OT: What do you do for a living? What do you drive? Social pressure?

Submitted by dupont circle on
Although my dad was in management for the Big 3, and we always had new nice cars, I've never been a car guy. Having lived in two major cities thus far after college, it seems like even my peers who said they'd never buy a car, period, let alone anything flashy, are caving. (Where did all these Audis and Land Rovers come from?) Mid to late 20s the el and Metro have officially stopped being acceptable, I guess. Amongst friends and especially at work there is this weird undercurrent to fit in or fit out, with regard to buying a luxury car or SUV. Also projecting a certain image.
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MGoFunkadelic

March 10th, 2015 at 11:22 PM ^

realtor and restaurant owner in Los Angeles (Studio City)

 

2003 Infiniti G35 with 230,901 miles on it.  black on black.

 

As a realtor I need a 4 door vehicle that looks sharp for driving around clients but the biggest factor when I was shopping was rear wheel drive. I just hate the feel of front wheel drive. the 260 hp and sport tuned suspension help too.  

Joined: 10/03/2013

MGoPoints: 12481

Duke of Zhou

March 10th, 2015 at 11:31 PM ^

I'm essentially a landman for renewable energy projects.  After driving my '03 Buick Century into the ground (260,000+), I have recently acquired a '97 DeVille and a '96 Town Car.  I didn't buy them as status symbols, but rather because they each have low mileage, are in great condition, and cost less than $5,000 for the pair.

I have always believed that a vehicle is merely a mode of transportation to convey oneself from point A to point B.

Joined: 12/03/2014

MGoPoints: 9815

BlueinOK

March 10th, 2015 at 11:39 PM ^

Assistant Athletic Director. Dodge Magnum with more than 200,00 miles on it. Love all the room it has...I'm going to drive it until it dies. After that I see myself getting a Ford Fusion or something similar to that. My better half has a 2014 Honda Civic.  

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029

Gobluegoblue2

March 11th, 2015 at 12:24 AM ^

I'll bite

1) orthopedic surgeon
2) tesla model s
3) no social pressures -- I drove a 1999 Camry through med school, residency, fellowship, and first couple of years of practice. I wanted something awesome and different. Plus, not having to buy gas is fantastic.

Joined: 03/10/2015

MGoPoints: 217

Amutnal

March 11th, 2015 at 6:43 AM ^

Ditto on Number 1. Do I know you? I did med undergrad and med school at UM, class of 2006, had a bit of a circuitous route in residency (CCF) doing a couple years of research.

Anyway, I had the same SUV from med school through fellowship courtesy of the parents and I am starting my first job in August. Was thinking about the tesla so not to buy gas since I'll be driving 90 miles a day round trip to work.
The $7500 tax incentive is great as well.

Do you love it?

Joined: 02/05/2011

MGoPoints: 2294

Gobluegoblue2

March 11th, 2015 at 8:28 AM ^

It is a great car. The newer p85d has acceleration that is incredible, but mine is a year old. What you save in gas, you may pay in personal property tax depending on where you live. As long as you or your spouse has a typical car with internal combustion engine for some trips, tesla is the best way to go.
I did med school at Vanderbilt class of 01

Joined: 03/10/2015

MGoPoints: 217

AmayzNblue

March 11th, 2015 at 12:32 AM ^

Non-profit Exec Director, 2002 Xterra. Paid $4,800 cash in 2009 and love telling people how little I paid and how I've replaced nothing but the battery. Over 200,000 miles and love it. I live in trendy Nashville, so there is definitely an undercurrent of pretension, but I don't worry myself with that kind of thinking.

Joined: 01/10/2015

MGoPoints: 5016

Wolvie3758

March 11th, 2015 at 2:33 AM ^

and truly blessed I am a Corporate Travel Director. I get to travel around the world organizing Corporate events. I am currently at the Great Barrier Reef for 7 weeks..and I get PAID to be here.....Ford Explorer..love my big SUVs I admit

Joined: 12/12/2010

MGoPoints: 6338

Bando Calrissian

March 11th, 2015 at 2:39 AM ^

I'm a graduate student living in Chicago. I don't own a car.

But as a son, grandson, and great-grandson of union folk in metro Detroit, including a great-grandfather that worked at Ford's for 30+ years, I'll be damned if I ever bought an import. Like, it will never happen. But I don't plan on buying a car until such a time as I absolutely need one.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68120

dupont circle

March 11th, 2015 at 6:17 PM ^

The lines have been blurred for a long while. I grew up in Bloomfield Hills in the 90s and 00s every Ford family seemed to drive Volvos, Jaguars and Land Rovers, as Ford Mo. Co. owned them.

GM families frequently bought SAABS for their kids. Lots of moms drove an Hummers.

Currently Chrysler is owned by Fiat, so a lot of Chrysler family teens and college kids have Fiat 500s.

Joined: 02/19/2015

MGoPoints: -127

rbloenk

March 11th, 2015 at 3:27 AM ^

1. Gaffer/Key Grip

2. 02' Camry

3. some los angeles people seem to either REALLY care about what you're driving/where you're living, but most just don't. 

TL;DR:     MEH

Joined: 06/21/2010

MGoPoints: 107

Schrödingers Cat

March 12th, 2015 at 1:47 AM ^

I suppose but when I do wear my uniform I wear my rank.  In garrison I hardly ever am in uniform but we do go in the field and deploy.  The last time I wore my uniform was flying back to the states in an Air Force Executive jet back in December.  Besides crew there were 6 of us on the jet, just burning tax money.  I worked with you guys back in Germany a few times, good people.  I hope to do this forever, haha.

Joined: 12/17/2014

MGoPoints: 293

mgoblue0970

March 13th, 2015 at 12:35 AM ^

Thanks and likewise...

I never saw OSI in anything than other than suits.  I got debriefed by them a few times so that's the reason I became familiar with that organization.

I never got the whole interservices rivalry thing.  My last few years in I was constantly TDY and to joint assignments.  Had to prove I wasn't "chair force" but after getting that out of the way, the soldiers and Marines I came across were great to me.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 18648

Schrödingers Cat

March 12th, 2015 at 12:35 AM ^

Nope, SNCO 17 yrs in so far and hoping for many more.  Been buying used ones since I was 18, my first new one.  I've been on TDY for the majority of my career and collected SRB.  I first went to Germany in 98 and I have spent the majority of my time being based from there.  A good portion of the lower EM in my company who was on their first tour there bought a BMW right before PCSing.  

I think you observation is correct though.  I did have a new company commander that drove a beat up conversion van he had shipped from the states.  He said he had it since he was 17 when his grandfather passed and left it to him.  I was his driver for a few months, one of the smartest people I have ever met.  

 

Joined: 12/17/2014

MGoPoints: 293

Blue Ninja

March 11th, 2015 at 6:01 AM ^

1. Currently a Quality Control Technician, but just accepted a job that is my passion. In June I will be a full time pastor, no more full time and volunteer jobs for me.

2. Mercury Mountaineer AWD

3. Not at all

Joined: 11/17/2009

MGoPoints: 5759

FieldingBLUE

March 11th, 2015 at 6:29 AM ^

Creative director
05 ford freestyle & 01 town n country
Not that I'm aware of; those wo kids have nicer or smaller cars, I haul around baseball gear and need something large and reliable and cheap



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Joined: 08/28/2008

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