[Grumpy Old Man]

Originally Posted by ptack

If you strictly apply economic logic to car decisions you would likely end up with something like a used Corolla. In reality car buying is extremely emotional and car companies do the damndest to influence that process at all points of the income spectrum. In the end you have a compromise between what you emotionally want and what you rationally should get. For most people the equation is heavily tilted to the emotional side. The best advice is probably to rationally determine what the most you can afford is and then to buy whatever you like best within that amount. Just realize that it's almost never going to be a strictly rational decision.

.....and that your rational reality usually falls short of your emotional wants. Except maybe when you're looking in the $140k+ range. But maybe still what you really want is at the $225K range.