So I finally got my 8. Red. Beautiful.

There was something I was concerned about before I bought it, and now it's on my mind again. I work for a high-profile software company, and our parking lot has its fair share of Porsches, Miatas, S2000s, etc. However, almost everyone in my department (my direct colleagues) drive either old beaters or very plain, low-priced cars: Escorts, Saturns, and so forth. My previous car was a 10-year old dinged-up beater. Now here I am in this shiny new red sportscar with kick-ass freestyle doors, and I've seen a few raised eyebrows. The common reaction when people see it is to look at me and ask, "WTF?"

So I was wondering, has anyone else on this forum thought about how their new RX8 has or will play into the whole office politics game, or in what negative ways it might affect people's perception of you?

** No need to reply with "who cares what others think?!" I totally agree with that sentiment and I know this isn't a big deal. I'm just curious if others have given the issue any thought.

Just say you rewarded yourself for hardwork.

I have a picture of my car as my background for my computer and people always stare at it :)

It's not bad persey, but it is an eye-catcher.... :)

Just tell them that the 50% raise and $30k bonus your boss gave you paid for your new toy. ;)

When I don't want people to think that I am rich because of something I bought, just tell them that you bought it the good ol' American way - on credit. I realize that these days one's car doesn't always mean that someone is rich or is getting paid alot anymore. There are kids that buy expensive cars and just finance a ton of money.

Also people used to always ask how I can afford my expensive high end stereo equipment. Buit I just remind them that they go on trips every year and eat out everyweekend. I don't do those things and chose to save up and spend my money in a different way which leaves with something solid that I can actually use everyday.

My rule of thumb:

Never Drive a car that is better than your boss's car.

He/She might think "Boy, I am paying this guy way too much!"


Of course this could be a problem if your boss likes to drive an old rusted out beater to work. My office is full of engineers and they tend to less showie and more practical, so there are alot of "beater" cars in the parking lot.


Magic8

Everyone in my office knows of my rotary obsession. Since I've been here I've owned 2 RX-7's and now this RX-8. The day I picked up the car I drove back to the office and gave rides from 3 to 6pm. Everyone here knows that I bought the car because I'm a car nut and not as a status symbol.

A colleague recently bought a Lotus Elise (same price as a loaded RX-8 here in the UK) and on his first day with it in the office car park a lot of people went out to see it. Our boss sent an email to all us developers stating that this was unacceptable because people in other departments (such as the call-centre) might be offended that we apparently earned so much more than them and were flaunting it. A few weeks later our CEO (not the same man) bought a Lamborghini Murcielago and parked it by the front door of the building. One rule for the bosses another for the workers.
Most of my colleagues know I'm getting the RX-8 because I've been going on about it for months. Some are really into the idea and talk cars day in day out which is good.

Let me say, I'm very happy with my new black RX-8.

This is a real change from my Orange-red whatever color Geo Metro 4 door (with front non-matching blue fender, after the wife nicked a deer) beater car.

Now, every time I drive down the highway, and I'm cruising at a spead un-attainable in the beater, I just grin - this car is so cool!!

As for appearance, yeah - as a dentist - it was time to move up from the beater. My staff is happy for me. Even other staff in the adjacent offices think it's cool.

...I let my nephew drive the beater car when he needs it; I figure it is good for him to practice "flooring it" as soon as you get on the "on ramp", so as to hopefully be able to merge with traffic at the same speed (definately a challenge with that cool 3-speed automatic).

Everything I have is God's anyways; it's not what you have but who you are inside that counts. Sure I enjoy something so well designed and engineered. Guess I'll make sure and enjoy it today since that's all I've got.


...and oh yeah, as the boss, I think I had everyone beat on having the ultimate "beater", screwing the "rule of thumb" idea.

Another reason to have a beater!!!

If other people get jelous over my car, then they need help. I am a single male unmarried (for at least another 14 months anyway), and have been driving a POS for the past 5 1/2 years while saving up to buy a new car. See, I moved to the US 5 1/2 years ago and with what I sold my car back home (a 92 sentra) I was able to buy a 98 SOHC Neon. I watched everybody else get new cars (even my boss's son getting a much better ride than me when he was 17 while I was still driving my Neon at 30). Why all that time? Simple. New in the country, no credit. Anything credit related for a car was just way too much money. SO I saved up (slowly since I tend to spend money quite freely) but finally when the RX-8 was about to come out I had enough to put a down payment and get monthly payments that arent stratosferic. Still paying more in the long run than most because of it, but thats the way it goes. So if anybody says I am getting more money than I should (NOT, oldest employee at the company) or I dont deserve it, (NOT, work more overtime than anybody but my boss) is a selfish little bug who needs to be stomped on. So I would say make sure to screech into that spot every day in the morning and screech out every afternoon.

With lights flashing

And horns blaring.

:D

Zoom zoom!

one of our senior engineers drive his E46 M3 to work everyday, and another top engineer got a 350Z Track model when it first came out, and plenty of other guys here have spanking new cars, so I think I'll be in the clear when I get my 8 :D

Here she is in all her glory.

1 liter vs. 1.3 liter.

i bet the metro gets like TWICE the gas mileage of the RX-8 :D

The automatic sucks!!!!

My previous beater (Chevy sprint) got 40 mph, no matter how fast you drove.

This car went from 30 mph when I bought it used to about 25 mph now.

If you can believe it, the larger tires have helped the top end speed of the car by allowing the wheels to turn slower.

Metro top speed ~90 mph on level ground.

...what a thrill.

The truth is if they want a nice car they should go buy one. If they can't afford one, then that's there problem not yours. I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of great things happen in my life, and every time something great happens, there's always someone there to act envious and try to make me feel guilty. Fact is they're just jealous and don't understand that the reason something great happened to someone else and not them is because they haven't worked as hard. I bought a used 968 for $25,000 and had to listen to all the belly aching from my co-workers about the fact that they would never buy anything like that, it's just a waste of money, yada, yada, yada....... Fact is most of their stupid pick-up trucks cost more. I feel I go to work to do my job, and what I do or spend my money on is absolutely no ones business. Oh, and I love the question, "how much did it cost?" You know that's a RUDE question which I refuse to answer. I would never ask anyone what they paid for something, it's not any of my business. If people act jealous you should just ignore it and stick to business. Plus it's a good way to find out who your true friends are. I'll get off my soapbox now, but that just hacks me off.

Nice rims on the Metro...


:D

Several years back in NJ I got a new boss who was about 300lbs and drove a blue Tercel - it was like origami in reverse watching him get out of the car. I was not at all embarassed to get my new IS300 and give him a ride in it - and it had no effect on my next payrise either. My next boss at the same company had a red '92 Camry that looked more beat up than the Metro above - the other VPs actually took him aside and told him to improve his car as it made the company look bad, so he got a new Lincoln LS V8.

At my new company my 'peers' have cars worth almost twice my RX-8 (MB E430, BMW 7 series, Jaguar S-Type, Lexus LS430 etc) but then they average about 15 years older than me and have mucho stock options etc as they have all been with the company for 15-22 years.

Cool, another dentist with an RX-8. I just started as an associate in a new office and the staff were really impressed. Not that I bought it to impress people, it's just so fun to drive. Recently, I let a dental school buddies of mine and his brother drive it in exchange for a drive in the brother's slightly modded S2000 (cold air intake). Really fun, quick, but I wouldn't trade my 8 for it. The car was -really- loud. Having never driven a VTEC car, I thought something was wrong with the tranny when it kicked in. After driving mine, my friend who has a manual IS300 (I drove it previously, also fun and smooth. Much quieter) said he hoped his would get stolen so he could get an RX-8.

I was concerned about this at first -- I have tended to trade cars fairly frequently in the past 3 or 4 years, and it has occasionally raised some eyebrows at work. (I've just been looking for the "right" car -- I can now safely say the RX-8 is "the one"!!!)

But the way I look at things, other people spend boatloads of money on their hobbies, whether it be video game consoles and games, stereo equipment, radio controlled boats, guns, etc. (all hobbies of various people I work with); my hobby just happens to be cars!

Besides, my partner and I are DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids), so we don't have all those extra expenses that come with raising a family (nor will we!) Just a couple weeks after I got my RX-8, he bought an Infiniti FX35 -- awesome vehicle, by the way!!!

In the past 3 1/2 years I've been at my job, I've had a 1990 Ford Festiva and a 1993 Taurus station wagon. I've been saving my butt off for a car that I could really love, and thanks to that, and a very happy company stock, I was able to buy my beautiful 8 easily. Yes, I've gotten a few jealous comments and a lot of people drooling on the car, but then, I think after driving crap cars for so long I deserve something nice. If they get jealous, they get jealous. They can save and invest as easily as I can.

I've had a couple people jokingly inquire how the money-laundering business is going. I remind them that I avoided a car payment for an entire year by paying cash for that 1993 240SX. Plus, I did just get a $27K bonus last year, and an $8K bonus this June. But only this year's bonus actually went toward the car. Last year's went toward the new house. My boss fell in love with the car. A week later I ran into him, and he reminded me (like I need reminding!) that it is a beautiful car. We got on the topic of expense (in a very non-invasive way) and I told him, "well, you know it's the little things like not running the faucet continuously while shaving. It all adds up to savings." He agreed with me vehemently on that point.
Yeah, work has been fine; the only place I feel a little weird parking my car is at church. I've been dealt a couple of disapproving remarks from jealous people. Oh well, I really feel sorry for them because it is their jealously that is sinful, not my appreciation for the ingenuity that God bestowed upon Mr. Felix Wankel. And yes, same comment from me about the cost of people's stupid pickup trucks. I guess folks around here find them to be much more practical - sure, if I lived on a frikin farm! I haul my butt, my wife's, and two 4-yr olds. This is much more practical.

those type of jealous people need to mind their own business.. like putting people down will make their lives feel better... so what if the company i used to work at, the daughter of the CEO drives a red 456 ferrari , although its auto, i m not complaining// i am not jealous, i just want to date her AHAHAHAH..

anyways, all i say is enjoy the car and if coworkers or anyone else has a problem, maybe some of us can teach them on saving techniques, or how to work harder at their job and advance!!!

Originally posted by Lensman
A colleague recently bought a Lotus Elise (same price as a loaded RX-8 here in the UK) and on his first day with it in the office car park a lot of people went out to see it. Our boss sent an email to all us developers stating that this was unacceptable because people in other departments (such as the call-centre) might be offended that we apparently earned so much more than them and were flaunting it. A few weeks later our CEO (not the same man) bought a Lamborghini Murcielago and parked it by the front door of the building. One rule for the bosses another for the workers.
Most of my colleagues know I'm getting the RX-8 because I've been going on about it for months. Some are really into the idea and talk cars day in day out which is good.

Your boss should be fired

Simple, people are just jealous of another's "fortune". shrug. If they applied that "hate" energy in a positive way unto their own lives maybe they would too be able to afford the nicer things in life. Besides, every individual situation is different.. One can be leasing the car and barely afford payments or there was an inheritance or whatever.. At my present work I have on of the best cars on the lot, most people here don't get paid very much but I also have had a part time job on the weekends for the past three years which pays very well. Nobody knows this and I'm sure some are wondering how I can afford my car. I honestly don't give a shit what these idiots are thinking... If they want to waste their life being consumed by jealousy and hate so be it. Life is too short to worry about these wankers.. Spend that time instead driving your cars, enjoying life and the fruits of your hard work. :)

It's an interesting question. I didn't think about office politics when I got the car, I just knew I REALLY wanted it! :) But when I was showing it to some of my co-workers who were curious about it, one of them belts out, "Well! We certainly know who's making the big bucks around here!" He said it half-joking, but I know there was a bit of a dig in there. But what I brought up is that the RX with the GT package really isn't any more than a stocked Accord coupe. If you put it in that sort of perspective, it reduces the seeming extravagance. It goes to show, that the RX is so nice that people just assume that it's much more expensive than it is. :)

I had been talking excessively at work about the RX-8 for the last 2 years, everybody was so excited when i finally got the car. They were sure once I had it, I would finally shut up. Boy were they wrong!

Actually my boss knew that my last car had 300k miles and that it was about time I got a new one. I bought my last car from his neighbor.

bump

? Why bump a year old thread that didnt get much attention to begin with?

why not?

Why?

why me?

If not you, then maybe someone else...why not?

why ask why?

why not ask why not?

A colleague recently bought a Lotus Elise (same price as a loaded RX-8 here in the UK) and on his first day with it in the office car park a lot of people went out to see it. Our boss sent an email to all us developers stating that this was unacceptable because people in other departments (such as the call-centre) might be offended that we apparently earned so much more than them and were flaunting it. A few weeks later our CEO (not the same man) bought a Lamborghini Murcielago and parked it by the front door of the building. One rule for the bosses another for the workers.
Most of my colleagues know I'm getting the RX-8 because I've been going on about it for months. Some are really into the idea and talk cars day in day out which is good.

Well if that don't beat all... a man can't spend his own money that he worked hard for however he sees fit.... :rolleyes:

Thats bullshit! People need to get laid more often... or grow up or maybe a little bit of both :D

Any boss that is gonna hold stuff like that against someone else needs to take their head out of their ass and grow up. they shouldn't even be bosses if they that immature. Its people like that that can end up costing shareholders/owners alot of money

This is just one example of why I'm busting my arse in start up of my own business. No you cant avoid "bullshit" as it is everywhere, but being on the "butt-end" of that kind of immature office politics is bullshit that I care not to deal with.

So I finally got my 8. Red. Beautiful.

There was something I was concerned about before I bought it, and now it's on my mind again. I work for a high-profile software company, and our parking lot has its fair share of Porsches, Miatas, S2000s, etc. However, almost everyone in my department (my direct colleagues) drive either old beaters or very plain, low-priced cars: Escorts, Saturns, and so forth. My previous car was a 10-year old dinged-up beater. Now here I am in this shiny new red sportscar with kick-ass freestyle doors, and I've seen a few raised eyebrows. The common reaction when people see it is to look at me and ask, "WTF?"

So I was wondering, has anyone else on this forum thought about how their new RX8 has or will play into the whole office politics game, or in what negative ways it might affect people's perception of you?

** No need to reply with "who cares what others think?!" I totally agree with that sentiment and I know this isn't a big deal. I'm just curious if others have given the issue any thought.

People at work think I'm rich. Haha. They couldn't be more wrong. Good credit gets you good things :).

the first day i drove to work in the 8 people started talking and ask me. how can you manage a car payment that high .i repled if you want something bad enough you can sacafice in other areas.little do they know i paid cash for my car if they knew that they would probablly resent me for buying this car .alot of people i work with are in thier 40's and still have done nothing for retirement ,i keep telling them i going to builg my dream house on a golf course and retire in 5yr's .

A colleague recently bought a Lotus Elise (same price as a loaded RX-8 here in the UK) and on his first day with it in the office car park a lot of people went out to see it. Our boss sent an email to all us developers stating that this was unacceptable because people in other departments (such as the call-centre) might be offended that we apparently earned so much more than them and were flaunting it. A few weeks later our CEO (not the same man) bought a Lamborghini Murcielago and parked it by the front door of the building. One rule for the bosses another for the workers.
Most of my colleagues know I'm getting the RX-8 because I've been going on about it for months. Some are really into the idea and talk cars day in day out which is good.


Your boss needs to remove the large stick from his nether region.
People have different priorities. My coworker lives in a really nice new house, with all the amenities, and drives a beat up 10 year old isuzu. I drive an RX8, and live in a not so nice or new house. I don't eat out daily, or fly to a tropical island every summer.

Nah! No worries. If anything, it gives you some common ground with successful people. That's not a bad thing.

In an office situation, the key to advancement is to get noticed. Remember the old adage - People who are like each other, like each other. I would use this as an opportunity to compliment those who are driving the fancy cars. Maybe they noticed yours and that can start a conversation.

That's not to say that you should be a brown-noser. One can usually sniff out the BS. Be sincere in your compliments. For instance - say ,"Gee, I really admire your Porsche. I can't afford one, so I got the next best thing - an 8." See? you were sincere, you did not try to one-up your superior, but you demonstrated the fact that you both have an interest in nice cars. Also, while this type of talk can be appropriate in a parking lot, don't do it around a water cooler on company time where you may actually be keeping this person from something important.

As for your colleagues, you have to ask yourself do you want to spend the rest of your life within this department, or are you more ambitious? If these are your friends, then what you drive will not matter to them. If your colleagues are jealous of you, too bad. Do your own thing. Work hard, play hard - get yourself noticed.

On the flip side, I think it is wrong for high income execs to flaunt their wealth in front of emplyees. For instance, a Lambo in front of the building is a definite mistake. I know many wealthy people who are so conservative around the office. I think a chauffered Lincoln for the most part is OK. The other day, a prominent businessman arived at our building in a chauffered Mercedes. Black s-class. That's OK. If he drove up in a red 360 Modena, probably not the right image.
I have one client who drives an Impala, but has a 328GTB and a vette in the garage. He only drives the impala to his work. He tries to blend in with his employees as much as possible.
As for the manager sending emails to not buy a nice car, is he nuts? You can't infringe on people's freedom of choice - for any reason. To send out an email like that is petty and probably diminishes his stature in the eyes of his employees. Just my 2 cents.

On the flip side, I think it is wrong for high income execs to flaunt their wealth in front of emplyees. For instance, a Lambo in front of the building is a definite mistake. I know many wealthy people who are so conservative around the office. I think a chauffered Lincoln for the most part is OK. The other day, a prominent businessman arived at our building in a chauffered Mercedes. Black s-class. That's OK. If he drove up in a red 360 Modena, probably not the right image.
I have one client who drives an Impala, but has a 328GTB and a vette in the garage. He only drives the impala to his work. He tries to blend in with his employees as much as possible.
As for the manager sending emails to not buy a nice car, is he nuts? You can't infringe on people's freedom of choice - for any reason. To send out an email like that is petty and probably diminishes his stature in the eyes of his employees. Just my 2 cents.

What if an exec is genuinely a nice guy and simply just felt like driving the Lambo that day???... that makes them some sort of an ass?....or that means they are senslessly flaunting?

I know where you are coming from on this... I just think its unfortunate that people have to go and judge others like that

What if an exec is genuinely a nice guy and simply just felt like driving the Lambo that day???... that makes them some sort of an ass?....or that means they are senslessly flaunting?

I know where you are coming from on this... I just think its unfortunate that people have to go and judge others like that



Choice of car has nothing to do with whether or not he is a nice guy. I know many nice people who can afford nice cars. I meet up with them at charity golf tourney and the such. They just choose not to drive them to the office. In fact, even the nicest exec should be aware of what business image that would project.

I did my thing with the Porsche early on in my career. I had an '86 911 targa sc white with the whale tail. I NEVER drove that car to see a client. Same business sensibility applies to CEO's. Today, when I meet a client, I show up in a Nissan Maxima. There are people that would take exception to BMW, M-B, whatever. Personally, I like to know what my clients drive (I'll see it at the golf course) so next time I know if I'll be offending anybody.

Fwiw, yeah, he probably is an ass.

well i guess thats an advantage of working downtown..... its next to impossible to track that stuff when you have your pick of 100's of parking lots and 80% of them are for buildings with god knows how many people in it.

Unfortunately, I still make housecalls, meet clients at restaurants, golf club, tennis club, u name it. Sometimes people don't like it when others are too successful. I try to be conspicuous. Gave up the expensive toys because ultimately, I realized that none of the 6-figure cars made me happier as a person, but tended to make others form an immediate impression of me. Besides, I can't afford a Lambo.
Now if only I can get my wife to stop with the home renovations.......... but, that's another thread.
:-)

I meant IN-conspicuous. Sorry.

My 8 drove my boss to go purchase a brand new 3-series vert, his wife wouldn't let him have an 8 because of the high maintenace aspect (watching the oil etc. etc.) so it was new beemer for him. Owning a sports car carries its own image, just like driving a low rider, mini-truck, jacked up 4x4, classic whatever. What mattered to me was how I felt about it, until other people pay my note every month their opinions will never really matter. :)

A colleague recently bought a Lotus Elise (same price as a loaded RX-8 here in the UK) and on his first day with it in the office car park a lot of people went out to see it. Our boss sent an email to all us developers stating that this was unacceptable because people in other departments (such as the call-centre) might be offended that we apparently earned so much more than them and were flaunting it. A few weeks later our CEO (not the same man) bought a Lamborghini Murcielago and parked it by the front door of the building. One rule for the bosses another for the workers.
Most of my colleagues know I'm getting the RX-8 because I've been going on about it for months. Some are really into the idea and talk cars day in day out which is good.

I'm surprised a boss can get away with saying something like that in the UK. I think if somebody said something like that in a big company here in the US he'd be out on his duff the next day. That's surprising!

I have a rx8
My boss has a 328i (I win)
My bosses boss has a 95 mustang (I win)
My bosses bosses boss has a brand new 5 series (HE WINS!!!)

I guess it doesnt really matter what position your in. My director (mustang) constantly tells me how cool my car is. Everyone in the office seems to love it. I beleive I make less than most of my co-workers, but they know im single/young/no kids/not on drugs... I guess i have alot more disposable income.

Its nice to be young.

Wait a minute!?! Not on drugs. How can you be the low person on the totem pole and not be on drugs? I smoke weed all the time and yet I can still afford my RX-8. And I still can't wipe that grin off my face either :D

My boss:
'01 Nissan Maxima
'02 Toyota Tacoma

Me:
'04 RX-8
Lots of marijuana...

I win!!!

Im an alcoholic, i wonder if that counts?

The CEO has a Cadillac CTS . . . The VPs have Audi 5000,.Porsche 911, or Denali. I pull my 8 right up next to them, and a few of the "backbone" of the company questioned my compensation. I just told them I was on a different bonus program and that prgram may evaporate at any minute.

This seems to keep everybody happy!

the director of my district upon hearing of my purchase of an RX-8 within months of being hired, regaled me with a story of how in 1969 when he was not even two months into the same exact job as me he bought one of the first 240Zs to come to the US. So that was really cool. Hopefully i'll be put on the inside track.