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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: July 2nd, 2023

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  • I drive a 2018 Mercedes GLA, and that thing is a tank compared to other vehicles I’ve owned. Last year I was involved in an accident with a semi, a convertable SLK, and an older Toyota land cruiser (I think).

    I was the first one hit, but was able to immediately regain control (because AWD) and only had about 5k worth of damage (wheel, front quarter panel, side view mirror, headlight, and a couple other dents).

    The Toyota that hit me (to avoid the semi) lost control, hit the semi anyway, then barely the SLK, (which lost control and hit the divider), then spun around and almost hit the divider too.

    Those other two cars were totaled.

    Granted the SLK was also Mercedes, but convertable and not AWD. Potential skill difference from the Toyota side since it was a younger driver.

    Either way, all my previous cars would have likely been totaled. Drove a 2007 Ford focus with crank windows up until I got this car a couple years ago and it would for sure have gone flying.

    Maybe the main takeaway is spring for AWD before the other bells and whistles.


  • Safety equipment, especially SCUBA. Also clothes, shoes, your bed, and your computer chair.

    If you drive a lot, a “low-end” luxury model that isn’t fully equipped will likely drive better, be more comfortable, and every feature it does have will be at least a little bit nicer than the equivalent in the “normal” brand.

    You might even get a lower sale price on a used luxury car vs buying a new Toyota or something these days.

    Maintenance will definitely cost more, but the experience of having that work done is a whole lot better than how it used to be on all the shitty cars I’ve had.

    Not everyone will agree with this one, but I pay more for better seats on planes too, and tend to fly only with Delta for status. That’s because I have extra blood clot risk and need the wiggle room, and because I have beef with most of the other companies due to many years of experience.

    My travel curse has largely been managed after getting all the stuff that gets you through the lines faster, including global entry.

    Recently we were about to miss our transfer and there was a dude waiting at the gate when we deplaned who loaded us into a Porsche and drove us around the runway directly to our next gate. That was probably random, but there’s a 0% chance Southwest or Spirit would do that.

    Also treat yourself to some fine dining if you are able, even if it’s just once every year or two.

    Maybe get someone to deep clean your place (even once a year) .

    Note that I am in no way a baller when I say these things. I always thought you had to be rich to get anything cool like that, but it’s not attainable than you think, assuming you’re not in a paycheck -to-paycheck situation (which many are and I certainly was for like all of my 20’s and a good chunk of my 30’s).