Luxury Cars Status Symbols

This cluster discusses why people purchase expensive luxury cars, often viewing them as status symbols for displaying wealth and social standing rather than for practicality, efficiency, or utility, with debates on judging owners' motivations.

📉 Falling 0.4x Politics & Society
4,115
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#1953
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
1
2008
28
2009
48
2010
87
2011
67
2012
106
2013
139
2014
105
2015
139
2016
202
2017
210
2018
259
2019
371
2020
291
2021
309
2022
432
2023
503
2024
409
2025
357
2026
52

Keywords

LEAF SUV e.g US BMW CR MO NYC GM cars car luxury buy people buy drive status buying mercedes people buying

Sample Comments

lostmsu Dec 13, 2021 View on HN

So you can't imagine what people would prefer over driving expensive cars? :D

jonny_eh Dec 14, 2022 View on HN

I assume at least some are justifying their expensive car.

volent Nov 23, 2024 View on HN

Or maybe it's not the type of car but the type of person who buys these cars :)

HPsquared May 11, 2020 View on HN

"Cars for the rich" is not their MO.

SamReidHughes Oct 25, 2014 View on HN

Nobody cares about your reasons. Many people buy luxury cars to show off their wealth.

bsza Jan 13, 2022 View on HN

It's almost like a car is a status symbol or something.

CydeWeys Feb 1, 2019 View on HN

To use the car analogy, a lot of people buy cars that are fun to drive. They aren't buying said cars to run people over with.

rini17 Dec 1, 2024 View on HN

You're forgetting car is a symbol of freedom and wealth and these always trump efficiency.

Dylan16807 Jun 4, 2025 View on HN

Why do you prefer it less on an expensive car?

burgerbrain Jun 22, 2011 View on HN

Most people don't buy luxury vehicles for their economics.