This is an interesting thread...keep the posts coming...
Being 21 X 2, years old, I can see the generation gap misinformation when it comes to trying to understand how the younger scene can afford to cruise around in MBs (or any other car deemed a high-end marque).
Many of us older cronies remember when PCs weren't prolific, and part-time jobs available were limited to mass retail and fast foods. New MBs were around $20K back then, but still a tall order when you were pulling down $2/hr wages.
With the gas crisis of the 70's, ironically, the Z-28s, Mustangs, Barracudas, and other 60's-era muscle cars could be had for a couple of grand! (Boy, if I could have the cars I passed up back then!)
I have three MBs now, but that acquisition did not occur until I hit 40. I purchased my first new car at 30. And, like some of the younger crowd who made their fortunes during the long bull market, I too, made a few pennies then, as well as lucrative computer contracts.
Bottom line is, I wonder if some of the flamers may be like me, who remember when the ability to acquire something as nice as a late-model MB as a first car was reserved for the well-heeled.
I will have to admit, I felt a twinge of jealousy when I perused this thread, knowing that I would not have been able to do better than a 3-yr old VW at that age. But my hats off to you guys (and gals) for doing so anyway, regardless of whether you worked for it, or it was purchased for you.
The bar is raised for every forthcoming generation, and I'm guessing the next will be buying spanking-new MBs off the lot at 16!
I'm thinking of one for my daughter right now...