Why is there a stigma attached to wanting to own "fancy cars" on SDN?

[Winged Scapula]

---

Members don't see this ad.

FINALLY, someone who understands me. I would essentially mirror your lifestyle in an ideal world. Thank you for providing me with a sense of relief.

I don't know if I understand you but my contention is that its your business how you wish to spend your money.

Now I think its stupid to live like a "$30,000 millionaire" and buy a 6 figure car when you're struggling to pay your rent (or you can't pay me your co-pay but you have an IPhone 6 and are rolling up in a late model luxury car) but if you are earning a good salary and wish to spend your discretionary income on a car or w/e, have at it.

I'm just tired of the SDN dichotomy which runs between "I'll have a G-6 and bishes galore" when I become an MD and "you'll be lucky to be eating Mac n Cheese".

And BTW for other posters, quoting California salaries is not representative of the US as a whole as they tend to pay less than the rest of the country, malpractice is part of the benefits package for a salaried employee and $220,000 as an EM physician is less than the 10% percentile so hardly "average".

 

[inthemaking1]

.

 

[Kurk]

You will be more financially literate and have sense of money with more experience of the real world and after you tack on expenses in college.
When I was in high school, I had similar thoughts as you about "the good life" - big house, exotic car(s), watches etc...
Now I think very practically and think about living within my own means.
With experience and time comes maturity.

Dude, you're the third guy to not read the rest of the post. I've stated that I don't wish to live an opulent lifestyle multiple times. No Rolex and no big houses. Just because I happen to be a car enthusiast doesn't mean I want to live like a millionaire.

 

[jeffk805dent]

Actually the Prius has astoundingly good passenger compartment protection capabilities- it's one of the safest cars out there to be in in a head-on collision.

the other guys agree

 

[jeffk805dent]

Dude, you're the third guy to not read the rest of the post. I've stated that I don't wish to live an opulent lifestyle multiple times. No Rolex and no big houses. Just because I happen to be a car enthusiast doesn't mean I want to live like a millionaire.

for some reason this reminds of the HBO series Eastbound and Down where the main character drives a Ferrari - in some ****ty Mexican town

 

[Kurk]

the other guys agree

This makes me feel a little better about driving a Prius from now until the end of schooling.

 

[Danbo1957]

I'm just tired of the SDN dichotomy which runs between "I'll have a G-6 and bishes galore" when I become an MD and "you'll be lucky to be eating Mac n Cheese".

Hmmmm. There's a lot to consider in parsing out that sentence.

I think that some posters intent in this thread is to counsel a youngster; as some of us had similar thoughts at 18 expressed in the opening post (hot cars, loose wimmin', kind of thing). Pedantic answers by us, maybe. But he asked about "stigma"... So, if I may tread carefully: there is no stigma attached to pleasures and rewards that are deserved when earned through pure intent and success over many years of dedication, suffering, overcoming, and learned talent-- especially for those of us of a certain age who made it through the Hell of physician training, and then establishing ourselves as an asset to our profession, partners, and community.

Or, maybe we just don't want him to turn into Miley Cyrus...

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hmmmm. There's a lot to consider in parsing out that sentence.

I think that some posters intent in this thread is to counsel a youngster; as some of us had similar thoughts at 18 expressed in the opening post (hot cars, loose wimmin', kind of thing). Pedantic answers by us, maybe. But he asked about "stigma"... So, if I may tread carefully: there is no stigma attached to pleasures and rewards that are deserved when earned through pure intent and success over many years of dedication, suffering, overcoming, and learned talent-- especially for those of us of a certain age who made it through the Hell of physician training, and then establishing ourselves as an asset to our profession, partners, and community.

Or, maybe we just don't want him to turn into Miley Cyrus...

Not to mention all the bishes in Austin. 😉

 

[Law2Doc]

Lots of hyperbole in this thread; not even sure where to start.

The fact is that life is full of choices. Some people choose to spend money on cars, others private school for their children. Who cares?

It IS possible to purchase a Ferrari or other luxury car on a physician's salary without going into the poorhouse. My ex drives a Lambo and I drive a German sports car *but* we are private practice surgical sub specialists, without children, with no (more - me; never - him) student loans; he lives in a state with no income tax and I live in a state with relatively low malpractice premiums (although still about 3 x that of California). We both have substantial discretionary income and good retirement buffers. YMMV if you have higher expenses/choices. I don't think he and I are "special" in that what we do is attainable for most.

All this nail gnashing about you'll be lucky to clear $100K as a physician and you'll be making less than your neighbors is overwrought; reimbursements may go down, but you'll adjust, like any intelligent grown-up.

If your motivation for being a doctor was based largely on it being a job with good job security, high income and potential for owning a Ferarri, rather than enjoyment of being a surgeon, caring about the patients, etc I'm betting you would never have gotten to where you are now. FWIW once you have to make so many conditions on it (a sub specialist job with well above average doctors salary, no student loans, state with no income tax, state with low medmal, no kids, etc) you are kind of making my point -- you need to check off a ton of boxes just to have the kind of discretionary income to even consider a luxury car. Most doctors earn closer to the average (some even below), live in the majority of states with state taxes, high medmal and no tort reform. Most have student loans. So the budget of most doctors is very different than yours. Sorry but when someone in what is really the wealthy minority of sub specialist private practice doctors says "I can afford a Ferrari so everyone should be able to" (and to a money oriented high schooler, no less), I think this train has flown off the track - that's hyperbole of the other extreme.

 

[da8s0859q]

Lots of hyperbole in this thread; not even sure where to start.

The fact is that life is full of choices. Some people choose to spend money on cars, others private school for their children. Who cares?

It IS possible to purchase a Ferrari or other luxury car on a physician's salary without going into the poorhouse. My ex drives a Lambo and I drive a German sports car *but* we are private practice surgical sub specialists, without children, with no (more - me; never - him) student loans; he lives in a state with no income tax and I live in a state with relatively low malpractice premiums (although still about 3 x that of California). We both have substantial discretionary income and good retirement buffers. YMMV if you have higher expenses/choices. I don't think he and I are "special" in that what we do is attainable for most.

All this nail gnashing about you'll be lucky to clear $100K as a physician and you'll be making less than your neighbors is overwrought; reimbursements may go down, but you'll adjust, like any intelligent grown-up.

Number-wise, what kind of malpractice premium are we talking?

I, a lowly EM guy, am in a lower cost of living area, a low/mid-range income tax state, and a roughly middle of the pack legal reform state. I'm curious how the malpractice premiums around here compare to what you pay.

(I have student loans, but I'm single and child-free, so... yeah.)

 

[Winged Scapula]

If your motivation for being a doctor was based largely on it being a job with good job security, high income and potential for owning a Ferarri, rather than enjoyment of being a surgeon, caring about the patients, etc I'm betting you would never have gotten to where you are now. FWIW once you have to make so many conditions on it (a sub specialist job with well above average doctors salary, no student loans, state with no income tax, state with low medmal, no kids, etc) you are kind of making my point -- you need to check off a ton of boxes just to have the kind of discretionary income to even consider a luxury car. Most doctors earn closer to the average (some even below), live in the majority of states with state taxes, high medmal and no tort reform. Most have student loans. So the budget of most doctors is very different than yours. Sorry but when someone in what is really the wealthy minority of sub specialist private practice doctors says "I can afford a Ferrari so everyone should be able to" (and to a money oriented high schooler, no less), I think this train has flown off the track - that's hyperbole of the other extreme.

If I wasnt clear enough. I apologize.

I never said "I can so it so everyone can", nor do I really care whether the OP is an impressionable HS student. He has a very long way to go before he even gets to the position of even considering buying a luxury car.

My POV is that it IS possible but that you have to understand the conditions required. Im not saying its easy, nor that everyone could or would want to do it (and you are correct that if money were the only motivator, it would be difficult to succeed) but to make it sound like its as hard as being a Caribbean grad becoming Chief of Neurosurgery at Cornell is what I was objecting to. I see at least one high end luxury car (Ferrari, Lambo, etc) in the physicians parking lot a day. So its not just me.

Its up to you whether you end up making the sacrifices that allow you to have the life you want.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Number-wise, what kind of malpractice premium are we talking?

I, a lowly EM guy, am in a lower cost of living area, a low/mid-range income tax state, and a roughly middle of the pack legal reform state. I'm curious how the malpractice premiums around here compare to what you pay.

(I have student loans, but I'm single and child-free, so... yeah.)

I pay about $60K now, but we tend to get about $10K rebate each year, so closer to $50K. No tort reform here but less than 1/2 of rates in Pennsylvania (or what they were 10 years ago).

 

[Law2Doc]

If I wasnt clear enough. I apologize.

I never said "I can so it so everyone can", nor do I really care whether the OP is an impressionable HS student. He has a very long way to go before he even gets to the position of even considering buying a luxury car.

My POV is that it IS possible but that you have to understand the conditions required. Im not saying its easy, nor that everyone could or would want to do it (and you are correct that if money were the only motivator, it would be difficult to succeed) but to make it sound like its as hard as being a Caribbean grad becoming Chief of Neurosurgery at Cornell is what I was objecting to. I see at least one high end luxury car (Ferrari, Lambo, etc) in the physicians parking lot a day. So its not just me.

Its up to you whether you end up making the sacrifices that allow you to have the life you want.

There have been about three such cars owned by doctors where I've worked, all are owned by surgeons and all are owned by people who got into the business 20+ years ago before various reimbursement cuts, the rise of HMOs and Obamacare, when, frankly it was much easier to make really big money. And all had outside ventures which supplemented their doctors incomes . The remaining couple hundred doctors drive relatively mundane US or Japanese cars. Our hospital parking lot really has about the same distribution as the typical shopping mall.The OP is unlikely to be in the first group, particularly if his motivations are such as he described in the above posts. Not impossible, but sufficiently unrealistic to not bother. If the goal is to be so rich you can have a luxury sports car you hardly ever drive, this just isn't the right career. Now if you enjoy the job and happen to do well that's great, but that tail can't drive this dog. Just saying.

 

[Skydive Fox]

As long as you're not going into medicine for the money, I don't think there's anything wrong with how you choose to spend your money. I may think it's a financially irresponsible decision and would not condone your use of your money, but it's none of my concern. I wanna use my savings as a doctor to open a restaurant and soup kitchen one day, but obviously that's not the reason I wanna be a doctor and it's just how I wanna use my savings someday. I don't expect everyone to agree with my decisions, nor should they.

 

[Winged Scapula]

There have been about three such cars owned by doctors where I've worked, all are owned by surgeons and all are owned by people who got into the business 20+ years ago before various reimbursement cuts, the rise of HMOs and Obamacare, when, frankly it was much easier to make really big money. And all had outside ventures which supplemented their doctors incomes . The remaining couple hundred doctors drive relatively mundane US or Japanese cars. Our hospital parking lot really has about the same distribution as the typical shopping mall.

But that's my point - your experience is different than mine and and neither is necessarily the only way. Our physician parking lot has *some* midrange US and Japanese cars but most are higher end MBZ, BMW, Porsche, Tesla and the random true exotic.

The OP is unlikely to be in the first group, particularly if his motivations are such as he described in the above posts. Not impossible, but sufficiently unrealistic to not bother. If the goal is to be so rich you can have a luxury sports car you hardly ever drive, this just isn't the right career. Now if you enjoy the job and happen to do well that's great, but that tail can't drive this dog. Just saying.

I don't think the OP ever said that was his goal. He was simply asking why when he references wanting to own such a car is he the object of derision. The fact is that SDN is full of young people who tend to be idealistic, self sacrificing types who profess that they would do this thing called medicine for free because they want to help people. Anyone who enjoys money, or luxury items is somehow less deserving, less fit for the profession etc. It won't be until they see how much hard work they put in that they'll start to understand and accepting if OP wants to buy an exotic.

I agree that there are easier routes to earning the kind of money that gets you an exotic as as weekend toy but to promote the fallacy that its impossible in medicine without having "gotten in 20 years ago" (I certainly didn't), is just as bad as saying everyone can do it. There are few jobs that don't require sacrifices; if he wants to live in a Tiny Home but drive an exotic, its his choice and certainly within the realm of possibility with many medical careers.

 

[deleted274002]

He was simply asking why when he references wanting to own such a car is he the object of derision. The fact is that SDN is full of young people who tend to be idealistic, self sacrificing types who profess that they would do this thing called medicine for free because they want to help people. Anyone who enjoys money, or luxury items is somehow less deserving, less fit for the profession etc. It won't be until they see how much hard work they put in that they'll start to understand and accepting if OP wants to buy an exotic.

I think he's getting the derision because he posts things like this when he's just a junior in high school. The odds of him making it to residency and practice, given data available, are remote at this time. Personally, I find it funny that he complains about taxes when he doesn't pay any. Or complains about "Obamacare" yet is most likely on his parents' insurance.

Not trying to be rude, but when someone without any life experience makes comments like that it just makes me go:

 

[Winged Scapula]

I think he's getting the derision because he posts things like this when he's just a junior in high school. The odds of him making it to residency and practice, given data available, are remote at this time. Personally, I find it funny that he complains about taxes when he doesn't pay any. Or complains about "Obamacare" yet is most likely on his parents' insurance.

Not trying to be rude, but when someone without any life experience makes comments like that it just makes me go:

Of course and I understand. I'm guilty too of making the same comments and faces.

However, its attitudes and responses like that that have garnered SDN its negative reputation amongst the pre-med crowd. We are too quick to deride, chastise and make fun of.

Just because we know the facts that less than 1 in 10 pre-med students will actually get into medical school, even fewer will go into surgery and even fewer than that will be able to/want to afford an exotic luxury car, doesn't mean we can't try to help our younger members.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Dude! I'm also 16 or 17 years old and have my entire life figured out already...

I also know much more than basically everyone who is actually a doctor despite the fact that I, too, haven't finished high school yet.

How could these other people have more insight than us? It's not like going to college, taking the MCAT, applying to medical school studying for step 1 and 2, doing clinical work, applying to residency, working as a doctor, taking specialty boards and the other things that give you experience would somehow give them more insight than us! They're just Jelly. Fast cars are super cool especially since we've been driving for like a whole year already!

 

[Instatewaiter]

Of course and I understand. I'm guilty too of making the same comments and faces.

However, its attitudes and responses like that that have garnered SDN its negative reputation amongst the pre-med crowd. We are too quick to deride, chastise and make fun of.

Just because we know the facts that less than 1 in 10 pre-med students will actually get into medical school, even fewer will go into surgery and even fewer than that will be able to/want to afford an exotic luxury car, doesn't mean we can't try to help our younger members.

I help through derision.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I help through derision.

You're a regular Mother Theresa. 😛

 

[ZedsDed]

Of course and I understand. I'm guilty too of making the same comments and faces.

However, its attitudes and responses like that that have garnered SDN its negative reputation amongst the pre-med crowd. We are too quick to deride, chastise and make fun of.

Just because we know the facts that less than 1 in 10 pre-med students will actually get into medical school, even fewer will go into surgery and even fewer than that will be able to/want to afford an exotic luxury car, doesn't mean we can't try to help our younger members.

Funny anecdote: I knew a girl in UG who needed to see a therapist in the student center for at least a couple of sessions after posting on WAMC. Apparently no one had ever told her that her <3.0 GPA and sub-25 MCAT score were going to be extremely problematic

You need to coddle us more WS!

 

[Blunt Dissection]

Funny anecdote: I knew a girl in UG who needed to see a therapist in the student center for at least a couple of sessions after posting on WAMC. Apparently no one had ever told her that her <3.0 GPA and sub-25 MCAT score were going to be extremely problematic

You need to coddle us more WS!

It's that cougar/motherly instinct

 

[Winged Scapula]

It's that cougar/motherly instinct

Oh my instincts with young boys is anything but motherly. 😉

 

[Kurk]

Personally, I find it funny that he complains about taxes when he doesn't pay any. Or complains about "Obamacare" yet is most likely on his parents' insurance.

Not trying to be rude, but when someone without any life experience makes comments like that it just makes me go:

I find it funny how most other people my age are die-hard Bernie supporters and hardcore liberals who think that a 50 percent income tax is great for a single payer system and such. They'll advocate for such tax increases and ineffective government subsidized healthcare systems because they're not paying taxes themselves and are on their parents' private health insurance. I'm a dying breed who's ahead of most others my age.

don't think the OP ever said that was his goal. He was simply asking why when he references wanting to own such a car is he the object of derision. The fact is that SDN is full of young people who tend to be idealistic, self sacrificing types who profess that they would do this thing called medicine for free because they want to help people. Anyone who enjoys money, or luxury items is somehow less deserving, less fit for the profession etc. It won't be until they see how much hard work they put in that they'll start to understand and accepting if OP wants to buy an exotic.

I agree that there are easier routes to earning the kind of money that gets you an exotic as as weekend toy but to promote the fallacy that its impossible in medicine without having "gotten in 20 years ago" (I certainly didn't), is just as bad as saying everyone can do it. There are few jobs that don't require sacrifices; if he wants to live in a Tiny Home but drive an exotic, its his choice and certainly within the realm of possibility with many medical careers.

Nailed it. Bringing reason back to SDN one post at a time.

 

[heybrother]

Having recently completed 1 week of a plastic surgery rotation and also having married into money I can tell you that the latter is far easier.

 

[deleted274002]

I find it funny how most other people my age are die-hard Bernie supporters and hardcore liberals who think that a 50 percent income tax is great for a single payer system and such. They'll advocate for such tax increases and ineffective government subsidized healthcare systems because they're not paying taxes themselves and are on their parents' private health insurance. I'm a dying breed who's ahead of most others my age.

You're not "ahead" of most others your age because of your political views. Back when I was in high school, I had classmates that thought (and, thanks to social media, still think) like you do with regard to politics. They were also the most academically and intellectually weak among my graduating class. Your "example" can easily go the other way.

 

[Kurk]

You're not "ahead" of most others your age because of your political views. Back when I was in high school, I had classmates that thought (and, thanks to social media, still think) like you do with regard to politics. They were also the most academically and intellectually weak among my graduating class. Your "example" can easily go the other way.

Not an argument 🙂

 

[dushash]

Without reading too much into the thread, I can at least tell you my experience with BMW 328xi - it's not at all expensive to maintain and many would be surprised to find out that they don't cost as much if bought used. Maintenance is comparable to some Honda cars. Of course there is a small catch, you have to be familiar to some basic BMW model issues and production years to avoid as some specific models/years that may be very expensive to maintain, but once you figured that - it's all same basic maintenance as any Honda etc. In fact I don't consider all BMW or all Mercedes fancy cars. Some Honda/Toyota models cost more than some BMW/Mercedes models, so it's not good to be stereotyping all models/brands, instead it's always good to be discrete. As in any aspect of life if you are more knowledgeable than others - use it to your advantage and don't mind any stereotyping or bad stigma - don't spent valuable time on eating yourself with some negative thoughts, better just drive what you like and be happy.

P.S. Just read some posts and replies. I'm still not sure what fancy cars are we talking about in this thread, as everyone has their own idea of fancy, but let me tell you this, there are Porsche and BMW and Mercedes out there on market that can be bought in like-new CPO condition for as much as $30K and up and IMHO (and I know this from my experience) 99% of people will think that you are driving a $100K+ car. So again, my point is that chose what you like and be happy driving it, and it is possible to get what you want without breaking bank. Unless you really want that latest Lamborghini and you are dead set to get it new - then it's a different story.

 

[deleted274002]

Not an argument 🙂

WITH ALL OF THAT SAID . . .

I personally wouldn't want to own an incredibly expensive car. Sure, they'd be fun to drive, but the maintenance and the paranoia of damaging it in the tiniest way would drive me crazy.

Truth is, prestige is all in the mind of the beholder. I've had patients respect the degree and others that couldn't care less and others that are downright suspicious (for justified and unjustified reasons). If you're looking for a profession that affords a lot of prestige, I'm not sure medicine will do it for you. If you're looking for a profession that makes you a member of the 0.1%, I'm not sure medicine will do it for you. There are easier ways to earn lots of money.

Medicine, at least for me, has always been about finding something that is personally and professionally fulfilling. I remember going to a symposium for a specialty in my first year of medical school. We were told that there are cool things to do and mundane things in every specialty. You pick your specialty by finding the right balance of "cool" things and being able to tolerate the "mundane" things.

This profession allows for job security and a decent income (given the economic realities of stagnating wages since the 1970's-1980's and globalization). I'm not saying we shouldn't have nice possessions when we get a nice attending salary. Rather, it shouldn't be what motivates us.

 

[Instatewaiter]

You're not "ahead" of most others your age because of your political views. Back when I was in high school, I had classmates that thought (and, thanks to social media, still think) like you do with regard to politics. They were also the most academically and intellectually weak among my graduating class. Your "example" can easily go the other way.

Similarly, there are many who support bernie or hillary who are stupid and lazy. Stupidity is equal opportunity with regard to political affiliation.

 

[Gilakend]

Without reading much of this, go into medicine if you genuinely think it will make you happy. If it really is about the money, which I'm not saying it is, there are other fields that will give you both more money and free time than medicine (probably not more prestige though if you're concerned about it). You might be able to buy a Ferrari or another sports car as a physician, no one in this thread knows how much YOU will make, not even you. At the end of the day though no matter what your profession is if your happiness is based on whether you're driving home in a Ferrari or not that by itself doesn't sound like someone in medicine. But then again what do I know.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Kurk]

Some of you say that medicine isn't a prestigious field anymore; really? It's not as if investment bankers are valued by society for their ability to "legally steal your money", nor are lawyers generally thought highly of for being blood sucking leeches (not that I think this). People generally think very highly of physicians and value them more than most other profession from what I've seen. I believe that material possessions by themselves can't always equate to happiness, but when you have a career as fulfilling as medicine, driving that Ferrari home from the hospital makes the profession that much more satisfying. Like Winged Scapula said, it's ridiculous how people have their prejudices against those who choose to spend their money in ways that some personally wouldn't. Conformity is the death of individualism.

 

[dushash]

Some of you say that medicine isn't a prestigious field anymore; really? It's not as if investment bankers are valued by society for their ability to "legally steal your money", nor are lawyers generally thought highly of for being blood sucking leeches (not that I think this). People generally think very highly of physicians and value them more than most other profession from what I've seen. I believe that material possessions by themselves can't always equate to happiness, but when you have a career as fulfilling as medicine, driving that Ferrari home from the hospital makes the profession that much more satisfying. Like Winged Scapula said, it's ridiculous how people have their prejudices against those who choose to spend their money in ways that some personally wouldn't. Conformity is the death of individualism.

I think medicine is still a prestigious no matter what. Even when salaries go down it will still be prestigious. It's just my opinion. However, I'm not clear what are we really discussing in this thread? Is it medicine prestige or fancy cars stigma? Do you really want to answer your own question you asked in the beginning of this thread or we are going to just talk philosophy and derail the topic like many have done in this thread already?
To answer your question: people (especially here on SDN) usually stigmatize fancy cars, because they have different background (and I'm willing to bet, majority come from families where money was and is an issue) - different priorities, they have loans, they have debts and it is generally believed here that you have to pay your loans asap by limiting yourself - including staying away from fancy cars. Most of forum members have little knowledge of how to buy a fancy car without breaking a bank and how to maintain it without overpaying tons of money to dealers. However, they have to stay on top of their financial situation and the only way for them to stay on top is to stay away from what they think is a money pit (in most cases rightfully so). Add to that peoples stereotypes (often wrong), beliefs about cars and maintenance, horror stories about debts and loans, some even hate you or your fancy car, because they have to drive economyboxes, some envy you and such and so on. Add to that students (who are majority of users on this website) who have no clear idea or very limited idea of what they want from life, how to manage their finances, even add the fact that there are so many students/residents that have peculiar mind that tells them to listen to majority of financially "smart" peers who are perceived successful and who almost made it a fashion trend to be as economical as it gets - this is no surprise that there is a stigma. Come on now. We all know it. So is there a stigma? Yes. Is it wrong? Probably yes. Is it possible to have a fancy car without investing too much? It depends, but definitely yes. Can you change this stigma? Not in foreseeable future. You'll always have a bunch of students here on SDN that will lick their snots and cry out loud about how bad having a fancy car is. Should you just accept it and keep on living happily? Yes.

P.S. You don't have to look far, just go to "Finance and Investment" section and read what kind of things folks post there. It's amazing. Students who have no idea about families, children, mortgages etc - write about retirement and talk about every detail of their already made up detailed spesific plans to rich life (or afterlife LOL). What is even more amazing to me is that majority of forum members really follow that. It's like a cult. Some of them will learn the hard way, some of them will never learn, some may even like it, but it is what it is - and you can't expect to not have stigma about fancy cars in a society like this.

 

[Kurk]

I think medicine is still a prestigious no matter what. Even when salaries go down it will still be prestigious. It's just my opinion. However, I'm not clear what are we really discussing in this thread? Is it medicine prestige or fancy cars stigma? Do you really want to answer your own question you asked in the beginning of this thread or we are going to just talk philosophy and derail the topic like many have done in this thread already?
To answer your question: people (especially here on SDN) usually stigmatize fancy cars, because they have different background (and I'm willing to bet, majority come from families where money was and is an issue) - different priorities, they have loans, they have debts and it is generally believed here that you have to pay your loans asap by limiting yourself - including staying away from fancy cars. Most of forum members have little knowledge of how to buy a fancy car without breaking a bank and how to maintain it without overpaying tons of money to dealers. However, they have to stay on top of their financial situation and the only way for them to stay on top is to stay away from what they think is a money pit (in most cases rightfully so). Add to that peoples stereotypes (often wrong), beliefs about cars and maintenance, horror stories about debts and loans, some even hate you or your fancy car, because they have to drive economyboxes, some envy you and such and so on. Add to that students (who are majority of users on this website) who have no clear idea or very limited idea of what they want from life, how to manage their finances, even add the fact that there are so many students/residents that have peculiar mind that tells them to listen to majority of financially "smart" peers who are perceived successful and who almost made it a fashion trend to be as economical as it gets - this is no surprise that there is a stigma. Come on now. We all know it. So is there a stigma? Yes. Is it wrong? Probably yes. Is it possible to have a fancy car without investing too much? It depends, but definitely yes. Can you change this stigma? Not in foreseeable future. You'll always have a bunch of students here on SDN that will lick their snots and cry out loud about how bad having a fancy car is. Should you just accept it and keep on living happily? Yes.

P.S. You don't have to look far, just go to "Finance and Investment" section and read what kind of things folks post there. It's amazing. Students who have no idea about families, children, mortgages etc - write about retirement and talk about every detail of their already made up detailed spesific plans to rich life (or afterlife LOL). What is even more amazing to me is that majority of forum members really follow that. It's like a cult. Some of them will learn the hard way, some of them will never learn, some may even like it, but it is what it is - and you can't expect to not have stigma about fancy cars in a society like this.

I agree with you. I would drive a Prius, live with my parents, and eat ramen until my net worth rises above zero. Only then can one consider leasing/buying a high end car. It's just hypocritical when a resident who has kids starts to criticize wanting to own an expensive car. Raising children is far more taxing than owning any sports car.

 

[dushash]

I agree with you. I would drive a Prius, live with my parents, and eat ramen until my net worth rises above zero. Only then can one consider leasing/buying a high end car. It's just hypocritical when a resident who has kids starts to criticize wanting to own an expensive car. Raising children is far more taxing than owning any sports car.

Haha, so you are one of them - from cult, lol. I disagree, but I can't tell you what to do - it's your life. I can just tell you that I'll be driving bmw even before my net worth will be on surplus, heck I'm driving it right now (and I'll spent no more on it than you spent on your Prius). This is my philosophy to enjoy life, because we live once and no matter of saved money will compensate you for the joy lost. Driving a good car when I'm 50 is completely different than driving it now when you are more or less young. It's completely pointless to live a spartan life and only start enjoying things when you are half way to retirement. But I digress. I completely agree that no one should criticize wanting to own an expensive car.

 

[Kurk]

Haha, so you are one of them - from cult, lol. I disagree, but I can't tell you what to do - it's your life. I can just tell you that I'll be driving bmw even before my net worth will be on surplus, heck I'm driving it right now (and I'll spent no more on it than you spent on your Prius). This is my philosophy to enjoy life, because we live once and no matter of saved money will compensate you for the joy lost. Driving a good car when I'm 50 is completely different than driving it now when you are more or less young. It's completely pointless to live a spartan life and only start enjoying things when you are half way to retirement. But I digress. I completely agree that no one should criticize wanting to own an expensive car.

You have a point I guess; I wouldn't own a nicer car because I wouldn't be able to garage it until I buy my own house. I could turbocharge the prius or something to make it as fast like a true sports car, but that defeats the purpose.

 

[Monkey.King]

Dude! I'm also 16 or 17 years old and have my entire life figured out already...

I also know much more than basically everyone who is actually a doctor despite the fact that I, too, haven't finished high school yet.

How could these other people have more insight than us? It's not like going to college, taking the MCAT, applying to medical school studying for step 1 and 2, doing clinical work, applying to residency, working as a doctor, taking specialty boards and the other things that give you experience would somehow give them more insight than us! They're just Jelly. Fast cars are super cool especially since we've been driving for like a whole year already!

Well fast cars are super cool regardless of age unless the suspense of driving one kills you. You know you want one if you don't already own. And don't you dare tell me if someone offered you easy legal access to drive one you wouldn't.

Other than that this sarcastic post made me reevaluate my whole life. Still think I have it planned out though. At least until the admission process.

 

[randomguy123456]

As I browse the forums, I'm picking up an anti-materialistic vibe pretty much anywhere money is mentioned which is understandable. What really bothers me is that people always go after cars.

Examples of such threads:
1.) Should I go into medicine for the money?
A: If your plan is to drive fancy cars, no.

2.) Good car choices for a medical resident?
A: Toyotas, Hondas, and Subarus are all good choices. Stay away from European cars.

It really annoys me how people associate "new money" with European sports/luxury cars as if the only purpose for these cars is to show off how rich you are.

I'm a long-time car enthusiast, and don't find anything wrong with wanting to own a Porsche or lower end Ferrari as a physician. I DON'T, on the other-hand, expect to live in a mansion, wear a Rolex watch, own a private jet, etc. I don't know why you have to always associate expensive cars with an expensive lifestyle.

I actually frown upon those who daily drive Lambos just because they have the money to; my philosophy says that you shouldn't drive such a car if you don't truly understand its mechanics or how to drive it.

Sorry if this isn't too medically related; I just had to release some steam after constantly seeing people speak negatively about these things.

lol

 

[Old_Mil]

You can chose one of the following ...

A nice house

A trophy wife

A nice car

...but not more than one. If you are a car guy, go for it.

 

[Law2Doc]

You can chose one of the following ...

A nice house

A trophy wife

A nice car

...but not more than one. If you are a car guy, go for it.

This thread is silly because high schoolers on here are fantasizing about riches and trophies. But honestly it's a harder longer road than some of you believe and the money doesn't go as far as some think. But even for those that are cognizant of the actual numbers:

Nobody here is going to earn a doctors salary and live at home with their parents eating Ramen. In most cases your schooling and training is going to take you away from your old neighborhood anyway. Or your parents will kick you out of the basement. Or ask for rent.

And it's kind of silly as a high schooler to decide you won't want a wife or kids and just live as a loner in self imposed abject poverty until you can afford a dream car and garage it. At 35 you can decide the family lifestyle is not for you; at 16 it just means you haven't met the right person. Good luck with that.

And nobody is going to even want to drive a Ferrari to some of the hospitals or through some of the city traffic and bad neighborhoods a lot of us experience daily anyhow. You'll want a non-flashy car that is reliable and nobody is going to steal. So either you severely limit where you plan to work or we are talking about needing a second car from day one.

I just don't see any of this happening. And this assumes OP won't be one of the 90% of initial college premeds who never applies to med school.

 

[da8s0859q]

This thread is silly because...

This is possibly the first sensible post in this thread. OP, take solace in the fact that many of us don't give two ****s what you drive. And that's coming from a car guy who's looking forward to an attending salary next year, yes, but... damn.

 

[Seth Joo]

This thread is silly because high schoolers on here are fantasizing about riches and trophies. But honestly it's a harder longer road than some of you believe and the money doesn't go as far as some think. But even for those that are cognizant of the actual numbers:

Nobody here is going to earn a doctors salary and live at home with their parents eating Ramen. In most cases your schooling and training is going to take you away from your old neighborhood anyway. Or your parents will kick you out of the basement. Or ask for rent.

And it's kind of silly as a high schooler to decide you won't want a wife or kids and just live as a loner in self imposed abject poverty until you can afford a dream car and garage it. At 35 you can decide the family lifestyle is not for you; at 16 it just means you haven't met the right person. Good luck with that.

And nobody is going to even want to drive a Ferrari to some of the hospitals or through some of the city traffic and bad neighborhoods a lot of us experience daily anyhow. You'll want a non-flashy car that is reliable and nobody is going to steal. So either you severely limit where you plan to work or we are talking about needing a second car from day one.

I just don't see any of this happening. And this assumes OP won't be one of the 90% of initial college premeds who never applies to med school.

Many young people have this idea that Medicine is a fast track to riches and luxury, it is not, but you have to thank the media for distorting the image of the medical profession. That being said there was a time when being a physician was very lucrative, I was only a toddler when that was the case, it has not been for a long time.

 

[Kurk]

This thread is silly because high schoolers on here are fantasizing about riches and trophies.

What's wrong with fantasizing if you ultimately understand that it's exactly that?

But honestly it's a harder longer road than some of you believe

Absolutely. I'm not even at the halfway point yet.

and the money doesn't go as far as some think.

This is subject to many variables like where you live and budgeting skills etc. but okay I'll listen.

Nobody here is going to earn a doctors salary and live at home with their parents eating Ramen.

I thought you just said the money doesn't go as far you think.
The Ramen part was exaggerated but not the part about living with parents.

In most cases your schooling and training is going to take you away from your old neighborhood anyway. Or your parents will kick you out of the basement. Or ask for rent.

I come from immigrant parents with different values than what is considered the norm here in America. It is actually the norm in their home country for a child to live with their parents until they get married. They would not kick me out of the basement nor will they demand rent like many American families here do.
I do agree that not getting into the med school of your choice could make living at home difficult but I have options. Two are within commuting distance, five others are within the state. My mom could get a job as a CNP where ever I go (she insisted on this) if it ever came to that.

And it's kind of silly as a high schooler to decide you won't want a wife or kids and just live as a loner in self imposed abject poverty until you can afford a dream car and garage it. At 35 you can decide the family lifestyle is not for you; at 16 it just means you haven't met the right person. Good luck with that.

My opinion on not wanting to marry could change in the future (assuming I find someone willing to sign the prenuptial agreement I thrust in their face in addition to having to deal with my over-protectiveness and such).
I don't plan on it but I'm open to it.
I'm solid on the no children policy. We have an over population problem and I don't wish to contribute to it. Also, if you want to be a mother/father be a (insert other job here); if you want to be a doctor be a doctor. Some physician said that once. Like I've said before, having children in the most expensive hobby one can have. If I know I don't have the time to raise them properly I wouldn't at all. I see the children of married doctors at my private school—they're all screwed up b/c the parents don't have time to deal with them. I'm not the fan of marrying a housewife either so that pretty much rules out having kids.

 

[Kurk]

And nobody is going to even want to drive a Ferrari to some of the hospitals or through some of the city traffic and bad neighborhoods a lot of us experience daily anyhow. You'll want a non-flashy car that is reliable and nobody is going to steal. So either you severely limit where you plan to work or we are talking about needing a second car from day one.

You're right. I would never drive a Ferrari where I currently live because the roads are absolute trash. Nothing nicer than an Mercedes e63 AMG. <-- you can daily drive this car. Even if I did own a Ferrari in a nice area, I would never drive it every day. That puts too many miles on it and that equates to more maintenance bills and quicker depreciation of the car. It's a WEEKEND car. Or should I just say a "fun" car since physicians don't really get weekends off.

 

[Mad Jack]

You can chose one of the following ...

A nice house

A trophy wife

A nice car

...but not more than one. If you are a car guy, go for it.

Hey, if you like Lotus, you can have two of the three- the Elise is coming back to the US in 2020, fingers crossed, and costs less than many fully loaded Toyotas...

 

[mcloaf]

Hey, if you like Lotus, you can have two of the three- the Elise is coming back to the US in 2020, fingers crossed, and costs less than many fully loaded Toyotas...

Am I the only person who thinks those are super tacky?

 

[Skydive Fox]

What's wrong with fantasizing if you ultimately understand that it's exactly that?
My opinion on not wanting to marry could change in the future (assuming I find someone willing to sign the prenuptial agreement I thrust in their face in addition to having to deal with my over-protectiveness and such).
I don't plan on it but I'm open to it.
I'm solid on the no children policy. We have an over population problem and I don't wish to contribute to it. Also, if you want to be a mother/father be a (insert other job here); if you want to be a doctor be a doctor. Some physician said that once. Like I've said before, having children in the most expensive hobby one can have. If I know I don't have the time to raise them properly I wouldn't at all. I see the children of married doctors at my private school—they're all screwed up b/c the parents don't have time to deal with them. I'm not the fan of marrying a housewife either so that pretty much rules out having kids.

Being a doctor and being a good parent are not mutually exclusive concepts... If anything, it can make you a better parent. You can ensure your family's health every step of the way and have the resources to provide a comfortable lifestyle.

Your view of the world is so oversimplified that it's cringe-worthy.

 

[Seth Joo]

Am I the only person who thinks those are super tacky?

Why would anyone want a Lotus when Porsche makes superior vehicles? Also its the only sports car that you can drive like a regular automobile.

 

[Mad Jack]

Am I the only person who thinks those are super tacky?

Definitely not. Personally I can't stand them in any color but black myself

Everything else just looks too tryhard. In black, it looks no worse than a Porsche 911, but will run you about a third to half the cost. And really, cars like this aren't so much about looks as they are performance and being fun to drive- depending on the model, this thing goes 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.

 

[Kurk]

Being a doctor and being a good parent are not mutually exclusive concepts... If anything, it can make you a better parent. You can ensure your family's health every step of the way and have the resources to provide a comfortable lifestyle.

Your view of the world is so oversimplified that it's cringe-worthy.

If you don't have the time to raise the kids in their youth and monitor them in their teens it doesn't matter. Parenting is the most important job one will ever have; you'll need to decide whether or not medicine will take that spot.