Quote from: Zoo on July 08, 2008, 07:17:33 pm$60000 is a huge expense even if you are a multi millionaire. Perhaps if you can write off part of the vehicle it can offset this a bit. Then again some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on golf and other of life's luxuries. Like others I would snag a 2-3 year old model and appreciate the savings. For others the allure of a brand new luxury auto built to their requests is a Siren call that cannot be avoided.The funny thing is that many of these folks will be the same one beating me up over a few dollars on a medical device I am trying to sell them or cross shopping a TV to save a few $s; then lose tens of thousands of dollars in depreciation! Most people with expensive cars I know own business(es), and the vehicle expenses does not come out of personal accounts.
$60000 is a huge expense even if you are a multi millionaire. Perhaps if you can write off part of the vehicle it can offset this a bit. Then again some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on golf and other of life's luxuries. Like others I would snag a 2-3 year old model and appreciate the savings. For others the allure of a brand new luxury auto built to their requests is a Siren call that cannot be avoided.The funny thing is that many of these folks will be the same one beating me up over a few dollars on a medical device I am trying to sell them or cross shopping a TV to save a few $s; then lose tens of thousands of dollars in depreciation!
Quote from: Mitlov on July 08, 2008, 08:18:56 pmQuote from: Canadian Bob on July 08, 2008, 04:17:45 pmSurely if you can afford it why not? Everyone has a different perception of what is expensive and what is not. For some having a brand new SL is worth the loss when it comes to selling it. When you buy a new model brand new, you see very few on the road, it's the exclusivity that people pay for.This year, I blew a few hundred dollars on a video game system and video games. They have catastrophic depreciation and no redeeming social value. Some would see that as a total waste. But so what? It's my money, I could afford it, and it was fun for me. This is the same thing, for someone who has a lot more money.Exactly, I find it quite amusing when people complain and judge other people spending priorities without understanding the individual’s situation, very immature.
Quote from: Canadian Bob on July 08, 2008, 04:17:45 pmSurely if you can afford it why not? Everyone has a different perception of what is expensive and what is not. For some having a brand new SL is worth the loss when it comes to selling it. When you buy a new model brand new, you see very few on the road, it's the exclusivity that people pay for.This year, I blew a few hundred dollars on a video game system and video games. They have catastrophic depreciation and no redeeming social value. Some would see that as a total waste. But so what? It's my money, I could afford it, and it was fun for me. This is the same thing, for someone who has a lot more money.
Surely if you can afford it why not? Everyone has a different perception of what is expensive and what is not. For some having a brand new SL is worth the loss when it comes to selling it. When you buy a new model brand new, you see very few on the road, it's the exclusivity that people pay for.
Most people with expensive cars I know own business(es), and the vehicle expenses does not come out of personal accounts.
Quote from: Schmengie on July 08, 2008, 01:33:09 pmYour point's well taken, but it makes no sense to me why ANYONE does that. Trading in cars in every couple of years just because is pretty stupid IMHO because that's when they depreciate most - you might as well burn that money. I've always kept my cars for a long time to get the most value from them and only traded them in when I really needed to, so I consider depreciation simply as part of the cost of ownership, like gas and maintenance.Your approach is very smart financially, but for those who have too much money, why not? I'm certainly not going to lecture anyone who can afford an SL500 on finances. So they spend money on cars - if you can afford it, more power (literally) to you.
Your point's well taken, but it makes no sense to me why ANYONE does that. Trading in cars in every couple of years just because is pretty stupid IMHO because that's when they depreciate most - you might as well burn that money. I've always kept my cars for a long time to get the most value from them and only traded them in when I really needed to, so I consider depreciation simply as part of the cost of ownership, like gas and maintenance.
"You get what you pay for." So I've been told. What did the first guy get for $60K that the next owner didn't get? Theories of relativity aside, what did those 60 large buy the first owner?
Your point's well taken, but it makes no sense to me why ANYONE does that. Trading in cars in every couple of years just because is pretty stupid IMHO because that's when they depreciate most - you might as well burn that money.
Quote from: initial_D on July 08, 2008, 07:52:06 pmMost people with expensive cars I know own business(es), and the vehicle expenses does not come out of personal accounts. Our Ridgeline is a company vehicle, and it's used every day for company business. But I can't imagine many accountants looking favorably on a Mercedes SL being written off as a "company" vehicle. IIRC (and this was a several years ago) a car has to be used at least 60% for business use before the government will accept it as a "business expense".Which is not to say I doubt people do it, and get away with it, but they shouldn't.
Quote from: xviper on July 08, 2008, 06:27:04 pm"You get what you pay for." So I've been told. What did the first guy get for $60K that the next owner didn't get? Theories of relativity aside, what did those 60 large buy the first owner?Exclusivity.It might not be important to you but it is to some.
The second guy gets the same exclusivity, only a couple years later and a few thousand klicks later and $60 cheaper. Other than having it earlier, what did the first guy get that was 60 Large more than the second guy?
Quote from: xviper on July 09, 2008, 10:31:30 amThe second guy gets the same exclusivity, only a couple years later and a few thousand klicks later and $60 cheaper. Other than having it earlier, what did the first guy get that was 60 Large more than the second guy? He got to have it first. Some people line up for days to buy Wii, or iPhone, or whatever the newest, latest, greatest. Some people like to have new shiny toys. If it's not my money involved, I really don't care.
Quote from: Canadian Bob on July 09, 2008, 09:21:46 amQuote from: xviper on July 08, 2008, 06:27:04 pm"You get what you pay for." So I've been told. What did the first guy get for $60K that the next owner didn't get? Theories of relativity aside, what did those 60 large buy the first owner?Exclusivity.It might not be important to you but it is to some.The second guy gets the same exclusivity, only a couple years later and a few thousand klicks later and $60 cheaper. Other than having it earlier, what did the first guy get that was 60 Large more than the second guy? It's nothing to do with "me". Try to apply some reasoning to it, K?