Brad Wardell's views about technology, politics, religion, world affairs, and all sorts of politically incorrect topics.
Published on December 15, 2007 By Draginol In Business

When my company was smaller and struggling, I drove a very modest car. Nothing is a bigger obstacle to success than consumerism. People who squander precious resources on consumables are their own worst enemy. But in the past few years, as the company has become increasingly successful, I have increased the budget on what consumables I purchase. My attitude hasn't changed, I actually spend a smaller percentage of my income on consumables than I used to. It's simply an increase in consumption capacity.

A friend sent me an interesting article on CEOs and their auto choices. People like Warren Buffet drive modest cars. Others drive expensive cars. I am in the faction that drives expensive cars.

Why drive an expensive car to work? Won't that just create resentment and jealousy in my coworkers? My answer is: If it does, then they suck and should quit right now.

In my experience, when people are confronted with the success of another, they are either inspired to do better or they are angered. People who become angry and resentful of other people's success are typically (in my opinion) losers. To be charitable, people who are angered by the success of others typically are just envious of the ability of others or believe that the successful person doesn't deserve that success. In either case, those people have no business working with me. I prefer to work around people who recognize the clear connection between their accomplishments and their material gain.

I think one of the reasons why our company has been so successful is precisely because we tend to attract highly motivated people who know they are the masters of their own destiny. Those who think that success is a matter of dice rolling and become angry or resentful when they see material success are better off elsewhere.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Dec 15, 2007
I have to agree. When I started working for Rinker (the largest cement company in the US) I was inspired by my boss who has been a very success young man in a short amount of time. I have asked him for a lot of advise and thanks to him I have been able to move up in the company, buy a new car and am fixing my credit little by little. I see his success as a sign that I can be successful as well.

I have never judged people by the cars they drive but by the attitude they acquire because they have the cars. But since I started my part time job doing valley parking I have learned that not all rich people with expensive cars are rude jerk. Most are actually quite nice and some tip pretty good. They even talk to me sometimes as if they've known me for years.

I guess you can say I would be a good candidate for your company Draginol, if only I had the skills you are looking for. (and no I'm not sucking up, )
on Dec 15, 2007
I don't understand why anyone would be mad that you drive a nice car. Why is it anyone's business? Are we not allowed to buy nice things when we can afford them?

I don't understand people sometimes.

Jealousy I can understand to some extent (but not to the extent that they would actually expect you to drive a "modest" car for their benefit) but being angry about it makes no sense.

on Dec 15, 2007
I don't understand why anyone would be mad that you drive a nice car. Why is it anyone's business? Are we not allowed to buy nice things when we can afford them?
I'm sure there are several reasons, but look at the obsessive hatred some people have for anyone who does well for themselves. We have a couple of people on JU who fit that profile. I'm sure some of it comes from just plain old jealously. You drive a real nice car, good for you! It only inspires me to succeed.
on Dec 15, 2007
TW: Imagine if I had made this post on say "The Smirking Chimp" or the Democratic Underground. Picture the response I would get there.
on Dec 15, 2007

I thought the answer was a simple: because it works. and

For me, it's not so much the expense of the vehicle as the functionality of it, and how comfortable I can be while riding in or driving it.  If I can get an econobox that does what I need and doesn't cost that much, I'm probably happy, but at the same time if I can feel more comfortable for the types of driving that I do I don't mind paying more for the comfort.  Considering the amount of time many people spend in their vehicles driving to and from, I don't begrudge anyone that wants to drive a more expensive vehicle.  (I do however begrudge idiots that drive them while distracted, yacking on the cell phone for mile upon mile of drive time paying much less attention to their drive than they should....)

on Dec 16, 2007
I do however begrudge idiots that drive them while distracted, yacking on the cell phone for mile upon mile of drive time paying much less attention to their drive than they should..


It doesn't matter what car some people drive, they do the same thing anyway and it's annoying!



I don't understand why anyone would be mad that you drive a nice car. Why is it anyone's business? Are we not allowed to buy nice things when we can afford them?


Ditto on that!


It doesn't even matter to some idiots out there, once they see you live a little better than they do, they want what you have and take it by stealing or some such thing, it's asinine!
on Dec 16, 2007

The reason there are so many makes and models is because there are so many tastes in what people want.  I use to wonder why anyone would pay a ton of money for a car that does basically the same as a much less expensive one (you can tell I was not one of those car freaks as a teen).  Then someone explained to me the "extras" (noise reduction, leather, etc.).  That is fine.  But I still see a car as a way to move stuff and get me from point A to point B, so I really do not miss them.  But I can see why Buffet would drive a modest car. 

For those who like those extras, and can afford it, go for it!  Your buying those cars is not going to stop me from enjoying (or tolerating since I really dont like driving) mine.  I will never understand those who object or resent others from driving what they want.  I dont have nor want a MacMansion, but for those who think they need one, great!  Someone has to build them, and without those who want them, they would be unemployed.

on Dec 16, 2007
Hope its a Jag, Lexus, Merc or BMW. Most other expensive cars are over-valued.
on Dec 16, 2007
I've got a Jag and a Porsche.
on Dec 16, 2007

You drive expensive cars to work because you can.  You can because you've worked hard to be successful.  You've worked hard to be successful because you didn't want to be a loser who was jealous of people who drive expensive cars to work. 

Now, wasn't that simple?

on Dec 17, 2007
You drive expensive cars to work because you can. You can because you've worked hard to be successful. You've worked hard to be successful because you didn't want to be a loser who was jealous of people who drive expensive cars to work.


Ummmm... Yeah what she said!
on Dec 17, 2007
Ah well, a Porsche. You have excellent taste Draginol!
on Dec 17, 2007
On the other hand, you are inspiring people to glean experience and money from working with you and then move on to work for themselves, like you did, which is the path to success, obviously, because it worked for you. Continuing to work for someone else will never net them nice cars like you have!
on Dec 17, 2007

On the other hand, you are inspiring people to glean experience and money from working with you and then move on to work for themselves, like you did, which is the path to success, obviously, because it worked for you. Continuing to work for someone else will never net them nice cars like you have!

Oh I don't know about that. Our executives could afford pretty good cars.

on Dec 18, 2007
This doesn't actually answer the question "Why do you drive an expensive car to work?"

This is why I drive an expensive car to work:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
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