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Implying most people actually buy cars based purely from a functional perspective.

Come on, you know that's not the case.



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Its nice to make semantic distinctions, but thats not how most of the population (people buying the car) think of it.

the vast majority of vehicles are, wait for it, bought by people who are not car guys.

For people who aren't interested in cars, this statement is quite true.

There's plenty of cars out there that mechanics think are designed like junk yet drivers (users) still buy / use them.

(Not sure where I was going with this)


I buy a car to go places. A car that takes me the places I want to go has served is function.

I see no point in defining the value of my car around what it's doing for the 160 hours a week that I don't need it.


This applies to all the vehicles. Most of the people own cars that they actually need, and 95% of the time, their needs would be satisfied with much smaller, simpler and cheaper cars.

That purely utilitarian analysis ignores how at least 80% of people shop for cars, and ads are supporting evidence.

You're not going to sway the people who were going to be buying a BMW or Mercedes with that argument.

Car buying is a LOT of signalling. There is a reason for the stereotypes surrounding people who buy those types of cars.


right... so not everyone wants the same thing from a car.

the kind of car your "friends or colleagues" buy has nothing to do with the kind of car he (or I) buys.

I get what you’re saying but lots of people do do that. Certain demographics flock to BMWs for example. Within a pretty narrow range you could guess a BMW driver’s occupation, and you would almost certainly be correct about their personality. Another demographic loves their Subarus. Or Porsche, classic choice of the male midlife crisis.

But pretty much everyone who can afford to, buys a car that they feel reflects their lifestyle or the lifestyle they aspire to.


Yes because nobody buys a car as an extension of their personality at all...

And people buy automobiles, not engines.

Cannot read the article but the abstract does not make any of your claims. From personal experience I've only seen people on the internet saying they don't want cars, if they had been any significant majority I am sure I've met one or two in real life over the years.

Why car manufacturers don't advertise to the "necessary" buyers at all? A new Kia Rio is still cheaper than a used MB GLS.


It doesn't really matter what people actually need. What matters is what they think they need. Few people are coldly logical about big purchases like cars.

I doubt there’s a market for that, or just an extremely niche ine. Whenever I see someone with a brand new car they’re usually boasting about the car features.

I think this is like cars that market themselves as capable of racing and/or off roading, but people use them to commute in stop and go traffic. Majority of people don't select products for rational/practical reasons.

Many Americans buy cars for status display, not for transport.

Indeed, and that's why I was careful to say "most." There certainly are legitimate needs for fancier vehicles. But I'd guess 95% of personal vehicles purchases go beyond what the buyer needs. Which is totally fine!

People don't buy cars because they need them, they buy cars because they want them

Or to show that they can afford them. "Oh you take the taxis? Poor you. I actually own my own vehicle, I don't have to share"

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