Why does an S class intimidate so many people?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 391
From: PA
I know it doesn't! Just imagining a world where maybe that appears in a commercial or something... 
(me I personally wish dealers did not indicate cars are loaners, but I get why they do it--what if rental cars did that, but they are spotted by the bar codes, I removed them from the BMW I had for over 4 mos, and put them back upon return, seriously)
(me I personally wish dealers did not indicate cars are loaners, but I get why they do it--what if rental cars did that, but they are spotted by the bar codes, I removed them from the BMW I had for over 4 mos, and put them back upon return, seriously)
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 283
From: Illinois
And just my observation you're trying awful hard to subtly troll those people here as well. Don't confuse our responses for sensitivity instead of just irritation at your deriding comments.
This statement is just not necessary:
Just keep the discussion about the topic, and leave the subtle slams towards people you disagree with out of it.
As for "what wealthy people drive" depends on what people you're talking about. I know a lot of wealthy people, some do drive relatively inexpensive cars, some have really expensive cars, some have expensive cars that are older and that they keep running vs trading them. It just depends on what they like. Just because somebody is wealthy doesn't mean they care about cars, you're inferring that they chose to drive inexpensive cars because they feel cars are "a huge suck of money"...something they would like to have but deny themselves...maybe they just don't care enough about cars to spend that money? Which is fine.
Everybody choses what way they want to spend their income and money, and seeing that this is a car forum lots of us like cars and choose to spend more of our available money on cars than people who don't. If you went to a "Millionaire Next Door" or Dave Ramsey forum Id wager you'd find that not to be true. Stop judging us over it already.
This statement is just not necessary:
Just keep the discussion about the topic, and leave the subtle slams towards people you disagree with out of it.
As for "what wealthy people drive" depends on what people you're talking about. I know a lot of wealthy people, some do drive relatively inexpensive cars, some have really expensive cars, some have expensive cars that are older and that they keep running vs trading them. It just depends on what they like. Just because somebody is wealthy doesn't mean they care about cars, you're inferring that they chose to drive inexpensive cars because they feel cars are "a huge suck of money"...something they would like to have but deny themselves...maybe they just don't care enough about cars to spend that money? Which is fine.
Everybody choses what way they want to spend their income and money, and seeing that this is a car forum lots of us like cars and choose to spend more of our available money on cars than people who don't. If you went to a "Millionaire Next Door" or Dave Ramsey forum Id wager you'd find that not to be true. Stop judging us over it already.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
No.
A lease is an expense, which, in accounting terms, is different from a debt.
A debt is money that you legally owe because of money you borrowed. A debt, in accounting terms, is a liability. In accounting, liability is subtracted from equity (the value of everything you own) to determine your net assets.
An expense is a cost that you spend in order to maintain your business (or your life).
A car loan is a debt. A mortgage is a debt. You borrow money to buy an asset (a car or a house). But the money you owe (the car loan or mortgage) is subtracted from what the asset (car or house) may be worth -- at the moment in time (which is the equity) -- to determine your true, net assets. If you owe more than what the asset is worth, your net asset is negative, which is entirely possible if you borrow too much (or for too long) to buy the asset (or you buy a depreciating asset like a car).
The interest on the debt is an expense; it is money you spend for the privilege of maintaining your debt payments.
If you lease a car, you do not own it, so it is not an asset (not equity you own) so lease payments are not a liability (and not a debt).
A lease is an expense, which, in accounting terms, is different from a debt.
A debt is money that you legally owe because of money you borrowed. A debt, in accounting terms, is a liability. In accounting, liability is subtracted from equity (the value of everything you own) to determine your net assets.
An expense is a cost that you spend in order to maintain your business (or your life).
A car loan is a debt. A mortgage is a debt. You borrow money to buy an asset (a car or a house). But the money you owe (the car loan or mortgage) is subtracted from what the asset (car or house) may be worth -- at the moment in time (which is the equity) -- to determine your true, net assets. If you owe more than what the asset is worth, your net asset is negative, which is entirely possible if you borrow too much (or for too long) to buy the asset (or you buy a depreciating asset like a car).
The interest on the debt is an expense; it is money you spend for the privilege of maintaining your debt payments.
If you lease a car, you do not own it, so it is not an asset (not equity you own) so lease payments are not a liability (and not a debt).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
What difference does it really make? IMO in every day life, I often find that those who have the highest end cars like a Porsche 911, or a Bentley, or perhaps a high end Mercedes seem to be the most respectful of those who do not, on the road that is. At our Marina, we see high end cars all the time and lower end cars. We don’t see many in the middle. People just seem to be pretty respectful no matter what you own for the most part.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jul 25, 2018 at 09:38 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 391
From: PA
What difference does it really make? IMO in every day life, I often find that those who have the highest end cars like a Porsche 911, or a Bentley, or perhaps a high end Mercedes seem to be the most respectful of those who do not, on the road that is. At our Marina, we see high end cars all the time and lower end cars. We don’t see many in the middle. People just seem to be pretty respectful no matter what you own for the most part.
edit: what I am trying to say is this modern society seems to have a problem with people being themselves. Just be yourself. If you don't feel the S class is your image, that's all that matters.
Last edited by Johnhav430; Jul 25, 2018 at 09:50 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
What I was driving at was that graphite clubs are for older people (I can't say this but maybe someone who is not as strong as they used to be so they need more give), a younger person really wouldn't use them. Same with the S-class. That YouTube guy Parker, he is young and drives a S63. He's the exception. Sometimes, one doesn't have to be different, one can be the same. Hence, not feel like a S class is really their "image" or the way they want to carry themselves. I would not drive an S class to work, but I would like to have a 2013 nonetheless. If a younger person went out and the other 3 guys are members of Merion and using graphite clubs, I see the younger person as being more authentic if he's simply driving his Camry and using his own clubs.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 391
From: PA
I used Merion Golf Club as an example of real status where I live. You can't simply golf there because you're a billionaire. It's exclusive. Old money...
So if invited by a member, most likely you would be out of your skin, but so what? Enjoy it. You may be different than the other 3 guys you're with. But just be yourself is what I meant....you don't have to try to be like them and the same. You can even say hey, so and so invited me, that's why I'm here, I am not a member.
btw, we were at GMC yesterday (omg botched again), but I did decide to peek at the brake rotors of a new CT6, and took pics lol. They have that distinctive gray GM color, worn away where the pads sweep...
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Lexus Champion
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From: Canada
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Not what I meant. What if you have a lease and you lose your ability to pay the lease after one year. What happens to the 24 months after the first 12?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Canada
A lease of a car is just a longer-term, exclusive-use rental, just like renting a home or renting a business property.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
What happens if you lease a building for 36 months and suddenly find, after 12 months, that you can no longer pay it? Spend a little bit of money (to find someone to take over the lease or pay a penalty) to get rid of it.
A lease of a car is just a longer-term, exclusive-use rental, just like renting a home or renting a business property.
A lease of a car is just a longer-term, exclusive-use rental, just like renting a home or renting a business property.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,224
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From: New York
What happens if you lease a building for 36 months and suddenly find, after 12 months, that you can no longer pay it? Spend a little bit of money (to find someone to take over the lease or pay a penalty) to get rid of it.
A lease of a car is just a longer-term, exclusive-use rental, just like renting a home or renting a business property.
A lease of a car is just a longer-term, exclusive-use rental, just like renting a home or renting a business property.
For example, in NY as most states, i DON’T have to pay sales tax on the full price of the car but only on the amount of the lease payments. Sales tax for me is 8.875% so that is huge. Also i have NO desire to drive a car into the ground.
Then people say well you pay interest on a lease. Ok BUT most manufacturers give you Lease credit and other incentives of $500 to $5,000 which basically wipe away most if not all of the interest expense.
Again a person that knows leasing will only pay for Depreciation costs. Will it cost you more to lease 3 cars over 9 years rather than buy new and keep it for 9years? The savings to me are marginal if any plus your driving an old car with close to 100k miles.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: New York
The unfortunate death of Sergio Marchionne should be a great example of Live the BEST life you can today while having a plan for the future. Tomorrow is never guaranteed no matter how much you saved or prepared.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
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From: PA
Anyway, I still think that a prudent person should plan on living at least as long as an average person does. What if you live for today, and end up living to 78.7, or even longer? Not having resources would cause suffering. If you only lived to 65, but had a will, then your heirs and charity will be spoken for.