Everyone driving a BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus now. (cars, payment)

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

A friend of mine is a sales guy at one of these luxury car dealerships and 90% of his business is lease. I wonder how many of these people could actually afford to buy the car out right?

People lease luxury cars, not because they can't afford to buy, but because it's usually smarter financially to lease these types of cars.

[tallrick]

Actually it is kind of disappointing on what they call "luxury" cars now. Whether it is my Imperial, or a friend's 1967 Rolls Royce or the Mercedes 600 another close friend has, those are luxury to me. The 4 door Porsche or cheap looking Bentley, overpriced Maybach and Maseratis that look like Toyotas just do not have the size or style of the classics. In my view if I wanted a real nice car I would have a Duesenberg and really turn heads. Unlike LA which is another fake city, Miami sadly lacks classic cars.

[tallrick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG7W1hu3ljs

The drawback is that unlike your run of the mill Mercedes, BMW, Lexus or Maserati if you see someone in one of these there's a pretty good chance its Tallrick. You would NEVER see me driving anything without 8 cylinders and chrome bumpers.

[Lusiphur]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Actually it is kind of disappointing on what they call "luxury" cars now. Whether it is my Imperial, or a friend's 1967 Rolls Royce or the Mercedes 600 another close friend has, those are luxury to me. The 4 door Porsche or cheap looking Bentley, overpriced Maybach and Maseratis that look like Toyotas just do not have the size or style of the classics. In my view if I wanted a real nice car I would have a Duesenberg and really turn heads. Unlike LA which is another fake city, Miami sadly lacks classic cars.

And yet every one of the cars you listed is really significantly more luxurious, and more expensive adjusted for inflation, than the "classics". There's a reason pre-1990s Rolls Royces and Bentleys in pristine condition are selling for the same as a moderately-apportioned Camry (not counting the limited collectors cars). It's because they largely are terrible. They had massive issues with fit, the mechanical and electrical systems were built by engineers who were obviously very offended at the idea that a car could last longer than two years, the designs were derivative. There are very few luxury cars that haven't gotten better since 2000.

By the way, Bentley makes several large cars. There's a reason the Continental is the most popular, though, and it's not just because it's (relatively) cheap. It's because the large luxuries were built to be driven by someone else. If you're driving your own Maybach or Mulsainne or Rolls anything, you're doing it wrong. The era of the chauffer is over, and the smaller luxuries that are actually enjoyable to drive are a sign of that and a reaction to that.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by Lusiphur

And yet every one of the cars you listed is really significantly more luxurious, and more expensive adjusted for inflation, than the "classics". There's a reason pre-1990s Rolls Royces and Bentleys in pristine condition are selling for the same as a moderately-apportioned Camry (not counting the limited collectors cars). It's because they largely are terrible. They had massive issues with fit, the mechanical and electrical systems were built by engineers who were obviously very offended at the idea that a car could last longer than two years, the designs were derivative. There are very few luxury cars that haven't gotten better since 2000.

By the way, Bentley makes several large cars. There's a reason the Continental is the most popular, though, and it's not just because it's (relatively) cheap. It's because the large luxuries were built to be driven by someone else. If you're driving your own Maybach or Mulsainne or Rolls anything, you're doing it wrong. The era of the chauffer is over, and the smaller luxuries that are actually enjoyable to drive are a sign of that and a reaction to that.

I always get a kick when people suggest the "classics" were just so much better. It's kind of cool to see them around, simply because they are old and interesting... but a better car they are not. The fit, finish, and engineering of modern cars lays the classics to waste.

Good points about the cars being smaller now. Never thought of it that way. Though with cars like the Equus, even Hyundai is getting in on the chauffeured buyers.

Also consider that the Sport Luxury segment is possibly the largest market now. Luxury car buyers want sporty and fast, not big and boaty.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Lusiphur

Can we drop this "omg leading is stupid lol" bit? It's no more stupid than buying. I get a nice, new car every three years, I don't have to worry about depreciation or maintenance, and I get to keep my capital invested and generating a much higher return than the money u would have saved by buying in cash. Ultimately, it's far more cost effective, unless you plan on driving your car for a decade plus. Which I don't, since I quite enjoy new cars. As do many people.

That's the whole point of making money - to transform it into personally valuable experiences.

I never said leasing is stupid. Just that it's a cheaper way to keep up with the Jones.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

A friend of mine who sells for Mercedes said 90% of his business are leases here in Miami.

That makes sense. Cheaper payment.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by StreetSmarts

I never said leasing is stupid. Just that it's a cheaper way to keep up with the Jones.

Wouldn't it be stupid to get the same car, and go the "expensive way"?

[Littlehorse1]

I have a 1999 mercedes Diesel and in very good shape as I am the second owner. It runs great. I am trading it for a 1959 chevy bel air thats is in very good condition. Personally I would not worry about driving an older car. Most likely the people you see driving these cars are paying through the nose just to be seen driving one. I'll be driving a 1959 bel air and comfortable knowing that it is all paid off.

[deboinair]

Originally Posted by UrbanCrossroads

The luxury cars that you see young people (college age) drive usually belong to their wealthy parents.

Hmm. There is definitely some truth to this, but Miami is very materialistic. People "look the part" Too many people I've known will have a car like that and live with parents or several room mates. Essential broke trying to look like they have money. No age limit on this in Miami or South FL in general. Also most of these cars are leased. I was the reverse. I couldn't fathom spending money on some the depreciates like that. I had the nice condo, but not the luxury car.

From my experience Palm Beach is where you probably can bet that they have the house or condo to go along with the car. Not saying that you don't have the wanna be's there either, but it's prevalent.