, on occasion, have had to rent a car to get from the airport to customers. I remember one of my rentals, a red 280Z, that was offered to me as they didn't have the car I had requested. Wow, I got more unwanted attention than I had ever thought about! Sooooooo not for me! I think the advertising industry has done a fantastic job promoting the automobile .
A very wise financial adviser once told me never to invest "good money" in "rolling stock".
I like the financial advisers advice.
I have a 2004 Nissan Almera 13yrs old this year and still going strong :)
Your getting good value!
Definitely getting my money's worth lol
I drive an 82 Datsun 280 ZX that's held together with spit & baling wire. My ego drives a Maserati...see my problem???
Good one! Many years a go I lusted after a 280 ZX!
Mine's the ZX Turbo...pretty rare from what I've been told. I bought it about a year ago for $3800. It's old like me so we get along well. It takes awhile to warm up in the morning just like its owner lol!
I hear you, feel for you and understand you!
too expensive for me - but good reason to check the local BMW store here in the city of BMW @kus-knee for a test drive to shake my bones
Good idea! At least on Germany u can use the speed.
you bet i can :-)