Hypothetical Dilemma
 

Okay, imagine that Mrs. X has been driving a boring old mommy mobile for the past 7 years. So she and Mr. X decide that it's finally time to retire said mom mobile and get Mrs. X something she's not embarassed to drive around in.

So then, Mr. and Mrs. X go to their friendly neighborhood BMW dealer to look around because Mrs. X really, really wants a BMW. She wants a 530i. Mr. X, however, is choosing to be a tightwad about the whole thing and says that she can get the 330i but he won't spend an itty bitty bit more so she can get what she REALLY wants.

Mrs. X is concerned that, if she gets the 330i, the people in her snotty little town will be thinking, "Oooh, the X's must not be doing very well; poor Mrs. X's new car is from the 3 series :eek: " Is Mrs. X being ridiculous? Is there merit in her thinking? Mrs. X is in her mid-thirties, so granted she shouldn't care what other people think, especially about something as unimportant as a car. But, at the same time, do people over 30 drive 3 series???

Maybe Mrs. X should just remember that 20 years ago she was driving a 1978 Toyota Corolla and shut up and be happy.

So people in Mrs. X's town thinks a BMW even if it's a lower class means the family is poor and not doing well? lol I feel sorry for the people in Mrs. X's town that drive Kia's. No offense to any GC Kia owners.

If you (I mean Mrs. X) don't want it, I'll take the BMW 330i. :)

I think that the price difference between those two cars is about $10,000. That's not an itty bitty bit of money. Don't worry about what the neighbors think. Enjoy your new BMW. :)

Are You Red Headed or What?????:D

Jeeze, XXXXXXX's and OOOOO's:rolleyes:

BMW, you better figuer on higher repair bills, :

Oil Changes
Brake Work
Tune Ups.

More than just paying for a Car.

Big Bucks
Higher Interest Rate
Higher Insurance.

Oh, dont have any body work!:(

Suggestion, get a Honda!:)

I'd kind of be ticked if Mrs. X was my wife. In the end, it's only money. It'd depend a lot on if we could afford it or not. $10,000 isn't just pocket change though.

BMWs are ugly. Scrap the BMW idea altogether and get a Jag.

I'll be honest...we make fun of 3 series people at work. Whatever I don't drive but it's not just people I hang around with. There are a series of articles out there about taking luxury goods and targeting them to a different income class. It's still a good but it's no longer a luxury good in the same sense you know?

Anyway, I say get what you'd like...maybe a better car in the same price range or an older 5 series? I think you'd look really cute in a Lotus.

-Rudey

Have you ever DRIVEN a luxury car? I'm going to say no, since you said something so presumptous. She didn't ask for any indication of your "knowledge" of all things automobile related, okay? I imagine since Mr. X is going to go for a BMW at all, then they are quite aware--and prepared for--the related costs.

Mrs. X, I'm going to have to say get the 530i. I used to think the C class Mercedes were a good idea. They're designed for people who basically want the "name," but aren't going to get the quality. The 330i reminds me, no offense, of an earlier model Toyota Tercel.

It's like getting an iBook vs. a PowerBook. iBooks are fine for basic computer stuff like Word and internet, but they can't hold a candle to the PowerBook in terms of pure speed and capability.

In my mind, it isn't about the neighbors. It's about the quality. :)

Tracy, i'm going to be calling a lifelong resident of your area today (or at least a peninsula up from you), I'll ask him his opinion ;)

All I can say is that if Mrs. X get any beemer, she WILL be chauffering for the next Pittsburgh GC get together ;)

Can you ask Mr or Mrs X if I can borrow an itty bitty bit of money?

Back to your question. It's hard to answer not knowing what your current lifestyle is like.

I'd say if it was a problem for your husband other than him being a tightwad that might have some merit.

If you can truly afford it I'd say you stand firm on what you want.

Why look poor to your neighbors if you can afford it?

I have a 3 series. It was my first car back in the 11th grade. Nothing wrong with it other than the fact that any time something breaks on it I have to take out a damn loan to get it fixed. Regular maintence is ok, but even to get a damn timing belt changed costs a few hundred.

Anyway, take the difference between the two cars and put your money to work.

Rudey sweetie, I KNEW I could count on an honest opinion from you! :)

I'm thinking that the 3 series is the vehicle equivalent of A/X as opposed to Armani or DKNY vs. Donna Karan. Or the folks that walk around with t-shirts that say "Chanel" on them and believe people think that it's just a little something they picked up on the rue du Faubourg de St. Honore.

It's not really a money issue; it's more Mr. X's mindset. Or so Mrs. X tells me. He really hates to finance things and the money is there in the X Family car fund for a 330 but not a 530. So they'd get a car loan for the difference. I don't think that's a big deal, but he does.

And she can't get a used car because part of the fun of a new car is the new car smell.

PS Mrs. X sounds like a mad diva, but she's really a very nice person! :)

You are absolutely right.

What squicks me out is Polo Sport.

If Mrs. X earns half the money, then she should get to choose where her hard earned money goes.

Statements like this being uttered by couples are often the first steps down the road to divorce.