Sometimes people with nice cars can also be broke. I have seen many people owning an expensive car with no financial stability.
Like with anything in life, the answer is usually a convoluted one because of the vast number of variables. I guess you are half joking but if anyone has to save money on a car to save more then such person is not rich nor will ever be rich. Rich means to not have to care about the value of a car. Someone considered rich today does not think twice whether a car costs 50k or 150k. But as cars are still considered status symbols by many (beyond my understanding) even some poor schmucks sneak into the prestige car segment to come across as someone they are not otherwise. The other way does not really hold true. Why would someone who earns 300k or more per year drive a beaten down BMW 3 when he can drive a 100k or 150k car and would not have to think twice, price wise. Makes not much sense to me. I mean we talk about fuck you money to anyone considered upper middle class and above when it comes to cars (unless of course we include luxury cars)
Not true at all. The lower middle or middle class became upper middle class because they saved like hell. Anyone above would not be able to remain on that economic level being cheapo and not spending vasts amount of money to be respectable in the "club". There is no way you would ever be invited again to the country club and special neighborhood outing if you showed up with dirty shoes and washed out polo. Even in the upper middle class I find certain cheapos repulsive and upsetting, people who constantly try to save a penny. What a waste of time and how exhausting it is to be around such people. Being smart about money is one thing but wrapping remote controls in cling foil and covering leather sofas with towels and blankets is creeping me out.
I considered myself rich once I could afford to buy Heinz baked beans instead of supermarket own brand. Same for cornflakes. It’s all relative I suppose.