First off let me say that If I come across as being judgemental, I apologize, but this is my honest feeling.

Today I spent a good portion of my time in the city cruising around, namely Santa Monica, West L.A., the whole thing you coiuld say, and it's not only here that I see this but also out in my neck of the woods. Everywhere I go, people always have NEW cars, brand spanking new cars, not just new cars though, I'm talking about brand new Benzes, BM's, Audi's and so fourth. It just seems like everyone is trying to keep up w/ something or someone, chasing a dream, living in the fast lane. I know a ton of people my age that are driving cars, that in actuality, they can't afford. They drive them because it helps doctor whatever image they want to project of themselves onto other people. It's really sad, it's more like a disease than anything, the way we buy into the idea of celebrity(whatever you'd like to call it, that's how i term it), trying to dress, live like the rich and famous, instead of living within our means and not above them. What we see is often what, on some level, we want to immulate in our lives. Things may be different where you live, it's all very relative, but this is just a passing thought of mine I wanted to share...

The sad truth is that a whole portion of people in the States are driving cars that they cannot afford. Leases are very common here and it makes people believe that yes they can afford German cars when they really can't.

Are you saying LA is image conscious? Where did you come up with such nonsense? I would like to make the sweeping statement that everyone is image conscious, not just in LA. Also it's important to note that LA is covered with cars and traffic so if you're looking for certain cars, such as new BMWs, Mercedes or Audis, you're going to find them everywhere.

And you have no idea who your'e talking to. L.A. has always been image conscious, secondly, I'm speaking in the context of the situation that I observed, I didn't make some blanket statment about people in L.A. I gave an example. Try force feeding words into someone else's mouth bud.

I have no idea who I'm talking to? Are you the foremost professor on cultural norms and social pressures in the United States? I'm not sure what you're getting at with that statement. My comment about LA being fashion conscious was a rhetorical question. I lived in LA for five years. I understand what you're talking about. But I was trying to make the point that people everywhere are image conscious, LA just has a very clear divide between the in and the out crowd and as a result, people do everything in their power to keep up with the in crowd. Also, I realize I was making a blanket statement, that's why I said it was a sweeping statement, aka one which has little backing in terms of concrete support and aimed a large group of people. And I wasn't trying to force feed words into your mouth. I was merely stating my take on your post.

Yeah, it's a worldwide thing - I guess there are just so many dissatisfied people in the world and buying yourself a really nice new car or expensive sunglasses or shoes or whatever, can sometimes make your feel a little bit happier (for a while at least).

Sadly, it often seems no matter what you have in life, it's never really enough - there is always someone else who is better looking or drives a nicer car, owns a bigger yacht or owns the beautiful Italian villa you want - LOL

We human-beings are very competitive creatures, but also quite insecure, this often manifests itself in our desire to invent a perception of ourselves to others through the "things" we choose to surround ourselves with. It is about social status and hierarchy, but its also about personal self esteem.

Of course a beautiful car is also a very satisfying thing to own - but many people are only interested in some kind of perceived image a Mercedes, BMW or Ferrari, etc. can project - at least the members of this forum are mostly able to appreciate them for much more than that.

sadlly??????
thats really a wronge thing about most ppl who think like that, instead of looking at ppl who r better and have more money than u do, look at ppl who r worse than u ,,, then thank god ...

Yes I agree with you you Moss6.3, but it is usually human nature to want what we don't have, more than being greatful for what we do.

I dont think the majority of automotive consumers are buying cars purely for the image. I think they buy BMW Mercedes ect. because they enjoy having nice cars. Pople dont drive around to see if other people are looking at them they drive because they enjoy it. At least thats why I would drive nice cars.

On the other hand there is this idea of BLinG", where people will basically display their bank account on their jewlery and their automobiles. Fine german automobiles tend to not be associated with this idea, except for mercedes. I happen to think BMW, porsche, and Audi buyers are not in it for the image. I think thats a sad way to purchase automobiles though.

i hate it when a young fellow driving his dads toyota camry with hooked up rims , looking at other ppl as if they aint got sh*t ...