It's a trade-off. Look how long you're waiting for your new car. Most people don't have the patience for that.

 

Research the Corvette market when the mid engine C8 came out in 2019 as a 2020 model year. Most buyers that only wanted to pay MSRP waited a minimum of anywhere from 1-2 years. People who wanted one immediately paid way over MSRP to get one.

 

People who wanted a Hyundai Palisade when they came out were paying $10K over sticker. Anyone think that was a smart move?

 

ADMs kept me out of a Corvette long enough for me to come to my senses. At this stage I don't need the expense or the problems of owning a super car.

 

Right. That's exactly my point.

Both parties got what they wanted. The ones who waited 1-2 years got the price they wanted and the ones who paid a premium got to drive their new car off the dealer's lot right away. There's no right or wrong here. It's a trade-off that depends on your personal priorities.

When I bought my 2019 ESL in July 2019, I didn't get exactly the options I wanted, but I got close enough and drove the car home right away. I could have held out for the exact options I wanted, but I didn't want to wait.

 

I don’t mind a bit. In the meantime I have my beautiful Lexus to drive and I’m putting the miles on it rather than the new Beemer. It’s all worked out perfectly for me.

 

That's what they cost then. If you needed a car right then, alternatives like today's Pilot weren't yet available. If you bought it and liked it, you knew what you were paying for it and felt it was worth it.

It'd be easy for me to take 20-20 hindsight shots at people, but let's get real: When I ordered my UL in 2021, I waited 5 months and then paid full sticker for a car that did not have the exact equipment mix I'd asked for, because the only alternative was to get something that bore even much less resemblance to what I wanted. Would I have rather paid less? Of course. Do I regret my choice? No.

I also remember at the time advising a friend to pay $3k over sticker to get exactly the car they wanted, in stock and with exactly their desired rare color and equipment mix. They came away delighted with their decision. Bottom line: You can only make your choice from the choices that are available at the time.

 

I'd drive a Yugo before paying 10k over sticker for a Hyundai. Honestly would never ever pay even msrp for any car. Period! Never have, never will.

 

And that's absolutely perfect, for you.

 

Yep I'm odd that way, hate to throw away $$.

 

I'm not going to pretend I'm surprised by the tone of this answer. We get your point.

 

Well I've been gone a minute, so allow me to instill some much-needed psychobabble relevant, or at least relevant-adjacent, to... well, at least part of this conversation, while I briefly hijack the thread for my own personal sandbox, or whatever.

@Mikemu30, your 'never pay MSRP, hate to throw away money' stance is clear! Yet, picture this: the fellow actually driving a Yugo (because that's what he can afford, not just to make a point about a Hyundai) looks at your Lexus. To him, isn't any Lexus 'throwing away money,' regardless of your discount? It's like 'sensible spending' is on a luxurious sliding scale where our own Lexus always lands in the 'genius buy' zone. Clever, that.

Now, seeing that kind of exchange often makes you notice a broader pattern in how folks talk about and handle their money. It's pretty fascinating when you dig into it. Ever notice how some people can loudly preach about saving every last penny on everyday stuff, yet their lifestyle also includes some pretty significant luxuries? It's in these moments that 'sensible spending' can become a surprisingly elastic concept. It's almost like their financial radar is super sharp for tiny markups when it's someone else's spending, but when it comes to their own high-end purchases, those suddenly get framed as 'smart moves' or 'great value.' A pretty neat way to ensure one's proclaimed frugal principles and personal comforts don't end up in an awkward showdown.

Decoding Our Quirky Money Logic

This tendency to sweat the small stuff financially while being quite relaxed about bigger splurges isn't just random. Our brains have some interesting wiring that often guides how we see value and make these decisions:

1. Mental Accounting (Or, Our Brain's Budget Buckets):
   
   We all do this, often without realizing it: we mentally sort our money into different "buckets." For example, the "daily expenses" bucket might make us drive miles out of our way to save a few cents on gas, because every penny there feels like a big deal. Or think about the person who meticulously uses coupons for groceries but then drops a significant sum on a high-end hobby without blinking. It all makes perfect sense in their own head because the money is coming from different "mental" accounts with different rules.
   
2. Loss Aversion & The Thrill of the "Deal":
   
   Most of us really, really dislike the feeling of losing something – often more than we enjoy gaining something of equal value. That's Loss Aversion. So, paying an obvious markup or an avoidable fee? That can feel like a direct hit, like getting ripped off, and we'll often go to great lengths to dodge it. Think about online shopping: ever added an extra item you didn't really need just to hit that 'free shipping' threshold and avoid a $7 shipping fee? That's often Loss Aversion in action – we hate the idea of 'wasting' money on shipping (a perceived loss) so much that we'll spend more on actual goods to avoid it.
   
   On the flip side, we absolutely love the thrill of snagging what feels like a great deal. That's the "Deal Factor." It's not just about the item itself, but the satisfaction of feeling like we outsmarted the system or got a bargain. This is why an expensive item can suddenly transform into a "savvy purchase" if it's on sale, heavily discounted, or has that air of exclusivity. Our focus shifts from the total amount spent to the cleverness of how we acquired it, reinforcing that feeling of being a discerning consumer.

And trust me, I'm no stranger to this particular mental wiring—probably get caught up in the 'deal' chase or dodging perceived 'losses' more often than I'd care to admit. It feels pretty inherent. Even being acutely aware of the psychology behind it all, knowing why your brain is screaming 'Don't miss out!' or 'Avoid that fee at all costs!' doesn't grant a free pass. Overriding that gut reaction when it's in full throttle is another beast entirely; self-awareness is a great tool, but those subconscious tripwires are often quicker on the draw.

Now, let's be fair, we're all probably guilty of some version of this quirky money logic. For me, that 'deal chase' and fear of 'perceived losses' I just admitted to? It hits peak intensity when it's time for my next vehicle "conquest," triggering full-blown "analysis paralysis." That research phase isn't just a rabbit hole; it's more like a research black hole I get sucked into, absolutely consumed by hunting for that elusive 'perfect deal.' The drive to get the ultimate "bang for my buck"—and the fear of missing out—becomes a comically intense (and admittedly counterproductive) motivator. When you see someone who seems to be a financial contradiction – a penny-pinching accountant one minute and a carefree spender the next – these kinds of mental shortcuts and biases are often the reason. It helps people maintain a self-image of being financially prudent, even if their spending habits might look a bit inconsistent from an outside perspective. That "flexible notion" of sensible spending? It's often our own powerful (and sometimes a bit sneaky) psychological influences at work.

 

Thank you for contributing this, Ultra. Actual thought rather than posturing is a foreign concept here, but you've brought real and documented information. You're one EV defector who should feel free to drop back in anytime.

 

Or maybe the guy is frugal in areas that are of lower priority in order to splurge on the things that are higher priority?

And sometimes it actually cheaper to buy the extra item. Like if the extra item is $2 and shipping is $7.

 

Thanks for chiming in! You've actually highlighted a couple of great illustrations of how these psychological quirks play out.

Your first point – "maybe the guy is frugal in areas that are of lower priority in order to splurge on the things that are higher priority?" – is a textbook example of Mental Accounting in practical application. That's precisely it. People consciously (or subconsciously) create those different mental "budget buckets," assigning different values and spending rules to them. What you're describing as a deliberate prioritization strategy is exactly how that mental categorization manifests.

I operate much the same way, actually. I definitely place more value, and therefore allocate more of my discretionary funds, towards things that genuinely bring me joy – like experiences, vacations, and yes, my vehicles. Those are my "splurges," if you will. But on the flip side of that coin, I maintain zero debt, never carry credit card balances that accrue interest, and the only interest I'd typically encounter is on an auto lease – and even then, I often opt for single-pay leases to save money upfront, even while spending more initially. My home is modest, in a perfectly safe neighborhood, and you won't find me chasing expensive clothing brands or amassing extensive collections of 'stuff.' I own some quality items that I might have paid a bit more for, but they're carefully chosen and not the norm. It's not that I have expensive tastes across the board; it's more that because I'm naturally frugal or have less desire for 'finer things' in many areas, I can comfortably allocate funds to what I truly value. For me, it’s not a constant "I better not buy X if I want Y" struggle; it’s just an inherent way of operating that works. So, yes, that's a perfect real-world demonstration of the concept you described.

As for your shipping example – "sometimes it actually cheaper to buy the extra item. Like if the extra item is $2 and shipping is $7" – you're absolutely right, in that specific scenario, the math is clearly in favor of adding the item. That's a purely rational decision. My original point about Loss Aversion and the Thrill of the "Deal" was more about the psychological pull that often leads us to make that kind of move even when the math isn't so straightforward – like adding a $10 item we don't truly need just to save that same $7 shipping. Your example is the logical extreme; the psychological drive often kicks in even when the numbers are less obviously beneficial, purely because we're wired to avoid that "loss" of a shipping fee or chase the "win" of a perceived deal.

Appreciate you bringing up those scenarios – they really help flesh out how these concepts show up in everyday decision-making!