What's Your Salary and What Car Do You Drive?

Save Medicare on 09/09/2017 - 12:40
Last edited 09/09/2017 - 12:44

Most seasoned ozbargainers would agree that spending $80,000 on a car whilst on an entry-level finance salary isn't the most prudent thing to do.

With many immigrant cultures now favouring excessive consumption as a show of status and wealth over prudence, is it really reasonable to spend more money to buy a german-badged car?

Is it reasonable to spend 100k on a cayman "as a hobby" on a 60k salary and save more money on other parts of your life?

If not, what is reasonable?

What is the value of you car compared to your annual post-tax take home salary?

Would also love to hear a vague estimate of your salary, what car you drive and how much you paid in the comments to stimulate discussion

Question also applies to motorcycles

Poll Options

  • 183
    <5%
  • 131
    6-10%
  • 231
    11-20%
  • 127
    21-30%
  • 70
    31-40%
  • 41
    41-50%
  • 38
    51-75%
  • 23
    76-100%
  • 7
    101-150%
  • 1
    151-200%
  • 13
    201%+
  • 118
    I made a high-yield investment of $80k from my $180k salary to get bikies to ferry me everywhere
Automotive

Comments

  • Whomastadon on 10/09/2017 - 10:45
    +1

    " With many immigrant cultures now favouring excessive consumption as a show of status and wealth "

    So you're saying Chinese are essentially cashed up bogans / peasants?

    Makes sense.

    • Save Medicare on 10/09/2017 - 10:48
      +4

      I misspoke. This isn't a new development or recent change in culture. It's always been this way.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 10/09/2017 - 13:49
        +2

        Not everyone can afford imported red wine to mix with Coca-Cola.

  • MessyG on 10/09/2017 - 11:49
    +3

    You know, everyone puts their money somewhere. Certain groups are ridiculed for their choices, but everyone puts their money into something that in the eyes of someone else, is stupid. You can take the moral high ground (which only applies within your tiny sphere), or you can say that if they're not harming themselves or anyone, what business is it of ours? I'd rather people sink that sort of money into a car than into drugs.

    • ItsMeAgro on 11/09/2017 - 12:16
      +1

      I'm not too fussed about a hardcore petrolhead saving up and getting their dream machine if it makes them happy.

      But just looking at the cars on the road makes it undeniable that the average Australian spends waaaaaayyyyy too much money on their car(s). Large numbers of people are actually going into debt to buy a car.

      I guess these threads give the tiny percentage of people who make a sensible decision about how much to spend on their car the assurance that they are not completely crazy for doing it.

      • MessyG on 11/09/2017 - 15:11
        +1

        People go into debt for lots of things. If they can service that debt then why not? If they can't service that debt, well yes, they need their head read!

      • magic8ballgag on 12/09/2017 - 22:40

        Large numbers of people are actually going into debt

        FTFY, there will always be people getting themselves into debt, whether it be from cars they can't afford, or other luxuries in life, but you'll find most people that buy nice cars, or the newest smartphone, or spend 50% of their wage on travelling, can actually afford it, and do so willingly.

  • Aniseed Steed on 10/09/2017 - 11:53
    +1

    With many immigrant cultures now favouring excessive consumption as a show of status and wealth over prudence

    "Cashed-up bogans" come from all income, class, race, creed and gender groups. Their conspicuous consumption is what defines them, and to a lesser degree, how they act and speak.

  • lord henry on 10/09/2017 - 12:18

    100k job
    spend $0 on a car share membership, but usually get the bus.

  • too_much_boost on 10/09/2017 - 12:58

    ~180k and drive a Ford Territory worth maybe 12k

  • mezje on 10/09/2017 - 13:15

    25k a year as a student, 5k car paid out right.

    Cars are downright expensive but for me it is also my favourite hobby so putting money in to it gives me pleasure and a means of getting around etc. Working on cars is a bit of a catch 22, you save a lot of money on labour etc but end up wanting to spend more on parts. Regardless you learn a lot of skills that save you a lot of money down the line whilst also having fun alone or with mates.

    I can't imagine anyone wanting to spend so much on a car on finance, I think a lot of people who buy these cars don't also factor in the servicing costs. I have a mate who has worked at 2 of the larger European manufactures as a mechanic and now service adviser and it seems a lot of people complain about the cost of parts and labour - do people not think that expensive cars are more expensive to run? It's not like a phone, you don't pay 1k for an iPhone and $30/month for the same services someone with a $100 Chinese phone pays… Everything is relative to the car.

  • Odin on 10/09/2017 - 13:23

    2.8% funnily enough. Great little honda that's still going strong.

  • peterw1 on 10/09/2017 - 13:45

    is this a question targeting taxi drivers by stealth?

  • thechemist on 10/09/2017 - 13:46
    +1

    Income is not mostrelevant in this discussion. Net worth is more important assets minus liability and the proportion of that is made up with the value of the car (depreciating asset)

  • nix1016 on 10/09/2017 - 14:08
    +2

    Either everyone drives shitty cars or everyone's making lots of $$$

  • jaimex2 on 10/09/2017 - 14:16
    +1

    $110k - FG Xr6 ecoLpi (paid $23k)

  • Inzo on 10/09/2017 - 15:03
    +2

    Combined household income of $180k per year before tax, mortgage of $25k per year, driving a 2013 asx for the wife and kids, and 2002 commodore for me

    when i write it like that, we should have like 150k per year spare to splash….. i think i have a cash leak :(

    • jlogic on 10/09/2017 - 20:19
      +3

      Let me diagnose that for you…

      KIDS are the leak.

  • insular on 10/09/2017 - 15:03
    +3

    i ride a bicycle

    • payless69 on 10/09/2017 - 16:19
      +2

      tru to the word of our late Freddy Murcury

      • insular on 10/09/2017 - 18:25
        +1

        are you fat shaming me?

        • WhyAmICommenting on 11/09/2017 - 07:42

          ?

        • payless69 on 12/09/2017 - 19:49

          don't you remember that song? Should keep you fit and more so girls having eaten too much..

  • klyvenator on 10/09/2017 - 15:05
    +2

    650k
    Unicycle

  • thefud on 10/09/2017 - 15:06
    +1

    $82k. 25 year old, drive a 2003 Hyandai Getz that I paid $1000 for. I service it and fix things as required, workshop manual cost $5.

    That said, we have 20% deposit for a house in the bank. That's more important to us as we have rented since I was 17 and out folks can't give me money.

    Partner just got a CX-3, $26 000. She earns $55k. Back of envelope calculation revealed total cost of ownership was forecast as bad on the piece of s-t commodore she owned. We save money with a newer car(?)

    Question though, do people include super in their salary on here?

    • Binchicken22 on 12/09/2017 - 14:06

      I'd say most do, as that's usually what employers do when they offer you a "salary package", I guess to make it look better than what it is.

  • catbug on 10/09/2017 - 15:34

    65-80k + partner is on on 92k, we have a 2010 Toyota Corolla so it must have cost around 25k at the time and we have a Ninja motorbike.

    • catbug on 10/09/2017 - 15:36
      +1

      In summer and spring we try to ride our bicycles tho

    • magic8ballgag on 12/09/2017 - 22:43

      and we have a Ninja motorbike.

      C'mon mate, both of you don't ride that motorbike!

  • payless69 on 10/09/2017 - 15:37
    +3

    Beamer drivers kept on bullying me so I dropped my Camry and got a Korean diesel. Now my rear view mirror keeps filling up with rear wheel driven Beamers so what am I doing wrong?

    • May4th on 10/09/2017 - 18:03
      +5

      stop driving on the wrong side of the road

      • SupeNintendoChalmers on 11/09/2017 - 11:31

        wong

      • payless69 on 12/09/2017 - 19:53

        are you jealous? Once I got past them Volvo's etc I go back to the correct line. My Kia is AWD and got 400Nm so once the turbo wakes up it actually moves.

        • May4th on 12/09/2017 - 19:56

          cool story bro!

        • May4th on 12/09/2017 - 19:57
          +1

          for the record i drive a shitty toyota and i cant care less whats in my rear view mirror as long as its not a cop pulling me over

  • noskich on 10/09/2017 - 15:41
    +1

    +140k, no car, no license

    • jlogic on 10/09/2017 - 20:20

      The road is not a race track. Now write that 1000x.

      • payless69 on 12/09/2017 - 20:08

        just wear a yellow high vis vest and wait for the green light before you cross. NT used to be open till the communists got back…

  • xuqi on 10/09/2017 - 16:02
    +2

    ~260K combined, drive a '15 Megane RS 265 which I paid a measly $14500 for early last year (bought from auction when it had done <4000km's).

    No mortgate, and Wife doesn't drive.

    • Drifter on 10/09/2017 - 17:16
      +4

      '15 Megane RS 265 which I paid a measly $14500

      That's really cheap for an RS 265. Is it listed on the written-off vehicle register?

      • xuqi on 10/09/2017 - 17:28
        +3

        It was listed at auction as a 'Repairable Write-off'. It didn't have any physical damage though. Never got to the bottom of exactly why it was placed in auction, but I only needed to replace some of the lower front plastic cover pieces before taking to register it.

        I paid <10K for the car, but cost of replacement parts (never knew pieces of plastic could cost so much) and registration / insurance brought the final price to ~14.5

        • Drifter on 10/09/2017 - 18:28

          I paid <10K

          Nice. The RS 265 is a fantastic car. I considered getting one a few years ago, but in the end I bought a WRX.

        • jlogic on 10/09/2017 - 20:21

          Can that still be insured? Heard those on the register can't be insured again?

        • bchliu on 10/09/2017 - 22:15

          Wow.. thats a nice find.. I'd love to find one like that too. lol

        • xuqi on 10/09/2017 - 22:55
          +1

          @jlogic:

          Complete nonsense from whomever you heard it from. No issues comprehensively insuring it.

        • Chewiebacca on 11/09/2017 - 14:37
          +1

          @bchliu:

          It's just a decent find, anything with a written off title has an insanely impaired value regardless of the reason and I'd 100% be wanting to know why it was written off.

    • JimB on 11/09/2017 - 11:34

      Great find!

  • tukangbakso on 10/09/2017 - 16:26
    +1

    $35K
    Driving a 2017 Honda Jazz that was given as a wedding gift from me parents.. ($16.5K when we bought it)

  • solidussnake on 10/09/2017 - 16:28
    +1

    Was earning around 75-80 In retail sales at the time and purchased a EVO X Final Edition for about $60K.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2017 - 08:50

      Happy about it or regret it?

      • solidussnake on 11/09/2017 - 09:19

        Kinda wish I got a S3 or 2 series BMW now.. 60k and no GPS or good stereo etc but its fast and the seats are awesome. Previously had
        Impreza 2.0 first car 86kw lol
        WRX 06
        Evo 8 GSR (My most fun and tuned up)
        WRX 07 Tuned by Sti (with Sti turbo upgrade)
        06 Lancer non turbo
        2015 Evo X

        • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2017 - 09:30

          How about spending the majority of your salary on a car. Did you regret that? I've considered doing the same.

        • solidussnake on 11/09/2017 - 10:41
          +1

          @tren: it was basically from saving for the last car the other two were loans. I was young at the time and didnt go out drinking. Still purchased a house when i was 25 so it still worked out :)

        • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2017 - 14:11
          +2

          i hate you bro

        • solidussnake on 11/09/2017 - 22:13

          @twoperspectives:
          Hey at the time I was renting a master bedroom for $100 living 2 mins from my work (computer alliance) and earning about $800 ish :) while saving heaps. Also helped when i sold my house and made 80k just dumb luck for my age.

  • Shiny Mew on 10/09/2017 - 16:31
    +7

    $400,000 per year.

    Oh wait, we ARE all lying about our salary here aren't we? Apparently the average OZB poster is in the top 5% of earners.

    In reality, I make ~45k per year (legal professional working in rural area in early 30s) and drive a 1995 Micra that I bought for only $150 but love. No need for something more expensive.

    • mlburnian on 10/09/2017 - 16:51
      +1

      Im starting to believe that the median figures are grossly underestimating how much people make, there are houses selling for 750k in the middle of nowhere in Melbourne. Its hard 2 fathom

      • cycleops on 11/09/2017 - 16:02
        +1

        i guess the medians include all the outer suburbs, regional towns, country areas, under employed etc.

        When you look at the medians of people who live in the expensive and middle ring suburbs in our cities they are significantly higher than the published figures.

        Also, Australians have a huge amount of net assets compared to most countries so it is not all about income.

      • Binchicken22 on 12/09/2017 - 14:09

        Yeah there is still a whole generation out there who bought houses for 10%~ of their current values in some places.

        One investment property bought in Sydney 30 years ago and you'd be pretty well off now even on a modest salary, let alone the lucky ones who were able to by 2 or more.

  • raytriplej on 10/09/2017 - 17:13
    +4

    My car - 1993 4wd Hilux. It's ugly, uncomfortable, my wife hates it but I love it.
    Wife's car - 2009 Kluger.

    We earn enough to replace both but I'm too much of a tight-arse.

    • Malarkey on 11/09/2017 - 13:14
      +1

      1995 twin cab Hilux here I'm with you, they're awesome old utes.

      • raytriplej on 11/09/2017 - 15:39
        +1

        Mine is dual cab as well.

    • payless69 on 12/09/2017 - 19:57

      the Kluger is quite comfy, looked at it but 6 cyl is too dear for rego. Nice safety factor to have AWD. Had 2 Subaru's and then went to a part time 4wd, it felt quite dangerous. Fot city driving bottom end torque is nice so if you can't afford a Tesla a modern diesel can be quite quick from naught to 60.

  • mislaughalot on 10/09/2017 - 17:31
    +1

    fn2r, uni student, earning 20k a year

    • Chewiebacca on 11/09/2017 - 14:39
      +1

      Awesome car, I had one myself until a few months ago in the same position as you (full time uni student, ~20k a year).

      A lot of bang for buck.

      • mislaughalot on 12/09/2017 - 19:17

        thats awesome, its a great drive :) do you think i should upgrade when i finish uni or keep it until a certain km?

        • Chewiebacca on 12/09/2017 - 20:51
          +1

          I sold mine as I hit 150xxx kilometres, and with the new one launching I expect it to drop further. But it's a very reliable and fun car, no need to sell I just also wanted to upgrade to something quicker.

  • Zenyatta on 10/09/2017 - 17:39

    There's no option that covers between five and six per cent. Which poll option do I choose if I'm on exactly five per cent??

  • scotty on 10/09/2017 - 18:48
    +3

    Bought my first shining new car when I was 23 and had little finance sense.

    Back then…
    Earn $60k. Drove Nissan Pulsar N15 that was ~$20k.

    Fast forward almost 2 decades. Now days…
    Earn loads of Eneloop. Rides an Aldi mountain bike that cost me $169. Wife drives a 2010 Kia Rondo7 though.

  • Illian on 10/09/2017 - 19:24
    +3

    Not me, but my landlord, doing his PhD and has rent coming in from 5 rooms in a share house, not sure what kind of number that would come out to but easily 60k a year. I'm assuming he's paying a mortgage. All his savings at the time and financing on a brand new Audi A5 probably around 70k, stupid decision, but he's chinese and it's a status symbol. Which makes no damn sense to a rational person.

  • donkey12 on 10/09/2017 - 19:26
    +4

    Me = $150k pre tax - 2013 Toyota Yaris bought new for $20k.
    Hubby = $150k pre tax - public transport daily and no car.

    Much rather travel and invest than be stuck in Sydney traffic in a $$$ car, plus the Yaris is simple to park :)

  • Icecold5000 on 10/09/2017 - 19:47
    +1

    I haven't owned a car since 2003 and that was a '88 Honda Civic

  • jlogic on 10/09/2017 - 20:24
    +1

    Drive a green mercedes. Cheap running cost and comes with a driver.

    • JIMB0 on 11/09/2017 - 03:43
      +3

      Bus?

      • jlogic on 11/09/2017 - 10:38
        +1

        Yeps… :D

  • akumi on 10/09/2017 - 20:30
    +3

    Bought a Godzilla GTR R32 as my first car when i just graduated from uni as a present for myself in 2002, it was the pc boom so was selling/servicing pcs for uni students, now the car is worth more than what i paid for.

    • Chewiebacca on 11/09/2017 - 14:40

      Good investment, as a lot of the Jap imports are becoming now (Evo 8 MR, GTR's, RX7's).

  • chubbychicken on 10/09/2017 - 20:32

    Hmmm you will have to ask my butler..

  • redvaldez on 10/09/2017 - 20:45

    $72k, a 97 Pajero that I paid $5700 for at Christmas. Daily driven (added 16,000 km since I bought it).

    It's ideal because I tend to be anal about cars, but this came pre-installed with dints and scratches so I'm not afraid to take it camping, up the beach etc.

    Would like a newer 4WD but $30k for something 'new'-ish + mods - I just can't justify.

    Want a mid 90s V8 Commodore or Falcon as a toy, but same deal. Would rather put my money into the house or travel.

  • khued on 10/09/2017 - 21:41
    +1

    the dole with $20K yaris sedan bought brand new in 2008

  • bchliu on 10/09/2017 - 21:42

    $200k Household. Total budget for cars = $100k over 10 years, divided up into 3 cars (@$33k each). Each car goes to ten years before it is replaced. I drive a small Turbo fast hatch for A to B. Wife drives a medium SUV and parents drive a compact sedan.

    • Munki on 10/09/2017 - 22:01
      +2

      Turbo fast hatch? I mean, a model name would have sufficed…

      • bchliu on 10/09/2017 - 22:13

        Well.. it changes whenever the car is changed! But normally replaced by a car of the same category hence why I put that (Ralliart Colt to be replaced by either a Polo GTI or a Clio RS next year).

    • JimB on 11/09/2017 - 11:37

      3 cars?

      • bchliu on 11/09/2017 - 11:46

        1)me
        2)wife
        3)my parents

  • Faulty on 10/09/2017 - 21:58
    +3

    HA! Nice try ATO!

  • Dack Smith on 10/09/2017 - 22:08

    I earn 50K a year and drive a 1995 Honda Civic ….

    But it looks like people here mostly earn at least 100K plus …. their roles must be creating a good return for their employers and meeting or exceeding their KPIs I guess ?

    I wish I could afford a really good car like the others here.

    • Clear on 11/09/2017 - 07:52
      +3

      This is the internet. Everyone here has a $100k+ job and are clearly loaded.

      • macrocephalic on 11/09/2017 - 10:25
        +1

        Didn't the Whirlpool survey show that the average participant earned $125k or something. It's not impossible, but it's a certainly a skewed user base if true.

        • Clear on 11/09/2017 - 10:30
          +1

          Absolutely. People are good at talking themselves up.

        • dtc on 11/09/2017 - 13:35
          +1

          @Clear:

          average full time income in Australia is about $82k. Assume that people on the internet posting during the day are probably office workers and thus unlikely to be in the lower wage jobs (cleaners, brickies, shop assistants etc etc) and its not too much of a stretch to think the average salary of people posting would be closer to $100k.

          Unless people are claiming its 100k after tax - thats much more of a stretch

  • blurrybird on 10/09/2017 - 22:11

    90k with a 2007 BF II XR6.

    Want a new car for the luxuries, but still on P plates so can't get anything 'fun'. Paid 6k for this car off a friend who was upgrading.

  • yenphamz on 10/09/2017 - 22:37
    +1

    <30k

    92 MX5

  • CalmLemons on 10/09/2017 - 22:44
    -1

    how do i even use that poll wtf?

  • OzzyOzbourne on 10/09/2017 - 23:25

    $100k 2003 land rover

  • trevbreak on 10/09/2017 - 23:25

    159k

    ~25k Evo Track Car
    + Bicycle to get to work

    Cars are stupid assets to buy… performance cars, doubly so.

    • Save Medicare on 11/09/2017 - 00:53

      Is your evo your only car? So for supermarket runs, picking the kids up from school etc

      • trevbreak on 12/09/2017 - 18:23

        My wife has a family car for her and my boy - but the Evo is my only car.

        That said, I still throw the back seats into the Evo when it's sitting - and it has a baby seat handy.
        Wife is cool driving it, when she needs to as well.

  • FatBlanket on 11/09/2017 - 07:27
    +3

    My car was 17k new which was frugal of me. It's not exciting but it's reliable and safe. Then I spent 3.5k on a fish tank. So we all have shit to waste money on! Just enjoy whatever I is that makes you happy.

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