M3, Bad Career Move?

[Naz24]

As i drove my shiney new M3 into work today, i realized that most cars in the garage (included my bosses) were not on the same caliber. Now mind you, many of my bosses have different priorities (kids, etc etc). But i'm one of the younger guys at my firm....

Do you think this will affect the way i'm viewed at work?

[cy07]

Being a MW M3? you will blend in just fine. Great choice btw!

[Sivart321]

Originally Posted by Naz24

As i drove my shiney new M3 into work today, i realized that most cars in the garage (included my bosses) were not on the same caliber. Now mind you, many of my bosses have different priorities (kids, etc etc). But i'm one of the younger guys at my firm....

Do you think this will affect the way i'm viewed at work?

I had the same concerns at first. I wouldn't worry about it. People have different priorities.

[f82fanatic]

Will people talk? Absolutely. Also, your boss will think twice about giving you a raise when you ask for one.

Now, I have been in your situation and chose to buy a better car anyways. I agree with you, you have different priorities, but people only think about the priorities when they try to justify why they have a worse car than you (because they feel jealous). I actually had a coworker who would take my wrist, look at my watch, and literally tell me... It looks very nice, you'll see when you become a father of a family.

When thinking about salary increases, they will forget about all that and think you are doing very well and don't need more money.

This is obviously my perspective and what I have experienced in the past. My 2 cents.

[ewr777]

You only live once, enjoy it, don't regret it. Everybody at work told me I was nuts buying such an expensive car. I think is the best money spent to furfil your fun needs.

[F83]

Depends on the environment. Some places that may matter a little. Most places it doesn't. Color could also play a role. Black, White, Silver don't stand out as much. AY, YMB obviously stand out more.

[Lups]

Mw, it could be a Toyota for all anyone will know.

Just say three series. Even I drive a three series.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Lups

Mw, it could be a Toyota for all anyone will know.

Just say three series. Even I drive a three series.

Very true. but it already sticks out like a sore thumb in my garage....

My boss already said "you better let me drive it"

[Onewheeldrive]

"Act as if!" My cars motivate me to work harder! My co-workers look at me a bit sideways when I park one of my cars in the lot, but I'd like to think my clients feel they are in better hands with a successful broker than if I was driving a Camry. Cars are my passion and I'm happy to explain that to anyone who questions my priorities.

[IM2C]

When I brought my S5 to work, my boss told me "nice car, we talked about it at the management meeting".
I'm currently driving f30 and still getting called out on it at work. Dreading ordering M3.

[Lups]

Debadge. Be cool

[Praise Iommi]

All it says is that 1: you spend a lot more of your income on your car than the rest of your coworkers, and 2: that you probably leased the thing. Not that big of a deal IMO. Now if you pulled up in a brand new 911 turbo or Ferrari it might be a different story.

[Bluex]

I have no problem driving my car to work, however i'm choosing not to at this point.

The first 3 days I did, I literally had a crowd of about 5 people around it. Peering in the windows, walking around, walking away, then walking back up to it again. Lots of talk, lots of attention.

My CFO was walking out, saw me get into it and said (as he got into his Volvo), "What are we paying you??? (laughs)". We had a chuckle about it, but even so, there is always some truth behind such statements.

It REALLY depends upon your occupation and where you work. I happen to work in the city and a good portion of our company work force is lower to middle class.....in THIS situation, driving a flashy SO M3 might not be the best idea. Sure lots of people appreciate it, in fact love it.....but there's a time and a place for everything. And while I also appreciate the YOLO attitude and "Do what you want, it's your car!", trust me I get it, I've just come to the conclusion that it's best that I limit how often I do drive it there.

But it's a different story if you are in a position that has clients and a certain amount of shown "wealth" is beneficial.

My choice is just to keep it a bit more under wraps and enjoy the hell out of it everywhere else.....I do lots of traveling, so trust me, it WILL get utilized. I just got back from CT and in a week will be heading to Toronto/Mississauga and then Boston, MA. I'll definitely get good M drive time.....but not so much "in office" time.

[M3SSY]

Originally Posted by Lups

Just say three series.

that only works for a minute...

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Bluex

I have no problem driving my car to work, however i'm choosing not to at this point.

The first 3 days I did, I literally had a crowd of about 5 people around it. Peering in the windows, walking around, walking away, then walking back up to it again. Lots of talk, lots of attention.

My CFO was walking out, saw me get into it and said (as he got into his Volvo), "What are we paying you??? (laughs)". We had a chuckle about it, but even so, there is always some truth behind such statements.

It REALLY depends upon your occupation and where you work. I happen to work in the city and a good portion of our company work force is lower to middle class.....in THIS situation, driving a flashy SO M3 might not be the best idea. Sure lots of people appreciate it, in fact love it.....but there's a time and a place for everything. And while I also appreciate the YOLO attitude and "Do what you want, it's your car!", trust me I get it, I've just come to the conclusion that it's best that I limit how often I do drive it there.

But it's a different story if you are in a position that has clients and a certain amount of shown "wealth" is beneficial.

My choice is just to keep it a bit more under wraps and enjoy the hell out of it everywhere else.....I do lots of traveling, so trust me, it WILL get utilized. I just got back from CT and in a week will be heading to Toronto/Mississauga and then Boston, MA. I'll definitely get good M drive time.....but not so much "in office" time.

I think you nailed it. I work in the real estate private equity group of a large insurance company. Our offices are outside the "main HQ"

When i had my X3, my boss said "we pay you guys too much"....

One of our portfolio managers gets it though, hes a big car guy (a couple porsches, and heads to Cars and Coffee a lot)...

At my age, they could still think that my parents paid for it. Which I really want to avoid.

[M4CHINE]

27 here... I get compliments and a lot of love for my car and myself from my colleagues and bosses who all drive standard Audi's, BMW's, and the such. One of my bosses drives an A7.

Now, what they say behind the scenes, I have no clue and personally do not care. That is, unless it starts to affect or impact my career and/or personal well-being.

[dkhm3]

I keep it in the garage until I get my plates. then i tell everyone i got it used- a steal.

I let people know I have another gig and make money on the side as well on that.

this obviously works if you have another car to drive to work...

[accely]

I'm sorry if you work in a place where they would actually consider the car you drive into the decision process of whether or not you would get a raise or deserve a raise... A quality company truely bases raises and promotions on the goals and milestones you're meeting at work. I've been thankful enough to work for such companies and everyone always knows I'm driving cars better than higher ups. Like you said, everyone has priorities.

[M3SSY]

Originally Posted by Naz24

I think you nailed it. I work in the real estate private equity group of a large insurance company. Our offices are outside the "main HQ"

When i had my X3, my boss said "we pay you guys too much"....

One of our portfolio managers gets it though, hes a big car guy (a couple porsches, and heads to Cars and Coffee a lot)...

At my age, they could still think that my parents paid for it. Which I really want to avoid.

There will always be someone with something to say about you no matter where you are in life...

honestly the better you do the more people talk shit..

[Praise Iommi]

Originally Posted by Naz24

At my age, they could still think that my parents paid for it. Which I really want to avoid.

Any young person in a nice, expensive, and most importantly NEW car will always have the image of it being bought for them, or having leased/financed it up to their eyeballs.

Just how it is.

[Bluex]

Originally Posted by Naz24

At my age, they could still think that my parents paid for it. Which I really want to avoid.

You bring up another point with this as well....perception is reality. I learned this from a director years ago when I was a young IT engineer. He stated "It doesn't matter that you did the job you were supposed to do, if an executive has another 'perception', faulty as it may be, THAT is your reality and THAT is what you have to deal with, THAT is the truth." I found that to be true on multiple occasions thereafter.

If this is important to you (and to many it isn't, or doesn't even apply) then you need to manage that perception....and if you are in a career where people can give you the hairy eyeball for shown wealth, then you need to be cognizant of that....because perception can be reality.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by M4CHINE

27 here... I get compliments and a lot of love for my car and myself from my colleagues and bosses who all drive standard Audi's, BMW's, and the such. One of my bosses drives an A7.

Now, what they say behind the scenes, I have no clue and personally do not care. That is, unless it starts to affect or impact my career and/or personal well-being.

IMHO it can definitely affect your career, it really depends on what type of person you are and how your co workers feel about you or themselves.

People find reasons to be jealous and hate, since usually not everyone knows how much everyone else is making, it can create some watercooler talk.