Self-Conscious about type of car you drive

[muhali3]

It's human nature, we associate with people similar to us. Everyone can pretend they're above that, but it's bulls--t. It's not a value judgement against dissimilar people; we all just find people we can relate to more palatable to be around and externally visible identifiers are going to be the preliminary round of sorting into like and unlike...

This is true. We associate with people who look like us, who come from similar socioeconomic backgrounds, who are of similar attractiveness, who have similar personalities, etc.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

why do you people give a **** about other people being self reliant and having their parents buy them nice cars? if my parents were willing to buy me a ballin' car, I'd take it, and I'm sure you would, too. Stop the hatin' and enjoy life.

I agree. My philosophy of life has helped me a lot and when I do not listen to it, I get jammed. Here it is:

"Not My Problem" and if it is really annoying "Not My F***ing Problem"

If you follow this, and care not about what other people are doing, then your life will not only be more clear but it will be easier.

 

[addo]

nope, it's a german model....strong do want tho...

damn, nice find...👍

 

[plauto]

your classmates will think your are a douche....but you are in luck. I'll trade my car for yours. I am almost done with med school, so I don't care about what my colleagues think....PM if interested in me helping you!

 

[voidlogin]

if you drive a nicer car than what most of your attendings drive?

Most doctors don't drive expensive cars because its not good investment, in fact no investment since its a depreciating asset. Most people buy luxury cars cause its a status symbol, a signal of your success in life. But if you're a doctor, people already know you're successful. And most of the people you hang out with--other doctors, are not going to be impressed by expensive cars. Also in places like NYC, having a very expensive car (~80-120k) is a liability cause if you're in a accident, you'll get your butt sued off since they know you have money.

In my school, one of the professors, an orthopedic surgeon, drove a beat up old toyota from the 90's. Most of students had better cars than he did. I'm sure he wasn't impressed since he made more in a year than most med students have in their entire life so far.

 

[patel2]

Most doctors don't drive expensive cars because its not good investment, in fact no investment since its a depreciating asset. Most people buy luxury cars cause its a status symbol, a signal of your success in life. But if you're a doctor, people already know you're successful. And most of the people you hang out with--other doctors, are not going to be impressed by expensive cars. Also in places like NYC, having a very expensive car (~80-120k) is a liability cause if you're in a accident, you'll get your butt sued off since they know you have money.

In my school, one of the professors, an orthopedic surgeon, drove a beat up old toyota from the 90's. Most of students had better cars than he did. I'm sure he wasn't impressed since he made more in a year than most med students have in their entire life so far.

But docs are among the most financially reckless and among the poorest with their money of any profession. If there's any group of people who would make a bad investment on luxury cars it's a physician. I'm not saying luxury cars are always a bad investment, if you actually buy one and use it for a while, but there are peopl out there who buy one, and literally trade it in every 2-3 years to get the latest model...they are the suckers.

That's not to say docs aren't making good money, just that they sometimes do not live below their means and instead splurge on houses/cars and get into debt. Some docs often have very little experience with earning money before being an attending, and do not save up enough once they start getting the cashflow. They opt to live paycheck to paycheck, ultimately to live up to the facade of what society thinks of a doctor in terms of their social status and wealth. Read the millionaire next door for more about this

 

[Naijaba]

Anyone else feel a little self-conscious if you driving your parent's old hand-me down luxury cars to school or social events? Most of my classmates seem to drive Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas? Do you get labeled as the "spoiled princess" or "douchebag" tag if you drive a nicer car than what most of your attendings drive?

Hi Gheorgia,

I'll try to give you some good insight. I was the kind of person who frowned on students who drive nice cars -- I'm still a little resentful (jealous 🙂 of students who drive *new* luxury cars as undergrads.

BUT, in your case I have a different opinion, and here's why. For the past 5 years I've been driving a used 2000 Honda Civic (114,000 miles when I bought it, 180,000 miles now). My parents have never owned a luxury car, nor could they afford one.

With that said, I just found out that my aunt is going to leave me her Lexus sports car. Does this change the person I am? Certainly not. It would be wrong for people to assume that I was raised spoiled because someone in my family left me a nice car.

On the other hand, I will tell you that people from my background regard having parents who have *old* luxury cars as even more wealthy than people who have just bought their first luxury cars. Its the old-money sentiment.

 

[Slack3r]

Most doctors don't drive expensive cars because its not good investment, in fact no investment since its a depreciating asset. Most people buy luxury cars cause its a status symbol, a signal of your success in life. But if you're a doctor, people already know you're successful. And most of the people you hang out with--other doctors, are not going to be impressed by expensive cars. Also in places like NYC, having a very expensive car (~80-120k) is a liability cause if you're in a accident, you'll get your butt sued off since they know you have money.

In my school, one of the professors, an orthopedic surgeon, drove a beat up old toyota from the 90's. Most of students had better cars than he did. I'm sure he wasn't impressed since he made more in a year than most med students have in their entire life so far.

I dunno about that. My FP drives a Corvette, the physician that wrote me an LoR drives a 6 series BMW, his colleague drives an Aston Martin, and the hospital I volunteer at has plenty of Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes in the parking lot. I doubt the janitorial staff are driving those.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Most doctors don't drive expensive cars because its not good investment, in fact no investment since its a depreciating asset. Most people buy luxury cars cause its a status symbol, a signal of your success in life. But if you're a doctor, people already know you're successful. And most of the people you hang out with--other doctors, are not going to be impressed by expensive cars. Also in places like NYC, having a very expensive car (~80-120k) is a liability cause if you're in a accident, you'll get your butt sued off since they know you have money.

Have you been to a hospital? I mean I assume you have which is what makes your comment so weird...you can always tell where the doctors' section of the parking lot is. Its the part with a BMW, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, Cadillac or Porsche in every parking space. That orthopedic surgeon is definitely not representative.

 

[Slack3r]

have you been to a hospital? I mean i assume you have which is what makes your comment so weird...you can always tell where the doctors' section of the parking lot is. Its the part with a bmw, lexus, audi, mercedes, cadillac or porsche in every parking space. That orthopedic surgeon is definitely not representative.

+1

 

[tco]

Your profile says you're a "F."

People will judge you on your boobs far before they judge you on your car.

Nice boobs, crap car = she's awesome

Crap boobs, nice car = she sucks

Nice boobs, nice car = undefined awesomeness

Crap boobs, crap car = 4th semester in --> What's that girl's name? She's in our class? We're sure it's not just an ugly guy with long hair and gynecomastia?

 

[thecalccobra]

Have you been to a hospital? I mean I assume you have which is what makes your comment so weird...you can always tell where the doctors' section of the parking lot is. Its the part with a BMW, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, Cadillac or Porsche in every parking space. That orthopedic surgeon is definitely not representative.

👍

 

[Bacchus]

If I'm driving a Bentley, my kid is sure as heck not going to be driving a Toyota Corolla.

Everything is relative.

No reason to judge those with more wealth, because you know you wish that you were in their position.

Are you judging me for driving a Corolla? 😉

 

[surftheiop]

Does anyone else not really get the point of driving really fast/expensive cars? I mean don't get me wrong, if I lived next to a track I would buy the fastest car I could and drive it there all the time. But in day to day life is it really that fun to drive one of those cars 35mph in your neighborhood and worry about it getting banged up in the parking lot? I feel like I would rather buy a more economic car and take the extra 50k and go on a decade's worth of awesome vacations to see the world.

 

[addo]

Does anyone else not really get the point of driving really fast/expensive cars? I mean don't get me wrong, if I lived next to a track I would buy the fastest car I could and drive it there all the time. But in day to day life is it really that fun to drive one of those cars 35mph in your neighborhood and worry about it getting banged up in the parking lot? I feel like I would rather buy a more economic car and take the extra 50k and go on a decade's worth of awesome vacations to see the world.

once again.... its a status symbol. The douche bag next door doesnt buy a ferrari because hes going to take schumacher for his money, but most likely because he wants to get laid.

One time, at a gas station, this guy with a ferrari was pumping gas next to me, and all of the sudden this wimman pulls up next to him and asks him (srsly) if he wants to go on a date with her, and if he could possibly fill up her tank...🙄 He brushed her off, she left and told me that that happens to him all the time... i was like i feel ya...same here

 

[docdonny]

Does anyone else not really get the point of driving really fast/expensive cars? I mean don't get me wrong, if I lived next to a track I would buy the fastest car I could and drive it there all the time. But in day to day life is it really that fun to drive one of those cars 35mph in your neighborhood and worry about it getting banged up in the parking lot? I feel like I would rather buy a more economic car and take the extra 50k and go on a decade's worth of awesome vacations to see the world.

See heres the thing, if you drive a car like that its not your everyday car. You drive it mostly on the weekends and you go out on backroads and enjoy the ride. No one is sitting in their rush traffic on thier commute home in a car like that, they have another car that they use for daily commutes. The 3 people I know personally who have these type of cars are not buying them to be prickish *******s and show off. They genuinely like cars and how cars drive and can afford it so they have it. I agree with you I would never buy one even if I had the money to do so but to each his own.

 

[Kaustikos]

Are you judging me for driving a Corolla? 😉

Nah, we would only judge if you drove a saturn.

 

[plsfoldthx]

i got an new a4 quattro cause of northwest weather... its 35k

i see a new VW cc outside which is 30k starting...

i see 50k trucks and WRX's

but whatever i hate the northwest and if my parents bought me a new awd car because I am spending the next four years in Siberia to make my life easier.... I'm not turning it down and neither would u

 

[Bacchus]

There are other cheaper, better options for a car that has to drive in bad weather 😉. Good for you though, I wish I had a quattro.

 

[bomgd3]

i got an new a4 quattro cause of northwest weather... its 35k

i see a new VW cc outside which is 30k starting...

i see 50k trucks and WRX's

but whatever i hate the northwest and if my parents bought me a new awd car because I am spending the next four years in Siberia to make my life easier.... I'm not turning it down and neither would u

What's so bad about the northwest...? Is it really that cold? Or do you go to school in Canada's northwest or something?

 

[coralfangs]

nope, it's a german model....strong do want tho...

I am stuck at my desk right now but that beer looks quite delicious.... might be quite hoppy too...
damn, I want a tall glass of ice-cold IPA right now................

 

[Gheorgia]

Are you judging me for driving a Corolla? 😉

No one seems to judge you in medical school if you are driving a Corolla or a Civic - 90% of the class seem to drive those two types of cars

They may judge you if you drive an Audi or a BMW though.

 

[plsfoldthx]

I love the parenting advice on here.

"Son, I'm gonna teach you to be self-reliant. I will not give you an expensive car. Instead, I will give you an inexpensive car. That will teach you people just don't give you stuff in the real world."

give this man a medal

 

[organdonor]

I don't think this is limited to medical students, but just imagine the following scenario. You just drove to campus and you're still in the parking lot/garage. A brand new Lamborghini Murciaglo stops in a parking spot. A guy gets out wearing sunglasses. He takes them off and you realize he's that guy from biochem you havent talked to yet. If I could hand out questionnaires, I'll bet 75% of people ( remember, for the sake of this scenario med students are people. You could substitute any group and I think it would still be valid. ) would immediately label him a douche bag, with half of them labeling him a super douch bag. I wouldn't go out of my way to talk to him because I doubt I could relate to him.

So, to the people who just blatantly say "car doesn't matter" I think you're kidding yourself.

I worked 20 hrs/week in a hospital and frequently walked through the doctors parking lot. It was in a medium sized city. There was always an interesting mix of cars consisting mostly of your average entry level sedans with some minivans thrown in. There were always a couple of Porsches, corvettes, or even a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

I agree that I wouldn't want a supercar no matter how much money I had. I wear my seat belt, I don't walk on the grass, and I don't speed (much) so to think I'm going to tear up my morning commute or even the backroads like I'm in the Indy 500, it's just not me. Now luxury cars otoh, can make my commute more comfortable. Give me a new Buick Regal and I'll be set. Ahhh, sensible American luxury.

 

[plsfoldthx]

I don't think this is limited to medical students, but just imagine the following scenario. You just drove to campus and you're still in the parking lot/garage. A brand new Lamborghini Murciaglo stops in a parking spot. A guy gets out wearing sunglasses. He takes them off and you realize he's that guy from biochem you havent talked to yet. If I could hand out questionnaires, I'll bet 75% of people ( remember, for the sake of this scenario med students are people. You could substitute any group and I think it would still be valid. ) would immediately label him a douche bag, with half of them labeling him a super douch bag. I wouldn't go out of my way to talk to him because I doubt I could relate to him.

So, to the people who just blatantly say "car doesn't matter" I think you're kidding yourself.

I worked 20 hrs/week in a hospital and frequently walked through the doctors parking lot. It was in a medium sized city. There was always an interesting mix of cars consisting mostly of your average entry level sedans with some minivans thrown in. There were always a couple of Porsches, corvettes, or even a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

I agree that I wouldn't want a supercar no matter how much money I had. I wear my seat belt, I don't walk on the grass, and I don't speed (much) so to think I'm going to tear up my morning commute or even the backroads like I'm in the Indy 500, it's just not me. Now luxury cars otoh, can make my commute more comfortable. Give me a new Buick Regal and I'll be set. Ahhh, sensible American luxury.

There's a big difference between luxury car and super car and for the extent of this discussion we are assuming most people who want to dedicate their life to a grueling career in medicine can't afford a quarter million dollar supercar

 

[vandyam]

Some people on this thread are very quick to judge. I just recently got a 2010 Benz c-300. It looks nice, but I got it w/ 28K miles on it and for $22k due to a ridiculous trade in on my pos jeep that broke down right as I made my last payment. The payments are no more than a kia would have cost (orginally what I was going to get, but the cost was the same in the end), so I went with the one I thought would last longer. I grew up super poor and have always worked full time out of high school (and part time while in high school) -- just because someone drives a decent car doesn't mean they are trust fund babies or living outside their means...maybe they got a bitchin' deal.

 

[plsfoldthx]

Yeah honestly some people in this thread seem more.condescending than the so-called douchebags that drive these bmws and acuras. I understand the romanticizing of being a broke med student with a cheap car, but seriously if you're going to find a hard time relating with someone cause they drive an entry level luxury car you have some separate issues. Some people here are actually bragging about driving a cheap car... when was the last time you saw someone with an audi actually do that? even on the internet. Am I supposed to be impressed by your disinterest in your choice of vehicle?

 

[Bacchus]

Some people on this thread are very quick to judge. I just recently got a 2010 Benz c-300. It looks nice, but I got it w/ 28K miles on it and for $22k due to a ridiculous trade in on my pos jeep that broke down right as I made my last payment. The payments are no more than a kia would have cost (orginally what I was going to get, but the cost was the same in the end), so I went with the one I thought would last longer. I grew up super poor and have always worked full time out of high school (and part time while in high school) -- just because someone drives a decent car doesn't mean they are trust fund babies or living outside their means...maybe they got a bitchin' deal.

I must ask, if you just made your last payment on the Jeep, what model year was it? A 3-6 year term repayment would put it anywhere from 2008 to 2004 at the oldest. Just wondering, because I wouldn't call that a POS, sans the mechanical problems you had.

All in all, I would have done what you did and went for the nicer car if there were no payment discrepancies.

And, I'm just asking because it shows different POVs. But then again, I haven't met many people who have gone from a 1990 model vehicle to a 2009 model vehicle in one move. Let's just say I got a little more-than-excited to know I was getting airbags and ABS.

 

[Baron Samedi]

Crap boobs, crap car = 4th semester in --> What's that girl's name? She's in our class? We're sure it's not just an ugly guy with long hair and gynecomastia?

Location: Morgantown, West Virginia

I think I recall seeing a few of these when I interviewed at WVU.

 

[Geekchick921]

I worked 20 hrs/week in a hospital and frequently walked through the doctors parking lot. It was in a medium sized city. There was always an interesting mix of cars consisting mostly of your average entry level sedans with some minivans thrown in. There were always a couple of Porsches, corvettes, or even a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

I've had a similar experience at a community hospital in the suburbs of a major city. Plenty of mainstream manufacturers along with BMW, Infiniti, Acura, Lexus, etc. I don't think I've ever seen a Ferrari or Lamborghini parked there, though.

I agree that I wouldn't want a supercar no matter how much money I had. I wear my seat belt, I don't walk on the grass, and I don't speed (much) so to think I'm going to tear up my morning commute or even the backroads like I'm in the Indy 500, it's just not me. Now luxury cars otoh, can make my commute more comfortable. Give me a new Buick Regal and I'll be set. Ahhh, sensible American luxury.

Same. I'd love me a Lexus or Acura SUV for a family car one day, and a sedan for myself to commute to and from work when I don't have all my kids with me.

 

[Procyon]

Just be glad you have a car. I wish I had one. 😛

 

[medstudent1113]

Anyone else feel a little self-conscious if you driving your parent's old hand-me down luxury cars to school or social events? Most of my classmates seem to drive Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas? Do you get labeled as the "spoiled princess" or "douchebag" tag if you drive a nicer car than what most of your attendings drive?

I'd be a liar if I said that I didn't notice the kids in my class driving luxury cars.

 

[badasshairday]

I notice the luxory cars. But I am mostly just a little jealous, and wish I had one too, lol. I mostly just think, "thats a nice car, must have rich physican parents." It is all good. I don't think they are spoiled princesses or douchebags.

I drive a 9 year old non-luxory sedan with 118,000 miles on it. It gets me from point A to B, so I love it. But a nice Benz would be nice too!

 

[2012mdc]

I notice the luxory cars. But I am mostly just a little jealous, and wish I had one too, lol. I mostly just think, "thats a nice car, must have rich physican parents." It is all good. I don't think they are spoiled princesses or douchebags.

I drive a 9 year old non-luxory sedan with 118,000 miles on it. It gets me from point A to B, so I love it. But a nice Benz would be nice too!

Mine is 10 years old with ~95,000 and it's still running even though it's American made

I'm definitely upgrading when I become a resident unless I end up in NYC. Probably get something like a used Accord unless my parents are feeling extremely generous and want to help me out even when I'm making money 🙂xf:)

 

[EL GUNNER]

Where all my honda civic owners at?

Yeeee, rep it son!

 

[NoeticPursuit]

In many ways I do miss having my old 2001 camry to drive. Now that I upgraded to more of a sportster you get every other car trying to race you where ever you go. It becomes very annoying. It's been keyed twice and there's nothing I could have done to stop it.

 

[ucladoc2b]

I drive a 1995 Volvo with ~153K miles on it. It's been a good car. I had it in HS, college. I was a management consultant before I went to medical school, and lived most of my life on planes, client sites or at home. I never drove to work (and would only put maybe 2K miles/year on the car, but maybe 250K in the air).

Now, it's not like couldn't afford to replace the car. I made well over 200K/year before I went to medical school. I thought about it several times. However, I just never drove it enough to justify it.

I also know people with brand new leased Lexuses and BMWs. They work as "actors" (by that I mean waiters/bartenders/temps). However, I remeber picking up a couple of friends late at night because their cars were towed after three days of street parking (when LA will consider your car abandoned). Why you ask? Because they had no gas money to fill the things.

Los Angeles culture is very strange (and humerous).

So I guess I'm not all that insecure about my car. And neither should you be insecure about yours.

 

[Kinis]

A car is a tangible hint at where you come from and what you value. Similar to tattoos or your clothes, people are going to use it to draw conclusions about your personality. It's part of how you present yourself.

Yes people judge but if someone thinks that the cost of someone's car is a reliable indication of their actual net worth, they need to learn a lot more about life and money.

 

[addo]

the car i drive now that i got for $11k is probably the car i will keep on driving for many years to come... its awesome. I don't look at a car from a status pov because if i did i would probably end with some boring expensive luxury sedan, some upscale luxury soccer mom suv or some dull sports car that performs but just doesn't have "it". my car is so damn impractical but its a blast (in the most unpretentious way) every time i get in it and thats all I'm looking for in a car.

 

[mjl1717]

the car i drive now that i got for $11k is probably the car i will keep on driving for many years to come... its awesome. I don't look at a car from a status pov because if i did i would probably end with some boring expensive luxury sedan, some upscale luxury soccer mom suv or some dull sports car that performs but just doesn't have "it". my car is so damn impractical but its a blast (in the most unpretentious way) every time i get in it and thats all I'm looking for in a car.

Do not let these guys fool you!!. There is absolutely nothing wrong with driving a practical car!!
Also at certain times one may want to keep a low profile (and possibly keep out of trouble)..

Another thing: I would not want to be the knucklehead driving the fancy Bentley or what ever in a more disadvantaged neighborhood...I not going for that!! 👍

 

[alamo4]

People care less about the cars in the class and more about the vacations people take during breaks. That's the status symbol in med school.

I think that's totally true! It's in residency too. Your vacation needs to be something like climbing Everest, hand feeling tortoises in Galapagos, partying nonstop in Ibiza, scuba diving in the Maldives, or building a clinic in Haiti. Otherwise you might as well be driving that hand-me-down Benz to Omaha.

I spend vacation sitting at home with Netflix.

 

[AFMD]

Anyone else feel a little self-conscious if you driving your parent's old hand-me down luxury cars to school or social events? Most of my classmates seem to drive Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas? Do you get labeled as the "spoiled princess" or "douchebag" tag if you drive a nicer car than what most of your attendings drive?

I wish I had your problem!

 

[ucladoc2b]

I think that's totally true! It's in residency too. Your vacation needs to be something like climbing Everest, hand feeling tortoises in Galapagos, partying nonstop in Ibiza, scuba diving in the Maldives, or building a clinic in Haiti. Otherwise you might as well be driving that hand-me-down Benz to Omaha.

I spend vacation sitting at home with Netflix.

All of those sound like a ton of work for a vacation.

I second you on your vacation idea.

 

[Abby_Normal]

I was self-conscious about my car a grand total of once:

A few days before I had an interview, someone skidded into the passenger side of my car leaving it derivable but with a huge dent in it/unworkable passenger doors and there was no time to get it fixed before the interview. I was kind of afraid of what people would think of me arriving in my dentmobile, but I highly doubt anyone noticed.

 

[mimelim]

I went to a northern NJ college prep-school. The 'standard' car for seniors in my class was an A4 (more than 15% had an A4), but we had our fair share of porches, BMWs, Mercedes etc. In general I didn't like the people who drove the nicer cars. The A4 became the unofficial symbol of my dislike for spoiled rich kids. It was a stupid thought back then, but it was an obvious display of wealth, meant for showing off in front of each other. But, I don't think I ever thought that the car meant anything. There was the association with people I tended not to like, but a lot of people drive it because thats what was thrown at them. Its a waste of time to think about this stuff. Nobody of consequence cares. If you are also a jerk and act spoiled, then yes, it will not help things, but if you are normal/like everyone else, nobody cares.

 

[Go Ducks]

I went to a northern NJ college prep-school. The 'standard' car for seniors in my class was an A4 (more than 15% had an A4), but we had our fair share of porches, BMWs, Mercedes etc. In general I didn't like the people who drove the nicer cars. The A4 became the unofficial symbol of my dislike for spoiled rich kids. It was a stupid thought back then, but it was an obvious display of wealth, meant for showing off in front of each other. But, I don't think I ever thought that the car meant anything. There was the association with people I tended not to like, but a lot of people drive it because thats what was thrown at them. Its a waste of time to think about this stuff. Nobody of consequence cares. If you are also a jerk and act spoiled, then yes, it will not help things, but if you are normal/like everyone else, nobody cares.

1. Since when do most people have cars in high school? Very few people in my high school had cars. My dad bought me an old car from 1989 for $300 and I was a big man on campus after that. I could have bought it with the money I earned from work, but my dad was generous and got it for me.

2. These kids were not paying for their own Mercedes. They probably had no say in the matter. The parents bought them a car and, for the money they paid, certainly expected them to drive it. So holding that against them is every bit as bad as holding free lunches against a poor kid; neither had any say in the matter, nor did they pick their parents. If I'd ever seen a kid driving a Mercedes in high school, it would not have crossed my mind to think anything less about them.

3. The high school scenario does not relate to med school. In high school, if you saw someone driving a fancy car, you'd think that their parents gave it to them. In med school, you'd think that they bought it with loan money and thus have very, very poor money management skills. I would definitely hold that against them.

4. What is an A4??

 

[mimelim]

1. Since when do most people have cars in high school? Very few people in my high school had cars. My dad bought me an old car from 1989 for $300 and I was a big man on campus after that. I could have bought it with the money I earned from work, but my dad was generous and got it for me.

I lived 15 miles fro my high school and have two younger brothers who went to the same school. My senior year I drove our minivan to and from school. It wasn't my car, it was a family car that was being used to shuttle the 3 of us to school. There were 98 students in my high school class, ~40 parking spots and there were more people that applied for parking spots than there were spots.

2. These kids were not paying for their own Mercedes. They probably had no say in the matter. The parents bought them a car and, for the money they paid, certainly expected them to drive it. So holding that against them is every bit as bad as holding free lunches against a poor kid; neither had any say in the matter, nor did they pick their parents. If I'd ever seen a kid driving a Mercedes in high school, it would not have crossed my mind to think anything less about them.

You should read my post before quoting it. I state specifically that I didn't hold it against them.

3. The high school scenario does not relate to med school. In high school, if you saw someone driving a fancy car, you'd think that their parents gave it to them. In med school, you'd think that they bought it with loan money and thus have very, very poor money management skills. I would definitely hold that against them.

This is a joke right? I had classmates who drove A4s, IS250s, 350zs etc. One of my close friends was given a 5 series BMW only a week ago at the start of his residency.

4. What is an A4??

There is something called the internet. You can easily search for answers to questions like this. I'll give you a hint, it is a car.

 

[investing101]

How much should one spend on a car that will serve you for 4 years? ~35000 too much?

 

[Go Ducks]

There is something called the internet. You can easily search for answers to questions like this. I'll give you a hint, it is a car.

Jeeze, what's with the angry tone? Calm down.

 

[Go Ducks]

How much should one spend on a car that will serve you for 4 years? ~35000 too much?

If I spent 35,000 on a car, I would hope that it lasts more than four years! If you want a car for just four years, try a tenth of that.