Where Conspicuous Consumption is defined like this:

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Conspicuous consumption is the spending of money on and the acquiring of luxury goods and services to publicly display economic power—either the buyer's income or the buyer's accumulated wealth. Sociologically, to the conspicuous consumer, such a public display of discretionary economic power is a means either of attaining or of maintaining a given social status.

Moreover, invidious consumption, a more specialized sociologic term, denotes the deliberate conspicuous consumption of goods and services intended to provoke the envy of other people, as a means of displaying the buyer’s superior socio-economic status.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspicuous_consumption


Interesting topic... (the quote in the topic title was "Luxury Cars...")

We're actively saving and starting to look around to replace my daily commuter. I just came across the above verbiage and thought it might drive an interesting discussion on here. I assure you I'm not condeming anyone who buys new/nice/sports/luxery/etc. Just passing along a random quote.

[This message has been edited by edwardsk2003 (edited 5/24/2014 4:03a).]

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"Vehicles are a status symbol for conspicuous consumption."

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Vehicles can also be fun.

Stuff poor people say

I agree. True cars for the people should be made with only basic necessities in mind.


And of course the most basic need - the need to go fast

I don't know if this is the first time the OP has heard the term conspicuous consumption....

Lots or people do this - it is a variation of "keeping up with the Joneses"

Don't you think half the people who have BMWs bought them solely because of the brand? They aren't buying them for performance. They don't even know how many cylinders the engine has. They want to impress people with their "taste" and that they can pay that much for a car.

I think another version of this is gold Rolexes. Gold Rolexes are hugely visible. If you were a watch enthusiast you might choose a stainless Rolex with a more interesting mechanism instead. But the blingy person buys the gold watch because it is conspicuous and expensive.

Yeah spice. First time id heard the term

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Don't you think half the people in Dallas who have BMWs leased them solely because of the brand?

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FIFSpice

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You are soooo right!

There is a line of MB ads going right now that flat says you will look impressive and important and successful in their cars.

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I think another version of this is gold Rolexes. Gold Rolexes are hugely visible. If you were a watch enthusiast you might choose a stainless Rolex with a more interesting mechanism instead. But the blingy person buys the gold watch because it is conspicuous and expensive.

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I have a two tone Rolex as a dress watch. What does that say with gold and stainless steel???

I kind of agree though, my daily watch is a stainless submariner.


I find this interesting because I think I may be slightly guilty of this, I drive a luxury car with no need for luxury, but on the flip side I was looking for a performance car that could be easily modded with 4 doors and the cts-v was my best option. I don't know.

Luxury isn't a need. There is nothing wrong with spending money on it.

But did you buy a luxury car because you wanted it? Or did you buy it to impress other people?

In the grand scheme of things none of this matters. Spend your money as you see fit. But I admit I am somewhat judgemental and cynical of conspicuous consumption. I don't like snobbery.

[This message has been edited by SpicewoodAg (edited 5/24/2014 12:21p).]

Wife drives a 14 year old minivan and shops at Marshalls. We have a 2006 f150 bought used. We also have an 02 911 I toy with. I dont own a watch...my phone tells time very accurately.

Kids dont receive gifts or toys. They do get unlimited books if they want.

Yet we are not Ramsey frugal.

No snobbery I would like to think.

People waste money in all sorts of ways, often to impress people that they don't know and don't matter.

If you've got food and shelter, not ripping people off, taking care of your kids, and not sponging off the government, spend your money however you'd like.

But I think it's pitiful that people have nice cars, yet live in shacks, or have nice cars only because of huge debts.

They chose....poorly.

Reminds me of a Texas Monthly article 20+ years ago. I do not remember the premise of the article, but I imagine something along the lines of how the other half lives. They interviewed a older gentleman that lived in basically a shack, with a brand new Cadillac in the driveway. They asked him why he had such an expensive car, yet lived in a shack. He told them he could sleep in his car, but he couldn't drive his house...

I've read the assertion that lots of poor/minorities don't own their homes, and don't expect to ever do so. So they lavish their money on the one big purchase with which they can show off....their car.

You don't get it hypeiv. I know people who have fabulous things but they have them because they appreciate the intrinsic value of the vehicle.

A good man I know well owns a Gulfstream 550. He flies it everywhere. I have been on it twice. He also has incredible cars (such as a M-B SLS), but most of the time he drives a rather ordinary Lexus LS. He wears jeans most of the time.

Then you have people who buy things for the show. I don't assume right away that someone bought something for show. But if you meet them it is pretty easy to tell.

Would it be fair to say that people who purchase high end items purely for show are less happy than those who purchased them through appreciation of the craft? This board is full of people who purchased exotic automobiles for the thrill of performance, and for those so inclined money did buy happiness.

There was a poster here on this board some time ago (shall go nameless) who was shopping for a luxury car. He said it had to cost at least $75,000.

Who sets a minimum price when shopping for a car?

I couldn't care less what other people think. That doesn't mean I don't like some so-called luxury items. I got a Rolex Submariner when I was 19 because I wanted the watch. I wasn't wearing it for status -- heck most people had no idea it was anything other than a divers watch. After a decade of not wearing it, I recently sold it (at a healthy profit!) because I just couldn't see myself wearing it anymore. I forgot how heavy it was and to me, it looks a little pretentious. I'm not concerned about what others think, but I am concerned about what I think. Sounds silly. Oh, well. Anyway, the Rolex was probably my single greatest goods purchase I ever made -- I got a lot of use out of it and then a nice sum when I sold it.

Spend your money on whatever you want to spend it on, but until someone shows me there aren't better cars for the price of a BMW, I just look at BMW owners as those wasting their money for whatever reason. I hope they don't need that money in the future.

A real watch enthusiast would never buy a Rolex.

I would have to disagree....'real' watch enthusiasts come in many flavors. If you have 2 $100K Pateks and 3 $10K Rolexs....what then? Or does Patek fall in the same category? Then again, I don't live in Geneva....8> )

[This message has been edited by Yuccadoo (edited 5/26/2014 12:56p).]

I spend money on fast cars because it's cheaper than therapy and more effective.

I drive a BMW because I love it, not because of what other people think. In fact, I drive it in spite of what other people think. There is no other car that makes people dislike you more. They assume I am a rich snob, when it fact I just love how I feel driving it, and that it gives me a smile every time I hear the whine of the turbo and am pushed into my seat from the absurd acceleration. **** other people's opinions. This car is for me, not them.

The ultimate driving machine.

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I drive a BMW because I love it, not because of what other people think. In fact, I drive it in spite of what other people think. There is no other car that makes people dislike you more. They assume I am a rich snob, when it fact I just love how I feel driving it, and that it gives me a smile every time I hear the whine of the turbo and am pushed into my seat from the absurd acceleration. **** other people's opinions. This car is for me, not them

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This is how I feel about my Tesla as well-- well except no whine when you slam the accelerator just pure power!

It is just fun to drive. If people think I bought it to show off I really don't care. I pay my bills and work hard none of their concern how I decide to spend my extra cash money.

It's funny, there are teslas everywhere here in SF, which makes sense based on the area. I'll tend to see between 2 and 5 a day just walking around. But even though they can cost twice as much as my Bimmer, no one cares about that choice. It's more the badge than the cost for a lot of people IMO. Class warfare is alive and well.

Btw, that's an awesome ride you got. I'm thinking of getting the next gen more affordable model in a couple years, and having my Bimmer as the track and weekend car.

A guy at a gas station told me how stupid I was because I could have bought a Corvette for what I spent on my Ariel. Like I told him...different strokes, then I did two donuts in the station and left sideways out of the lot. I was wearing my T shirt: "I'm Part of the Problem".

I would bet that you literally did none of that lol. Although I do believe that some cheesedick would completely fail to understand how awesome an atom is.

Lol why would you buy an atom over a corvette lol.

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A real watch enthusiast would never buy a Rolex.

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lol.

Sorry to have offended your poor taste in watches. You probably think that tag is the second best watch brand in the world.

Relax Francis

I'm just pissed they mispronounce Patek as if it was Swiss or something.

I'm the opposite of conspicuous consumption. If I buy it, no matter the cost, it is because it has a capability I require. I will usually buy the cheapest thing that reliably meets my requirements.

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Sorry to have offended your poor taste in watches. You probably think that tag is the second best watch brand in the world.

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Yeah that's it buddy. Part of my business is the replacement of jewelry that has been stolen. I have seen over 100k watch lovers collections cross my desk in the last seven years as well as sold a few of those. I know what people like, your perception is ****.

I wear Rolex for the value, only two things appreciate in the insurance world, rolex's and classic guitars. Oh and FYI my second fav brand would probably be a tie btw Zenith and Chopard. I like their style and Have a few of them too. And yes I also own a Tag I bought as my first watch back in college. No shame in my game.