When you buy a car and pay for it with your own money, doing so with honest wages, it's NOBODY'S business what you choose to drive! Even if some or all of the above were true, it's still NOBODY'S business!

When I was a computer consultant (97-99), the employees at the firm I was contracted to work for would always have me under a microscope...after all, it would be no secret that contract programmers (pre-dotcom implosion era) made a lot of money doing the same work, so they would watch to see when I came in for work, how long a lunch I would take, etc. etc.

Well one day, someone noticed what I drove to work as I stepped out of the car (93 300E). I had also been seen stepping out of my wife's car (back then, a 92 Jaguar XJS) at another time, so now I managed to infuriate the whole staff...it hadn't occurred to any of them that both cars were at the time, 6+ years old!

The impression was now that I was now displaying my wretched wealth in a most vulgar manner!!!

It didn't help that on my next contract, my boss also drove a 300E!

I got out of contract programming altogether for other reasons (treated more like a whore than an associate), but now it's a different perspective.

I kept all of the MBs I purchased during those years, but as a FedEx employee, I have fellow staffers trying to second-guess how I am able to afford such an "exotic" collection of cars on a FedEx salary!!??

I don't give a crap about how they feel, since I have to live with what I drive to work!

You will note that those same poeple don't think twice about how much that backyard pool cost or the latest home theater venture set them back!

You will never be content by doing what other people perceive that you should do...I believe there is a fable about the old man and his donkey that demonstrates how foolish you can get trying to appease folks that don't make a difference in your life anyway!!!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I can hear ya guys! I've even run into that when I drive my 86 560 SEL...they automatically either think I'm gonna cost a mint (I'm a DJ and some think that or they'll think he's DAMN good if he's driving a benz). My thing is, it is their own intimidation issues and I don't need to be working with them if they're that envyous anyway- so screw em! Something even worse, is I get hassled even moreso when I drive my 250C's and one's like a 1970! I can even pull up next to a newer BMW,etc owner who will say, "you REALLY must be rolling in $$ because you're driving such a rare and good looking classic." I've come to this conclusion: Their problem, not mine and if it hurts them to see someone take pride in their vehicle as far as how they maintain it, etc then let them SUFFER

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1997 E320
1986 560SEL
1983 300SD
1972 220D
1970 250C SOLD
1971 250C SOLD