Just saw this thread got revived recently... And I'm in a foul mood from today so I have to post...
I've had my '99 ACR for over a year now, just turned 25, and I can say I get a variety of reactions from people.
I've been on my own since 17, and I've worked in IT full time, since the day I graduated Highschool, and through college as well (I had to pay for it myself). I earned my MBA in less than a year from working my ass off, and I've had my own business for the past 2 years (which consists of only me writing software haha) in addition to a day job. I have a wife at home, not working (by our choice), expecting our first child (little girl!) in about 2 months. We have zero debt, no loans other than the mortgage, and enough in the bank to pay off the mortgage and still cover my day job's salary for 2 years.
I drive the viper to my day job whenever the weather is nice, my truck or wife's suv when it snows, and my daily driver any other time. I just bought a new daily driver and drove it to work for the first time today. A super fast 2010 Toyota Corolla S (Heavy sarcasm) for $14k.
Here are some of the comments I received today:
person 1 is a total dbag anyway (owns a new loaded F350 that's easily $50k+), said this to me as I exited the toyota...
person 1: "Finally figure out that you can't afford a Viper"
response: "No, I replaced my Saturn. I have no car loans, I own all my vehicles"
person 1: "*blank stare for about 3 seconds* well how much a month does that one cost you?"
response: "I have no car payments, I bought this with cash"
person 1: "huh?"
person 2 (fellow car nut) came running over to my desk asking why I sold the viper.
person 3: "So you realized it would difficult to survive without your wife working huh"
me: "Excuse me I don't quite understand what you're referring to"
person 3: "Rumor has it you got rid of the viper and replaced it with a toyota"
me: "No I replaced my Saturn, still have all the other cars, and I couldn't be happier with my wife not working. Please spread this because I'm tired of hearing b.s. comments"
person 4: "Why didn't you get a BMW, or a Lexus"
me: "Because it's a pointless waste of money to me"
person 4: "The payment wouldn't be that much"
Those are the bad apples though... all around we have a ton of great people here, I've given many of them rides and as a result built many awesome relationships, both professional and personal.