Why Would You Buy a Luxury Car?

Today, we’re still dissecting Ray Linder’s great book, What Will I Do with My Money. Yesterday we talked about the main focus our individual personality types take when making decisions about spending money. Today we talk about how those drives synch up with our temperaments and why each one justifies buying a luxury vehicle. These are the more global archetypes that you were forced to study in English class that you see repeated in almost any decent fictional vehicle. It’s kind of like knowing that when it comes to money, you’re either a Samantha (SP), a Charlotte (SJ), a Carrie (NF) or a Miranda (NT).

I’m a Carrie, an Organic (NF) in PixieType and Linder’s temperament descriptions makes me a Pleaser, the most empathetic type. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but money isn’t the end all be all for me. Hey, it sure is nice when you have it, but as Linder emphasizes, the “good life” for me is about my relationships with people, my own personal growth and being fulfilled with some kind of deeper meaning in my life. And why would I buy a luxury car? Man because they offer one helluva nice ride, plus it’s unique and has a beautiful aesthetic. We used to own a long wheel-base navy blue Jaguar and it was divine.

My little sis is a Charlotte, a Classic (SJ) in PixieType and in Ray’s world she’s a Protector and is the most responsible type. The “good life” for her is having a secure and ORGANIZED home — go figure! — and likes to be cautious, structured and conservative. And it’s not like I don’t like to have security too! But it’s not what drives me in my life’s decisions and behaviors. Kelly and her Classic husband Fred own a BMW or is it a Mercedes? Is there a difference? Regardless, those are the default luxury vehicles for these money Classic types and obviously represents “quality, tradition, safety, and long-lasting investment value.”

My sister-in-law is a Samantha, a Fun (SP) in PixieType and a Player in Ray’s world and no, that does NOT mean sexually! It’s hard identifying as a Samantha when you’re NOT a slut! But she sure is more adventuresome than I am. She has structured her career and her income in such a way that she’s able to take a month off in June to travel and live in Spain with her perfect husband and beautiful baby. Her definition of the “good life” money wise is to have the freedom to do what feels good and man does she have that freedom! At this stage in her game — new mom — she’s far too practical to have a luxury car, but when she hits it big time, or she falls head over heels in love for a fine vehicle, we’re betting she’ll buy it just to buy it. For the same reason she’s going to Spain.

My dad is a Miranda, a Smart (NT) in PixieType and in Ray’s world he’s a Planner. For these guys “the good life” is about all about pursuing excellence and expertise. They are not conservative and while they like to develope strategic plans for the future, they like to do this in a new and improved way. They are always looking for a better way, even with money. Dad drives a black convertible Lexus and it’s most definitely because he had enough money to buy one and because it makes him looks very cool and sophisticated when he drives it — especially with his driving gloves and white driving scarf.