I raced in many forms of motorsports since I was 12, even worked a year in F1. I like reading about technological advancements. I could afford any car. I worked years in luxury cars before attending university. On public roads, cars are appliances to get from A to B. I want efficient and reliable. Speed is for tracks.

But since the 1920s, cars have been marketed as status symbols to society, to the point people regard them as an extension of who they are and how they want to be perceived. As such, there is an entire psychology thesis on what personality disorders drive certain vehicles. Stereotypes happen for good reasons. People see pickups, sports cars, SUVs, but you’re really seeing insecurity, narcissism, tribalism, even racism, and posturing. I saw the spreadsheets on financing and default rates enough to know most people are driving cars they cannot afford because it’s so damned important they make you think they can.