Guilt

[Burgh]

I have never had a really nice car. My current cars, which I think are pretty nice, are Acura MDX and Cadillac STS. I am trading in my STS and waiting for my new x6 50i. I consider this a pretty big upgrade in cars. A problem that I am having is feeling guilty for such a big purchase. Money is not the issue, it is feeling guilty for driving such an expensive car. I almost feel like canceling my order and buying an average car...Has anyone else ever felt this way?

[Refujeet]

You've worked hard to be able to afford it, I say enjoy it!

Regardless, guilt is not a good reason to be charitable and noble.

[yyzx6]

Originally Posted by Refujeet

You've worked hard to be able to afford it, I say enjoy it!

Regardless, guilt is not a good reason to be charitable and noble.

Very true! Now enjoy your new ride!

[JMDHSMIAMI]

I have never felt guilty for rewarding myself for my hard work...I have noticed others around me who may be envious and it has made me feel uncomfortable, But never to the point of going low key to please others..Life is short...You worked hard for a reason..Its time to treat yourself....Enjoy ther ride ( I mean life, not the car )

[kylemanta]

Some people spend their hard earned money on electronics, others on word travel, others invest it in real estate or stocks. Bottom line - if you've worked hard enough to afford it, then it doesn't matter what others think - do what makes you happy. I say that hoping that you've also remained somewhat practical (that you've got some retirement money set aside, you don't owe thousands of dollars to credit card companies or banks and you still have money for the "emergency" fund). As much as I spend on cars and love them (BMW), there's no financial justification. But for people like us, the car purchase and ownership experience isn't about financial justification or investment, it's about personal investment, feeling good about what you drive and enjoying every mile of it. If you've covered your practical corners and still have the money and desire - do what makes you happy. Keep this in mind - you will get stares from EVERYONE if you have an X6. Some will appreciate, some will hate, but it will be noticed. Good luck, you'll make the right decision for you.

[Palbay]

Originally Posted by kylemanta

Some people spend their hard earned money on electronics, others on word travel, others invest it in real estate or stocks. Bottom line - if you've worked hard enough to afford it, then it doesn't matter what others think - do what makes you happy. I say that hoping that you've also remained somewhat practical (that you've got some retirement money set aside, you don't owe thousands of dollars to credit card companies or banks and you still have money for the "emergency" fund). As much as I spend on cars and love them (BMW), there's no financial justification. But for people like us, the car purchase and ownership experience isn't about financial justification or investment, it's about personal investment, feeling good about what you drive and enjoying every mile of it. If you've covered your practical corners and still have the money and desire - do what makes you happy. Keep this in mind - you will get stares from EVERYONE if you have an X6. Some will appreciate, some will hate, but it will be noticed. Good luck, you'll make the right decision for you.

++1! Very well said.Thanks! PalBay

[dmlgc]

I am oldest of 6 kids and we grew up poor. I am where I am because I worked hard to get here (as did my brothers and sisters). I do not apologize to anyone for what I have achieved nor do I feel guilty when I enjoy my success. My X6 5.0 arrives August 19th ( just learned this from dealer yesterday) and I will enjoy every minute of driving it.

And yes some will hate me for driving this car (they do that now for my X5) as I live in Silicon Valley the socialist capital of the world.

Life is short you should enjoy it while you can..

[Suzie's Dad]

Burgh: If giving up toys were a way to make the world a better place, you could justify feeling guilty. But what you drive is nothing compared to how you treat other people. I built a successful company based entirely on treating staff and customers with respect; the fact that I can afford some luxuries now is a result of that.

To answer your original question ("Has anyone else ever felt this way?"): yes, I have. But that's a natural reaction to seeing others with less than you have.

You could look at it the way Oscar Wilde did: "Being successful isn't enough; what's important is that your friends also have to fail."

[Burgh]

Thanks for all of the great comments. I feel better!

[leonelm3]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

Burgh: If giving up toys were a way to make the world a better place, you could justify feeling guilty. But what you drive is nothing compared to how you treat other people. I built a successful company based entirely on treating staff and customers with respect; the fact that I can afford some luxuries now is a result of that.

To answer your original question ("Has anyone else ever felt this way?"): yes, I have. But that's a natural reaction to seeing others with less than you have.

You could look at it the way Oscar Wilde did: "Being successful isn't enough; what's important is that your friends also have to fail."

+2
I have as well coming from where I came from. but Suzie's dad is right. it is a Natural reaction/feeling.

Originally Posted by kylemanta

Some people spend their hard earned money on electronics, others on word travel, others invest it in real estate or stocks. Bottom line - if you've worked hard enough to afford it, then it doesn't matter what others think - do what makes you happy. I say that hoping that you've also remained somewhat practical (that you've got some retirement money set aside, you don't owe thousands of dollars to credit card companies or banks and you still have money for the "emergency" fund). As much as I spend on cars and love them (BMW), there's no financial justification. But for people like us, the car purchase and ownership experience isn't about financial justification or investment, it's about personal investment, feeling good about what you drive and enjoying every mile of it. If you've covered your practical corners and still have the money and desire - do what makes you happy. Keep this in mind - you will get stares from EVERYONE if you have an X6. Some will appreciate, some will hate, but it will be noticed. Good luck, you'll make the right decision for you.

+2
I would have said the same.

[simon š]

Finally a good post!!!!!!!!!!

best simon

[billysims]

I agree with most here: Life is short, work hard, play hard, don't hurt others, enjoy yourself. No one will be hurt by you buying/driving this car.

Now, the one thing that DOES make me a little nervous is what others will do to my car out of envy. I live in a town full of type-A's where everything is a competition (you wouldn't believe the tales from youth soccer that I could tell....). So, I am getting a little concerned about key scrapes etc. People talking behind my back doesn't concern me, but physical damage I won't have.

[Deda]

wow.....now that is something new..guilt is maybe a not a right word,fear or rage is much better(depends from angle you are looking).i was born in socialistic state called Yugoslavia,but now i live in caitali$m,Croatia.....new form,same shit,you got to fight for yourself....but every other bustard is fighting too.
i dont feel guilt for driving x6,but i am ready to fight to defend my family,because when you drive BMW you are screaming i have the money.that is the fact.

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by billysims

I agree with most here: Life is short, work hard, play hard, don't hurt others, enjoy yourself. No one will be hurt by you buying/driving this car.

Now, the one thing that DOES make me a little nervous is what others will do to my car out of envy. I live in a town full of type-A's where everything is a competition (you wouldn't believe the tales from youth soccer that I could tell....). So, I am getting a little concerned about key scrapes etc. People talking behind my back doesn't concern me, but physical damage I won't have.

+1!!

On the other hand, when you say "don't hurt others" that's where I personally feel some guilt because I know that my car is not the most environment friendly car out there (and same for the X6)!!! It just feels that oh I have money and I like nice (fast) cars so let' s not care about Nature and Future Generations! Do you guys feel the same way?

Same thing as billy for the dings, scratches, etc... though!!

[billysims]

Originally Posted by Deda

when you drive BMW you are screaming i have the money.that is the fact.

Not so much in the USA. BMW is fairly well accessible, many BMW's on the road in all parts of the country. Still a "better" brand, but no longer in the "wealthy owners only" category, IMO...

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Burgh

I have never had a really nice car. My current cars, which I think are pretty nice, are Acura MDX and Cadillac STS. I am trading in my STS and waiting for my new x6 50i. I consider this a pretty big upgrade in cars. A problem that I am having is feeling guilty for such a big purchase. Money is not the issue, it is feeling guilty for driving such an expensive car. I almost feel like canceling my order and buying an average car...Has anyone else ever felt this way?

NO, go and enjoy it while you can, who knows whats waiting round the next corner.

[Suzie's Dad]

Originally Posted by MTROIS

I know that my car is not the most environment friendly car out there

Not sure I agree with that comment. BMW has been a leader in recycling and pushing the recycling standards that many car makers now adhere to. If you subscribe to the idea that bigger cars are environmentally worse than smaller ones, then perhaps you should go the whole way and stop driving at all. We have been fed so much unproven CO2 hysteria by the IPCC and a left-leaning press that there is a temptation to feel guilty for all the wrong reasons. A recent (admittedly controversial) study purported to show that when measured dust-to-dust, the Prius has a worse environmental footprint than the Hummer due mainly to its batteries. The jury is out on the whole environmental thing, but I'm not sure history will point accusing fingers at the X6.

I don't think Burgh or any of us should feel guilty for any reason.

[Deda]

Originally Posted by billysims

Not so much in the USA. BMW is fairly well accessible, many BMW's on the road in all parts of the country. Still a "better" brand, but no longer in the "wealthy owners only" category, IMO...

well,when you buy in europe it costs almost 3 times more then in us,so when we buy x6 we pay for 150 000 usd..so that is a big money everywhere,and it makes it very exclusive...and btw i was talking about new car,not used one..

[billysims]

Originally Posted by Deda

i was talking about new car,not used one..

So was I....