hmm I'm definitely not intimidate because I have own 3. I really don't see the car as a status symbol. I actually receive more attention when I own a Maserati.
In the DC area they are dime or dozen.

 

I was going to say the same, if it was an exotic sports car maybe, but S class, they depreciate so much in the first few years that it really becomes obtainable for most with the body styles lasting 7 years or so, you can get a 2014 for a good price, so I think times have changed then maybe the 80s and 90s when most people paid cash or a majority up front.

I say you buy what you like and dont put to much stock into what others will think. My childhood friends dream car was an S500....when we approached our 30s, he realized he would probably have to wait another 5 or 8 years to comfortably afford a new one, so he jumped on his dream car and bought a 2015. Status didnt matter much to him, he just loved the big body design and it's always been his passion.

 

I'm not worried about what people on the street think of it, like you said they're a dime a dozen and even if they weren't, I don't care.

My situation is a little bit different than that of just any ordinary buyer as my vehicle is a business tool. I'm in real estate sales & management. I don't work in the luxury market either, my business is largely $300-$800k houses, and my clients by and large have less income than I do. Theres an old saying, people want to do business with people who are successful, but not who are a lot more successful than they are. If I'm driving an S Class and my clients are driving Hondas, theres a disconnect there. Theres still a disconnect with the LS obviously but its not nearly as ostentatious, and being a car person who spends a lot of time in my car and get a lot of enjoyment out of my car there are limits to how much I'm going to let my concern over this dictate what I drive.

If I sold 7 figure houses all day long I wouldn't worry about driving an S Class at all.

This is a common concern with salespeople. My Dad for instance was in the commercial printing paper business and he did a lot of business with unions, supplying paper for their annual reports, etc. He resisted getting an LS400 for 8 years because he was concerned with how those customers would react to him driving a foreign made car. Even when he had it, when he would meet them for golf or something he would drive our Explorer instead of the LS. He also never moved on from the LS to an S Class because he was concerned it would make it look like he made a lot of money to his customers.

Thats the great thing about the LS though, people never look at it and raise their eyebrows. We saw this first hand when my partner had a C Class Mercedes and traded it on a GS, people used to make snide comments to him all the time about the C Class, but nobody ever said anything about the GS, despite it being more expensive.

 

Mercedes?
I tend to withhold patronage from businesses that behave as though I were there to deliver pizza, and they didn't order any.

 

Back in Asia, Taiwan specifically, owning a MBZ (usually black S-class has this designation) typically means you're involved or directly affiliated with one of the local mafias. It is highly unlikely that people will openly attack you thinking that you're a rival member, but I don't think you buy this expensive car and want to have to live with being targeted like that.

Other than that, I have ZERO quirks about owning a S-class if I can afford it...

 

Status symbol? Cars are not such anymore, they can be leased. Pretty sure anybody here could lease a car for $3500/mo. if they decided they really wanted to, but without the rest of the lifestyle, if anything, they'd have less status than the guy with a Camry and 2 kids in an Ivy League school.

 

lol my bro's friend who has a S550 co. car works for one of the insurance cos that got bailed out during the recession (the one where Congress was going to pass legislation for them to return the phat bonuses they got after being bailed out). He most certainly works for the man, and if he lost his job, he wouldn't be in the S550. Thing is, he does make and break little worms like me every day.

 

Look at northern NJ where the typical cookie cutter mcmansion is 1.6 mil with a 30k property tax (actually I was shocked to find TX houses may cost less, but the tax is the same). The cars are usually what we would consider to be ordinary, like Accords and Camrys. Cars in no way reflect a person's financial well-being today, because there is leasing. If we stick to the old pay only cash for your car and it should only be 10% of your net income, the S class should be very intimidating for almost everyone. In reality, even with leasing, how many people out of the general population could feel comfortable with the lease payment? Given our savings rates, imho what has changed is many are living with the "can't take it with you" and "my kids are on their own" mantras. Our parents believed in maximizing what they give to heirs and charity when they are gone. I honestly don't think we are doing the same.

 

The S Class is a model with a tremendous reputation for both quality & price.
Generally must be well off to lease or own one.
People on a low or average income cannot "comfortably" lease/own S Class.

Some people buy cars for themselves, though many buy to impress others.

I haven't bought the S Class due to avoiding: personal loose fit for my 5'10" frame, bulky maneuverability, handling, reliability, and of course - my clients perception that I'm ripping them off.

 

I would echo steve's comment. I had an architect come to evaluate for a whole house remodel on my 3rd house. He came in a M6. I got to my house in my wife's toyota sienna. We both thought his commission/ pay is on the high side... Maybe we are prejudiced on the spot when he arrives...

On the other hand, i did briefly considered an S class but ended up in an LS. Main reason was i am not handy at all and reliability is paramount for me. I also considered the obnoxious factor.. but that was just what i felt..

 

I am glad Lexus and other makers have taken some mercy on owners and still fitted them with some physical buttons and not put just about every single function in some awful touchscreen like the new A8 and Panamera. Demuro has also criticized cars that have everything, especially seat heaters touchscreen. I used to love the A8, it was my favorite flagship but the new one does absolutely nothing for me, looks plain and dull inside and out, gives the feel of just a big Passat.

The S class is my favorite flagship now, I would have no problem owning the current one if it was reliable and not too expensive with upkeep but I doubt that would be the case. I never really cared much for previous S classes, they were nice but there were other big sedans I liked as much or more, the new though is very nice both inside and out.

I have never bought a car to impress anyone but myself, I am only interested in what I like and what fits my wants, I just don't care what others think so whether it is a S class, G90, old or new NSX, used Supra turbo, Bentley Conti GT, used LS/GS, old 8 series coupe, Infiniti cars, used CL65, etc I am just interested in cars I like and of course can afford/afford to own.

 

in Hong Kong, black on black S class = airport taxi`s, Cost you about US$100 and should take you to any hotel in the city.
As you exit the airport terminal, you can usually find about half a dozen of them waiting outside,
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In Europe, where the most commonly seen Mercedes taxi is the E class, don't be surprised if you randomly call a taxi and a S class shows up, happened to me before ( and the BMW 7 also ) .

I don't really see the S class, especially the sedan, as that ostentatious, of course, that depends on the city to some extent.

 

This is exactly why I would be happy with a '12 S550, I don't need it to be a 2019 or even a 2017. The main issue is to be realistic on what it might need for ongoing repairs, and to be prepared to tackle as much as possible on my own, then line up an indie who will install FCP Euro parts. The one I know is not reasonable, I sent my friend there and he charged her like $550 for Passat front brakes, when the dealer was like $590. At least the dealer gives you a loaner...

But I have to admit that A8L is impressive except for the V6, that's not adequate imho...need the 8 cyl

 

 

I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses. I think the S class is hands-down the best looking large sedan and if I put reliability concerns aside (meaning I bought new or bought CPO with great coverage), I'm still not sure I would pull the trigger on it and I can't put my finger on exactly why.