I am a rising sophomore, and I am thinking about taking my car to my college next semester. I drive a black 2014 BMW M4 (~$73,000). Thing is, I’m a little worried what my friends and other students will think of it if/when they see it. I don’t drive it to show off or anything, I’ve just always loved cars and people who know me well are aware of my strong interest. This car was a gift from my parents for my 19th birthday. I’m worried I’ll be judged and maybe ostrascized. Can any current students tell me what their perspective is? What do people think of students who drive expensive cars in general?
This is probably pushing it, but my parents have a number of cars that I enjoyed driving while in high school but am afraid to drive to college for the reasons above. Being that I love cars, I would love to drive one of their cars to campus once in awhile too (it’s a beautiful drive from my home to my college). I assume though that a Ferrari or even a Maserati will get me a lot more negative attention than my car might. I guess the moral here is, I’m a bit clueless…Any advice/suggestions/comments?
Jokes aside, I do not believe you will be ostracized for it. How you behave and treat people will have more social bearing than the car people will possibly see you in for fifteen seconds. I know friends and students who have flashy cars. It doesn’t factor in how I view them. I will caution you on where you park on campus, though. Dings and scratches are bound to occur when you park in high flow parking lots. As for driving your dad’s cars to campus, I mean if you want to drive them…sure.
Thanks! That makes me feel a little more at ease…I know that parking can be hazardous, definitely will be careful of this. Do you think there’s a difference between how girls and guys will perceive me (I’m a guy)?
I don’t act like a snobby person or anything. I’m williing to be friends with anyone who’s willing to be friends with me.
My school has a quite a few extremely wealthy international students from UAE/Saudi Arabia/Korea/Japan/etc - our student parking lot is full of Lambos and Maseratis. Other than the initial “oooh, shiny!” very few people pay the car or the driver any mind. I doubt anyone will hassle you about it. Most people are fully aware that some people own nice things and that’s okay, lol.
Do you have a cheaper car you can use for college ? If not, I would stick with your own car tbh. We all have different means and most people are ok with that. But while I have friends with expensive cars, I’ve never seen someone alternate between several, it comes across as a bit much to me - but that’s just my opinion
To a certain extent it may depend upon where you go to college and who your friends are. If you have made a genuine attempt your freshman year to make close friends among less wealthy students, you may find that bringing an expensive car to campus might cause them to pull back a bit. A group that seems very egalitarian in the classroom or cafeteria suddenly becomes much less so in the parking lot. That would be their issue, not yours. But you’d still have to deal with it.
Following up on what others have said, one of the most important factors in how people perceive you is how you treat everyone–classmates, teachers, the person who cleans your dorm, the person who parks your M4 at the fancy restaurant. Whether driving an M4, or a dinged up Camry with 201,000 miles on it (my daughter’s car), students can always find ways to treat their peers, and others with whom they interact, with respect.
If your college classmates were my family, one would be more impressed if you drove a Corvette. Two of them would not know or care what any of those cars are or likely even notice what you drove. One, if it was discovered what those cars cost, would wonder why you don’t sell them and use the money to help the poor. And one would find your car parked alone in the parking lot far from other cars to avoid scratches and park next to it just for fun.
You’ll encounter all kinds of people at college. The best ones will get to know you and judge you based on your character, not the car you drive. Hopefully you’ll do the same for them.
If showing up w a $73,00 car is the first impression you want to make on a campus where the majority of students are on some kind of financial aid, then go for it. But I suggest you not pursue a career in public relations.
Why do we need to know how much your car cost, that it was a gift when you turned 19, or that your parents own a “number” of expensive cars? None of that is important. The people who matter won’t be impressed no matter how many different cars you show up in next term.
There’s something to be said for avoiding conspicuous consumption. If you’re living at home, there are likely plenty of other places you could go when you feel like taking one of your parents’ cars for a drive. Why does the destination have to be your college campus? Your professors (you know, those older people in the Hondas that you cruise by on your way into campus) are impressed by the results of students’ hard work, maturity, and compassion. If I were you, I’d think about what impression you want your advisors, professors, and peers to have of you then base your actions on that.
Keep in mind that parking at most schools is extremely limited. You will probably not find a space where no one will park next to you. Also a lot of schools do not allow Freshman to have cars.
Depending on the school, a car might be more hassle than it’s worth.
You will only be ostracized if your driving/parking is horrible and you cause many accidents on campus. Trust me, no one likes “that guy.”
A few people may be envious, but I doubt you will get outright rejected by your peers just for riding around in it. If I were you, I’d be thankful and proud of your gift and not be concerned with other people’s opinions.
The only thing about expensive cars is they may potentially draw the kind of attention of criminals. Students that appear to be well off are notorious targets for theft and car break-ins, at least in my neck of the woods. Make sure you have a decent security system.
Just wondering, instead of driving an M4 in your case, I will be driving my BMW X5 to college, would they think less of an SUV then a sports car? like would it be easier to blend in?
