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Sort of a silly question but here goes... what type of cars do biglaw associates typically drive in los angeles? i currently dont need a car where i work and am conflicted between a standard car such as a honda or an entry level luxury like a c class/3 series... any input would be appreciated!

mazda is the official car of biglaw associates in LA

iamgeorgebush wrote:mazda is the official car of biglaw associates in LA

True. But these things can vary from practice group to practice group. IP partners might go for something more modern and eco-friendly like a FIAT 500, so keep an open mind!

Are you asking because you're worried that you'll get get judged while walking to your office from the garage? Don't worry about that. I'd be more worried about how judgmental LA is generally.

mazda is the official car of biglaw associates in LA

No way. Beemer, 3-series, or Audi 4. (Mazda not good for dating.)

Huge range at my office - one of the associates drives a honda from the 1990s, one of them drives a porsche, lots of variation in between (but no Mazdas, I don't think). I drive an older (early-mid 2000s) 3 series FWIW.

From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

LazyLASA wrote:From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

unless it's a 3 series

I am one of the few associates not driving a foreign car (Mazda, Honda, etc.) or some type of smaller SUV. I really just had to have a convertible, 2013 Chrysler. Maybe down the road I can afford to upgrade to a Benz, which is what most the partners drive.

El Pollito wrote:

LazyLASA wrote:From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

unless it's a 3 series

Whatever happened to the 1-series in USA? I remember them cropping up for a bit right after I graduated college but it doesn't look like they're on BMW USA's website any longer? My old roommate used to drive a 1-series and I always thought it was a nifty little car that wasn't as emasculating as a mini or etc. If I recall correctly it was much cheaper than a 3-series too.

Get a used Subaru Forester.

cookiejar1 wrote:

El Pollito wrote:

LazyLASA wrote:From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

unless it's a 3 series

Whatever happened to the 1-series in USA? I remember them cropping up for a bit right after I graduated college but it doesn't look like they're on BMW USA's website any longer? My old roommate used to drive a 1-series and I always thought it was a nifty little car that wasn't as emasculating as a mini or etc. If I recall correctly it was much cheaper than a 3-series too.

It's the 2-series now. BMW usually uses even numbers for coupes and odd numbers for sedans. They changed the name to make the labeling consistent with the rest of the line.

cookiejar1 wrote:

El Pollito wrote:

LazyLASA wrote:From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

unless it's a 3 series

Whatever happened to the 1-series in USA? I remember them cropping up for a bit right after I graduated college but it doesn't look like they're on BMW USA's website any longer? My old roommate used to drive a 1-series and I always thought it was a nifty little car that wasn't as emasculating as a mini or etc. If I recall correctly it was much cheaper than a 3-series too.

I think it just got folded into the 2-series.

And the 1-series is still pretty fucking tiny where it counted. One of the big gripes with the 3-series these days is that they've kinda morphed into these much larger, less sport-sized cars over time from what they once were. One of my first cars was an E30 and while they're comparatively around the same body size, that E30 from '88 somehow still dwarfs the trunk space and overall interior space of the 1-series. Biggest upside to the 1-series is that it does have that classic weight distribution that makes the E30 and E36 (to a lesser extent) fun to drive.

El Pollito wrote:

LazyLASA wrote:From what I've seen, there are a lot of Mercedes' and BMW's, and there are also a lot of Priuses. That being said, there is a ton of variation, and you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

unless it's a 3 series

This is the most accurate response in this thread. 3 series (or C-Class) for that matter just screams try-hard that can't afford an actual luxury car. A Honda Accord with all the options is a far better car at a much more reasonable price. Only the worst kind of people would judge someone for driving an Accord. A 3 Series or C-Class on the other hand just makes you seem someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Audi is ok because they aren't as typically try-hard.

Get an Accord (or even a Civic) or an Altima and get reasonable mileage and minimal maintenance fees. Also will likely be worth more than a 3 series in 5 years, at which point you can upgrade to an actual luxury car (Infiniti, Lexus, German cars that aren't the above mentioned ones) unless you'd rather put the money into a home or your kids schooling or something.

you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

You must be from out of town.

someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Welcome to L.A.

stannis wrote:3 series (or C-Class) for that matter just screams try-hard that can't afford an actual luxury car. A Honda Accord with all the options is a far better car at a much more reasonable price. Only the worst kind of people would judge someone for driving an Accord. A 3 Series or C-Class on the other hand just makes you seem someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Audi is ok because they aren't as typically try-hard.

wat

los blancos wrote:

stannis wrote:3 series (or C-Class) for that matter just screams try-hard that can't afford an actual luxury car. A Honda Accord with all the options is a far better car at a much more reasonable price. Only the worst kind of people would judge someone for driving an Accord. A 3 Series or C-Class on the other hand just makes you seem someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Audi is ok because they aren't as typically try-hard.

wat

(guy with a 40k dollar 4 cylinder car with wood "accents")

stannis wrote:

los blancos wrote:

stannis wrote:3 series (or C-Class) for that matter just screams try-hard that can't afford an actual luxury car. A Honda Accord with all the options is a far better car at a much more reasonable price. Only the worst kind of people would judge someone for driving an Accord. A 3 Series or C-Class on the other hand just makes you seem someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Audi is ok because they aren't as typically try-hard.

wat

(guy with a 40k dollar 4 cylinder car with wood "accents")

No, guy with $7k 6 cylinder car, but nice try.

Big Dog wrote:

you're really not going to be judged for what you drive.

You must be from out of town.

I'm from here. I just didn't want to include the caveat of "unless you drive a Ford Focus or a smartcar."

los blancos wrote:

stannis wrote:

los blancos wrote:

stannis wrote:3 series (or C-Class) for that matter just screams try-hard that can't afford an actual luxury car. A Honda Accord with all the options is a far better car at a much more reasonable price. Only the worst kind of people would judge someone for driving an Accord. A 3 Series or C-Class on the other hand just makes you seem someone that is willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars (usually debt-financed by someone with a negative net worth) just so others will be "impressed" by your "awesome car."

Audi is ok because they aren't as typically try-hard.

wat

(guy with a 40k dollar 4 cylinder car with wood "accents")

No, guy with $7k 6 cylinder car, but nice try.

not really sure what you found objectionable about my post since you seem to have a reasonable car.

I think it was that an Audi isn't a try hard car, which lol.

Seriously though, go with a Forester. It says "I don't give a fuck about impressing you with my car."

TheUnicornHunter wrote:I think it was that an Audi isn't a try hard car, which lol.

Seriously though, go with a Forester. It says "I don't give a fuck about impressing you with my car."

Fair point. Not gonna try to argue Audi isn't try hard. Entry level Lexus/Infiniti probably is as well. I just think BMW and Mercedes have more of a "look at me" quality to them.

Lol, I don't know man. This is LA. The 3 series etc is like your every day entry level working man car in a ton of neighborhoods. I don't think people judge you for a 3 series. Maybe they judge you for being a poor.

But hey -- if you live in the valley just do you man.

So would my 2 Door no-ABS Chevy Cobalt survive the #biglawlife?