Driving A Mercedes Around Knoxville - Too Over The Top? (Farragut: homes, high school)

[itsme2]

We are moving to the Knoxville region, likely the Tellico lake area. We're coming from Florida where luxury cars are not uncommon.

I notice in the times we have been around Knoxville that luxury cars are not in abundance.

My large Merecedes sedan was purchased new in 1991 and still looks new in spite of the 197K miles it has on it due to the care it has received. I would like to keep driving it in Tennessee but don't want to feel awkward or out of place because of the car. Should I sell it and get something more modest?

Would appreciate any and all comments on this issue.

Thank you.

[goodbyehollywood]

No. You should drive whatever you want.

I passed at least five Benz convertibles, a HUMMER and more BMWs and Lexi than I have fingers and toes, just going to Home Depot today. A Saab ragtop almost plowed into me running a redlight, and I swear that Escalade parked next to me dinged my door. Knoxville is pretty cosmopolitan. You'd have to drive a red Ferrari and look like Magnum to turn heads.

[alleycat]

No one is any of the larger cities will even pay any attention to a Mercedes. I live in Nashville and probably saw two dozen of them on my way home this afternoon. I'm even thinking about trading my Accord for one of the new C-Class models.

Out in the country they're more interested in how big your pickup truck is.

goodbyehollywood is right, you'd have to drive something flashier than a Mercedes to get much notice.

[goodbyehollywood]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I'm even thinking about trading my Accord for one of the new C-Class models.

CLK-350. I'm thinking... I'm thinking... I'm close...

[itsme2]

What I'm hearing is very good, I'll keep my beloved Mercedes!

Thank you.

[SmokyMtnGal]

Late to the party (but the ferns and flowers are thankful for the drink!) but I say drive what you want. That is the kewl thing about this area; we have high dollar and low dollar on the road and we all get along. Some of the wealthiest people I know drive "traps" and some of the folks that are paycheck to paycheck in flashy cars and homes drive top of the line head turner cars. It's all good. It's your ride and your life.

[htmlfamily]

Originally Posted by alleycat

No one is any of the larger cities will even pay any attention to a Mercedes. I live in Nashville and probably saw two dozen of them on my way home this afternoon. I'm even thinking about trading my Accord for one of the new C-Class models.

Out in the country they're more interested in how big your pickup truck is.

goodbyehollywood is right, you'd have to drive something flashier than a Mercedes to get much notice.

You strike me more as an S-600 Driver...

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by htmlfamily

You strike me more as an S-600 Driver...

I'm just a poor country boy.

[k350]

Gee golly, whood a thought dat a bunch of us ole countryfied folks be amazed by a benz?

Get a grip people, its a car, not highly unusual to drive anywhere, not only in knoxville, but the entire world.

You would probably shudder if I told you there are many places that uses benz's the same as we use corrollas or crown vics here. They use them for great purposes like taxi cabs and crash up derbys when they get older. You probably feel worst knowing benz makes dump trucks also.

Or should the better answer be....oh yes, we would be truly amazed that some yuppy would ever consider driving around us peon lower class folks. Matter of fact, I think everyone would stop and stare in amazment at the status you represent when you drive your 17 year old benz around.

What a stupid question.

[ThatTNGuy]

I saw a red Ferrari 360 Modena the other day. It was crossing Kingston headed towards Farragut High School. I made sure to mute the stereo and roll down my window - what a sound! Nothing quite like an Italian V-8.

As for the original question, don't worry about what you drive. I see a plethora of Mercedes every day, not to mention BMWs, Audis, etc. Drive it because it's what you like to drive - not because you think others would want you to drive it.