AngryCorvair said:I dress like a bum intentionally, because I'm a smug shiny happy person and my net worth is pretty close to 7 digits, with another 12-ish working years to go.
The wealthiest person I know personally wears cargo shorts and a polo to work. I've had a real estate broker bad mouth his outfit after he walked through, and I pointed out to the broker that the "bum" was worth at least 8 figures.
I paid about $9000 for my 2006 R53 MCS JCW last year. Pretty much every valuation book would say I paid too much. Some by a lot. But the car was optioned the way I wanted (not easy to find) and I've known the seller for years and know he takes good care of his cars (he only sold it because he bought an even more rare R53 JCW GP).
A year later, all I've done to the car is buy a set of summer tires for it and put gas in it. Haven't even changed the oil yet (but will soon).
Ian F said:I paid about $9000 for my 2006 R53 MCS JCW last year. Pretty much every valuation book would say I paid too much. Some by a lot. But the car was optioned the way I wanted (not easy to find) and I've known the seller for years and know he takes good care of his cars (he only sold it because he bought an even more rare R53 JCW GP).
A year later, all I've done to the car is buy a set of summer tires for it and put gas in it. Haven't even changed the oil yet (but will soon).
I paid too much for my E82 according to Forum/Facebook "Bros," but like you, I wanted the cleanest, lowest mileage, 1-owner car I could find in the color combo and all the options.
I've done a bit more than that in the 6 months I owned it. As soon as I brought it back I had the brakes flushed and oil changed, had new spark plugs and cabin air filter put in, and had a new battery (OEM was 5+ years old), coded to the car and Engine, Transmission, and ABS computer updates done by my indy shop.
In reply to Ian F, I've also seen them sell for more than that as well. I'd pay even more if I could find the right one. I'd like to replace my R56 S with an '06 JWC, no sunroof.
I also paid a bit more for my 128i. I wanted a nice one with low miles and paid a bit more to get it.
I dress like a bum because I pretty much am one, and I figure a few bad turn of events could have me living down the street on the beach. So I’m preemptively doing my best to assimilate with the homeless there before I might actually need to.
A pragmatic approach! I watched my dad lose nearly all hope of ever being in AngryCorvair's position again back before white collar crime was so widespread it tanked the entire global economy and before it was clear that there never really comes a point where it becomes so egregious that the elites will prosecute other elites over it. There are studies showing that a surprising number of middle class people move into the 1% at some point in their working lives, but how many actually stay there is a much smaller number. Suffice to say there is a big difference in the 'durability' of class status between the regular 1% and the 0.1%, and anyone who is just 'regular rich' and feels quite safe about it has their head in the sand to some extent. If you think you will continue to succeed financially just because you think you deserve to... well, there's a term for that. Social Darwinism. There are plenty of bigger fish who won't hesitate to throw you out with their bathwater because they believe the exact same thing.
Anyway, I also sometimes wish more seat heaters had a healing element in the backrest on a seperate switch for my back pain, and I'm only 33. But 33 in mechanic years is probably more in some other metric. Some of the older techs/teachers i've worked with have said that most mechanics get the same type of damage in the same place. It may never get its own widespread term like 'black lung', but it's definitely something i teach on. For example, when i teach how to deal with wheel/tire assemblies i tell students "do this for as little of your career as possible" before launching into a lecture about injuries and pain blah blah blah.
I'm at the age now that I don't give a berk if I have no socks and top siders or whatever. I get the "old dudes" now because I'm one. (There I said it)
racerdave600 said:In reply to Ian F, I've also seen them sell for more than that as well. I'd pay even more if I could find the right one. I'd like to replace my R56 S with an '06 JWC, no sunroof.
The "no sunroof" was one of the main selling points of the car. It's an oddly optioned car: JCW (with LSD), manual HVAC, chrono package, Piano Black interior trim, heated "pleather" seats, manual mirror. I think the MFSW was standard by then. Having a reasonable memory of the option prices back in 2006, it probably stickered for about $33K. The seller added JCW suspension, PolyFlex LCA bushings and Ireland Engineering fixed camber plates.
I'm of the age now where a significant majority of my wardrobe consists of what a co-worker of mine has termed "dad plaid". And I'm fine with that. Hell, I'm rocking "dad plaid" right now. And dark socks and comfortable brown shoes. I can't tell you the last time I wore sneakers. I don't even think I own sneakers anymore.
Vigo said:
There are studies showing that a surprising number of middle class people move into the 1% at some point in their working lives, but how many actually stay there is a much smaller number. Suffice to say there is a big difference in the 'durability' of class status between the regular 1% and the 0.1%, and anyone who is just 'regular rich' and feels quite safe about it has their head in the sand to some extent. If you think you will continue to succeed financially just because you think you deserve to... well, there's a term for that. Social Darwinism. There are plenty of bigger fish who won't hesitate to throw you out with their bathwater because they believe the exact same thing.
This was my main takeaway from Scarface, actually
I have found wealthy people in general to be some of the nicest people. It seems to be because once the shortage of money is not an issue, many issues can go away. There are other problems, of course, but they can be handled. I'm not wealthy yet, but the only debt I have is a mortgage, and since I'm still alive I am earning income so I am working toward that goal. Of course, my daughter is getting married next year so setbacks abound. We shall see.
gunner said:I have found wealthy people in general to be some of the nicest people. It seems to be because once the shortage of money is not an issue, many issues can go away. There are other problems, of course, but they can be handled. I'm not wealthy yet, but the only debt I have is a mortgage, and since I'm still alive I am earning income so I am working toward that goal. Of course, my daughter is getting married next year so setbacks abound. We shall see.
I found a great benefit from having served in the Military. I learned to buy value in clothes. Not trends and styles.
It was real simple to go to work because one uniform was all I had to choose from. Same shirt pants socks etc.
The rest of my civilian life (so far) I’ve bought the same basic shirt slacks socks and shoes. Hanging in the closet are 5 identical shirts and slacks. Etc.
That style shirt, slacks,etc is not trendy or high fashion. Just accepted.
Wasting time selecting what I want to wear is gone. I don’t have to worry if it’s coordinated or making the right statement. Since they all are the same I know that I’ve got a clean coordinated wardrobe with wasting the time to select or waste time.
I know what to buy and where to buy it. It’s been proven durable and easy. I’m an old guy now so who cares if it’s not the fashion I’m wearing a statement.
This is why I love this forum.
Priorities are right where I think they should be.
Totally there. I looked for 6 months at used trucks with 100k+ miles then said berkeley this and bought one with 0 miles. I had a garbage wrx and looked at several more garbage ones before I decided that I wasn’t buying one unless it was stock and taken care of.
I wish i could do the same for the chevelle but it’s just so expensive to buy one already done.
You have just reached the intelligence to spot a money pit. It happens when you do the research.
Bruce
I don't own a single pair of jeans. Too uncomfortable. All I wear are mostly cargo pants.
My cx-5 was totaled in an accident in May and I ended up buying a manual trans 15 Nissan Versa Note. The only power option it has is power door mirrors. I drive 60 miles a day and appreciate the utter simplicity of it. Even with only 100 hp and weighing 2400lbs, it is very fun to drive. 38-40 mpg doesn't hurt either.
Lol. I only put the cheapo shorts in the hamper because I thought okay that's too much spooge and grease to be seen in public.
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