Nice job! If someone is a an asshole to me, I will be one back. Just the other day, some idiot with a bright yellow Corolla raced past me in I80. I was doing 60mph. He then gets in front of me and repeatedly breakchecks me. I pull into the other lane and he slows down so we are neck and neck. He rolled down his windows and just floors it. He had a car-length head start and I popped mine in sport mode and just floored it as well. I passed him at 120mph and flipped him off as I did. He slammed his brakes and go across 3 lanes to an exit. I later found out who he was from a racing buddy and asked him how he liked tasting BMW fumes. He was pissed claiming he was going easy.... Yeah like a stock 4-cylinder Corolla is going to beat my E90....
BMWs common as Hondas where I live. No biggie. But damn, if I'd only ordered the Police Ramming Bumpers option I could get those damn Obama-loving, Global warming-believing, Prius-owning goobersmoochers out of my way. The left lane is for passing, ahole. GTF out of the way. I'll say this though, the Xenon Angel Eyes get most of the people to move over. BTW, Audi's eyebrow lights are gay. There. I think I've offended everybody.
I have a 328xi that was initally a gift from a family member, but I forced them to take the money. I had put down money for a 2014 Mustang GT C/S ($46,000, fully loaded), yet my Beemer was just $20k since it was a lease and it has a previously salvaged title. I don't want to car anymore, but it's a pain to sell it.... I get a lot of looks at school since it is one of the nicer cars, even nicer than most of the teachers there, so I do get the looks but never got any rude comments from anyone I know personally. Usually just nice car and so on....
This debate needs some perspective. Where I live in Northern VA, people wipe their asses with 3 series. It's REALLY nothing special. I suspect it's that way along the coasts in the urban areas, where many of us are from. If you look at the top 10 earning counties in the US I bet 8-9 of then are along the coasts in major metro areas (NY/NJ/VA/LA/SF etc). Of course if you average it across the entire nation the numbers tell a different story. But many are comparing with our neighbors, friends, and coworkers; not the average family of 4 from Nebraska making 50k a year. So yes, BMW is a status symbol in most parts of the country but chances are if you are even frequenting a forum such as this, you're likely in an area where a BMW is nothing special.
Here in the more affluent part of Nebraska, BMWs are not common but there are a few. Fords, Toyotas and Chevys are abundant but it might have to do with the fact that Iam in the middle of nowhere..... The average income where I live is around $80-$100 and most drive moderately priced cars. My father takes a salary of just $60k from his business and my mom just $1 (figurehead salary) yet they own 100% equity in their business that is worth 7-figures. He also owns acres of land in India, China, and London, yet my dad is insistent on living in a $100,000 home and is content in driving a $20,000 Honda Insight. I guess he gets a kick out of not spending his money. The only thing my parents buy is gold. By the pounds..... :dunno:
Your friend sounds like he has a Very Nice place. Some parts of London are amongst the highest priced real estate in the world. He must be in one of those places. Congrats to him on his success! :beerchug:
Very rich people got that way by not spending their money on cars and stuff like that. The Realllllly rich people that I know, told me that a car is just means of transportation and that why should they spend a ton of money on something that's just going to depreciate quicker than your money can earn? This was told to me by someone worth north of $400 mil that still drives his 2003 Mercedes S Class (which he bought used).
A better example is Warren Buffett (one of the richest men in the world and runs Berkshire Hathaway amongst other thriving businesses). He bought himself a used Cadillac and still lives in the same house that he's had for 30+ years. He's not only Extremely smart with his money, but thrifty too.
Sorry for the rant off topic, and now back to our regularly scheduled program.
I had an interview with Warren Buffett and he picked the place to meet and it was Picocolo's. Never been there considering I am a vegetarian, but I was not going to argue with him.
Anyways, I show up 10 minutes before and I was waiting in my car so I could be punctual. He pulls up next to me in a CTS. We had a great meal err.... he had a great meal and I had french fries. Still it was one of the best moments of my life to date. When the bill shows up, he jokingly asked if I was picking up the bill. I said of course, but he did not let me. He is a truly remarkable person.
You've got new friends now, welcome aboard.
My brother-in-law won't talk to my wife or I because he Googled us and found our salaries and was flabbergasted by what we make. Somehow, all the years he goofed-off in his 20's and 30's while we were busting our asses is forgotten now, somehow we are 'lucky' and he is 'smarter than the both of us' and he can't bear to see us seeing that he makes 1/10 of what we do.
You worked hard. Never be ashamed of what you accomplished. Don't throw your wealth in anyone's face, but by the same token don't let anyone throw their poverty in yours. As you get older and marry and have kids, you'll make a ton of new friends and they'll be in your social and financial state and that obstacle will vanish.
Congrats on having your head on straight and the new car.
BJ
How do you find out what someone makes on Google?
Nobody NEEDS a gulfstream. He could do just as well flying coach - but he won't. $500k house - again depending where and when he bought it. Was it 500k 30 years ago or now? 500k house in the middle of Wyoming is HUGE compared to a 500k house in NY (which would be a bread box). Just comparing $$$ of home is not good enough - but still, a 500k house is a lot less then some others.
Again, I don't know the man or if he is extremely extravagant or not (what do his suits cost...are they Wal-mart specials, or custom suits).
Lots of old folks drive themselves.
Again, not belittling his lifestyle - his money, he can live it however he wants - just saying, we all have different ways of showing off our wealth/status.
His house was $30k back in the 50's. That works out to $200k-$300k in today's dollars. While that is pricey here in Nebraska, it is not extravagant. Some of my father's friends who make under $100k own $300k+ homes. The greater Dundee area has vastly increased in land value and that is why his home is worth so much. Yes, he has a plane, but he has a reason. I asked him what he would purchase if money was no object (for him it nearly is....), he said time. Time is limited, he wanted more time to do things he enjoys like card games and reading.
I guess the GulfStream is to go from point A to point B without wasting time at major hubs.... Flying from Omaha to Chicago is a MUST if you want to fly to any major airport.