I am curious about how people perceive themselves when driving a particular make and how the world perceives them. I wonder how much difference there could be.

Any thoughts on Audi, BMW, and Mercedes?

Eg Audi Driver thinks - Car looks good and I feel confident.
Joe Public thinks - Great looking car. What make, how much and who drives them?

 

we must look too young to be able to celebrate our success with nicer cars.

BMW dealer had the wrong perception when we looked too young to pay any attention to.

I believe you shouldn't be seen in an economy car, people in general treat you like crap when driving an economy car.

My perception when driving my car depends on the neighborhood I'm in. Some places I blend in other I stand out for having a "flashy" car.

 

Mercedes Owner - I am on top of the world.
Public - Very wealthy, gorgeous car. 50k plus

Audi Owner - Best all-wheel drive system on the road. Great looking. Best value for its class
Public - all-wheel drive. Good looking. German car.

BMW Owner - This car will get me laid. I will never actually use its capabilities (Excludes M owners)
Public - Yuppie. Yuppie. Yuppie

I've owned all three makes, and they all have there pro's and con's. I like them all for different reasons, and I truely believe this is how the public sees them for the most part

 

I agree with you on the economy car point...

 

Let's see.

BMW:

I drive my dad's BMW 325ix sometimes. No one gives me a second glance....it doesn't stand out at all. Most BMW drivers i see are either young kids in souped up M3's or adults in 5 or 7 series. They're just so commonplace i don't think much of seeing them.

Mercedes:

Most mercedes drivers i see are OLD people not looking for performance. I see a lot of s500's and what not around DC, but they're more like senator-types driving those. Anyway, fun to look at, but the drivers aren't very passionate about their cars.

Audi:

I find Audi most interesting. On the one hand, most Audi's i see driving for the most part are soccer moms or what not that don't even know what they have. Of course, every now and then i see younger people (such as myself, i'm still kinda young heheeh) and they seem really into their cars. Always clean, kinda pimped out. I get waves sometime.

As far as my 2002 A4 in denim blue, let me just tell you that i've stopped keeping track on the stares i get. To this day people at lights or when i pass them on the highway look and point. It's pretty dope. Most uninformed people think it's worth a lot more than i paid for it too....

I guess i'd say i see more Audi owners passionate than i do any other german brand. And Audi's stand out from the pack for the most part.

/end ramble (not sure if any point was made)

 

Makes you wonder what motivating factors are for buying a car.

 

<center><img src="http://www.geocities.com/citron_2cv/spacek5.jpg"></center><p>Here in Dublin over the last number of years there seem to be more &amp; more &amp; more BMW's -
3 series especially. I know they are a good car, but so so many.

Funny that you get waves, reminds me of traveling with my friend in his Citroen 2cv - Frantic waves from fellow 2cv'ers. Not quite an A4 - I think its a wave, though!

 

I'm such a GD genius.....so........the perception of my ride fits me to a T, 1.8T.

 

MB = old money

BMW = new money

Audi = smart money

me on MB - Owners r damn rich (except C-class) and old. Only few of them r enthusiasts. I also find MB owners r rather uninspiring, they bought their cars was just b/c of the brand (of course there's always exception). I wouldn't mind driving a CLK / SL / M55. I also like the new E. Once in a while u see cute girls in C or S too. =)

public on MB - Rich. Beverly Hills parents #1 choice of brands. R u driving ur mom's car?

me on BMW - kinda like MB onwers, I'd guess most BMW owners bought their cars b/c of the brand. But BMW is more youthful (sportiness). I used to like BMW alot but it's just way too common. Every kid on the block's got a BMW nowadays. Cars look angry and somewhat sophisticated but most kids in BMWs r airhead brats (reason why BMWs cost more for insurance?) or chicks w/ fake blond hair.

public on BMW - I really don't know. The ultimate driving machine maybe?

me on Audi - Well, my B6 is my 2nd Audi. I like my car more and more everyday. It's youthful, unique, sophisticated, but yet understated. Truely class without mass (Never Follow). But it's becoming more common, esp. in LA &amp; SF.

public on Audi - Nice car! What kind of car is that guy driving?

 

Bottom line is: who cares what people think. I love my A4....