re: Do you reflexively think luxury car = rich driver and old car = poor driver?

I’m such a cynic now that when I see a gigantic Escalade or some such I think “debt”. Like 5 different maxed out credit cards and an image built on a house of cards. An arms race to show wealth when you really are drowning in debt. I’ve seen it with my friends and others I know. McMansion and bmw but not two pennies to rub together. They look wealthy from the outside but on the inside it’s a financial disaster.

The folks I know who actually do have a bit of money have nice cars but nothing outrageous.