effenheimer_IHB
New member
<p>It all made sense to me when I began regarding money as "capital."</p>
<p>Made the idea of a higher-end car far less palatable.</p>
<p>Made the idea of a higher-end car far less palatable.</p>
NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
tourbillon:
Because it limits your ability to build wealth. Now if you are already wealthy and by that I mean true wealth not the Irvine version of wealth, then it doesn't matter (Of course you could do other more meaningful things with your money, but that is a different issue). I think the issue is how one interprets "within one's means", some think they can afford X because they can take out a loan for X and afford the monthly payments. I interpret things much more conservatively, if you can purchase X with cash, have no debt* and have already invested at least 10% of your income then you can afford it.
*With the possible exception of a mortgage or low interest student loans.
Because it limits your ability to build wealth. Now if you are already wealthy and by that I mean true wealth not the Irvine version of wealth, then it doesn't matter (Of course you could do other more meaningful things with your money, but that is a different issue). I think the issue is how one interprets "within one's means", some think they can afford X because they can take out a loan for X and afford the monthly payments. I interpret things much more conservatively, if you can purchase X with cash, have no debt* and have already invested at least 10% of your income then you can afford it.
*With the possible exception of a mortgage or low interest student loans.
tourbillon_IHB
New member
tyler
Now that is the post I can agree with. I am actually not very interested in Irvine, much less its real estate. But since Irvine is so close to LA, what happens in Irvine will be felt in LA, so I spend my time here. Plus, IR's post is quite interesting to read regardless of whether one is interested in Irvine or not.
Interestingly, I find many nice houses in Beverly Hills are actually cheaper than houses in Irvine. Not only that, they are all quite unique and have fairly large front and backyards. Owners there don't take offense when you try to negotiate. I don't know if it is a culture thing, most of the people I met there were Persians, and I was told buying without negotiation is considered as an insult to them. Of course, BH public school is not as good as Irvine public school, although I don't think too many people there go to public school
Now that is the post I can agree with. I am actually not very interested in Irvine, much less its real estate. But since Irvine is so close to LA, what happens in Irvine will be felt in LA, so I spend my time here. Plus, IR's post is quite interesting to read regardless of whether one is interested in Irvine or not.
Interestingly, I find many nice houses in Beverly Hills are actually cheaper than houses in Irvine. Not only that, they are all quite unique and have fairly large front and backyards. Owners there don't take offense when you try to negotiate. I don't know if it is a culture thing, most of the people I met there were Persians, and I was told buying without negotiation is considered as an insult to them. Of course, BH public school is not as good as Irvine public school, although I don't think too many people there go to public school
graphrix_IHB
New member
Bimmers FTW.
J
Janet_IHB
Guest
<p>Tyler,</p>
<p>"Because it limits your ability to build wealth." </p>
<p>Some of us, obviously, don't share your views - at least not entirely.</p>
<p>What is the purpose of building wealth?</p>
<p>Is it an end unto itself?</p>
<p>How much is enough?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Because it limits your ability to build wealth." </p>
<p>Some of us, obviously, don't share your views - at least not entirely.</p>
<p>What is the purpose of building wealth?</p>
<p>Is it an end unto itself?</p>
<p>How much is enough?</p>
<p> </p>
nirvinerealtor_IHB
New member
<p>Janet,</p>
<p>I share your view, sister. </p>
<p>I do both: Build wealth (not sure how much?) and pamper myself.</p>
<p>I share your view, sister. </p>
<p>I do both: Build wealth (not sure how much?) and pamper myself.</p>
Irvine Allergy Dr_IHB
New member
Tyler -
"But the Saab 9-3 sport 2.0T has a MSRP of $26.5k while the closet car I know from Chevy is the the Malibu Maxx 5 door LTZ which has a MSRP of $24.5k (I'm not sure if Saab's share a platform with a Chevy etc or not)."
Again, before you go criticizing people for paying extra for a Lexus over a Toyota because they share the same platform, perhaps you should do enough research before buying a car to know that the Saab 9-3 shares the same Epsilon platform as the latest generation Chevy Malibus. While you may be getting free maintenance with the Saab, you would be paying extra for repairs over the years mainly because Saab is a "luxury import" brand. Well, semi-luxury to some people.
"Lastly, the breed of people on this forum? Well your typical Californians - Conspicuous Consumers."
What exactly makes a "conspicuous" consumer? Does the fact that you buy groceries rather than grow your own make you a consumer? How about the furniture you didn't carve and machine out of timber? At what level of spending do you suddenly cross the line in conspicuousness? That line, in my opinion, is subjective, and usually depends on the level of wealth of the observer rather than that of the person making the purchases. Since you don't know any of the members of this board personally, you don't even have the lowest level of qualification to judge whether or not we overspend.
"But the Saab 9-3 sport 2.0T has a MSRP of $26.5k while the closet car I know from Chevy is the the Malibu Maxx 5 door LTZ which has a MSRP of $24.5k (I'm not sure if Saab's share a platform with a Chevy etc or not)."
Again, before you go criticizing people for paying extra for a Lexus over a Toyota because they share the same platform, perhaps you should do enough research before buying a car to know that the Saab 9-3 shares the same Epsilon platform as the latest generation Chevy Malibus. While you may be getting free maintenance with the Saab, you would be paying extra for repairs over the years mainly because Saab is a "luxury import" brand. Well, semi-luxury to some people.
"Lastly, the breed of people on this forum? Well your typical Californians - Conspicuous Consumers."
What exactly makes a "conspicuous" consumer? Does the fact that you buy groceries rather than grow your own make you a consumer? How about the furniture you didn't carve and machine out of timber? At what level of spending do you suddenly cross the line in conspicuousness? That line, in my opinion, is subjective, and usually depends on the level of wealth of the observer rather than that of the person making the purchases. Since you don't know any of the members of this board personally, you don't even have the lowest level of qualification to judge whether or not we overspend.
reason_IHB
New member
Chevy then Saab?.....blahhhh, talk about a waste of money.
nirvinerealtor_IHB
New member
I drive a luxury car and do not care much for the car itself; however, I like the exceptional customer service.
IrvineCommuter_IHB
New member
NIR, I know you don't drive a bimmer cuz their customer service sucks!!!!! Lexus on the other hand. . .awesome.
EvaLSeraphim_IHB
New member
<p>Time out for a linguistics question. How did the shortened name for a BMW come to be spelled "bimmer?" When I look at that spelling, I want to pronounce the "i" as one would in the work "rim" and not the "ea" sound that would find in "beam" or "e" as in "meet." In fact, as I look at the pronunciation key in my dictionary, I don't see any listing for an "i" that sounds like an "e."</p>
<p>Yes, a lot of pop culture is lost on me, but I can't tell you how many e-mailed BMW jokes have gone over my head because I thought that "Bimmer" must have been British slang for something.</p>
<p>Explanation, anyone?</p>
<p>Yes, a lot of pop culture is lost on me, but I can't tell you how many e-mailed BMW jokes have gone over my head because I thought that "Bimmer" must have been British slang for something.</p>
<p>Explanation, anyone?</p>
IrvineCommuter_IHB
New member
I'm not sure but it's the probably the same reason that Richard became Dick. . . 
Irvine Allergy Dr_IHB
New member
From Wikipedia's entry on BMW:
The term "beemer" started as an acronym for the abbreviation "BMW," adapted from the early-20th century British pronunciation of <a title="Birmingham Small Arms Company" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Small_Arms_Company">BSA</a> (as "beeser" or "beezer"), whose motorcycles were often racing BMWs. Over time, the term became closely associated with BMW motorcycles.
<p>In the United States, the term "bimmer" was later coined to refer (exclusively) to BMW automobiles. As such, use of the word "beemer" to refer to a BMW automobile is frowned upon by some BMW enthusiasts,<sup class="reference" id="_ref-boston-bmwcca.org_0"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW#_note-boston-bmwcca.org">[4]</a></sup> because it is the term used for motorcycles. Although the distinction is completely arbitrary, to this day, the media, movies, and most people still use the term "beemer" to refer to the automobiles.</p>
The term "beemer" started as an acronym for the abbreviation "BMW," adapted from the early-20th century British pronunciation of <a title="Birmingham Small Arms Company" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Small_Arms_Company">BSA</a> (as "beeser" or "beezer"), whose motorcycles were often racing BMWs. Over time, the term became closely associated with BMW motorcycles.
<p>In the United States, the term "bimmer" was later coined to refer (exclusively) to BMW automobiles. As such, use of the word "beemer" to refer to a BMW automobile is frowned upon by some BMW enthusiasts,<sup class="reference" id="_ref-boston-bmwcca.org_0"><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW#_note-boston-bmwcca.org">[4]</a></sup> because it is the term used for motorcycles. Although the distinction is completely arbitrary, to this day, the media, movies, and most people still use the term "beemer" to refer to the automobiles.</p>
zovall_IHB
New member
I think the pronunciation of 'bimmer' is supposed to rhyme with 'rimmer'.
jwbrown77_IHB
New member
eesh, guess I don't make as much as a lot of folks here.
I drive a 2001 Honda Civic HX I bought new in 01/2001. I consider it one of the wisest financial decisions I've ever made.
Now that it's paid off, the monthly carrying costs are pretty low. Insurance is relatively cheap and I get an average of 40mpg (all gas not hybrid).
I'd love to buy a TL Type-S, and I could probably afford it, but you know... living within your means and all of that. I'm trying to be good.
I drive a 2001 Honda Civic HX I bought new in 01/2001. I consider it one of the wisest financial decisions I've ever made.
Now that it's paid off, the monthly carrying costs are pretty low. Insurance is relatively cheap and I get an average of 40mpg (all gas not hybrid).
I'd love to buy a TL Type-S, and I could probably afford it, but you know... living within your means and all of that. I'm trying to be good.
kcmkane_IHB
New member
<p>JW - Glad to see another Honda person out here (see my earlier comments). I think we are in the minority. Forget that TL Type-S....Hold out for a 2008 Accord V6. With 268 HP, it should do 0-60 in low-mid 6's, and quarter mile in less than 15 seconds. Not quite as good as a Type-S, but not quite as expensive either. You will be able to take care of every 3/525i you run into, but do it (as you said) feeling like you make a wise financial decision.</p>
<p><a href="http://automobiles.honda.com/2008-accord/">http://automobiles.honda.com/2008-accord/</a></p>
<p>I'll be really curious to see what effect the housing fallout has on the luxury car market. I wonder if in 3 years we might see a lot more Honda's and Toyota's and less luxury brands on the road? </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://automobiles.honda.com/2008-accord/">http://automobiles.honda.com/2008-accord/</a></p>
<p>I'll be really curious to see what effect the housing fallout has on the luxury car market. I wonder if in 3 years we might see a lot more Honda's and Toyota's and less luxury brands on the road? </p>
<p> </p>
effenheimer_IHB
New member
CK, in the lux car market, I think there's going to be a whole pile of leases that we can assume in the near future.
kcmkane_IHB
New member
<p>There is going to be a lot of pain for manufacturers of a lot of luxury goods that have been used to some pretty fat margins for the last 7 or so years. </p>
jwbrown77_IHB
New member
Yeah CK, I've never had a single solitary problem with this car. Not one.
I've never even done the "major" services on it. I just change the oil every 5k miles with Castrol 5W/20, dump some fuel system cleaner in after the oil change, and drive it.
I will do the 105k service (need to figure out what it needs as far as timing goes, I've never looked into it) when it's ready for it.
I've never even done the "major" services on it. I just change the oil every 5k miles with Castrol 5W/20, dump some fuel system cleaner in after the oil change, and drive it.
I will do the 105k service (need to figure out what it needs as far as timing goes, I've never looked into it) when it's ready for it.
graphrix_IHB
New member
<p>CK - Yes off the line you will win but in the twistys get used to the tail lights of the bimmer. My 97 e36 will take a 2008 V8 honda all day long. RWD FTW!</p>
<p>I'm just having fun please don't take me too seriously. Except for the fact of bimmers will win in the twistys.</p>
<p>I'm just having fun please don't take me too seriously. Except for the fact of bimmers will win in the twistys.</p>