Is driving a luxury car an indication that one has made it in business?

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   telltaleposted 13 years ago

   Is driving a luxury car an indication that one has made it in business?

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2. 68

   Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

   No not at all.  In economic times like this it would tend to be seen as an excess.  Being successful in business does not always mean that one should 'show off' one's luxury car. Many often drive average cars and let their wife drive the luxury one.
   I have met many successful businessmen who only use their luxury cars as a vacuum cleaner.  When asked why, all have explained that by using their cars that way... they are always able to drive around town any time they like..... and pick up those blonde bits of fluff there far easier than others can.

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   Pcunixposted 13 years ago

   Some years back a customer of mine hired another consultant for a project I had no expertise in.  It seemed plain to me that the person he chose was really not qualified, and I made my concerns known.
   
   "Well", my customer retorted, "he is driving a brand new Lincoln and you are driving an Intrepid.  For an incompetent, he seems to be doing better than you are!"
   
   I paused and then said "You can lease that Lincoln for $500 a month.   I paid cash for my Intrepid."
   
   He looked at me for several seconds and said "You know, you are right."
   
   He still hired the guy, though.  It turned out I was right and he later ended up suing the Lincoln guy - the project was bungled that much.
   
   A fancy car doesn't mean squat.

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4. 76

   Emissionguyposted 13 years ago

   Good question. The answer is no. Fancy cars just show where the person places value on their money.
   
   I have a millionare friend that drives a Ford Taurus and wears tee shirts and jeans.
   
   Fancy cars might fool some dim-witted people into thinkng you're something special.

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   Rosemary Banksposted 13 years ago

   No, for the most part and in most cases it just means they have a car payment like most 9 - 5 jobs. They are using their car as a marketing tool as if they are successful actually trying to promote their business.

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   hulaboy808posted 13 years ago

   Not really. I have seen lots of good folks who worked hard, save and got their dream car. Just some goals they had.

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   dgicreposted 13 years ago

   The great thing about this country we can all choose what we want to buy. If someone want's to drive a nice car why not. They earned it and are paying for it so all the power to them.
   
   With that being said, many cars today are no longer the status symbols they used to be. There are just too many of them around and they have become too common.  No longer is a 35k or 50K car a status symbol, for this you need a car that is approaching 6 figures. When you see someone in a car like that, it still says they have made it in business or elsewhere.
   
   I know certain individuals  that could afford to drive a car like that. They would rather drive a Prius because they don't want a target on their back and would rather stay under the radar and fit in with the general population.

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   Always Greenerposted 13 years ago

   No, because purportedly high-end cars like the BMW 5-series, Audi etc. can be bought very cheaply as second-hand cars - particularly if they are riddled with electrical problems.  So they don't have that status (like they did in the 80s and 90s).
   
   Dare I suggest PROPERTY as the no. 1 indicator of status - if you are into that sort of thing anyway.

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   Jay Crihfieldposted 9 years ago

   I think if you drive a nice car, it's merely an indicator that you place a lot of value in the type of car you drive.  You could ask the same question and instead of luxury cars...substitute "$3000 custom tailored suits," or "expensive Rolex or Breitling wristwatches."  Personally...the only real indication of one's success in business is their bank statement(s) and/or the balance sheet of their business.

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