[vTecPower]

Let's say a guy is in his mid 20's and he's a successful businessman making approximately $80,000/yr and let's say people know he makes around this much.

But he drives around in a 2002 Honda Accord LX (middle model) and doesn't plan on buying a car for a long time.

Does this make him look cheap??

[ChingGoo]

not really.. a car is the 2nd most expensive purchase you will make in your life.
he'll probably buy a very nice car later on, i respect that.

[T_Sport]

No. Not in the slightest, some people have no interest in image and just may not care for whatever they are seen to be driving...

There are a whole number of things to explain the situation. Everybody perceives things differently, so many would be convinced he is cheap.

Personally, I'd go for an upgrade (not necessarily newer at all), but that is purely because I am massively obsessed with cars and have a twisted appreciation for them...

[MrPower]

This thread reminded me of something that someone once said: "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

I think there is a blurred line between cheap and resourceful. People could mistaken this man for either, but personally I think the man is being smart by not mindlessly blowing money on things he doesn't need.

[theninthtrack]

-lol- No, not at all. If not, they even gain some a bit of respect from me since I get the feeling they are being down to earth and all. Rather that than some guy who literally flashes with his car, that's so new and shiny that you need sunglasses to look at it. I'm a girl, by the way.

[tjdabeast]

My Calculus professor said in lecture that he'd be very happy and give out plenty more As(jokingly) if the students pitch in and buy him a new $80,000 car to replace his rusty old Honda Civic lol. He's a university professor so he's making close to or more than $150,000? I also heard of a billionaire who lives on a boat with no material possession worth stealing and he lives just fine. So no, that guy isn't cheap =P

[nghister]

I have MUCH more respect for a guy who puts his money into investments with good returns and/or real estate (house) than a car that will most likely lose 1/2 its value the moment he drives it off the dealership. Only dumb girls would prefer a nice car over a smart man who invests wisely... but you know, some people are into dumb girls... lol

So, NO I don't think you look cheap at all. But some people (mostly those in their early 20s or younger) might think so.

[Malice_Kaiser]

No. Not in the slightest, some people have no interest in image and just may not care for whatever they are seen to be driving...

This this this this this.

Just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to blow it on stuff like it's nothing.

[des monstres]

why in the world would that make him loo cheap?
to me, he's being very smart about his money.
if the car is in working just fine, why replace it?
so that you'll look more expensive to other people?
dumb.

i know a kid who is constantly wearing the same clothes..
but he comes from a really rich family.
instead of buying designer clothes,
he'd rather spend his money on games. xD

[CinCin]

It's fine if the car is clean and well taken care of (washes it, changes the oil and has check-ups regularly, ect).

[JinEnjuce]

Not at all. Besides, having a BMW or Mercedes can be a pain to maintain. Lets say you run into car problems with a nice car, most auto shops won't have the specialized equipment or training to fix them. Most guys I know who make that much own a "cheaper" car simply out of convenience.

[aubrei]

the 2002 Honda Accord LX is a good car.
why does it make him look cheap?

some people dont feel the need to have a huge hike up in their insurance and gas costs for bells and whistles that wont make a difference to them.

he has money because he knows how to save money.
blowing 80% of your yearly income on a car is not one of the ways to do it. is 80,000 gross income? could be even more than the % im thinking, depending on what car you had in mind.

a luxury car doesnt necessarily mean its a good car, you know. luxury european cars have a tendancy to break down or require more maintenance than the japanese import counterparts.

[Nana544]

No way any of that is cheap! No, that man is not cheap at all!!!! In fact, he's more well-off than those who has nothing like him...

[Yuenie]

Well, if the car is still working, then why buy another one?
Buying a new car when you already have a working car means you're just using money unnecessarily.
So no, it's not being cheap.

Now if the car has paint chipping with rust, a dented bumper, a broken side view mirror, and duct tape over the windows, then you should buy a new car - or pay to fix it up.

[moot11]

I've picked up women for dates on my bike before (it was whimsically childish and we had a lot of fun), you should have no problem with your Honda.

[peachgirlxo]

i dont think it does at all. i think its better because hes not showing how rich he is, and how hes not just buying new stuff because hes rich, but because he doesnt need one when he already has a working car.

[WhiteRabbitsTime]

No, but, I only say this assuming this guy isn't stingy:-)

[Gofishus]

That's not cheap, it's smart

[JinEnjuce]

Well, if the car is still working, then why buy another one?
Buying a new car when you already have a working car means you're just using money unnecessarily.
So no, it's not being cheap.

Now if the car has paint chipping with rust, a dented bumper, a broken side view mirror, and duct tape over the windows, then you should buy a new car - or pay to fix it up.

Nah. A car in that bad a condition would cost more to repair than to just get a new one.

[sixth.]

I don't find that cheap. People like to spend their money differently to others.