Why do we buy exotic cars

[Chad.Wagner]

Originally Posted by Pider

This thread was a great read. Lots of passion around the topic of high end cars, with great humor thrown in. That was fun. Nothing like seeing the world through different eyes.

Anyway, I was driving down I-5 from Portland to LA one day (or two days, actually), and as chance would have it got behind a Maybach. Never had seen one before, so did a search on the net (I know, I know). The older gentleman and his wife were all dressed up, obviously going somewhere social, or maybe not. Maybe just out for a drive. They looked to be in their early seventies, maybe late sixties. The car itself was gorgeous.

After awhile I pulled up next to him, gave a big smile and a thumbs up. He smiled back and gave a nod of appreciative thanks. For some reason it was this wonderful moment of a recognition of joint appreciation. It happened to be a man and his car, and the car represented so many things to the man, as does any of our possessions (audio equipment, planes, boats, the list goes on and on). Cars in this culture are special, as I am sure they are in Germany and elsewhere, whether it be from an engineering perspective or pride of ownership.

I love the fit and finish of my BMW 328 xi. I love to drive it. I love it's performance. For me, this is just right. For the Maybach owner all dressed up on I-5, it was just right. For the guys at the monthly hot rod show-n-tell held behind the Starbucks in Tigard, it is about craftsmanship and pride of accomplishment. I get that and appreciate it along with them. Doesn't matter if it costs half a mil, or 15k and some busted knuckles. That's what I personally get out of it. On the one hand, it's just a friggin car. On the other, it's a work of art.

In the end it's who you are as a person. How you live your life. How you treat others. How you take care of all around you. Do that right, and I'll tip my hat to your love of fine cars, or whatever other material possession makes you happy.

How's that for sappy! Where's my 1955 Chevy 327 with the four barrel hollies and the Hurst shifter, with some glass packs, street racing tranny when I need my high school testosterone fix, anyway!

Great post!

I did not get the exotic car thing until I had a chance to drive one.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Pider

This thread was a great read. Lots of passion around the topic of high end cars, with great humor thrown in. That was fun. Nothing like seeing the world through different eyes.

Anyway, I was driving down I-5 from Portland to LA one day (or two days, actually), and as chance would have it got behind a Maybach. Never had seen one before, so did a search on the net (I know, I know). The older gentleman and his wife were all dressed up, obviously going somewhere social, or maybe not. Maybe just out for a drive. They looked to be in their early seventies, maybe late sixties. The car itself was gorgeous.

After awhile I pulled up next to him, gave a big smile and a thumbs up. He smiled back and gave a nod of appreciative thanks. For some reason it was this wonderful moment of a recognition of joint appreciation. It happened to be a man and his car, and the car represented so many things to the man, as does any of our possessions (audio equipment, planes, boats, the list goes on and on). Cars in this culture are special, as I am sure they are in Germany and elsewhere, whether it be from an engineering perspective or pride of ownership.

I love the fit and finish of my BMW 328 xi. I love to drive it. I love it's performance. For me, this is just right. For the Maybach owner all dressed up on I-5, it was just right. For the guys at the monthly hot rod show-n-tell held behind the Starbucks in Tigard, it is about craftsmanship and pride of accomplishment. I get that and appreciate it along with them. Doesn't matter if it costs half a mil, or 15k and some busted knuckles. That's what I personally get out of it. On the one hand, it's just a friggin car. On the other, it's a work of art.

In the end it's who you are as a person. How you live your life. How you treat others. How you take care of all around you. Do that right, and I'll tip my hat to your love of fine cars, or whatever other material possession makes you happy.

How's that for sappy! Where's my 1955 Chevy 327 with the four barrel hollies and the Hurst shifter, with some glass packs, street racing tranny when I need my high school testosterone fix, anyway!

Although hardly exotic, my very first car was a 1974 Camaro which my dad helped me buy new. A young guy with a new sports car; I was thrilled. But, as most here know my "can't leave it alone" mentality, I customized it. First came the Z28 rear spoiler, then some shiny new Cragar rims, and wider rubber. Eventually a new exhaust w/ Doug Headers and side pipes. Upgraded stereo (of course) and countless other touch's to make it one of a kind. Even got some racing stripes. I loved that car, kept it immaculate then eventually traded it on my first Pontiac TransAm.

For me, it was always about pride of ownership. I never went inside the engine to make it faster; heck I never raced or even got a ticket. Yes, John, I did drive this one!

I did own 2 TransAm's before I got my first Corvette in 1980.

[howiebrou]

There is obviously a lot of passion around exotic cars.

Personally I would love to have a Maybach if I had the funds.

Perhaps Custodian can enlighten me as to the major differences between a Maybach and a S500?

howie

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Although hardly exotic, my very first car was a 1974 Camaro which my dad helped me buy new. A young guy with a new sports car; I was thrilled. But, as most here know my "can't leave it alone" mentality, I customized it. First came the Z28 rear spoiler, then some shiny new Cragar rims, and wider rubber. Eventually a new exhaust w/ Doug Headers and side pipes. Upgraded stereo (of course) and countless other touch's to make it one of a kind. Even got some racing stripes. I loved that car, kept it immaculate then eventually traded it on my first Pontiac TransAm.

For me, it was always about pride of ownership. I never went inside the engine to make it faster; heck I never raced or even got a ticket. Yes, John, I did drive this one!

I did own 2 TransAm's before I got my first Corvette in 1980.

LOL, Ivan!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by JFR0317

LOL, Ivan!

[custodian]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

There is obviously a lot of passion around exotic cars. Personally I would love to have a Maybach if I had the funds. Perhaps Custodian can enlighten me as to the major differences between a Maybach and a S500? howie

Not sure where to start with that one.

Bigger, more powerful, much better equipped. It's really a car to be driven in. Sit in the back and enjoy the toys. Solid silver champagne flutes from Robbe and Berking: don't like champaigne, solid silver whiskey tumblers from the same manufacturer. Keep the drinks nice and cold in the fridge. Want some privacy: press button to close rear and side electric blinds. Recline the seats, set the mood lighting and have a snooze or maybe use the duplicate instruments set in the roof to check how fast you're being driven.

Sounds a bit like a commercial so I'll stop without going into the entertainment system and the other goodies.

Pic of my car back at the Mercedes centre in Stuttgart

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by custodian

In the UK I would certainly pick a luxury car for those kind of journeys. Remember for us, domestic air travel is largely a waste of time apart from London to Scotland. If I want to head up to a meeting in Birmingham or Manchester outside the city centre, car is always the winner. It will be quicker door to door than air travel and a lot less hassle.

This must be true as Jeremy Clarkson has proven this many times on Top Gear.

[custodian]

Originally Posted by chops-tube

This must be true as Jeremy Clarkson has proven this many times on Top Gear.

Exactly! Top Gear never lies