On another thread, somebody put (proudly ?) a picture of his (expensive) car. (a very nice and sexy porsche)

So it's a question I always wanted to ask, why people buy such expensive cars (not only porsche, but also others, more expansive) ?

I wonder if there should be a one dumping thread for all the philosophical debates on the reasons people get attracted to luxury items we have had lately purses, watches, cars, status linked to cash...

I don't know, Bertrand...it must be status, tax cuts, less breakage, maybe safety (although I have heard the new Volvos suck in that aspect ). I would certainly invest in something else, but understand people like different things.

Because they can.

Tom

why doesn't everyone in the world just eat bread and water and live in concrete blocks measuing 10 square meters?

Seriously! Everyone is different, has different opinions, likes, dislikes, priorities and feelings of entitlement.

If one is to judge all other people based on their different beliefs, one will live a very sad and pathetic life.

I don't any more, , I see no need to, not in Zurich. I have even lost the envy I had for these owners and their cars.

I still love to drive fast when I can, I still love the power, design and control that these cars can offer. I still think I am a good advanced trained driver.

But with the kids growing up, they have there status symbols and perceived needs, and my budget just doesn't stretch to include the extra extravagance these cars demand. Not when there is a fine-free, safe tram over the road.

I am getting old. This thread makes me sad.

Honestly, this is true...In Soviet Russia block we pretty much had it this way, plus the sausages and boobtube, but what did everyone did after revolution? Got a shiny new car. Coz they dreamed about it for decades. It's always like this. We all like different eye candy. Some like to travel, some enjoy the quiet hum of well oiled and functioning machine..

Because they're nice to drive and look nice. Why not?

Some people sink money into a house, some into kids, some into extreme sports. I love driving, cars are "my" thing.

I bought an autobahn cruiser and I do a lot of travelling throughout Europe, the fiancee's fiesta's no good to travel between Amsterdam and Roma. Yes I could take the train or fly but there's nothing like a swiss alpine pass at 6 in the morning with the frost in summer, yourself and the misses and a sound of a supercharged V8 rebounding of the rocks.

Tbh I didn't pay a vast deal for it when I bought it but when new it was 106k chf.

There's very much a difference between a practical car and someone who has that much floating cash they can afford to leave it in the garage and roll it out on Saturday and Sundays.

Most of these morons wouldn't know how to buy the thing cash, it's probably on HP. Well that applies to the middle set trying to out do each other with cars on the drive. The higher earners well they have more money than sense, you can only drive one car at a time..

I have no problem with someone "showing off" it's up to them. Then again they usually don't know how to drive the things which is even funnier.

The point in cars in my mind is to drive them as intended so cruising round Zurich in a Porsche is pretty pointless, they need to be in the mountains getting covered in dust and with glowing brakes. The right tool for the right job.

Additionally from a safety point of view, my car is quite big/heavy and as my friend found out in Devon the other month being hit by a 4x4 at 50 mph pulling out from a junction there's a difference between walking away and hospital. He got to survey the damage shake his head and his wife in the passenger seat which took the impact was on was equally shaken but ok. This made me think regardless of fuel costs I have to get rid of the fiancee's Fiesta and get her something bigger.

I'd love a mint E type jag V12, but that aint gonna happen for a while, so perhaps I'll take a project on and rebuild one eventually? We'll see perhaps I'll learn something along the way.

This is why the former Eastern Bloc folks have such a laid back view toward sex .

well, another stupid thread from me then.

will keep my philosophical questions for me or for a more adequate forum, if it exists......

I actually like these questions, keep up the good work and ignore the fluffeh's.

Cmon, Bernie, don't pout...

It was a lighthearted curious comment on late trend, not criticism of you. Philosophical debates are cool, if you have some more, keep'em coming. Plus you are local, if you find something sharing worthy in local sources, it would be lovely to get filled in!

Been a mod 5 mins and already annoyed someone lol

I believe, but cannot be sure, that the other thread was only made to share a humorous event that just happened to centre on a car. It was not an attempt to gleen praise for the type of car in question. The picture was put up after someone requested it. A possible mistake it now seems??

Some would find those types of cars expensive whereas others would not. It's all relative.

If someone is a petrol head then attains the means to purchase a nice car then so be it.

It is the International Motor Show at Palexpo this week- I suspect this is what has yer mind a wonderin?

(Mod, could you change the title- expansive = Yank car circa 1971)

I have no problem what so ever how you want to spend your money. If it is in expensive bags or cars or shiny rocks (that can be on me )..

I think it is the attitude that bother me. If you have a very expensive car and mind your own business and joy with it, good for you, that is your passion.

If you are like that old dude in my small town who used to go downtown on saturdays with his Viper and going down very slooooowly the same street over and over again, the whole afternoon just to show off....

That is just lame.

Although to be fair.

A funny thing happened to me today..

Yeah Like that was never going to happen....

I knew the topic is slightly inflammatory, considering the spending habits of some here. No need to flame anyone.

Why do men buy expensive cars?
Why do women buy expensive bags?

I think there's a common bond somewhere in the answer.

First of all cars are never cheap compare to... There are also cars and the cars.

I, for one, bought my car because I don't enjoy using public transport. Idea of being driven by chauffer of big train makes me cringing. I'm not used to it like some other folks are. As long as I can use my own legs and my own hands, I will rely solely on driving myself to get from point A to B. Also it has to be appealing and reliable but not necessarily too shiny.

For me, it's the feeling of driving down a country road at speed, or switching your Porsche Turbo back to 3rd and taking it from 30 to 80/90 exiting the roundabout to a motorway in the UK. Yum. However personally I think I would only ever rent these cars, I don't like the idea of ownership any longer.