Old Money, New Money, or No Money? Your Car Says It All

You can fake a Rolex, rent a designer bag, and even photoshop yourself into a yacht vacation, but your car will always tell the truth. Nothing spills your financial tea faster than what you’re driving (or not driving).

Are you Old Money, cruising around in classic cars favored by traditional elites?
Are you New Money, flexing the latest exotic cars that scream, “Look at me, I’m rich now?
Or… are you No Money, still still navigating life through walking, public transport, and the kindness of friends?

Buckle up, because we’re about to rank the car status symbols from “Just got my first paycheck” to “Jeff Bezos is my neighbour.”

Level 0: No Money, No Car, Just Vibes

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

If you’re still Ubering everywhere (or worse, relying on “can you pick me up?” texts), welcome to the no car life. You walk, take the subway, or hop on the bus. You’ve memorized the metro schedule better than your own work deadlines.

.You tell yourself you’re being “minimalist,” but deep down, you know that even a budget-friendly car with a high-end look would feel like a mansion on wheels.

Old Money Verdict: A young Rockefeller wouldn’t be caught dead without a chauffeur.
New Money Verdict: You’re Uber Black on payday, but UberX the rest of the week.
Reality Check: You’ve seriously considered buying a bike.

The Psychology Behind It:

People at this stage often justify their lack of a car by calling it a “smart financial move”, but let’s be real,it’s more about necessity than choice. Studies show that those who use public transport regularly tend to prioritize budget-conscious decisions over status-driven purchases. That’s why you won’t see a true old-money heir catching a train unless it’s for nostalgia (or in Europe, where trains are actually nice).

Level 1: The Cheap Old Car (a.k.a. “My First Whip”)

Photo by Justiniano Adriano

This car has history—and by that, we mean it’s been through things (and most likely, generations). It’s either a hand-me-down, a Craigslist special, or something your parents threw at you to keep you from borrowing theirs.

You’ve got no modern features, but you’ve made it your own—stickers, questionable DIY repairs, and a backseat that’s home to your gym bag, an old hoodie, and a rogue French fry.

It gets you from A to B (barely), and affordable cars that look luxurious are out of reach for now.

Old Money Verdict: Not in the family’s multi-generational plan.
New Money Verdict: I would rather lease a BMW than drive that.
Reality Check: If it has working A/C, you’re lucky.

The Psychology Behind It:

At this stage, a car isn’t about luxury or performance, it’s about functionality. People in this group see their vehicle as a tool, not a status symbol. But deep down, they dream of leveling up.

Level 2: The “I’m Doing Okay” Secondhand Car

This is where you start making moves. You’ve upgraded from your clunker to a classic car favored by traditional elites (if you’re classy) or a modern luxury car popular among the nouveau riche (if you’re flashy).

Leather seats? Check.
A decent sound system? Check
Apple CarPlay so you can blast motivational podcasts about becoming a millionaire? Double Check.

Old Money Verdict: Respectable. Perhaps something vintage, like a well-kept Jaguar or a Mercedes S-Class with sentimental value.
New Money Verdict: Probably a 5-year-old BMW or an Audi, leased, of course.
Reality Check: You’re still making payments, but it feels like progress.

Old Money vs. New Money Car Choices:

• Old Money Pick: A 10-year-old Mercedes S-Class, not because they can’t afford a new one, but because “it still runs just fine.”
• New Money Pick: A 5-year-old BMW, because they need a badge to validate their first big career win.

Level 3: “I Have Two Cars Now” Flex

Now we’re talking. You’ve reached the point where you need a second car—either for a spouse, partner, or simply to have options.

This is the middle-class peak of the car culture. You probably own a Tesla Model 3, a Ford F-150, or a Volvo if you want to pretend you’re practical. The days of public transport are long gone, and your driveway is proof that you’ve moved up in life.

 Old Money Verdict: “How quaint. A second car?”
New Money Verdict: “Two cars? I need a third.”
Reality Check: “One is paid off, the other is… getting there.”

The Status Shift:

Owning two cars means you’ve transitioned from “I need a car to get around” to “I need a car for different occasions.” This is a major wealth milestone because it signals disposable income.

Level 4: The “I Could Have Gone Bigger, But I’m Smart” Car

This is where luxury car brands start entering the picture, but you’re still playing it safe.

You drive something respectable but not too showy. Maybe a mid-range Mercedes or an affordable luxury car like a Lexus.

Old Money Verdict: “Acceptable. At least it’s not a neon green Lamborghini.”
New Money Verdict: “Why didn’t you just get the AMG package?”
Reality Check: “This car is the most expensive thing I own.”

Level 5: The “I Made It” Luxury Car

Photo by Raimundo Campbell

Now we’re talking big boy (or big girl) purchases. You’re rolling in a Range Rover, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, or Tesla Model X.

This is the first car that makes you feel truly successful. You justify it by calling it a “business expense” (even though it’s just for flexing at brunch).

Old Money Verdict: “My father had one of those… 20 years ago.”
New Money Verdict: “Finally, a real car!”
Reality Check: “This car payment is bigger than my rent.”

Level 6-9: Supercars, Maybachs & Rolls-Royces

Photo by jae p

You’ve arrived. You’re driving a Bentley, Maybach, G-Wagon, or Ferrari Roma.

If you’ve got a luxury car collection, congrats—you now belong to the club of financial influencers who lease cars to sell scam courses.

Old Money Verdict: “We don’t buy cars. We inherit them.”
New Money Verdict: “This is my entire personality now.”
Reality Check: “At least I don’t have to fly economy anymore.”

Old Money vs. New Money Car Choices:

• Old Money Pick: Rolls-Royce Phantom (preferably with a driver). Subtle, refined, timeless.
• New Money Pick: Lamborghini Urus. Loud, fast, impossible to park, and the ultimate Instagram flex.

Level 10: The “I Don’t Even Drive” Club

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

The final boss level.

You don’t own a car. You don’t drive. You have a fleet of chauffeurs, and you don’t even know what model you were in today.

This is billionaire status. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail? Bugatti Chiron Hermes Edition? Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabrio? You could buy them all.

Old Money Verdict: Welcome, dear.
New Money Verdict: One day…
Reality Check: Why am I still on this blog?

So, Where Do You Rank?

Are you still in no money mode, dreaming of affordable luxury cars?
Have you upgraded to a modern luxury car popular among the nouveau riche?
Or are you out here buying classic cars favored by traditional elites, proving you have old money class?

Drop your car level in the comments. And if you’re still taking the bus, just remember:
Even the richest people in the world started somewhere.