Congrats on the new car

[Bob Ross]

A guy I know recently bought a new car. He put pics up on Facebook and every other response was along the lines of "congratulations!" and so on. This got me thinking...

Is buying a new car really an event that warrants congratulations? You either spend a lot of money or go into debt to fund a depreciating asset. I'm sure a lot of people don't see it that way though.

Anyways, discuss.

[Deleted]

Maybe it was a really cool car. Like the Bat Mobile.

[Bob Ross]

Apr 20, 2011 12:39:10 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Maybe it was a really cool car. Like the Bat Mobile.

Nah, it was one of those 4 door Mini's.

It could be a Transformer though.

[busymom]

I'd rather blow a lot of money on a house. I'd stand a better chance of a return on my investment. The first time he drove that new car around the block, it lost a lot of value. Ugh!

[hoops902]

"Is buying a new car really an event that warrants congratulations? "

Are most things? Is going through college a worthy event? You either just put yourself in debt or wasted 4 (or more) years forgoing earning power.

Is having a birthday? You just managed to live one more year and had very little to do with it other than avoiding doing something completely stupid to get yourself killed.

Is buying a new house? You're either tied to a mortgage payment for years, or you paid cash which could have funded your retirement.

As with nearly everything, it's a congratulations because you did something that you wanted to do. You gained something you'd been wanting. Do you congratulate people on having a child? Or do you say "well that was dumb, this kid is going to cost you more money than he's ever likely to return"?

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2011 12:40:09 GMT -5 Bob Ross said:

Apr 20, 2011 12:39:10 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Maybe it was a really cool car. Like the Bat Mobile.

Nah, it was one of those 4 door Mini's.

It could be a Transformer though.

That's a pretty cool car, although can you really, in good conscience, call a 4 door car a mini?

[hoops902]

"I'd rather blow a lot of money on a house. I'd stand a better chance of a return on my investment."

You'd stand a better chance of a return in the market than on a house. Does that mean you just never buy a home even if you desperately want one and can afford it?

[thyme4change]

What would you like people to say? You have to say something, and "You dumbass" probably will be a friendship-limiting comment.

[Deleted]

I think it is because for many it is still a symbol of success : being able to afford a new car (financed/leased/paid cash doesn't matter).

And why would you want to be a party pooper... He is obviously proud of his new purchased, so "Congratulations" would be my reply to.

I do the same for friends/family and go:
- Nice new car
- Congrats on the new wheels
- Looking Hot

Our friends/family drive some pretty cool/hot cars: Hummers, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Range Rovers, Land Rovers, etc.

We do not go: that car payment must be hurting

[lulubean]

I wouldn't say congrats but probably something like nice car.

[Bob Ross]

Apr 20, 2011 12:43:11 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

"I'd rather blow a lot of money on a house. I'd stand a better chance of a return on my investment."

You'd stand a better chance of a return in the market than on a house. Does that mean you just never buy a home even if you desperately want one and can afford it?

You can't live in the market though.
Well, you can, but I bet the produce manager would soon get pissed.

[thyme4change]

I will also say that I was stuck in the MF car dealership longer than I was in labor with my kids. Those places and that process is {{blankity-blank}} painful! Maybe "Congratulations - you survived the car buying experience" is an appropriate sentiment.

[hoops902]

"You can't live in the market though."

You can't drive the market to work though either. The same rules apply. You could get a used crappy car, but you could also live in a 10x10 room to rent. There are lots of dirt-cheap housing options that don't involve buying a house.

[muttleynfelix]

Apr 20, 2011 12:38:26 GMT -5 Bob Ross said:

A guy I know recently bought a new car. He put pics up on Facebook and every other response was along the lines of "congratulations!" and so on. This got me thinking...

Is buying a new car really an event that warrants congratulations? You either spend a lot of money or go into debt to fund a depreciating asset. I'm sure a lot of people don't see it that way though.

Anyways, discuss.

It may be a congratulatory event.

Back in December we bought a new to us vehicle. We shopped for 6 months to find just what we were looking for at the price we were willing to pay. We were driving around with our 11 month old son in a 12 year old 2-door vehicle. You bet it was worth a congratualations when we got a totally awesome vehicle that we both love and meets our needs.

A brand new vehicle while it may not be a financially congratualtory, it may be a big deal to them.

[Bob Ross]

Apr 20, 2011 12:43:25 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

What would you like people to say? You have to say something, and "You dumbass" probably will be a friendship-limiting comment.

Well, it was Facebook so one doesn't have to say anything (I didn't). But if I did have to say something, I'd probably say something like "nice car" too.

But in general, it seems to boil down to the fact that IRL we should congratulate people for behavior that we complain about on here.

I learned something today. ;D

[hoops902]

"But in general, it seems to boil down to the fact that IRL we should congratulate people for behavior that we complain about on here."

To be fair, I'm not sure anyone who's said congratulations are ok are the same people who complain about all new car purchases on here.