Normal for luxury owners to treat them like disposables?
Discussion
Today I drew up at the lights beside a prominent property developer, and noted his new black Merc SLS looked distinctly uncared for with dust and bird droppings. My dealer mentioned that his new Roller also has curbed wheels and some scratches.
It seems to be typical of high end owners. I rarely see a well cared for Aston either. Instead most are unwashed and curbed, some quite badly. One DB9 that I pass regularly has never washed his wheels and are black with dust.
And about half of the luxury cars I have owned, including late model Bentley Continental GTs (one a 2012), Aston Martins (3) and a supercharged Range Rover have not have their servicing schedules adhered to. My current, just-bought 2007 DB9 was last serviced in 2010, but with only 3k miles done in that time maybe that was a contributing factor.
What is it about these owners that cause them to treat their cars this way? Is it because they'll hit the 3-year lease/warranty period and quit them, therefore having no need to worry about the mechanicals?
Or are the cars just status symbols and to care too deeply - with highly polished surfaces and other signs of pride of ownership - is simply not in their nature?
These are probably the same captains of industry who insist on having empty desks and are hugely productive in every way, yet their cars look like rubbish.
Quite a puzzle.
It seems to be typical of high end owners. I rarely see a well cared for Aston either. Instead most are unwashed and curbed, some quite badly. One DB9 that I pass regularly has never washed his wheels and are black with dust.
And about half of the luxury cars I have owned, including late model Bentley Continental GTs (one a 2012), Aston Martins (3) and a supercharged Range Rover have not have their servicing schedules adhered to. My current, just-bought 2007 DB9 was last serviced in 2010, but with only 3k miles done in that time maybe that was a contributing factor.
What is it about these owners that cause them to treat their cars this way? Is it because they'll hit the 3-year lease/warranty period and quit them, therefore having no need to worry about the mechanicals?
Or are the cars just status symbols and to care too deeply - with highly polished surfaces and other signs of pride of ownership - is simply not in their nature?
These are probably the same captains of industry who insist on having empty desks and are hugely productive in every way, yet their cars look like rubbish.
Quite a puzzle.
I'd imagine a lot of seriously wealthy people are not actually 'car people' but have nice cars because 'why not?'.
I guess the richer you are the less you have to give a s
t about upkeep, keeping within the service schedule, kerbing wheels etc. because losing a couple of grand when you trade it in for the new model is of no concern. Even if the engine blows, it's just a mild annoyance.
I'm not rich in the slightest but I'm a serious car nut. My car is my hobby and my passion, basically, so I am happy to use every spare penny I have to keep it in tip-top shape. If I kerb a wheel it puts me in a serious downer for the rest of the day.
Of course there are people, seemingly on this forum, who fall in to the other category - rich and 'car people'! They do tend to be old and fat though*.
I guess the richer you are the less you have to give a s
t about upkeep, keeping within the service schedule, kerbing wheels etc. because losing a couple of grand when you trade it in for the new model is of no concern. Even if the engine blows, it's just a mild annoyance.I'm not rich in the slightest but I'm a serious car nut. My car is my hobby and my passion, basically, so I am happy to use every spare penny I have to keep it in tip-top shape. If I kerb a wheel it puts me in a serious downer for the rest of the day.
Of course there are people, seemingly on this forum, who fall in to the other category - rich and 'car people'! They do tend to be old and fat though*.
- this is tongue in cheek, please don't take offence.
kensilver said:
It seems to be typical of high end owners. I rarely see a well cared for Aston either. Instead most are unwashed and curbed, some quite badly. One DB9 that I pass regularly has never washed his wheels and are black with dust.
I have not noticed this being widespread in the UK.
Might it be a trend in New Zealand?
In London and around Heathrow, there are many top model Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW and Audi cars. The driver's white shirt and black tie indicate the usage, and the cars are always immaculate. During rest times, the chamois can sometimes be seen in use.
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 28th July 11:32
Jon39 said:
kensilver said:
It seems to be typical of high end owners. I rarely see a well cared for Aston either. Instead most are unwashed and curbed, some quite badly. One DB9 that I pass regularly has never washed his wheels and are black with dust.
I have not noticed this being widespread in the UK.
Might it be a trend in New Zealand?
In London and around Heathrow, there are many top model Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW and Audi cars. The driver's white shirt and black tie indicate the usage, and the cars are always immaculate. During rest times, the chamois can sometimes be seen in use.
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 28th July 11:32
I traveled 7000 miles this summer from California to Wisconsin to Florida back to California. I saw a 458 in New Orleans, a Viper on the freeway in Texas, and a Panamera in Florida. I've only seen 2 Aston's in the wild my entire life. Since joining the club I've felt an obligation to keep my car immaculate when I take it out for a drive. Perhaps it's just me but it's a rare enough sight that I feel when I'm spotted by that fellow enthusiast I owe it to them that they get a good shiny wow. Wouldn't want a person seeing an Aston for the first time remembering how dirty the wheels were.
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