There are so many things you cannot tell by looking at how other people appear to be living their lives. Or whether the car is valued for utility, features or p

There are so many things you cannot tell by looking at how other people appear to be living their lives. Or whether the car is valued for utility, features or perceived status. First, you can't tell from looking at their car how well-suited their finances are to paying for it. They could have a 12.99% 72-month loan that doubles the actual cost (plus higher insurance premiums, premium fuel, etc). Or they bought it cash, self-insure, and have money invested that compounds over time and pays their insurance and gas bill for them. Second, you probably don't know how they are using it. If you're a master salesman with an excellent income, selling 7-figure deals to executives, you might actually get utility out of perceived status! But if you're a coder who walks a quarter mile from parking and works in the basement of the building, the brand name on that car is worth nothing. And most of those comfort features can probably be found in a Mazda for $20K less. Or a ten-year old luxury car. (Personally I love the hatchback which combines all those features with utility and fuel economy! No need to buy the luxury sport sedan.) Finally, wait, why do you think advertising isn't doing its job? People know what they can't have because of advertising. Then they want it.