What the truly rich drive

[avidsaver]

I did hear one of the Johnson & Johnson heirs (he made a documentary — I think — about the heirs to mega-wealth in the U.S.) mention that it was taboo in their family to ever mention money. My impression was that those who had THAT much money — old money — were less inclined to flaunt it. Tiger Woods wouldn’t be a good example in this category.

Having said that, it seems like the conversation may have offended someone (La Jolla Renter), and I’m not sure why…

I really don’t know what the truly rich do though because we don’t really hang out LOL!

[avidsaver]

On another note… I do remember that the first time I read “The Millionaire Next Door,” my coworker and I said, “that doesn’t sound like fun!” If I had that much $$ I would want to buy more stuff (read: flaunt it more than they do)… Ok, please don’t torture me for that confession — it was a LONG time ago. But I’m still not the millionaire next door.

[PerryChase]

speedingbullet, do you think that USA or UK is more class concious? I haven’t figured this out yet.

I feel that in USA, class is a function of money, whereas in UK class is more of function of birth and upbringing.

I noticed that in Europe, rich people drive older, smaller cars but they live in nicer homes, in the best neighborhoods, that have been passed down the generations. Rich Europeans would never think of moving to brand new master planned communities in the suburbs.

Rich Europeans also dress better than Americans. In my view, they have better taste when it comes to fashion and the arts.

Middle-middle and lower-middle Europeans look more ragged than their American counterparts.

Just my observations. I don’t know if I’m correct.

[speedingpullet]

Interesting point, PerryChase.

While class distinctions are still very important in the UK (most English people can tell which class you’re from, and where you were born/brought up, almost before you’ve finished a sentence, its that ingrained), after WWII the rise of the middle class has lead to less emphsis on it, and more on material wealth.

for instance, most people in London and the surrounding area speak, in what my mum used to call “Estuarine English”, ie sort of a watered down Cockney, so its difficult to tell exactly what class younger people belong to by thier speach. I know, I’m one of them – despite growing up in the affluent middle class suburb of Putney, years of living in South East London has given me the sort of accent you’d expect from an extra on “Eastenders”.

You’re right in the fact that the very rich tend to be much more understated, but the stuff they have tends to be of better quality. And people tend to hang on to houses – especially in the posher areas of London – and pass them on to thier kids. This is “old” money, so they don’t feel the need to show it off.

Having said that, Margaret Thatcher lives in a newish Gated Community in South London, but they certainly don’t build McMansions in London, simply because there’s not the land to do it.

Of course, the younger generations do like a bit of Bling!, but on the whole people are wary of too much showing off. Despite being class-ridden, there’s still a strong undercurrent of Soci-alism in the UK that finds ostentatious displays of wealth tacky and in-your-face. But, then again, there’s David and Victoria Beckham, so who knows…

But, I’m sure its much the same in France, too, n’est ce pas?

[lewman]

I’m not rich and chances are, unfortunately, I’ll probably never reach this staus in this life. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with showing it off. Afterall that’s what capitalism is all about. Work hard, get rich, then play hard. Of course there’re those lucky ones that inherit it but chances are they did something really good in their past lives !!!!

So my strategy is to be borne rich in my next life by doing good in this one ha ha ha …

[bubba99]

To those of us who are car guys, the car is not a symbol of wealth, but rather an object of affection. The sound of a Ferrari, or the handling of a Porsche on a complex road course is itself the reward. The price is just the cost of admission to the ride.

Weekend Porsches are not practical for daily drivers. Those of us who love our cars cannot park them next to a hoopdy and let the doors get dented and scratched. The car versus another investment is just a choice. The money will do me no good in 30 or 40 years, but the memories may still be there.

I don’t think I would be a good idea to trade my Porsche for acceptance by those who cannot afford, or cannot allow themselves any real treats in life.

[sdrealtor]

And that is different than a home in what way?

[an]

If you truly love your home like car guys love our cars, then there’s absolutely no difference, except the fact is it’s a much bigger cost of entry. It’s like buying an Enzo. Aren’t we all comparing buying vs renting? So buying a car or a house is the same and leasing a car is similar to renting a house. If you keep the car for more than 2-3 years, it’s cheaper to buy than lease. If you buy a house, in 2-3 years, you’ll spend a lot more if you bought than rent. We all need a car just like we all need a shelter. We all can live in a 2 bedroom condo/apartment just like we all can drive around Civic.

So for those who say rich people don’t flaunt, I say, everybody flaunt. If they don’t, they’d be living in a small condo or small house in the middle of nowhere and donate all their money to charity already. The fact is, everyone have a hobble and certain things in life bring them joy, regardless of the $ cost. So if houses bring you joy then, great. For other cars bring them joy. Not everybody buy cars to flaunt. For a car guy, we all wouldn’t mind buying a $10k Toyota if it can handle like a Porsche and look as good as a Ferrari.

[PerryChase]

It’s true, different strokes for different folks.

I could live in a nicer house. But I’d rather spend my money traveling around the world. I could also be saving that money or donating it to charity. Or if I worked even harder, I could buy an even greater house and spend all my time beautifying it. But then I would work to feed the real estate related industries and I wouldn’t have time to kick back.

My brothers drive nice cars but I’m not interested at all in cars so I just drive the hand-me-downs. They don’t charge me, so I never have car expenses. 🙂

[zk]

I saw Johnny Carson driving a MB 350SL convertible, green with a black top, in 1978.

I’ve seen a few rich guys (Jeff Dunham, some pro athletes) driving Hummers. Real Hummers, the kind you can drive over large boulders. Not H2s or H3s, where they took out all the real Hummer stuff except the ugly. If it weren’t for status-conscious people, I don’t think they’d sell any H2s or H3s. No more sporty or utile than your average sport utility vehicle, but a hell of a lot uglier. And yet, in the eyes of many, they elevate one’s status. I don’t get it. Makes you look like a dumbass to me.

I think if a guy is driving around in a $250,000 Aston-Martin, he’d have to either be at least borderline rich or have his priorities completely out of whack. I’ve seen a few of those around. The most beautiful cars in the world, if you ask me.

I’m a little bit of a car guy (damn I miss my ’67 GTO convertible), but I can’t see spending much of the money from the sale of my house on one. Sure, I could buy an Aston-Martin or a Ferrari. But then I’d be a dumbass. I admit that with my windfall I decided to buy a V8 4Runner instead of the previously planned 4 Cyl Camry (nothing will make you feel less like a car guy than driving a 4 Cyl Camry). But that’s all I bought, and even that made me feel a tad careless with my money.

[LookoutBelow]

The "Truly Rich" dont drive…They are driven. The "wealthy" drive pretty subdued whips most of the time. The "Noveau Riche" drive all the flash and blingmobiles….Purple Lambo's, Screaming Yellow Ferarri's…etc. Sometimes really wealthy people do drive flash-mobiles too, depends on their M.O. Some very rich people WANT and must have the attention that goes with the Yellow Ferarri. 

And then there's guy's like me, I generally dont car what anybody really thinks, I drive a new black Escalade with the big wheels. I put up with the occaisional "Stink Eye" I get from the electric car toyota Prius/john kerry bumper sticker types at red lights, everytime I see one of those, it reminds me to thank them for me being able to burn up their fair share of gas that they wont be needing…LOL……The "Slade" handles about 10 times better than my previous Denali and contains at least a whole forest of "Plastic colored faux wood"

I imagine an entire South American PLASTIC rain forest was demolished just for my dash board. As it should be. I also love the smell of leather.

 I am a car guy. Proud of it too. I know what a fun experience driving a well designed, superior performance automobile is like and truly enjoy it, much like some of my other friends enjoy dining and blowing a ton of money on "over the top dinners" at fancy restaruants.

Memories of lifes experiences are all you get to take with you to your deathbed. Dont ever fool yourselves into thinking otherwise.

I would feel horrible if I drove a 4 cyl. Camry and died with 4-1/2 million in the bank. I wont have to worry about that though, Iam going to run out of money, idea's, Pro V1 golf balls, surf wax, gasoline, cigarettes, vision and viagra all at the same time in about 35 years or so if all goes according to plan. LOL !!! Life is not that serious for me, Iam trying to enjoy myself now, this country is doomed and we have a 7 billion person problem in the world…I see no easy way out. So ? Enjoy the ride Amigo's

 

[LookoutBelow]

I may have to take up some more dangerous activities however, last month my doctor informs me Iam in great shape. I Dont want to screw up my finances/experiences ratio……LOL !!!!

Maybe I'll get into auto racing ? That would be a hell of an experience, its expensive and it can be mucho dangerous too.  Perfect.

What Iam saying is this: Do what makes YOU happy, to hell with appearences, as long as its not hurting anyone and its not illegal, go for it.

Extra points are given for "experiencing" this gift of life.  Regrets are the first sign of a failing grade in "Life 101" 

 

[zk]

“Do what makes YOU happy, to hell with appearences, as long as its not hurting anyone and its not illegal, go for it.

I totally concur with that.

“I would feel horrible if I drove a 4 cyl. Camry and died with 4-1/2 million in the bank.”

If I had anywhere near 4 1/2 million in the bank, I wouldn’t think of driving a 4cyl camry. Or a V8 4Runner. Or a ‘Slade for that matter. So many to choose from, but I think I’d drive an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Just looking at that car is a feast. But, with a 5-year-old and a wife to think about, and being upper middle class, I can’t have everything, and I figure I’ll settle for the Toyota and save our money for our eventual new house and more piano and skating lessons and vacations.

If I were super rich, I’d have about a hundred cars. Lots of ’60s muscle cars, lots of supercars, a race car or two and assorted others.

What would you all drive?

[an]

As a car guy, if I have millions to spend, I’d definitely get a R34 GT-R, Supra TT, NSX-T, MR-2 Spyder and the new 335i as daily driver. Of course, those will be modded to my heart content so even a Vanquish would feel slow after I done modding these cars. But that’s just my dream. Reality, I’ll probably be driving my G35 for the next 10-15 years and who knows what nice cars will be out by then.

[bubble_contagion]

The truly rich don’t drive. They are driven.

[Author]

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